Best 9mm Pistol for Self Defense?

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See how each one fits your hands. The best handgun to have in a scrape is one that's big enough and fits your hands. Having to go through gyrations to get it centered in your hand and the sights on target is not something you really want to do.

With the newer 9mm ammunition available, it's a good caliber choice for SD. My opinion of your choices, based on experience with 3 of the 4, is somewhat irrelevant. Your situation, as well as likes and dislikes about a handgun, will be different.

None of them are bad choices. Personally, I'd go with either the HP or the CZ, but that's based on how they fit MY hands. What matters is how they fit YOUR hands.
 
I have owned a MK III Browning Hi Power (fine with +p ammo) since 1994, and a CZ-75B, and CZ-75D PCR (compact, lightweight version) for about 15 years. Both have been 100% reliable, accurate, and very well made. You can not go wrong with either of these pistols. Hi Powers have become expensive over the years though, but they are great 9MM pistols, and flush fit 15 round Mec-Gar magazines are readily available.

Regarding CZ's frame cracking. I have never heard this in all the years owning, and discussing these pistols. Both the Browning Hi Power MK III, and CZ75B are all steel, sturdy pistols.

Others to consider:

Sig P226
Beretta 92FS
Walther P99
Glock G17
S&W M&P
 
Browning Hi Power: How is the reliability on this handgun?
.....................
What kind of life expectancy can I expect?

Most of the worlds armies have carried them. In addition, most modern guns from a reliable maker will outlast your ammo budget.


The BHP will be the easiest to carry (Thinner than all of them) albeit heavier than the poly offerings.

Go to a rental range and shoot as many as you can.. All are good handguns that also have their pluses and minuses...
 
Whatever you've heard about the CZ-75Bs cracking is total BS...
I own several CZs and they are great, extremely reliable, durable pistolas... they are classics and have been around for many years.
The BHP is also a fantastic gun, but will cost somewhere around $900.
You may also want to consider the CZ P-01 or PCR... they are a bit smaller than the 75B but have some of the best 'ergonomics' out there.
I have never had a pistol feel better in my hand, or shoot better than my P-01!!
You won't go wrong with a CZ!

cz006.jpg
 
I've heard and seen frames crack on EAA Witnesses in 10mm auto, and those were polymer.

CZs are good to go. Thatd be my choice.
 
OP, the world is your oyster. There are tons and tons of 9mm pistols that could service your requirements. Any of the 4 you mentioned, plus many of those mentioned by other posters, plus many that have not yet come up.

Best advice seen so far is to go shoot some. You may find a pistol you are completely unaware of at the moment may be the best 9mm for you.
 
My choice for a single 9mm for self defense would be between m&p9, p30, p229, cz 75/p09 or my personal favorite ppq. All of these guns are accurate and reliable so it just gonna come down to personal preference. This is actually the first time I've heard of frames cracking on the cz75
 
For 9mms, I prefer the Glock 19. Specifically, I like either the 3rd Gen, 19C, or the 4th Gen 19. I don't think a 4th Gen 19C exists, yet. But, well if it did.

Geno
 
Of the ones you list for a self defense gun I'd pick the Glock 19. They are a durable gun capable of handling +p+ ammo. They are reliable and function quite similar to a double action revolver in that the safeties are passive and with round chambered all you need to do is aim and pull the trigger if an immediate threat presents itself. Of the four on your list the Glock should be the lowest cost.

While I own a Browning HP and a CZ72 clone along with other guns and they are fine shooting guns that are fine for home defense, when I carry it is most often my 25 year old Glock 19 gen 2.
 
As rockhopper said 'There are tons of 9mms out there..."
First, find those that have a real good reliability/quality factor... then, which one shoots best for you!
If you like 'plastic' and the feel, you would never go wrong with a Glock.
I always prefer all-metal, so for me it would be a CZ or SIG (alittle more $$).
Good luck in your 'hunting'.

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The Military Arms Channel did a video showing how the 9mm Glocks are sensitive to limp wristing, and mentioned how in a gunfight you may be injured and unable to hold the weapon properly. If that concern could be alleviated, I'd probably go with the Glock.
 
That is what the 9mm round is made for. It isn't a hunting round. So any 9mm is a self defense gun.
if looking for out of the box reliability then go with a Glock. If looking for a nice gun the go with a Hi-Power. One bites on both ends. So be careful of the Hi-Power. Also, if the mags get a little out of shape on the Hi-Power you will have feed problems.
 
I'm not saying it couldn't not happen, I've seen MAC's video, but I've never had my G19 jam from limp wristing and I've shot it in some weird/compromising positions as well as a lot of weak hand only (it has jammed 5 times though out of just over 4,500rds).
I've shot a CZ PO-1 and it was very accurate. I've never heard of CZ's frames cracking, but I sure it could happen since if you shoot it enough any pistol will break.
You might want to look at SIGs as well.
 
So much fail in this thread.

CZ frames DON'T CRACK.

MK III Browning Hi Powers, and most other versions don't hammer bite.
 
I prefere DA/SA pistols with decocker-only feature, so my choice would be the HK P2000 (which is very compact) or the HK P30. I'd get the HK USP Compact Stainless instead of the full size USP for carry.
I also love my Walther P99 AS.
The CZ 75B and Browning HP35 are too big for concealed carry IMHO. The CZ P-01 or the CZ PCR would be perfect.
 
The 9MM pistol that will work best for you is one that is reliable, durable,accurate, and that you are proficient with and have high confidence with.

IMO there are many 9MM pistols that are highly reliable, durable, and accurate including the ones you mention though my personal preference is SIG, HK, and Walther.

In a self defense situation a users proficiency with his weapon and training or lack of will determine the outcome 99.9 percent of the time and not a malfunction of his weapon being the determining factor.
 
I have all four on your list. For pride-of-ownership, the HP (as long as it's not an older internal extractor model). The H&K is like a Mercedes...beautifully built and after many thousands of rounds, nary a hiccup. But it's a little chunky for carry. The CZ75 is a fine gun and if you choose that you won't regret it. But for daily carry, the Glock 19 all day every day. Reliable, accurate, same trigger pull every shot unlike the HK and CZ, cheap and plentiful mags and parts. And I don't care if I sweat all over it. To me, it's a tool like a hammer and a fine one at that. Also, I would be hesitant feeding the HP and CZ a steady diet of +P.
 
I agree with others that it depends on what you shoot well. When I got more serious about shooting, I absorbed internet reviews and bought a pistol I really couldn't shoot that well. And I'd probably try more than the four you listed (Smith, Ruger, Sig, Springfield).
 
I have both a USP Compact in 9mm and a Browning Hi-Power. They are equally reliable. The one that sits nearest to hand in my house is the UPS Compact. There is simply no need to even think about the pistol... you pick it up, you squeeze the trigger, it goes bang.

The Hi-Power is a joy to shoot and I love it. It would be just as reliable. It's a matter of what you feel the confident with.

Edit addition: Forgot to add that I would not provide the Browning with a steady diet of +P or +P+ loads, while the manual for the HK clearly states that it can handle any 9mm round made today.
 
As someone earlier said, the BHP is NOT a 1911. It's a great weapon, that is easy to use and shoots well and consistantly. As for self defense, if you are referring to conceal carry, I find it too large. For that I have a Sig Sauer P938 in 9MM. It is small enough to be comfortable inside the waist band, and still has the punch of a 9mm.
 
I'm unaware of any 9mm CZ frame problems, but CZ did have a learning curve with the .40 and some problems were reported. But that was with the first ones and I have since not heard of the .40 75B having problems. I have seen several pics on the Ruger forum of recently broken CZ97 barrel lugs. These also are the early guns and this seems to be a new issue. My CZ75 is a permanent resident in my house.
 
If you're worried about limp wristing, get a revolver. I've never experienced that in any gun, even when trying to make it happen on purpose
 
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