A fun day at the Range...a Glock, a Smith, and an HK walk into a bar...

[bcj68]

So I went to the range today to practice with my gun for matches (HK VP9A1-F), then zero'd my red dot on my S&W Shield X, then put that against my Glock 43X that I've been carrying...

The HK shoots like a dream. I had some early struggles with it, but changed out to the large side panels and the large backstrap with the beavertail to see how that would better elign my optic on the draw. Oh what a difference that made. The green dot pops right into my view as I'm coming up. The trigger is far superior to my Glocks, and the press is smooth with a crisp break. Just a pure pleasure to shoot.

Then I zero'd the Shield X's Osight SE. I had taken it off for a hot minute because my battery tray came out and flew into the netherworld. I contacted their Customer Service and they sent me a new one easily enough - so I re-atached it. Turns out the Optic was still zero'd from it's previous mounting.

So with the extra time I tried shooting the Shield X versus my gun I'd been carrying, a Glock 43X with a Holosun 507K. (I carried Glocks for 30+ years in LE...). The Shield X outshot the 43X by a significant margin. Better trigger press, and faster dot acquisition due to a lot of time I've put into non-Glock pistols. I could reacquire the dot quicker on the Shield by a wide margin. Also, no dingus digging into my trigger finger - the one on the Smith (and the HK for that matter) aligns flush with the trigger face. I hate that I favor the Shield so much, since I love my Glocks...That said...

I know we're all excited about the 43X, and we should be. It will sell like ice cold lemonade on a 105 degree afternoon. The ergonomics of the slimline Glocks is actually quite good, and they feel good in hand. Glock has amazing reliability and durability and has earned that reputation fair and square. I would say however, check out the Shield X or the Shield X Carry Comp for a CCW weapon if you're not already set on the 43X.

For my carry, I'm going to shift to the Shield X, I'm just a better shot with it. The 43X will go into the safe for a bit, it's alwqays good to have a backup... If the VP9CC comes to town I'll likely go that route. And for a full size gun, the HK smoked the lot of them for trigger press, ergonomics, and handling. (It's like the Grey Poupon of 9mm striker fired guns...)

 

[chiroken007]

It has been written. So shall it be.

 

[aema15]

Most of my training has been with my Glock 19, but when I got my P-01 and started drawing and presenting both with dots, I knew my time with Glock was going to come to a halt at some point. My CZ pointed so naturally for me (and basically screwed up my Glock presentation when trying them side by side). I'm now onto the PDP and recently got a Shield X as well. I present them both just as well.

Can I just keep training with my Glock and get good with it? Sure, but I can also train with my other guns that aim more naturally for me and focus my attention on other aspects of shooting so I can get better overall more quickly. I'm no Stoeger or USPSA GM, so I don't have the time/dedication to get good with so many different platforms.

 

[bcj68]

Most of my training has been with my Glock 19, but when I got my P-01 and started drawing and presenting both with dots, I knew my time with Glock was going to come to a halt at some point. My CZ pointed so naturally for me (and basically screwed up my Glock presentation when trying them side by side). I'm now onto the PDP and recently got a Shield X as well. I present them both just as well.

Can I just keep training with my Glock and get good with it? Sure, but I can also train with my other guns that aim more naturally for me and focus my attention on other aspects of shooting so I can get better overall more quickly. I'm no Stoeger or USPSA GM, so I don't have the time/dedication to get good with so many different platforms.

I do wish we still had access to the SP-01 and P-01...CZ does make some great hammer fired guns...

 

[lactoast]

I do wish we still had access to the SP-01 and P-01...CZ does make some great hammer fired guns...

At least we still have the Berettas! I'm of the opinion that the Berettas available to us are similar enough in the areas that matter.

But yeah, it's a damn shame.

 

[RustVendor]

I do wish we still had access to the SP-01 and P-01...CZ does make some great hammer fired guns...

there's tons in the classifieds, I just sold an SP01

 

[RustVendor]

At least we still have the Berettas! I'm of the opinion that the Berettas available to us are similar enough in the areas that matter.

But yeah, it's a damn shame.

unfortunately there's a big deficit and that's ability to mill for a red dot. It's possible for over 400 dollars but it's not a great gun for a red dot.

 

[decius_mus]

The Shield X is definitely a good option but I personally went with the Shield Plus after renting them both and shooting them b2b. The grip on the X feels kind of thin so it would move around in my hands when I shot it. The Plus on the other hand felt perfect.

The X does have some good stuff for the extra $50-$100 premium compared to the Plus. Better sights, front rail, nicer slide serrations etc. The trigger felt the same though and they are both optics ready.

The Shield Plus for the $400 it's currently selling for at Riflegear is a hell of a deal for a beater carry gun though.

 

[lactoast]

unfortunately there's a big deficit and that's ability to mill for a red dot. It's possible for over 400 dollars but it's not a great gun for a red dot.

Great point, I've resigned myself to keeping it in its original form for its looks and as a production division gun, but it would be nice if it was (affordably) RDO-capable. I recently had an opportunity to buy a LTT RDO slide for $450, but passed on it. Hopefully this won't be a regret later on down the line.

 

[RustVendor]

Great point, I've resigned myself to keeping it in its original form for its looks and as a production division gun, but it would be nice if it was (affordably) RDO-capable. I recently had an opportunity to buy a LTT RDO slide for $450, but passed on it. Hopefully this won't be a regret later on down the line.

Dang, whelp... my eyes are messed up so I basically need a dot so I no longer have a beretta. They are such a weird company like just sell the dang slides people literally sell the RDO slides for like 750 dollars.

 

[chiroken007]

I got the trijicon mounting plate. Works great and it is STIFF in that dove tail. I damaged my hammer putting it in there

 

[NewbieDoo]

The Shield X is definitely a good option but I personally went with the Shield Plus after renting them both and shooting them b2b. The grip on the X feels kind of thin so it would move around in my hands when I shot it. The Plus on the other hand felt perfect.

The X does have some good stuff for the extra $50-$100 premium compared to the Plus. Better sights, front rail, nicer slide serrations etc. The trigger felt the same though and they are both optics ready.

The Shield Plus for the $400 it's currently selling for at Riflegear is a hell of a deal for a beater carry gun though.

This.

Shield Plus is far and away the best micro 9mm if limited to a 10 round configuration. Best balance of concealability, shootability, reliability, and versatility. Especially with the S&W factory pinky extension on the flush fit 10-rounder. Shield X has some improvements (undercut, beavertail, slide design), but the longer and thinner grip impacts the concealability and shootability with no impact to capacity (for us in CA).

 

[sonofeugene]

The dingus pressing into your trigger finger is easily removed with zero effect on its operation.

 

[DRW_2A]

I feel the exact same way about the 43x/43 and Shield X. I wanted to like the 43 I tried to get good with it for over year. Could never shoot straight. Then I traded a 19.3 for the shield x and man I shot straight right out the box and the ergonomics for my hand are just spot on. I too would recommend people looking at the shield x. It is heavier than the 43x the slide is more top heavy and the handle texture can feel like sand paper on the skin, but it does soften up over time.

 

[MrWilly]

I'm drooling at the thought of the VP9CC or CSX-E coming to CA!

 

[foothillman]

Great point, I've resigned myself to keeping it in its original form for its looks and as a production division gun, but it would be nice if it was (affordably) RDO-capable. I recently had an opportunity to buy a LTT RDO slide for $450, but passed on it. Hopefully this won't be a regret later on down the line.

thread-jack

I Emailed Beretta about offering RDO slides and they said not currently.
92X slide with replaceable front sight was running $290
Maybe someday 92X slide with RDO would run around $350????

Beretta 92X Full Size Slide, Black

Check out the deal on Beretta 92X Full Size Slide, Black at MGW

www.midwestgunworks.com

The option of RDO cut is available, $200
I have not used them.

Beretta 92FS/M9 RDO Optic Cut

Beretta RDO Optic Cut (MACHINING SERVICE ONLY) FRONT SIGHT CAN NOT BE REPLACED ON FIXED SIGHT MODELSMUST SUPPLY PLATE For Beretta factory plate click here ($45)DLAH optic plate click here ($135) Once Cut, optic is professionally installed and witness marks will be added. Please Supply Optic...

dualhammer.com

I really like the Beretta Vertec grip/angle and was able to have my slides cut as soon as the plates became available.
The reason the adapter sits higher is the firing pin block.
That 1/4 of a inch "sits to high" is only valid for co-witness sights.
Can live with shooting 1/4" low/high.

Post in thread 'Beretta Photo Thread'

Oct 27, 2024

92FS Vertec Inox, G10 grips, SS guide rod and 14lb hammer spring.
92X Performance, slide has RDO cut "before it was offered" LOK Grips with Trident Medalions and Match Hammer.
92FS Vertec Inox, Brigadier slide RDO cut, full length barrel, SS guide rod, Xtreme-S 92X Trigger Group, 14lb hammer spring with Match Hammer, Wilsom Combat grips.
89 Gold Standard 22LR. Drilled for rail RDO, grips thinned to Vertec angle.
96FS Vertec Inox, slide has RDO cut, SS guide rod, Xtreme-S 92X Trigger Group, 14lb hammer spring with Match Hammer, Wilson Combat grips.

...

• foothillman

 

[Gawernator]

The terminator looking gun is only a 22?

 

[foothillman]

The terminator looking gun is only a 22?

Yes, 89 Gold Standard .22LR
The area the rail would go is a weight giving that "look"