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.

 

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

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.

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.

I have a 686 with a 6" barrel just sitting at my FFL's waiting for the wifes permit to come-in.

Px4 9mm, YES! with a hogue grip and your set

686, YES! any barrel length and your set

Aye - PX4!

 

You were at the meeting? I was there.

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.

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.

My PX4 9mm shoots much better than I do!

 

+1 on the Hogue grip.

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

congrats.