Picking out a Gun.

[Liberty]

I am thinking about getting another gun. but at this point I really haven't decided what I want. Here are my requirements.

1: Reliable It has to be above anything else trustworthy. I expect it to work out of the box and I expect to shoot a box of Ammo a month out of it. I also expect the gun to outlive me.

2: DA/SA with a manual safety.

3: 9mm

Some niceties I would like but aren't essential.

Stainless

Picatinny rail

Easy field strip and clean

good selection of Holsters

fairly Concealable

Thanks for your input.

[seamusTX]

Since you didn't specify cheap, the SIG 239 or 229 meets your requirements, except for the rail. They aren't cheap. $800-ish new and they don't lose much value when lightly used.

Edited to add: Oops, I missed the manual safety earlier. No SIGs for you.

SIGs have a decocker except a few models that are DAO. They have a firing pin block that is operated by pulling the trigger, so that they won't discharge if you drop them or bump the hammer.

Why do you want a rail? Concealable and rail really don't go together.

You didn't mention night sights, but I would throw them in if I were shopping.

- Jim

[Lumberjack98]

CZ has some really nice pistols now. How about the P01?

[CJATE]

H&K USPc I have on in 40, and really like it.

it does all of what you want + can be carried in Condition 1

[flb_78]

Taurus PT24/7 series.

start out with a 3" compact up to a 5" match grade barrel.

[mr surveyor]

Sig all the way... the decocker IS the manual safety!


Did I mention that I LOVE my P239 (but Mine is in .40 cal, so you can't have it)


surv

[seamusTX]

I take safety to mean a mechanism that has to be operated manually before you can fire the pistol.

AFAIK, all SIGs will fire when you pull the trigger. They have made many models over the years, and some of them may have manual safeties. I don't know that they ever made a true SA with a safety.

- Jim

[evilmercer]

You could look into an XD. There are models that should meet your needs.

[Beiruty]

Look into HP P30 if you can afford to spend some $900. I love mine!

[WEC]

I'm a big fan of HK USP's. I've talked to people who have run impromptu torture tests on them and they never cease to amaze. I do love Sigs, but I can understand how one would want the "obvious" safety.

[Liberty]

Since you didn't specify cheap, the SIG 239 or 229 meets your requirements, except for the rail. They aren't cheap. $800-ish new and they don't lose much value when lightly used.

Edited to add: Oops, I missed the manual safety earlier. No SIGs for you.

SIGs have a decocker except a few models that are DAO. They have a firing pin block that is operated by pulling the trigger, so that they won't discharge if you drop them or bump the hammer.

Why do you want a rail? Concealable and rail really don't go together.

You didn't mention night sights, but I would throw them in if I were shopping.

- Jim

I almost didn't mention the rail and don't consider it that important, but rather as one of those things that might be nice to have. As long as there are Mag lights Duct tape and gorrilla Glue I can get along withough a rail pretty well. I do want the manual safety though, I train with them and it is important to me that my new gun works similar to what I use and train with now. I've looked at Sigs though and like the styling, and figure I might eventually buy the 250, but the gun I'm looking for this time I expect to graduate to daily carry. My habits have me handling a gun a lot, and I feel more comfortable with that manual safety.

I haven't decided on a night sites, or even a lazer. I've got pretty good night vision, and have always been concerned that these might blind me to the bad guy. Much like one can't see the driver when he is coming at you in the dark with his headlights on. I've never heard anyone complain about that though.

[Liberty]

CZ has some really nice pistols now. How about the P01?

I hadn't considered the CZ and didn't know about the P01 Unfortunately it doesn't have a manual safety. I understand the CZ 75 has a variant with a manual safety but that gun is a little bigger than what I'm looking for.

[Liberty]

Taurus PT24/7 series.

start out with a 3" compact up to a 5" match grade barrel.

I'm looking at the 24/7 pretty closely. Nice size, reputation for reliabilty, comes in stainless. The only problem I have with it is that the manual safety seems to work backwards.

[edmart001]

I suggest you take another look at the CZ 75 Compact:

http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=36" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This pistol is smaller than the full size CZ 75's, is 9 mm and has the manual safety you want. CZ has many variants on the 75 series and it's difficult to keep them all straight so I wonder if you missed this model. I have the CZ 75 D PCR, which is also a compact 9 mm, but has a decocker rather than a manual safety.

I'm not affiliated with CZ in any way but I think their pistols have a reputation for being a good value, shooting straight and being rock solid reliable directly out of the box. I feel mine certainly has been and I use it for my daily carry. Also, I don't know if $$ is an issue for you, but they can be found for less than MSRP at gun shows and such.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[seamusTX]

I haven't decided on a night sites, or even a lazer. I've got pretty good night vision, and have always been concerned that these might blind me to the bad guy.

I acquired tritium night sights almost by accident, and I think they work well. Then again, I haven't used them in real life.

BTW, there is a hypothetical disadvantage to tritium: you can't turn it off. The sights are visible to anyone who is behind you when you draw your weapon.

- Jim