Originally Posted by
Keith Groen
I just went through the same process and considered the same pistol combinations you are looking at. There was no easy, perfect answer. Nyeti helped a lot with my decision when I met him at a HiTS class earlier this year. In the end, I chose a DA/SA P2000 and DA/SA P2000SK.
I shoot a Beretta 92 regularly and better than any other pistol. I plan to keep shooting a 92 as my primary pistol. When I started considering carrying a smaller pistol on a regular basis, I naturally thought 92 Compact or Langdon PX4 Compact. I ruled out the 92 Compact due to weight and all of the levers sticking out around the pistol. It didn't offer enough of an advantage over what I was already shooting. I would have bought a Langdon PX4, but they weren't available yet. Also, the few people I know who have owned PX4s had reliability issues. My P2000 is almost 4 ounces lighter than my friend's PX4 compact if that matters. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Ernest's opinion and may still might buy a Langdon PX4 to try when they are available.
After my HiTS First Responder class, I bought a LEM P30 and P2000. I sold the P30 and kept the P2000 because I shot the P2000 better and it was easier to conceal. The P30 felt better in the store, but I shot the P2000 better. I was having trouble with the LEM and paid someone to do both the TLG and 4.1 conversion. I noticed that switching between the LEM and the Beretta was hard for me, so I tried a DA/SA P2000 and was hooked. I shot the DA/SA faster and more accurately from day one. I ordered a DA/SA P2000SK and will have it in a few weeks.
I think the LEM is probably a better trigger system in many respects than TDA. It just wasn't the best option now for me. Also, the DA trigger travel on a P2000 feels similar in length to my Beretta, so the transition back and forth is not bad. The LEM has a bobbed hammer on the P2000, the TDA has a spur. I wish I could find a bobbed TDA hammer. The LEM has a small gap between the hammer and firing pin (especially in 4.1). The DA does not have a gap. The reset is a bit long, but fine for my purposes.
I have handled nyeti's P30SK and it is very nice. It does have more sight options than my P2000. I only chose a P2000SK over a P30SK because I have a P2000 already. I use a Dawson Precision .150 tritium white outline P30 front sight with blacked out factory rear on my P2000. The Dawson Precision P30 sight fits the P2000 fine. The main reason I switched to a Dawson Precision front was my HK factory's front dot was too low. When I put the front dot where it was centered in the rear sight, I shot high. The Dawson dot is higher on the blade and centers in my rear sight better. You should be able to use a Dawson Precision fiber optic front in either a P30SK or P2000 if you want.
I found the P2000 was $300-ish less than a P30. That's about the cost of a front sight and 1000 rounds of practice ammo. P2000SK and P30SK are closer in price.
If I was considering a P30/P30SK combo, I'd actually rather go P30L/P30SK.
That's my pistol journey the last six months. I've found nyeti's advice on this subject is as good as any you'll get anywhere.