Switzerland makes all kinds of precision stuff. Watches, clocks, Swiss Miss hot chocolate yummmmm.. and SIGARMS! Sigs have been an interest of mine for a long time; they're a status symbol, and priced that way. I'd actually convinced myself that I *needed* a Sig P239 as a carry piece (I'd never fired one). Picking one up in a more objective mindset really changed my opinion, though. Ergonomics need work!! P239s are fat and sassy, in an uncomfortable midsize Glock sort of way. I could feel my tendons crunching about just picking it up. I'm back to my old assertion of the P226 being a nice piece. Everything else Sig is a brick. Overengineered bricks, even.
Zee Ahs-chreeans! Glock's always an oldie/goody, but who doesn't know that? Light rail (important!), reliability, reliability, and *UNDYING RELIABILITY WORTHY OF A ZOMBIE MOVIE*. Fullsize only for me, though. The midis and minis are really uncomfortable. I'm rather fond of the original G17. It's not new, expensive, or particularily anything but reliable. It's just basic, and damn that's good. Gordon Freeman uses one, so it's gotta be good.
I can't figure out anything to say about the Czechs. Oh well, I really like CZ! I recently got a bit of range time with a CZ75 on a recent trip to Lefthand Canyon with a friend. They're pretty darn ergonomic , accurate, and *almost* too heavy. Very solid, though, and well-priced. Only downside is funky european styling, but this is a damn gun. I think a CZ75 is my prime choice for when I turn 21. Concealed carrying this thing's gonna be a b*tch, though. I'm imagining shuffling around with my waistband hanging about somewhere mid-shin. Oh well, I can get the authentic "streets" look!
Lastly.. the 1911s. Big sigh here. I've liked the design, but can't stand the.. zealots?.. evangelists? more like luddites... This is the crowd insisting it's the best thing since sliced toast, and that anything made in the last nine decades is crap. 1911 creeps scream reliability, but it's almost a joke that the first thing to do is polish feedramps. The 1911 was designed for another era, with FMJ rounds. I'm a civilian, and hollowpoint reliability is key.
I shouldn't bash, though. I think it's good, but there are nicer choices a century later. I've mentally crossed the 1911 off my list for a long time just to avoid association with these folks, but... picking a 1911 up is a nice feeling. It's growing on me, actually. Heavy, but not overly so. The grip profile's thinner than my mental impression; still thick enough. They're all pretty substantial pieces; very nice that you could give someone a pretty good smack if it came down to it. Buggers are pricey, though. The garish trash is the most expensive, but practical pieces are somewhat affordable ($800 range). Basic + nightsights. 1911 talk is idle banter, though; I'm too poor to shoot .45 often.
I left pretty much empty handed, except for a case of 62 grain 5.56mm JSC Barnaul ammo for my AR-15. I've heard this stuff is nice and hot, and pretty accurate too. About the same price as Wolf, so I figure there's no reason I shouldn't try it. I'll have a report up when I test it.