I bought myself an M17 a couple of months ago with a DPP optic. Over the past couple of months I've done some basic training, got some range time in (~800 live rounds), and have started using the Mantis X for dry-fire training. It's not a bad gun (although I wish I just got a P320 instead), and I'm getting reasonably happy with my improvements (can shoot a 2" group at 10 yards if I take it slow).
The problem is, dry-fire training with this weapon is a bit of a ball-ache with having to rack the slide on every shot.
Naively, I think I'd like to pick up a DAO or SA/DA handgun so I can do dry-fire training a bit more effectively. In this vein I'm also thinking that a pistol with a fairly "normal" trigger is the way to go so I can really nail the fundamentals. I'm planning on sticking with irons for this to keep things varied.
Is my logic sound here?
If so does anybody have any suggestions on what weapon or weapon family I should be looking at? I'm mostly interested in improving my performance so I can get into competition eventually (and thus would prefer a heavy, full-size pistol), a pic rail to attach the Mantis (although buying a mag base pad isn't out of the question), and reasonably popularity (in case I want to modify down the road). I'm leaning towards 9mm as that's what I'm shooting now.
In my research it seems either an M9A1, a SP-01, or perhaps a P226 (although I don't really want another Sig) would be the obvious choices. Are those all reasonable, should I pick one over the other, is there one I missed entirely? Am I approaching this all wrong?
Thanks!
P.S. Hello all!