Which pistol for best reliability???

[Bob79]

I prefer revolvers, but own and have owned numerous semi-autos. I've personally found the revolvers to be more reliable.

However I'd still like to have a semi-auto for carry, and I'm really thinking about giving it another go. I've found myself looking up various semi-autos online as far as their dimensions, cost, etc.

I know I want a .380 or 9mm to keep the size of the gun down, and I've found myself looking into: Kahr CW-9, Glock 26, Walther PPK, Sig 232. These come up because they are smaller, easier to conceal, and are made my manufacturers with a decent name/rep.

So I'm seeking first hand info on experiences with these guns, either you owned the gun, knew people who had the gun, maybe you work at a range, etc. Or if there are other guns that may foot the bill I haven't thought of, info on those would be good also. I just want to find the most reliable/best designed .380 or 9mm, that is also compact in size (20 oz or less), to give it one more try. Thanks.

 

[dmallind]

Had/have a relevant Kahr and a Glock out of that bunch. Both nice. Glock feels better to me but entirely personal issue. Both have been reliable for me but the Glock feels more durable and has a better overall reputation for reliability too. I shoot the Glock way better than the more traditional DAO triggered Kahr, but if you're a revolver fan then you may prefer it the other way round - the Kahr trigger is definitely closer in feel to a wheelgun than the Glock "Windex trigger".

Never heard anything bad about Sig reliability but you wanted first hand so no help there from me. I'v heard rumblings about jamming on PPKs but again not first hand data sorry.

For reliability in semiautos few except the most anti-plastic of people would not rate Glock as clearly top-notch however.

 

[el44vaquero]

Having owned all three I would suggest the Sig. The PPK was a fine pistol after I had it once-overed by a buddy gunsmith. Not really much to say about the Glock good or bad. For me the best out of the box and held up to being carried through all sorts of weather on the back of horses, tractors, and 4-wheelers I'd seriously suggest the Sig.

 

[Rockrivr1]

I own a the PM9 model of the Kahr and have shot the CW-9. I also own a Glock 26. I like both, but I ccw the Kahr primarily. Even though the Glock 26/27 is small, I find the Kahr even thinner and smaller. This makes it much easier to conceal. They all shot good for me and the Kahr I shot and the one I own never displayed any of the cycling problems some of the earlier models had. I will agree that the Glock 26 fits my hand a little better, but to me a carry piece is all about concealment. Shooting a handgun well is all about practice.

I've also shot the Walther, but I'm not sure about carrying something in 380 and I think the Kahr is the same size or smaller then the PPK. I've never shot the Sig.

Then again, my primary ccw is a J-Frame S&W with crimson trace grips. Can't beat that for pocket carry.

 

[osteodoc08]

My wife has a P230 (father of the P232) and has been pretty reliable. I had a few stovepipes when it was new, but I attributed that to me not having it lubricated well and possibly limp wristing it (it is a blow back design). It is relatively simple and is easy to carry and maintain, especially in stainless. Accuracy has been supurb and is easy to control in rapid fire (see my other post).

May I also suggest a XD9SC if you are not turned off by the polymer guns.

 

[Jiml3]

I would pick the Kahr because it chambers 9 mm. The .380 round just isn't as powerfull. Nine mm. ammo is also cheaper. Reliability has not been an issue I have encounted with my Kahr PM9.

 

[Mayo]

Not even close---SIG

 

[Biker]

I own four Glocks (19, 26, 23 and 27) and I can honestly say that through many thousands of rounds fired, I've never experienced a malfunction with any of them. That's a big enough selling point for me.
The fact that they fit my hand well and point even better for me are icing on the cake.
Biker

 

[albanian]

I had a Kahr P-9 and I can't say that it was reliable. My Kahr K-9s have been reliable but you are much more likely to have problems if you buy the plastic Kahr rather than the all steel version. Check out Glock Talk, they have a Kahr forum. Most of the complaints are comming from the plastic Kahrs not the all steel ones.

The Walther is another one I owned. It was very reliable but not 100%. I had a jam or two that I can remember. The bad part about the Walther is that it is expensive and gave me hammer bite. The trigger was not great either. It just didn't feel like I was getting what I paid for out of the preformance of the gun.

A few .380s and smaller 9mms that I CAN say are reliable are:
Makarovs
Bersas
Kahr K-9s
S&W 3913

 

[Dr.Rob]

Walthers have a rep for jamming, with jhp but I'm sure a feed ramp polish would take care of that.

Glocks are notoriously reliable. I'll grant you that, but chunky for a small pistol.

The Sig 230/232 is BIG for a 380, bigger than a PPK by a bunch.

 

[Ol Retired Gunney]

I've owned and shot a lot of guns in my 64 years

But ill have to admit;i've never owned one that is as reliable,accurate,lite weight and easy to clean as a glock 27.

 

[usp9]

Most reliable

The most reliable gun I've ever owned and used extensively is the Beretta 84f. It has never had a failure of any type. It always feeds, fires and ejects, any kind of ammo. I've tried to get it to fail by extreme rapid fire, limp wristing, slow slide release, nothing makes it fail. Thirteen rounds, 23 oz., great ergomomics make the 84f a great choice.

My USPc 9mm has never failed, but I haven't put thousands of rounds through it yet, so while I expect it will be as perfect as the Beretta, only time will tell.

The other "perfect" performer is my Seecamp, but that doesn't sound like it is of interest to you as it is a .32.

 

[Moonclip]

Most quality autos kept clean and fed decent ammo do well. Glocks and Makarovs are two examples that come to mind quickly though for reliability as well as SIg Sauer and Ruger.

 

[shooter.45]

I would also vote for the Glock. Very accurate gun and you cant kill them. I have 2 and love them very easy to shoot and become accurate with.

 

[michiganfan]

Have four glocks. Never a doubt that they wont go bang.

 

[Jkwas]

I only can speak for autos I own. We have a taurus pt111 with 170 rounds shot: no malfuntions. We have a Ruger P89 with over 1000 rounds shot: no malfuntions. Both seem to be dead reliable, but I think the Ruger is built stronger, although bulkier.

 

[depicts]

Nice .380

I've been very pleased with my Colt Mustang .380. It's reliable, accurate and small

 

[Ala Dan]

Another big vote for SIG, unsurpassed in this category~!