What pistol on the California roster gives you the most bang for your buck?

[M_N04H]

Well luckily the OEM OR slides have no LCI. I personally only care because it's in the way of the optic and it's a place where gas shoots up on your optic, if they did it like the PDP and had it small in front of the optic cutout I would probably just leave it. I do think it's foolish to ever rely on an LCI though, there's literally one way to check if a pistol is safe and that's looking in the chamber yourself.

I don't ever rely on it. Most of my pistols are older models that don't even have it. It's hideous on a lot of the guns recently (looking at you Hellcat). Subtle ones like the VP9s and even on the P365 I can deal with. It's nice when the text is on the optic plate cap and the text is basically gone when you remove the plate. Looks less like a toy and more like a real firearm.

 

[Sloat]

There's a ton of very worthwhile pistols that have been on the roster for a long time that I'd pick up or recommend to others - but of course, everything comes down to price. You might see people pay $650 for a g19 at some stores when others pay $500, so obviously the $500 guy would pay less with excise tax even compared to $650 pre-tax (not to mention pandemic pricing which was not that long ago). There's people that buy one gun for life and the extra $150 won't bother them, and there's people who buy 6 guns per year and trade them all away the next year who the taxes will impact a lot more.


The on-roster 22s are great. Browning Buckmark, Ruger Mk IV, S&W Victory are all high quality out of the box.
For larger 9mms, the HK P2000, Beretta M9A1/PX4, Sig P226/229, S&W M&P 2.0, and Glocks are all great.
For smaller carry guns, the S&W Shield Plus, Springfield Hellcat Pro, and Sig 365 fit the bill.
And we've got a bunch of new-hotness guns being added which people are excited for - Staccato P4, HK VP9A1, Walther PDP, Springfield Echelon, maybe optics ready S&W pistols soon.

We also have what seem like great budget options too - Rost Martin has a few models on roster, and the Derya D9 was added recently too.

 

[nickleplatedbrass]

Glock 19/17

 

[Mil-Dot]

As long as they continue to charge extra 11% commie tax there is nothing worth buying.

 

[AR15barrels]

What models are coming?

SHIELD X | Smith & Wesson

Since 1852 we’ve been an industry leading manufacturer of pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shooting accessories. We continue to bring innovative firearms to market that meet the needs of every shooter and deliver on exceptional quality with a brand you’ve learned to trust.

www.smith-wesson.com

 

[Deleted member 16735]

SHIELD X | Smith & Wesson

Since 1852 we’ve been an industry leading manufacturer of pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shooting accessories. We continue to bring innovative firearms to market that meet the needs of every shooter and deliver on exceptional quality with a brand you’ve learned to trust.

www.smith-wesson.com

There's no model with an LCI though

 

[Pythonfan]

Glock 19

P365 xmacro

 

[Atomic Soldier]

Colt python. I'd rather have one gem then 10 whatever's.

 

[M_N04H]

As long as they continue to charge extra 11% commie tax there is nothing worth buying.

There's going to be first time buyers, and this may not be the best answer for that.

 

[rfgCA]

Although that discounted M&P 2.0 is a pretty good deal and probably indeed the best bang for the buck among new guns, when you work out the serf taxes it's pretty sad how much it climbs. The best on roster deals I think is buying a safe queen with extras in the Marketplace

 

[Deleted member 16735]

at 469 the 11% is 50 bucks, it sucks but I paid 550 for a used ppt M&P last year so I still got a better deal

 

[9mmContagion]

VP9 is the only answer.. no other guns on roster worth the money. Maybe a 226 scorpion. But everything else is meh! 2011 or bust!

 

[Mil-Dot]

There's going to be first time buyers, and this may not be the best answer for that.

I stand by my statement and feel terrible for any first time buyers during this times unless they have out of state family connection.

 

[ZeroFoxGiven]

Anything from Shadow Systems. Beretta M9A1.

 

[Joker67]

Since the CA excise tax started on guns and ammo a little over a year ago, the number of PPT's for firearms has exploded. But is there anything left on the roster still worth purchasing from your LGS? A year ago I would have said a CZ 75 P-01 was still worth the money even with the extra cost. But now that it's off roster, is there anything else you would buy?

If you are patient you can find them. I paid $650 for a lightly used P-01 in June. My favorite pistol . Now I have two. Scored an SP-01 for $550 in great shape . Cajunized it.

I would run and buy any Glock. Even though I’m not a Glock guy, I have a G19 and 34. Renewing my GSSF for a coupon. Thinking of buying another G19.

P-01 and PX4 would have been my previous answer. Now I suggest G19 and I discourage any purchase of any gun with mandatory California features.

I second the Browning Buckmark.

 

[Deleted member 16735]

I'd rather give money to a company willing to put the effort into getting us new guns than buy another outdated Austrian stapler

 

[cler1c]

For me right now it’s the Staccato HDP4. It’s a do-it-all gun that has a steel frame and comes with a lifetime warranty. It’s a premium-enough pistol without the premium price point of say, an Atlas. Can use it as an EDC, duty, or simply a range gun. Buy it once and it will outlive you as long as you take care of it and it’s backed by a lifetime warranty.

 

[Joker67]

Does it have a LCI and mag disconnect?

 

[Pythonfan]

I'd rather give money to a company willing to put the effort into getting us new guns than buy another outdated Austrian stapler

Mister, you do have a good point.

 

[jarhead714]

I'd rather give money to a company willing to put the effort into getting us new guns than buy another outdated Austrian stapler

Completely rational and kinda honorable.