Ok Want to hear opinions!!!

[bersaguy]

If you're confident you can get the 1st round on target under duress, I don't see that it's anything other than personal preference.

That was one of the issues I worked on religiously when I settled on the Bersa thunder as my carry gun was the placing of the first round because if the first round finds it's mark a second round may not be needed unless dealing with more than one perp. I worked very hard on making that first shot count from holster to target and I feel about 90% to 95% confident I can place the first round where it needs to be but going to do some more work on it since I was able to run up on a buy of 380 reloads a buddy had that he passed on to me at a really good price. I have shot his reloads for a couple years and he loads a great round........ :up:   

[wileecoyote]

Most DA/SA guns have a fairly long and heavy first shot followed by a short and lighter second shot. In theory this seems to be a really bad idea for speed and accuracy, and it can certainly be a factor for professional competition shooting, but in actual self-defense scenarios most folks don't draw or shoot fast or well enough, or shoot at targets far enough away for the extra few milliseconds of first-shot trigger pull and the extra few millimeters of muzzle movement caused by the heavier trigger of the first-shot to make a difference.

 

On the other hand, many DA-only guns have unnecessarily long and heavy pulls for every shot, which is bad as it makes the gun more difficult or even impossible for some shooters to use well or at all, especially those with small or weak hands. So if getting a DA-only gun I highly recommend one with a reasonably short and light trigger, such as the excellent Sig Sauer P250 or similar guns, which is why so many of the striker-fired guns are popular. I personally try to avoid striker-fired guns if I have an equivalent alternative, because they do not have re-strike capability and thus you have to do something such as a tap-rack-bang drill to get it back in action, often losing a potentially good round and many seconds in the process.

 

But the biggest practical difference by far is reliability and ease of use, which is much more of a factor when choosing between semi-auto and revolver. Revolvers are much simpler with fewer controls or steps, and thus more reliable and a better choice for shooters with less training and practice. The extra capacity and fast reload nature of semi-autos is attractive but this should not come at the price of reduced reliability or more complex operating that will make it more difficult for the novice shooter to use and clear if a jam occurs.

 

My LCP is a striker-fired gun but I have resigned to carry it as my primary because it is the only gun that is small and light enough to carry all the time, even in hot weather, and with or without a covering garment or holster. Also, I have shot thousands of rounds through the LCP so I know that it is fairly reliable and performs well, so I don't mind the risk of a rare misfire. But if a revolver or semi-auto with re-strike capability came out that was just as small and light and simple as the LCP then I would switch to it in a heartbeat.

[tnguy]

Ok and I thank all of you for your replies. The reason for my asking this question was because a buddy of mine said he would never carry a DA/SA because of that first long trigger pull. I carry my Bersa with it is double action mode with hammer down and all safety's in fire mode. That way if I need to react to a situation I can react in one smooth move when I would need to fire first round, Yes it would be a long trigger pull for first round. But if I pull my self defense weapon it will be to most likely defend myself or another person from a life threatening danger and with the rush of adrenalin at that point the long trigger pull will seem like a split second before the gun discharges the first round. How many feel that my thoughts are or may be correct? In a life threatening situation when Adrenalin is rushing through your body will that long trigger pull make a difference at that point is my question? My thought is no but always like to hear other opinions. .......................... :up: :up:

 

I'm a big fan of the DA/SA Walther P99. I carry decocked but it's trivial to cock it should the need arise and then you're SA all the way. As long as you train with it, I figure it's all down to individual preference.

Edited August 8, 2014 by tnguy

[A.J. Holst]

Mmmmmmm all Stainless Kahr's.

It's the bomb, I'm tempted to get a K9 but don't really have a need

[Patton]

It's the bomb, I'm tempted to get a K9 but don't really have a need

The all metal Kahrs are the only ones worth owning in my opinion. I have owned two CW series and hated them both.

[KKing]

[quote name="Patton" post="1177204" timestamp="1407535872"]The all metal Kahrs are the only ones worth owning in my opinion. I have owned two CW series and hated them both.[/quote] I'd like to hear what you hated about them. I realize it's your opinion, just seems to be a strong one

[Patton]

I'd like to hear what you hated about them. I realize it's your opinion, just seems to be a strong one

I gave the cw380 to a family member and traded the cw45 for a loss. The cw45 had godawful recoil and the takedown pin would back out when shooting. Both were ammo finicky and had really rough edges. Maybe after a couple of years of carry those edges may rub smooth. Polymer Kahrs have plastic rails with short metal guides up front around the recoil spring. I hate the idea of that but apparently it has never been an issue for others.

[KKing]

[quote name="Patton" post="1177226" timestamp="1407538213"]I gave the cw380 to a family member and traded the cw45 for a loss. The cw45 had godawful recoil and the takedown pin would back out when shooting. Both were ammo finicky and had really rough edges. Maybe after a couple of years of carry those edges may rub smooth. Polymer Kahrs have plastic rails with short metal guides up front around the recoil spring. I hate the idea of that but apparently it has never been an issue for others.[/quote] Understood. I guess I was just lucky. I had a CM9 that never gave me trouble from the get go. All types of ammo, different magazines, it was very reliable. I'm hunting for one now, it's one of the only firearms I've ever sold and I regret it awfully

[Camaro_nut2001]

Until I get my HCP I am carrying in my pocket so to me size and weight are the factors I use to pick my carry guns. I was carrying my Kel-Tec P9 on me with my Bersa .40 as back-up in the truck. My buddy has a Taurus .380 that he carries OWB, he has his HCP, and after shooting it I wanted one. I found a used one just like his. It had been fired one time and that was the factory test fire, and came with the bullet new in the box. I have put 300rds. through it with different brand shells and FMJ, hollow points etc... and have not had any problem what so ever. It's a tad wider than my P9 but I chose to carry it as it fits my hand better and it seems like I am more accurate with it. I feel like shot placement is the weighing factor on stopping someone that's out to harm me. I have yet to have to pull my weapon, I hope that day never comes, but if it does I am confident I can place that one shot where I feel like is going to protect me and stop the evil doer. I try to practice as often as my body will let me and as of right now the little Taurus is my pick. As far as trigger pull I don't think I will ever have time to think about it if that situation was to ever happen. Edited September 21, 2014 by Camaro_nut2001

[hipower]

Until I get my HCP I am carrying in my pocket so to me size and weight are the factors I use to pick my carry guns. I was carrying my Kel-Tec P9 on me with my Bersa .40 as back-up in the truck. My buddy has a Taurus .380 that he carries OWB, he has his HCP, and after shooting it I wanted one. I found a used one just like his. It had been fired one time and that was the factory test fire, and came with the bullet new in the box. I have put 300rds. through it with different brand shells and FMJ, hollow points etc... and have not had any problem what so ever. It's a tad wider than my P9 but I chose to carry it as it fits my hand better and it seems like I am more accurate with it. I feel like shot placement is the weighing factor on stopping someone that's out to harm me. I have yet to have to pull my weapon, I hope that day never comes, but if it does I am confident I can place that one shot where I feel like is going to protect me and stop the evil doer. I try to practice as often as my body will let me and as of right now the little Taurus is my pick. As far as trigger pull I don't think I will ever have time to think about it if that situation was to ever happen.

That's the key, Ted. Pick what you are comfortable with in terms of feel in your hand and carry. Then practice with it. And then practice some more.

If it works for you. That's all that really matters.

And I agree...I hope and pray I never have to pull one in fear for myself or family. But I work and practice for just that event.

[sybo]

I carry a Glock 29 10 mm in case I need to level cities

[Jonnin]

When I began looking for my carry guns of choice the first question my buddy put to me was was did I want a semi auto or a wheel gun? I said a semi auto and he said single action or double action. It had been so long since I looked at hand guns I didn't even know they were making DA Semi auto's.  Anyway I said I wanted to check them all out so spent about 3 months shooting all kinds of guns and settled on a double action semi auto Bersa 380 for first gun. Now I have several DA's and a few Single actions and enjoy them both equally at the range but I carry  a DA. What is ya'lls preferences?..................just curious

 

My hands are aging faster than the rest of me due to being in the original gamer generation (80s kid) and having spent too much time with mice, joysticks, controllers, and keyboards.   I simply cannot use a long, heavy trigger pull pistol well anymore -- grew up with them and did fine but not anymore.   So my preference is a SAO. 

 

But my preference is not exclusive.  A good revolver with a trigger job is a joy; after replacing the springs in my wife's ruger gp 100 I can fire that DA and could carry that gun (its too big and capacity stinks, but its usable).   Trouble with revolvers (apart from capacity) is the smaller the frame, the stouter the trigger (physics, its a lever effectively) and about the size I like the trigger becomes unpossible for me. 

 

Other autos work too.  I have a converted cz rami that is pretty good; its SAO / cocked and locked with a "glockish" trigger (long do-nothing takeup).   I really like this one and carry it sometimes.   Speaking of glocks & similar, those triggers are ok for me, but they do not fit me well. 

 

I can fire a 1911ish sao trigger faster and more accurately than any of the rest though.   Slop/takeup reduces both speed and accuracy for me. 

 

My preferences don't really matter.  If you can shoot a DAO with 3 inch trigger pull and a 20 pound spring best, then carry the thing.  Carry what you shoot best -- not everything works for everyone. 

[wmaddox]

Gen 2 Glock 17 with stippled frame works perfect for my carry gun. Even added a Ghost trigger.