My Son the Glock-guy having second-thoughts...

[AJMD429]

.
He even liked trying my ancient Taurus 92 - liked the 1911-style safety and the way it feeds so well - it even fed an empty case he inserted midway into a magazine to do a 'jam' drill.

He's liking the 1911 open-hammer style, but prefers 9mm and although I have the Rock Island Armory 9mm/22 TCM to try, it is the same grip-frame as their double-stack 45 ACP, which he finds too girthy. Yet so many 1911-style 9mms are either that way, or single-stack with 10-round magazines, and being used to a Glock, he's preferential to higher capacity magazines.

Wondering if there are any 1911-style double-stack pistols that are more the dimensions of a Glock, and have similar capacaties, without going all the way to the girth of a double-stack 45 ACP.

The dealbreaker on the Taurus 92 for him was the magazine release - he wants to be able to drop a magazine without shifting his hand and on the Glock he can do it with his thumb but not on the Taurus 92 (and barely on a 1911).

[GunnyMack]

Browning Hi-power would be my choice.

[jeepnik]

Browning Hi-power would be my choice.

Used one for a bit. Reliable, and comfortable to use. But the cartridge left much to be desired.

[GunnyMack]

Browning Hi-power would be my choice.

Used one for a bit. Reliable, and comfortable to use. But the cartridge left much to be desired.

I forgot, in 40s&w would be my choice.

[AJMD429]

He seems ok with 9mm, although for Bear Country he may go big-time to the 10 mm.

I was thinking a CZ-format firearm might be good in that they have a decent reputation in the 10mm (vs the 1911's that seem 'overtaxed' by 10mm), and he could get a 9mm and 10mm in similar configuration.

I shoot slightly faster with a 9mm than a 45 ACP, but am with the Taurus 92 format now because I think it is SLIGHTLY harder for a toddler to accidentally discharge than a condition-one 1911, although of course the idea is that the gun should either be on my person or in a locking safe at all times. The Glock type firearms that are just 'pull trigger and bang' are probably the most dangerous if a kid grabbed one - even a revolver is at least going to have a very hard trigger pull in double action (but a scary-easy one if the kid manages to thumb-cock the piece... )

I never have handled a Browning Hi-Power but they are classics, and as a respectable gun-owner, I really SHOULD own one... By the time I get around to getting one they will probably be scarce/collector items and very pricey...

[Streetstar]

I never have handled a Browning Hi-Power but they are classics, and as a respectable gun-owner, I really SHOULD own one... By the time I get around to getting one they will probably be scarce/collector items and very pricey...

Springfield makes a very nice one in the $650ish range

couple of clones out there from Turkey in the $400 range - never handled one but have seen them in gun cases

[stretch]

Try the Springfield SA-35. The ergonomics are terrific. The hammer is a ring type, so it
won't bite the web of the hand as some people experience with the original hammer design.
Field stripping is, IMHO, easier than with a 1911. And it seems plenty accurate.

I have a late-model HiPower, and the Springfield copy is superior.

Why?

1. No mag disconnect, therefore:
2. Trigger is better. I improved the trigger on the HiPower by removing the
mag disconnect, swapping the mainspring for the original design weight, and
upping the recoil spring to +p. I didn't touch the sear, and the trigger is MUCH
better. Not great, but usable now. The SA-35's trigger was better right out of the box.
3. Sights are better. The "3-stripe" sights on the HiPower confuse me and slow me down.
Only the front sight on the Springfield has a white dot.
4. Grips are better - checkering all the way to the edges. I bought a set for the HiPower,
in fact.
5. The SA-35 is considerably cheaper.
6. It's also made in the USA.
7. Mags are interchangeable between the Springfield and the Browning.
The Browning mags are superior, in that they have a little "Mousetrap" spring
on the front of them to help with ejection of the mag. This was because the
mag disconnect bears on the front of the mag. Not needed without the mag disconnect,
but it DOES help the mag to drop free with authority when the release button is pressed.

-Stretch

[Streetstar]

We got a couple of vtes for the Hi-Power
Or if 10mm is on the agenda-

Its low capacity, but SIG still has a 220 in 10 if you look around and arent afraid to unfold a bit of green candy

[stretch]

Springfield's Ronin is a VERY nice pistol in 10mm.

1911 platform.

If one doesn't always shoot MAX loads through it, I'd think
it'd be just fine. Ergonomics are, of course, excellent - and
similar to the HiPower.

-Stretch

[44shooter]

I think the Springfield version of the Hi Power is what he should look at. I have smallish hands and find the HP very ergonomic and the Springfield is even better with its grips than the Brownings I have handled. The Springfield holds 15 with its MecGar mags.

I find both the Beretta 92 and CZ patterns to be a bit big as far as trigger reach as I do with most double stack 45s. I am comfortable with Glock 40 and 9 double stacks and the XD and m&p as well, but the Grand Puissance is my favorite double stacks

[marlinman93]

A 9mm isn't a .45ACP, but I wouldn't turn my nose up on a 9mm. The Germans used them all through WWII and many police agencies have used them successfully for many years. I doubt you're going to not worry if somebody points a loaded 9mm at you.
I prefer the DA/SA 9mm's as they have better trigger pulls after the first shot. My personal preference is the S&W 39 single stock, or 59 double stack versions. Just feel great to me, and shoot extremely well. They also feed everything from jacketed hollow points to cast SWC, or round nose well.

[GunnyMack]

I remember seeing slow motion footage of the S&W 39 cycling. The slide gyrated like a belly dancer, slide stop lever shook up and down it was eye opening. I never saw any other makes/models filmed for slo-mo but I'm sure every one does it in some form or another.

After taking a Beretta armours course the 92s don't do it for me, between all the tiny springs and plungers and the 5000 round count for slide breakage I'll pass. Sure they are great guns but not for me. I know most people won't burn up 5000 rounds in their life time but still it's a known fault.

Lately I have a hankering for that Standard Manufacturing color case 1911!

[Ysabel Kid]

Try the Springfield SA-35. The ergonomics are terrific. The hammer is a ring type, so it
won't bite the web of the hand as some people experience with the original hammer design.
Field stripping is, IMHO, easier than with a 1911. And it seems plenty accurate.

I have a late-model HiPower, and the Springfield copy is superior.

Why?

1. No mag disconnect, therefore:
2. Trigger is better. I improved the trigger on the HiPower by removing the
mag disconnect, swapping the mainspring for the original design weight, and
upping the recoil spring to +p. I didn't touch the sear, and the trigger is MUCH
better. Not great, but usable now. The SA-35's trigger was better right out of the box.
3. Sights are better. The "3-stripe" sights on the HiPower confuse me and slow me down.
Only the front sight on the Springfield has a white dot.
4. Grips are better - checkering all the way to the edges. I bought a set for the HiPower,
in fact.
5. The SA-35 is considerably cheaper.
6. It's also made in the USA.
7. Mags are interchangeable between the Springfield and the Browning.
The Browning mags are superior, in that they have a little "Mousetrap" spring
on the front of them to help with ejection of the mag. This was because the
mag disconnect bears on the front of the mag. Not needed without the mag disconnect,
but it DOES help the mag to drop free with authority when the release button is pressed.

-Stretch

+1 on all counts!

Doc, I have the adjustable sight version of your Taurus 92 - the PT-99. I like it more than the Beretta. You can carry it cocked and locked, as the safety is not a hammer drop. I find the Browning Hi-Power grip girth to be smaller. The 1911 "double-wides", whether in .45 ACP or 9mm, don't bother me, but I have long skinny fingers. I should have learned to play the piano.

[AJMD429]

.
I'll let him know about the Springfield 35 - it looks like a great gun. Now I want one...

[Nath]

CZ Shadow??

[Ysabel Kid]

Does your son like neon green?