The most iconic all metal 9mms pistols in history...

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bc1023

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The 9mm is my favorite cartridge and I love the long history of it. I took this pic a few months ago of what I consider to be the most iconic all metal 9mm pistols ever. I grouped them in three tiers, with the top row being the most iconic of them all. Within the rows, they are in no particular order.



The four most iconic 9mm pistols in my opinion, are the S&W 39, Walther P38, Browning Hi Power, and Luger P08.

Next I went with the Sig P226, CZ 75, Sig P210, and Beretta 92.

Rounding out the group, I chose the HK P7M8, Radom P35, and Star Model B


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I hesitated before I put the 39 in the top row, as its the only one in the top that never saw a World War. However, as an American pistol, it sure was important in this country. Its the only American pistol in the picture. Being that the 9mm is a European round, I think that makes sense.

Overall, I think the Browning Hi Power is the most iconic, as it was built around the cartridge, has an unmatched military pedigree within the group, and is still in production today.

I'm just curious as to everyone's thoughts and maybe what you would add and/or subtract. I kept polymer pistols out of it, but will certainly say the Glock 17 deserves to be pictured otherwise.

Thanks for looking and I appreciate your feedback. :cool:
 
I think the Beretta and the S&W should be switched. The 92fs/M9 are made in Maryland and although an Italian company American manufacture. That is a very nice collection.
 
I think the Beretta and the S&W should be switched. The 92fs/M9 are made in Maryland and although an Italian company American manufacture. That is a very nice collection.
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Thanks for the kind words.

I generally don't buy European pistols built in America. The Beretta 92 pictured was built in the 70's, which is decades before they were ever built in the states. It's the original spec. I wouldn't buy one built here, because it's not an Anerican pistol. I like my guns built in their original country or origin.

The S&W 39 has been around since the 50's and was the first American double action auto. It's more of a classic than the 92 is, in my opinion. However, others may see it differently.
 
Nice collection. Other notable additions Mauser Broom handle, Astra 400, Berretta md.51, S&W 59.

Both of the S&W autos went into combat in Vietnam.

Third row right is a Taurus or unique Berretta. The P5 walther is a police pistol not military. Except for some P5c models issued to SAS and GSG9.

I know there are a couple of other nines that would go well with your collection if I could just remember:(.

Again good shooting collection.

Cheers,

ts
 
EXCELLENT ! I AM A SIXGUNNER to my heart and soul but do own many of those 9MM PARABELLUM pistols myself. I am sitting here trying to remember the last time I shot any of them !
MY S&W 39-2 is a favorite and has not been unloaded since 1971. MY SIG P-210-5 convertible is a peach, my CZ 85 COMBAT is nothing short of superb, and I shoot any SA sixgun I can get my hands on just to not have to pick up all my brass slung hither and yon into every frikkin rattlesnake hole in the Black Hills. As we speak I'd be hard pressed to pick a favorite 9MM pistol. ALL of my S&W 9MM pistols, M39-2, M3913, M3904, M3906...I'M FORGETTING SOMETHING HERE... have NEVER ever malfed a round and have excellent accuracy. No where as good as the P210-5 or the CZ85 but damned fine nonetheless.
And so it goes...
 
The Radon is one very good gun! They are very accurate how many rounds does the mag hold?
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I can't remember how many rounds the Radom mags hold. Maybe 8 or so?
 
Nice collection. Other notable additions Mauser Broom handle, Astra 400, Berretta md.51, S&W 59.
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Thanks

The Broom Handle wasn't originally a 9mm. The Luger wasn't either, but the 9mm round was designed for it and bears its name. The Astra and Beretta 51 just aren't common enough today for me, but I can certainly understand your point.

As for the 59, I almost put it in there, but I felt the 39 already covered it. It seemed redundant to me.
 
I'm not a big fan of the cartridge, but all of those are beautiful designs! If I had to have one it would be the BHP.
 
Third row right is a Taurus or unique Berretta.
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No, just a plain 92 with wood grips, in excellent condition. Beretta only moved the safety as a request from militaries.
 
Third row right is a Taurus or unique Berretta.
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Lol, no, I wouldn't stick a Taurus in this thread, even though I like the PT92.

Pictured is the original Beretta 92 the way it was designed before all the goofy politics got in the way.
 
To me there is no doubt that the Luger, P-38, and Hi-Power are the top three. I'm torn on #4 between the 226, C-75, and S & W 39. The propionates of all three could make their case as the most iconic metal 9mm. OTOH, if it was all 9mm's the Glock 17 would have to be number four, perhaps number three.

And looking at the 17 you can realize how much the firearms market has changed. It is certainly as iconic a firearm and as big a game changer as any gun on the list. One other point the P7 is a great gun, but I always considered it more of a "cult" gun then a mass market player. It was always to pricey and had to limited a distribution to be a game changer. But it's a very cool gun, and a great piece of history.
 
The Hi-Power of course, and also the Steyr Model 1911 which came out about the same time as the Colt 1911, just before WW1. The Hi-Power pictured below is Canadian built in March 1944, and likely saw action in WW2. Excellent shooter.

The Steyr Model M1911, pic below, was built in 1917. There were about 360,000 manufactured, of which the majority chambered in 9x23mm, the one pictured below is chambered in 9x19mm para. It does not use a magazine, rather a clip, and is loaded not unlike a bolt action rifle. Also has a rotating barrel and can be carried cocked and locked, like a 1911 Colt, as can the Hi-Power. It also came with unusual artillery sights (see pics), likely special order for an officer. The front sight is sadly lost, it blew off during a +P+ range session.

Bought as curiosities, on rare occasions they see CCW duty, when romance triumphs over logic.
 

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The Browning Hi Power is one of the few that can still hang with the "modern" era 9MM pistols as an all around defensive pistol that can fill any role, including a target pistol when comparing them to the original crop of 9MM's.
 
I kinda think the Astra 600 should be on the list.
I'm questioning the p226, but I know nothing about Sigs.
I also kinda feel like the Radom should be moved up a tier. For some reason I think that is a really cool gun.
 
Interesting. I think the OP nailed it (with, perhaps, the possible exception of the Radom). He's certainly got all my favorite 9mm's in his collection.,
 
9mm's

:)
bc1023 said:
the 9mm is my favorite cartridge and i love the long history of it. I took this pic a few months ago of what i consider to be the most iconic all metal 9mm pistols ever. I grouped them in three tiers, with the top row being the most iconic of them all. Within the rows, they are in no particular order.



The four most iconic 9mm pistols in my opinion, are the s&w 39, walther p38, browning hi power, and luger p08.

Next i went with the sig p226, cz 75, sig p210, and beretta 92.

Rounding out the group, i chose the hk p7m8, radom p35, and star model b


007_zps84d5f43a.jpg



i hesitated before i put the 39 in the top row, as its the only one in the top that never saw a world war. However, as an american pistol, it sure was important in this country. Its the only american pistol in the picture. Being that the 9mm is a european round, i think that makes sense.

Overall, i think the browning hi power is the most iconic, as it was built around the cartridge, has an unmatched military pedigree within the group, and is still in production today.

I'm just curious as to everyone's thoughts and maybe what you would add and/or subtract. I kept polymer pistols out of it, but will certainly say the glock 17 deserves to be pictured otherwise.

Thanks for looking and i appreciate your feedback. :cool:
Click to expand...
wow !:)
 
I'm not familiar with the S&W Model 39 - I don't think I've ever even seen one. What is the historical significance of this pistol?
 
Right after the end of WW2 the US Army tested and compared 9mm pistols with 45s. They were impressed, especially with the 9mms superior penetration abilities. Also some in the Ordnance Dept. were impressed by the P-38. Whether they sent out RFPs or just let it be generally known to US manufacturers that they were interested in a DA/SA 9mm I don't know, but S&W developed the model 39 in hopes of getting the Army to adopt it. Never happened of course, but the 39 was adopted by the Illinois State Police.
 
Great list. I would have the Browning Hi-Power first, followed by the Walther P38 and the Luger P08.
 
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