WTB another 9mm pistol.. Which do you prefer?

My full size 9s started with the Beretta 92FS and a commemorative model CZ-75B. I liked the CZ so much I bought another in matte stainless. If you're open to trying something other than a S&W (afterall...this is a S&W forum), then I don't think you will ever regret owning either a Beretta or a CZ.
 
Tons of new design polymer 9mms out there.

If you want something nostalgic some of my favorites are
Any 9mm luger
Walther P-38 (WWII)
Walther P-1
Walther P-4
Walther P-5
H&K P-7 (PSP or M-8)
Any S&W Performance Center 9mm ( my favorite is the PC9)
S&W Model 39-2
S&W Model 539 (steel frame)
S&W Model 639 (SS frame and slide)
S&W Model 59
S&W Model 659 (SS)
S&W Model 6906
S&W Model 3913
S&W Model 3953
CZ 75B
 
I loved the pre-B CZ75 I foolishly sold years ago, and was fond of a Smith 469 I also let get away. But if I wanted a 9mm (I don't now, can't rack slides due to arthritis) to be sure to save my ancient derriere, it would be a Glock 19 or 17. They aren't pretty, though I don't find them as ugly as some do; but they just work, like an AK. I would look for a second generation like the ones I owned years ago, or gen four.
 
Beretta 92FS Centurion. It's the Commander version of the 92FS, full
size frame, shorter barrel and slide. Or the G19, probably Glock's best
all around model.
 
flyfishinjunkee said:
anyone have a Sig P226?
Click to expand...

Yep. My P226 is one of the German frame/US stainless slide models originally built in the early 2000s. I bought it as an ex-LEO factory reconditioned gun about 10 years ago. It's 100% reliable. I also have a P6, which is an ex-German police pistol. The P6 is a better fitted pistol than my 226 but that may simply be because my 226 was refurbished. And I find the 226 to be a bit bulky for a 9mm. The P6 is a great size pistol for the round.

However, like many others responding, my favorite 9mms are my CZ 75s. My full sized 75s feel great. They have great balance, low recoil, low bore axis because of the reversed rails, great accuracy and are much less bulky than the 226. More like a HP. The compacts are much like the full size pistols. They are about the size of the P6, but double stack.

And you have a choice of manual safety or decocker. I have both types, decockers and manual safeties. Some people think the decocker triggers aren't as nice as the manual safety versions. However I've not found that to be the case. The decockers are designed to make the DA and SA triggers pulls more similar- the DA starts from half cock for a shorter pull and the SA has a bit of take up. Sigs have much more difference between the DA and SA pulls

I had a S&W 669 for while but the sights were small for my vision and I thought the trigger was too springy. It may have been that particular gun.
 
Bam-Bam and I are of similar minds.

The Hi Power you bought is both a great pistol to shoot and has tons of history and is NOT a carry pistol so I assume that is not a criteria.

If the history plus the gun itself are your interest then
the:
WW2 or Earlier 1911s in .45 ACP
Sig P210s 9mm
German Luger 9mm
These are vintage

If vintage is not your criteria:
Early Model 39, Sig P 220 (9mm) Sig P226 pre 1989
CZ 75 pre B if possible but the CZ and moderns Sigs are still very nice.
Beretta 92 then all the newer 1911s in 9mm.. again just a repeat of what Bam Bam said.
 
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I have owned a huge number of both weird and common 9mm pistols. Here are my two favorites for performance and cost:

HK P9S. Absurdly P210 accurate, soft shooting and reliable. Steel frame, fixed barrel. Fabulous trigger. A service pistol you can win a bullseye match with. Can be found for under $700. Decent aftermarket mags available.

1980s pre-decocker Taurus PT92. These pistols had Beretta like quality, nice blue and anodized finishes and are some of the more accurate recoil operated pistols available. Compatible with many Beretta parts and quality mags are available for cheap. With a lighter mainspring and a light polishing of the internals it has a really nice DA trigger. If you don't have big hands, the factory wood grips are cheap and easy to slim down (I have medium hands). The 92 pattern is arguably the most feed reliable design there is. $350-400 in excellent condition.
 
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FYI..... the new (post 2000ish) commercial Beretta's 92s have a radius'ed backstrap....... add some ultra slim G-10 grips ( VZ,Wilson Combat or Langdon Tactical) and you get a much 'smaller" feel to the grip.
 
I shot the M9/Beretta in the Army. There is a reason it was low bid then and darn near killed a slew of SEALs after a few thousand round rounds when they slung their slides into faces. And the ergonomics and manual of arms are early 1960s...which is not a compliment.

Presently I have several 9mm Glocks for serious use. Simple and reliable striker fired models for everyone and massive aftermarket support on top of pretty solid warranty support.

I have fun 9mms too that use hammers - FN Grand Puissant (HP), a P225-A1 and recently a B&T USW (a jazzed up Spinx/CZ75). As noted, SIG P210 1911 clones and high end CZ75/clones seem to be the top of the heap these days for accurate and interesting handguns.
 
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HardToHandle said:
I shot the M9/Beretta in the Army. There is a reason it was low bid then and darn near killed a slew of SEALs after a few thousand round rounds when they slung their slides into faces. And the ergonomics and manual of arms are early 1960s...which is not a compliment.
Click to expand...

Well they're not your father's 92s anymore.

A number of upgrades have been incorporated on the Beretta over the years..... as with most things we live, learn and improve.

If Glocks are the 'Perfect" handgun why are they on their 5th Generation of modifications. I seem to recall "stories" of some Gen3(?) Glocks "blowing up"/ out of battery discharges???????! They are a good tool; just not my personal cup of tea. (I've owned 3 over 15 years)

Read about some issues with the new Military Sigs...... discharging if dropped at the wrong angle.

As to the Beretta 92; IIRC there were not a "slew" of slide failures ..... a handful or less...... in the end traced to the use of thousands of rounds of NATO submachine gun ammo (+P+) in transition training. The 92 was modified to the FS version. Too the best of my knowledge no failures have been reported since the mid-80s.

The Beretta 92 is highly thought of by such "Gun Guys" as Bill Wilson (Wilson Combat), Ken Hackathorn and Ernest Langdon.
 
Like many others here, my CZ 75B types are my favorites. The full size is a favorite range gun and compact PCR is my carry that is equally adept on the range.

Another consideration might be stepping down to the sub-compact class. The LGS counterman who introduced me to CZs through his personal firearms, carries a CZ 2075 RAMI for a couple of years now, and is thrilled with it.

In the same classic metal/hammer "Sub" class, a SIG P-938.

Good luck. :)
 
Can you believe it? I've been a gun nut since February 1968, (my 12th birthday, when I got a used 22/410 O/U from my dad, and which I still have) and I've never owned a 9mm.
 
Personally, I would get a 40 S & W Glock and get a 9mm (or 357 Sig barrel, or both!). My EDC is a G27 with a 357 Sig barrel and my nightstand gun is a G22 with 40, 9mm, and 357 barrels. I also have a G43 for pocket carry. My wife has two G43s for nightstand and EDC, and a G17 for walking the dogs (We live on the edge of the NF).
 
I have several 9mms, and I love Browning Hi Powers. Not really big on the Beretta 92, it just feels big to me, the Shield is what I carry, but it's not a lot of fun just shooting. I have a Walther Creed that I like a lot, but it's trigger is so light, I wish it had a safety. I love the CZ75, a masterpiece like the BHP. My favorite one is my Springfield Range Officer Compact, it's also the favorite of all my friends who have shot it. Officer's size frame with a 4" barrel, runs like a top. A little high priced, maybe, but I've never regretted putting out the money for it.
 
kwselke said:
Modern classics in my mind Glock 19, Beretta 92 FS, and S & W 3913. I've owned all three and other 9s over the years. The Glock 19 is the only 9 mm I still have.
Click to expand...

Ive been shooting for most of my life and aside from a few 1911s that have some sentimental value, Glocks are the only semi-auto pistols I own anymore. Not to sound like a fanboy, but I can't imagine I'll ever buy another 9mm after my 19Xs (like them so much I own two).
 
In my opinion, the Neuhausen SIG P210 / P49 is the finest 9mm pistol ever produced. If I could only own one 9mm, it would be my forged SIG P210-6 with adjustable sights.
 
My favorite shooter is my M&P 9 Pro Series, how about something a bit out of the box, a Ruger PC9, it's one of my favorite fun plinker!
 
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