If you could have only one 9mm...

If you could have only one 9mm for the rest of your life which one would it be? You cannot own any other hangun. I would choose one of the three: 17/19, USP9 or 75/85. :o

I posted a very similar question a couple weeks ago.

I finally decided on a glock 26, easy to conceal, and will accept the 17/19 magazines when you want that extra capacity.

Probably a Glock 19.

my P89

XD 9mm 4"
or... Taurus Stainless pt92 w/ light rail.

The baretta 92 is a sexy pistol, I really enjoy the exposed barrel, don't know why. Also, I've heard it was the most manufactured handgun in the world.

glock 19, accurate, dependable, dao, high caps are cheap, alot of accessories, easy to conceal and use for duty, easy to control, not ridiculously expensive, good gun all around.

Glock 17 or 19

Cz P-01

BHP.

Glock 19 followed close by the SIG 228.

P226.

My choice would be a CZ85C

Glock 9mm of some sort.

Currently my 2nd gen 19 is my favorite, but I could easily choose a 17 or 34 depending on the situation.

Steve

The rest of my life? Hmmm.... nothing plastic, then - I dislike Glocks in general but would still buy one - I just have this hangup about the polymer becoming brittle over time.

I love CZs... but in terms of spares, ease of WECSOG'ing... a 1911 in 9mm :neener:

My choice would be a Glock 19. duhhttp://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/images/smilies/whistling.gif

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/silverplatter.jpg

P226

I do only have one 9mm... a Browning Hi Power Practical. It's all I need.

Beretta 92!

Steyr M9-A1. I have never been more pleasantly surprised.

Glock 19

9mmx32R in a S&W 13 or 65.

Either my p7 or my P01!

Glock...probably a 17

Hi-Power.

My Browning High Power, King of 9mm's.

Glock 19 followed by the XD-9 Tactical.

Glock 19, but I must admit to a soft spot for the BHP.

Only one!!?? Thats a tough one. Well it would have to be a nice one. If money was no object I would have to have a full custom Browning Hi-Power (Novak's, C&S,etc.). If I couldn't swing that, my second choice would be a Glock 19. Those are my 2 favorite 9mm's.

Just for fun, here's my picks for top 5 9mm pistols. Listed in order from my most favorite to my least favorite:
1. Browning Hi-Power
2. Glock 19
3. Beretta 92
4. CZ 75
5. SIG P226

Disclaimer: This is just my opinion. If you disagree with my top five please don't take offense because I don't mean any. Also, please don't take offense if your favorite 9mm pistol isn't even on my list.

P.S.: Isn't it pretty sad that I even have to put this disclaimer for fear of someone getting all upset about something so trivial?

Glock 17. It's just right. ;)

If you could have only one 9mm...

I would use it to steal a bigger gun. :cool:

The reason I've collected so many 9's is because I've not been able to decide on only one :confused: My current fave is my USP 9 but it is followed very very very very closely by my BHP, G19, 92fs and my other 9s -- and that's why I own them all :D

If the Browning Hi-Power is the King, then the CZ 75 is the Pope, the President and the SecGen of the UN.

Just kidding, but the CZ 75 is an awesome gun that can be used both SA/DA, and carried cocked and locked.

CZ 85 combat.

Rohrbaugh. I use it everyday.

Yes, as much as I like them I'd let the BHP and CZ-75B go and keep the Rohrbaugh. I would still have all of my favorite full-sized .45's, so the loss of the large 9mm guns wouldn't be a problem.

John

Got a Berretta but if I bought another for the only one to have it would have to be BHP hands down...........no tupperware

Walther P-38 (this one's by Mauser 1943 'n still 'kickin')

My CZ P-01

Probably a Browning Hi-Power with a special treatment like chrome or something like that.

For me, it's my P239.

Glock 19

B-HP, the only thing I'd have to add is a C&S ambi safety. (Oh, and the mag safety would have to go!)

Joel

Browning High Power for me.

It's accurate, there are lots of parts and mags around and it's always worked well for me when some pistols have not. Plus it's what I'm used to and it's what's most familiar so I shoot it pretty well. It's not too big, not too small, it's like baby bear's bed and porridge in the story of Goldilocks, "it's just right". :D

Browning Hi-Power for me too. Its the be all and end all of 9mm's. My dad carried one in Vietnam.:D The Air Force issued him a 38 special revolver, he said "scew this" and carried the hi-power.:D

a few years ago my answer would have been a Hi-Power

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1339/730253358_a0758e08c4_o.jpg

now my answer is the Kahr PM9...I would be lost without these little guys.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1323/730180006_d2f6116292_o.jpg

Browning Hi-Power. :cool:

Glock 17 - nothing sexy about it; it just works.

-voodoo

Hi Power hands down.

Real blued steel, real walnut grips, 70+ years of reliability.



Plastic is for shopping bags and credit cards.:D

This one: Real blued steel, cocobolos, snappy safety, and smooth as silk.

I like my CZ75D PCR. I can CCW and it works well for HD. I feed mine a steady diet of gold dots. Found a Galco holster that works real well. The only attition I made was some meprolite nite sites.

My list of 9mm best to ok.

1 PCR/75
2 P226
3 Glock
4 Ruger P series
5 HD

HK USPc:D

CZ 75B Stainless

Probably my PM9, it's the only pistol I own that I can carry regardless of my dress code on any given day.

BHP

Like "Redneck's" dad, I carried a BHP when flying off carriers during Vietnam, and for the same reason: the issue .38 sp Victory Model was useful only for firing tracers into the air while swallowing gallons of seawater. My BHP classic has changed a bunch since then. It now sports a Crimson Trace grip and an SFS conversion. I fire it weekly, and change the recoil spring annually. One sweet weapon.
Cordially, Jack

No contest; the BHP! There can be no other!

...

Very happy with the choice I made, as it has 2000 rounds, no jams, no failures to fire, perfect @ 100% dependable, reliable, and VERY accurate at close and long range with it's laser grips, if needed.

Very CCW, lightweight, very balanced point to aim.

Sig P229R CT 9mm Carry


LS

I love the Browning Hi-Power. I think it's one of the most beautiful handguns ever made. But it wouldn't be my choice for an only handgun. Since it would have to be an all around home defense, self defense, plinking, range, open carry while hunting and fishing gun, and i don't baby my carry guns, it would be a Glock 19. I couldn't stand to beat a Hi- Power up like that. That's why i like my plastic Glock things. I don't feel so bad if i scratch it or dunk it in the river.

Texas Colt,
That's a beautiful Hi-Power you have there. Who did the two tone job on it?

My BHP clone, the Arcus 94.

My Beretta 90-two

Glock 19. Nice size and if any gun is going to last forever, my monmey is on the G19. 300,000 rounds through several Glocks, and still running. Still waiting for someone else to match that.

And there the whole Glock durability thing. Still waiting for other pistols to do this.

http://www.theprepared.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=90&Item

Got to go with the Browning Hi-Power.

My Glock 19, no doubt about it.http://www.sharpcast.com/redirect/desktop/1.0/user/mfetty/photos?album=22695_97474282783804&photo=22695_97474282783805&size=image

As it happens, I have 2 9mm's right now, and I wouldn't mind selling them both in order to purchase one good, lifelong 9mm service pistol. I have wavered a little bit on what I want: Taurus, Glock, H&K, CZ and Springfield. I think I have finally narrowed it down to the 2 final candidates:

1. S&W M&P - I like the feel of them best among all the polymer pistols, the look nice, and so far the reviews on the full size models have been pretty encouraging.

2. Ruger P89 - I own a P90 and it is the most dead-nuts reliable pistol I have. It's also reasonably accurate. I can't think of any good reason why the P89 wouldn't be the same. I really can't overstate how impressive that P90 has been, and that is really weighing in on my decision. Plus, with a little bit of patience, I bet I can dig up a P89 somewhere for under $300.00, which is nice.

If you put me against the wall right now, I would probably say P89. If you gave me a chance to shoot the both of them, who knows? I think the M&P would stand a darn good chance of emerging victorius.

Glock 17 - 17 round mag with a +2 extension.

g19/17

Easy.
Glock 17.

.

9mmx32R in a S&W 13 or 65.
+1...Make mine my 3" S&W 65LS or a 3" M13 if I can find one.


If you don't want that to count because you mean 9x19, I won't be happy.

If I had to do just one gun, it would have to be between my .40S&W SIG 229, my S&W 1911SC or my S&W 65LS. All have a lot more power available than any 9mm, are relatively concealable (they are not quite full service sized guns), with the exception of the revolver they are lightweight for their size (229 is aluminium, the 1911 is scandium), and they are large and heavy enough to be comfortable in extended range sessions.

If I had to pick a 9mm I currently own, again I wouldn't be very happy. Currently I own a CZ 75B and a SIG 226 in 9mm. Both are a bit big for an only gun. Even though I don't live in a CCW state, having a gun that is concealable is important to me (I am sometimes in PA and VA where it is allowed, you never know if life may see a move to a CCW state, and I like the option even around here in case crime ever got that bad that I'd ignore the law), yet if it is an only gun you want it to be big enough for a full grip (comfort) and heavy enough for extended range trips. So, midsize guns seem to be best to me. That said, if it had to be what I already own, it would be the 226 since it is a little lighter (aluminium) and shorter, thus a little more concealable.

If I could buy something new, my top contenders, more or less in order (though the SIGs and Kahrs are pretty much tied):
-9mm Commander sized 1911 from any of the bigger name makers (since I'm replacing everything else with this, maybe a custom), preferably in scandium or aluminium
-SIG 229 in 9mm
-SIG 239 in 9mm
-Kahr K9
-Kahr T9
-S&W M&P
-Browning/FN Hipower (the only full-size service pistol I'd consider- it is narrow enough to be pretty concealable)

Hands down my custom Browning HP:cool:

Here she is....
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb264/nwilliams27/CustomHP1.jpg

When I consider all the pertinent and practical factors such as reliability, durability, accuracy, ergonomics, the ability to use lead, and an impeccable safety record, I would have to go with Sig Sauer.

Too easy, hands down a Glock.

Question - and I'm not shooting down anyone who chose Glock here - but if it's for the rest of your life, why choose something with a plastic frame? The way I understand it is that plastic will degrade over time:

Plastics are made with petroleum products. That means they contain what is known as "aromatics". They actually evaorate from the base materials over time.

The blue haze you find on the inside of your car windshield is not from cigarette smoke. It's from the aromatics that evaporate out of the plastics used in the interior, notably the dashboard, which condense on the cooler windshield.

A good friend is an engineer at the GM proving grounds in Mesa AZ. He gave me a tour once. While there, I noticed a bunch of cars parked out in an empty field. Upon examination, I noticed that the windshields were so fogged as to be opaque. When I asked who smoked in them, he told me that they are test vehicles, used to see how fast and how bad the aromatics in the plastics evaporate, and how the base materials degrade and fall apart.

That process is a natural one in plastic. No matter how many people claim they have old Glocks, science won't be denied.

Now, I'm not a plastics engineer but the above makes sense to me. What are y'alls feelings on this?

Since it's my only 9mm forever and ever, why the hell not:
Nighthawk Talon II (4.25") in 9mm. Throw in the Diamond Black coating while you're at it.

In a more reasonable price-range, it's tempting to say CZ. Loved my old 75B and love my SP-01 - but, they don't exactly offer a lot of options in the sight department if you don't like three-dot Tru Dots.

So I'd go with the M&P9, I think. Crimson Trace is coming out with a laser, you've already got Novak three-dots, Heinie is coming out with a Straight-8 setup and 10-8 and others have the black rear/ tritium front (or fiber optic) covered, there are a number of gunsmiths tricking up the triggers.

BHP

Depends on the plastic (polymer). The material that collects in cars is actually mostly from the foam padding in the seats, not from the vinyls. Most polyvinyl plastics are extremely stable - so stable that they are a problem for landfills. The polymers typically used in handgun frames can probably be expected to last hundreds if not thousands of years - far longer than any steel parts. These platics are designed to resist chemical breakdown even in the presence of strong solvents found in some gun cleaning products.

Not all plastics are the same.

Please note: I am not a polymer chemist, even though my degree is in chemistry.

BTW, not all plastics contain aromatics. Aromatics are a specific organic compound - so names becausde many have distictive smells. Aromatics are distinguised by their carbon rings structures. Most polymer plastics are composed of long chain hydrocarbons, often with halogens.

H&k P7

GunTech,
Since you are a chemist, perhaps another thread would be beneficial in regard to chemicals, and various "Polymer" guns.


Various Polymers and "Plastics" are used in firearms, besides frames, we have magazine plugs in shotguns, sights, stocks/grips, and the like.

Halogens, Chlorinated, Non-Chlorinated, Long/Short Hydrocarbons and other "chemicals" are used in Gun cleaning solvents and lubes.

Now while a Polymer may indeed be as strong as steel, outside influences can and will stress and weaken materials.

For Instance:Apply heat to a Steel Gun/steel gun part and the temper is gone.

So the use of many of today's firearm related product with certain chemicals, may expedite the weakening of a Polymer gun/part.

Many Chemicals such as solvent and lubes are actually Re-Packaged Automotive products.

Smith and Wesson's New line of Products are listed under the web site of Radiator Specialty, which many will recognize as Gunk, the Automotive Folks.

One popular lube, with marketing reminding folks of how many Service Persons are "being killed by CLP", started out as a Chain Saw Lube, just it sells for a lot more money per ounce as a "Gun Lube".

Best example of "Breaking down too fast" I can think of is Automotive tires.
These come with Carbon Tet ( I believe I got that correct) which keep the rubber live, and is released in driving due to heat and flex.

Soap and Water, removes dirt, mud and all, and this Tire lasts a long time.

Fancy Chemicals to make then Shine...breaks down rubber, draws out the Carbon Tet, and before one knows it, there are "dry rot" cracks all around that tire, with few miles on it.

Left alone, using soap and water, the tire lasts.
Messing with chemicals lessens the life of the tire.


Now back to the Original Thread.

Hk P7

G19

Interesting - thanks for the info, guys and sorry for the temporary derailment ;)

Of all the auto loaders that me and everyone I know have owned. Its a pretty big list. I only know of 2 that have too many rounds to count through them and have never failed in any way. Both are 3rd gen. s&w's. My 6906 and my friends 3913. Can't understand why these guns don't have more fans.

SM, as I noted, I have adegree in chemistry, but I am not a polymer chemist. I worked as a toxicologist in a reference lab, and later as a QA chemist in a steel mill. These days, I am an IT priofessional (better money).

My experience does tell me that many people still under-rate modern polymer - and use the term 'plastic' to disparage products, not realizing that in many applications, 'plastics' are superior to metals and alloys.

Many people will remember when Chuck Taylor, a rabid fan of the 1911, set out to prove that the 'plastic' Glock 17 was a piece of junk. IIRC, he gave up trying to wear out the Glock after firing 175,000 rounds through the gun and is now a Glock advocate.

Here are his comments at round count 100,000
http://membres.lycos.fr/shooter/glock/glock4.html

I'D SAY ITS A TOSS UP BETWEEN G17 AND USP9. I OWN .40 IN EACH FLAVOR AND WOULDN'T WANT TO BE WITHOUT EITHER ONE.....
GLOCK GENERALLY COST LESS. TOO:cool:

Kahr PM9

CZ. And if could have only two or three or four or five, they'd all be CZ's, thanks to ergonomics, the SA trigger, and good looks (the guns', not mine).

Come to think of it, I do have five CZ 9's, and I've gotten rid of all the others in that caliber.

While I'm an S&W revolver freak, if I were offered any of their 9's, except for the very few SA versions (952 and the PC types) and the new M&P's, I'd rather have a knife or a club. Where CZ gets everything right, S&W gets everything wrong in their autos. That's why they have been relatively unsuccessful in the civilian market.

Kahr PM9 - most concealable - most practical. :)

1) Glock 19
2) Sig P226 (grips too fat for me)
3) CZ or Baby Eagle

for pure looks my Browning hi power 9;
for accuracy, reliabilty and great handling my Beretta PX4 Storm 9

Well I have owned it for several years and go to the range once a week with it. Putting 140 rounds through it every week, I have never had a misfire or any problems with it. It is a beautiful and reliable weapon. My recommendation, the Beretta 92FS:

http://members.cox.net/holydoc/Gun/Beretta.jpg

CZ SP-01

Does what it says on the box each and every time and heavy and well balance enough that I can beat you down if I run out of ammo......8-)

Sig P226

Hk P7. ;)

My EMP is so sweet!:)

One of either of these...

First, if I needed to carry a 9mm:
http://homepage.mac.com/franman/.Pictures/Handguns/228_Jan_3_2007_1_640.jpg

Second, because I actually carry a .45:
http://homepage.mac.com/franman/.Pictures/Handguns/Beretta_92FS_on_gold_640.jpg

Another vote for the G17 or G19.

Wow, neck and neck, BHP vs. Glock. Only one vote for XD9, which would be my choice. I've owned three of them (one a HS2000 I paid $229 for a few years ago, same gun basically but no light rail), and all three were fabulously reliable and more accurate than me.

I am a bit concerned about the polymer issue. Like the effect of long-term drug usage that may give us heart disease or impotence, polymers have not been around that long. No matter what anyone says, we don't know how a polymer gun will hold up for 50 years. Glocks are great guns, but will they be great guns in 2035?

If not polymer, I would go with a BHP, CZ75 second choice.

I would carry these in 9 mm:

After shooting a Glock, XD, S&W, Beretta, Taurus, HK, CZ, BHP, Kahr, and a few other brands I still like the Sig P226. The XD and Kahr are a pretty close second.

beretta 92