Suggestions for a new Range Gun

[GarrettWeidman]

I am looking for a new handgun, it is strictly going to be used at the range, nothing else. I am just looking for a reliable, fun gun to shoot.

I was brought up shooting 1911's and revolvers, and do not like composite guns at all. So please don't suggest any, I am pretty hard-headed on this.

A mod here recently posted a picture of his Jericho 941, I messaged him about it and he had nothing but positive things to say about it, I was wondering if anyone else had a Jericho/Baby Eagle and could chime in about the quality of the gun as well.

Any suggestions would be appreciated, pictures as well! Thanks in advance!

 

[Mountain Wildman]

Sig Sauer is a good reliable accurate choice but not cheap.

 

[harkamus]

Alternatives to the 941 since the .45 full size, steel framed is hard to come by in the US.

CZ 97b (if you want .45 acp). The beauty of CZ 75 and its variants including the CZ 97 is that they have a reversed rail. On most handguns, the slide rides over the lower receiver. On the 75 and its variants, the rails are reversed. The frame rides over the slide meaning you have much longer rails. In some cases, the rails are as long as the entire slide because several variants come with full length dust covers. Because the rails are reversed, you also get a lower bore axis which some people argue makes for quicker follow up shots due to a perceived lower recoil.

CZ 97b:

The EAA Witness Elite Stock 2 is also based on the CZ 75. They are actually manufactured by Tanfoglio in Italy, but get renamed to Witness once imported to the US by EAA Corp, much like Springfield Armory imports the Croation HS2000 and renames it as XD.

and if you want the ultimate in engineering, precision, and fit and finish out of all the CZ 75 variants, look no further than Sphinx. This is the firearm I aspire to own one day. These are the finest of Swiss engineering. Kriss recently struck a deal with Sphinx Arms to import these to the US. Sphinx handguns have a two piece lower receiver where the grip joins via dovetail and screw. This is to allow customization based on user preference. You can pick between steel, aluminum, and titanium for either the lower receiver or the grip. The slide is always steel. This way you can fine tune how heavy or light you want the handgun to be. Personally, I like the heft of all steel, so I'm going with steel on the lower and steel on the grip. When I do buy it in the next 5 years or so, I will go with the .40 S&W version which holds a whopping 19+1. I could go with 9mm, but that's a shame and a waste IMO for a piece of this magnitude, even if it can hold 22+1. The .45 holds 15+1, but I have my HK45 for .45 caliber. You can't go wrong with the 4 extra rounds of .40.

Be prepared to pay a pretty penny.

Sphinx Standard Model 3000:

I didn't list any 1911s. I like them and there are several great makers and custom builders, my favorite of which is Pistol Dynamics. However, in my opinion (and I stress this because I don't want to stir the pot), the 1911 is an antiquated design. I am much more impressed by Browning's Hi-power. The CZ 75 and its variants can all trace roots back to the Hi-power. I like that type of design because it has much fewer parts than the 1911. Barrel bushings for example just make me go "whyyyyyyyyyyyy?" Granted, the 97b uses a bushing IIRC. I also prefer locking lug or locked breech methods as opposed to the 1911's cam tilting design.

 

[Chris Pierce]

For a range gun I like my Baby Eagle. It's a really smooth pistol. All steel, so the weight dampens recoil. The trigger is great, the sights are great. It fits my hand really well and as long as I stay away from Winchester White Box I don't have any jams. The gun runs great on ANYTHING else, even steel cased Wolf ammo.

 

[GarrettWeidman]

Alternatives to the 941 since the .45 full size, steel framed is hard to come by in the US.

CZ 97b (if you want .45 acp). The beauty of CZ 75 and its variants including the CZ 97 is that they have a reversed rail. On most handguns, the slide rides over the lower receiver. On the 75 and its variants, the rails are reversed. The frame rides over the slide meaning you have much longer rails. In some cases, the rails are as long as the entire slide because several variants come with full length dust covers. Because the rails are reversed, you also get a lower bore axis which some people argue makes for quicker follow up shots due to a perceived lower recoil.

CZ 97b:

The EAA Witness Elite Stock 2 is also based on the CZ 75. They are actually manufactured by Tanfoglio in Italy, but get renamed to Witness once imported to the US by EAA Corp, much like Springfield Armory imports the Croation HS2000 and renames it as XD.

and if you want the ultimate in engineering, precision, and fit and finish out of all the CZ 75 variants, look no further than Sphinx. This is the firearm I aspire to own one day. These are the finest of Swiss engineering. Kriss recently struck a deal with Sphinx Arms to import these to the US. Sphinx handguns have a two piece lower receiver where the grip joins via dovetail and screw. This is to allow customization based on user preference. You can pick between steel, aluminum, and titanium for either the lower receiver or the grip. The slide is always steel. This way you can fine tune how heavy or light you want the handgun to be. Personally, I like the heft of all steel, so I'm going with steel on the lower and steel on the grip. When I do buy it in the next 5 years or so, I will go with the .40 S&W version which holds a whopping 19+1. I could go with 9mm, but that's a shame and a waste IMO for a piece of this magnitude, even if it can hold 22+1. The .45 holds 15+1, but I have my HK45 for .45 caliber. You can't go wrong with the 4 extra rounds of .40.

Be prepared to pay a pretty penny.

Sphinx Standard Model 3000:

I didn't list any 1911s. I like them and there are several great makers and custom builders, my favorite of which is Pistol Dynamics. However, in my opinion (and I stress this because I don't want to stir the pot), the 1911 is an antiquated design. I am much more impressed by Browning's Hi-power. The CZ 75 and its variants can all trace roots back to the Hi-power. I like that type of design because it has much fewer parts than the 1911. Barrel bushings for example just make me go "whyyyyyyyyyyyy?" Granted, the 97b uses a bushing IIRC. I also prefer locking lug or locked breech methods as opposed to the 1911's cam tilting design.

I agree with the 1911 being too many parts, and even as a kid I can remember watching my dad take his apart and wondering why there needs to be a barrel bushing, and that it was kind of a pain. But they are great guns, and an icon to many people.

I like all of these options, although I still like the looks of the jericho, would you recommend any of them over the jericho? (excluding the sphinx, a bit out of my price range)

 

[MVF]

If it's just going to be a range gun I would go with a CZ in 9mm (in fact that may be my next handgun) or another full-size 9mm. Comfortable, accurate, inexpensive shooting - what else could you ask for in a range gun?

Heck, you could save even more money and get a .22. It still puts little holes in paper and is a great way to improve your shooting.

 

[NeoClassic]

I like that type of design because it has much fewer parts than the 1911.

I've recently come to prefer the Hi-Power's design over the 1911's too, but you will see by the charts below that the 1911 actually has more than 20 fewer parts. [EDIT: SEE POSTS BELOW AS I WAS WRONG ON MY PARTS COUNT.]

Incidentally, I was going to suggest to the OP a Hi-Power as a range gun. That or the single-action-only CZ 75/B SA, which is more affordable.

 

[harkamus]

A 1911 still is more mechanically complex IMO than a Hi-power or one of the later CZ 75 variants.

I agree with the 1911 being too many parts, and even as a kid I can remember watching my dad take his apart and wondering why there needs to be a barrel bushing, and that it was kind of a pain. But they are great guns, and an icon to many people.

I like all of these options, although I still like the looks of the jericho, would you recommend any of them over the jericho? (excluding the sphinx, a bit out of my price range)

Pick the one you think looks the best. The Jericho 941 though has the best trigger of the bunch at least when I handled them. The single action on the 941 is especially nice. I have yet to feel a single action trigger as nice as the 941 right out of the box.

 

[lmalterna]

I once owned a Jericho 9mm/41AE conversion pistol- Very nice quality.

I also like the CZ75B- a skosh more accurate for me than many of the other 9's I have shot- might just be the fit of the grip for me.

I stake my butt on a Glock 17.

One of my most fun range guns is my S&W K38 Masterpeice in .38 Special. It is like a traditional bow in that it is not a performance peice but is a relaxing way to enjoy shooting. Excellent quality fit and finish, nice traditional deep blue and shoots with excellent accuracy. Mine is an older pin barreled model. Forcing cone was polished and a slight bit of smoothing to the trigger and it should last me a lifetime of shooting.

Bill

 

[edlex]

Berreta M9 would make a great range gun.

 

[Unk]

Save your money and get a LE trade-in like my 6906, shown next;

enjoy shooting WW white box at the range or Ranger T 124 gr +P when out and about.

I picked mine up at my LGS but CDNN usually has - $325 MOL last time I looked. Most LE duty weapons- carried a lot, shot very little...save money on the pistol and spend it on ammunition.

Best wishes.

 

[GarrettWeidman]

I've recently come to prefer the Hi-Power's design over the 1911's too, but you will see by the charts below that the 1911 actually has more than 20 fewer parts.

Incidentally, I was going to suggest to the OP a Hi-Power as a range gun. That or the single-action-only CZ 75/B SA, which is more affordable.

If you count the parts in the lists, I counted that he browning had 49 parts and the 1911 had 52, so they are around the same number of parts.

Berreta M9 would make a great range gun.

I have always been interested in the 92fs, I've rented a couple of them. They are very comfortable in the hand, until I pull the trigger, than it just feels awkward for some reason.

 

[NeoClassic]

If you count the parts in the lists, I counted that he browning had 49 parts and the 1911 had 52, so they are around the same number of parts.

You're right, I hastily just looked at the first and last part numbers on the Hi-Power diagram (5500 and 5575) and subtracted to come up with a parts count. But now that I look at the rest of the numbers, they're all over the place.

My mistake. Thanks for clearing it up.

 

[NeoClassic]

Save your money and get a LE trade-in like my 6906, shown next;

enjoy shooting WW white box at the range or Ranger T 124 gr +P when out and about.

I picked mine up at my LGS but CDNN usually has - $325 MOL last time I looked. Most LE duty weapons- carried a lot, shot very little...save money on the pistol and spend it on ammunition.

Best wishes.

Great looking gun.

 

[mrn8]

Here's another recommendation for the CZ75. I started with a compact .40 and now own a fs 9mm that is my go to gun for range days. The 1911 still gets used, but not nearly as much, since picking up the CZ with the longer barrel.

 

[Chris Pierce]

I have a CZ75B in 9mm as well as the Baby Eagle in .40S&W The CZ is a solid gun with no issues to speak of really, I would appreciate slightly larger sights but that's a small gripe. Even with the small sights The CZ is more accurate than my Baby Eagle. I Can generally break clay pigeons at 25 yards with the CZ (which is really good for me) But I still enjoy my Baby Eagle more. The ergonomics are just better for me.

 

[GarrettWeidman]

I have a CZ75B in 9mm as well as the Baby Eagle in .40S&W The CZ is a solid gun with no issues to speak of really, I would appreciate slightly larger sights but that's a small gripe. Even with the small sights The CZ is more accurate than my Baby Eagle. I Can generally break clay pigeons at 25 yards with the CZ (which is really good for me) But I still enjoy my Baby Eagle more. The ergonomics are just better for me.

I am leaning towards the Jericho/Baby Eagle, it seems that almost everyone that owns one has good things to say about it and I love the looks of it.

I read about some trouble with the new magazines, have they fixed this issue?

 

[harkamus]

Magazines are hit and miss on the 941s. Generally speaking, if your gun doesn't feed properly because of bad mags, get some Mecgars. Any mag that works with the CZ 75 works with the Jerichos.
http://www.mec-gar.com/Magazines/Witness
http://www.mec-gar.com/Magazines/CZ

I believe the magazines that come with the gun are actually the standard Tanfoglio ones.

 

[Les Snyder]

S&W Model 41, .22lr....for the days when you can't hit the broad side of the barn.... pull it out and shoot tiny little groups

 

[Chris Pierce]

I am leaning towards the Jericho/Baby Eagle, it seems that almost everyone that owns one has good things to say about it and I love the looks of it.

I read about some trouble with the new magazines, have they fixed this issue?

I can't really help with any magazine issues. All I have are two factory mags. They have offered nothing but stellar performance in the last 8 years or so.