I had heard many good things about the CZ 75 in 9mm, and looking at Handguns 2001 I discovered it was available in .40 S&W. Not only that, but the CZ 75 retails for between $350 and $400, making it one of the better values in larger-caliber semi-automatics. After handling and dry-firing a 9mm in the store, I ordered the CZ 75B in .40 S&W.

Made by the Czech manufacturer Ceská Zbrojovka, this may well be my favorite semi-automatic pistol. The CZ 75B can be fired double action initially and is single action thereafter (DA/SA; the CZ 75BD features a more convenient decocker instead of a safety, but it is not available in California). The CZ 75B feels very good in the hand and the single-action trigger is not that bad at all, much better than my Smith & Wesson 40 Tactical. It's a heavy enough pistol that .40 S&W doesn't beat up the webbing of my hand.