Shooting 9mm Handguns - Which was the Most Accurate

Like many, I have several 9mm pistols but my most accurate one is my SIG Model 210 (which is almost as accurate as my Smith Model 52, chambered in .38 Special). I'd love to get a Smith Model 952, chambered in 9mm, but they're hard to find and pricey when you do.
 
Bench and sandbag accuracy don't count, IMO...it's how well a gun performs to your individual technique...and for me it's the Browning Hi Power. While I've tried many 9mm's, the most accurate of them all (again...from real field positions) has been a BHP. It just fits my hands better than any other auto handgun I've shot over the years and that's the reason for its precision.

However, were I limited to a compact or micro sized gun, it'd be a Sig P365. That little wonder shoots like a much larger, hand filling 'duty' size piece. In point of fact, it turns in groups that are very similar to the BHP's. The 365's only drawback, in my estimation, is my personal difficulty in making speedy, efficient mag changes...my hands just don't connect with its controls like they do with other, albeit, larger 9's. But with 10-12 round mags, it's a first rate choice for CC use...Pics below to illustrate my choices. Best regards, Rod

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Bench and sandbag accuracy don't count,

Disagree. The op asked "Which 9mm handgun is the most accurate of all?" If I want to know how accurate any given firearm is, I will endeavor to eliminate all negative variables, including most of all any human input. Sandbags and a sturdy bench (a Ransom rest if possible) helps to separate movement from stability. If my goal is to test how accurate the shooter is or "how well a gun performs to your individual technique", then I'm not evaluating the intrinsic accuracy of the gun, I'm only seeing how well a shooter does with it. Important, of course, but not what the op was asking (at least how I interpreted his question).
 
I agree with Rodfac that shooting from a bench or rested is not the correct method to evaluate accuracy of a handgun, especially not for a serious handgunner. I shot matches in the 9mm category and among the top competitors the SIG P210-6 was clearly overrepresented. Over the years the gun models changed and the S&W 39, HK P9S Sport & Target, custom CZ75 were replaced with newer models like the P220/226 Sport and X series, USP Expert and Elite, Tanfoglio Match and some more.
Over the decades that I had competed, the guns that the top shooters have used and continue using are custom 1911s, custom or match versions of CZ75 and first and foremost the SIGP210s. Glocks were somewhat absent.
 
I'd say that practical accuracy measured from a rest or from the hand can depend on the handgun being used. Considering that some handguns are meant for shooting sticks, bipods, or an improvised rest.

But this is a thread about 9mm handguns and I can't say I've seen many 9mm handguns set up for bipod use.



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Technique won’t make up for an inaccurate pistol. I tried some 115 grain XTP loads and my pistols hated them. From a rest I couldn’t keep 5 shots on a piece of notebook paper at 25 yards. Nothing I do is going to make it better shooting off hand except moving closer to the target.
 
I agree with Rodfac that shooting from a bench or rested is not the correct method to evaluate accuracy of a handgun, especially not for a serious handgunner.

A person may well be able to shoot a less accurate handgun better than he/she can with a more accurate one but that has absolutely nothing to do with the intrinsic accuracy of the gun. There are lots of reasons why some people can shoot some less accurate guns better than they can with other more accurate ones but that is not the way to establish the inherent accuracy of any firearm.
 
I agree humans are to be shunned in all
pursuits of perfection in handguns. Lay
hands on a handgun and you've got
trouble on your hands.
 
I've had a lot of 9mms over the last 20+ years.

Sig p226 is the most accurate for me.
 
A person may well be able to shoot a less accurate handgun better than he/she can with a more accurate one but that has absolutely nothing to do with the intrinsic accuracy of the gun. There are lots of reasons why some people can shoot some less accurate guns better than they can with other more accurate ones but that is not the way to establish the inherent accuracy of any firearm.

I am talking as a competitive handgunner who competed successfully in state matches, M&P and civilian, and has been coaching for a long time. The intrinsic accuracy of modern handguns is good enough to get a 95%+ score at the UIT target at 25m but in a match that does not matter because the trigger characteristics, sights, and grip matter. I am not talking about Joe Blow who shoots at some target at 10 yards and gets a group that would not make Marksman class at 25m. If you ever shoot at a state match with a 9mm you will see which guns are used. Until then...

You are off subject.
 
You are off subject.

The subject is: "Which 9mm handgun is the most accurate of all?", not which shooter is the most accurate of all. The question asked how accurate a handgun is; not how accurately someone who can shoot it is. I'm a lifetime Bullseye shooter; I know what it takes to score well in a Precision Shooting match. Four years as a military policeman and 28 years in le has also given me experience competing in a lot of different shooting formats. One thing is for certain: All the things a good shooter brings to the shooting bench in terms of the basics (to include sight alignment, trigger squeeze, breath control, follow-through, grip and stance) are only enhanced by a gun that is intrinsically accurate, no matter the shooting venue.
 
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I've had a lot of 9mms over the last 20+ years.

Sig p226 is the most accurate for me.

Never heard anyone complain about those except for the price. The only Sig I’ve ever shot was a 10 mm P220, and it hit the center of a 4” circle from 25 yards on the first try.
 
I'm the OP.

The subject was "Which of these particular 9mm handguns did my friend and I shoot best on a specific day?"

Please forgive me if I wasn't clear in my intentions. :)
 
Most handguns are more accurate than we can shoot them, so it comes down to what you can shoot the best. And for me, it’s my Walther PPQ. Superb ergonomics and a sweet trigger with a very positive reset.
 
Ruger Blackhawk - I bought a 9mm cylinder off ebay and by luck it fit into the revolver.
I bought a Blackhawk combination with the 9mm cylinder.

It’s also my most accurate 9mm handgun because I’m likewise more accurate with revolvers.

One of the nice things about a 9mm revolver is you don’t have to worry about ammo; you can buy different types of ammunition with various bullets free from the malfunctions common to semi-autos.
 
I bought a Blackhawk combination with the 9mm cylinder.

It’s also my most accurate 9mm handgun because I’m likewise more accurate with revolvers.

One of the nice things about a 9mm revolver is you don’t have to worry about ammo; you can buy different types of ammunition with various bullets free from the malfunctions common to semi-autos.

Sounds like a good place to try the 150 grain LSWC bullets I’ve seen for 9mm
 
I would like to have a 9mm k-frame or shorter-barreled 9mm SAA next. Should probably look into having a 9mm cylinder made for my 357 SAA.

The Taurus... I think it's called a model 905, looks like a 9mm version of their classic dependable Model 85, if anyone's just dying to have an affordable 9mm snub. I already have the SP101, so that role is filled for me.
 
Mine is a surprising one. An early '80s produced two pin Walther P1...provided the correct ammo is used. It's a little random on what it likes. Most 124 grain FMJ ammo? Yep. Most 115 grain ammo? Nope. 147s? won't even feed them. Cast or coated? "Who shot my target with buckshot?" Its especially sweet with the RMR 124 matchwinner or the mythical 124 WW-Olin milspec FMJ. AND they must be loaded with Autocomp, HS-6 or Unique. Anything faster and the groups spread. Local club had a "military pistol" bullseye style match, and this one used to really tick off the M1911 guys who spent a couple grand on their pistols at a time when the P1 was $250 out the door.

I have an Argentine P90 "Hi Power" that will give it a run for it's money. Never messed with the springs, I have to feed it warm 124gr ammo or it chokes. Other than needing snappy loads, this one shoots almost anything well, and the 124 Olin especially well. Interestingly neither pistol shoots 124 gr USA ammo especially well, which presumably has the same bullet. That bullet has been difficult to find as a component. Snapped some up earlier this winter and was quite happy about that.

These 2 are my most accurate. I have an FNS that I carry that eats anything and shoots it fairly well, but not the tight groups of the above 2. A witness-P came close, but I'd just begun working with it and a buddy offered a trade I couldn't pass up. Still shopping for another one of those! Wife's CZ P7 will shoot nicely, consistently, and pleasantly, but won't group with the P-1 or P90 given ammo that they like. I've also borrowed some various Sigs, CZs, Witnesses, 1911s, etc over the years, although most all were definitely superior combat handguns, none would shoot an itty bitty group like the P1 or P90.
 
72C802E3-97CB-44D5-94E1-FAA89A8755D3.png S&W 929 at 50 yards with a 4x scope. Shot double action unsupported. This was after practicing with the gun on a weekly basis for about a year.
 
CZ tactical sport shot in our informal league 15 rounds at 7 yards, 15 at 15 and 20 at 25 yards. Shot standing unsupported.
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