Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Thinkin on a new centerfire semi?

Realistic or not I'm thinkin about a new centerfire semi:

1) Trigger, sights and accuracy good enough for edible small game, predators and varmints. 50 feet +/- on smaller critters but would like to stretch it out a bit on the larger ones. Say 50 yards, maybe a touch more if the gun can do it.
2) 25oz +/- empty. 30oz. would be pushing it bigtime.
3) 4" +/- barrel.

#2 and #3 are easy enough to resolve but #1 is very subjective. There are shooters out there that can take about any handgun regardless of the weight, sights and trigger and shoot it acceptably well, I AM NOT ONE OF THOSE. I like and anymore need a decent trigger. Maybe even more I need decent sights.

I've thought about Ruger SR9c's, surplus Makarov's, Bersa 380's, heck even a .32acp might work in the right size gun but I've never seen or heard of one. My .22lr's just don't cut it very well on the bigger stuff.

Ideas? Toss em out there.

(BTW, ignore the fact that I already have revolvers that fill this role very well. Lookin for an excuse, not a let down . Bonus points if the semi might work acceptably with cast RNFP's)

LK

The one that would fit the bill in my experience is the old Browning High Power in 9mm. It would have to be customized, but it can be done. I know because I did it.
I tried the triggers on over a dozen HP's until I found what I liked. They can, of course, be reworked by a good smith. You might want to ask our own Kevin Gibson for a recomendation.
I had Micro Gunsight intall their fully adjustable sights. They are no longer in bussiness the last I heard.
The big trick was to develop some really accurate handloads. Some of the loads I tired wouldn't do better than 3-3.5 inches for five @ 25 yds. This was almost all of the jacketed HP's in the 115 gr. range at the time.
But, when I tried Sierra's 90 gr. Hollow Cavity HP's over 6 or 7 grs. of Unique, I got one inch groups for five rounds at 25 yds. This, BTW, I've found with two other semi autos that were well made. One a 1911 Colt Mk.IV, and the other a 1006 Smith 10mm. Pick a bullet and powder combination and experiment with new brass at .3 gr. steps. If that doesn't work, change bullets and powders and try again.
Shot many a squirrel from 15 to almost 50 yds. with that old HP. Still kick myself for selling it. E

S&W M&P Pro in 9mm. If that trigger isn't to your liking, look at Apex's offerings for it. A few of the barrels need to be recrowned with a Manson tool due to the way the Melonite "clumps" at the crown.

XD 9.

I know it's not a semi, but I recently picked up a Ruger Single Six in 32 H&R and it is quickly becoming my favorite trail/kit gun. Other than plinking (any .22) and self defense (1911) I am fining this and the 44SPCL are covering all my bases...

This:


...if it has to be a Center fire, this:




DMc

As far as full sized .32acps go, the CZ 83 is supposed to be a very accurate platform thanks to it's fixed barrel.

A 1911 in .38 super or 9x23 win. could work but might be a little heavier than you want. My next thought would be a Glock 32 or 31 in .357 sig.

The above 1911 is a titanium officer frame with long dust covers, to accept a full length slide. Very light and shoots remarkably well!



DMc

Thanks for the ideas guys. The Hi-Power has always been high on my list for 9mm's and is the one I'm most familiar with. It's SA/DA trigger is a plus (almost mandatory for me to shoot worth a damn) but it's size is bigger than I wanted for this project.

I forgot about the CZ 82/83's. Those along with the other com-block guns are on the list. Pretty high up actually. Biggest problem I have with the .32acp, .380 and 9mm Mak is the lack of cheap brass compared to the 9mm para.

As for the .32H&R Single Six....... Couldn't agree more. Put about 150 rounds thru mine this morning.

LK