Opinions wanted on 9mm

[tkarter]

Let her try a Ruger P95 out.

tk

 

[PAPACHUCK]

If you can swing a couple hundred more, give her a chance to shoot a Sig P229 in 9mm.

Other than the Sig, I would suggest a Beretta 92FS or the new Ruger SR9.

 

[DerbyDale]

…Other excellent standard pressure 9mm loads are the Winchester Silvertip 115 grain (X9MMSHP), and Federal 124 grain Hydra-shok (P9HS1)…

I don’t know where you regurgitated this info from, but you are very wrong. Hydra-Shok is an outdated and very ineffective round (when compared to today’s offerings). I don't know why people still keep buying this stuff when there are much better choices available.

The problem that plagues the Hydra-Shok is that it is plugged easily (from clothing), preventing proper expansion. Without proper expansion, the Hydra-Shok becomes little more than expensive FMJ rounds.

Because of this, Federal went back to the drawing board and came up with the HST line, which does not suffer from these problems and has excellent expansion and penetration capabilities.

Now it is time to impart some crucial information: NEVER use 147 grain ammo in a 9mm pistol! There was a stupid fad for 147 grain hollowpoints a few years ago, and many were suckered into buying these weak, worthless and malfunction-prone rounds. I don't care what you've heard: never use any 9mm hollowpoint heavier than 125 grains. 147 grain hollowpoints often jam in many popular 9mm guns like the Browning Hi-Power, SIG, Beretta 92, S&W and Glock. Ignore the gun magazine hype and stick to what works. If you want to gamble, go to Reno. Don't gamble with your life. 147 grain ammo sucks.

Are you kidding? All of my XDs will eat 147grain hollow points without a hitch. True some pistols may not like them, but IF they will work in your pistol... They should be one of your first choices. Fact: a larger/heaver 147 grain bullet like Federals HST line, will expand out much larger than a smaller 125grain bullet can. Federal is even coming out with a +P 147grain offering.

Current recommended 147grain offerings are:
Remington Golden Saber 147gr JHP (GS9MMC)
Federal HST 147gr JHP (P9HST2)
Federal HST 147g +P (P9HST4)
Winchester Ranger-T 147gr JHP (RA9T)

 

[Quoheleth]

You mentioned the Smith & Wesson MP9sc. DOn't forget the full size. Those adjustable backstraps really make a nice difference for smaller hands. Another to look at is the Ruger SR9. Thin grips and a (sort-of) adjustable backstrap (it actually reverses from a curved 1911A1-style to flat 1911 style 'strap) also make it nice for smaller hands. That, and the price is still in the $400 mark.

Q

 

[hirundo82]

If you can swing a couple hundred more, give her a chance to shoot a Sig P229 in 9mm.

Or take a look at the Sig P225/P6, available for about $300 and probably easier to shoot for those with smaller hands (single stack vs. the double stack P228 or P229)

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

That big, long article is from chuckhawks(dot)com. In my opinion, it's a bunch of bull.

Anyway, I think you should take her shopping (whoa...did I just say that?). Let her pick up as many pistols as she can. Buy the one that fits her hand the best. Trigger quality is important, too.

I mean, really, we can sit here and name every pistol on earth, but until your better half goes shopping (sounds frightening, I know ), she won't know which pistol will work best for her.

 

[Ala Dan]

I know that its not on yours / or hers "approved list"; but if you could
find a very nice used Smith & Wesson model 39-2, the predecessor of
the high capacity "wonder nines" of the late 70's (or early 80's) you
would take a step in the right direction IMHO~!

 

[220_Swift]

Anyway, I think you should take her shopping (whoa...did I just say that?). Let her pick up as many pistols as she can. Buy the one that fits her hand the best. Trigger quality is important, too.

We plan to do just that. But I wanted a list to begin with, of models to check out. We are going to have to hit 6 or 7 shops to look at all the different models. So far, we have gone to two shops, and there selection has been limited to only a couple lines. I don't want her to settle on one, when a better fit might be found in a different make/model elsewhere. And as strange as this may sound, I am looking forward to it. Shooting is something we both love to do. So it isn't a problem going shopping with her. Yes, I am a lucky guy.LOL


Thanks again to everyone who replied. I am very appreciative of all the people who took the time to throw in their thoughts.

 

[Hook686]

I don't have any problem with 147 grain JHP in my S&W 3913TSW.

 

[lt1aggie]

I don't have any problem with 147 grain JHP in my S&W 3913TSW.

Werd. My Walther eats anything I've ever put through it with no problems.

 

[BigMike66]

That big, long article is from chuckhawks(dot)com. In my opinion, it's a bunch of bull.

I found the article to have some very good info, and it has been backed up by M. Ayoob.

What was it about the article that you call it a bunch of bull?

 

[flyby]

G19/26 or PT111

 

[modifiedbrowning]

Checkout the Walther P99/P99 Compact and PPS.

 

[StockKahr]

That big, long article is from chuckhawks(dot)com. In my opinion, it's a bunch of bull.

It's probably much older than that. I can recall reading that same article as long ago as 1999, and it was on the rec.guns FAQ back then. It's outdated, and the whole "147 grain 9mm rounds are unreliable" bit has pretty much been debunked. 147's also penetrate better than lighter rounds, and still expand reliably. They're all I carry in my Kahr PM9, and they're what's loaded in my Beretta 92FS "bedside table" gun too.

To the OP: Consider an all-steel compact (not micro) Kahr with a single-stack magazine. The grips will be thinner than a Glock, and the simplicity will be the same.

 

[Gun Slinger]

Glock 19. A light, size efficient pistol with plenty of capacity. Arguably the best of the breed and not very expensive either.

As for the whole 147 gr. JHP issue:

The recently manufactured 147's are some of the best engineered SD ammunition available.
The Winchester Ranger T-series (RA9T) 147 gr. subsonic expands to the same diameter that the 127 +P+ JHP (RA9TA) does in similar test media and the Federal 147 gr. HST's come close in expanded diameter to what most other .45ACP JHP loads will do nowadays. I would hardly call that performance that "sucks".

 

[strostro]

P250 - lots of grip choices on the way, great DA trigger, little felt recoil, shoots where you point it.

 

[capnswole]

Have her shoot them all and then buy what she likes best

 

[The Ruckus]

You're going to get every answer under the sun here, just too many users. Take her to the range, let her choose what she likes.

 

[DerbyDale]

What was it about the article that you call it a bunch of bull?

Most of it IMHO. The blatantly outdated and/or wrong info that jumped out at me was.


The incorrect statement of “9mm ammunition is available in two
pressure levels…” Lets try at least 3 (standard, +P, and +P+)

The questionable statement of “the best 9mm Luger load for self-defense: it is the Cor-Bon 9mm 115 grain +P Jacketed Hollowpoint” 115 grain? Who thinks a tiny 115grain is the best choice? Also In recent tests I have seen, the Federal HST beats the Cor-Bons.

The statement of “Other excellent standard pressure 9mm loads are the Winchester Silvertip 115 grain (X9MMSHP), and Federal 124 grain Hydra-shok (P9HS1)”. These were state of the art 15years ago. Now both are outdated and ineffective because they tend to plug easily causing them not to expand.

He also recommends some of the lightest bullets at standard pressure rounds. 115 gr

The ill-informed and/or outdated warnings against using the very effective 147 grain loads.

Then he goes on to list some of the bad loads out there you should NEVER carry. Problem is some in this list he just recommended a few lines up… A few in that list are actually good choices and recommend carry ammo.


Need I even say anything about his list of First class, Second class, and Third class pistols…



Other than what I pointed out. It was a GREAT article.

 

[PX15]

If you want you wife to have the absolute highest quality pistol, and the SAFEST pistol to have around the home I recommend the HK P7.

The HK P7 has the reputation as one of the best 9mm pistols ever made, and the "squeezecocker" action makes the P7 extremely safe, especially if there are small children in the home.

CDNN is selling HK P7's for $599.25 for "B" grades, and $674.25 for "A" grades. Either grade would make for a fantastic firearm.

My "A" grade came new and unfired....

Best Wishes,

Jesse

 

[BigGunsMoreFun]

S&W 3913 Lady Smith

My wife has a S&W 3913 Lady Smith. It's a great gun at a good price. I don't know if S&W makes them anymore but you can definitely find them around. There are some that are still NIB.

I was very surprised at what a great gun this is when she first got it. We went around to all the local indoor ranges and rented every 9mm semi-auto they had. She picked up the 3913 after trying about 15 different makes and models of 9mm. She is of light stature and has small hands. She also has Rheumatoid Arthritis in her hands. The grip fits her perfect. The recoil is very manageable to her. She shoots 100 rounds every time we go to the range.

What I found interesting in this gun from shooting it myself is that it is darn near a tack driver out to about 15 yards. I've never seen that in a 9mm semi-auto. I was very surprised at how fast she became proficient with this gun. I call her "Deadeye" because she can outshoot me with that thing.

She has had it about 2 years. It has been a very reliable, extremely accurate and dependable gun for her. I have never once seen this gun jamb, stovepipe or otherwise malfunction. It will handle anything you put through it as far as ammo goes.

Back then the MSRP was around $900 which I thought was ridiculous. I did some shopping around and some haggling and got her one for $575 NIB .

If you can find one of these NIB or in excellent used condition for around the $500 mark, I highly recommend it. At least go rent one and give it a try. You won't regret it.

Molon Labe,
Joe

 

[DawgFvr]

Personally, I like the 115 grain Corbon DPX + P myself. Hard to find...they are the first to run out at all my local gun stores. Round choice is a bit personal and weapons can be picky as well. I think a 9mm is a high pressure round and does not fit into the large, slow philosophy either.

Here's some rounds for your perusal...and no DPX included either:

http://frag.110mb.com/

If you can get them, however, here is the real deal:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Corbon 9mm 115.htm

 

[CrazyWella]

If she likes your XD then why not get her her very own XD. Say the 3 or 4 model? My wife loves my 3 inches. (LOL!!)

 

[tntwatt]

seriously take a look at the FNP9 and the PX4. they both have easily changed back straps designed to fit different sized hands. You and your wife could both shoot these comfortably. Twice the bang for your buck.

 

[michiganfan]

G 19 is fine gun.