I'm going to be buying my oldest son a graduation present within the next month and am down to these 2 guns.

These are much higher-end guns than I own personally, as I shoot Glock and M&P. But he's a shooter and I'd like to get him a really nice piece he could keep for a long time.

I toyed with the idea of going down the 1911 route cause they're so damn beautiful, but just don't know enough about them yet. He needs something he won't have to monkey around with a bunch and I know 1911's are notorious for being a bit fussy.

I've never owned a gun that utilizes a de-cocker (P226), so I'm unsure of that although I do understand and and appreciate the principal of it as a safety feature.

Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

The P30 is a sublime pistol.

I got to shoot a friends, and it's now in my short list. Nothing against Sigs and the 226 is a fine gun as well, but I'd go H&K.

An Apex tuned M&P would be hard to beat.

Otherwise, I suggest the HK.

I would get the P30.

I don't have one but am considering one. Love that gun.

BenderRod +1

I love my p30, BUT I can't be without my 226s

If I had one of each and was forced to sell one, see ya p30!!!

But it is a more "modern" pistol, and if he is not used to the controls of a more standard SA/da pistol, then the p30 is an awesome choice.

It's the decocker that I can't quite get used to no matter how much I try...

226 is awesome to shoot. You can't go wrong with either imo. The controls don't agree with me on most da/sa platforms especially sigs as I'm a lefty and couldn't get comfortable with da/sa for some reason so I learned mostly on dao hammer and striker fired guns. I love love love my p30 v1 .40 cal. Really soft shooter. To each his own. Fine purchase whichever you choose.

Absolutely love my P30 .40. Very solid and accurate piece.

The P30S is the finest combat handgun made today.

And I don't make that statement lightly. Its a poly 1911, and so much more.

I have the P30S in .40 also. Awesome gun. I like this variant of the P30 because of the manual safety.

I have both the P226 and the P30S in 9mm. Both are excellent pistols. I like the trigger on the SIG better, but the P30 trigger is better than what you will sometimes read about on the web and it is dang accurate as well.

BTW, if you get the P30S V3 variety, you get both an ambidextrous manual safety and a decocker button which is on the rear near the hammer. An excellent design.

The P30 is slightly smaller so if CC is in play you might keep that in mind.

The P226 to me is still the gold standard in full size 9mm.

In the end you are choosing between an M series BMW and a Mercedes AMG. You cannot go wrong. Good luck with your decision!

[This message has been edited by IDAGG (edited 5/10/2014 8:33a).]

I don't mean to derail, but a month is plenty of time to learn about 1911s. I like both the 226 and the P30. I have shot both and own a P30 v1 in .40. But, imho, a 1911 makes for a fine grad present. You can't go wrong with a "loaded" Springfield or something similar in the $1000 price range.

P30

The p30 has a lot of trigger options. I'd look into those first. I have a p30 LEM trigger V2 and it is a very nice gun. I really disliked the other triggers on other p30s. The LEM system is superb though.

Check out todd green's pistol-training.com for a long term endurance test. 91k rounds.

I've fired a 226 numerous times. I've never bought one. However I think they are great guns. I am becoming more and more fanatical towards liking the traditional double action system. The 226 is a TDA gun and it has a fantastic trigger in both DA and SA. The 229 is the smaller version that is more conceal carry friendly. The 226 is also very easy to shoot accurately.

I mostly shoot 92s which are DA/SA. So even though I have a p30, I'd actually recommend the 226 and creating plans to get a 229.

I have the p229 (I preferred the look over the 226) and the P30. Both are great guns and if I were forced to get rid of one I'd leave it to a coin toss. I will say if you get the Sig make sure to pick up a set of Hogue grips

Both of those you get a top of the line pistol whereas that budget would only buy you a run of the mill 1911 so I'd say stick with your plan

Sig

Shot both. Bought the sig. Love it

I'm an HK guy so while the Sig is an excellent pistol, I would go with the P30.

Either one is an extremely nice gift. Your son should be pleased.

Thanks for all the awesome advice gents.

I'm probably more undecided now than before, b/c they're both such great guns.

My idea in getting him this pistol is not so much as a conceal piece, but more of a range gun...something to get lots of trigger time on.

He would really like to grow into shooting competitively and is a very natural shooter. Been shooting very accurately with both handguns and long-range rifles since he was probably 10-12 y.o.

As far as the 1911's go, IMO that's something you're sort of "called" to. It seems you're either hot or cold on them depending on what your experience has been. He really likes more of a tactical look and function anyways not so much the traditional mode of the 1911's. I wouldn't want to push something like that on him.

Anyhow, thanks again for all the advice.

Were it my money and I was buying for me, it'd be a P30L (long slide) in 9mm with an LEM trigger.

Love my P30 v2