SIG P250 (9mm; full-sized) or equivalent?

Recommendations?

  • SIG P250?

    Votes: 17 39.5%

  • Glock 17, or 19?

    Votes: 16 37.2%

  • Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield ?

    Votes: 4 9.3%

  • other?

    Votes: 9 20.9%
  • Total voters
    43
  • Poll closed .
D

David L. Smith

New member
I am a Commissioned (armed) Security Officer, licensed in the State of Texas. I often act as usher, security, etc at church functions; I have a TXCHL also.

I am looking to purchase a Sig Sauer P250 (9mm - full-sized). I will be using it for security work, Church security, and concealed carry. I have big hands (1X or 2X size gloves); and, I am 6'2", 210# - so "compact sized" pistols are not what I am looking for. I am former military (U.S.A.F. Security Specialist - 81150), so I have hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of weapons training.

The Sig P250 is a bit on the expensive side, however. My ideal DAO 9mm is an H&k - but they are even more expensive.

Do you have a suggestion for a pistol with the following characteristics -

9mm, DAO (double-action only) full-sized, reliability & accuracy are paramount!

I choose 9mm because of availability & price. I am an expert marksman (shooting left & right handed; my lowest range qualification score, in 3 years, has been 245 out of 250). So, I don't need a heavier round - I hit where I aim.

Suggestions? Thank you!
 
Have you shot the P250? Do you like the trigger? Also you say the P250 is pricey in my experience it is the cheapest Sig in the lineup, for a good reason.

What is your budget without knowing that it is hard to recommend something.
 
reply - WVsig -

Yes, I've shot the Sig P250 - a rented gun during range qualification. I shot a perfect score (250). I really liked it!

Budget - really $400 is about the most that I could afford without lay-away. Working as a security guard doesn't pay a whole lot - but I am really good at it.

I've shot the Glock 19 (rented - range qualification; score - 245). I prefer the SIG; but the Glock is good too.
 
You should be able to get a P250 for about $350-$360 OTD if you have a good transfer dealer who charges between $10-$20.
 
I have three P250's. One is a full size in .45ACP, the second is a compact P250 in 9mm and the third is a sub-compact also in 9mm. I do like the P250, but would prefer my Beretta 92FS Inox over the P250.

Then there is the Sig P226 or the P229. Either would get a lot of votes.
 
David L. Smith said:
Do you have a suggestion for a pistol with the following characteristics -

9mm, DAO (double-action only) full-sized, reliability & accuracy are paramount!
Click to expand...
Other possibilities that spring to mind are the Beretta 92D, the SIG P229DAK, and the S&W Models 5943 (alloy frame) or 5946 (steel frame).

However, the Beretta and SIG are likely out of your price range.

The Smiths are discontinued and have waning factory support. They are, however, typically a very good value if you can find a nice one, because most S&W metal-frame fans prefer the standard DA/SA guns and sneer at the DAO variants, which has tended to depress the resale value. These guns are built like brick hospitals, and IMHO they have excellent triggers, although they lack second-strike capability.

[A quick GB search reveals that, as I write this, there is a very nice-looking 5943 with night sights with no bids, no reserve, and a starting bid of $440.]
 
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If you are like me, that being a fan of a true DAO trigger, try out a full-size Beretta PX4 D. Love mine (9mm variant), though the trigger is 2 to 3 pounds heavier than the P250's.

The most common caliber I have seen for them is .40 (older police trades), followed by .45, and rarely 9mm.
 
The Glock 19 that you shot is a "Compact" model.

If you want a budget DAO model that is reliable and accurate, take a look at the Walther PPX. It's slightly larger overall compared to the 19 but, has a longer grip length which you may like better.
 
If you are looking for a SA/DA pistol in 9mm then you might want to look at the CZ P-07 or P-09. It's my personal favorite in the SA/DA market, i think its got the best trigger besides the HK USP and its only about half the price.

The biggest downside that most people have with it is the smaller slide that rides inside the rails. For anybody with decent hand strength this isnt really an issue i think but its mostly a matter of opinion.
 
The Sig P320 is a nice gun, but it's gonna be out of the $400 range. I shot one this afternoon, and prefer it to the P250 series. The one I fired had quite the rattle to it, but the trigger was great. If you tried a P250 and liked it though, you might have a winner. From your list I would go with a Glock, but it would have to be something from the used market to get in under $400.
 
I have a Sig P250c in 40sw and I trust it. Sweet grip and easy smooth trigger (a bit long yes). It's modular too that you can customize it to your liking.

The mechanics is very simple and not a lot to go wrong.

I love my HK USP V1 9mm but I carry my Sig. :)
 
Given that you are a security officer working church functions, I'd suggest the highest capacity mags available...
I.E. Glock w/ Beta mag &/or 33-rd mags.

Regular mag for holster use, beta as a backup mag. Because when it goes bad, it goes REAL bad...
fully expect ISIS to hit churches in the USA...might as well be prepared for all-out war.

Fortunately, since you are in Texas, half of the Parishoners will probably be armed and fighting back as well :)

Oh, wait, Austin, TX...not only better have some hi-capacity mags, but also an AR in the trunk...
the city council just voted to allow in Syrian refugees...and given the political climate there...
might not have as many armed parishoners as in Dallas ;)

If those knuckleheads think its just widows & orphans, obviously they haven't seen the ISIS video
of a 10-yr old kid using a pistol to kill hostages by a river...
or the increased amounts of female suicide bombers...
 
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Look at the Lionheart LH9. Have you considered the M&P 9?

How did the Shield even make it into your poll? Was that a litmus test for the intelligence of this forum? That is a sub compact single stack pistol geared towards CCW. A horrible option given your criteria. About the only thing it meets is "low cost".
 
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