Stiff Shots Photography 0 Posted May 14, 2011 So I was over at Gun for Hire last Wednesday for the NJ2AS meeting (which was an eye-opener in and of itself), and before the meeting started I had a chance to test-fire a few handguns I'm considering as future purchases. Here's my review: Glock 27 (.40 S&W) Being a current .45 owner, I was curious to see how a .40 compared, plus I always wanted to try out one of Gustav Glock's li'l toys (despite my best friend HATING Glocks). This G27 came with both the stock eight-round mag plus a full size thirteen-rounder (less grip extender). One box of ammo later, I concluded that I can shoot a Glock pretty well, both stronghand and isosceles, but the combination of small frame plus hefty powder charge didn't do my right hand any favors. Were I to "Glock out" in .40 mode, I'd probably opt for a G22 or G23 initially, but would consider a 27 as a future backup/babygun. Beretta PX4 (9mm) Oh. My. God. I think I'm in love. It looks good, it feels good, and as Ray Ray can attest, the trigger pull is one of the smoothest and lightest I've ever felt. Yes, shooting a 9 is easier coming off a .40, but that doesn't change the fact that this is a primo sidearm. I know I can get some good deals on lightly-used G23's, but saving up for a PX4 in .40 caliber is a serious option. S&W Model 60 (.357) Five-round, snub-nosed, light-frame Magnum wheelie. Now, I shot a friend's Colt Python in the past, and handled it fairly well, so I figured the 60 would be more of the same. Unh-uh. Jesus Christ, this thing kicked my shooting hand in the a** worse than the baby Glock. Next! S&W Model 686 (.357) Oh blessed relief! This beefy six-shooter has a MUCH heftier frame than the 60, and absorbed enough of the .357 cartridge's whoomp to make firing it punchy but manageable. Even in a snubby format, I was punching decently tight patterns with this puppy. If and when I opt for a wheel gun, this 'un is a serious candidate. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pizza Bob 1,488 Posted May 14, 2011 S&W Model 60 (.357) Five-round, snub-nosed, light-frame Magnum wheelie. Now, I shot a friend's Colt Python in the past, and handled it fairly well, so I figured the 60 would be more of the same. Unh-uh. Jesus Christ, this thing kicked my shooting hand in the a** worse than the baby Glock. Next! Heck, you weren't even close to the maximum amount of punishment a J-frame can dole out. The model 60 is a steel frame - not a lightweight. That gun actually has some heft to it for snubbie. The lightweight versions of the 60 are the models 37, 637 & 360. The first two are .38Spl and the 360 is .357 magnum (the 60 was .38 Spl only until 1996 when the frame was changed to the magnum frame, allowing the use of .357 Mag). The lightweights range from appx 15 oz (Scandium or aluminum frame w/SS or carbon steel cylinder) down to 11 oz for the Scandium frame Titanium cylinder versions. Bear in mind the 60 you shot weighed appx 22.5 oz, almost half a pound more than the heaviest lightweight. The lightweights are a joy to carry and a bit of a pain to shoot. Adios, Pizza Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AnthonyG 36 Posted May 14, 2011 I have a px4 its a really great gun love shooting it, never tried it in 40 but I am sure it handles it quite well. I got hogue grips for it and made the gun even more amazing to shoot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stiff Shots Photography 0 Posted May 14, 2011 Heck, you weren't even close to the maximum amount of punishment a J-frame can dole out. The model 60 is a steel frame - not a lightweight. Point taken, PB. Maybe I shoulda said lighter-weight, but I'm not gonna quibble over semantics. Bottom line is that shooting the 60 b****-slapped my shooting hand, and shooting the 686...didn't. At the end of the day, it just gave me an idea of what I would and wouldn't want to own and fire on a regular basis. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M4BGRINGO 139 Posted May 15, 2011 I have a 686 with a 6" barrel just sitting at my FFL's waiting for the wifes permit to come-in. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Ray 3,566 Posted May 15, 2011 Px4 9mm, YES! with a hogue grip and your set 686, YES! any barrel length and your set Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krdshrk 3,872 Posted May 15, 2011 Aye - PX4! You were at the meeting? I was there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
david8613 69 Posted May 16, 2011 I have a px4 in .40 cal it was my first gun purchase and it's great! smoother than other 40s and I shot a few before getting the px4. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NotJust22s 10 Posted May 17, 2011 I have the Beretta PX$ sub-compact in 9mm and when I saw it in the shop I had to buy it. Great gun. If you haven't picked one up I highly recommend you do. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigBlueQ 7 Posted May 19, 2011 My PX4 9mm shoots much better than I do! +1 on the Hogue grip. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stiff Shots Photography 0 Posted November 6, 2011 Well, it took almost half a year, but... Yep, it's the PX4 in .40 caliber. And in this case, the "S&W" stands for "Sweet and Wonderful." "It will be mine. Oh, yes. It will be mine." - Wayne Campbell, WAYNE'S WORLD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maksim 1,504 Posted November 6, 2011 congrats. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites