Posted: 6/30/2006 12:06:52 PM EDT
Here is the situation: I have a USP 45 tactical (I  and a smith scandium J-Frame. The USP is a little too big. It is heavy, the slide fram is too long to carry in my pants, the grip is huge etc. It is a duty type pistol. The J frame is DAO  . Had I to do it all over again I would have got the Body Guard w/ shrowded hammer in 38+p since I really can't do 357 double taps anyway . That way I would have the option of a single action trigger. My smith is uber carry-able, but it is not very easy to shoot accurately at any distance. I woudl like something intermediate in size that I would be a good compromise for when I can carry more than the JFrame or for when I fly so I can have more than just the J-Frame in whereever I am. (I travel alot for work). I have always been a fan of 45, but might consider going to 40 for ease of shooting and light weight and gun offereings. I want a single action trigger pull, I hate DAO triggers or anyother scheme that uses the trigger pull to fully or partially cock the weapon. I also hate double action pistols that don't have a manual safety. So I am looking for either a SA or a SA/DA (used to be called just a DA) w/ a manual safety in 40 or 45 that is sowhere inbetween a j frame and a full size USP. I am not really concerned w/ ammo capacity as long as it is 7+ So far the only thing I can come up w/ is USP compact, 1911, bul/baby eagle. What else is out there? Would you go w/ 40 or 45? |
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1911 or G30 i use to carry a full size SA 1911 and a SW 1911 SC, and i'd recommend both--great trigger pull and natural point; h/w, i recently switched to a G20/G19 b/c i needed the hi-cap capability and simplicity i did not like the USP's DA trigger--too heavy and long imo.... i like the .45acp over the .40sw; less recoil/snap in the firing (more of a push), low pressure, big bore--if i want .40, i'll take my 19mm |
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There are just so many very good options that there really is no really great answer... So, I will share my CCW weapon choices and why... I have a really cheap Taurus M85 which is a 5-shot 38-revolver. It is very small, ultra reliable. It was my only easily carried handgun before my Brother suffered a home invasion as my main carry gun was a Glock 21. The 38 is about the same size as the Glock 26 and it would do the job in a pinch but I have since decided I want more firepower. I made major upgrades to my Glock collection. My primary CCW is now the Glock 30 as I like what 10-rds of 45ACP brings to a fight. Just the same, I bought a Glock 26 for my wife and when I am with her I often carry her Glock 26. I find the smaller size of the Glock 26 is much easier to hide then the Glock 30 during this time of the year. I have looked at the smaller semiautos and I am not really willing to go to smaller pistols although I really do wish that glock would make a slimline version of the Glock 26 or Glock 27 as I would buy something like that very soon after it was made available. In the winter or when I can wear heavier clothes I really do like the Glock 30 better then the Glock 26. These days I have a Glock 26, Glock 17, Glock 34, Glock 22, and Glock 30. I sold the Glock 21 to buy the Glock 22 within a week or two of my Brother's home invasion as my Glock 22 is primarily my HD pistol with wepon light, night sights, and laser. One of these days I want to replace the Glock 21 with a 3rd Gen G-21 so I cam move my extras up to it and have a 45ACP for my primary HD gun but at the time the G-22 was priced right and had the rail that my Glock 21 lacked. Sorry, I got off topic... Obviously I like Glocks... There are many other great options for what you want so I am not sure you will get an exact answer but for me, the Glock 30 or Glock 27 is what I would want. |
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Some I have... SIG P239 in .40 (nearly ideal in an IWB holster) My top pick for what you say you need. HK USP45C (similar function to my USP45 and your Tactical) Familiarity is a plus. Easier to transition back to the Tactical. Baby Eagle in .40 (all steel, a bit heavy) Dead accurate. Hard to find an off-the-rack holster. Also... Kahr has a new .45 that's fairly small. |
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cz2075 rami might well be what you are looking for. it is single action w/ manual safety and a da/sa with a manual safety. however with the hammer at the half-cock for da/sa, the safety can't be engaged. in .40sw it has 8+1 capacity. cz has had some problems with their .40sw versions in the past regarding them needing heavier springs. i don't know if the rami has those problems. there are also the kahrs. they are all striker fired kind of like the glocks. they are skinny and light. |
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In Utah we can carry whatever we want, so I have tried many of my pistols in the carry role. Except for mid summer carry I really like my USP45 compact. Its a little heavier than my Glock 19 but still carrys well. The grip on my XD45 is long enough that it tends to "print" in most carry positions. My TLE / RL II i havent had long enough to work with on this. My Glock 21 is a bitch to hide. I carried a Glock 30 for a short time, and it hides well but I hated the grip so I broomed it. That is all of the 45s I have tried on the CCW isssue, I hope this helps.
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I agree with that statement. |
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I will look into the cz and the beretta. I am just not interested in the glock, kahr, XD, sig, etc b/c they either have gimmicky trigger pulls, or they don't have a manual safety. I will add two more requirements. It has to have either polymer or aluminum alloy frame to keep the weight down and a barrel of 4 1/4" or less. Here is a list so far of everything I am aware of: Also 45: 1911 USPc Taurus 24/7 Ruger P345 or P90 Bul/Charles Daily Only 40: FN FNP 40/ browning high power Beretta 9000s Beretta PX4 storm (a little on the big side) cz2075 rami (all steel, but maybe light enough) |
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Another gun I have owned in the past that is a nice gun is the S&W 4013. It is a traditional double action with the decocker safety and the alloy frame made it a light gun to carry. The thing I don't like with the Smith autos of this type is the PITA way they field strip but it was otherwise a good gun. There are also many Sigs that are great guns for what you are describing... Good Luck, even if you don't like Glocks  I would NEVER own a Ruger semi auto.... (other then their 22LR pistols)
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Try out a P-99. The "QA" (Quick Action) in this model features a decocker that disengages the trigger. A quarter of an inch pull on the slide will reset the striker. |
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Can the Ruger P345 be fitted w/ L hand safety? (I am lefty) What is the P-99? I went to the gun shop today and handled a UPS compact tactical; yes that's right, a USP tactical Compact 45. It had the threaded barrel, the O ring and the trigger seemed a little better than a regular compact, but not as good as the full size tactical. It pretty sweet man  .Anyway, the compact size USPs were pretty managable for concealed carry for me. I feel my self being pulled w/ suddle yet irresitable force direction. |
For most folks the full sized USP is indeed a bit big.
Don't buy into that idea. You CAN shoot a little Smith J frame accurately. You just have to practice, practice, practice. I know it is an uncomfortable weapon to shoot. To counter that, try installing larger Pachmyer grips on the revolver to practice with at the range. You can switch back to the more concealable grips for carry. The important thing here is learning to master the trigger and aligning those tiny sights. It CAN be done.
There are a number of good mid-sized pistols that would probably suit you fine. Personally I am fond of the Sig P239. It is very pleasant to shoot, accurate, not too heavy, and it usually comes with a pretty good trigger. The Walther P99 is also a good option. It has large capacity, compact size, and comes with good sights and the best trigger on a striker fired pistol you will ever find. The mid sized Glocks are also very concealable and they carry really good IWB, but I am not as fond of the Glock's trigger and their practically useless stock sights. With some Heinie sights, they are much improved.
You might want to look at a 1911 too. They seem like a big gun, but they are one of the slimmest pistols ever made and that helps them tuck inside the waistband a lot easier than wider weapons like the USP.
Umm.....The only option you have for a weapon that does not at least partially cock the weapon are basically single action guns like the 1911, the Browning Hi-Power, or the Walther P99. (In the "cocked" mode, the P99 trigger only releases the striker....it does not cock it...) I think you should get over your hatred, as it eliminates some mighty fine pistols which might be exactly what you need.
The Sig P239 and Walther P99 can both be had in .40 if you so choose. Personally I prefer the 9mm.
The USP compact isn't really all that compact. My gripe with my old compact was that it was still wider than I prefer to use IWB. A full sized 1911 is an excellent option. Avoid the super small 1911s as they tend to have more problems than full or commander sized 1911s.
My favorite carry gun is a full-sized Les Baer 1911. With the right belt and holster it doesn't feel heavy and it is comfortable to carry IWB all day long. Next in line would have to be my Walther P99. It is a superb handgun, very accurate, very good trigger, and very durable. Then would come the Sig P239. It is a slim weapon, usually very accurate and with a decent trigger. Lastly, the Glocks. Their stock sights need to be replaced in my opinion, and their trigger isn't the greatest, but they pack easily and they are tough as nails. I quite like my little G26. |
It comes with an Ambi saftey so to answere your question, Yes. |