Most reliable and shootable 9mm semi auto pistols

[HighUintas]

Although I haven't done it, that does look like it would be awkward to draw at that height and might be even more difficult with pack straps added to all that.

I know you have the holster already, but have you thought about a holster that clips to your pack belt? Might be worth trying, but may not work depending on how you carry your rifle (?).

I know people mention not having your pistol when your pack is off, but if the pack needs to be off for any length of time, it's pretty easy to just clip some holsters to your person in a few seconds and it isn't competing with the shitshow that can happen with a lot of straps and gear on the chest. I rarely if ever carry a pistol when I'm carrying a rifle, so there is that, but when I'm hiking/packing without a rifle, that works pretty well for me and is a really simple set-up.

I had thought about a pack belt/hip belt type clip but didn't want to have to remember to move it over in the heat of the moment if starting a stalk or suddenly dropping the pack. It seemed to me that would be much harder to train in. That may not be the case, but it seemed that way. I'll play around with different configurations with this one and if it doesn't ever feel comfortable then I'll think about the belt clip.

 

[HighUintas]

Here's a couple more configurations.

I think either low gun or high gun is the way to do it. With it coming out the side like in the initial pictures, it's harder to get my fingers in around the other junk.

One problem is that my bino case is huge since I have the large size for the maven b2s I no longer have.

It's very easy drawing quickly with either setup below.

 

[Thegman]

Here's a couple more configurations.

I think either low gun or high gun is the way to do it. With it coming out the side like in the initial pictures, it's harder to get my fingers in around the other junk.

One problem is that my bino case is huge since I have the large size for the maven b2s I no longer have.

It's very easy drawing quickly with either setup below.

View attachment 876899View attachment 876900View attachment 876901

I've haven't messed with a chest holster setup for a long time, but did wonder if one could run them low enough to get below everything, like your first picture. That looks about ideal, to me, completely separate from the gear shitshow. Not criticizing your gear, I just know that we can have other things in the center of our chest. My binoculars and rangefinder hang there, and even though mine are pretty small, I really don't want a pistol trying to compete for that space, or any space. I'd rather it have it's own dedicated spot.

 

[Billogna]

Here's a couple more configurations.

I think either low gun or high gun is the way to do it. With it coming out the side like in the initial pictures, it's harder to get my fingers in around the other junk.

One problem is that my bino case is huge since I have the large size for the maven b2s I no longer have.

It's very easy drawing quickly with either setup below.

View attachment 876899View attachment 876900View attachment 876901

The second picture looks more squared away to me. More out of the way but easy to access if needed.

 

[NXTZ]

agreed, the second picture is about how I’ve figured I’d wear mine. If I wear the holster and bino harness directly over my base layer, I can add a jacket over top (and not have to f with harness/holster). Just leave the top half unzipped and I still have decent access to binos and pistol.

I’ve tried using a marsupial holster on the bottom of the bino harness. That wasn’t too bad, but the weight is all on one harness and it’s harder to access if I throw a coat on.

 

[HighUintas]

I've haven't messed with a chest holster setup for a long time, but did wonder if one could run them low enough to get below everything, like your first picture. That looks about ideal, to me, completely separate from the gear shitshow. Not criticizing your gear, I just know that we can have other things in the center of our chest. My binoculars and rangefinder hang there, and even though mine are pretty small, I really don't want a pistol trying to compete for that space, or any space. I'd rather it have it's own dedicated spot.

It is 100% a gear shit show with that holster mixed in haha. I've never liked having a bino harness on my front but the convenience and ease of access trumps I guess.

agreed, the second picture is about how I’ve figured I’d wear mine. If I wear the holster and bino harness directly over my base layer, I can add a jacket over top (and not have to f with harness/holster). Just leave the top half unzipped and I still have decent access to binos and pistol.

I’ve tried using a marsupial holster on the bottom of the bino harness. That wasn’t too bad, but the weight is all on one harness and it’s harder to access if I throw a coat on.

Yes the jacket is a good point. I was thinking I might go for the low gun position since I usually wear my binos high, but I'd like to still have access to the gun with a jacket on.

 

[Billogna]

I'm not familiar with these holsters. Is there a way to adjust it to a more horizontal draw, as opposed to the vertical cant?

 

[HighUintas]

I'm not familiar with these holsters. Is there a way to adjust it to a more horizontal draw, as opposed to the vertical cant?

Yes if you look at all the pictures some are more horizontal and that comes with the shoulder strap being on the gun side of my neck. I believe i could also put the mount for that shoulder strap in one of the other holes along the top side of the holster since it's a bolt that connects it but haven't tried that yet

 

[Billogna]

Yes if you look at all the pictures some are more horizontal and that comes with the shoulder strap being on the gun side of my neck. I believe i could also put the mount for that shoulder strap in one of the other holes along the top side of the holster since it's a bolt that connects it but haven't tried that yet

Right on! It's definitely something I'd play around with to get the grip of the pistol just a tad lower and more behind the bino harness. But that's just me judging from pics alone and what I personally think would be most comfortable/handy.

 

[HighUintas]

Right on! It's definitely something I'd play around with to get the grip of the pistol just a tad lower and more behind the bino harness. But that's just me judging from pics alone and what I personally think would be most comfortable/handy.

It's certainly worth trying. I tried to have it underneath and coming out the side of the bino harness, but there's too much junk around the grip and makes the draw not as clean. It could just be my particular bino harness and pack shoulder strap layout. I've got a fairly small chest for all that junk to fit on

 

[Billogna]

It's certainly worth trying. I tried to have it underneath and coming out the side of the bino harness, but there's too much junk around the grip and makes the draw not as clean. It could just be my particular bino harness and pack shoulder strap layout. I've got a fairly small chest for all that junk to fit on

Push ups??? lol

 

[HighUintas]

Push ups??? lol

I don't want to have to spend money on new clothes

 

[HighUintas]

Little bit more practice today at 7yds. Groups 1-5 clockwise are all 10 rounds and are just slow fired with one eye open.

Group 6 is fast as I could get back on target, which may have been about 1s splits. Wish I would have timed it.

Group 7 was target focus both eyes open.

I dry fired a couple of times after every couple of live rounds with all groups except for 5 and 6

I definitely have a bit of target panic or recoil anticipation. There was once I left the safety on without realizing it and I certainly jerked that trigger. It was really weird to have that happen, since I know I've rid myself of that with my rifle a long time ago.

 

[RockAndSage]

Little bit more practice today at 7yds. Groups 1-5 clockwise are all 10 rounds and are just slow fired with one eye open.

Group 6 is fast as I could get back on target, which may have been about 1s splits. Wish I would have timed it.

Group 7 was target focus both eyes open.

I dry fired a couple of times after every couple of live rounds with all groups except for 5 and 6

I definitely have a bit of target panic or recoil anticipation. There was once I left the safety on without realizing it and I certainly jerked that trigger. It was really weird to have that happen, since I know I've rid myself of that with my rifle a long time ago.

View attachment 877656

Try randomly mixing 2-4 in for every 10 rounds in a mag, across a couple of range mags:

Amazon.com : ST Action Pro 9mm Snap Caps – Orange Safety Trainer Dummy Rounds, Reusable Dry Fire Training Ammunition (20-Pack) for Gun Owners : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : ST Action Pro 9mm Snap Caps – Orange Safety Trainer Dummy Rounds, Reusable Dry Fire Training Ammunition (20-Pack) for Gun Owners : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

 

[HighUintas]

Try randomly mixing 2-4 in for every 10 rounds in a mag, across a couple of range mags:

Amazon.com : ST Action Pro 9mm Snap Caps – Orange Safety Trainer Dummy Rounds, Reusable Dry Fire Training Ammunition (20-Pack) for Gun Owners : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : ST Action Pro 9mm Snap Caps – Orange Safety Trainer Dummy Rounds, Reusable Dry Fire Training Ammunition (20-Pack) for Gun Owners : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

I'll definitely get some of those. Tha nks!

 

[Laramie]

Guessing it was discussed somewhere in the middle of the thread but why 9mm for bear defense?

 

[Fatcamp]

Guessing it was discussed somewhere in the middle of the thread but why 9mm for bear defense?

Easier to shoot so more likely to practice and put rounds on target.

 

[ztc92]

Easier to shoot so more likely to practice and put rounds on target.

Also I believe with proper bullets, 9mm will penetrate more than 10mm and certainly will penetrate plenty to be lethal. Essentially if a huge jump in performance (ability to shoot accurately thanks to reduced recoil) while still providing more than adequate lethality.

 

[kickemall]

Also I believe with proper bullets, 9mm will penetrate more than 10mm and certainly will penetrate plenty to be lethal. Essentially if a huge jump in performance (ability to shoot accurately thanks to reduced recoil) while still providing more than adequate lethality.

And along these lines, has anyone tried the Underwood ammo loaded with 115 gr. Lehigh Penetrators? Interesting bullet but concerned about only being 115.

 

[HighUintas]

And along these lines, has anyone tried the Underwood ammo loaded with 115 gr. Lehigh Penetrators? Interesting bullet but concerned about only being 115.

I haven't seen any reports of it ever being used. What's been recommended most on this forum that I've seen is heavy barrier blind duty type ammunition, like 147gr gold dot or g2 or similar