Exactly what I did many years ago. And now I have a stable of Sigs when they weren't even on my radar at that time.
Take about $150 out of your bank and make the drive down to DVC in Coquitlam and try out a bunch of their guns for yourself. Phone and ask for a time where they are generally not that busy and show up. If they aren't too busy they will work with you and let you shoot a wide variety of their 9mm guns including the CZ just so you have a side by side comparison.
After going through them all, including the plastic guns, reshoot the best two or three off your obvious "short list". Buy the one that fits you and shoots the best for you.
By picking a time when it's fairly quiet you can also get a few pointers on the proper hold from the RO as well as taking a couple or three guns out at a time. They just don't have time or the guns to let you do this if it's busy. Thus why I said to call ahead and discuss what you want to do and why and ask for their most consistently quiet times to show up for that level of added attention.
I know you don't want to "blow" $150 bucks and walk away with nothing in your hands. But it's $150 that will avoid you getting a gun which doesn't feel right or that doesn't shoot well for YOU. And how much will it cost if you buy a gun you don't fit well and have to sell at a loss to buy the one that DOES shoot well for you? I'd suggest that $150 at DVC is money well spent and that you're lucky enough to live close enough to such a place so you can try out a wide variety before you buy your own gun.
I don't understand your decision to avoid the CZ line. When I lived in Burnaby and did this same test with DVC's guns for myself it had come down to either a Beretta 92fs or the IWI Baby Eagle/Jericho. Then one of the regulars let me try their Shadow. It was a big lead up from either the Beretta or Jericho and was instantly my first choice. So don't discount them if it turns out that you keep coming to the conclusion that it's the best fitting and best shooting gun for you. So what if your buddy already has one?
If you're looking at getting into any of the shooting games like IPSC or IDPA or just coming down to Mission or Chilliwack for our Speed Steel events you will want to buy a gun which you can get extra magazines for without taking out a second mortgage on the house. Some brands make you feel like you're buying the owner's kids a full year of university tuition. Others only make you feel you got raped a little bit. So consider the availability and cost of magazines and decent holsters into your choice.


















































