Aww shucks, I need help...

[JdePietro]

Well boys and girls, after a long hunt and a lot of saving I finally bought a... Hmm maybe for S&G I should add some back story.

A buddy of mine picked up a S&W SD9. Its an ok gun, not really up to par with what I like but he felt well enough about it. Thing is we shoot a lot together and the price of ammo has really cut at me when shooting my 1911. I thought it would be a good idea to get a 9mm semi so we could go in together on bulk packs and what have you.

I did a fair amount of research and I decided that I wanted to try out the FN variety of pistols. After shooting and fondling both the FNP9 and the FNX9 I choose the FNP9 based on astetics and controls. The FNX has a safety/decocker in the same position as a 1911 but when firing I tend to bump it down and decock the gun. The FNP only has a decocker and it is much smaller.

Well... Even though I did put some rounds through both it wasn't until I brought the FNP9 home and really starting hammering it that a problem crept up. 4 years of shooting a 1911 has got me in the habit of resting my thumb on the safety. 4 years of habit has me knocking the the decocker enough to disengage the firing pin while shooting. There are two things I hate and hearing a click when I want a boom is number 2. 

  I really, really love this pistol but under stress and pressure I constantly knock the decocker and this in my mind is unacceptable for daily carry. I don't know if I should trade this in on something or train this habit out of me.

Thoughts?

[Ichiban]

I hear ya, brother.  I had the same problem with my FNP-9.  I never have had a problem with my FNX-40 decocker and I ride it while shooting.  Anyhoo.... I solved the problem with my handy dandy Dremel tool and a cut-off blade.  I took the slide off and cut the left decocker off as far back as I could get.  I figure that if I do need to decock the gun I can use the right decocker lever.  Either do it two handed or just bring my thumb back around to the right side.  It might hurt the resale value but I really don't intend to sell it.


P.S.  I also ground down a good bit of the base pad on one of the magazines to make it flush with the grip so it would be a little more concealable.  Here's a link to the FNX-40 mini-review I did that shows the magazine mods.
http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php?topic=13868.0

[ellis4538]

I too fire a 1911 with the high thumb grip and have been for 30+ years!  I bought a CZ SP01 Phantom which has the plastic  fantastic frame w/decocker.  Guess I'm different because I have never tried to ride the decocker or had a problem with it.  I suggest you train yourself out of the habit with your new toy.  You never know when you might need it to save your bacon and being able to switch back and forth or even pick up a dropped gun and use it might be handy.

JMHOFWIW


Richard 

[tombogan03884]

Easy fix would be trade it for a Para Carry 9 or some other 9MM caliber 1911, that way the controls are the same.

[ske1eter]

Easy fix would be trade it for a Para Carry 9 or some other 9MM caliber 1911, that way the controls are the same.

I concur. My STI Spartan 9mm seems to be a good gun.  Got it through Dawson Precision => http://www.dawsonprecision.com/ProductDetail.jsp?LISTID=80000AE1-1263828368.

[Sponsor]

[JdePietro]

I appreciate the help. I want to shy away from another 1911 platform because I get too comfortable. I choose a DA/SA so that I could push my zone a little and hop out of the box.

I plan on spending some more time at the range but I really can't decide on what I want to do with it. I have two friends both firmly entrenched in the Glock and Sig camps begging me to trade "up". While I have the utmost respect for both firearms I really like the FN quality, again its not the hardware its the software malfunctioning.

Honestly though I do find myself day dreaming of a P226 Combat.

[Ping]

Buy a Glock. Just kidding. Hope you figure something out.

[JdePietro]

I just finished listening to the MB podcast. Instead of offending me it felt like he was talking right to me about my situation. There is no doubt in my mind that I could train around this but I do fear loosing the skill I have obtained with my 1911. This goes for manipulating the DA and learning to grip from below.

I gave the gun a real good hard look the last couple of days and I have discovered that the hammer does not go all the home if you bump the decock. So now at the very elast I can train at home without spending a ton on ammo, and I should be able to know if I am getting positive hits.

One last question though. As much as I love my FN I have always wanted a Sig P226 and I saw one of the Combat models a while back. Anybody carry the 226? Are there things you dislike about the gun?

[garand4life]

I picked up an old 226 a couple of weeks ago for a steal! Carrying it in Galco's King Tuk (almost dead ringer for a Supertuck) was easy. It weighs about as much as a light 1911 but is a chunky bit thicker. It's really doable if you want to go the 226 route. Just depends on your build and method of carry.