My problem is I love Glocks and cheap guns. I'm trying to broaden my horizons and see what else is out there. Yet I still carry my 19 every day.
I am leaning towards a 17 with a decent light for home defense. The more I look, the more I find higher end stuff isn't always better if you want it for a purpose.
My feeling with Glocks is simply that, with a few mild exceptions, if you've owned one, you've owned them all. I'll mail you a strip of self-adhesive lead weights in a baggy labeled 'Glock conversion kit.' ;P
I just can't see a 17 shooting any differently than a 19. Little more sight radius, little more weight, little more grip. But it's all...pretty 'little.'
AFAIK those Sphinx pistols start at like two grand. So I was being a little facetious there. But I don't see you buying many 'cheap' guns. You dropped a grand on a Sig recently...a Glock does seem cheap in comparison, but paying 500+ for a Glock or an M&P doesn't exactly scream 'bargain' to me.
Have you tried a CZ derivative at all? I dunno why you'd prefer a striker fire for a nightstand gun...if you're willing to go DA/SA, go rent a generic steel CZ. I really think you may be surprised how much you like it.
In the $500 range, I'd vote Baby Eagle II over the basic CZ-75B, though. Hell, you might be surprised to find that even the .45ACP version kicks less than your Glock. On account of weighing like three freakin' pounds. :awe:
Home defense handgun = light weight be damned.