re: Need advice: 1911 SA v SP2022 DA/SA v S&W Shield

The Sig p229 or P226 are my favorite DA/SA. My H&K is light LEM so i'm not familiar w/ their DA/SA. An overlooked quality DA/SA for a great price is the CZ 75D. Its a little bit wide, but compact, good trigger, and can often be had for low $500's. I had to pay $549 for mine recently from Tombstone Tactical because they are hard to find. As far as purchase, you can look to local stores, Gunbroker, and use SlickGuns to find the best retail online deals. If you are willing to buy a 40 cal, there are some great deals on new and used because that caliber is out of favor and the ammo is more expensive. I paid $550 for my Sig P229 and H&K P30L brand new.

Get a Glock 19, you won't regret it. You'll have a gun you can count on and also one that won't require a lot of maintenance. From there you can get others. If you want a safe queen those 1911's make great heirlooms but I wouldn't bring one in my boat on the river.

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Which one is better specifically for carrying mostly in my car but also fun at the range.

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If you don't plan to carry the gun on your body concealed, there is no reason to get something smaller than a full sized gun. A full sized gun gives numerous benefits over a subcompact carry gun and I can list them if you want. But the biggest advantage is that it's easier to shoot.

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1911
DA/SA Sig SP 2022

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These are both full sized guns but the 1911 definitely requires more training. It has a manual thumb safety that you will need to actuate every time you use the gun. If you don't do this and dedicate it to muscle memory, you will forget to turn it off if you're fighting for your life. Adrenaline will turn off your ability to think and will only give you the ability to react, which is why training is so important. I should also mention that 45 ACP is considerably more expensive to shoot and practice with than 9mm and does not offer that mythical extra "stopping power" you always hear about. Both 45 and 9mm will do the job.

The Sig is not a terrible choice and does fit the role of a full sized gun. I've never been wild about Sigs but there are a lot of passionate Sig followers and they make quality products. I know the 2022 is their budget polymer model so keep that in mind.

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I know Alot of people on this board recommend the shield, but I've seen a lot of buyer's remorse posts about the shield as well. Everything I've read says it's solid carry and defense but it's just nothing special.

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The Shield is one of the top tier single stack subcompact 9mm handguns out there. But, if you don't plan on buying the gun strictly to carry concealed, it makes little sense to get one. If this is your first handgun as you stated, get a full sized 9mm.

You should be able to find a local range that will allow you to rent some guns to test. Here's a list of popular full sized 9mm handguns that you should look for besides just that Sig:

S&W M&P
Springfield XD
Glock 17/19
Ruger SR9
Sig P320
Walther PPQ
HK VP9
FN FNS9
Sig Sauer P226/228/229
Beretta 92/96
CZ 75/P01

Do you have a specific budget? If you are within the $500-$600 range that gives you a boatload of options.

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What's your budget?

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350-550. I'm not going over that and I want to say under 500. This site why I think the 2022 is the best thing for me right now.

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Do you prefer compact or do you want a subcompact?

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I don't plan on conceal carrying yet. It'll be in my car and on my nightstand. I also plan on going to the range. So I want it to be comfortable to shoot.

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Does it matter if it's single or double stacked?

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Not really. I guess id prefer double because more bullets but it's by no means make or break.

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Thumb safety or not?

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Again, I think I'd prefer a thumb safety, but I'm fine either way.

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I'm not going over that and I want to say under 500.

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A ceiling of $550 will give you plenty of wiggle room even though you seem like you have your mind made up on the Sig 2022.

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I don't plan on conceal carrying yet. It'll be in my car and on my nightstand. I also plan on going to the range. So I want it to be comfortable to shoot.

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Then get a full size. If not to be carried, a full size offers many more benefits like...

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I guess id prefer double because more bullets but it's by no means make or break.

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No one who has ever been in a gun fight has said, "you know, I wish I had fewer rounds." The more ammo the better.

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Again, I think I'd prefer a thumb safety, but I'm fine either way.

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The Sig 2022 doesn't have a thumb safety and only has a decocker. It does give you a heavy double action pull but it doesn't work like a thumb safety.

Is there any reason for wanting one? I know most people are iffy about buying a handgun without a manual safety at first until they realize that handguns are made to go in holsters. As long as your trigger is covered, the gun will not discharge itself.

For what it's worth, only two of my 6 handguns have manual safeties (Beretta 90 two, 1911) and neither of my carry guns have them (Kahr CM9, M&P9c). There is a large segment of the gun-owning population whose guns have no manual safety. Don't let that fact alone be a deterrent.

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**this one is a little higher than your budget

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You can find an FNS9 or an FNS9c for around $400 online and it comes with 3 mags. Got mine at Academy for $450. I think it's an excellent gun but the OP seems set on that Sig.

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I was very disappointed to discover you didn't have a redneck accent

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You should hear my Arkansan father. He puts all other rednecks to shame.

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That ruger 1911 you reviewed was phenomenal

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No doubt. Very high value for the price.

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bapp, what's the main difference between the FNS and FNX models?

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The "S" stands for "striker." The FNX is a hammer-fired version. I'm pretty sure it's the evolution of the old FNP but I could be wrong.

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You should do the writing for your videos and let him narrate

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Excellent suggestion!

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It shoots really well and the ported slide helps with recoil.

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Do some practice from the retention position and low ready position to get used to the blast.

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the OP seems set on that Sig.

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I am. I've been looking at which pistol I want for about a year now. But I was curious of anyone would talk me out of it. So far, yall just confirmed my decision.

So, can I shoot one somewhere? If I go to a local range will they let me "rent" for lack of a better term a few different guns to shoot before I choose one?