Greatest 9mm Ever Made

[6string]

Another "which gun is best" thread devolves into another "My Dad can beat up your Dad" thread.

 

[T44spl]

We've seen them come, we've seen them go. But for a 90 year old design the HP has come back in a big way, all fueled by Demand. There's a reason why that has come to be.
It's an iconic pistol in service by more countries, LE agencies for longer than any other combat pistol bar none. The only pistol that comes close is another JMB invention the 1911.
The only other 9mm pistol that can hold onto this title is the CZ75 which is still a HP inspired derivative, so we're still back to home base. Opinions and personal preferences are great, but in the end Facts always prevail...

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

There truly is no such thing as “the best” for everyone; rather, some very fine choices of compromises that serve most anyone well.

SAID THE PROPHET.......

 

[sodacan]

I eschew any plastic, striker fired, or internal hammer pistols. I'm not a detractor, they're just not for me. I'm basically a revolver fan, but I have a several 9mm semi-autos. They include a P5, P6, P228, P229 Elite, 75BD Police (CGW enhanced), BDM, and a Hi Power. My preference is for DA/SA guns. The HP is a great piece and a seminal design in firearms history, but I think many of its successors are better guns. It is, however, the prettiest of the lot.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

I agree. I owned a CZ-75 Police model that was a rough LE/mil overseas trade in.

Gun looked like hell but ran just fine. But that little slide with the itty bitty serrations was like trying to pull a slippery trout out of its nest when racking.

Down the road it went.

Typically I find I need to rack my CZ75 just once (for the 1st 16 rounds)...

From then on it only requires a jab at the slide stop for the next magazines!

I can live with that...

Cheers!

 

[91B40]

Best 9MM

Well, since this IS a Smith & Wesson forum, how about the S&W Model 39-2? Fits my hand better than any other 9mm and mine never malfunctioned. Yeah, it is only a single-stack.

 

[LEO918]

My favorite 9mm.

 

[Daimler1989]

just my personal thoughts of 9mm pistols after 40 years of fumbling around with guns (let's leave plastic guns out of the discussion)

the BHP is a special pistol in its own right because it combines many positive virtues in a design that is almost 90 years old (and thus remains just as up-to-date as a 1911)

but

best accuracy out of the box = SIG 210 (swiss made)
best handling characteristics and pointability = Walther P88 (not compact)
best combat value (sum of balance, handling, firepower)= Steyr GB (a beast esp. with factory comp and if you have larger hands than average)

regards from Germany
Ulrich

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

In my reloading days I found my Browning HP shot lead bullets very well, my S&Ws somewhat fussier.

 

[Breadman1]

I’m with you, have several 228 and never have they not gone bang.

Sig gets my vote. P228 for me

 

[BB57]

I knew a former VIP protection guy from the British army. He said they used Sigs because in their testing the Brownings were found to have shot loose before the completion of their training regimen. That was enough of a real world review to convince me that the H Power legend should be treated with caution. It's not the last firearm I've come across where the reality and the legend don't necessarily join up.

I've handled or fired quite a number of 9mm pistols from a wide variety of manufacturers and countries. They all have their features and quirks, but never have I found myself saying, "Oh no, not this, I'd much rather have a Hi Power." I own superior designs (IMHO) myself, but whether any of them will ever be successfully used in combat will be a matter for history long after I'm dead.

The problem with that non-endorsement of the Hi Power is that it’s a case study of one. I also wonder how old and well used that British Army Hi Power was when he came across it. The major reason they replaced their Hi Powers was that they were WWII vintage pistols that were worn out.

The choice of a Glock as a replacement was unfortunate but not all that surprising, especially from a per unit cost perspective.

In contrast to your experience I have fired and own a large number of reportedly superior pistols and often find myself thinking “I prefer the Hi Power”. Then, it’s usually a matter of size, but that’s a concealed carry issue that doesn’t apply to a duty pistol.

 

[BB57]

Well, since this IS a Smith & Wesson forum, how about the S&W Model 39-2? Fits my hand better than any other 9mm and mine never malfunctioned. Yeah, it is only a single-stack.

I have two of them, one blue and one nickel. One of them is very reliable the other is not.

They do fit my hand well, almost as well as a Hi Power and much better than a S&W 59 or 6906. However, the Model 39 is large for a single stack 9mm.

 

[BB57]

There truly is no such thing as “the best” for everyone; rather, some very fine choices of compromises that serve most anyone well.

I agree with the statement but not so much with the pistols in the picture.

The Beretta 92 doesn’t fit smaller hands well at all, making it harder to shoot well and harder to retain.

That was the major “miss” in the XM9 trials. Where the 1911A1 fit just about everyone well, the M9 did not. That fit was not adequately considered in the trials, but it is one of the fundamental requirements of a service pistol.

The Hi Power also has the advantage of fitting a very wide range of hand sizes.

 

[Bald1]

Why is nobody mentioning the other HP…… Hi Point baby !

 

[malph]

I doubt that a Glock 17 will ever be a family heirloom.

If the goal is to have a handgun that is nice to look at, the Glock doesn't make the list.

If you have to fight with a 9mm, the Glock is a very solid choice.

 

[7.62match]

The Beretta is a clunky brick with a terribly placed decocker/safety.

The Glock is far better, but not finer than the Browning.

I have to agree with Glenn the Browning is the one hi cap 9mm auto that fits my hand perfectly.

 

[Yaworski]

If you have to fight with a 9mm, the Glock is a very solid choice.

I'd rather have gun that is reliable and looks good. Similar to the idea that a katana is a weapon and a work of art.

 

[Drm50]

The only 9mm I kept for years was a HP. I’ve had most of the other highly known models from Lugers on up. I only go by accuracy and durability, not interested in tactical features. The HP I have will shoot right with a K38 for accuracy. That’s not bad, never had a SIG 210 but at this point in the game don’t think I could benefit by anything it would provide. Having had several HPs, only one bought new, never had any serious malfunctions or breakage.

 

[Xfuzz]

Based on the history, the feel, fit...
I will go with this. 1973 "C" series.

 

[mk70ss]

If’n I knew I was going into a gun fight, I would take a long gun over any handgun no matter the caliber.

Yes I agree 100%. But I was playing along with the OP’s handgun premise.