Need help deciding on my first Pistol!!!

s.p.e.c.t.r.e. · 09-22-2008, 03:46 PM

I just finished an intense 3-day shooting course and have decided that i want to purchase a pistol. (I got my firearm license not to long ago). During this course i used the Sig P226 and the Glock 17. I shot so much better with the Glock that I might has well have been a different person. Now I contribute this to the Double vs. Single action of the pistols. Or the fact that the Sig's had what i believe is the "NYC" trigger. That is where the first shot requires around 11 lbs of force to pull the trigger and the rest are 5lbs. Where as the Glock is always just a 5lbs.
This is my question. Is it possible to buy a HK or SIG and have the trigger pull reduced to 5lbs for all of the shots, just like the Glock?

can anybody enlighten me as to other options or brands as well. Im looking primarly for perfomance pistols, of the tactical sort.

D-Train · 09-22-2008, 04:22 PM

I had my HK USP 9mm trigger reduced to 7 pounds and feels great. I'm pretty sure you'll have to send an HK to the HK armory and that could take a few weeks. I had a friend in law enforcement take mine in (the HK armory is near my town) and it had back in a week at no charge.
I know HK has a forum off of their home page, so you sould probably find out much a trigger modification would cost and how long it would take.
I'm an HK fan, so I encourage you to try one out for yourself. The USPs can be configured in any number or arrangements to suit your needs so that's a plus. That being said, Glock is a great gun and I do like the 19. I've also fired a S&W 9mm (I don't rmember the model and I'm too lazy to look it up) and I found it to be comfortable and reliable, though I did have a couple of jams (in probably 1000 rounds of cheap ammo).

shabababeely · 09-22-2008, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s.p.e.c.t.r.e.

I just finished an intense 3-day shooting course and have decided that i want to purchase a pistol. (I got my firearm license not to long ago). During this course i used the Sig P226 and the Glock 17. I shot so much better with the Glock that I might has well have been a different person. Now I contribute this to the Double vs. Single action of the pistols. Or the fact that the Sig's had what i believe is the "NYC" trigger. That is where the first shot requires around 11 lbs of force to pull the trigger and the rest are 5lbs. Where as the Glock is always just a 5lbs.
This is my question. Is it possible to buy a HK or SIG and have the trigger pull reduced to 5lbs for all of the shots, just like the Glock?

can anybody enlighten me as to other options or brands as well. Im looking primarly for perfomance pistols, of the tactical sort.

If you want consistent trigger pull from a double action pistol, you are going to have to cock the hammer before you fire the first shot. There really is no way to get identical tigger characteristics because the first pull must travel enough to cock the hammer and fire. As I've said on another thread, try as many guns as you can and then make your choice. Also as I've said on another thread, the CZ75b is my personal choice. They do make a "tactical" version (I'm assuming by tactical you mean possessing a light rail) the SP-01:

But I personally love the stainless original:

All the CZ's I've ever handled need trigger work from the factory (The first one I bought must have had aroud a 1/4" creep in single action.), but then again I've never seen a pistol that didn't.
They also make a single action version with a more crisp factory trigger, but even that creeps too much for my taste.

TDonovan · 09-22-2008, 11:20 PM

Yeah buddy, CZ75b stainless is the best value right there. It was better and more comfortable than any of the other 9mm's I've tried (Glock 17, Springfield XD, Beretta 92, HK USP9).

I will say that I was the most accurate with the USP, but I'd still want to have the CZ as my 1st gun, or my only gun if I had to pick. It is well built (stainless steel), and WAY more comfortable to hold than the USP. The newer models of CZ are not bad either, but get the SS version for sure since the finish will last several lifetimes.

shabababeely · 09-22-2008, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDonovan

Yeah buddy, CZ75b stainless is the best value right there. It was better and more comfortable than any of the other 9mm's I've tried (Glock 17, Springfield XD, Beretta 92, HK USP9).

I will say that I was the most accurate with the USP, but I'd still want to have the CZ as my 1st gun, or my only gun if I had to pick. It is well built (stainless steel), and WAY more comfortable to hold than the USP. The newer models of CZ are not bad either, but get the SS version for sure since the finish will last several lifetimes.

Nice to know there are more people on this board who appreciate great design!

TDonovan · 09-23-2008, 12:04 AM

Definitely, the only thing I would change is the grips. I'd rather have wood, rubber, or pearl than the stock plastic grips.

mixicus · 09-24-2008, 11:13 AM

It looks like you have already answered your own question as to which gun to buy:"I shot so much better with the Glock that I might has well have been a different person" sums up what should be your decision. Why spend hundreds more on the basic pistol that you shoot worse. Then send it out for another $100+ worth of work in hopes that you MAY find something that you shoot better than a stock Glock?

Buy the Glock, put 10,000 rounds down range, get a few more quality training classes and maybe a few IDPA or USPSA matches under your belt then decide if you need to fill a gap in your needs or if your needs change.

If you really need a different gadget, check out pistols from major manufacturers and see which ones feel the best. Then try to test fire as many of the top choices as you can (many ranges have rentals). The one that feels and shoots the best in your hands is likely the one you should get. Major manufacturers include but are not limited to HK, Glock, Sig Sauer, Beretta, and S&W.

Some nuts-and-bolts info:

The NY Trigger is a heavier (11lb) trigger on Glocks that was requested by NYPD to help overcome their officers putting the occasional hole in the locker room floor.

A standard Sig 226 is a DA/SA type action. The DA has a pull of 10lbs and the SA breaks at 4.5lbs. This is how it's designed. Pulling the trigger for the first shot takes 11lbs for the BANG. Each additional shot(without de-cocking) takes 4.5 lbs to fire. Sig does have a 'DAK' action which is essentially a DA-only with a 7.5lb pull.

ssssmashing · 09-24-2008, 02:03 PM

I would look at the Sringfield Arms XD-M. I would look at the Smith and Wesson M&P. These would be similar in action to the Glock.

All the guns that have been mentioned are going to be good servicable pieces. Really its a matter of preference. Remember you can always take a gun to a smith and get the action adjusted too.