Subcompact DASA or DAO recommendations/warnings?

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Mitlov

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I appreciate all the tips I've gotten in the past from this forum; it's led to some good purchases.

With the exception of a Ruger Mk IV, right now all of my handguns are revolvers. So I'm comfortable with double-action revolver triggers. But I'm starting to think about getting an autoloader. Because of my familiarity with revolvers, I'd like something with a longer, heavier trigger pull and a hammer I can ride while reholstering. Just personal comfort level with safety and familiarity (not a replacement for the four rules, of course, but a secondary layer of protection). I'd like a capacity of at least ten rounds because a good-looking local training school requires autoloaders with capacities of at least ten rounds for their defensive handgun classes.

I'm a small-framed guy with small hands (probably comparable to an average American female); I sold a full-size 1911 because it just didn't fit me. I'm also left-handed.

Obvious possibilities are Beretta PX4 Subcompact, HK P30SK, CZ 2075 RAMI BD. Anything good options I'm missing? Any recommendations? Anyone had bad experiences they'd like to share?

Edit: while I'm primarily looking at 9mm, I'm open to other calibers, including .380 ACP. I do need the ten-round capacity because of the local class's requirements, but it doesn't have to be ten rounds of 9mm.
 
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The difference in a DA/SA revolver and a DA/SA semi automatic is that unlike the revolver you HAVE to use two different trigger pulls with the semi auto in a defensive situation (or cock the hammer, in which case SAO would make more sense) . DAO is always the same pull. I have many of the popular DA/SA guns (beretta/ sig/HK/ smith) but I no longer recommend them to most people. Too many people botch the first DA shot. I don't care for DAO at all. I prefer a striker myself.

Add the Sig 229/226 etc to your list to check out.
 
Heck, you already shoot revolvers, so you are way ahead of the game! I only carry DAO firearms now. Will never carry a Striker fired Light Trigger again. Don't know what to recommend for your competition requirements, but for carry there are some great DAO out there.
 
Mitlov said:
I'm a small-framed guy with small hands (probably comparable to an average American female); I sold a full-size 1911 because it just didn't fit me. I'm also left-handed.

Obvious possibilities are Beretta PX4 Subcompact, HK P30SK, CZ 2075 RAMI BD. Anything good options I'm missing? Any recommendations? Anyone had bad experiences they'd like to share?
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In the typical "I've got small hands, I need a gun for my wife/daughter/young son, etc." threads folks often recommend small guns with short grips for those people. Sure, a small hand may fit on the shortened grip better than a bigger hand, but the issue for those with small hands is trigger reach. I wear a men's size 8 (small) glove as reference point.

While I don't have first hand experience with any of the three you mentioned above, most compact versions of full size guns have the same trigger reach as their full size brothers, the grips are shorter top to bottom for concealment. They have not been made short to make it easier for those with small hands to use.

If you're looking for a small concealment gun, and the ability to hide it is the primary concern, those guns would be something to check out to see if they work for you as far as trigger reach goes.

I do need the ten-round capacity because of the local class's requirements, but it doesn't have to be ten rounds of 9mm.
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Unless this is a class designed around shooting little concealment guns, in which case, a 10 round minimum capacity would be odd, I'd think you'd be at an extreme disadvantage to your classmates shooting any of those little guns.

Those guns will be more difficult to handle, aim accurately - fast, reload, etc.
 
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2nd 455 Hunter! The Sig P250 would be great for someone used to revolver's. The trigger pull is long and stiff.

I again would look for a used compact version. Not sure how many rounds it holds. Also you should be able to find one at a reasonable price at it wasn't all that popular.
 
First off your stature and hand size have a lot less importance than some people think.

I'm a little dude with little hands. Hand me an service sized auto loader and I can shoot it. Good fundamentals is the key.

I grew up on DA revolvers.

These days I prefer DA/SA semi autos. I enjoy DA revolvers but have no use for a DAO semi auto.

The DA makes the gun safe and reliable, the SA makes it easy to shoot well.

A lot of people get their axles wrapped up around the "two trigger pulls". I don't worry about it.

For the first shot, hold the gun on target until the gun goes bang.

When the gun goes bang the trigger resets to the same position... every time. No sweat.

Anyway I don't struggle with it like some people do.

My recommendation would be a P229 or a CZ75 of your desired flavor.
 
For actual subcompact sized pistols that are easy to conceal...

The Sig P365 and Springfield Hellcat seem obvious. I have not shot either one. The triggers may be too light for the OP.

The Glock 26 is just a little bit larger. I have one. The trigger seems "medium" to me, neither light nor heavy.

I don't know if Kahr has any pistols that hold that many rounds, but mine has a DAO trigger that feels remarkably like a revolver.

To me the "compact" versions of service pistols like the Beretta 92 or the CZ75 are in a significantly larger size category.
 
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bassjam said:
…. The S&W 3rd gens are supposed to be great guns and are DA, but finding holsters may be an issue.
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Holsters can be found, even for leftys...ask how I know. Look for a 6904 or 6906. Compact, double stack, DA/SA with am ambi decocker. Grips are about as thin as they get. Want a single stack to go even thinner in 9mm? A 3913. I love all of mine....
 
Like tallball mentioned, I have the Glock 26, it holds 10 rounds, but it is striker fired .
Springfield Armory makes a hammer fired clone of the glock 26.
I cannot remember the model?
 
Kahr all the way.

I am tempted to play with parts to make my glock 19 into a DAO feel but unsure how.
 
You can’t ride the hammer to holster it, but the Walther P99c AS is an excellent sub-compact DA/SA gun. There is an extension on the striker that shows when the striker is cocked, so I suppose you could put your thumb over that to get part-way to thumbing a hammer.
 
I think the P250 and and P2000sk or P30sk LEM or really good options for OP. Another wildcard is the Sccy CX-2 or Keltec P11. Great carry size and capacity. I had a P11 long time ago but sold it due to heavy trigger, but OP may not mind. Not sure if Sccy trigger is as heavy?
 
Khar has a new 10 rd magazine coming out for the CM9.The DAO trigger is a very smooth trigger. I have 4 Khars. Just did a review of testing a new P380. a few weeks back. Smooth as silk. Again there are some nice DAO guns as well. but you can only get 9 rds. Great for carry but do not help you with your competition. At least get the Kahr for Carry.
 
Thank you everyone for the thoughts so far!

The point about subcompact versions of duty pistols having shorter grips but not shorter distances to controls is a real concern i hadn't thought through. The reason I sold my 1911 and got an SP101 was in part because by fingers and thumbs weren't long enough to operate the controls properly without breaking a firing grip. I'll need to be very cautious with these options too, and see if I can try before I buy.

The S&W 6906 is a fantastic option to add to my list. Didn't know about it until now, but researching it, I absolutely love the 90s-cop vibe (not that that really matters, but it helps) and it checks all my boxes too.

Shame the safety/decocker on the Bersa isn't ambi! That is a concern for me as a southpaw.

A couple people have mentioned the Glock 26. I'll admit I've also considered a G26 with a NY1 trigger. Can't ride the hammer into a holster, but at least it would give me a trigger more like what I'm used to with the SP101, so it's more desirable to me than your typical modern striker-fired gun.
 
I'd rent one of the training center's 10+ round guns and buy something that really works for me.

That said, if I had to be a buyer, I'd opt for a DAO S&W Gen3 model 6946 12+1 because I'm a revolver guy and the DA/SA is a PITA. The DAO half-cocked triggers once a round is chambered in Gen3 DAO models are sweet. Plus, the model 6946 makes a great EDC. I carry mine IWB in a Don Hume H715-M W/C S #28-1 (about $50).
 
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