What's the best polymer semi-auto?

[rec999allis]

I want to get a good tactical polymer semi-auto in the next few months but I'm not sure what all is out there. I know about Glock, SA's XD, Walther, sigarms, and H&K, but what eles is there and which of these are the best. I want something with a tactical rail and high cap. magazines.

 

[Ivy Mike]

Fabrique Nationale FNP-9

16 rounds, hammer fired decocker (or regular safety if you go with the Browning Pro-9) rail, adjustable backstrap, costs less than HK, Glock and SIG. About the same price as the XD.

 

[sturmruger]

Here is my list from the top on down.

1. XD
2. Steyr
3. Glock
4. HK
5. Sig
6. Walther
7. Ruger 22/45

 

[Ala Dan]

1. XD

2. H&K
3. Glock
4. SIG
5. S&W

 

[Coronach]

The new M&P40 from S&W seems very good, but has not been around long enough to prove itself in the durability department. It passed our PD's T&E, after the first batch of guns were fixed (to be fair, S&W gave us some of the very first ones off the line, practically pre-production runs, and the difficulties seemed to be teething troubles, but we'll see), and our PD does a serious torture test on guns. Once I get mine, I'll know for sure.

XD is good. Glock is kinda the benchmark.

Mike

 

[Still 2 Many Choices!?]

The Glock...

When it just has to go bang, get a Glock... Just my .02 cents

 

[gudel]

I've bought HK, Glock, Sigs plastic pistols. HK no contest on top #1, followed by Glock. The sig is nowhere near..

 

[dam8]

a bit vintage, but hks p9s is the best from what I've shot

 

[NVMM]

I don't know whats the best. I bought a Beretta PX4.
(I want something with a tactical rail and high cap. magazines) Beretta has them. Comes with 18 round mags. 20 rounders available.
It's very accurate and trouble free.

 

[Edmond]

In no order:

XD
Glock
H&K

Sorry, I can't get used to the idea of a plastic Sig. To me, it seems like buying a Corvette with an i4 for gas mileage.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

Walther P99.

 

[10-Ring]

Comes down to the one that fits & works for you the best and you are willing to devote the time to get truly acquainted w/ it

That said, go w/ the HK!

 

[nutball]

Ive shot many of the pistols mentioned extensively and the one i'd use to defend my own life would be the XD-9. it is so well fitted to my hand and the recoil response is on such a low axis that it seems almost recoiless. Am currently working on triple taps with it! just my opinion

 

[PO2Hammer]

Never shot an XD, they seem nice, but I have come to prefer H&K over Glock.

 

[silicon wolverine]

+1 on the walther. the .22 LR version is excellent for training as well.

SW

 

[Autolycus]

HK is the best in my book. It was also the first and I consider it the benchmark...

But Glocks are nice. I prefer the 9mm Glocks to all of the others but either way I prefer HK over everything else.

I have no experience with polymer Sigs. But a freind recomends them.

Springfields are pretty nice in the hand.

 

[Autolycus]

Quick question: How come nobody ever mentions or asks about Hi-Points or Lorcins?

 

[gudel]

I need to add to my original post, I too bought XD. Seems to jam a lot with fiocchi 170gr ammo. This ammo works great in my Beretta 96FS Brigadier and Glock 22.

Still, HK and Glock in 1 and 2.

Despite several note of HK's, I think he'll probabl buy something other than HK anyway.

 

[GoRon]

S&W Sigma
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Just kidding!!

 

[Rinspeed]

HK USP

 

[NineseveN]

What's the best polymer semi-auto?

The one in your hand when you need it. Seriously, you're going to get about as many different answers as you will replies.

 

[Cueball]

#1. H&K USP
#2. SIG

Yow won't regret either of those.

 

[Frenchy]

All of these guns have proved their worth in both design and function. It comes down to money spent, and how comfortable you are with them.

 

[Lumberjack98]

For me it's the XD.

I love how it "just feels right" to shoot.

 

[dmallind]

Yes the best advice is always to handle and if possibly shoot as many as you can. What I like or other posters like may not be your preference. Glocks are definitely the poster children, and I've had excellent performance from mine. You don't have to spend more than a few minutes in this forum though to see the intense antipathy they engender in many. Equally impassioned on the other side are the true believer Glock purists who consider them the apex of weaponry. Who knows which side you'd fall on? Definitely try one though - for value, simplicity, reliability etc they set a very high benchmark in this genre.

XDs garner much respect. Personally I don't loathe them but I've never found them too pleasiing to hold and the triggers feel a bit strange too. Wouldn't refuse one if given of course. Sure they're fine, but not going to jump on that bandwagon myself. You may though.

Sigs and HKs seem to be a poorer buy for the money to me, and I have never been a fan of the crunchenticker DA/SA triggers. They are by all accounts high quality and mostly reliable though. Little to no experience here.

Not usually first on most peoples' lists but Taurus make some ergonomically appealing. reliable and full-featured guns at truly excellent price points. I am not a DAO fan (apart from my carry Kahr PM9 all my guns are SA) so my PT145 fell by the wayside but it was a reliable, well made gun with good firepower in a samall package. Worth checking out those models or the SAO 24/7 PROs in your preferred caliber.

The one I would say to try for sure that few people will come up with on their own shortlists is Steyr. Very "Glock like" but with cool and innovative additional features and a little more ergonomic elegance and more refined trigger pull, at a similar price point. If you can pick up an older model M9 or S9 you are in for a treat. May or may not feel right for you, but a very commendable weapon indeed. I somewhat regret selling my S9 even though I am moving almost exclusively to 45ACP except for the pocket Kahr (and maybe there too if the new 45 from them is truly a pocket gun).

Try em all. One will feel just right. But take a step off the beaten path and try a Steyr and a Taurus if you can.