(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.)
Traditional Double Action Pistols
Aside from striker-fired pistols, the traditional double action/single action (“TDA”) pistol has a following. Examples of this design are the SIG P226 and the Beretta M9. With this type of action, the pistol is carried with its exposed hammer in the down position. The first shot is fired with a long, heavy double action trigger pull. After the first shot, the pistol cocks itself, and subsequent shots are fired single action, with a lighter, shorter trigger pull.
Given that the hardest thing about shooting a pistol is learning how to press the trigger to the rear while keeping the sights on target, TDA has never seemed optimal to me. The shooter has to learn two different trigger pulls. It is also necessary, after you are done shooting and prior to re-holstering, to de-cock the pistol, usually by pressing a lever of some type, which process safely lowers the hammer. This extra step needs to be trained and drilled. It is unsafe to holster a TDA pistol like the P226 or M9 with the hammer cocked.
I was once assigned to take a group of court bailiffs to the range for their annual firearms qualification. These guys were a very low-speed group, who did not do any shooting at all other than once per year for the state-mandated qualification. They were issued SIG 229s chambered in .40 S&W. After the first string of fire, I instructed the line to holster. Not a single one of them de-cocked their pistol before holstering. These were certified law enforcement officers who were being paid to carry these guns and if necessary use them to protect the court. I did some on the spot remedial training and got them through the course. I also suggested to the sheriff that he move the department to Glocks, which he eventually did. The incident illustrates one of the downsides to TDA pistols—they are more complex to operate than striker-fired guns.
What some folks like about TDA is that the long, heavy pull on the first shot adds a measure of safety. That is certainly true, and if you are willing to commit to training to make a solid hit with that first shot and to de-cock instinctively, then a TDA pistol is okay. I own a SIG Model 229, and I train with it, but it is not my first choice.
Single Action Semi-Autos
There are also shooters who love the 1911 and other single action pistols. These need to be cocked before firing, and they are properly carried with a round in the chamber, the hammer cocked, and the thumb safety on. This mode of carry is referred to a “cocked and locked.” Single action pistols generally have relatively light, short triggers. Some shooters think this makes the trigger “better” and will crow about their ability to shoot a single action with greater accuracy.
There is nothing inherently wrong with single action. These pistols can be very efficient and pleasant to shoot. I do not advise that most people choose a 1911. This ground-breaking pistol design by the great John Moses Browning is from a time when modern materials were not available and skilled labor was cheap. To be truly reliable, the parts need to be hand fitted, which is very expensive. If you really want one, there are examples from makers like Ed Brown and Nighthawk that are excellent. But they cost in the neighborhood of $4,000 each. Less expensive 1911s are assembled with off-the-shelf parts, and I find it is rare for one to run reliably without significant work. My experience with the Delta Elite described above is illustrative, and I have had similar experiences with other brands.
For a single action pistol, I like the CZ-75. This is a pistol which can be fired double-action, but most examples include a thumb safety rather than a de-cocker. Carried cocked and locked, it is a very nice pistol. I have the SP-01 version which sports a full-length dust cover and a rail to accommodate a light or laser. I like the pistol very much. These are very popular on the competition circuit, and for good reason.
Another option is the H&K USP. The USP has a modular trigger system, and by switching out the control plate, a USP can be configured to be a true single action pistol. In addition, as of this writing both Springfield Armory and FN have released new versions of the venerable Browning High Power. I have not laid hands on either, so I reserve judgment. This is a true single action pistol designed by Browning. I am a bit concerned that like a 1911 it works best when the parts are hand-fitted, so be cautious about reliability if you are considering one of these.
H&K LEM Pistols
My favorite pistols for concealed carry are made by H&K and have their LEM trigger. LEM stands for “law enforcement modification.” LEM gives the shooter a single, consistent trigger pull in a hammer-fired pistol. It is essentially double action only. The hammer spring is pre-cocked when the slide is retracted to chamber the first round, but the hammer then returns to the down position and the trigger is fully forward. When the operator presses the trigger, there is a long, light take-up phase, followed by a crisp break. To reset the trigger after the first shot, the shooter need only allow the trigger to travel slightly forward. When you are done shooting and release the trigger, it will travel all the way forward back to its starting position. In my view, the LEM system provides much of the safety benefit of a TDA pistol, given the long take up, while shooting like a striker-fired gun otherwise. I own several H&K pistols with the LEM trigger. Some came from the factory that way. Otherwise were retrofitted with a LEM trigger kit, which is the work of a few minutes if you are mechanically inclined. I’ll note that these are factory parts, not aftermarket.
The H&K P30, chambered in 9mm, in its LEM variant, is an excellent choice for a SHTF pistol or ordinary carry gun. They are amazingly reliable and durable. The late Todd Lewis Green conducted a test where he fired over 91,000 rounds through a P30. He replaced three springs in the pistol during the test, but the first one failed at over 19,000 rounds. There is a compact variant of the P30 called the P30SK, and a long-slide version called the P30L. As a cautionary note, if you purchase a TDA version of the P30, it cannot be converted to LEM, due to the cut in the back of the slide for the de-cocker. This is an aberration among H&K’s line of pistols, as for most the trigger systems are fully modular.
Frame Size
For the last few years, the firearms industry has been preoccupied with making ultra-compact 9mm pistols for people with small hands. This has been a booming market segment, and I certainly do not blame manufacturers for selling people what they want to buy. The Glock 43 and 48 as well as the SIG P365 all seem to work reliably and offer a real defensive cartridge in a small package. Just a few years ago, a shooter wanting a pocket-sized gun had to settle for either a small revolver or a less powerful cartridge such as the .380 or 32 ACP.
I am glad to see people buying and carrying defensive pistols, but in my view these guns are not suitable for a SHTF scenario. Too much is compromised via the small grip, lower magazine capacity, and short site radius. With a good, well-designed holster, most people can carry a larger gun concealed than they think they can, so there is really no reason to compromise.
A full-size — Glock 17 or SIG P226 –or medium-sized — Glock 19 or SIG P229 — pistol will hold more ammo and allow you to shoot more quickly and with greater accuracy than one of the pocket guns. It is easier to manage the recoil, and it has a longer site radius. Even if your normal carry gun is a P365, I suggest you seek to acquire a larger gun for use in a situation where there has been a general breakdown of social order. You should get a quality holster that allows you to carry it concealed. Even in a collapse or grid-down situation, there is liable to be some element seeking to exercise authority and disarm the citizenry, so being able to move in a low-profile manner is important.
Sights
Sights are important too, but they can be easily changed on most guns these days. I like Ameriglo sights on Glocks and I use Trijicon HDs on my H&Ks. Regular Trijicon or Meprolight three-dot night sights are always a strong choice too. It is usually worth it to pay the upcharge to get a pistol with factory night sights, as the cost of the parts to swap them is usually more than the difference in price when you buy the pistol.
Red Dot Optics
I am not generally in favor or red dot sights on defensive pistols. In my testing, which has been done with a Glock 17 and a Trijicon RMR, the dot can help me shoot more accurately at moderate and long pistol ranges, but it is slower to acquire for the first shot out of the holster. I prefer a good set of sights for general defensive use.
If it works for you, then by all means go that route, but be sure to have backup iron sites and plenty of spare batteries. I do like the red dot sight for shooting with a suppressor, as it solves the problem of the can blocking your sight picture. The Trijicon RMR Type II is also very useful for passive aiming with night vision, as it can be turned down very low for such use. There are a number of cheap, China-made red dot sites out there. In my view, these should be avoided. Better to stick with iron sights than to put your trust in a cheap optic that will go down at the worst possible moment.
Conclusion
My choice for a SHTF pistol is a full-sized pistol chambered in 9mm NATO. I recommend either a Glock 19, its big-brother the Glock 17, or the H&K P30 in its LEM variant. An H&K USP with the LEM trigger would also be a good choice if you happen upon one. If you want a TDA pistol, I would buy a SIG 226, an H&K USP, or a CZ 75 with the de-cocker option. For single action, get a CZ 75 with the safety or a USP and a single action control plate.
Whatever you choose, I recommend you obtain at least 10 original factory-made full-capacity magazines for each pistol. If these are common between the members of your family or group because you are all carrying the same gun, so much the better.
Bottom line: Buy a Glock 19 or a H&K P30 for everyone in your group.