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

 

[Specialist_muted]

Out of curiosity, have you bought many used guns here? Just curious how well folks react to offering market value?

Speaking of market value, not that long ago, i got my grail gun. It is a SigP227. Guy wanted $1000 for it, which is the going rate (give or take) if he were to sell it outside of CA. I made it easy for him by driving 400 miles each way for it but well worth it. He didn’t have to ship it off to parts unknown via Gunbroker or similar website. They are hard to find in CA but not impossible as they were off roster

Whether buying or selling on CAguns, my deals consistently close about 15% under asking, though California's unique market trends always play a role when comparing to national pricing.

I picked up an unfired, second-hand P226 Scorpion and a P-01 (same condition) for $1,000 each; the Scorpion was closer to national pricing for its condition, but both were great deals for California. I probably would have saved more on the P-01 if I had decided I wanted one before it fell off the roster.

Nobody here needs to be told that if the roster ever goes away, expect a used handgun market correction and a lot of sad Glock gen6 owners.