big bang...

If you are primarily looking for DA/SA I would recommend a Sig P229 or P228. If you're on a budget find a used S&W 5906 or 6906. They are a great handguns and can be found under $400 in excellent used condition. If you might conceal carry someday find a S&W 3913. The 3913 make excellent carry guns.

If you're open to striker fired handguns I would recommend a Glock 19 or a S&W M&P. Both are great handguns and accessories/holsters are readily available.
 
Keep in mind the guy is a Canadian from Canadia :p, why downsize to a 19, or 228/229? They can't carry so full size/comfort it up! Besides, not to start a fight, but what is that in your avatar? Also, why buy a used smithy when new/better pieces can be had for the same? :)
 
ten-ringer said:
Keep in mind the guy is a Canadian from Canadia :p, why downsize to a 19, or 228/229? They can't carry so full size/comfort it up! Besides, not to start a fight, but what is that in your avatar? Also, why buy a used smithy when new/better pieces can be had for the same? :)
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I didn't see that he was from Canada, so we can rule out conceal carry. As far as downsizing, I just recommended my personal favorites as he was asking for opinions. I personally prefer compact and/or mid-sized handguns as they tend to fit my hand and point better for me.

I recommended the S&W's as I've found used S&W 5906's for under $350 which I consider a good value for a quality American made DA/SA handgun.

My avatar picture is a Glock 22 with a Insight M6 attached.
 
STI GP6 is a pretty sweet DA/SA gun too.

Rotating barrel really seems to help with recoil. Kicks less than my Glock 17.

Honestly, I wouldnt even bother with a DA/SA gun though.

Glock or XD and call it a day :)
 
OH! The F&N FNP9 is also a great gun....little shorter than say the Glock 17. If you have shorter hands it'll fit great!
 
I have a Glock 22 in 40 cal and a Sig 226, vintage Browning Hi-Power and a customized H&K P7 M13 in 9mm. I can recommend them all as fun range guns. I really like the grips and overall ergonomics of the Springfield XD and S&W M&P models and would also consider them.

If I were merely going to target shoot I might think about a steel frame pistol with the longest barrel and sight radius available---so long as it fit my hands. If I had a lot of bucks, maybe a Sig 210.

DancesWithKnives
 
Oh and in Canada we can't carry compacts or sub-compacts. His barrel length is gonna have to be a minimum of 4.1 inches. Yeah our gun laws suck.

To the OP I know you asked for a DA/SA gun but I'm gonna have to push Glock once again. They are cheap and will eat up any ammo (sans lead). Some people are dumping their NIB 3rd gen Glocks in favour of the new 4th gen so there are some good deals to be had out there.
 
Technically speaking we should all own Glock 34's up here in Canada since our guns are all range queens ;)
 
dewingrm said:
I recommended the S&W's as I've found used S&W 5906's for under $350 which I consider a good value for a quality American made DA/SA handgun.

My avatar picture is a Glock 22 with a Insight M6 attached.
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I may be mistaken, but weren't those models made in Brazil? American name, foreign manufacture? Glock 22, 40s&w model 17.
 
Never drank the Glock Koolaid, could be OK.

I gave my CZ 75B[Compact] to my son last Christmas..fine shooter plus CZ quality. Still own an early model S & W double stack[ Model 59]..love their revolvers, autoloaders, not so much, YMMV.
 
I own 11 Glocks, but for SA/DA 9mm I like the Beretta 92. Its a largish gun, but that minimizes the recoil of an already light recoiling 9mm round. Its good enough for the US military, and they last forever. Not much to dislike, especially since you won't be carrying it.
 
ten-ringer said:
I may be mistaken, but weren't those models made in Brazil? American name, foreign manufacture? Glock 22, 40s&w model 17.
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Every 5906 or other aluminum/steel framed S&W that I have ever seen is marked "Made in USA". I believe every handgun that S&W has ever produced was made in the USA, except for the SW99, which was a collaboration with Walther.

To be 100% sure I'd have to consult my Supica and Nahas S&W book.
 
I'd go for a Glock 19, but that is not in your parameters. The Ruger P89 can be found pretty reasonably, but it is kludgy. The used SIG mentioned before is a great option, as is the Beretta. I see them used in the $400 range, but you will get a shooter for that. I like the pointability of the Beretta, the SIG is a great shooter too. I guess you should start combing the gun shops, as the pawn shops in my area are priced too high...
 
CZ-75 I have an M&P and thought it was really the gun for me till I tried my buddys 75, one of the smoothest shooting guns I have ever fired.
 
I know that S&W did have something coming out of brazil at one time,weather it was revolvers, autopistiols, or just forgings I'm not sure.
 
There's a fourth generation Glock 17 now? What is the difference between it and the third gen?
 
Oh, and I know you might not be thinking it, but a good .357 wheelgun is great to have as well. Can shoot .38 to save some $ as well. The Ruger gp's are excellent for the money. They're a bit more, but the S&W's are worth every penny as well. I have both. I favor the S&W at the range but I bring the Ruger in the woods. It's more stout/rugged IMO. I've had a couple minor problems with my smith but NONE whatsoever with the ruger even though it's not as nice to shoot.
 
The Bersa 380 is one of the hottest selling handguns out there. They are affordable,accurate and dependable. Some may scoff at the 380 as a defense round but, no one likes to leak.
 
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