[Newton]

Well I just couldn't help but buy my 9000S Type F .40 S&W when I saw it being pushed out on clearance for $349.

I ordered 2 of the extendable pinkie rest magazine baseplates and picked up a bunch of .40S&W ammo from Wally World ($14.88 for the 100 round packs, and 3 boxes of Federal 135 grain Hydrashoks on clearance for $5.50 a box) and off I went to my favorite, and private, outdoor range.

The first thing I noticed was that the ten round magazines are not only full capacity with no plastic spacers or other restriction devices, but also take 10 rounds of .40 with ease, so many 10 rounders refuse to take that last round.

I ran 200 rounds of .40 FMJ and 20 rounds of Hydras through it on the first session and my observations were initially that the gun shot very low to point of aim. When my petite wife shot a couple of mags, I could immediately see that her groups were more centered than mine. I then bench rested the gun and the point of impact came back up to the point of aim. Answer - the extra blast and recoil of this little handful was causing me to push forward slightly in anticipation of the shot, 200 more rounds and I shot my way through the problem.

The DA trigger is way long, but it is only a problem when transitioning from another gun. Accuracy is good, nothing spectacular, just good. The new baseplates make a big difference to controllability and the fit of the grip in the hand, I recommend them, the design is very clever.

Problems - I had 2 failures to go into battery during the first 200 rounds, with no failures for the next 200 rounds which is consistent with the break in period, what is NOT fine is that the hammer fell on both occasions pushing the slide into battery in the process. When I ejected the live round there was a clear strike on the primer that was way off center and had obviously failed to light the round off. Needless to say I was concerned about the possibility of an out of battery discharge, this will be the subject of some additional research on my part - any input on this issue is welcomed by the way.

I tested the 135 grain Hydras into water jugs and was impressed with the performance. Penetration was adequate at 2 one gallon jugs, but expansion was vigorous with no jacket separation and a perfect mushroom - I hear that some LEOs use this round, I can see why. Reliability testing with 20 rounds was flawless, I would have run more through but it's too good to waste even at $5.50 for 20 rounds.

Overall Impressions - this is an impressive gun, potential out of battery issue aside. It feels good in the hand and handles the recoil of the .40 as well as any gun I have shot and way better than the steel framed pistols I tried. It's blocky in the hand like a Glock 30 (but not that blocky), has a distinctive look which I can't get enough of, and is surprisingly concealable in spite of the fat slide.

Saw one for sale the other day for $478, all in all I'm happy with my purchase, it's a must for any collection if only for it's uniqueness.

Newton

[WhoKnowsWho]

My wife wanted one when she saw the side profile, but it was just too wide for her to like when she actually picked one up to handle.

Nice report though. It does have an interesting and different look from other handguns, for sure.

[Jaegermeister]

If Beretta had hired pistol designers instead of a fashion designer to draft this pistol it would be a lot better.

The 9000s needs to be slimmed down. The safety/decocker is the widest part on this pistol. It is also fat in the grip. If they would shave some width and rethink the controls so they can be worked without getting in each other's way, they would have a great small pistol.

I'd remove the safety and put a decocker button on the rear of the slide near the hammer. The grip and frame could then be narrowed.

The best thing about the 9000s is those flip-down finger extensions on the mags. Put those on a Springfield XD compact and you are in business.

Also, a pistol this size really shines in 9mm. I don't prefer .40 in anything smaller than a Ruger P94 or a S&W 4006 or USPf, get the point.

[10-Ring]

Hey, seems like a good price & you're happy with it, that's all that should count! Congrats! ;)

PS...how was the safety?

[Newton]

Surprisingly "un-stiff". The decocker is very easy to operate (small additional push beyond the on-safe position).

Anyway, it's more for looking at than shooting :cool:

Newton

[emann]

I had one of these once and still find myself sometimes regretting selling it. Mine never did have any kind of malfunctions and I really loved (still love actually) the way it looked. I do wish I'd had bought the 9mm instead of the .40 though. I might have still had it.

[Sportcat]

I had some problems with my 9000 in 9mm FTE, but determined my grip wasn't firm enough. No problems in the last 200 rounds.

The only other thing about it is that I wish I hadn't paid $489 for it last summer.

Great gun.

[Skunkabilly]

$5.50 for 20 Hydrashoks? WHERE?

[Newton]

Walmart, Grafton, West Virginia was the exact location.

I would imagine that all Walmarts holding stocks of Federal Hydrashok 135 grain Personal Defence 20 packs would have the same pricing - they were specifically red tagged at $5.50.

They had 3 boxes left so that was what I took, I would have bought an entire case if they had one.

Seems like a good load, mild shooting, good expansion, accurate - you can get more powerful loads, but 135 grains at maybe 1150 fps will do a number on someone and no mistake.

Newton