$1,000 to spend on a 9mm... Which one?

I'll stick my nose in . . . since you asked for opinions . . .

First off, I have owned and shot at one time or another each of the following 9mm's -

Browning, S&W, Colt, Glock, Beretta, H&K, Sig Sauer, Ruger, CZ, Taurus, Tokarev, and probably a few more clones that do not immediately spring to mind . . .

My pick - hands down, the Browning Hi Power. Most of those listed above have some attributes that recommend them, some more than others. You asked for opinions and mine is that the Browning comes as close to perfection in my book for a 9mm as you can get. I've always loved the 1911 platform and the way it handles the 9mm with ease would be my close second preference; the Browning is just a bit more streamlined to me and no doubt iconic.
 
I've owned and shot nearly all the "gotta have" pistols from sig, glock, cz, h&k, s&w, kimber, etc. the only two I haven't owned is a 1911 or hi power.

I'm leaning quite heavily towards the hi power unless someone can recommend a truly reliable 9mm 1911
 
The Browning Hi-Power MKIII is the finest 9mm handgun ... not the CZ75D compact as someone said. I have 2 Hi-Powers - you can't go wrong.

I also have a Dan Wesson ECO in 9mm - it is an absolute joy to shoot and extremely accurate. Might be my favorite. It is an Officer sized model but in 9mm it is perfect to shoot. Just very very easy to bring on target, front sights easy to pick up, soft shooter. It is a bull barrel design and only holds 8 rounds though, whereas the Hi-Power holds 14. The ECO is easy to conceal. It also costs $1600. And, I had some FTF issues with the ECO and certain ammo and sent it back to DW for rework - it's perfect now. However, I decided only to shoot ball ammo FMJ in it (and all my auto-pistols. Not gonna worry about JHP and FTF anymore - gonna worry about hitting the target and let the rest sort itself out.). I have never had a single failure in my Brownings - they eat everything and are a very forgiving gun. Have 1000s or rounds through each gun.

I don't like the stock trigger on the Hi-Powers, and sent them to Richard Fletcher (Fletcher Custom Pistols) for a trigger job. Other ppl don't seem to mind the stock trigger. Also, they have a mag safety disconnect, which I don't mind but some ppl hate. The ECO does not have a mag safety disconnect.

One thing about CZ - they are great guns too. Really good for the money. I like them a lot altho' the narrower slide makes it a little harder to rack. I had both but sold the CZ75 and kept my Brownings. Why? Because the Browning is a better gun but also about twice the cost. I like the CZ grip more, especially the new models P06/07. But the new ones only come in decocker mode.

If you like the feel of the Hi-Power when you grip it, then you will like it when you shoot.
 
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Hands down its the CZ 75 or CZ85 in 9mm luger. I like the double action first shot feature. My CZ85DB has been flawless as all my other CZ pistols have been too. The CZ82 in 9mm mak and the CZ83 in 9mm mak, 380acp or 32acp.

I found my CZ85DB in the used gun rack for $300 still unshot in excellent/new condition. This was my first venture into the 9mm luger pistols.

The CZ75 is the choice of the russian special ops.
 
kablamo said:
I've owned and shot nearly all the "gotta have" pistols from sig, glock, cz, h&k, s&w, kimber, etc. the only two I haven't owned is a 1911 or hi power.

I'm leaning quite heavily towards the hi power unless someone can recommend a truly reliable 9mm 1911
Click to expand...

Well you made this easy for us all, two things Novaks and maybe extended safety, as V-35 said look for an older one, mines a 67 or so in memory of my old man's conversation with a couple of MACVSOG ops boys, who had two cases of FNs in the back of a MC-130E, who encouraged him to take a couple. Robertson's in Tennessee where I ended up buying mine, told me they knew a local hillbilly who was a tunnel rat, he always carried two P-35s, [now this could be a gunshop "story", but it sounded good to me! my fifth grade teacher told me not to "story" to her"], and way this "smart hillbilly" fell through the false ceiling in a big room full of bad guys, he emptied both P-35s, and lived to tell the tail. This happy ending seems to follow P-35s, one last thing, NO +_Ps! PERIOD ! Not even one, Federal 9BP is recommended for these classy chicks.

But if you do go with a new one, you could consider a .40, I had a lovely Practical with no mag safety and a "Pinky" trigger, I succombed to "45 itis" to my regret as I didn't like the two tone paint job. Take your time and shoot em all, I think you'll find the 1911s largish and heavy for handy carry, and if you care to play cowboy, a cocked and locked Hi-Power thinks its a Hula-Hoop for your finger. Do this with an "EMPTY" chamber and magazine, "unloaded" and remember "all guns are always loaded". Billy
 
Hi Power or Sprinfield EMP in 9mm or kimber pro carry cdp in 9mm. I'm lusting after all. The EMP will likely carry easier and have a nicer trigger. Hi Power is more of a classic and piece of history. Decisions.... Its fun having money burning a hole in your pocket!
 
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Smith & Wesson 3913TSW. Easy to carry, dead-on accurate, great looking, dependable as any gun ever was.

That 952PC is sweet!! :D
 
Another vote for the CZ 75. For $1K you can get the 9mm, 6 magazines, the .22Kadet upper and 2 10 rd mags. Probably have some cash left for ammo for both cals. I bought a military model from the "transit chest gunshow guy" and a commercial. Figured I'd keep the commercial for when the other wore out. After many thousands of rds I could find no wear at all. Made a silly trade deal that I had to honor so I am down to one. It isn't new any more. And it is nice to go to the range, shoot .22 and 9mm and have 1 1/2 guns to clean. I would carry it. Joe
 
CZ75 hands down......but what hasnt been mentioned is that there is a pistol in between the full size 75b and the compact called the semi-compact......just as hard or harder to get than the compact model....
 
CZ is not an option. Had one. Loved it. Not looking for one right now. My CZ 75SA was great.

In between Kimber Ultra/Pro Aegis II and Springfield EMP
 
Just got a notice that MY Sig Sauer 226 9mm is in! woohoo! will follow up with a review in a month or so.

Chuck:D:D:D
 
IMHO , the greatest 9mm pistol is the CZ-75, Before the embargo on Com-Bloc goods ended , gray-market CZ-75s fetched $1500.
 
If I had a grand and could only buy a 9mm with it.. would be a luger like said above. If other calibers are available I would probably dip into the HK koolaid.
 
CZ 75B stainless. Wonderful pistol. I've not held anything that feels better in hand. Tough, reliable and very accurate. This would be my first choice if I were starting over. Hi Power would be a close second (I'm going to guess you already own a Glock for daily chores).

Out
West
 
My two cents: Browning Hi Power, older model made AND assembled in Belgium. Maybe 1980 or earlier. Second choice: Sig 229. Good luck.
 
CZ's and SIG's are nice but....you said it yourself, it's in your first post. 9MM plus Classic ='s the king of the nines...AKA Hi Power. Dude...gotta have one!!!!! I'm so sure that if you had one you would love it...I'll even go so far as to say; if you buy a Hi Power for around $1000 and dont like it, no loss, I'll buy from you.
 
No fighting boys. I voted for the HP as the grip is the yardstick for double stack 9s...but I understand that the CZ has a similar grip and feels nice in the hand also, and that is why it is often recommended along with the HP...so it boils down to whether you want a traditional single action with incredibly sleek lines or a more modern DA that is a bit more utilitarian looking. :)

P1070484.jpg
 
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