What hammer fired handgun would you buy for around $1,000

[lactoast]

Not my recommendation, but there’s always the humble SP2022 if the $1k budget is nonnegotiable and you have to have it optic cut

 

[momin]

You said you got RMS footprint above not RMR

Sorry. My bad

 

[Gawernator]

Not my recommendation, but there’s always the humble SP2022 if the $1k budget is nonnegotiable and you have to have it optic cut

But why buy that if you can get a P226

 

[bryanwm18]

Not my recommendation, but there’s always the humble SP2022 if the $1k budget is nonnegotiable and you have to have it optic cut

It might just be that it was my first gun, but I always enjoyed shooting the SP2022 over the 226 and 229
I am probably the only person to ever say that, and I'm good with that
If you can find one for a decent price still, I think they're a great option
If you have any surplus 92fs/M9 mags, a little shaving on magazine release detents will also allow them to be used in the 2022. Good enough for range use

 

[lactoast]

But why buy that if you can get a P226

If you only got $1k for an optic ready hammer fired guns, you’d have to get fairly lucky to get one and stay within budget.

Honestly I’d just save up for the P226, it’s why I didn’t recommend the SP2022, just brought it up as an unmentioned option

 

[lactoast]

I am probably the only person to ever say that, and I'm good with that
If you can find one for a decent price still, I think they're a great option

I’ve seen SP2022s in the $300 range, very affordable for a decent budget option.

I’ve also seen PX4 storms around the mid to upper $300s on gunbroker, which would also be a nice budget option

 

[RustVendor]

I’ve seen SP2022s in the $300 range, very affordable for a decent budget option.

I’ve also seen PX4 storms around the mid to upper $300s on gunbroker, which would also be a nice budget option

the 2022s have a bad trigger that can't be improved though so it kinda defeats most of the purpose of having a hammer. The one advantage would be as a carry gun that you can carry hammer down.

 

[OctoB]

This P-01 just listed and after milling should still fit into your budget. Good luck: https://caguns.net/classifieds/cz-75-p-01.62854/

 

[Gawernator]

Reasonable

 

[9mmContagion]

Not my recommendation, but there’s always the humble SP2022 if the $1k budget is nonnegotiable and you have to have it optic cut

I’ve always thought the 2022 was underrated. It was my first pistol purchase when I turned 21 many years ago…. But in 40, ewww. Sold it for a 9mm model later down the road. Think I’ve owned 3 or 4 in almost 20 years. Only reason they’ve ever been sold is they are just low man on the totem pole, and I never bothered to put optics on them. With an Optic, I’d say it’s a very viable option

 

[MattB]

A Beretta 92FS and a Langdon Tactical “Trigger Job in a Bag.” The end result will be a combat pistol with a better trigger than the overwhelming majority of pistols out there.

 

[CA2ALOL]

Sell some of your striker pistols to add to your 1k and get a better hammer-fired. If you can get close to 2500, get a Platypus. Quality over quantity. If you don't wanna sell, get a CZ SP-01.

i have a policy to never sell a gun lol but i hear you. i may just save a little longer to widen my options

 

[CA2ALOL]

Your mistake was you didn't specify caliber or capacity.

Obviously you should get a revolver in .45 caliber.

View attachment 268544

yea my mistake. I'm lookin at 9mm for affordability of ammo

 

[Davis378]

the 2022s have a bad trigger

Honestly I prefer the double action of my 2340 to my 226, and the single action is a toss-up slightly favoring the 226. Though maybe it changed in the later models, or is inconsistent (or I'm a trigger prole). Regardless, I will echo others that it is a really underrated line of pistols but idk if it exactly fits what OP is looking for.

 

[lopez1171]

I thought some spot was doing the optic cuts on the 226 and the supposed downside was losing the lci

 

[RustVendor]

Honestly I prefer the double action of my 2340 to my 226, and the single action is a toss-up slightly favoring the 226. Though maybe it changed in the later models, or is inconsistent (or I'm a trigger prole). Regardless, I will echo others that it is a really underrated line of pistols but idk if it exactly fits what OP is looking for.

the 226 has a short reset kit that's really cheap plus a bunch of other upgrades if you are feeling frisky. The sig pros have a ridiculous amount of travel and reset and basically break when it's touching the frame but there's nothing you can do about it.

 

[Gawernator]

the 226 has a short reset kit that's really cheap plus a bunch of other upgrades if you are feeling frisky. The sig pros have a ridiculous amount of travel and reset and basically break when it's touching the frame but there's nothing you can do about it.

Yep and you shot mine it has a short very crisp and positive reset and very little take up after the reset, it’s like breaking a twig. The kit was cheap too

 

[Specialist_muted]

I have both a P226 and a P01. I honestly couldn't choose a favorite between the two, but here's what I'd consider if I was doing it all over again:

Sig Sauer:

• Definitely consider the P229. It’s chunky, but concealable.
• The magazine disconnect on CA-rostered models is a known failure point, but thankfully it is very simple to delete.
• The factory barrel on CA models has a top-cut channel for the LCI. If you swap to an aftermarket optics-ready slide, gas blowback through that barrel channel will quickly foul your red dot lens during a range session. You'll likely want a clean, non-LCI barrel.
• Overall, these are caveman-easy to work on. Companies like Grayguns and The Sig Armorer offer phenomenal aftermarket parts that you can easily install yourself with a basic punch set.

CZ:

• The P-01 predates CA’s LCI and magazine disconnect requirements, meaning you get a clean gun out of the gate. It's also a Goldilocks size for CCW.
• Factory sights are god-awful. Upgrading to Dawson Precision sights is a must, but be prepared as they generally require hand-filing for a proper fit.
• CZ slides are incredibly scarce, leaving zero room for error if you mill it. You also have to watch your hardware geometry. If your slide is milled for US 6-32 screws, note that Holosun optics use a metric 90-degree countersink, while standard US screws use an 82-degree angle. Forcing them will ruin the optic body or loosen up. Tracking down a set of quality, non-Chineseium 90-degree 6-32 screws will cost you an extra $15+ in CA shipping/signature fees just because it’s a "firearm part".
• The factory DA/SA trigger is mediocre, but a CGW trigger transforms the gun completely. However, detail-stripping the CZ sear cage can be intimidating. It requires more patience than raw skill, and you should absolutely do this work inside a large Ziploc bag to catch the inevitable flying springs.

 

[Atomic Soldier]

Cz 75 is nice. I couldn't miss when I had a chance to shoot one. I have a vintage a prefix browning hi power liberation model from 1944 that has a naughty eagle on it. From the first run after the FN factory was liberated using the leftover parts from the occupation. I may consider parting with it. However it would be well over 1k