I too have owned a number of 9mm pistols and have fired many. I currently own a DWM-P-08, a Mod 59 S&W and a
1938, Browning HP. I've owned many other Lugars, Mod 59's and Brownings. All are were fine weapons. I carried a Browning HP in Iraq in 2005, vice a Baretta. Never liked the M-9.

Although I never owned one, I would include the Broomhandle Mauser in the first row. It was a great weapon with very wide service.

Regardless of one's choices for the best, the author has a wonderful collection and his choices for the best are certainly good. Regards, Tejanojack

FYI-
I carry concealed a 39-2 as it has the thinnest grip of any 9mm on
the market after my customizing. I removed the grips and substituted
heavy duty shrink wrap applied with a propane torch and then a stripe wrap
or two with friction tape.

For battle, I would choose the largest capacity mag with the longest barrel
and DA/SA with decocker. I am not exactly sure which pistol that would be
but likely the tactical CZ model with the Beretta coming in close 2nd

I love to shoot my 1911 45 but I consider it a technical relic. Too much
pistol technology has been developed since they hit the scene. Oh yea,
in a big pistol like that I dont think 10mm is too much to handle and
would prefer it but they just dont make it except for the Glock 20 that
the Iceland/Greenland park rangers started carrying after a few got
chewed up by polar bears that had been perforated by 9mm.
.

The Browning HP is a fine pistol with a solid battle record but it is far from perfect. The CZ-75 is a better pistol in just about every practical way. I have number of plastic nines but the top gun in my collection is my CZ-75 tactical model. I added only an adjustable sight but nothing else needed changing. Compared to the HP, the CZ is better balanced, has a better grip, has a tougher finish, has higher mag capacity, is just accurate or maybe better, and the Czechs make it tough.

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Andy

I might be wrong, but wasn't the CZ75 one of the first double stack 9mm?

I really like the pictures, iconic firearms for sure.

If I had to take on a hoard of Zombies I'll stick with my HK MP5k machine pistol, thanks.

Heckler & Koch MP5 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Brian, that's a wonderful collection of pistols. The only bad thing? Now I definitely "need" a Hi Power ASAP. You wouldn't happen to have an extra one laying around that I could "borrow," would you?

The BHP definitely grows on you...

"Iconic" vs. ironic? The Luger no doubt is the pistol the "average Joe" would identify with the term "9mm", and would recognize in a heartbeat... All that's missing is a black uniform with SS and a skull on the cap.

"Where are your papers?"

"You have no papers?"

"We have our ways..."

Unfortunately, that same "Joe" would also mis-identify any "black gun" as an "assault rifle", thanks to the lickspittle mainstream media.

If the 1911 is the "iconic .45" (and I'd argue the Colt Single Action ought to be given some consideration) then, based upon production numbers and clones, the CZ75 is clearly the most "iconic 9mm" and, IMHO, one of the best pistols ever produced. Who would carry a Luger (or even have it on the nightstand?) for protection? I'd rather have a Highpoint myself...

Those high-polished Walthers are absolutely among the most beautiful pistols I've ever seen! Stunning!

Cheers!

p.s. James Brady just passed away at the ripe old age of 73 and a "medical examiner" termed his death as a "homicide": even though it was a mere 33 years ago that he was shot by a (yet another?) liberal whack-job.

Based upon that PC-inspired logic all the wounded veterans of WWI, WWII, Vietnam, the Spanish-American War and every other conflict in history were homicides when they, too, eventually passed away. Even the un-wounded one's, too?

I own a JERICHO from IMI, its my favorite 9mm

My list would be:

9mm Luger......... first 9mm (cartage was developed to improve the Luger)

Browning P35 .....first hi-cap 9mm (and long history)

German P-38....... first double action trigger 9mm (also first de-cocker)

Smith 9mm automatic (pre 39)............. first commercial American 9mm

Smith 59............. first hi-cap/double action 9mm (SCS&W 1971)(w/ decocker)

Beretta 92............ first American armed forces standard issue 9mm

Footnote: {Glock 17............... first soul-less plastic fantastic 9mm.....LOL sorry could not help myself..}

S&W 3913/14...... .. my favorite concealed carry........9mm

Pleased to see you remembered the Broomhandle which predated the Luger. An interesting puzzle in metal. otherwise a very nice grouping.

Although I consider myself a revolver guy, that is one beautiful bunch of finely crafted steel. The only one of those I have actually owned was a West German Sig. That thing could put 5 rounds into a poker-chip sized group at 7 yards as fast as I could work the trigger, and that's including the DA 1st shot. It's definitely one that I truly regret selling.

I agree with you on all you said as well. You have a very nice collection of revolvers there. We can't have too many firearms is my feeling. If folks want to collect something better than "Gold or Silver," a 401K and all the stocks you want to "gamble on," go ahead. These revolvers, especially the steel ones are the best investment you can buy.

Revolvers?! :-)

__________________
Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

I suspect somebody's tongue is firmly planted in his cheek.

At least I hope so.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Not really.

I'd have it in a picture of the finest 9mms in history. However, I would not consider it iconic. Its far too recent and far too unknown.

Thanks for the kind words.

However, this is not a picture of the best or finest 9mms in history. Its a picture of the most iconic.

It predated the Luger, but not in 9mm.

I don't look at the Broomhandle and think "9mm".

What?
No Korth?
Nice group. Big fan of the P35 and CZ75

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What would Jim Cirillo do?

Can't believe I'm just seeing this great thread! Love the collection and can't really argue with any of it. I might tweek the 39 down and the CZ75 up a level, maybe tweek the P7 up a level, but that's all nit-picking!

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Brad

Since 9mm Parabellum was designed for the Luger Pistol I'd have to believe that the Luger is THE iconic 9mm pistol.

Followed by the Walther P38 and the Browning Hi-Power.

I'm not sure about iconic, but it is all metal and 9mm (and this is the S&W forum and we do love our revolvers):


Model 547

__________________
My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs

To partially steal a line from the old spaghetti westerns:
"Plastic! We don't need no stinking Plastic!"
LoL...

Screw the plastic pistols! Yes, they are great to carry. Yes, there are multiple distinguished and proven plasti-pistols in history.
But, a REAL gun (pistol or rifle) is made from STEEL Baby, with maybe a little bit of pretty wood to dress it up here and there!!!

My thoughts on your list;
1). THE iconic 9mm pistol of all time IS the Browning High Power! I'm not fortunate to own one right now, but I'm sure I will own one or two at some time in my life... The Luger is THE iconic "German" pistol (even though I personally think these are turds so far as function and pointability are concerned).
2). The "best" 9mm pistol you have listed there is probably the Sig 210. Yes, not as well known as many of the others, but as far a "quality" and probably accuracy, the 210 is it... I think a close second for the "best" one of your list would be the HK P7 squeeze cockers! Yes, I'm partial to these (I own 3 of them in various caliber/capacities). Many of you might pohh-pooh the P7, but all I have to say is that you probably haven't had the privilege to spend a lot of trigger time on one to honestly make any judgement on them (fixed barrel accuracy, smooth as butter trigger motion & sear release, innovative through and through).
3). The S&W 39 in the top row??? Really??? I'm not going to make many points on this forum for this statement but; YUK! That's a second row pistol for sure. In its place, I might move the CZ-75 up to the top row, possibly the Beretta 92... the 92 probably being more "iconic" than the former...

Heck, they'll ALL "good" guns really. Nice collection, and best yet; No Plastic!

;-)

Thanks for the kind words and your thoughts.

I can't agree that either the CZ 75 or the Beretta 92 deserves to be in the top row in place of the 39. The argument could be made that the 39 doesn't belong there with the other three, but I feel its the closest one in that group to the Hi Power, Luger, and P38 from an icon standpoint.

Of course, there's no right or wrong here. Its just a fun thread.

Iconic........what part of "Iconic" don't you understand....... LOL

I didn't read all 7 pages but I will say my CZ P01 is a darn fine pistol. I traded my 92fs and still have the CZ. Compact, hi capacity, relatively light and a smooth shooter. What's not to like?

I'm not quite sure what that has to do with iconic 9mms, but I agree the P01 is a nice pistol.

The only CZ that belongs in that picture is the pre-B CZ 75.