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

[alwslate]

I'm a great fan of the Browning HP and own a couple but the title of
"most iconic" has to go to the Luger. The Luger is probably best
represented by it's common 4" P-08.

 

[Protected One]

iconic (merriam webster): Widely known and recognized for distinctive excellence.

Not arguing either, just discussing. Words have meaning. If you have another definition, I'll listen, but the 39 don't hit that one.

You stole my post. Words DO mean things, and when discussing a subject (in this case ICONIC guns) one is not allowed to substitute "other" words just because they better fit your purpose.

By the definition of the word ICONIC, Browning HP is the clear choice of "most iconic" among the choices given.

 

[litenlarry]

P38's but WWII era ones...

 

[Muss Muggins]

You stole my post. Words DO mean things, and when discussing a subject (in this case ICONIC guns) one is not allowed to substitute "other" words just because they better fit your purpose.

By the definition of the word ICONIC, Browning HP is the clear choice of "most iconic" among the choices given.

Hard to disagree with . . .

 

[Engine49guy]

The P-38 is definitely "Iconic" and did have a lengthy service life when including post war P-1 variants (below).

Arguably the best P-38 varient is the Walther P-4 (and snub version P-38k) although neither are as well known as the P1 since the platform was a bit dated by the time it was approved as a German service pistol resulting in much smaller production numbers .


The P-4 has a shortened barrel ,new rear site unit, spring loaded decocker and a trigger safety that disconnects the firing pin , (P-4 / P-1 slide comparison)


While short lived the P-4 was a stepping stone leading to the even better Walther P-5 (below).

 

[bc1023]

Guys, I can always find a steel framed WWII model. They are far from rare. As for the thread, I was actually just representing the models. I was talking about the exact gun pictured.

For my P38, I actually wanted something a little off the beaten path. I found one of the rare polished blue models only built for a year or two.

 

[litenlarry]

Great Thread !


The HK copy of the Mauser HSc was the HK 4,
The "P4" was an updated version of the Walther P1.

Also I think db meant the grip frame shape of the Sig P210 was similar in appearance to the Walther P38 (also made by Mauser in WWII) with a similar butt shape, lanyad loop and grip grooves ...trigger looks more like a 1950 Beretta 380,

Im not knocking the high quality Sig P210 but IMO its hardly "Iconic" and I would venture to guess that if 100 shooters at an American gun range were shown a P210 the majority would say they never saw or heard of one before, Probably goes for several of the 9mm's pictured like the Radom etc, the same group presented with a Luger or Walther P38 probably would know the name, caliber and what country it was from....and thats "Iconic".

My updated "Iconic metal frame 9mm" short list in the order they appeared is as follows,
Luger (1908), Browning HP (1935), Walther P38 (1938), S&W Model 39 (1955), S&W Model 59 (1971), Beretta 92 (1975), CZ75 (1975), HK P7 (1979), S&W Model 659 (1982).

There were 3 manufactures of the German P38 during WWII
The AC marked Walther
The BYF marked Mauser
The CYQ marked Spreewerk

One of my p38's was captured by my Dad during WWII and brought home...

 

[Alpha Sierra]

You really should have added the Glock 17.

Regardless of its haters, no one can deny that Glock handguns have reached the status of icon in modern pop and firearms culture.

The mere fact that Glock owns the police handgun market in the US should be proof enough. Add to that its near instantly recognizable silhouette and its undeniable toughness and reliability and you have a modern classic.

 

[bc1023]

You really should have added the Glock 17.

Regardless of its haters, no one can deny that Glock handguns have reached the status of icon in modern pop and firearms culture.

The mere fact that Glock owns the police handgun market in the US should be proof enough. Add to that its near instantly recognizable silhouette and its undeniable toughness and reliability and you have a modern classic.

If I wanted plastic guns in the thread, I certainly would have.

 

[gmanofsteel]

Thanks!

Well done.... Thanks for sharing!

 

[BillyMagg]

I've been a huge fan of the Hi Power and Model 39 for years.

I also feel that with it's utilization (military/LEO/civilian), units sold, and mainstream (movies and television) popularity, the Beretta 92/M9 has to be the most iconic 9mm for the past 30-40 years.

If I had to pick one, though, I would choose my early 1950's FN Hi Power.

that is a sweety, and I'm sure it handles as well as it looks....

 

[BillyMagg]

Guys, I can always find a steel framed WWII model. They are far from rare. As for the thread, I was actually just representing the models. I was talking about the exact gun pictured.

For my P38, I actually wanted something a little off the beaten path. I found one of the rare polished blue models only built for a year or two.

very pretty!

 

[robertrwalsh]

Luger obviously.

 

[Munsterf18]

BHP #1. That is THE 9mm.

S&W 39 #2. The double action 9mm is a milestone.

Great thread!

 

[Barrie]

I owned a Berreta 92 FS until just recently when I sold it. I was not shooting it enough to keep it around with the rest of my collection is why. It had a trick spring and rod setup as well as trigger. Wooden stocks which felt really great in the hand. A very fine pistol to shoot especially with target sights on it. Kicking myself now as I have nothing between my 22's and my 45APC at this time. I would buy another Berreta again and do it up the same way.

 

[29aholic]

I absolutely despise 9mm, but I do own a 67 T-Series Hi-power for the simple fact you could drop me anywhere in the world and I'd be able to find parts, mags, and ammo for it.

 

[jmadera]

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.

ufff ! a lot of history... like it very much and nice collection, my 639 will be there IMO at least for me.
Like the s/s look !!!

 

[Ed Fowler]

I have many 9mm posted in the thread. My choice for in harms way is the Mod 39, while I was at the factory, George Maynard tuned mine up for me and it is the most accurate of all and a delight to carry.

My second choice is my Sig P210, I bought it in Nov and have put almost 10,000 rounds through it. It is truly a delight to shoot for target work, I would not carry it as I like the disconnect safety thus the 39 is what I carry.

 

[Ed333]

What about the S&W 952? Certainly a classic pistol.

 

[JGR_LV]

Nice assemblage, definitely. The Mod. 39 is my pick for something that, for me at least, points naturally and hits where I think I'm pointing, even after months or years in the safe. The P38, or it's new incarnation that's technically the P1, has icon status twice over, first for its WWII career and again for its movie-star role as the standard side-arm of U.N.C.L.E, where it enjoyed all sorts of fancy dress-up items like skeleton shoulder stocks, infra-red scopes, etc. It's also a motion-picture arms master's dream gun. Making auto-loaders function properly on camera with blanks is usually a hassle, but a P38 can be converted to a straight blowback in about twenty seconds by taking it apart, sliding out the locking block from under the barrel and reassembling it. I've owned a couple over the years and miss them. Regarding the 952, to qualify as "iconic" the gun needs to be something instantly recognizable, and most of today's shooters wouldn't know a 952 if it walked up and bit them. Trust me on this; I shoot a Mod. 52 a lot, and it's comical to see somebody else on the line trying to figure out where those flying .38 Special cases are coming from.