If you are willing to look at some aluminum alloy framed guns the list will grow longer (and the decisions will get harder). I'm thinking of the Sig 226 in particular.

Here is a pretty comprenhensive list of weapons in that caliber:

.40 SW Caliber Pistol Reviews Forum and Reference Guide at GunDirectory.com

The Expert is Poly framed

Neither of the CZ's you listed have Polymer frames. The SP-01Tactical has a decocker not a saftey.

Both have the adjustable sights available to install but neighter from the factory. The FO front sight on both CZ's the same boat. The Tactical sport is SA only and can not be fired as a DA weapon. It is a heck of a gun however and will drive tacs when shot with good technique.

I don't know about the H&K's but hear they are fine weapons. The CZ's you mentioned are very fine weapons too the Tactical Sport is not a gun I would take hunting but would use to compete anyday of the week. All CZ's and H&K's have a reputation of reliablilty.

If money were not an object I would own all 3 of the guns. If I had your list I would not own any of them. If I could buy any of the guns on the list i would get the tactical sport because I love it!!! And I already own the SP-01 Tactical and love it too.

RCG

Originally Posted by wpshooter

At my age, I really need the exercise that I would get that way, more than I do the deer.

Hunting deer with the .40 Short & Weak might get you a lot of exercise...tracking a wounded deer...unless you make a perfect shot, up close.

In the interest of making a humane kill, I would bump up to a 10mm, at least, if I was not willing to use a .44 Magnum revolver. Deer have been killed with all different pistol chamberings, and the .40 S&W may be one of them, but I don't think it's one that a serious hunter would consider. Just my opinion, of course.

Wp,
I agree with Bisley.... .40 is really not enough for deer. Too much chance for wounding.
The CZ's have metal frames and are heavy. The CZ TS is sweet but the HK Expert is sweeter!. The Problem with both of these guns is they lack night sights. If you are deer hunting dusk/dawn the sights will be a problem. Get a nice 44 mag Ruger Redhawk and call it a day!

based on your criteria - check out the FN tactical

FNP-45 Tactical Handgun

ymmv

john

Originally Posted by johnr

based on your criteria - check out the FN tactical

FNP-45 Tactical Handgun

ymmv

john

Thanks, I will consider that one, but wish it came in caliber other than 45.

IMO, of the three listed candidates, I'd say none for handgun hunting. A revolver (which is legally allowed in most states), and no auto's permitted. Minimum caliber .357 magnum. For unofficial target/range shooting the list is endless. Do the normal touch and feel test of all the major brand makers, i.e., Glock, S&W, Ruger, Springfield, SigSauer, etc. Here's a thought, purchase a .38/.357 caliber revolver and you can shoot .38's at paper and load the .357 magnum round for hunting.

I love CZ's

I own both a CZ 75



And a CZ 85 Combat that I'm awaiting delivery on right now.

But, I wouldn't hunt with either of them

Hunting with a pistol is a real challenge to begin with.

If you really want to hunt with a pistol ... there are certain manufacturers that specialize in that ...

Thompson Center fire is one.

I don't know enough about pistol hunting to give much advise .. except .40 cal not the best choice & neither are semi-auto pistols.

Good luck with your search

Originally Posted by wpshooter

I am looking for a pistol to use for unofficial target shooting & maybe occasional hunting use, might use for deer hunting if I decide to do some still hunting instead of hunkering down in my treestand. At my age, I really need the exercise that I would get that way, more than I do the deer.

The ideal gun would have these qualities/features.

1) Semi-auto - not interested in revolvers.

For target shooting I wood say any of the three are fine, but for hunting I would change your number one preference.

My CZ 85 Combat got in and I like it even more than my CZ75.

And that's saying a lot.



Good luck in your search.

First off.....40 is not enough for deer hunting...

The .40 expert is excellent choice for target shooting. It does not have FO sights. But you can change that. The FO sights are on the USP custom combat from factory. The trigger on the Expert is awesome. Easy to break down and clean. Reliable. Nothing breaks on it. It is hammer fired (comes w/ bob hammer to fit in IDPA box). Add H&K Elite for target only... if you can find one. The 16 shot mags (funnel jet) are more expensive for the Expert. The CZ TS is also a great IDPA/Target gun and I like the (2) tone look. I still like the Expert better and shoot it much better. The P30L is a close second on choice. The ergonomics are better but the trigger lower.
I would never hunt with the .40.... 44 mag revolver min. and a rifle. The Expert is my carry gun 50% of the time. The std USP the rest. Good luck.

The Sig 220 Match is supposed to be very accurate; SAO in .45.

I would consider one of the 10mm Glocks too. The 10mm is powerful enough to hunt with. I'm not sure that the .45 would be a humane weapon on deer.

Products & Services

For commonly available Semi auto cartridges, 10 mm is probably the best choice.
EAA has the large frame witness available in 10 mm. They are surprisingly similar to the CZs, I recently bought a Witness Match .45, it's a pretty cool gun. It's also available in 10 mm.
Check out the Witness Hunter.
EAA Corp.- European American Armory Corporation
There are Polymer frame 10 mm models as well.

Originally Posted by Overkill0084

For commonly available Semi auto cartridges, 10 mm is probably the best choice.
EAA has the large frame witness available in 10 mm. They are surprisingly similar to the CZs, I recently bought a Witness Match .45, it's a pretty cool gun. It's also available in 10 mm.
Check out the Witness Hunter.
EAA Corp.- European American Armory Corporation
There are Polymer frame 10 mm models as well.

This is made by Tangfolio correct?

Originally Posted by Packard

This is made by Tangfolio correct?

Correct.

Originally Posted by Bisley

Hunting deer with the .40 Short & Weak might get you a lot of exercise...tracking a wounded deer...unless you make a perfect shot, up close.

In the interest of making a humane kill, I would bump up to a 10mm, at least, if I was not willing to use a .44 Magnum revolver. Deer have been killed with all different pistol chamberings, and the .40 S&W may be one of them, but I don't think it's one that a serious hunter would consider. Just my opinion, of course.

Plus 1.
Eli

+2, the 40 S&W can be effective on bigger game but the margin for error is mighty thin.

A possible compromise might be any of the HK's chambered for 45 ACP (USP, Expert, MK23, etc.) but stoked for field use with +P or 45 super. Only 45 ACP handgun I know of that can handle 45 super stock. Sure it will wear the recoil spring faster but the gun can take it structurally. Not sure how that stacks up to 10mm or some of the magnums but for certain 45 super is an improvement over the 40. The upside being you could shoot 45 ACP anything through it for range use accomplishing the duplicitous role.

Of course the grand daddy of them all in semi auto's is/was the 45 Win Mag LAR Grizzly but hard to find, expensive and the hardware was an up sized 1911 design. Never owned one but had the chance to shoot a friends twice and it ranks as a top 10 most fun I ever had experience and I've had a lot of fun.

+1 on the FNP or the FNX (they are pretty much the same gun with a different frame and safety/decock lever being the only diference). And they come in 9mm, .40, and .45, and meets all your criteria. Also, its pretty inexpensive but IMO high quality.