Quality SA/DA Carry Pistol

D

dillius

Inactive
I've been looking to add a SA/DA semi auto to my small collection, and would like to get opinions on some models from people with more experience with them.

Currently I carry either a Springfield XDM 3.8 9mm, a Glock 17, or a S&W 642 in an ankle holster. I have little trouble concealing any of these, even the Glock 17 IWB at 3 o'clock (I'm a big guy and usually wear loose fitting clothing with a good belt). I favor the grip on my XDM but I seem to have a much smaller spread with the Glock when I go to the range.

On one of these range trips I took the opportunity to try out one of the Beretta PX4 storm's and enjoyed the feel of a SA/DA pistol. I'm planning another long day at the range to try out some other like rentals but until such time I've been browsing through forums and reviews gathering opinions. I haven't really settled on anything in particular so far, though I have held a few in a store nearby to get an idea of how they feel.

1. Sig Sauer P226 (or P229) - I have held a P226 and felt that it was quite comfortable in my hand, though I haven't had the same opportunity with the P229. It seems however that buying a modern version of these firearms has become a bit more risky than buying from other manufacturers due to QC issues?

2. HK P2000 - Haven't gotten a chance to try one of these out yet, though I have shot a HK USP at the range. Feeling in the hands was okay, though still not at comfy as my XDM. Still looking to find a place to rent this.

3. Beretta 92fs - I've held an M9A1 at a shop, a little heavy but felt alright in my hands.

4. CZ 75B - Haven't had the opportunity to check one of these out at all, though I hear a number of positive things.

Certainly would be open to additional suggestions as well. I'm not overly concerned about price, more about reliability and general quality. Any opinions or observations would be appreciated.
 
1. Sig Sauer P226 (or P229) - I have held a P226 and felt that it was quite comfortable in my hand, though I haven't had the same opportunity with the P229. It seems however that buying a modern version of these firearms has become a bit more risky than buying from other manufacturers due to QC issues?
Click to expand...

The SIG P226/P229 are spectacular pistols. You would be a fool to rule them out because of what you may have read on the innerwebs. SIG primarily had problems with their new releases, especially their subcompact pistols. You are good to go with a new P226/P229. In the rare case you had a problem with one SIG will take care of you and in short order under their factory warranty.

All the pistols you list are fine pistols but some are pretty big and heavy for CCW IMHO but maybe not an issue for you.

The HK P2000 (only poly pistol you list) could potentially be the best of the bunch you list for CCW IF the P2000 works well for you. HK is rumored to be substantially dropping prices on the P2000 line after the first of the year just so you know if you are seriously considering one. HK is also offering $200 rebate on new USP/P30/HK45 series (including compacts) until the end of the year.

My hammer fired DA/SA CCW pistols is my HK P30LS. It conceals very well for me (6'2" 200 lbs) and comfortably in Garrett Silent Thunder Fusion hybrid holder. I primarily CCW a Walther PPQ and HK VP9 but they are not DA/SA though the Walther P99 AS is a striker fired DA/SA pistol IMO well worth while looking into. I will soon be getting a OWB holster for my SIG P229.

http://www.waltherarms.com/products/handguns/p99/ -- Walther P99 AS

There are a TON of great DA/SA pistols out there. You will get a lot of posts of forum members personal favorites. My suggestion is to handle as many as you can and if possible actually fire at a range whatever you are considering to see what works best for you.

Good luck!
 
Last edited:
The Beretta 92's are awesome but a little large to carry (although it can be done). The Cougar is a little smaller and has the same great feel to it. Controls are identical to the 92's which I like but it's still a little on the large side for some carry applications. The other one I like is the Bersa Thunder 380. It's proven reliable, pleasant to shoot, and accurate. It's not a true pocket pistol but I find it's pretty easy to carry and it also functions like the 92 and the Cougar. I prefer to carry the Cougar but when I can't, the Bersa fits the bill. You might check the Walther PPK too.

BTW - The DA/SA is my preferred platform by far. You get used to it and can't imagine shooting anything else. :) It's not for everyone though.
 
Last edited:
Having used all of them, I'm honestly going to say my choices would be 1) HK 2) CZ 3) Beretta 4) SIG and here's my reasoning on this;

1) My old lady just picked up a LNIB HK P2000 w/ 5 magazines for $600. We just took it to the range on Sunday and it is very accurate, had no misfeeds or FTFs and was extremely comfortable in my hands, especially with the added magazine floor plate. This being the first HK we have owned, I am very impressed with it and definitely recommend it.

2) I own a TZ-75 (which is an Italian made copy of the CZ-75 made by Tanfoglio) and it is a very comfortable, extremely accurate full size. At 10 yards I can easily hit pop cans one handed with it. It just points really well and has a great single action trigger pull.

3) Berettas are really good pistols, but unless its a new one, I'm like *meh*, I used them in the military. They are indeed really well made though and for the same reasons as the CZ listed above. You being a larger fellow, you might really like the ergonomics on them.

4) I have fired my younger brother's SIG,(and he's a die hard SIG guy) and it shot really nice but he mentioned he had an older one. He too mentioned questionable quality control on the newer models and told me that if I was to get one, find a 90s production. Also I ranked this at #4 because I only have 30 rounds through his, so not enough experience to give you a lot of feed back.
 
Last edited:
CZ P-07/P-09. The P-07 is a DA/SA that's about the same size as a Glock 19. Fantastic firearm... very underrated.
 
In the end you have to go out and shoot them. The build quality and reliability of the guns you listed are so close one is not really better than another. If I had to rate them from 1 to 4 in terms of fit and finish. Sigs are not as good as they used to be but they are still high quality guns.

1. HK P2000
2. Sig Sauer P226 (or P229)
3. Beretta 92fs
4. CZ 75B

You have to shoot them to determine which one is best. You what is the role or purpose for the gun? Carry, Home Defense, Range, Gun Game, or a combination of them. What size hands do you have? This might help but in the end it is hard for anyone to tell you what is best over the internet. :D
 
I can't believe I didn't think of Walther. The P99 does look quite nice, I will have to see if I can find a place I can rent one and try it out.

My primary purpose for the gun will be concealed carry. I have large hands I believe, such that with a Glock 17 4th generation I am most comfortable once I add the additional 2mm backstrap.
 
The HK P2000 is a pretty great option in this arena. I've owned 7, still own 3. I own two of the fullsize P2000s and one P2000sk. With your larger hands you'd probably prefer the fullsize P2000 over the sk. One of my P2000s has 4500+ rds through it, including Handgun 102 and 103 at Sig Academy (hopefully 104 soon) with 300 and 500 rds expended in those class days respectively. In that time I have not had one malfunction and despite what is an admittedly meh trigger I've been in the top 2 or 3 of both classes. It just plain works. It takes the same magazines as USP compacts so those are easy to find and pretty cheap for metal mags. It can fit a USP compact holster too, though finding one for it isn't hard. For carry I'd prefer it pretty easily over the other options you've listed (only one I haven't owned is a (2) but you said you don't mind fullsize guns for this. Your call.
 
The P99 is a phenomenal pistol, and a joy to shoot. For carry the height is just a smidge taller than I prefer for a non-1911 carry gun. Smaller than your Glock 17, so it should be a step easier for you.

I recently got a CZ P-07 that I think will fit the bill for me. Glock 19 size, nice trigger, 15 round mags. Got it intending to run it "cocked and locked" but the more I shoot it the more I think it'll remain DA/SA for carry.
 
I
can't believe I didn't think of Walther. The P99 does look quite nice, I will have to see if I can find a place I can rent one and try it out.
Click to expand...

The PPQ and P99 are almost twins other than the difference in trigger and slightly different grip/slide serrations. So if you can't find a P99 to rent try a PPQ and then P99 AS will have the option of a longer/heavy pull for first shot AND an indicator that is visual and tactile as to if it is cocked or not. The P99 AS also has the option for AS -anti stress trigger mode where the first shot is essentially SA with a long take up.
 
I keep seeing some different versions of the Sig P226/P229 mentioned.

"German Sig"
"W German Sig"

As I understand it, older Sigs of these models were 100% German, now they are partially West German and partially American parts?
 
dillius said:
I keep seeing some different versions of the Sig P226/P229 mentioned.

"German Sig"
"W German Sig"

As I understand it, older Sigs of these models were 100% German, now they are partially West German and partially American parts?
Click to expand...
SIG pistols are all US now. For a time they were German parts assembled in the US. Before that they were all German. Germany was once split in two.
 
for carry, I would like a cz rami or a sub-compact sig p250. all the guns you mentioned are of the best sa/da out there, but are all duty sized guns.
 
sub-compact sig p250. all the guns you mentioned are of the best sa/da out there, but are all duty sized guns.
Click to expand...

HK P2000 is shorter in height than a P250. I know, I've got a P320 Carry sitting next to a P2000.
 
Current Sigs are 100% US origin except for a few Mastershop and X-models. In the next year or so all production will be moved to the US.

W. German vs German speaks to the rollmark on the slide. Older guns say W. Germany. This continued after unification until they changed the rollmark to Germany only.

This change over was around 1995 IIRC.
 
From your list I would chose a Sig P228/229, but my personal favorite in a compact, traditional DA/SA pistol would be one of the discontinued S&W 3rd generation autos. I have a 915 and the DA trigger is so sweet it's easy to make that DA/SA transition. Most DA/SA pistol seem to have heavy and/or stacking DA triggers. An exception would be one of the LEM versions of HK's pistols, like the P30 (or even the Walther P99QA).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top