Most reliable and shootable 9mm semi auto pistols

I believe the springfield xd line has a grip safety as well as the trigger safety. If you aren't going train a lot to really get used to a manual safety just think about fumbling in a bear scenario
 
Isn’t that relative? Do you believe that a person with zero functional skill (the vast majority of people that carry and shoot pistols), and a USPS Grandmaster are meaning the same thing when they say “shootability”?

Absolutely not. I just don't think it's as big a deal as people make it out to be.

The best shooter I've personally been around shot a match at our club with a Glock 26 and made a lot of folks see in person that the craftsman really matters.
 
Absolutely not. I just don't think it's as big a deal as people make it out to be.

The best shooter I've personally been around shot a match at our club with a Glock 26 and made a lot of folks see in person that the craftsman really matters.

I absolutely agree, as this is true with most things. The gun is only as good as the time I put into it and the skill goes much farther than a high performing piece. But I'd like to give myself all the edge I can... If my life depends on it.
 
Glock guy owned a ex police 17 as my first shot well despite wear, bought a 19 and sold the 17, didnt shoot it as well but improved with a ported barrel. Bought a 20 and added a ported barrel and slightly stronger spring,shoot it well better than the 19. Next added 2 43s for the wife and I, didnt like the grip added a +2 mag extension and a ported barrel is it now close to a 43x? I carry a Buckmark camper 4.5 the most while hiking in a Kenai holster, the thing just shoots really well and is a nice grouse gun with subsonics. Have started shooting the 223 practice drills at 25 yds with the Buckmark.
 
I have depended on handguns professionally for 20+ years. I have used HK USPc, 1911 variant, S&W M&P, and many Glock variants.

I shot 1911’s hands down the best, but reliability of small but important parts (extractor, etc.) was an issue that left me doubting it early in the morning at times. Best gun for sport but would not be my choice when my life is on the line. I know, an un-American opinion.

Early model M&P handled well, no real issues other than for me, the magazine release was either too light or the location slightly misplaced for my grip. I accidentally released the magazine several times in training. Left me wanting more.

The HK USPc was a great gun, no issues at all, I would carry one again.

For me the Glocks are the best handguns I have a lot of time on. Accuracy is more than what I need. Qualification scores/times are in all reality no different than what I produced with the 1911 previously (bullseye course 1911 high 290’s/Glock low 290’s, out of 300) A carry gun is all about reliability, and I have not seen anything better than Glock for all conditions. After market support for Glock is excellent and everywhere (sights, holsters, parts, etc.) I can easily replace parts (if even required) on my own, no fitting required. My personal favorite is the G17 for open and woods carry. The G19 is a great size and very shootable too. I would not recommend the G26 for a casual shooter. Great gun but a bit more critical to handle proficiently with the short grip. I like the G17 magazine compatibility between the models. If you wanted a compact/sub-compact Glock the G43x and G48 are my choice, and after market magazines provide a higher capacity if desired.

I have bit of time with the Sig P365 Legion. Excellent gun to shoot, but I trust the Glock more. Reliability is the most important quality in a pistol to me, and Glock has the simpler and more robust internal parts to create a track record to depend on, for me.
 
I havent read all of the replies but....

Glock is the default answer.

I can shoot a glock "well". I just don't shoot them well quickly.

Ive got a cz p09 that I put a little work and parts into. All in I think I'm less then $600. And I've run that sucker hard and fast. Probably over 2k round without cleaning. And when I did it was very clean on the insides.

Any of the brand name polymer guns would probably suffice. Just find one that suits you.

And id recommend doing pistol matches with it. Time and stress changes everything.
 
If you can, go to an indoor range that rents guns. Most people will find one model/brand will shoot easier for them. For instance, years ago I was comparing a Glock 19 and a 17. The Glock 19 pointed much better for me which might be unexpected, but the grips were slightly different.

If you want a safety, I'd consider the S&W, Beretta, or Ruger guns.

Unless you want to learn 1911/2011s including the upkeep, I'd avoid those because they don't tolerate dirt as well. It might not be your first best choice.

There are revolvers that should 9mm, but they are a bit thicker with less capacity compared to most semi autos.

Finally, unless you want to get deep into the guns, I'd avoid a trigger change. Trigger jobs/changes are notorious for causing failures. Note: they can be done reliably, but it's just one more thing to potentially go wrong.
 
I stumbled into the deal of my life on a Wilson EDC X9L and it's the best pistol I've ever owned. While I wouldn't recommend the L version for this one (5"), I would strongly recommend one of their 4" double stack 9s. I got mine for a little more than a new glock or I wouldn't own one. You likely can't find one for that price but if a new stacatto is on the table you're in the ballpark.

I have a feeling if you went and shot a 2011, you wouldn't ever think about a glock again. I lean heavily to 1911s and don't love stricker fire pistols. Just something I couldnt get around. I don't love the system but I carry a P365 quite a bit too only due to size and it's a solid gun but not even in the same galaxy as a nice 2011. I will say I can shoot it very good and somehow it fits me well enough.

Yes I know the wilson isn't technically a 2011 you nerds.
 
DA/SA is a silly solution to a non real problem. Single action only with a thumb safety, or striker fired- preferably with a thumb safety.

I know some people say the heavier DA trigger pull gives more of a safety margin and they also like that they can put their thumb over the hammer while re-holstering. Is this what you're referring to?
 
Despite people saying that Glocks are the Tikka’s of pistols- they are not. Not even close. Tikkas are extremely reliable, AND extremely high performing. Glocks are reliable, and mediocre performing. They can be used and shot to a very high level, but it takes significantly more skill and work to do so compared to other pistols.

Glocks are the Ruger M77’s of the pistol world. There is no Tikka equivalent in pistols when factoring in price- the closest would be a CZ Shadow 2.

What I write below is based upon actual shooting performance with scored targets and timers, under stress, and with relatively large amounts of people.





This is a good thought. But also eliminates Glock.




The single stack Glocks are harder to shoot well- significantly so. The G45 is an excellent pistol of the type. But no manual thumb safety and does demand more of the shooter to equal the same performance.





Despite media and hysteria, the M18 with thumb safety is a good pistol. 100% you will want to swap the grip module for the Brouwer M1811 module. The P365 with thumb safety is a very pistol as well. Even though it is smaller, it is quite shootable.





Very good guns. They are definitely the highest performing pistols on your list, by quite a margin. Reliability wise they are solid.





Yes, but maybe not noticed if you are just shooting cans in the backyard. You could say it like such- if you knew without a doubt you were going to be in a shooting, and you had any base skills at all- you would absolutely choose the Staccato’s.





The G45 yes. Functionally the G48 as well , but there have been more issues there.




Yes. Regardless of hand size (within reason).





This is a bit harder to address. The Gen 5 9mm Glocks are probably the “most reliable” pistols made. But that I mean- most mean rounds between stoppages (MRBS). However, functionally- there isn’t a real difference. It doesn’t really matter if it is 10,000 MRBS or 25,000 MRBS- both are beyond reliable enough.





Yes.




That isn’t going to do much for you. You stated you aren’t a pistol shooter, don’t really have skill, and aren’t knowledgeable about them. How a pistol “feels” has almost zero bearing on how well it can or will be shot, and any relevance it does have is almost always to the negative- feelings lie and “good feeling pistols” often perform worse in actual measured shooting.


Based on your stated goals/use, I would be narrowing it down to either-

The P365 with thumb safety if weight is a primary driver

Or

The Staccato C or CS if max shooting performance is the main driver.




Or…. Keltec PMR 30.
Are you being serious about the PMR 30? If so, why not an M&P 5.7?
 
Glock all day long and twice on Sundays, for me.

I undoubtedly shoot 1911’s better, but for your use case and my use case in the backcountry the Glock (like a 43x) is the better choice IMO.
 
You described a Glock. If you learn to roll your wrist like Richard Simmons, and haven't done enough manual labor to have real muscles in your hands, they work great without as frequent cleaning. That means powder fouling or lint, etc. not actual dirt.

If you can be bothered to wipe it down every couple hundred rounds pretty much every other plastic pistol is a refinement. I'd look at Walther first; the original PPS or PPQ specifically. But really you have to find which major player points naturally for you.
 
I should have been clearer. The lack of safety sucks for me but I get that some people prefer to not have them.

I don't understand the glock love because to me, they are now overpriced. A P320 is about the same or a little cheaper and night sights are standard. There's a litany of cheaper plastic pistols that work as well (canik, PSA). I think Glock could do better on their pricing.
 
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