Most reliable and shootable 9mm semi auto pistols

[Thegman]

I guess I misunderstood the OP’s original question. I thought he was asking for suggestions about a bear country handgun. My first reaction was to laugh at the “9mm” stipulation. For a bear gun? Really?
Let me know how that works for you lol.

Read the accounts I linked on page 9 to get a clearer picture of how bear defense incidents often look, and how various cartridges work in those accounts. 9mm, with non-cns shots, so far is 100% successful in ending problems with both black bears and grizzlies. I don't know how much lower one can go with that rate of success, but 9mm platforms, so far, appear to work well.

There might be more misinformation or "fudd-lore" as stated here, surrounding bear defense than any other topic I can think of.

 

[McCrapper]

I think this thread makes me want a CZ shadow 2 compact.

 

[112Savage]

I truly did not read all 17 pages. I have shot S&W 3rd gens in IDPA 3913,3914 and a CZ shadow. The cz is obviously a different beast and is my favorite. All three have been super reliable with 115, 124, and 147gr bullets. The S&W’s will feed empty brass from the magazine. DA/SA is not really noticeable when under pressure. Training to know the first trigger pull is longer is seamless. I will say that I traded my 3913 as daily carry for a Sig P365

 

[huntsman22]

I think this thread makes me want a CZ shadow 2 compact.

Well, grab a threaded barrel and a can while yer at it.....

 

[HighUintas]

Haha. Light and full size go against each other. When I am after shooting performance- it is a proper 1911 or 2011 platform. IF, I need a full size 9mm plus, but for some reason not a hammer fired pistol, then currently it is an Sig M18 with Broweur M1811 grip module and Dawson Sights or a dot.

Ha, sorry, I should have been more specific in asking what is a full size on the lighter end of those options. I now remember you mentioned the m18 with brouwer grip.

Is there any appreciable difference between the m18 and p320 m18 that are commercially available?

 

[HandgunHTR]

I think this thread makes me want a CZ shadow 2 compact.

I love my CZs. And my Browning Hi-Powers.

Both with thumb safeties BTW. Never had an issue with them either in competitions, training, or the couple of times I have had to use them defensively (all on animals, not people).

 

[Formidilosus]

Is there any appreciable difference between the m18 and p320 m18 that are commercially available?

No. Not functionally.

 

[Formidilosus]

I am in fact having a good faith conversation.

Ok. Taking this as honest, I will continue then.

Becoming frustrated that I have not accepted everything you said as gospel does suddenly mean I am coming at you will ill intent.

Not in the least. The normal way these conversations go is someone states things as fact. I question them on their statement. They double down. I question them on their thought process. They start with circular logic and fallacies. And on and on. That I am not interested in.



But, if you are wanting a legitimate conversation, I do too. M

So, simple question- are you truly legitimately open to the possibility that you are wrong? If so, are you willing to walk through the logic and history to see it?

 

[Tacoland]

Geez, I have a kenai is well. That is some serious force to yank that out. They have great tension. What made it come out?

Crawling my way through really a thick young pine grove. Branch got between me and the grip and yanked it loose.

Honestly, I think most peoples hopes are to make the first round count in a bad situation. Not saying that is right or wrong.

I guess that's my point - if someone doesn't have enough training to draw and establish a good grip, how are they going to make that first round count every time?

I ironically (given my allergy to a thumb safety) have one as well. Father-in-law gifted it so I am very sentimental to it. I have struggled to ever get quick with depressing the safety when trying to make it a carry gun in the past. They are nice shooters, but mine will not run hollow points well. Hornady crit. defense nor federal (I don't remember which federal). It will run FMJ well though.

Huh, mine runs federal punch and HST just fine. Haven't tried critical defense, but critical duty is my go to in my 9mms.

 

[Lawnboi]

@Formidilosus

Since we seem to be covering nearly all things pistol.

Any use or experience with the m&p9 2.0 full size or compact?

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

Ok. Taking this as honest, I will continue then.




Not in the least. The normal way these conversations go is someone states things as fact. I question them on their statement. They double down. I question them on their thought process. They start with circular logic and fallacies. And on and on. That I am not interested in.



But, if you are wanting a legitimate conversation, I do too. M

So, simple question- are you truly legitimately open to the possibility that you are wrong? If so, are you willing to walk through the logic and history to see it?

I’ll start by saying I believe I was wrong on the origin of the shooting grip as you pointed out. As another show of good faith that I am not in fact trolling or similar, I used to think I needed a .300 win mag to hunt anything west of the MS river. I have since changed that opinion significantly after some of the information you and others shared. Now, we have jumped to quite a few topics so we will have to be specific. I do not see much benefit in continuing the general topic of thumb safety good vs no thumb safety good. I think it’s clear you are in favor and see benefit to them beyond drop safety. I think it’s clear I do not. I don’t see us changing our opinions as we have both used both options and formed those opinions. I also do not see much use to continue discussion related to the trainers/youtubers/etc being relative sources of information. I do think some are a worthwhile resource. It seems that you do not for the most part. I don’t see us changing on either of those I am content to let everyone else read and determine for themselves where they fall on those topics If there is another topic we have discussed you want to continue, let me know. Otherwise, I do hope you have a great weekend.

 

[Billy Goat]

This blew up, I wasn't able to keep up.


But I wanted to drop this video of the @Formidilosus pistol tests for everyone wondering.

He rehearses that singing voice a good bit.

Not hard to get to 60k rounds when you drop a good beat.

 

[Formidilosus]

@Formidilosus

Since we seem to be covering nearly all things pistol.

Any use or experience with the m&p9 2.0 full size or compact?

Oh yeah. Have a pretty early and long road with M&P’s. If you like the platform, they are pretty solid. The only real issue they ever had was the 9mm guns shooting 6-8” groups at 25 yards.

 

[Formidilosus]

I’ll start by saying I believe I was wrong on the origin of the shooting grip as you pointed out. As another show of good faith that I am not in fact trolling or similar, I used to think I needed a .300 win mag to hunt anything west of the MS river. I have since changed that opinion significantly after some of the information you and others shared. Now, we have jumped to quite a few topics so we will have to be specific. I do not see much benefit in continuing the general topic of thumb safety good vs no thumb safety good. I think it’s clear you are in favor and see benefit to them beyond drop safety. I think it’s clear I do not. I don’t see us changing our opinions as we have both used both options and formed those opinions. I also do not see much use to continue discussion related to the trainers/youtubers/etc being relative sources of information. I do think some are a worthwhile resource. It seems that you do not for the most part. I don’t see us changing on either of those I am content to let everyone else read and determine for themselves where they fall on those topics If there is another topic we have discussed you want to continue, let me know. Otherwise, I do hope you have a great weekend.

Thank you for being honest.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

Pr

Crawling my way through really a thick young pine grove. Branch got between me and the grip and yanked it loose.

I will keep that in mind next time I’m in the woods with my Kenai. Although I’m not sure how much action it will continue to see excluding hiking and scouting. It’s aggravating carrying so much crap on my chest between the bino harness, holster, and range finder pouch + a pack on my back.

I guess that's my point - if someone doesn't have enough training to draw and establish a good grip, how are they going to make that first round count every time?

I’d love to see a breakdown in hit ratio in defensive shootings. I can’t imagine it is very high. However, I think average distance of encounter is only 7 yards so it’s certainly not a long shot if the goal is “to hit a body part”.

Huh, mine runs federal punch and HST just fine.

Yepp it’s always shocking how 2 of the same model gun can be so different.

Haven't tried critical defense, but critical duty is my go to in my 9mms

Ditto. Critical duty has always ran well in everything I’ve owned.

 

[Formidilosus]

This blew up, I wasn't able to keep up.


But I wanted to drop this video of the @Formidilosus pistol tests for everyone wondering.

He rehearses that singing voice a good bit.

Not hard to get to 60k rounds when you drop a good beat.

I’m much prettier, and only use Glocks.

 

[Formidilosus]

Well, grab a threaded barrel and a can while yer at it.....

That’s a good setup. Unfortunately, they aren’t drop safe….

 

[ThunderJack49]

Time for some spring bear handgun hunting.

 

[rileybassman]

That’s a good setup. Unfortunately, they aren’t drop safe….

Beat me to it ... "And no de-cocker"

Love mine and carry it pretty often.

What's your opinion on the DWX line? I picked up a compact a few weeks back and it's been a fun marriage of CZ and 20/1911.

Only a few hundred down range at this point but it's been accurate and reliable so far.

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

 

[MuleyFever]

I'm starting to look at pistols to carry while hunting and hiking as I'll be moving to an area with higher bear pop in a year or two. I haven't owned one and have minimal experience shooting a pistol.

I don't know if I'll buy one this year , but thought I should get one and become confident with it before moving.

Goal and use:
- probably won't conceal carry
- no competition plans
- mostly for backpacking, hunting, etc. So, lightweight. Not so small it hinders shootability
- 9mm
- great in reliability in factory (or nearly) form. I want a Tikka pistol. Shoot it dirty for it's life and it still works
- shootability - I've read Glocks are not particularly shootable
- speed - as it's mainly for bear protection, I want to be able to put as many rounds as quickly as I can into poi
- I don't really want to "need" to upgrade. One and done purchase.
- not sure on optic ... If it truly would help with speed and accuracy, then maybe. But it's another failure point to deal with
- prefer to have manual safety

That said, I've been looking into Glocks, Sig, and staccato.

- g19, g45, g48 - maybe g43 or 43x but they seem too small
- p320 m18, p320 x compact, p320 x carry, p365xl
- staccato c or cs

First question... Would I actually see any of the benefit of the staccato unless I became an extremely good shooter?

Because the g45 and g48 seem to be variants of the g19, are they just as reliable?

Does a slimmer grip generally hurt or hinder shootability (g48 vs g45)? I realize it's probably just a personal thing

Is there much difference in reliability between the Glocks and the p320/p365? Much difference in reliability between the different p320 models?

Having not carried a pistol before... For backpack hunters where weight/space is a concern, would a subcompact be better or are the sizes of those above small enough to not be an issue? (Again, probably personal preference)

Also, yes there is a range with rentals nearby and I'll do that before purchasing

So, after 18 pages you must have a crystal clear decision on what to get