Help Me Decide Poll

[1John1:9]

I am looking into possibly replacing my CCW. I've been carrying my current model for 2 years and had to send it to Mother for repairs. It always makes me question reliability when this happens. Anyways, please give me your vote and input on a replacement CCW in 9mm. I plan to shoot this gun at least 3,000 rounds per year, probably 5,000.

My rough criteria is in the following ranked order from most important to least:

1. Reliability (feeding and function)
2. Company Customer Service (do they pay for shipping in the gun at least for the 1st year after purchase; would be nice if they offer lifetime customer service but not mandatory)
3. Height (Ideal 4.3" as in M&P9c; Maximum 5.5" as in M&P9; Good compromise might be 5.0" as in G19 or HK P2000 )
4. Width (I am comfortable with Walther p99 which is 1.3"; obviously thinner is better but comes at a price of capacity; I've never carried a 1.5" Sig, kinda worried how thick that might feel all day carrying)
5. Prefer DA/SA; next would be a trigger with 7# or higher weight or ability to convert; might consider HK LEM or Sig DAK or a smooth DAO trigger
6. Fit to my Hand (I know you can't help me this one necessarily but I have average sized man hands)
7. Durability (how long the gun will last)
8. Ease of Handling and Controls
9. Capacity (Minimum 10 rounds; prefer 13 or more)

There are guns in the poll that don't necessarily fit some of my criteria but I wanted to leave them on for argument sake. The criteria are there to let you know what I prefer but not to totally exclude guns that don't fit all my criteria.

 

[Teachu2]

You have many choices listed that I would find acceptable, but the Glock 19 is the clear winner if you want a pistol that you can work on yourself, has great reliability, and has great availability of parts and accessories. Your chances of getting holsters and magazines are better for the G19 than just about anything else besides a 1911.

 

[Hometeached1]

Interesting choices and criteria. I like my G19, but really like the P99AS. I'm sure you will get lots of good suggestions. Hope you enjoy what ever you get.

 

[Skulptor]

^^ What Hometeached said^^
I would just ask that you shoot, or at the very least, "handle" a P99as before you buy. I have 3 flavors of it and absolutely love those guns. (but it may be hard to find)
Good luck!!

 

[miles1]

If it was me?

Glock 19

then S&W M&P 9c

 

[1John1:9]

Skulptor,

I agree with you and Hometeached1. The P99AS is already very high on my list. I have shot one extensively. It pretty much satisfies my criteria. I just want to do all the research I can to make sure I'm not missing something.

 

[BYJO4]

It's just hard to beat the durability and reliability of the
Glock for the cost. The finish also holds up extremely well.

 

[F-111 John]

For me it would be one not on your list: Glock 26 with a Pearce PG2733 Magazine extension.

 

[DerRottweiler]

None of the above is my answer. For me the Sig P239 in 9mm works best. I think it is the perfect balance of weight vs power and the recoil is net to nada.

 

[snapshot762]

From what was listed, my vote goes to the CZ PCR.

 

[Dean1818]

Why not add one of the most prolific weapons out there?

M&P Shield should be considered as well


I tried many of the guns on the list and the Shield 40 is what I ended up with

 

[horsemen61]

Glock 19

 

[BlindJustice]

you didn't say other

Pre-70s Colt Commander
aaloy frame came in 9x19

ok,, S&W M&P9C

 

[TanklessPro]

The PPQ M2 is awesome but does meet several of your requirements.

 

[osteodoc08]

Sig P229. May want to consider the M11/P228.

 

[Rio Laxas]

Based on your criteria, I chose the P30 out of what you had listed. The P2000 would serve just as well, so I would pick the one that feels better in the hand. I would suggest you also take a look at a HK USP Compact in 9mm. It is shorter and thinner than the P30. The height is 5.00 and the width is 1.14. I have one (or rather my wife does) and like it a lot, though it is a little on the small side for me (large hands).

Ignoring your criteria, my choice would be the Glock 19.

 

[JDR]

HK P30, LEM trigger variant, GrayGuns Reduced Reset Carry Perfection Package

 

[1John1:9]

"HK P30, LEM trigger variant, GrayGuns Reduced Reset Carry Perfection Package"

That's interesting JDR. What kind of trigger weight would you have on the LEM version after the Gray Guns carry package?

 

[Chocolate Bayou]

I considered many for my EDC, but what I chose didn't make your list but i think you should consider the Colt Defender (8+1) single stack,all metal, made in USA. Most accurate 9mm I own.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

I am looking into possibly replacing my CCW. I've been carrying my current model for 2 years and had to send it to Mother for repairs. It always makes me question reliability when this happens. Anyways, please give me your vote and input on a replacement CCW in 9mm. I plan to shoot this gun at least 3,000 rounds per year, probably 5,000.

My rough criteria is in the following ranked order from most important to least:

1. Reliability (feeding and function)
2. Company Customer Service (do they pay for shipping in the gun at least for the 1st year after purchase; would be nice if they offer lifetime customer service but not mandatory)
3. Height (Ideal 4.3" as in M&P9c; Maximum 5.5" as in M&P9; Good compromise might be 5.0" as in G19 or HK P2000 )
4. Width (I am comfortable with Walther p99 which is 1.3"; obviously thinner is better but comes at a price of capacity; I've never carried a 1.5" Sig, kinda worried how thick that might feel all day carrying)
5. Prefer DA/SA; next would be a trigger with 7# or higher weight or ability to convert; might consider HK LEM or Sig DAK or a smooth DAO trigger
6. Fit to my Hand (I know you can't help me this one necessarily but I have average sized man hands)
7. Durability (how long the gun will last)
8. Ease of Handling and Controls
9. Capacity (Minimum 10 rounds; prefer 13 or more)

There are guns in the poll that don't necessarily fit some of my criteria but I wanted to leave them on for argument sake. The criteria are there to let you know what I prefer but not to totally exclude guns that don't fit all my criteria.

Step 1: See if you like how the gun feels in your hand. If it doesn't feel good, it automatically gets crossed off your list right away.

Step 2: Try the remaining guns out at a range, if at all possible. Any you don't like gets crossed off your list.

Step 3: Of the remaining, do some research on at the keyboard to see what kinds of reviews they've gotten.


I'm one who believes in a systematic, logical order to one's criteria for guns. Some of this is subjective, some is not. For example, if you don't like the esthetic appeal of a gun regardless of how well it shoots, that's a subjective criteria. (I'm this way with Glocks.) If the gun doesn't fit your hand comfortably because of the size/shape of your hand and the design of the gun, that's an objective criteria that honestly makes a difference.

Therefore, one of the most important aspects of choosing any firearm for any reason is how well it fits your hand and how comfortable you are with it. If it's a pain in the keister for you, then you won't want to shoot it and you won't want to carry it. Which makes it worthless to you in the end.

So go back to your list of criteria and organize them in a logical fashion, with this in mind, and start eliminating choices from your list and see where that takes you.

 

[undeRGRound]

Glock... NOT!
Not unless you try one first. Besides, an educated Glock person would say a 26 anyway.
I like my M&P9 and my son has the M&P 9c, which can use the fullsize (17 round) mags with an "X" Grip extension, making it a 17 round compact. Both shoot very very nicely. He also has a Glock 20c (compensated 10mm) which we both like, but for what you want, the M&P 9c or a Glock 26.
But we love our M&P 9 and 9c really really well...

 

[1John1:9]

RetiredUSNChief,

I see your reasoning. However, if the gun is not reliable, or isn't the height or width for my carry purposes, I don't care how good it feels in my hand, I won't be buying it.

 

[1John1:9]

Thanks for all the replies. Feel free to post more suggestions.

I am seeing the love folks have for some of the slim guns I didn't list in the poll. I own a couple of slim guns already and use them for back up guns. I really am looking for something that has more capacity than 7 or 8 rounds though. Otherwise, I'd definitely be looking at the Shield or the Sig P239. In hindsight, I probably should have included the Glock 26, especially with the mag extension.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

RetiredUSNChief,

I see your reasoning. However, if the gun is not reliable, or isn't the height or width for my carry purposes, I don't care how good it feels in my hand, I won't be buying it.

And that's the part that falls under "research". Certainly nobody wants a gun that won't work right.

 

[Inebriated]

I can't recommend the G26 enough. Carries like a sub compact, shoots like a full size.