If you could have only one 9mm...

Status
Not open for further replies.
Probably my PM9, it's the only pistol I own that I can carry regardless of my dress code on any given day.
 
Like "Redneck's" dad, I carried a BHP when flying off carriers during Vietnam, and for the same reason: the issue .38 sp Victory Model was useful only for firing tracers into the air while swallowing gallons of seawater. My BHP classic has changed a bunch since then. It now sports a Crimson Trace grip and an SFS conversion. I fire it weekly, and change the recoil spring annually. One sweet weapon.
Cordially, Jack
 
Actually, I own only ONE 9mm

...

Very happy with the choice I made, as it has 2000 rounds, no jams, no failures to fire, perfect @ 100% dependable, reliable, and VERY accurate at close and long range with it's laser grips, if needed.

Very CCW, lightweight, very balanced point to aim.

Sig P229R CT 9mm Carry


LS
 
I love the Browning Hi-Power. I think it's one of the most beautiful handguns ever made. But it wouldn't be my choice for an only handgun. Since it would have to be an all around home defense, self defense, plinking, range, open carry while hunting and fishing gun, and i don't baby my carry guns, it would be a Glock 19. I couldn't stand to beat a Hi- Power up like that. That's why i like my plastic Glock things. I don't feel so bad if i scratch it or dunk it in the river.

Texas Colt,
That's a beautiful Hi-Power you have there. Who did the two tone job on it?
 
My Glock 19, no doubt about it.
photos
 
As it happens, I have 2 9mm's right now, and I wouldn't mind selling them both in order to purchase one good, lifelong 9mm service pistol. I have wavered a little bit on what I want: Taurus, Glock, H&K, CZ and Springfield. I think I have finally narrowed it down to the 2 final candidates:

1. S&W M&P - I like the feel of them best among all the polymer pistols, the look nice, and so far the reviews on the full size models have been pretty encouraging.

2. Ruger P89 - I own a P90 and it is the most dead-nuts reliable pistol I have. It's also reasonably accurate. I can't think of any good reason why the P89 wouldn't be the same. I really can't overstate how impressive that P90 has been, and that is really weighing in on my decision. Plus, with a little bit of patience, I bet I can dig up a P89 somewhere for under $300.00, which is nice.

If you put me against the wall right now, I would probably say P89. If you gave me a chance to shoot the both of them, who knows? I think the M&P would stand a darn good chance of emerging victorius.
 
Brian Williams said:
9mmx32R in a S&W 13 or 65.
Click to expand...
+1...Make mine my 3" S&W 65LS or a 3" M13 if I can find one.


If you don't want that to count because you mean 9x19, I won't be happy.

If I had to do just one gun, it would have to be between my .40S&W SIG 229, my S&W 1911SC or my S&W 65LS. All have a lot more power available than any 9mm, are relatively concealable (they are not quite full service sized guns), with the exception of the revolver they are lightweight for their size (229 is aluminium, the 1911 is scandium), and they are large and heavy enough to be comfortable in extended range sessions.

If I had to pick a 9mm I currently own, again I wouldn't be very happy. Currently I own a CZ 75B and a SIG 226 in 9mm. Both are a bit big for an only gun. Even though I don't live in a CCW state, having a gun that is concealable is important to me (I am sometimes in PA and VA where it is allowed, you never know if life may see a move to a CCW state, and I like the option even around here in case crime ever got that bad that I'd ignore the law), yet if it is an only gun you want it to be big enough for a full grip (comfort) and heavy enough for extended range trips. So, midsize guns seem to be best to me. That said, if it had to be what I already own, it would be the 226 since it is a little lighter (aluminium) and shorter, thus a little more concealable.

If I could buy something new, my top contenders, more or less in order (though the SIGs and Kahrs are pretty much tied):
-9mm Commander sized 1911 from any of the bigger name makers (since I'm replacing everything else with this, maybe a custom), preferably in scandium or aluminium
-SIG 229 in 9mm
-SIG 239 in 9mm
-Kahr K9
-Kahr T9
-S&W M&P
-Browning/FN Hipower (the only full-size service pistol I'd consider- it is narrow enough to be pretty concealable)
 
When I consider all the pertinent and practical factors such as reliability, durability, accuracy, ergonomics, the ability to use lead, and an impeccable safety record, I would have to go with Sig Sauer.
 
Question - and I'm not shooting down anyone who chose Glock here - but if it's for the rest of your life, why choose something with a plastic frame? The way I understand it is that plastic will degrade over time:

Plastics are made with petroleum products. That means they contain what is known as "aromatics". They actually evaorate from the base materials over time.

The blue haze you find on the inside of your car windshield is not from cigarette smoke. It's from the aromatics that evaporate out of the plastics used in the interior, notably the dashboard, which condense on the cooler windshield.

A good friend is an engineer at the GM proving grounds in Mesa AZ. He gave me a tour once. While there, I noticed a bunch of cars parked out in an empty field. Upon examination, I noticed that the windshields were so fogged as to be opaque. When I asked who smoked in them, he told me that they are test vehicles, used to see how fast and how bad the aromatics in the plastics evaporate, and how the base materials degrade and fall apart.

That process is a natural one in plastic. No matter how many people claim they have old Glocks, science won't be denied.
Click to expand...

Now, I'm not a plastics engineer but the above makes sense to me. What are y'alls feelings on this?
 
Since it's my only 9mm forever and ever, why the hell not:
Nighthawk Talon II (4.25") in 9mm. Throw in the Diamond Black coating while you're at it.

In a more reasonable price-range, it's tempting to say CZ. Loved my old 75B and love my SP-01 - but, they don't exactly offer a lot of options in the sight department if you don't like three-dot Tru Dots.

So I'd go with the M&P9, I think. Crimson Trace is coming out with a laser, you've already got Novak three-dots, Heinie is coming out with a Straight-8 setup and 10-8 and others have the black rear/ tritium front (or fiber optic) covered, there are a number of gunsmiths tricking up the triggers.
 
Depends on the plastic (polymer). The material that collects in cars is actually mostly from the foam padding in the seats, not from the vinyls. Most polyvinyl plastics are extremely stable - so stable that they are a problem for landfills. The polymers typically used in handgun frames can probably be expected to last hundreds if not thousands of years - far longer than any steel parts. These platics are designed to resist chemical breakdown even in the presence of strong solvents found in some gun cleaning products.

Not all plastics are the same.

Please note: I am not a polymer chemist, even though my degree is in chemistry.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

I
  • Locked
The best combat 9mm in your opinion
2 3 4
Replies
87
Views
9K
bigmike45
bigmike45
I
  • Locked
If you could have only one 9mm
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Replies
192
Views
14K
Biggums
B
I
  • Locked
Most reliable combat 9mm – TORTURE TEST!
2
Replies
26
Views
8K
rob45
R
I
  • Locked
Beretta 92 or CZ-75 - if you could have only one?
2 3
Replies
61
Views
2K
RevolvingCylinder
R
I
  • Locked
SW1911 9mm Pro Series vs CZ-85 as your CCW
Replies
5
Views
1K
armoredman
armoredman
Back
Top