Thoughts on next gun. Full size(+) 9mm

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Krustyfats

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I've been researching and shopping for months for my next gun...and probably the last purchase for a long-while. To fill out my collection I want a 4.5 to 5 inch barrel 9mm semi-auto. (my collection includes Glock 43 for carry, 686 4" Plus for fun , AR15 because, and an inherited Remington Bolt action .22LR) My intended use is to have a very accurate range/competition, and secondary as home defense. Price is a factor $400-800 range This won't be my only home defense gun, but it could surely fill that role as well.

I've narrowed it down the the following:

Walther PPQ 5 inch (9mm)
Walther Q5 Match
CZ P09
CZ SP-01
Smith and Wesson Performance center ported (9L)

*I would consider a 1911 but their capacity has pushed me away.

I've been racking my brain trying to go with one of those above, but just can't make a decision. I'll post my though process below for anyone who may care to read further:

Walther PPQ 5 inch: I like the 5 inch barrel and love the PPQ trigger and ergos. I have fired a 4 inch and handled many PPQs at ranges and stores. The trigger amazes me every time. I don't love the sights, nor the size of the large gap in the rear notch. (can be had for just over $600)

Walther Q5 Match: This comes out of the box with nothing to do to it. Fully adjustable sights, fiber optic front sight. Plus the value of 3 mags and the RMR mounting plates. This gun costs about $200 more than the PPQ 5 inch. I think it might be worth the extra...considering extra mag, RMR mounts, supposedly better trigger, and sights. I have one on order (on a waiting list) at the moment, but am not too keen on spending $800+ on a plastic pistol.

CZ P09: I've never held, or seen one in person, but I have held and dry fired a P07. I like the Omega Trigger. Not quite as much as the PPQ trigger though, but I do like the having the option of DA/SA and having a de-cocker. Just more fun IMO. Barrel length is decent at 4.5 inches and the 19 round magazines are awesome.Sights are standard and aren't adjustable on the-fly for windage like the PPQ. I think you have to use a rear-sight tool/punch/or hammer? Can anyone elaborate? Aftermarket sights are scarce. The beauty on this is it can be had for just under $500 (inclusive of all fees/shipping/FFL transfer etc.) and is reviewed very well.

CZ SP-01: I have only held a few. I didn't like the trigger as much as the P09 or especially the PPQ, but it's still good. I like it being a heavy metal gun with a rail. I'm not a fan of the sights, but I can get used to it. ($650 ish)

S&W M&P Performance Center 9L Ported: I recently sold my M&P 40 because I hated the trigger. I shot my Glock 43 better than I did my full size M&P. I had no interest in S&W plastic pistols anymore until a gun store clerk said to check this out. The trigger was awesome. Almost as good as the PPQ IMO. I like the RMR mounting plates. Don't love the sights, but understand why they are so tall. I like the look of M&Ps as well as the CZs the best. Especially with the extended barrel. My question to the forum (if anyone has read this post this far) is whether the porting actually helps. I have "0" experience with ported barrels and slides. I do understand that it can be prohibited in certain competitions without putting a non-ported barrel. Does porting create any long term issues with the slide? Reliability? How much muzzle velocity is lost? Is it worth it? Can be had for about $700 all-in.

Honorable Mentions:

HK VP9. Almost a PPQ trigger. Great ergos. Nice Sights. No Long slide version. HK sounds cool.

Glock 34 or 17. Good barrel length. Ok sights. (I kind of like Glock sights). Trigger so-so, but no PPQ. Tons of stuff to tinker with, but that can get really expensive really quickly. It's a Glock which is a good gun but quite boring and cliche.

Canik TP9SA. Sweet Trigger and barrel length. Disturbingly cheap and I'm suppose that's for a reason.

Sig P226: Big heavy gun, but big bore axis. Trigger nice in S.A, but I never fell in love. Also above my budget. Having a big metal Sig would be cool though, but who doesn't have one?....i.e..Glock.

CZ 75/85 series: Like the SP-01, the trigger isn't phenomenal. Not having a rail is the biggest negative.
 
Go with either a 5" PPQ or a standard 4" model, grab magazines and switch the sights out to something you prefer. Done.

My 4" PPQ is easily my favorite 9mm semi-auto of all time. Which is saying a lot considering the years I've spent shooting Glock 9mms. In raw speed I find the Glocks a little quicker, but the Walther is significantly more accurate at the edge of my speed capability. If that makes sense.

Seriously, don't get too hung up on the stock sights a pistol comes with. Sights are such a personal thing the manufacturers can't please everybody with what comes from the factory. I find the stock PPQ sights to be usable size-wise, but I used black paint over the white dots on the rear blade and painted a big orange dot on the front. That's as a stand-in until I buy a set of Trijicon HDs. But other people like bright fiber optic sights and yet others prefer plain black on black target sights. It's all what you're used to.
 
Tanfoglio Stock (Stock I) 9mm if you want DA/SA; Tanfoglio Witness Match if you want SA.

I pick the Tanfoglios over the CZ's because the triggers are significantly better without the need for additional parts and/or work.
 
I don't know if you want to go to the trouble of looking for a used gun or not but the discontinued Smith & Wesson "Third Generation" pistols are still easy to locate and are reasonably priced. These well-made pistols are known for their durability and reliability. A Model 5906 comes close to the features you want.

Welcome to The Firing Line, Krustyfats!
 
I own a glock 34, and a sp01 tactical in urban grey. And after reading your list and having shot almost everthing on you list except the m&p, my advise is you should opt for 2 of them for roughly the same price as the walther Q5 match...

The CZ p09 and the Canik tp9sf. The tp9sf is one of the best deals out there at the moment, grab one while you can! :) also the p09 is a great gun, I strongly reccommend any CZ products and if you get into shooting competition cajun gun works will make the p09 one of the top pistols around for about 250-300... essentially the same price as a zev kit on a glock 34, just with way way better results :D

Just my opinion but I think you would get a bit of everything your looking for and not be missing much if you got both of those. But if you are just wanting to get one from above, I would say re think that sp01... mine has changed the way I shoot and the way I view pistols.
 
I would go with either PPQ 5" for sure. Out of the box you get the best trigger on any striker fired pistol. It's super accurate and reliable and has world class ergonomics. A truly excellent range or competition gun.
 
All of them on you list are good ones. I'd favor the PPQ 5" which should be fine right out of the box. I have a 4" PPQ M1 that has exceptional accuracy as have been all the other ones I've shot.

I would also suggest to get your hands on the Steyr L9-A1. It has an equally good trigger overall compared to the PPQ. It has a grip angle like you Glock bu,t has a much better grip shape, better balance, and very good to exceptional accuracy.

The Sig 320 (Full)would be worth a look if you have not already. Great trigger, accuracy, and ergonomics.
 
PPQ and CZ are quite the shiznit. i own and love both, but they are in completely different categories. if i'm going to carry it, it's going to be the ppq. if i'm going to shoot at the range, it's going to be the sp-01.
 
Thanks for the great info. You all gave me a few options to look into as well. Some of those Tanfoglios are beautiful, but may be out of my price range. Didn't know much about the Steyr, but I'll look into it. If a SP-01 (tactical) was easier to come by I may have had one by now though. I held the Canik again today. I like it a lot, but the online reviews of how it shoots hasn't been great and Im a little weary of the brand.

I think at the moment it's between the P09 and PPQ 5" although I can get the PPQ M1 4" for about $100 less, but im still leaning towards the 5"...but I do like the paddle euro-style mag release.
 
I have several very nice Sigs and a custom shop CZ75B, but my PPQ's are right in the mix with those guns as my very favorite shooters. I own three Q's and love all three, but only one has the paddle release. I wish I had it on all of them now! Q's aren't just fantastic guns for the money, they're fantastic guns period.
 
Those Rock Islands are really nice. Thanks for enlightening me. This forum has not helped me narrow it down. :D

Although the consensus has been toward the PPQ which I don't think I'd regret. The good thing is that guns can be bought and sold, but I'm just not trying to lose my ass each time.

I'm choosing 9mm primarily on cost to shoot and capacity, yet still being an effective for personal defense. I like shooting, but I don't have a lot of money to blow on ammo. I'm also interested in getting competitive. That's why I want something very accurate; preferably out of the box without having to dick around with it a lot.
 
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I love full-size 9mms. I have a Beretta 92FS and a Glock 17 and I can heartily recommend both. If you want more of a "race gun" from the factory, then get the Glock 34, which has a 1911-length slide on it, lighter trigger, etc. A 34 will be better by leaps and bounds than any 1911 you can get in that price range as far as target accuracy. Also, a stock unmodified Glock is rock solid reliable, even with minimal maintenance. A 1911 requires constant maintenance to remain reliable, assuming it's a reliable model to begin with.
 
Those Rock Islands are really nice. Thanks for enlightening me.
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No problem, you said capacity pushed you away from a 1911 and I figured you'd like to know that a high capacity 1911 in 9mm does exist. Their pricing is reasonable and they have a very good warranty. The new TCM models have para/clark style ramped barrels. Reliability is very good with them in 9mm.

It comes down to what feels best to you :D Can't really go wrong with anything on your short list. With practice they can all do what you want them to :D
 
I made it to a super sale today at a local (to Florida) gun shop. They had a P09 in stock. The first one I had ever seen. Unfortunately the trigger just didn't do it for me. Even in single action it had a lot of take-up and a bit gritty/mushy before the hammer released. I dry fired the PPQs a number of times and it re-confirms it as the sweet spot for me at this moment in my life.

I did more research on the Steyr 9mm mentioned above. If it's as good as it's reviewed I'd maybe have to buy one, but I have never seen one.
 
I am strongly in favor of the 2 CZs. Love everything about my CZ 75 SA and P-01. I also loved my P07 but sold it to my brother, just because he really wanted it.

As Brando mentioned, you can easily do some amazing work with parts from Cajun Gun Works. I did that on my P-01 and it has the most amazing trigger now! Out of the box wasn't bad, but for another $250 or so, they will really shine. I also enjoy having a project like that to do, which brings me to another option you might consider...

Tristar P-120. This is a close copy of the CZ SP-01. I just ordered mine and received it from kygunco.com (in like 3 days!!). There is a place near me that does free transfers, so total cost was $405, and that's on the high end. I have seen them around $375, but people are catching on and they're going out of stock. It's a solid gun, all steel and heavy, but absorbs recoil very well. Holds 19+1! Like the metal framed CZs, you will have options in different grips. I have the VZs on my 75 SA and they are extremely thin and comfortable. Also, you can get more of the 19 round Mec-Gar mags from Cheaper than dirt for about $26! I can confirm that these fit my CZ 75 and work perfectly.

I like the CZ SP-01, but it's a bit more and harder to find. I went with the Tristar to do a project gun, and will most likely end up with a nicer shooting gun for cheaper. Next stop for me is Cajun Gun Works :D I will most likely try to do a review of the build and eventually post it on here.
 
You can't go wrong with either the Walther or the CZ. For me, I like the customizability of the steel frame CZ. Slap some nice walnut grips on there and you'll have a gun that looks as good as it shoots.
 
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