Next gun purchase- advice requested

[Kingcreek]

I have not bought a handgun for quite awhile.
I do not have any with optics except for a browning buckmark target model that has an ancient tasco pro point on it.
My next purchase will not necessarily be a carry piece unless OWB and open. I want a compensator or ported and an optic and a double stack 9mm. A flared mag well would be nice but not essential.
I’m currently looking at shadow systems MR920P or XR920P. I also saw the Girsan double stack 2011 and I do love the 1911 platform (and I have more rounds through 1911s than everything else combined)
My budget is up to $2000 including optic. Looking at Holosun and Vortex and Burris.
What else should I consider? Gun or optic?

Not looking to be a serious competitor again. I got over that years ago when it turned into a cash dash when Safariland was coming out with new holster systems every week and the top shooters were going all space tech. I would like a light race gun without going all out.
A good trigger is also required. I can shoot a bad trigger if I have to but much prefer a good trigger for this.

Many years ago Rob Leatham built my favorite 1911 .45 but it is not comped. I had a comped one built by him later but I never saw it. My evil first wife took it. I hope she shot herself in the foot with it. It was a custom commander with a comp that took it to standard length so any 1911 holster would work. Optics weren’t a thing back then.

[MechAg94]

The 2011 I was thinking might be in my future is Bul Armory, but I don't know if they fit in your budget.  I doubt it will buy one this year. 

Honest Outlaw seems to like the CZ Shadow 2 Compact/Carry.  I know Canik has a competition model that isn't hard on the budget.   Honest Outlaw has tested a lot of race guns, but may are not cheap.

For me, this isn't normally someone on my radar so I don't if I can give the best advice.

[dogmush]

M&P 2.0 spec series and an SRO.
https://palmettostatearmory.com/smith-wesson-m-p9-m2-0-metal-hd-spec-series-or-9mm-4-875-23rd-pistol-gray-blue-pvd.html

https://palmettostatearmory.com/trijicon-sro-2-5-moa-handgun-reflex-optic-matte-black-sro2-c-250002.html

That's right at your 2k, or a bit over, but is pretty sweet and will hit all your points.

If you like the Glock platform, you've already discovered Shadow Sytems.  The other obvious choice here is a Gen5 G45 MOS, a Radian Afterburner, Glock Performance Trigger, a magwell of your choice....and an SRO

I run a Canik Rival SFx and Vortex Defender XL as my Limited Optics gun, and it will hit all the points except the Comp for about $1100.

Comps/Ports: I have a buddy that ports slides and barrels, so if you end up with an unthreaded and un ported gun, let me know, and I'll give you his contact. If you get a threaded barrel, Griffin's Microcomp is very effective and affordable. 

2011s: if you go that route, budget for Mags.  They are like $100-$150 each and still suck.  But 2011's do shoot nice.

I try and steer people away from Holosun for several reasons.  They are PLA R&D and they fail at higher rates than others are my main ones.

Optics: Vortex Defender is my Budget choice, pick a size. Trijicon is my preferred choice. SRO as first, RMR if I need smaller. I also have a Stiener MPS that is doing really well, and several of my buds have thousands of rounds on their MPS's so I recommend those.  Optics wise I wouldn't branch out from those currently.

[Kingcreek]

That’s the kind of real world experience I was hoping for.
Thank you sir

[dogmush]

FWIW: This is my current stable of non-compitition full size 9s.

I ran the G19x pretty hard for about 4 years.  It's a good gun, but I'm moving away from Glocks, so I don't shoot it much anymore.  If you are into Glocks, I'd put it up there with any of the SS or more Gucci builds.

The M&P i built off a Competitor model.  They pretty much make it now with the 2.0 metal series.  Mine has an Apex trigger, but the newer metal M&Ps ship with an upgrade trigger that is OK, and the Spec series I linked has been played with by the Performance Center. Great shooting gun.  Last week I won top shot at a pistol class with it.

The Platypus and I are just getting to know each other, we're only like 250 rds into our relationship.  So far so good.  I didn't mention it because it blows your budget.





I forgot to mention: Don't get a P320.

[Brad Johnson]

Honest Outlaw's review of the Bul Armory EDC SAS II. He can't say enough good about it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_AIQOCSKiQ

Brad

[dogmush]

I have only shot one Bul Armory EDC, and only for two mags. It was fine, and functioned fine, but damn, $1800 for a Turkish pistol is hard for me to stomach.  I won't go so far as to say they aren't worth it, but damn that's a lot.

I can get a Prodigy for like $1500.  Some Prodigy's have been unreliable, but I know 3 guys that shoot USPSA and/or Tactical Games with one, so some clearly are fine.  $1500 is a lot to play QC roulette with though.

Bul comes with 3 mags, which as mentioned are stupid expensive, so that's nice.  But still......that's a lot of money for a Turkish handgun.

For comparison that Platypus up there^^ was $1750 with Stealh Arms's Military Discount.  Right at $2k as built retail.  It is definitely $200 nicer than the Bul I shot.  And if you were a little less fancy than I on cerakoteing and features you could get one cheaper than a Bul pretty easy.

But honestly?  I don't think you can get a *reliable* 2011, mags and a good optic under $2k.

[Brad Johnson]

Is the Prodigy made in Croatia, or does Springfield source it's 1911-style pieces from somewhere else?

Brad

[dogmush]

Is the Prodigy made in Croatia, or does Springfield source it's 1911-style pieces from somewhere else?

Brad

Made in Illinois.



So not IN the USA, but at least USA adjacent.

[Kingcreek]

I wonder how effective the Prodigy’s “internal comp” is?

[dogmush]

One of my shooting buddies just reminded me that the Walther PDP Pro X exists.  That should probably be on your list as well.

It's kinda weird, because it's clearly built as a competition gun, but the comp puts it in Open, and it's not an Open gun.  That said, you weren't looking for a compitition gun, and the PDP Pro X shoots really nice.

If I were picking, I'd probably still go M&P just for the aftermarket and holster availability, but the Walther is a solid choice if you want something a little different from all the other striker guns on the range.

[Perd Hapley]

I've heard the P320 is pretty good.

[tokugawa]

I've heard the P320 is pretty good.

 It's the action design- completely autonomous. No need for user interference.

[Ben]

It's the action design- completely autonomous. No need for user interference.

Sig is single-handedly killing the pro-gun talking point about "guns don't up and shoot people by themselves".

[dogmush]

I've heard the P320 is pretty good.

P320 is, IMNSHO, a fundamentally flawed design.

[Perd Hapley]

P320 is, IMNSHO, a fundamentally flawed design.

I know. 

[cordex]

Eh, if it is a competition gun it’ll be on cold ranges most of the time. Probably a good place for a P320.

[Kingcreek]

I’m gravitating toward a MAC 9 D Comp. Made in turkey but getting good reviews (except for optic mounting screws-easily remedied).
It is being compared to the Springfield Prodigy for less money and Staccato for a lot less money.
A lot of people calling it a Turk-cato.

[dogmush]

I've never held one.

This guy had some concerns:
https://youtu.be/cgjXhe5_I3Y?si=tCjbOK1NcNIdCM4s

[Kingcreek]

The plate screws are pretty universally agreed to be too short and too soft. Most people aren’t even using them. Longer harder screws with thread lock before first shot seems to be common.
I know the 1911 system well and I’m comfortable working on or swapping internals if needed.
Price point leaves plenty of room for a good optic and holster/magholders.
Quite a few really positive reviews, most say it’s not a staccato but it’s 1/4 the price and better than some of the other 2011s. Some like it better than the Prodigy which is another I would consider at $500 over the MAC.

[dogmush]

Like I said, I've never held one.  That just popped up in my YouTube feed this morning.  I guess the algorithm checked my search history.

I just thought I'd pass it on.

I think I said earlier that the Prodigy is QC roulette,  so if you're already rolling the dice I can see saving another $500.  I honestly looked at getting a prodigy last year and didn't because of this issue.

I don't really have an opinion on the MAC other than a generalized distaste for supporting Turkey, but if you grab one I'd be interested in a first hand, non-"influencer" report.

[Kingcreek]

I live less than 20 minutes from Springfield armory and I know people that work there.