6 May 04

More Comments on Pistol Systems:

From a friend in the federal system:

"As a left-hander, my SIG P220 works well, as the left index finger operates both the trigger and decocking lever without compromising the master grip at all. For left handers like me, who are required to have a pistol with a decocking lever, SIGs work, in spades.

During training, I often notice agents inadvertently pushing the decocking lever down (sterilizing the pistol) while working the Beretta 92 slide. We see this unfortunate phenomenon far less often with S&W pistols."

From a friend at SIG:

"Happily, we don't make a pistol with a two-stage decocker. I never figured out why S&W and Beretta did. It certainly wasn't a crystal ball that told them decades later MD would require a 'manual safety.' Your friend at S&W is right when he says that conventional, self-decocking (DAO) pistols have a sm all part of the pie commercially, right now. However, our DAK and H&K's LEM (P2000) have generated considerable interest among police. Law enforcement sales bring forth a huge driving force on commercial guns. As cops go, so goes th e commercial market, albeit delayed by a year or two."

From a friend and trainer in SA:

"I do not know a serious gunman who will, out of choice, carry a SA/DA pistol. That system is a non-player here. What tops the list in sales and use are:

Glock, among those who can afford them. They are expensive here. H&K P2000, also expensive SIG/DAK, VERY expensive, but highly prized Norinco and Armscor 1911 clones, for those who cannot afford expensive pistols. American 1911s (Springfield, Kimber) are so expensive here, one ca n say they are priced out of the market."

/John