Best current production 9mm

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No such thing as an "objective" discussion on the subject, cuz we ain't robots.

We is full of subjectivity, thank God...

M
 
I usually refrain from suggesting any particular make or model unless a variety of ideas is specifically called for. Now I'll make an axception: Steyr M-series pistols haven't even been mentioned in this thread at all. At one point I was somewhat serious about getting a then-new M9, mainly because of its ergonomics and high grip / low bore axis combination. It shot great, recoil just pushing back with no vertical muzzle flip to speak of. The fastest and most accurate non-comped double- and triple-taps I've ever shot. Retail price was around $700, which was a bit much for me at the time.

I remembered this because I just came across one for €150 (!!!) at a local pawn shop. Bud's Gun Shop seems to sell the current M9A1 model for $478 at the moment.
 
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Glock has its well-earned reputation, but it's a bit like having a dinner. If only the nutritional aspect is considered, a protein shake, a couple of multivitamin pills and a source of fiber would beat a perfectly cooked chateaubriand every time. Some people just prefer the steak, no matter how much more expensive and less optimally nutritious it might be. It's all about something as vain and unnecessary as a subjective experience of flavour. If "the best" was just about popularity, mac and cheese would be the best dish in the world. ;)

What....? The Glock is the most popular (with Military, Police and Citizens) because it's a like a steak? I like steak but take my vitamins also.
 
What....? The Glock is the most popular (with Military, Police and Citizens) because it's a like a steak?
Please read the post more carefully. It's quite the opposite I imply. A very industrial, mass produced item that works exactly as advertised. The bare bones solution to installing what's commonly known as "holes" to objects at moderate distances. A combination of previously used but relatively uncommon mechanical solutions in a frame made of a proprietary composite material to circumvent licensing Zytel patent from DuPont.
 
I've been trying to find flavor in them since their introduction and failed to find any. Maybe there's something wrong with me but as always, there's no accounting for taste. One man's meat is another man's poison and some genuinely don't really care for either. The only way to find out is to try one out oneself.

I always appreciate practical function over most other things, thats just me. What I like about Glocks

Size to capacity ratio is excellent compared to other brands, most notably in the .45. I don't mind the thicker grip. I can't stand full size double stacks that only hold 15 9mm or 19 .45.

The grip angle points more naturally to me than anything other than a front strap checkered bobtailed 1911 (like a VBob).

I prefer the Glock trigger to any striker fired as of yet, I like the clear wall, clean break and solid reset. Ruger makes a fine trigger too. Others are too light. Too mushy, or just dont feel right.

Despite the blocky appearance, for how I carry Glocks always seem to conceal better than their same size counterparts.

I like the simple, clean lines of the Glock, unmarred by extra serrations, angles, and lettering. I'm a blank slide 1911 kind of guy too.

Plus theres the usual reliability, but all of my guns are reliable so thats a wash for me.

All these things are subjective, but in my eyes Sig (Havent tried the 320 yet, so caveat) HK, Walther, etc aren't better in any way.

Again, my opinion, YMMV.
 
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I usually refrain from suggesting any particular make or model unless a variety of ideas is specifically called for. Now I'll make an axception: Steyr M-series pistols haven't even been mentioned in this thread at all. At one point I was somewhat serious about getting a then-new M9, mainly because of its ergonomics and high grip / low bore axis combination. It shot great, recoil just pushing back with no vertical muzzle flip to speak of. The fastest and most accurate non-comped double- and triple-taps I've ever shot. Retail price was around $700, which was a bit much for me at the time.

I remembered this because I just came across one for €150 (!!!) at a local pawn shop. Bud's Gun Shop seems to sell the current M9A1 model for $478 at the moment.
The Steyr M9A1 is as good as a striker gets. It's only weakness is it's marketing.
 
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The Steyr M9A1 is as good as a striker gets. It's only weakness is it's marketing.
Exactly. I'm not sure how a company like Steyr managed to mess up the marketing (and initially, pricing policy) but as far as ergonomics, performance and feel go from a purely utilitarian standpoint, it's easily the top dog of striker fired pistols in my book too. Not exactly a likable gun in appearance, presence or reputation, but once you pick one up you don't want to put it down.

Darn. This thread and memories of the one I shot may have just cost me €150, providing that the pawn shop hasn't sold that M9 yet.
 
I am truly surprised no one mentioned S & W M & P 2.0. 2.0. The Sig 320 also deserves a mention.Apologies to all of the Glock-aholics.They are both in the $450-$500 range.
 
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Something tells me that if I went into a coma today and came out of it in 5 years this thread will still be going on LOL.
 
"Best" is very subjective.

For me, it would be G26. I shoot it better than G19, about as well as G17, and it can use a short 10rd mag or a long 17 rd mag. It's a lot of firepower in a still pretty compact package.

G19 is often touted as the best all-rounder 9mm, but I honestly thing G26 has it beat.
 
"Best" is very subjective.

For me, it would be G26. I shoot it better than G19, about as well as G17, and it can use a short 10rd mag or a long 17 rd mag. It's a lot of firepower in a still pretty compact package.

G19 is often touted as the best all-rounder 9mm, but I honestly thing G26 has it beat.

My favorite setup is to carry the 17 most of the time (shoot it best) and the 26 when I need more concealment.

My 19s kinda lack a place in the world.
 
My favorite setup is to carry the 17 most of the time (shoot it best) and the 26 when I need more concealment.

My 19s kinda lack a place in the world.

G19 was the first that I tried, since everyone kept saying it was The One.

I simply could not shoot it well. The last groove was pinching my pinky and this may have contributed to the degraded accuracy.

So I bought a G17 instead, which is a great shooting gun but not very concealable.

Kept avoiding G26 because it looked even more uncomfortable than G19. Finally when I took my CPL class decided to rent one just for ****s and giggles, and was absolutely blown away by just how natural it felt and how accurate I was with it. I consider it the best of Glock 9mm pistols.

My G17 now has a light on and is a plinking/HD gun, and G26 is my carry.
 
The late Todd Green's endurance tests pretty clearly demonstrated that the HK P30 is probably the best 9mm pistol sold today from a durability, reliability standpoint. Plus they tend to be very accurate.
 
The late Todd Green's endurance tests pretty clearly demonstrated that the HK P30 is probably the best 9mm pistol sold today from a durability, reliability standpoint. Plus they tend to be very accurate.



I've always been quite impressed with the HKs I've owned, next to the classic Sigs they are some of the most reliable pistols I've ever shot and quite accurate as well. I only have 1K rounds through my P30L but it seems I get a little better with it every time I take it out. Todd's run with the P30 was very impressive by any standard, I think he got around 93K rounds through it with only a handful of malfunctions and a couple broken parts. Such a loss to the whole gun community when he passed.
 
G19 was the first that I tried, since everyone kept saying it was The One.

I simply could not shoot it well. The last groove was pinching my pinky and this may have contributed to the degraded accuracy.

So I bought a G17 instead, which is a great shooting gun but not very concealable.

Kept avoiding G26 because it looked even more uncomfortable than G19. Finally when I took my CPL class decided to rent one just for ***** and giggles, and was absolutely blown away by just how natural it felt and how accurate I was with it. I consider it the best of Glock 9mm pistols.

My G17 now has a light on and is a plinking/HD gun, and G26 is my carry.

I would agree with that assessment. I also shoot the G26 better. Maybe my pinky screws me up with the 19? Anyway if I was limited to one 9mm it would be the G26. Throw in a couple G19 mags with the sleeves and a 33 rounder just for fun and it does it all.
 
Glock 19. Have some night sights installed. Put a piece of bicycle inner tube around the grip if you like a sticky grip. Practice.
 
Not pointing fingers at all, but reading just about every thread about choosing a pistol, a good/better/best pistol, one pistol vs. another or pretty much any thread even remotely related to semiautomatic handguns, I get this nagging feeling that too many people have very little personal experience of a sufficient variety of handguns to objectively and comparatively recommend one over another. At some point it always and without a fail narrows down to which slide, grip length and caliber of a single predetermined make the OP should choose and forget about other alternatives.

If I was in that position I might just get a Caracal, if for not any other reason than getting to amuse myself by reading all the post-purchase explanations why I bought a totally wrong gun.
 
I would agree with that assessment. I also shoot the G26 better. Maybe my pinky screws me up with the 19? Anyway if I was limited to one 9mm it would be the G26. Throw in a couple G19 mags with the sleeves and a 33 rounder just for fun and it does it all.

The way to test this is to locate a Gen 1 or 2 G19 - the one without the finger grooves. If you shoot it better than the Gen 3 or 4, it must be the pinching.

Although there was an explanation by Ayoob that the shape of the grip on G26 may contribute to it's inherent accuracy.
 
This will be an endless thread, just go shoot as many as you can and decide. It's kind of like asjing what your favorite car is between 25-35 thousand, it's overwhelming. Pick one you like the looks size weight and capcity of narrow, it down to 3 or 4 then go shoot them. First read all the reviews from unbiased websights, like THR, Box of truth, top 10 carry guns, from guys like Hickock 45, Maas, guys who don't get paid by specific companys like Latham, or JM, and go from there. Everyone needs to have at least 1 Glock, and the 19 is the most popular, I keep one by the bed, wors that can happen is you lose 50 bucks a year from now.My favorite glock pistles are the 19,26, and 30 S. Probably inthat order, I own all of them, and have owned many many more. I settled on 9mm and 45 Caliber about 5 years ago, but still have a 380LCP for when you need something very small, I had a seacamp, but honestly I didn't like it and paid a grand for it. I just couldn't find it with my hands. It was too small for me.Everone is different, but the 19 is the largets selling gun of all, that must count for smething.
I'm liking the Sphinx, but not for 1000 dollars. For 600, maybe, no definately, but CZ is also in there with the P01, or SP01, for me.
 
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I talked to a friend last week whos CZ 75b hit 30,000 rounds, no parts breakage, barrel still looks good, frame/slide is still tight. Still on the original recoil spring, and mag springs. Neat gun.
 
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