Most reliable and shootable 9mm semi auto pistols

[HighUintas]

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

 

[Nine Banger]

G45 is great.

G48 is a G43x with longer slide.

I carry G43x in my bino harness because its thinner but shoot G45 in competition.

The slide length doesn't seem to matter for hits at pistol range. But coming out of a holster the G45 sight radius is right where I point. With longer G34 when I come up I have to make a slight correction. The G43x is not as enjoyable to shoot as the G45 but better to carry

 

[rickyw]

Glock 19s fit and balance well in my hand, and shoot well too. Rarely have any of mine jammed. Whatever you choose, it should feel at home in your hand.

 

[chanson_roland]

G19. Tried and true worldwide. Tons of aftermarket accessories, holsters, etc. Lots of ammo tested through it.

 

[2Stamp]

Only get a 320 if you want it to fire on you when holstering. Yep I said it.

The P365 would be a better option IMO.

Glocks are the Tikka of the pistol world. Shootability comes from getting familiar with the pistol. ie shooting it, dry firing it. Glocks are ugly, have no soul, but go bang whenever you pull the trigger.

Staccato's are really nice love mine), but unless you have $2400 burning a hole in your pocket, a little over kill. Just like a high end 1911, they can be more maintenance intensive.

 

[Nine Banger]

G19. Tried and true worldwide. Tons of aftermarket accessories, holsters, etc. Lots of ammo tested through it.

Maybe get a 19 and G43x and keep both or dump the one you like less.

 

[Bluumoon]

I have no true informed opinion, but Form’s Staccato was the filthiest pistol I’ve ever seen, you could scoop brass and other gunk out w a spoon.

They make a larger p365 Legion(?), picked one up for my wife r/t smaller grip feeling better than my G19. So far it’s nice to shoot, I might steal it.

Compared legion to G19, same length/ height/ mag capacity, narrower grip. Feels way better in hand

 

[omicron1792]

Hk vp9

 

[hereinaz]

Go shoot rentals at a range.

I don’t like the grip angle of the Glock. I found the Canik easiest to shoot. Not sure of the reliability and cleanliness, but I had the very first double/single action and ran it for several hundred maybe a thousand rounds without issues.

I owned the I liked the Springfield XD as well. I carried a SKKY that I had used for a while and put a couple hundred rounds through without issues too.

Maybe I never shot them to the point of common failure. But, I frequently did a mag dump of my carry magazine in all my pistols and never had a failure. Sample size and all that, but I never had a problem. I also cleaned infrequently.

I finally admitted that I sucked with a pistol and had no intention of training enough to get adequately good. I sold them all. I turned to a 7” suppressed SBR in 300 bo for home defense with 30 round mags.

But, you saw me with the Keltec PMR30, I have low standards. That pistol is easy to shoot and put lead on target. I now track with Form’s arguments about bear protection… same for people protection.

 

[rhagenw1988]

Another vote for a Glock 19. I take mine everywhere. Small enough for easy carrying and big enough for easy shooting.

 

[HighUintas]

Thanks for the insight so far!

I forgot to mention that I would prefer to have a manual safety if possible (possibly unnecessary due to my lack of experience). Which sort of steers it in the m18 and staccato direction. Not sure if a manual safety is standard on other p320 models or p365xl

 

[2Stamp]

The p365 is available with an external safety. Ideally I think its safety should be a little bigger.

 

[Live_weighT34]

Grain of salt take here, I’ve shot and owned a lot of handguns, glocks, sig, various 1911s, caniks, revolvers, etc… and nothing Gucci like nighthawks or staccatos. I don’t compete nor have had to use one for my job (not a lot of use for one in construction or sales) Just lots of shooting for fun.

If you want the “Tikka” of handguns it’s a Glock.

 

[mi650]

try an S&W M&P, available with a safety.

 

[Fatcamp]

It always puzzles me when people say Glocks aren't shootable. That says more about the craftsman than the tool.

 

[Blowdowner]

If your hands are big Glock 26 with extension. Small SW shield. But no joke an empty revolver is still a weapon.

 

[Shadowbandd]

Own the G45, 19 and 43x. Have shot multiple 320’s and 365’s. With little to no experience, Sig will have better ergonomics and triggers hands down. They also have the interchangeability factor which is huge because you can essentially have multiple configurations with one gun.
That being said, Sig likes to beta test on their customers so be aware of their issues. Chances are if you are buying brand new today you should be fine but it’s also the reason I still don’t own any.

If I were to choose any it would be the G45 hands down.

 

[RockAndSage]

Glocks are the Tikkas of the pistol world - pro is their reliability, biggest downside is their trigger pull, especially if you're used to a crisp trigger. They run forever, and require the least amount of maintenance.

2011s and 1911s in general are like the samurai swords of the pistol world - they can be absolutely elite in helping you take care of business, but require more operator competence. Biggest pro is how much easier they are to hit with, largely due to their triggers, but their biggest con is that they require more knowledge and maintenance discipline if you're staking your life on them. They also are typically heavier than Glocks and other polymer-framed pistols.

Sigs are an excellent middle-ground between Glocks and 1911s. Polymer-framed P365s might very well be your optimal choice for lightweight, reliable, high-capacity, and small footprint. Biggest downside might be the striker-fired trigger (you're essentially cocking back the 'firing pin' with the trigger pull on striker-fired guns), but they're far better than factory Glock triggers, and aren't that much of an issue.

If a crisp trigger pull is prioritized, a Sig P226, 228, or 229 will give you that, especially with their single-action only variants. The SAO variants are, essentially, like 1911s but more reliable and less maintenance-reliant. Biggest pros are that you get the better triggers and shootability of 1911s, biggest cons are they're all-metal and will be a bit heavier than a polymer gun.

As was mentioned by someone above, the best thing you can do is go to a range and rent a few different ones. Out of those, go with the one that you naturally hit the best with, with the least amount of practice - it's an indicator of it best fitting your hand and body structure most naturally, and will be the most likely to hit for you under extreme pressure.

 

[Fowl Play]

I’d highly recommend shooting multiple rentals at a range and if possible try some with red dots mounted. Truth is, the majority of us big game hunters don’t practice with our handguns enough to be as proficient as we should in a true life or death bear charge situation.

The red dot is an “easy button”. Still need to practice drawing and shooting form. But target acquisition time, number of hits, follow up accuracy etc are going to be way higher with less practice.

 

[Nine Banger]

The Glock Performance Trigger is a worthy upgrade.