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

[shawn mccarver]

The Luger operates through so many angles, it would make a politician "green with envy." It is not particularly reliable in bad conditions.

If I needed a pistol for combat, of those shown, I would have to agree that the SIG P226 would be a great choice. Second choice would be the Browning HP.

Naturally, if I were not limited to those shown, I would prefer to take a Glock 17 into combat.

 

[-db-]

This will be sure to stir controversy:

The Beretta is the best-looking.

Followed by the S&W.

 

[OIF2]

Totally agree on the Browning...

 

[shawn mccarver]

This will be sure to stir controversy:

The Beretta is the best-looking.

Followed by the S&W.

Let the controversy begin: My vote for best-looking goes to the S&W 39.

 

[shouldazagged]

Never owned a BHP or Luger, but I had a lovely CZ75, and still kick myself for selling it in a time of fiscal anemia. Superb pistol, and one I'd have taken anywhere.

 

[Muss Muggins]

As I recall, the original S&W 39 was termed the "Jam O Matic" by those who first purchased it . . . definitely not iconic, but it certainly improved the proficiency of the user in clearing malfunctions . . .

 

[BillyMagg]

This will be sure to stir controversy:

The Beretta is the best-looking.

Followed by the S&W.

NYET! we'll all agree your absolutely wrong, nice gun, but too big, to fat, too much butt. Browning High Power, what few realize is that the Browning High Power is the most beautiful handling pistol in the world, and its single action only is simple but elegant, and finally cocked and locked, nothing ever graced a pistolero's forefinger more elegantly, it will spin like nobody's business. Yes, Mr. Safety says it should be empty, but it is happy either way, remember, to always keep your finger out of the triggerguard, and all guns are always loaded. My favorite gun shop guys eyes were big as saucers when I picked up my first High Power in .40, after clearing the chamber and magazine, she went for a spin, NO I DID NOT POINT THE WEAPON AT HIM! What a lovely weapon! beretta, nice but not the same thing??? really, its just not....... billy

 

[Engine49guy]

Im not trying to argue but 9mm Lugers and M1916 Prussian "Red 9" Mauser Broomhandles were firing shots in anger on battlefields long before the Browning HP was even on the drawing board.
To say they dont count as 9mms is tantamount to saying the M16 is not an iconic 5.56 rifle because it was originally designed for 7.62 x 51 Nato as the AR10 , It was also redisgned in .222 Remington as the AR15 before the settling on the 5.56 Nato.

Many iconic firearms were originally designed for different calibers such as the 30-06 Eddystone US Rifle Model of 1917 originally designed for .303 Brit , 1903 Springfield originally designed for 30-03 , FN FAL originally designed for the 7.92 x 33mm Kurz , then .280 British, then finally 7.62 mm Nato but I dont agree that makes them less iconic in their 2nd or 3rd caliber chamberings....Just my opinion.

 

[fyimo]

I believe the word Icon adds a different meaning to the discussion because certainly the Luger to all of us who grew in the 50's and saw it as the top dog of 9mm pistols because we saw all the history behind them in the war films and later history TV shows. That said and to take nothing away from the Luger the Browning HP lives right up there with the 1911 Government Model 45 ACP as the all everything pistol in those calibers.

So although I still lust for a German Luger but I'm happy with my Browning HP and Colt 1911.

 

[amazingflapjack]

I concur, with only the suggestion of the m-39 sharing the space with the m-59 which was the Seal team "hush Puppy."

 

[bc1023]

Im not trying to argue but 9mm Lugers and M1916 Prussian "Red 9" Mauser Broomhandles were firing shots in anger on battlefields long before the Browning HP was even on the drawing board.

Its not just about age though...

If you're talking longevity, the BHP blows the Broomhandle away.

Again, its all about personal opinion. There's no right or wrong.

 

[-db-]

Let the controversy begin: My vote for best-looking goes to the S&W 39.

Not a bad pick. You choose the Corvette while I pick the Ferrari, both about as equally attractive.

Every other choice is wrong, however. From left to right, top to bottom, skipping the aforementioned 'Vette and Ferrari, we have the Walther, definitely the curviest of the offerings, but too curvy, flamboyant even, like some of those really weird-looking Lamborghinis. It's obnoxious. It's out.

Next is the BHP, the child of a 1911 and who knows what lost somewhere in the deepest bowels of Europe. The 1911, as perfect as it is, isn't a particularly sexy gun (it's like an old Chrysler muscle car that way), thus its half-breed child is out. This also eliminates the CZ, simply a wannabe BHP.

The Luger is, of course, the Volkswagen of the bunch. Quirky, charming and with a long-time diehard fanbase, but it will never be considered one of the most attractive cars...er, handguns. Sorry.

The 226? Pure function over form. A brick. A station wagon. Excellent gun but will never win any beauty contests.

CZ previously dismissed.

Early SIG. Has some kind of Mauser influence going on with the grip area. This is not a good thing. Slide too skinny in relation to large grip. Disproportioned like a bad Jaguar. Might be good tool for mixing chocolate, however. Dismissed.

Beretta- the Ferrari. Unique open slide design, beautifully curved backstrap (similar to S&W), one of few that isn't a wannabe 1911, slight barrel protrusion beyond slide implies no one would ever dare drop such a work of art, another nice curve where rear of dustcover slopes down to perfectly match front of trigger guard (the only gun featuring this), I could go on but I said I'd be skipping this one and look what I've done...

The HK. Supposed to be one hell of a pistol but it's not all that good-looking. In fact, it's downright odd-looking. No automotive equivalent. Bye.

Radom. This one is tough for me as a Polak but I'm the first to admit it's ugly. Another 1911 (Chrysler) crossed with something perhaps even uglier.

The Star is just another wannabe 1911.

That is all.

 

[bc1023]

As I recall, the original S&W 39 was termed the "Jam O Matic" by those who first purchased it . . . definitely not iconic, but it certainly improved the proficiency of the user in clearing malfunctions . . .

I disagree. The M39 basically started it all for both Smith & Wesson and America in the DA semi auto world. Its definitely an icon, in my opinion.

As far as reliability is concerned, I've had better luck with my 39s than I have with my Lugers. That said, reliability wasn't really part of the equation.

 

[3rdRRU_PhuBai]

About sixty years ago I bought a WWII Luger in a drugstore for $20. All the serial-numbered parts matched. It would catch an ejected cartridge in the vertical position position between bolt & chamber, so I sold it to a friend about a year later for $40. Glad to double my money & be rid of it.
Live & learn.

 

[Engine49guy]

Honestly getting some good laughs but suspect some subtle but deliberate beehive whacking going on ha ha

 

[Marshwheeling]

1. Gotta agree, that is a nice lineup of 9mm pistols.
2. Agree again, the BHP is the most iconic. That is the pistol that for me defined the autoloader. I don't have one but it is right at the top of my wanted list. In the days before I owned any guns and when I knew little about them, I knew what the BHP was. Of course, I knew what the Luger was, too, but it was more of a curio.
3. For me, the CZ75 is the one I would most trust my life to. It fits my hand better than the Browning. it shoots a whole lot better than I do. It is also one I can afford. Those Sigs are above my pay grade, without being any better than the CZ.

 

[mc5aw]

All beautiful in their respective ways.

Personally speaking, I have never found a 9mm that betters my SIG 228. It many not be as aesthetically pleasing as the Luger or Browning HP, but it is a flawless machine that has served me well over the years.

 

[Cdog]

Very impressive collection!

Iconic class 9mm weapons? The P08 and BHM are the two that come to mind first.

My favorite of the classic 9's would have been the Browning HP till I shot my first CZ 75. The D/A Browning variant is just a superb example of a great pistol improved without a downside.

 

[bc1023]

Very impressive collection!

Iconic class 9mm weapons? The P08 and BHM are the two that come to mind first.

My favorite of the classic 9's would have been the Browning HP till I shot my first CZ 75. The D/A Browning variant is just a superb example of a great pistol improved without a downside.

Thank you

I just felt the need to comment on the CZ 75 being a DA Browning variant, because the two pistols have little in common. The premise they're similar has always been a myth. Besides the obvious differences, the CZ's slide rides inside the frame, which is totally different from the Hi Power.

 

[Joe Kent]

I always enjoy these type of threads and discussions among good and knowledgeable friends. I agree with OIF2 about the Browning Hi-power for serious use and also my friend Shawn McCarver that the Model 39 is the best looking and it does fit the hand quite well. Two of my closest friends carried 39's for serious use, one in LE work just after the Ill. State Police adopted them and the other as a Sailor crazy enough to jump out of airplanes into the oceans to either blow things up or diffuse other Hi-explosives. Myself I carried ,and still do,Browning's 9mm. All my best, Joe.