Who made it best on the first try- 9mm

[commygun]

CZ-75. Relatively late to the game and arguably derivative, but it certainly brings everything together in a great pistol. Except plastic.

 

[tark]

The C-96 Mauser was the first auto pistol that actually worked, and when chambered in 9mm it was the first RELIABLE 9mm on the market.

The luger was not a reliable pistol under wartime conditions. That's why the Germans ditched it in favor of the P-38.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I don't understand the question. Relative to what was already on the market, relative to later production versions of the same gun, relative to other models from the same designer/manufacturer? Oh well, 3 full pages of discussion must mean that plenty of others can understand it.

I was aiming for quality of the gun as it stands alone, not really compared to other guns. In other words, who made the most reliable, effective, accurate, durable, and/or ergonomic design as their first production gun. Of course the later designs benefitted from hindsight, but at the same time some of them were trying to improve on features which were already perfected (or at least executed better) in older pistols. In some cases, newer guns were compromised by being built to a price point which may not have been a consideration with the early guns or by the need to avoid patent infringement.

The HiPower may not have been perfect from the box, but given the lack of development over 80 years of production, FNs customers must have thought it was pretty close. Apparently lots of THR agrees.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

The C-96 Mauser was the first auto pistol that actually worked, and when chambered in 9mm it was the first RELIABLE 9mm on the market.

The luger was not a reliable pistol under wartime conditions. That's why the Germans ditched it in favor of the P-38.

Production costs and ease of use by half trained conscripts were considerations as well. Accidental discharges were somewhat common with the Luger and small parts were easily lost when the pistol was dissassembled for cleaning. The P38 was alot more "idiot resistant," lol.

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

To add to this, I think there is a historical context that must be considered here. Sure, the HP has probably been eclipsed as the “go to” over the last couple of decades as glock, Sig, and many other updated designs took over the market. Arguably, it’s hard to put them all pistol to pistol for a “BEST EVAR HEAD TO HEAD SHOOTOUT”.

As far as “first try”, the HP was far, far ahead of its time 80-odd years ago, given the technology available back then. People still regard it as a fine combat pistol, and it is still relevant today for tons of folks.

But things about that pistol that are now seen as “flaws” weren’t flaws then -they were simply requirements incorporated in a military contract design spec. Browning and Saive likely would not have put that magazine safety in there because it’s stupid, but the French military wrote it into the spec, so that’s what they did.

I think it just took the rest of the world 80-odd years to build a better mousetrap. That’s why HP gets my vote.