The most iconic all metal 9mm pistols in history...

[bc1023]

The 9mm is my favorite cartridge and I love the long history of it. I took this pic a few months ago of what I consider to be the most iconic all metal 9mm pistols ever. I grouped them in three tiers, with the top row being the most iconic of them all. Within the rows, they are in no particular order.



The four most iconic 9mm pistols in my opinion, are the S&W 39, Walther P38, Browning Hi Power, and Luger P08.

Next I went with the Sig P226, CZ 75, Sig P210, and Beretta 92.

Rounding out the group, I chose the HK P7M8, Radom P35, and Star Model B






I hesitated before I put the 39 in the top row, as its the only one in the top that never saw a World War. However, as an American pistol, it sure was important in this country. Its the only American pistol in the picture. Being that the 9mm is a European round, I think that makes sense.

Overall, I think the Browning Hi Power is the most iconic, as it was built around the cartridge, has an unmatched military pedigree within the group, and is still in production today.

I'm just curious as to everyone's thoughts and maybe what you would add and/or subtract. I kept polymer pistols out of it, but will certainly say the Glock 17 deserves to be pictured otherwise.

Thanks for looking and I appreciate your feedback.

 

[-db-]

I agree with all you stated. Nice collection.

 

[Engine49guy]

Sweet collection !
Im also a 9mm fan but I have a touch of OCD,

Top row L-R should be the Luger (first 9mm handgun) P38 (replaced the Luger), Browning HP, and the Radom all WWII era guns (except the Luger that saw action in both WWI and WWII....Maybe a mauser Broomhandle in 9mm and a 9mm Tokorov.

The 50's 60's era Model 39 (no dash) did see action in Vietnam and comes 1st in the 2nd row, then need a Model 59 as it bridges the gap between hi cap and DA auto, then the CZ75 , then perhaps a 9mm 1911, then the Beretta 92 and a Walther P88 .
Last row should be the Walther P1, P2 (Sig P210), P3 (Astra 600), Walther P4, Walther P5, P6 (Sig P225), P7 (HK PSP), P8 (HK USP) and HK P9.

 

[BigBill]

Swedish Lahti in 9mm?
Star B?
Astra 600/43?

The CZ 75/85 in 9mm is one of the best 9mm pistols out there. There the choice of the Russian spec ops.

 

[loknload]

Very nice collection!

 

[linde]

That is an outstanding collection . . . congratulations.

I'm not very knowledgeable on 9mm pistols . . . or semi-autos in general for that matter . . . but do agree that the Browning Hi-Power is certainly iconic. In fact, I currently own only one 9mm and it happens to be a Hi-Power made by Fabrique Nationale in Herstal circa '53-'54.



If you're only going to own one, it should be a Hi-Power.

Russ

 

[JayFramer]

The P08 Luge is and forever will be the "classic 9", it defined the cartridge and helped make it what it is today.

It is THE 9mm handgun. JMHO.

YMMV.

 

[bc1023]

Swedish Lahti in 9mm?
Star B?
Astra 600/43?

The CZ 75/85 in 9mm is one of the best 9mm pistols out there. There the choice of the Russian spec ops.

The Star is there.

I didn't include the Astra or Lahti, because I think they're too obscure and unknown today.

 

[bc1023]

The P08 Luge is and forever will be the "classic 9", it defined the cartridge and helped make it what it is today.

It is THE 9mm handgun. JMHO.

YMMV.

See I don't agree. The Luger may have been the first 9mm, but it wasn't even originally designed as a 9mm.

The BHP is extremely popular and is still in production today. It outlasted the Luger by a landslide.

To me, its BHP #1 and Luger 2nd.

 

[Otreb]

Yep, BHP would be my number 1 choice.
I like that 29/70 Swiss pattern too, seen one like that before....

 

[hangnoose]

GERMANS WIN HANDS DOWN

Tier 1: Broom handle Mauser, Luger, P380 (?)
Tier 2: Browning high power, Makarov
Tier 3: Sig 226, H&K,CZ's, Berreta 92's others

 

[oberon]

M35 HiPower has to be the pistol that all other 9mms are judged by.
Luger wasn't a 9mm originally, but it is waaay cool.
Walther is a solid classic. The lockwork is a little too busy for my liking.
S&W 39 is probably one of the most beautiful pistols of all time.

The only one of the 4 I don't have in my pile currently is the 39. I had one, and I had a 439. I wish I still had at least one of 'em.
How was I to know?

 

[-db-]

Here's an interesting question- with which one of bc1023's 9mms pictured above would you choose to go in harm's way?

My pick would be the P226.

 

[hangnoose]

HARMS WAY

my vote is the Sig P226 also.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Great post! I agree, there can only be one top dog in this hunt, the Browning Hi Power. Second on my personal list is the S&W M-39. Then the elusive Sig P-210. Not iconic yet but a 1911 in 9mm is a lot of fun too.

 

[fyimo]

My 9mm pistols are a Browning HP, Sig P226, Sig P228 (Carry Gun) and a Sig P225/P6. I've always wanted a Luger P08 but I never found one for anywhere near the right price. I love my Browning HP but if I was going into battle it would be the Sig P228 because it's only a few rounds short of the P226 but is easier to conceal.

I also agree the Browning HP trumps the Luger because of how long it has lasted and what a great pistol it is.

 

[Engine49guy]

Here's an interesting question- with which one of bc1023's 9mms pictured above would you choose to go in harm's way?

My pick would be the P226.

I must admit while I have never fired a Sig P226 I have handled them and find them a tad too bulky,

If I had to choose 1 of the ones posted above for the Zombie apocalypse it would hands down be the CZ75, 17 rounds with one in the chamber , simple on off safety, half cock notch , DA trigger and an external hammer....bliss. (mine is a CZ85 same gun with ambi controls and cone spur).
First choice for CCW would be the HK P7 (PSP version with heel mag release)...no unnecessary buttons or switches to snag or drop something unintentionally just point squeeze shoot....Genuis !

On a side note while the Luger was originally a bottle necked .30 cal round the 9mm round was developed for the Luger to add more punch by removing the bottle neck from the case...(thats why they call it 9mm Luger)
Interesting many are arguing the benefits of the bottleneck .357 Sig today against the .40 S&W and 9mm.

Also for fun try shooting a .30 Luger then a 9mm, then a Broom handle in .30 Mauser and then a CZ52 or TT-33 in 7.62 x .25 Tokarov and see what you think...More of a "Bang Bang Bang " then "BOOM" especially when using Combloc copper clad PPSH submachine gun ammo..the resulting fireball is an eye opener.

 

[Rick_A]

Nice representation. I think you have them all covered.

For me the CZ is #1 with the BHP close behind. The S&W would be a distant 3rd. The rest I don't have much interest in.

 

[bc1023]

Tier 1: Broom handle Mauser, Luger, P380 (?)
Tier 2: Browning high power, Makarov
Tier 3: Sig 226, H&K,CZ's, Berreta 92's others

I was only speaking of 9x19, so I should have made that clarification.

As for your tier 1 pistols, neither were designed as 9mms. I didn't even include the Broomhandle at all, because the gun was designed years before the 9mm was even around.

I included the Luger only because the cartridge was designed for it. However, if I were to want an iconic Luger, it would be chambered in 30 Luger, not 9mm.

In my opinion, the BHP beats them all by a good margin.

 

[bc1023]

I also agree the Browning HP trumps the Luger because of how long it has lasted and what a great pistol it is.

Not to mention that the BHP was a 9mm from the start. The Luger was not. That was a big factor for me.