which polymer pistol would you pick and why....

[jhb]

yeah i know another gun vs. gun. vs. gun thread. i apologize and i have been reading old posts on multiple forums to get a good insight into each version i am considering....but i wanted to add a few things i didn't see in other threads that apply to me only. hope everyone doesn't mind, throwing their 2 cents in again?

i have broken it down to these...in no particular order...

hk p30s in 9mm
m&p 9 pro 4.25 barrel
fnh fnx-9
glock 19

what i plan to use this pistol for is concealed carry, range, home security. i know there are smaller version weapons available, but i want something in polymer, since i do not own any plastic guns yet and i like the size and shape of these particular ones...so if you don't mind stick to these options in your feedback and suggestions? thanks.

while i know the right answer is to go to a store with a range and rent and shoot them and handle them in the metal...err plastic....i am planning on handling them in the metal, but 2 of the nearest local ranges have stopped range rentals due to a problem awhile ago, and the others nearby do not have the full selection between them all of what i am asking about. so that is pretty much out the window.

i also know the right answer is which feels right in my hand, but unlike most shooters, i am not that particular...other than i have smallish hands and while a right hander in most tasks...i shoot LEFT handed and the p226 is too big for me to shoot comfortably..i can do it and do okay, but it's just a bit too big for my grip.

what i own and shoot now and like is a cz75 in 9mm stainless with ambi safety. a cz 85 combat in 9mm. a browning hi-power mrkIII in 9mm, a springfield emp in 9mm, in full size to jsut compact range pistols. i had to change the cz grips to the wood to make them just thin enough to make the double action pull perfect for my hand size. to put it into hand size perspective for those who have handled a cz75 full size variation.

so i have a background in single action, cocked and locked and da/sa setups with safeties and i am very comfortable with those. i am not against striker setups and have never owned one and that appeals to me as well somewhat, as i'd like to train with one and get familiar with it. although the one type training is fine as well and having a similar setup to what i use now appeals to me equally as well.

right now i'm leaning harder towards and between the p30s and the fnx9...looks wise i like them all...from what i have read they all seem to be reliable and quality weapons. the glock is glock so that one is even obvious to me on reliablility. although the no lifetime warranty bothers me a bit on the glock...where all the others have it...as far as i know from my research. holster options and parts, etc tend to lean towards glock 19 and m&p9pro.

i think i would be happy with any of the above, but i am ready to buy and i want to make sure there is nothing i have overlooked as far as operation setup issues and things of that nature. type of things you learn after you own it and shoot it, if that makes sense?

feel free to educate away and pass on your views...i am happy to learn from those who have these firearms and know all the ins and outs of each, etc.

thank you in advance for your replies/advice.

jhb

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Although I'm not a huge fan of the asthetics, I'd have to go with Glock.

 

[AZ Five seveN]

I would say the FN or the M&P, but you really can't go wrong with any of them. I've never been a Glock fan, however.

 

[md7]

I personally like the Glock lineup. Mostly because that is what I started on, own currently, and have become comfortable with.

It certainly helps that they are relatively inexpensive and enjoy tremendous aftermarket support in the United States.

Pretty much any of those that you have listed should be reliable.

 

[Hammerdown77]

Hard to beat the Glock 19 for a 9mm "do it all" pistol. And I'm a 1911 guy. I hated Glocks until I got a 19. I can now see why they are so popular.

 

[TonyT]

I have shot Glock's in the past and they are very reliable. Then I acquired a S&W99 and loved it's ergonomics, trigger and unique ambidextrous safety. I have also acquired the S&WM&P in 9mm and 45ACP - better ergonomics and trigger than the Glock's in my opinion. I still shoot the S&W99 in IDPA and have it for self defense use.

 

[Cemo]

G19 out of those.

 

[beeenbag]

G19...

Have one on right now!

I am currently debating a G27 though.

 

[Manco]

In my opinion, get the M&P9 or Glock 19--whichever suits your hand better. I prefer the M&P design overall myself, but the slightly shorter grip of the G19 compact may make it easier for you to carry concealed; then again, the M&P9 has a somewhat slimmer, more rounded grip that may print less obviously, so you'll have to decide for yourself.

 

[jhb]

.....

appreciate all the feedback already. thanks guys.

i am going to switch directions.....why wouldn't you own any of the mentioned pistols? i realize your view won't align with mine and may have zero meaning to me personally, but i also think having other's insight on what makes them buy or not buy is very useful and i may see a reason i didn't think of?

jhb

 

[RancidSumo]

There is no reason not to buy any of those. Of the three, I like the HK, M&P, and Glock best. I haven't shot the HK but I have shot the other three.

Just as a warning, if you get the FN, be prepared to put a good 500rds through it before it functions perfectly unless you are using fairly hot loads. Also, leave the slide locked back and hand cycle it in your free time, they are really stiff right out of the box and won't cycle ammo that is weak at all until it is broken in. I also don't like the factory sights but after being replaced with Ameri-Glo's, that isn't an issue.

The one that I have the most experience with is the M&P9. I just finished the 2000rd challenge with mine (2000 rounds with no cleaning and no lube) and it didn't malfunction a single time throughout the test. I'm getting ready to install APEX trigger parts and night sights tomorrow on it.

If you get the Glock 19, I'd stick with the GEN 3 models. I personally have no experience with the GEN 4's but the 9mm versions seem to have a lot of problems while the GEN 3 9mm pistols have proven very reliable.

 

[klash545]

owned a p30 in da/sa and promptly sold it.....had the worst trigger of any 9mm i've ever owned. nice gun but it was terrible to fire so i sold it. stick with the other three you get more for your money and WAY better triggers.

 

[ForumSurfer]

I'm a 1911 guy.

But if I had to get rid of every long arm and pistol that I owned except for one, and it had to serve as home defense and carry...I would keep my g19.

 

[Nico Testosteros]

M&P for me.
Haven't shot the others.
But I like the feel of the M&P.

 

[iblong]

From your list I take the 19,I owned the M&P and it was a nice pistol
and it felt great in the hand. But I do like the 19 better, I Also think its easier to carry IWB.Just my opinion.

 

[bri]

+1 for glock... only because I own two and haven't handled anything (yet) that I can shoot better.

 

[rangerphil]

I think it's a personal preference toss-up between the M&P and the Glock. Me, I prefer the Glock, but both are excellent choices.

 

[TheOhioan]

Have you given the XD line a shot?

 

[R0CKETMAN]

G19, I own three and have had at least one since the early 90's. It's never failed me. Easy to conceal, accurate, nice capacity. Dang fine pistol....get one which will allow a weapon light for home defense.

 

[jhb]

for TheOhioan........ yes, but eliminated them and the xdm...no real reasons...i was on my short list, but i had to start eliminating and this one went first.

 

[jhb]

lots of glock picks and m&p's.....for the glock guys, are the 4th gen problems way overblown on the online forums or is there a legitimate problem that still needs to be addressed on some pistols and the spring issue/design?

second question are the gen3 19's still available/being made at this point? thanks!

 

[gearhead]

I'm an FNP-9 owner and I'm quite happy with it. The FNX is very similar, except for fully ambi controls. I carry smaller, lighter pistols when I carry concealed but the FNP with night sights is my nightstand gun. The holster issue isn't so bad, I took my CWP class with the FNP in a Galco IWB holster that fit it perfectly even though it was listed for something else. The poly pistols are pretty similar in overall proportions, generally.

 

[Jed Carter]

G19, a "Plastic Classic", all are good, the M&P would be my second choice. H&K is just too much money, magazines are too much money, nice pistol though, FNH pistols are some of the "best for the money" but magazines and other acccessories are scarce and may be pricey too.

 

[Carbonator]

I'd go Glock 19 because I like simplicity and I don't like any external controls on my CCW gun - no external safety, no exposed hammer, no decocker, no variable trigger actions... nothing to snag and nothing to think about except the decision to fire or not. I want a gun that I can shoot one-handed and operate one-handed, and I want a full size grip for control, drawing, retention, and one-handed operation.

I also like the Glock over some other makers because a Glock is more of a simple tool, more like a revolver, and I am past the point in my life where I give hoot what others think, I'm not trying to impress anyone. I do find some gun brands have a high "coolness factor" which actually turns me off - HK's are definitely "cool" but that coolness factor always comes at a price, like cool cars. Weight, size, complexity, money, maintenance, attention, reliability...

I'd rather have a tool than a "cool"...

That being said, I was set on buying a Glock 23 (same as Glock 19) but my fingers do not fit inside the Generation 4 finger grooves, they end up on top of the humps. And I'm not a big guy with big fingers. I'm very disappointed in Glock for adding grooves and I don't want to take a file and sandpaper to a brand new gun. I might go with the Glock 22 just because of the grip.

Have you considered the Glock 17 - it's not much bigger than the 19.

 

[coebam]

Hi everybody...First post for me but thought I would chime in.....

The wife and I own 2 polymer guns. P30 & G19 (gen 4). I vote Glock all the way. Let me explain my dissapointments on the P30.
1st - as stated above - the sa/da trigger is terrible. (I just prefer centerfire)
2nd the position of the mag release is in the way with my trigger finger.
3rd the sights (factory) are not what I would consider correct. One has to hold the sights like _+_ to hit the target. My Glock is I I I - even straight across.
4th the field strip is ok - just compared to a glock it's slow.

The handle on the HK is very nice- it fits the hand. Other than that i say save yourself 300.00 and buy a Glock.

Hope that helps!