Top 10 9mm handguns

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I like these

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And the Glock 19
 
lol the top one or the top ten 9mm.....is the one or are the ones you have plenty of ammo for after panic buying happens and then you wish you had a .40 or two or a SIG .357 when you look down on the empty shelves and see there is still some .40 to be had.
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Easy solution is to reload. Easy enough to keep a few K primers, bullets and a couple cans of powder on a shelf.
 
It's the Golden Age of 9s, with so many good choices. A person's subjective preference will matter more than a list on the internet. Shoot what you can before you buy.

Likes:
1. HK VP9
2. Sig 226 Elite SAO
3. Sig 226 Emperor Scorpion
4. Glock 19
5. HK VP9SK
6. S&W Shield 2.0

Walther PPQ was meh. Didn't much like the S&W M&P 2.0 or FNS 9c, but YMMV.

Of course, what you want with the pistol matters, eg small pistols better for concealment, usually.
 
I had some different 9mms over the years, I cant comment on what I dont have experence with.

A couple years back I noticed a running for sale ad thatd been up for a month.
A fella selling a Taurus PT111G2.
This is a compact, high capacity, striker fired 9mm.
The price was reasonable and so far has been stalwart performer.

Later on I noticed a internet ad for some old Spanish BM handguns.
The price was doable and I always liked the fit and feel.
In my observation of my kids.
They love shooting the Spanish BM.
Yes a 8 shot, yes a singleaction, they love the heft and feel and they commented reloading the BM was considerbly easy to reload.
Compared to the BM the Taurus has almost as simple dissembly for cleaning, better adjustable sights, double action trigger, better mag release and 13 rounds in the mag.
 

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Me? Personally, I think that any list of the Top Ten 9mm pistols of the last 50 years that doesn't have the S&W 3913 on it isn't a well-researched and well-considered list.

(The X39/39XX, X59/59XX & X69/69XX S&W's were great American made 9's, with the final 3rd gen versions demonstrating very good reliability and durability ... although I didn't start out as a "fan", and it took several years of using 3rd gen models, and eventually attending 4 armorer classes for them, to let me see the light. ;) )

The ASP-inspired 3913 (and variants) was the quintessential slim and compact TDA (Traditional Double Action, or DA/SA, as it's also called) 9mm defensive pistol of the last several decades.

That's why I own a 3913 (spring-loaded, decock-only), a CS9 and a late production 3913TSW.

I also think the G26 deserves a place on such a list, as the G19 (while still a very popular model in the Glock lineup) is a bit of a bloated and thick "compact", with a chunky grip.

Among the current plastic pistols in production, I'd have to say the Glock Gen5(M project for the FBI) and the S&W M&P 2.0 Compact easily merit inclusion on a list of "full-size" 9mm service/duty pistols that represent the pinnacle of the efforts of those 2 companies. (Jury is still asking for further evidence and is deliberating on the P320. :p )
 
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I am a trigger/grip guy in that order. If you haven't shot these, make it a point to ask someone at the range if you can. That's what I did, and why I settled on these, after shooting most everything on this list. I don't have ten I'd recommend.

1. Walther PPQ - Best trigger on the market under $1k, other walthers equal or not far behind.
2. Canik TP9SF
3. VP9 - Pretty much a tie with Canik, but slightly more takeup
4. CZ Phantom
5. S&W Performance Center

No glocks, don't like anything about them, sorry.
 
1.) Beretta 92FS
2-8.) Most everything else.
9.) Anything 1911
10.) Anything Glock.
 
These threads generally dissolve into folks voting for the 9mms they own or maybe the 9mms they have shot. Also, the top 10 is certainly open for interpretation. My list is simply the finest and most accurate 9mms ever built. Sorry CZ guys, there's no way anything they make would make my list and I own several. Took me a while to sort these out and I own multiples of each to form a good opinion. Here goes...

1. Sig P210 - Obviously Swiss only and in this case a forged frame -6 target variant. One of the most accurate, not to mention extreme durability and high quality.

2. Korriphila HSP701 - This German masterpiece is a delayed blowback, fixed barrel pistol that exudes superior build quality, incredible fit and finish, and awesome accuracy.

3. Korth Autopistol - Another exotic German masterpiece of good accuracy and amazing refinement and attention to detail.

4. Sphinx 2000 - The very best execution of the great CZ 75 design. Superior fitting and build quality, along with outstanding accuracy.

5. Beretta Steel I - All steel variant of the classic 92. Possibly the finest Beretta of all time with outstanding build quality and attention to detail.

6. Sig Sauer X-Five - A Sig Sauer Mastershop classic from Germany and one of the most accurate pistols ever built by anyone. Period.

7. Smith & Wesson PC952 - Awesome accuracy and build quality. This or the double stack version, the PPC9, gets my vote for #7.

8. MAB PA-15 - This delayed blowback pistol from France is a heavy duty handgun that brings a great design and stellar accuray to the table.

9. Pardini GT9 - The smoothest and slickest pistol I've ever owned or shot. Great accuracy and ergonomics. The aluminum frame and pedestrian finish keep it from a higher ranking.

10. Walther P88 - Despite the aluminum frame, this high quality service pistol deserves a place in my top 10. Great accuracy and refinement.

Here's a group pic...

azCNs7.jpg



Not trying to slight the HK P7 or Browning Hi Power. As you can see, I'm a huge fan and own quite a few of each. Keeping them out of the top 10 was a tough decision, but one that I stand by given the context or my criteria.

Anyway, here's an honorable mention. :)

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.
 
Wild guess based on current sales.

1. Glock 19
2. M&P Shield

Big difference between that and.best.for you.

It's a.bit different world than it was 30.years ago when the question was, "1911, Sig P226 or Glock 17?".
 
I've owned a lot of 9mm pistols over the last 20 years and shot a lot more. By the far the best ones are:

1) Sig P226
2) HK P2000SK
3) FN 509M
4) Glock 26

I'd post the worst ones list but it would upset a lot people.
 
Wild guess based on current sales.

1. Glock 19
2. M&P Shield

Big difference between that and.best.for you.

It's a.bit different world than it was 30.years ago when the question was, "1911, Sig P226 or Glock 17?".


Dunno, kinda still is in my eyes. BHP too.

These threads generally dissolve into folks voting for the 9mms they own or maybe the 9mms they have shot. Also, the top 10 is certainly open for interpretation. My list is simply the finest and most accurate 9mms ever built. Sorry CZ guys, there's no way anything they make would make my list and I own several. Took me a while to sort these out and I own multiples of each to form a good opinion. Here goes...

1. Sig P210 - Obviously Swiss only and in this case a forged frame -6 target variant. One of the most accurate, not to mention extreme durability and high quality.

2. Korriphila HSP701 - This German masterpiece is a delayed blowback, fixed barrel pistol that exudes superior build quality, incredible fit and finish, and awesome accuracy.

3. Korth Autopistol - Another exotic German masterpiece of good accuracy and amazing refinement and attention to detail.

4. Sphinx 2000 - The very best execution of the great CZ 75 design. Superior fitting and build quality, along with outstanding accuracy.

5. Beretta Steel I - All steel variant of the classic 92. Possibly the finest Beretta of all time with outstanding build quality and attention to detail.

6. Sig Sauer X-Five - A Sig Sauer Mastershop classic from Germany and one of the most accurate pistols ever built by anyone. Period.

7. Smith & Wesson PC952 - Awesome accuracy and build quality. This or the double stack version, the PPC9, gets my vote for #7.

8. MAB PA-15 - This delayed blowback pistol from France is a heavy duty handgun that brings a great design and stellar accuray to the table.

9. Pardini GT9 - The smoothest and slickest pistol I've ever owned or shot. Great accuracy and ergonomics. The aluminum frame and pedestrian finish keep it from a higher ranking.

10. Walther P88 - Despite the aluminum frame, this high quality service pistol deserves a place in my top 10. Great accuracy and refinement.

Here's a group pic...

View attachment 875431



Not trying to slight the HK P7 or Browning Hi Power. As you can see, I'm a huge fan and own quite a few of each. Keeping them out of the top 10 was a tough decision, but one that I stand by given the context or my criteria.

Anyway, here's an honorable mention. :)

View attachment 875432
View attachment 875433


.

Just a glance at that list and immediately knew who posted it. The pictures confirmed it :)

Ahh, to have a collection as nice as that!
 
I don't know about best, but in terms of history, I think the following, in no real order:

1. Luger
2. Browning Hi-Power: As one of the progenitors of the modern semiauto with a double-stack magazine.
3. Glock 17: As one of the earliest and most important guns to introduce a plastic frame.
4. Sig P226
5. H&K P7: For the unique action.
6. S&W Model 59
7. Kahr K9: One of the earliest of the subcompact concealed-carry pistols in a service caliber designed for concealed carry.
8. Sig P365: Started the wave of double-stack-but-thin-as-a-single-stack concealed-carry subcompact pistols. Yes, yes, the Kel-Tec P11 was the first such gun, but the P365 made it mainstream and popular.
9. Beretta 92
10. CZ75
 
Hmmm Of those I have, in no particular order.

Sig 226, 229
Glock 17/19
Browning HP
SIG P320 Xcarry
Walther PPS
S&W Shield 2.0
H-K VP9 (this one feels like one with me.)
.
.
.

.SCCY
 
Hard to imagine that the Jennings JA9, HiPoint C9, Stallard, Lorcin, Cobray, Intratec....


hey that intratec thought brings up a point though that hasn’t been covered in much depth....
Mp5, Uzi, Destroyer Carbine, Beretta Storm, MP40. I know we are talking 9mm pistols, but there have been some truly good subs and carbines too. Even the HiPoint 995 and Ruger PCC are pretty incredible guns for what they are intended for.
 
I laugh every time an OP doesn't get the answers he/she wants so they modify their rules.:rofl:

"Oh well, since that pistol is unobtainable, it doesn't count as the best".

I can only speak from my experience (obviously), so here goes (I can't get to 10 with my experience):

STI 2011 (pick one, mine happens to be a Marauder, but would LOVE to try the DVC 3-gun)
1911 Commander that has been done by a craftsman
H&K VP9
Springfield Armory XDm 5.25
Glock 17

I have tried a Sig 226 DAK (issued at work), Beretta M9 (military), H&K P7M13, Kahr CM9, S&W Shield and a couple of other unmentionables. All that I listed were absolutely reliable and accurate enough, but I don't like them. I was relieved when we changed to a Glock 17 from the Sig and I've never understood the devotion to the squeeze-cocker P7. I hate the hinged trigger of the S&W and the diminutive Kahr makes the recoil of the "mighty" 9mm unpleasant for extended shooting.

Now that I've probably ruffled some feathers, I'll say this. That's the great thing about opinions...we all have them and are completely free to express them. Have a great day y'all.

Edit to add: bc1023's list is incredible, mostly because I've never heard of those guns, much less tried them.
Also, I would love to try a BHP as well.
 
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This is one guys list, and it is pretty accurate, but I would remove one or two of them.

With all due respect, judging from your posts and your own admittance, you have little experience with most 9mms, especially the high end of the spectrum.

How are you judging who’s list is “accurate”?
 
The list is of guns perspective buyers can find in a gun store, or at the Gun genie, not guns that will be almost impossible to find.
You asked for a list of the top 10 9mms. Why should they be easy to find?

To me the best means the best. Like anything else, the best stuff is not necessarily something every Tom, Dick, and Harry can have. If everyone could afford and find it, there’s nothing special about it, as far as I’m concerned.

They are thrown together hand over fist by the tens of thousands. The top 10 9mms of all time should be an elite list.

Perhaps you should have asked for the top 10 best sellers, because that seems to be what you’re looking for.
 
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Guess because he's the OP, and he has the right to clarify what he had in mind and was looking for when he started the thread?
 
Guess because he's the OP, and he has the right to clarify what he had in mind and was looking for when he started the thread?
Did you read the thread?

Actually he seems to be making it up as he goes along. It’s one thing to ask for opinions. It’s another to keep critiquing people’s choices as it goes along. Kind of hard to know what’s best with so little knowledge and experience, which is quite evident by reading the posts.

It’s all cool though. It’s been entertaining if nothing else. :)
 
This thread had one problem from the get-go: it did not specify any criteria what would be considered "best".

Most accurate?
Best built quality?
Historical significance?
Personal favorite?
Best value?
Best service or CCW handgun?

The next problem is that very few people that will answer threads like this actually have first hand experience with ten different 9 mm Luger handguns but instead list their personal preference or opinions based on hearsay.
 
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