Hi all,
First of all, thanks to the guys who posted advice in response to my "Time on the Range" thread last week. I read 'em all carefully. I did post a message the other nite thanking those who responded, and also asking a couple of basic questions re: ffl & purchasing. Somebody whacked the message. I know it was posted, since I logged back in, reloaded the page & checked it. Go figure
Well, after a sleepless week of agonizing, I've pretty much narrowed it down to the USP45 and the SIG P220, standard size. It was tough as hell, as there are a _lot_ of fine weapons out there. I decided on .45, because, as they say, there's no replacement for displacement. 10mm was tempting (If the Delta was still in production, my choice would be even tougher...), but I suspect the power of that load might eventually result in durability issues. I like the fact that .45acp combines proven stopping power with an intrinsically low-pressure load, if what I've read is true. Please bear in mind that I'm a novice, and I'm only "book smart" at this stage. I'm open to friendly correction/flaming by the many here wiser than myself. 90% of what I've learned has been from sifting through the thosands of messages in this forum for the last few weeks. The rest is from the mfgs (& enthusiast's) web sites.
I really considered the 1911's(Colts, Kimbers, et al). They appeal most to my nature, but the versatility of of DA/SA w/ a decocker & firing pin safety is gonna be better for a greenhorn like myself. While I can't carry this gun (New Jersey), it will be close to me at night. I'm fairly convinced that a chambered round with a de-cocked hammer resting on a firing pin safety( or whatever device prevents the hammer from contacting the firing pin...), but which could be still be fired by simply pulling the trigger (lame description, I know, but you get the picture...) is the best compromise for me between safety and "readiness". I know a lot of you all will disagree. Hell, I may disagree in a year, but for now my heels are kinda' dug in. I do, however, feel that there is no substitute for the feel, accuracy & "readiness" of a SA. I'm pretty sure that with all other variables equal, an expert marksman will group better with a single action. That's important to me, since this is going to be a range gun/plinker foremost. I know the first "DA pull" on these DA/SA's is probably sleepy, but the rest of the mag in SA is pretty sweet. Lack of an SA mode is what disqualified the Glocks, also fine weapons. Which leads me to my leaning toward the HK over the SIG. Unless I read wrong, variants 1 & 2 allow the weapon to be carried "cocked & locked" . I can't find any other DA 45 auto with this feature. (who knows? I may get out of NJ some day...) In all honesty, this is the gun I would have designed. I suspect, though, that the fit/finish/ quality may be a tad better on the SIG(rust problems aside). The CZ 97, which I also seriously considered, might have a similar feature? But opinions universally paint it humongous. My hand is average.
I don't mean to offend anyone's brand loyalty here at all. Understand that I'm nitpicking through what I consider the best of the best (within my budget < $700 give or take), and I'd probably be happy with any of these guns. I only elaborate on this stuff for the benefit of the many others going through the same decision.
What I'm really hoping now is to hear from individuals here who are fortunate enough to have a _lot_ of real-world experience or ownership with both of these amazing guns (HK USP45 & SIG P220). If you could have only one, which would it be & why? Again, I sure appreciate the feedback. With any luck, I'll have one or the other within the week.
First of all, thanks to the guys who posted advice in response to my "Time on the Range" thread last week. I read 'em all carefully. I did post a message the other nite thanking those who responded, and also asking a couple of basic questions re: ffl & purchasing. Somebody whacked the message. I know it was posted, since I logged back in, reloaded the page & checked it. Go figure
Well, after a sleepless week of agonizing, I've pretty much narrowed it down to the USP45 and the SIG P220, standard size. It was tough as hell, as there are a _lot_ of fine weapons out there. I decided on .45, because, as they say, there's no replacement for displacement. 10mm was tempting (If the Delta was still in production, my choice would be even tougher...), but I suspect the power of that load might eventually result in durability issues. I like the fact that .45acp combines proven stopping power with an intrinsically low-pressure load, if what I've read is true. Please bear in mind that I'm a novice, and I'm only "book smart" at this stage. I'm open to friendly correction/flaming by the many here wiser than myself. 90% of what I've learned has been from sifting through the thosands of messages in this forum for the last few weeks. The rest is from the mfgs (& enthusiast's) web sites.
I really considered the 1911's(Colts, Kimbers, et al). They appeal most to my nature, but the versatility of of DA/SA w/ a decocker & firing pin safety is gonna be better for a greenhorn like myself. While I can't carry this gun (New Jersey), it will be close to me at night. I'm fairly convinced that a chambered round with a de-cocked hammer resting on a firing pin safety( or whatever device prevents the hammer from contacting the firing pin...), but which could be still be fired by simply pulling the trigger (lame description, I know, but you get the picture...) is the best compromise for me between safety and "readiness". I know a lot of you all will disagree. Hell, I may disagree in a year, but for now my heels are kinda' dug in. I do, however, feel that there is no substitute for the feel, accuracy & "readiness" of a SA. I'm pretty sure that with all other variables equal, an expert marksman will group better with a single action. That's important to me, since this is going to be a range gun/plinker foremost. I know the first "DA pull" on these DA/SA's is probably sleepy, but the rest of the mag in SA is pretty sweet. Lack of an SA mode is what disqualified the Glocks, also fine weapons. Which leads me to my leaning toward the HK over the SIG. Unless I read wrong, variants 1 & 2 allow the weapon to be carried "cocked & locked" . I can't find any other DA 45 auto with this feature. (who knows? I may get out of NJ some day...) In all honesty, this is the gun I would have designed. I suspect, though, that the fit/finish/ quality may be a tad better on the SIG(rust problems aside). The CZ 97, which I also seriously considered, might have a similar feature? But opinions universally paint it humongous. My hand is average.
I don't mean to offend anyone's brand loyalty here at all. Understand that I'm nitpicking through what I consider the best of the best (within my budget < $700 give or take), and I'd probably be happy with any of these guns. I only elaborate on this stuff for the benefit of the many others going through the same decision.
What I'm really hoping now is to hear from individuals here who are fortunate enough to have a _lot_ of real-world experience or ownership with both of these amazing guns (HK USP45 & SIG P220). If you could have only one, which would it be & why? Again, I sure appreciate the feedback. With any luck, I'll have one or the other within the week.
The standard USP goes for about 650$, also with no cleaning kit I believe.