I’m looking for feedback on pistols before making the $500-$1,000 plunge. I do not know of any ranges near me that rent out pistols and most of my coworkers aren't pistol people. It's a Glock 43/Shield for most and the service pistol for everything else.
I’m looking for a do all pistol as my first buy and I want it in 9mm. I’m trained on the HK P2000 (LEM) and have familiarization on the Beretta M9 and to a lesser extent the Glock 19. I also shot a CZ P-01 once and liked it, but can’t remember much else about it. I carry my issued P2000 IWB because it’s free and I know what I’m doing with it. As such, all pistols will be compared to the HK P2000.
I have an estimated 3,000 .40 S&W put through my P2000 so the quarks (to me) of this HK I am trying to avoid. With the pinky extender floorplate, I get my whole hand on my P2000, but I have to remove my pinky to release and insert the magazine. I also pinch myself between the magazine and the frame. These characteristics are annoying. This puts me in the realm of a full size pistol frame. I LOVE the slide stop/release. It’s large and I have had zero issue with it in training. I also require a large magazine release. The P2000 has a small mag release that gets hard to use after a moderate time on the range. I am not allowed to modify my P2000, or I would have a larger mag release installed which would likely solve this problem.
I have no problems with switching from a lever release to button release as long as the button release is large enough to not modify my grip to reach it. I would like the ability to take 20+ round factory magazines with 15 round being the minimum. Optic capability would be preferred, but not required. You can have your pistol in any color you want, as long as it’s Black.
I have been to a local gun shops and the selection is decent. I got to hold a few different handguns and scratched off the HK USP and Glock 19 (too short grip); M9, PX4, M&P, P320 (have to change my grip to reach the mag release); P226 (too different from pistols I’m use to + same mag release problem).
I was also able to hold a Walther Creed, which I was favorable to, but would like a more refined pistol. It’s a good feel (pun intended) for understanding Walther pistols. I also liked the VP9 and P30. Bigger versions of what I’m already used to. Lastly we had the M9A3 and FN 509 which both felt great.
I got to hold a Five-seveN as well. It’s too bad 5.7x28mm is so expensive, might have been a winner. Very nice feeling pistol in my hands and the safety didn’t bother me in the slightest, but I digress.
My LGS was does not stock CZ sadly. Sphinx SDP Duty would also be a good comparison. I would also like to try a Steyr M9 as I’ve read good things about it. If you’re wondering about the Glock 17, I had a brain fart and didn’t think about it, will try it when I go to a further store to try some CZs.
I’m throwing this out there to see if I’m missing anything from my list. CZ, HK, Beretta, Glock, S&W, Walther, Steyr, FN.
Thanks’ in advance.
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