What to buy? New 9mm semi-auto

I

Idaho 45 Vaquero

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I'm starting to look for a new semi-auto pistol. Criteria: Fullsize, accurate, reliable, and 9mm. $500-$650 range. Although I respect the reliability of Glocks and other striker-fired pistols I don't like the trigger pull. I also prefer a metal frame and external hammer.

The CZ-75 is what I am most interested in. How is the trigger pull and accuracy? Reliability?

Other options are EAA Witness, Beretta 92, or 9mm 1911. How do some of those stack up?

The only polymer option that has my interest so far is the FNX. It has an external hammer and single action trigger pull. Whats it like?

I already have a 9mm Browning BDM, a 45acp 1911, and some compact pistols.

I want to know which pistols to try out at the indoor range at the gunshop.
 
Hmm... along those lines I would recommend a Sig P226. Reliability, accuracy, capacity, all winners!

CZ's are great weapons as well, can't really go wrong with them! I have shot a CZ-75 once, I liked it a lot, smooth, I shot it well, good value.

Ammo capacity is a factor for me, so I would take that into consideration.
 
Well if you have not tried them the stock HK VP9 and SIG P320 have stock triggers that are much better than any stock Glock trigger that I have tried. I have not shot it, but people rave about the Walther PPQ trigger.

If you are looking for a full-size, DA/SA pistol, the Beretta 92FS has an excellent reliability record. The pistol is not the best for those with less than medium sized hands, however, since the grip is pretty fat. The DA trigger pull is long but can be lightened easily by swapping the mainspring for the hammer spring that the DAO Beretta 92 uses (the so-called "D spring").

If you are looking for a bargain, the Stoeger Cougar 8000 is another full-size, hammer fired, all metal, DA/SA pistol that is a real sleeper. It is functionally equivalent to the Beretta Cougar 8000 and is made on the same machinery only in Turkey instead of Italy. Many people find the Cougar grip to be more ergonomic than that of the Beretta 92 series. It can be found NIB for around $300.

People also rave about the CZ 75. I have never shot one but I have pawed over a few and they feel absolutely wonderful in the hand (at least mine). They have an excellent reliability record and the folks that own them tout their wonderful accuracy. If I was to give up my Beretta 92FS, the CZ 75B is what I would go to.
 
- SIG Sauer P226 used
- Beretta 92 series (I like the 'g')
- 1911 9mm
- FNX 9 (friend has an FNP, it is a joy to shoot)
 
A Heckler & Koch P2000 can be had new at the upper end of your price range. You can get it DA/SA or you can get it in a LEM Double Action Only, personally I'd go with the LEM.
 
Don't overlook the EAA Witness Match, I have two of them, one in 38 Super and one in 45 ACP.
They both have well over 15,000 each, I use them in steel plate match's, reliable, accurate and great handling.
Also have two CZ 75's I use in competition, excellent also, both 9mm.
Floydster
 
The CZ-75 is what I am most interested in. How is the trigger pull and accuracy? Reliability?
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All excellent... Since you're already hankering for one, I doubt you'll be satisfied 'til you get one... Love mine...
 
I own A FNP, the predecessor to the FNX, and love it to death. It's a great pistol.

The only other hammer fired 9mm in my safe is a 39-2. Which leads me to my recommendation, unless new is the only way you want to go, look for a 3rd gen Smith. Metal framed, can be had fullsize or compact, DA/SA or DAO, and well within your pricerange. They are great choices.

I do have a CZ based firearm, the Sar K2-45, but it's a .45. I also love it, very comparable to the FNP. Very ergonomic for a high capacity, 14+1 .45, I don't think I've really heard anyone speak bad about the CZ style ergonomics.
 
The CZ-75 is what I am most interested in. How is the trigger pull and accuracy? Reliability?
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CZ75 and Browning Hi-Power are tied for my #1 choice in 9mm, although the Browning is SA only. My CZs are 100% reliable in 9, .40 and .22. Of course both guns are all steel. This is your best choice.

Beretta has an alloy frame; I don't like aluminum frames used on anything over a .22. YMMV.

Witness is an excellent choice as well: All steel, mechanically similar to the CZ75, but reports of cracked slides surface from time to time.

1911 in 9mm is basically a bulletproof platform for 9mm, but you are limited to 9 shots in a very large gun. It will probably last several lifetimes, though.

The FN polymers all feel cheap and flimsy to me, although that is a subjective assessment. Again, YMMV.
 
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Idaho,

You've done a good job of identifying your choices. Because you're leaning toward the CZ and are giving trigger pull a priority, you can get a CZ 75 in either DA/SA or SAO configurations. The latter should, naturally, have the better trigger. You can always improve a CZ DA/SA trigger with Cajun Gun Works parts. In fact, you can save around $80 by getting a polymer-framed, externally hammered CZ P-09, which should give you more than $100 out of your budget for CGW enhancements. It's been claimed a Cajunized CZ SA trigger can be comparable to a good 1911 trigger.
 
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You should be able to find a CZ 75 Omega for under five hundred. That is what I would recommend to you. They are a bargain IMO.
 
Most DA/SA CZs have hammer cam which is why I got rid of mine after over 1000 rounds and much dry firing; but, that's me. Many people don't mind this. You may or may not.
 
Most DA/SA CZs have hammer cam which is why I got rid of mine after over 1000 rounds and much dry firing; but, that's me. Many people don't mind this. You may or may not.
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Yes they do but some will have more than others. I always recommend checking the exact CZ you are buying because of that issue. It can be lessened or removed by using aftermarket parts from CGW.
 
Pretty sure that I know and own one terrific answer given the criteria you laid out -- Floydster beat me to it: the Witness Elite Match.

It's the bottom-most gun in Tanfoglio's custom line and the stock trigger as shipped will blow the doors off every other trigger mentioned in this thread thus far. Very much including the CZ-75SA, which I had thought would impress me but left me laughing. With CGW parts installed, the trigger quickly gets AMAZING but at that point your budget is well past blown.

My Elite Match 9mm is easily my most accurate 9mm handgun... and I do have more than a couple.

Very unlikely that you could rent one though... they are not in great supply anywhere. They are simply fantastic pistols at any price -- but AMAZING at the price they go for.
 
My Elite Match 9mm is easily my most accurate 9mm handgun... and I do have more than a couple.
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Aren't they $750-$800 pistols these days? The other thing I have always understood is that the QC isn't there. This might be a thing of the past but it is often bought up. It has often steered me away from the guns. Also how is their customer service. Again it is often brought up that it is below industry standard which sort of makes it a double down on their spotty QC. I would be interested in any light you could shed on the subject.
 
CZ

I like CZ a lot. I personally like the CZ 75 tactical sport. I think it has a great trigger it's short and smooth. The trigger has a short reset. I shoot one handed because I am an amputee an I love this gun. Fits my hand well and is extremely very accurate.
 
My FiL and I pretty much have you covered. He has a CZ75 and I have a Witness. He has a Beretta 92 and I have the Taurus clone. We both have Star 1911 style pistols in 9mm.

We both like all of them very much. Keep in mind we both have very large hands. My Witness is the most accurate of my six 9mm pistols and my favorite. It feels great in my hand. The inside the rails slide can be, on a rare occasion, mildly annoying to rack, but that probably helps account for its superior accuracy.

My FiL is not up to his usual standards of accuracy with his 92, but I shoot it just fine. I actually prefer the controls on the Taurus clone. The alloy frame makes no difference in felt recoll to either one of us. They are both good pistols and I would recommend either.

The Star 1911 "style" pistols are good too. Ours have decently sized fixed sights and are accurate. They feel a bit slimmer in the grip than the CZ of Beretta (because they are). We like them a lot.

They are all good choices. I prefer the 75's. My FiL prefers the Stars. But the 92's are great pistols too. For SD I would rank the 1911 style third due to single action and less capacity. For the range whichever fits your hand best would be the one to get. Any of them would serve you well.
 
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I would recommend the CZ. I do think they are underrated and I don't know why. I have the P-01 which is almost the same minus being alloy and more compact. The Cajun Gun Works parts really help too. My single action is almost scary light. They'll put the combat trigger and and reach reduction kit in and it won't even be the same gun. It will put Sigs to shame, but this does come at a price. To do it yourself would be about $200 for parts. You won't go wrong with a CZ, that's for sure.
 
I absolutely love my CZ, and I can't recommend them enough. I have fired the Beretta92, and it is a smooth shooter, but I don't like the way they set up their safety. The Taurus PT92 is the same gun with a frame mounted safety/decocker, and it is considerably less expensive. If I were to get one of the two, it would be the Taurus.
 
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