If your paws are the same size as mine, I think you'll need to try a P227 or a Desert Eag...

Wait, what? a 9mm?

Seems the P226 is high on the list, but the P320 X-Five also feels right.

If you are looking for a Glock, don't bother looking at anything with finger grooves.

Ruger P89 for old school. My hands are XXL.

Not the lightest, not the most accurate, not the best looking. It does go bang every time

quote:

Originally posted by Lt CHEG:
If we were talking new and currently available I’d choose the 5906 over the SIG as well, but since the 3rd Gen. Smiths have been out of production for so long now and parts aren’t available through S&W anymore

Agreed. 5906 or P226, with the P226 getting the nod nowadays due to parts/mags/holster availability.

(Or 6906 and P228, if you're looking for a mid-sized all-arounder rather than a full sized pistol.)

quote:

Originally posted by .38supersig:
the P320 X-Five also feels right

At only ~6 years old, it'd be hard to justify a P320 X-Five counting as "old school"...

Another vote for 92, then 226. And +1 for the wildcard P89.

226 or 5906. BHP if you want single action.

Definitely a 226 for me.

Kind of wanting a 3rd Generation S&W. Have a P226 in the form of a P226 SCT that I got in ‘08, but wish I had kept my original West German P226 from the mid 80’s.

I'd go with "mud rails" W. German P226

My vote is P228.

Can't go wrong with a 3rd generation smith. I've always thought the browning BDM was interesting too.

old school 92FS. add G mod.

or if you're looking for something cheap, full size CZ P09 are really cheap these days!

I have big hands. The 92 still always feels like the wrong end of a baseball bat to me.


Of the old design crunchntickers , I'd want a CZ. But since they were kind of vaporware at the time, do they really count?

Well, when I hear "wonder-nine" I think of High Power. I don't know if you'd be looking at the new SA-35 but that would check the box .

Everyone needs a 92fs...or 2.

Hate to just join the chorus, but I have a 92FS and a P226, both made in 1992, and I think either one or both would be a must-have if you want an excellent 9mm from that era.

The Glocks of that era are a trickier proposition, I think, if you have really beefy hands. That half moon cutout on the front strap chews my pinky up during longer range sessions. It's worse with the Gen 2 19 than the Gen 1 17 (and probably, by extension a Gen 2 17) since there's more to hang onto, but it's a consideration. If you can get away with it, a Gen 2 17 is probably worth looking for, if you consider the late 80's and early 90's "old school."

Thanks for the many comments. By old school I wanted to stay in the hammer fired era I guess, but with the understanding that there is a 600# striker fired gorilla in the room.

Top 2 were much as I expected hadn’t thought the CZ would have as many supporters. And to be honest I expected a ton of G-17 supporters.

In a perfect world I find a German P-226 with most of the finishing worn off, the rails black and wet with grease for stupid cheap. If I’m being honest with you all the stupid cheap is probably the most important part of that statement. Stocking another caliber would take a significant part of the budget.


Are mags, holsters, and parts readily available for the CZ?

SigSentry, that's a nice pair!

quote:

Originally posted by reflex/deflex 64:
Are mags, holsters, and parts readily available for the CZ?

https://gregcotellc.com/cart/s...z7517afc-p-1380.html

Couldn't tell you about holsters and parts, but that's the same basic magazine Mec Gar makes for the 92 and 226, and it's excellent in those.

Since you specified "Old School" and "Big Hands," I give you the S&W M59 or its later-generation siblings. I still carry a 5906 on occasion.

My faves: P226 and the 92FS. Another one I would possibly consider the HK USP. Development started in 1989 and it was out in 1993. I don’t know though. It may be a little too late to the party. If an HK wonder nine is needed in the ‘80’s timeframe I would say the P7M13.

Old school wonder nine and no one mentioned the P88? That pistol's big chunk of a grip is perfect for those with large hands.