Pick one.

[tim2010]

Ok
I'm a new shooter.
I want a very reliable Compact Semi Auto.
9mm or greater.
Money is no object.
I'm not rich but I do not intend to ever buy another gun.
So I want it to work. Period.
I would like something very concealable.
I don't want misfeeds, failures, etc.
I know nothing is 100% reliable.
But I want something as-reliable-as-possible.

So, what do I buy?
What is THE MOST RELIABLE COMPACT SEMI AUTO? (9mm or greater)

 

[Eschaton]

I love my smith and wesson m&p.

but for what you're asking for it seems like the best thing would be a glock 19

 

[PT1911]

Springfield XD (m)
Glock
Smith and Wesson M & P
Taurus pt92
Baretta 92


I would probably go with the 92... from taurus or baretta...likely taurus.. I prefer it. then again.. not the most concealable..


Look at the line Kahr has... a great variet of 9mm, very slim and concealable while retaining their accuracy... definitely a good line of guns....

 

[jdub3]

I have a 9mm Springfield XDsc, that I love. But if I were to have one 9mm only for the rest of my life I would be looking at Sigs and HK's.

 

[practicaltactical]

+1 on Glock 19

 

[Floppy_D]

I'm not rich but I do not intend to ever buy another gun.

The single most important need to operate on. So what you don't want, is to buy something that you don't want. Only way to do that is to try them out. Truthfully, Sigs, Springfields, Glocks, S&Ws, Walthers, CZs... they're all gonna be reliable and come in a multitude of calibers.

Allow me to reverse this; what gloves should I buy?

Gloves are designed to meet a general group of hands, but some will suit me better than others, based on fit and need. So I'm better off trying on a few pairs of gloves, to see what suits me better. If I order the gloves that you tell me, I'm at the mercy of your estimation.

To summarize, pick up several, see what ergonomics you like the best, and then come back here with your top two or three, which we can procede to nitpick.

 

[tim2010]

....they're all gonna be reliable and come in a multitude of calibers.

Are they? I thought guns within various manufactures have reputations.
I'm not so concerned about what I find comfortable as I am about the history and reputation of the gun. I actually plan to break it in and take a few classes and then never touch it again unless I need to.

 

[fattboyzz]

XD service or the G19 either one will make a great weapon that will last you forever ......... but as far as the puttin it up till ya need it .......lol........your gonna hear it calling you too take it too the range an feed it !!

 

[BP Hunter]

"...I do not intend to buy another gun." Yeah right!

 

[Walkalong]

I do not intend to ever buy another gun

Hey, we believe you, you gotta convince the wifey.

XD

CZ

Beretta

A high end 1911 (Many low cost ones are 100%, but there are lemons out there. Too many different makers having a go at it)

 

[distra]

Glock 19 for 9mm Glock 30 for 45.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

I do not intend to ever buy another gun

I said the same thing when I bought my first pistol. "This is the only pistol I'll need" I said. Now I've got five and I'm saving for a sixth.

But back on topic:

Truthfully, Sigs, Springfields, Glocks, S&Ws, Walthers, CZs... they're all gonna be reliable and come in a multitude of calibers.
...
To summarize, pick up several, see what ergonomics you like the best, and then come back here with your top two or three, which we can procede to nitpick.

That's the perfect answer to your question. Pretty much anything with a major brand name is going to work great. You'll find lots of internet hate for any of them, but truth of the matter is that the vast majority of the guns they produce work just fine, and if you happen to get one of the 1 in 10,000 lemons they happen to put out, they have warranties and they'll make it right for you. The most important things you'll want consider is how the gun feels in your hand, how easily you can operate the various controls, how it feels to shoot it, and how accurate you are with it. Your best bet is to find a rental range or a friend that owns some of the guns you're interested in and try them out.

For example, Glocks are fantastic guns from a function perspective, but they have a grip angle different from most other pistols. They fit my hand and point just fine for me, but for some people its very uncomfortable and/or non-intuitive.

 

[Perseverance]

I'm a new gun owner myself, I shot a few different guns and ended up buying an HK P30, if money isn't an option you should check it out. I really like mine.

 

[belus]

I would personally take the CZ PCR or P-01 with your criteria, but that's because I know they fit me well. If I didn't trust 9mm my choice would probably go to the CZ P-06 or a SIG 229.

The Glock 19 would be something to look at. I don't find them very comfortable to shoot, but that's subjective.

edit: I like my guns heavy. This is something I need to get over in order to find a more comfortable CCW piece.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

One more thing:

Money is no object.

I actually plan to break it in and take a few classes and then never touch it again unless I need to.

There's a huge variety of pistols that fit your needs for well under a grand. There's plenty over that as well, with no real upper limit. Something to keep in mind is that past a certain price, the law of diminishing returns applies. For example, with 1911s, the difference between a 500 dollar gun and a 1000 gun is quite significant, but the difference in capability between a 1000 dollar gun and a 2500 dollar gun is small and would likely only be noticed by a very proficient shooter if at all. For your first gun, you might want to steer clear of buying the absolute tip-top best out there and save some of your money for ammo. Unless you're going to get into 5 figure per year round counts, a <= 700 dollar gun is going to perform the same in your hands as one costing orders of magnitude more.

You say you're eventually going to put away your gun and only use it in a time of need. Keep in mind that shooting is a very perishable skill. I notice increases in my group size if I go a week without shooting. On the more extreme end, a friend of mine used to be big into IPSC and 3-gun competition, but circumstances in his life prevented him from shooting for well over a year. We went shooting together a few weeks ago, and at 50 yards, I was grouping better with my pistol than he was with his rifle. No matter how good the training is that you take initially, it will be useless if you don't practice at least periodically to keep your skills sharp.

 

[sidheshooter]

Ok
I'm a new shooter.
I want a very reliable Compact Semi Auto.
9mm or greater.
Money is no object.
I'm not rich but I do not intend to ever buy another gun.
So I want it to work. Period.
I would like something very concealable.
I don't want misfeeds, failures, etc.
I know nothing is 100% reliable.
But I want something as-reliable-as-possible.

Having read all this, I'd say a Glock 26 or 27. Nothing against some of the above suggestions (the G19, CZ P-01, or XD Compact would all likely work), but for–and I quote "very concealable" end quote–what you list, I'd pass on the beretta 92 and clones and the 1911 and clones.

Try to get a chance to handle both a subcompact G26 and a compact G19 (both 9mms, the equivalent .40s are the same sizes), as well as the xd, and the CZ p-01 to get a baseline idea of what's generically out there, size-wise.

All of those will be very reliable, IME.

Good luck.

 

[tim2010]

I'm thinking SIG, GLOCK or CZ
I'm leary of Autos and am most concerned about having failures. I have a friend that just got a Taurus PT145 that he claims is great.
This is much cheaper. But not many law enforcement or agencies seem to buy these. I'm not really a gun person....YET. I just want to make sure I get something that works.

 

[BlindJustice]

Only YOU can determine what feels good in your hand.

I go along with those who say get to a range and try some
different semi-autos

ONce you decide on a weapon, practice practice practice

Randall

 

[Ballistic Mule]

XD in 45apc. is pretty smooth.

 

[barrelmaker_2002]

Yes, I second the comments on the need for regular practice. Not only do skills perish, but ammo corrodes and needs to be replaced.

You make an interesting comment when you note that not many police agencies buy Taurus pistols. I really do not have an opinion on them as I have never shot one and I have no idea why they have not penetrated the US LEO market more, but that is besides the point.

The point is if you want a pistol that will just work, then considering what sorts of guns police officers buy is a good idea. Some people even recommend finding out the brand and caliber of the duty pistol issued by their local PD and carrying the same brand and caliber (with the same ammo if possible). This is more for liability prevention, but I digress.

However, looking at law enforcement sales, the 2 most popular brands of pistols in the LE market are Glocks and Sig's, with an even split between 9 mm and .40S&W.

I think you are on the right track. I just hope you will reconsider your decision not to practice regularly. And yes, you should try any gun you want to purchase if at all possible, before you buy it.

 

[Publius1688]

Smith and Wesson 9mm M&P, Compact.
Give it a shot, it seems to meet your parameters.

 

[9mmepiphany]

have you looked at the H&K P7?

1. compact - small but retains a 4" barrel
2. accurate - fixed barrel and low bore line
3. reliable - straight line feed from mag into chamber, it even extracts with the extractor missing
4. possibly the safest gun - uncocks by relaxing your grip, the striker is always blocked
5. dead simple to operate - squeeze grip to cock, it also serves as a slide release from slide lock
6. mags are tough - maybe the strongest of any pistol mag

 

[ThrottleJockey72]

I love my .40 XDsc, I love my .40 Beretta 90-two (not very concealable), I love my .45 XD (also not very concealable). But since money is no object, you are a new shooter, and you want total reliability, I might suggest a HiPoint as I have NEVER heard a negative word about them other than that they are ugly and heavy. In fact, if I don't find a CX4storm in .40 soon, I will be purchasing 2 hipoint carbines and 2 hipoint handguns for the same price.

 

[David E]

I actually plan to break it in and take a few classes and then never touch it again unless I need to.

First part, great idea. Last part, bad idea, but others have covered why, so.................

Let's look at your reason for a second...."never touch it again unless you need to." I think this is code for your wife, and maybe even YOU, for justification to buy a gun in the first place.

You think it's prudent to be able to defend your house and home and a gun, with training, is the best way to do that. You're correct.

BUT, you and/or your wife also think that it's "wrong" to like guns, or to practice with them ("what, you mean you actually practice for killing people? What kind of guy are you?!") Or you fear that your friends may think you're a bloodthirsty maniac because you own a gun.

To start off, you must be honest with yourself. It's OK to own a gun and to get good with it. Screw what anyone else thinks.

Which is better, a hammer or a saw? It depends if you want to cut wood or pound nails, right? A gun is a tool, nothing more, nothing less. Suit the tool to the job.

A compact 9mm as your only gun? Not the best choice, as smaller guns are harder to shoot well. Yout want it "very concealable." Why? Are you going to carry it on your person? If so, then what's up with the "never shoot it again" crap?

if you're not going to carry it, then get a larger gun. Several good brands and models have been listed, but that's not the problem.

I once had a similar experience. I told my friends that when I got my .22, I'd learn how to hunt rabbits and squirrels "in case I ever had to, I should know how." Once I learned how, I said, there'd be no reason to keep doing it. That seemed to satisfy them. The reason I made it rabbits/squirrels is because most people would not be as understanding if I said I was going deer hunting. (Bambi and all that childhood brainwashing) When the opportunity to hunt arose, I discovered............I liked hunting! I also grew older and matured and realized that, no matter what, not everyone likes guns, hunting or football. Screw 'em. It's legal, this is America and, by golly, owning a gun is a RIGHT.

The real problem is, you haven't come to terms with yourself yet.

 

[tim2010]

First part, great idea. Last part, bad idea, but others have covered why, so.................

Let's look at your reason for a second...."never touch it again unless you need to." I think this is code for your wife, and maybe even YOU, for justification to buy a gun in the first place.

You think it's prudent to be able to defend your house and home and a gun, with training, is the best way to do that. You're correct.

BUT, you and/or your wife also think that it's "wrong" to like guns, or to practice with them ("what, you mean you actually practice for killing people? What kind of guy are you?!") Or you fear that your friends may think you're a bloodthirsty maniac because you own a gun.

To start off, you must be honest with yourself. It's OK to own a gun and to get good with it. Screw what anyone else thinks.

Which is better, a hammer or a saw? It depends if you want to cut wood or pound nails, right? A gun is a tool, nothing more, nothing less. Suit the tool to the job.

A compact 9mm as your only gun? Not the best choice, as smaller guns are harder to shoot well. Yout want it "very concealable." Why? Are you going to carry it on your person? If so, then what's up with the "never shoot it again" crap?

if you're not going to carry it, then get a larger gun. Several good brands and models have been listed, but that's not the problem.

I once had a similar experience. I told my friends that when I got my .22, I'd learn how to hunt rabbits and squirrels "in case I ever had to, I should know how." Once I learned how, I said, there'd be no reason to keep doing it. That seemed to satisfy them. The reason I made it rabbits/squirrels is because most people would not be as understanding if I said I was going deer hunting. (Bambi and all that childhood brainwashing) When the opportunity to hunt arose, I discovered............I liked hunting! I also grew older and matured and realized that, no matter what, not everyone likes guns, hunting or football. Screw 'em. It's legal, this is America and, by golly, owning a gun is a RIGHT.

The real problem is, you haven't come to terms with yourself yet.

In some of theses post you guys are getting caught up in my psychology and not so much recommending guns. I'm not really into shooting but am really aware that I need to train with it and take classes. This is really for self protection. I'm not married or think guns are wrong or have some sort of mental condition. It's more that I want a gun for self protection but am not interested in guns as a hobby. I think a couple of posts back someone answered my question. I need to find out what LEO's buy as they have really tested what is reliable. That's the answer to my question. It's SIG, GLOCK, or HK maybe CZ.