Your "favorite" semiauto

[WestKentucky]

It’s hard to pick 2, but it’s easy to pick 3.

For full sized guns for general purposes it’s hard to beat a Taurus pt99. I messed up and traded myself out of the nicest one I have had and I got one almost as nice, but with a rail which I totally despise on that gun. The safety/decocker is far more easily operated than the “beretta” design. The gun is smooth, accurate, and all around pleasant.

For compacts, it’s another cheap gun. The Llama minimax .380 that was mine, but now is my dads. I will eventually replace it either with another Llama, or perhaps with a Baby Rock. The small sized 1911 is just about perfect. It’s stupid accurate for a pocket gun, and with the slight beaver tail grip safety design it keeps my hand from being bit by the slide.

Last but not least is a general plinker. At 15 years old I was not performing well in chemistry. The deal was made that if I got my grades up then my parents would agree to me buying a handgun, and that they would put $50 towards it. I got a b+ and had 40 bucks of my own which put my choice being between a HRR and a Phoenix hp22. I still have my first hp22, and a couple more. They are great little guns and are very reliable. They shoot well above their price point too. They wear out at about 17000 rounds. Get that many rounds out of any other $100 auto, and you will impress me, make the gun as enjoyable as the little Phoenix and you will have me throwing stacks of money at you.

 

[RovinOn]

My favorite auto is my Beretta Cougar 8040.

 

[Tallball]

WestKentucky - My new-to-me Phoenix HP22A needs a little TLC (parts ordered), but it is fun to shoot and accurate for its size. I have had my PT99 since 1990 or so. It never malfunctions and shoots better than I do. If there is any difference in quality between it and my Beretta 96, I have yet to notice it.

 

[FL-NC]

My personal favorite is my Glock 19C. The only "hammer pistols" I own are several 1911's. I don't do DA because I prefer every round I fire to have the same trigger, whether its the first, the 15th, or any in between.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

One gun I wish I could put on this thread is the MK9. Maybe some day.

 

[rskent]

My personal favorite is my Glock 19C.

In your mind, what makes the 19C a favorite? I’m asking because I have one, and I just cant find the love.

 

[PCFlorida]

My Grand Power 10mm and my Sig 220 10mm are my current favorites.

 

[Armored farmer]

I havent tried anything else, but i really like my Ruger sr9c. Hardly service sized, but ambi safety, front and rear serrations, lci, rail, 17rd and 10rd compact magazine, and an easy shooter.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

I havent tried anything else, but i really like my Ruger sr9c. Hardly service sized, but ambi safety, front and rear serrations, lci, rail, 17rd and 10rd compact magazine, and an easy shooter.View attachment 807428

Imo, Probably the best semi-auto in production on the Ruger Line (not counting the RAP which I do not own). Built solid as a Rock, very Mild mannered, I very seldom shoot it simply because it is so easy to shoot I feel as if I am wasting ammo. And the prices on them now is so low, This quality for a around $300 is one heck of a bargain. Not to mention the ability to use the 17 round magazine. This gun, and my Nano are my favorite guns, compact and subcompact, of which I will never depart them. Or as they say, "Until death do us Part"
While I do not own a 40.cal. This pistol has made me want to really try it out.

Look at the steel throughout this Pistol. You do not see that in the New Rugers or many other compacts.
-- courtesy of gunsumer reports
AOL 5.63" Small, Mild shooting, little muzzle flip

PS Even Squash have feeling. Do hope you ate them after shooting. (nice Pic by the Way)

 

[FL-NC]

In your mind, what makes the 19C a favorite? I’m asking because I have one, and I just cant find the love.

The lack of muzzle flip shaves just a little bit of time between shots for rapid fire engagements with hotter loads like the +P I keep in it.

 

[rskent]

The lack of muzzle flip shaves just a little bit of time between shots for rapid fire engagements with hotter loads like the +P I keep in it.

It is faster, no doubt. It may be the loudness I don’t care for, or the burning the lube off the barrel and under the slide. I’m not sure. I put a standard G19 barrel in it. I like it better that way. Maybe I should just trade it for a regular G19.

 

[Doublehelix]

Another vote for the SIG P226 Legion. My favorite 9mm.

 

[alfsauve]

Did you say we had to own it or just desire it? Hmmmm.

Sig P210? CZ75? Nether of which I own.

From a "cool", but business look the PPK.

So many guns, so little time.

 

[DDDWho]

Imo, Probably the best semi-auto in production on the Ruger Line (not counting the RAP which I do not own). Built solid as a Rock, very Mild mannered, I very seldom shoot it simply because it is so easy to shoot I feel as if I am wasting ammo. And the prices on them now is so low, This quality for a around $300 is one heck of a bargain. Not to mention the ability to use the 17 round magazine. This gun, and my Nano are my favorite guns, compact and subcompact, of which I will never depart them. Or as they say, "Until death do us Part"
While I do not own a 40.cal. This pistol has made me want to really try it out.

I bought a SR40 when they first came out. The price has dropped since then by about $100. It was back in the days when sighting radius meant more to me than packability. I've added a few smaller and lighter guns since then. You are correct the build quality is outstanding perhaps as good as it can get for a poly framed pistol. Here's a somewhat nasty pic I took some time ago.

 

[FL-NC]

It is faster, no doubt. It may be the loudness I don’t care for, or the burning the lube off the barrel and under the slide. I’m not sure. I put a standard G19 barrel in it. I like it better that way. Maybe I should just trade it for a regular G19.

You shouldn't have trouble making that trade, C models are hard to come by- I don't see that many available.

 

[BigSteve57]

SIG P220 Match Stainless Elite in 45 ACP for me. Fabulously well made and pretty accurate too.

 

[G5070]

A Ciener commander .22 conversion on a AMT frame. A very reliable and fun plinker.

 

[Walkalong]

biggest smile - Desert Eagle 44 mag

Heh, I bet.

 

[Walkalong]

Well, the way I read the OP, seems he's asking about our favorite full-size 9mm pistols to shoot .

Still a 1911 for me. I do like my XDm though.

 

[Walkalong]

, I very seldom shoot it simply because it is so easy to shoot I feel as if I am wasting ammo.

I had to giggle a little at that. I can see it though. I have a couple like that. Sort of like, sigh, no biggie, anyone can look like a expert with this gun.

 

[Ignition Override]

John_R/ OP:
As for 100% German Sigs which were "proofed" in Germany (or in West G.), you might already know that these have tiny proof marks under the barrels, on the chins.
The slides also state "Made in (W) Germany", usually on the right side. My P6's slide has it stamped on the left side.

Don't be concerned about an original P6 which still has the stiff trigger spring. It can be changed pretty easily.

As for the older P225s, almost no parts are shared by the newer 225 series, if any.

 

[tactikel]

Combat Commander in .45

 

[lsudave]

It’s hard to pick 2, but it’s easy to pick 3.

The number is 4, for me.

I really like a lot of my pistols. Perhaps the first paring of the list will be caliber: I have 9mm (parabellum), 9x18 Makarov, .45 acp, .32 acp, .22 lr.
The .22's are loads of fun, but are completely range toys, and I have to go with a centerfire. First out.
The .32's are neat, older guns (I don't have anything more recent than WW2). They were inexpensive, and are interesting bits of history. But the rd isn't hot enough, nor are any I own reliable or accurate enough. Those are, like the .22's, range toys. Next out.
That leaves me with .45 acp, 9x19, and 9x18. I'm not fixated on power, as I think all are in the 'good enough' category. The 9x18's are profoundly reliable (Makarov, CZ 82, PA 63, P64)... but I'm not in love with blowback pistols or heel mag releases. Even though I often put the CZ 82 in the car, this is the next caliber out.

9 vs 45. Ok, for me and me only- while I do like my 1911's, I prefer a good DA/SA and extra rds in the mag. 9's good enough, and cheaper to plink with, and that also makes a difference too. So, 45 out.

That leaves the 9x19 parabellums. Preemptive note, I don't care for polymer frames, so I don't own a single one. Weeding through my 9's... I prefer DA/SA as stated. That knocks out the FEG HP clone (which also isn't very accurate for me), the Star B Super and BM (both underrated and fun contenders), the Norinco T-54 I have in 9mm (my first pistol, so sentimentally a fave, and also a vastly underrated pistol).
I do prefer higher capacity, so my S&W 39-2 gets squeezed out for being a single stack. Being in production carries some merit for parts availability, but that can be overcome by rugged design (will I break it?), and by amount made and subsequent parts around. So in that view, my S&W 915 (a 3rd Gen) survives the cut, where my PHP MV9 gets knocked out. Note on the PHP MV9- although I would never trust it as a primary gun, mine has actually not failed in function, other than the slide won't stay locked back. And it's surprisingly accurate. But it's far too much off the beaten path to use; you never know if the next shot is the last before something breaks.

So, next I look at grip, balance, controls and trigger. Trigger removes the Zastava CZ 99 out, along with being just a little too bulky. It's a very good shooter and darn accurate, but the trigger is too mushy. Control location take out the Beretta 92S. the mag release down by the heel gets me. I'm a lefty, so that is at the base of my palm. Otherwise, that's every bit as nice a shooter as my 92FS. Balance takes out the Star 30MI, it's been dead reliable, but just too much of an anvil. It's an excellent pistol, just a hair too massive. The S&W 915 falls out here too- seems just a bit too light and bouncy, compared to what's left. Mine has a fantastic trigger, though (the prior owner was an armorer who did some trigger work on it).

That leaves me with a group of 4, three of which could be expected. Here's how I rank them today, but tomorrow might change:

1. CZ 75 pre B. The one in my avatar, and a fabulous shooter. Perfect balance, great trigger, fantastic grip (I put the factory rubber on for enhanced comfort). Of all the ones I list, this stays #1, the rest vie for 1A.
   
   
2. Beretta 92FS. Mine is an LAPD refugee, with the old steel internal parts. Just a smooth, smooth gun. Very accurate. Mine came with a Hogue wraparound, which felt nice but I didn't like the look. I put Hogue rubber panels on it, and they feel perfect. Dim night sights give a great picture.
   
   
3. Sig P226. Mine is a West German from the early 90's, and cosmetically the slide is rough. I don't care, it shoots great. I've cleaned the slide up at home, and keep thinking one day I will put a little cash into a good refinish. I got some Uncle Mike's rubber grips, that look like factory plastic but have the edge for comfort.
   
   
4. ... and surprisingly slipping into contention, a Daewoo DP 51. I didn't expect this to climb so high when I got it. It's a worn, well used gun. It had an issue with the trigger bar, which I replaced (parts are pretty easy to locate for now). The safety is backwards, pivoting from the front end of the gun, so it's a bit different in feel. The factory mags are 13, not 15 rd capacity. But since I've fixed that part, I've put over a case of ammo through it with flying colors, including some pretty hot stuff. It controls muzzle flip in a way the similarly sized 915 doesn't. The trigger feels much like the Sig's. The grip ergos feel close to the CZ's.
   
   

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Simple. 1911s. My all-time favorite would be my Colt Mark IV. Then probably my EDC, a Kimber UCDP, then my Colt Delta Elite, though it's been supplanted by a Glock 29, but only to keep it's looks pristine. Lastly, my Colt Gold Cup Trophy is my favorite of my rimfire pistols.

 

[Old Dog]