pistol decision - 9mm

[EdwardBernal]

not even a choice. Beretta Para 9, the other options are not even close. I am also a fan of the taurus 24/7 but I would not buy anything smaller than the 40. IMO thats the best it gets from taurus I actually shoot a millennium pro (PT145 w/ pic rail) in the 45acp.

With all due respect, this is NOT a good response to the OP - I understand John likes his Baretta but to put this pistol ( or most modern, quality 9s for that matter ) leaps and bounds ahead of the others is foolish. Glock, HK, CZ, S & W, Ruger, Springfield (XD), Walther, etc etc etc (and I'm leaving out a bunch of others) , ALL make quality firearms. Will someone on occasion get a dud from any of the companies? - sure, and those are the stories that makes the intranets so interesting. Don't fool yourself - unless you are just surfing for the lowest price on a pistol get what YOU like and shoot one if you can for yourself. When shopping for and piece of gear that you will theorhetically rely on to save your life, why skimp? The difference between pot metal crap and a quality piece is a few hundred bucks (and BTW the 2 samples of "saturday night special" quality pistols - a raven .380 and a jennings pistol, they ran like typewriters when I had the chance to shoot them).

Caliber: a 9 will serve you well provided you load it with a quality cartridge. Cor-Bon, Hornady, Federal, Winchester are some companies that sell quality hollow point ammo whose performace will come close to larger diameter calibers. As always, shot placement is KING. Again, IMHO, ammo technology has evolved to the point that most of the major manufacturers offer quality hollow point ammo that expands reliably and produces the "desired effect". Pick a quality 124 grain load from these manufacturers and personally, I would feel well-defended.

My personal pick? Like alot of others who have responded, I like the glock 19 - the perfect 9 in the opinion of alot of gun guys aside from myself.. Almost in the "compact" category, 15 round capacity, cheap(er) magazines and as reliable as any of the 6 other nines I own - including a Ruger SP-101 revolver in 9mm. Just a sweet, sweet gun and it holds twice the ammo that a standard 1911 does. Biggest complaint by others is the grip angle - doesn't bother me a bit and it hits where I point it...good luck and if you get it down to 2 pistols and can't decide - GET BOTH!

 

[dirtyboots]

G19

The XD and G19 are both great pistols. I have both and prefer the G19. My wife hates my Glock and loves the XD.

Nothing will be more helpful for you than shooting both. It's worth the extra time to go to a range and rent both, or ask around to see if anyone you know will take you shooting with either. The biggest difference between your listed choices will be your personal preference.

 

[hochung]

I vote Glock 19.


And if I happen to be near you during a firefight, you can have any of my Glock mags. I have a lot of them.

 

[Donsfast]

I like the XD but have owned a few Glocks and liked them as well. I think either would be great but like others have mentioned it may come down to what feels best for you. I find myself grabbing my S&W 44 mag before any of the autos because its just cool. Wheel guns rock!

 

[Zac808]

Ive been a long time xd fan. I currently own a xdm 9 and am picking up a walther pps 9 for my wife. Both excellent guns.

Sent frum mobul fone soe don't freek out about my speling and grahmar.

 

[RAFoutdoors]

Handgun Choice

I have carried GLOCKS at work for 25 years. First the model 19 (9mm) and now the model 23 (.40cal). Both have been great weapons. Reliable, foolproof and simple. I was on the original T&E team and GLOCK was not my first choice going into the test but it sure was at the end, hands down.
I worked the Marine Unit (Police Boats) for 24 years and the GLOCKS held up to the salt water environment better than anything else out there.
I also have a model 26 (9mm untra compact) and model 27 (.40 cal ultra compact which I carry offduty.
I agree that you should go to a firearms range that will let you try (rent) all different types of handguns and you choose which works best for you.
Good luck and be safe

 

[sasfrontier]

I love my G19 (GEN 3). I have only had it for 2 weeks, and i have put 800 rnds through it and not a single problem.

 

[subytoy]

Wow! Lots of Glock love here. I don't like Glocks. I've fired all of the guns the OP listed, I like the Ruger best, but as someone else posted, you should try them first if possible. What works for me may not work for you.
BTW, my personal favorite is the Daewoo DP51.

Craig

 

[Corey]

Yep, lots of G'Love here.
I really like mine, and never a misfire or any problem with the 21SF since I have owned it.
I like the way they feel in my hand, and also how simple they are.
They are like a Timex, they simply work and can take a lot of abuse.

 

[JLH9]

From that list, get a Glock. And for the record I am a Glock hater😃

I have owned an XD 40 and sold it, good gun but not great.

If you can stand the Glock ergonomics then you should be in good shape. If you buy a gun that you don't find comfortable, you won't want to use it.

 

[tmac]

I have a Glock 17, nice weapon but not very comfortable in my hand. I went and shot the S&W M&P 9mm, love at first sight. It fit my hand like a glove and was very easy to shoot. The S&W comes with three different sizes for the backstrap so you can pretty much get a custom fit. I now own a S&W M&P 9mm compact, since that purchase almost a year ago my Glock is getting awful lonely. After shooting the S&W I find the Glock grip to be very blocky and not very comfortable. It's personal preference, if you can go shoot all that you can until you find one that that fits you.

 

[robert]

Of the guns listed I'd go with a third generation Glock. The fourths still have some issues and not all of the parts are interchangeable with earlier guns (kinda blows that "Glock perfection" slogan out of the water when they change the gun huh?). Blocky and ugly, they are a utilitarian tool that functions very well, tend to be very accurate and resist rust and corrosion. That said, I hate the Glock's grip angle, much preferring the 1911's angle. I also don't like that need to swap out barrels to shoot cast bullets but that's a minor issue.

On my personal G19 I removed the finger grooves and relieved under the trigger guard and it made a huge difference in the way the gun feels to me- it's much easier for me to shoot now. My fingers just never fit the factory finger grooves and I always felt like I wanted a higher grip on the gun (like the New S&Ws). Thirty minutes with the Dremel, some sandpaper and a set of files and it feels like a different gun. I may end up sending it off to have the grip angle reshaped but I haven't decided yet.

 

[Storz]

I'm pretty happy with my Kel Tec PF9

 

[ssssnake529]

For concealed carry, there really isn't anything better than a Kahr. Well made, high quality weapon. Pretty accurate for its barrel length. Very concealable.

http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-P9-w-Night-Sights.asp

 

[BPMOU]

I am a big fan of the Glock. I have had XDs and a M&P and I switched to Glocks and I really do like them. So much so that my EDC is my 19 or 26.

I would highly recommend the 19 for all around (I can carry my 19 with jeans and a polo AIWB no problem) or the 26 for more concealed.

I looked at the Kahr and the Kel Tec before going with the 26 and reliability, parts, and mag availability for the glock won in my decision.

Both of my Glocks are Gen 4. I have about 500-600 trough the 26 and about 750-800 through the 19. No issues from either one.