Most reliable and shootable 9mm semi auto pistols

[Formidilosus]

What’s everyone’s thoughts on night sights?
Seems relevant to the original post.
I’ve been considering the XS Big Dot front and the vertical line rear.
Apologies to @HighUintas if that’s not the case.

Night sights are useful for locating a pistol on a nightstand in pitch black, and shooting things without a light to identify them. Not super helpful in very many real life aspects.

For irons, I want a fiber optic front and black rear (Dawson Precision), or a version of these-

https://www.ameriglo.com/products/details/sg-433

Ameriglo and Trijicon both make similar sights.

 

[HighUintas]

What’s everyone’s thoughts on night sights?
Seems relevant to the original post.
I’ve been considering the XS Big Dot front and the vertical line rear.
Apologies to @HighUintas if that’s not the case.

Not problem here. The more info the better. I was wondering the same. The tritium night sights or is a fiber optic useable? It definitely wouldn't be fail proof for the type that is exposed and prone to breakage

 

[HighUintas]

For a chest holster, like the kenai, how accessible is it when your wearing a bino harness and your pack? My pack shoulder straps are so close to my bino harness it seems like it would likely cover up the pistol grip

 

[sbaker0029]

Only surface level. The grips are not appealing to me.

What about the grips are unappealing?

I've been close to ordering one on several occasions but without ever handling one.
The grips and how they feel have been my biggest concern, and one of the reasons not to drop the money on a pistol I've never handled.

 

[HighUintas]

Well, I ended up with this today from my local classifieds as it was a pretty good deal and pretty much what I was looking for. Going to have to get some adapters for the 12rd mags.

 

[NXTZ]

For a chest holster, like the kenai, how accessible is it when your wearing a bino harness and your pack? My pack shoulder straps are so close to my bino harness it seems like it would likely cover up the pistol grip

It *can be pretty accessible, I think a lot will depend on your specific pack and bino harness configuration (especially if it has wings/pouch on your strong side), and body type/size. Form has a picture a few pages back with a k4 and sg sentinel harness (I think) and it seems to work for him. I have the same pack/harness and couldn’t get a comfortable fit with my g17.

I’m 5’7” and heavy for my height, so I don’t have as much real estate to work with as some folks. I also hate added bulk on my chest, and couldn’t get a comfortable fit/reliable draw with everything stacked up. **gfi I believe intended for a 2 handed draw with the kenai; that works as intended, but I found drawing 1 handed I had issues breaking retention. No knock on the product, just a me issue.

I could arrange stuff and have a clear grip for my pistol, but was compromising on comfort with other things-the wings on my harness would interfere when I had things positioned comfortably.

I sent the kenai back, but am honestly second guessing myself for that choice since I could adjust things a bit more and probably solve my problems. I have tried other carry positions and hated them more, so I’m willing to reconsider my bino harness/rf set up to better accommodate a pistol/holster that I like and is always on me.

 

[HighUintas]

It *can be pretty accessible, I think a lot will depend on your specific pack and bino harness configuration (especially if it has wings/pouch on your strong side), and body type/size. Form has a picture a few pages back with a k4 and sg sentinel harness (I think) and it seems to work for him. I have the same pack/harness and couldn’t get a comfortable fit with my g17.

I’m 5’7” and heavy for my height, so I don’t have as much real estate to work with as some folks. I also hate added bulk on my chest, and couldn’t get a comfortable fit/reliable draw with everything stacked up. **gfi I believe intended for a 2 handed draw with the kenai; that works as intended, but I found drawing 1 handed I had issues breaking retention. No knock on the product, just a me issue.

I could arrange stuff and have a clear grip for my pistol, but was compromising on comfort with other things-the wings on my harness would interfere when I had things positioned comfortably.

I sent the kenai back, but am honestly second guessing myself for that choice since I could adjust things a bit more and probably solve my problems. I have tried other carry positions and hated them more, so I’m willing to reconsider my bino harness/rf set up to better accommodate a pistol/holster that I like and is always on me.

I didn't realize they had their packs in in that picture. It looks like they've got decent sized chests.... I'm a puny 5'9 160 guy. But it also looks like they might have their bino harnesses lower on their chest than I do mine. I wear mine pretty high which is why I was thinking it would be in the way.

I will have to play with my bino harness straps and see if I can get it situated to where it's a lot lower and possible to fit a holster in there somewhere

 

[mikeafeagin22]

I haven’t scrolled through all 20 pages but I really like my little FN reflex for a lightweight hunting rig. I haven’t had it long enough or shot it enough to die on a hill defending it against the mob but it shoots well for me and I haven’t had any problems with it after about a thousand ish rounds through it the last or two. I want to say I got it two Christmases ago? I like having the 15 round capacity in a compact

 

[NXTZ]

I didn't realize they had their packs in in that picture. It looks like they've got decent sized chests.... I'm a puny 5'9 160 guy. But it also looks like they might have their bino harnesses lower on their chest than I do mine. I wear mine pretty high which is why I was thinking it would be in the way.

I will have to play with my bino harness straps and see if I can get it situated to where it's a lot lower and possible to fit a holster in there somewhere

I think you’re right-they’ve got their harnesses lower than I wear mine. Like you I prefer to have mine higher up. If I ran the kenai lower/below the harness it was workable. Honestly there’s a chance I’ll return to the kenai; I’ve been experimenting with a universal holster to try different positions and below the bino harness is the only tolerable option for me.

The last few years I pocket carried a smaller pistol, but I absolutely despise shooting the thing and I never liked that carry option either.

 

[twall13]

I don't own one yet but I'm looking at the Venandi Holster over the Kenai personally. You can get an add on to wear it stand alone like the Kenai or just have it attach to the back of your bino harness. I like the option to have both for different situations. When changing layers it would be nice not to have to take two harnesses off. No experience with it yet but it seems like a solid option.

I do know I didn't like the Razco underneath the bino harness. Too much going on in front and caused a pinch point with my pack belt.

Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[HighUintas]

I picked up some norma 115 fmj today that was on sale and I'm planning on shooting tomorrow. We'll see what happens. I'll have to watch a few Jerry miculek videos tonight.

I'll report back ... Regardless of how bad it is haha.

Side note on chest harnesses, I think I'm going to try one from Wasatchholsters.com. They're local to me, their price is great, and reviews look good. The holsters look pretty much the same as kenai and invader. I haven't seen anyone on rokslide mention them, so I thought I'd throw the name out in case anyone is interested in trying them out.

 

[HighUintas]

Holy crap I suck. I've shot pistols before; lots of pellet pistols in my youth but that doesn't count and CF a few times but have never shot for accuracy or speed. Just plinking with zero knowledge or intent.

I watched a few videos last night on correct grip and controlling recoil, and did a lot of dry firing which I think helped. My trigger press is solid and doesn't move the sight, but my sight picture is truly terrible.

I shot the first target with one eye closed focusing on front blade, then remembered that ain't how to shoot a pistol in a defensive scenario and shit the rest both eyes open. Shooting both eyes open was truly hard for me. I tried to focus on the front blade with both eyes open, but couldn't aim at the bull very well due to it being doubled. I'm not sure if there's something funky with my eyes focus, but I had a really hard time aiming with both eyes open.

These were all shot at 7 yd. Black circle is 6" I think. The first few targets were shot without any tempo and just for accuracy. The last one I shot as quickly as I could regain sight picture.

I was only going to shoot one box, but those went pretty quick so I dipped into the second. Somewhere around 60 to 65 shots.

Number one


Number 2



Number 3


Number 4 - shot as fast as I could regain sight picture

 

[jonpall]

Holy crap I suck. I've shot pistols before; lots of pellet pistols in my youth but that doesn't count and CF a few times but have never shot for accuracy or speed. Just plinking with zero knowledge or intent.

I watched a few videos last night on correct grip and controlling recoil, and did a lot of dry firing which I think helped. My trigger press is solid and doesn't move the sight, but my sight picture is truly terrible.

I shot the first target with one eye closed focusing on front blade, then remembered that ain't how to shoot a pistol in a defensive scenario and shit the rest both eyes open. Shooting both eyes open was truly hard for me. I tried to focus on the front blade with both eyes open, but couldn't aim at the bull very well due to it being doubled. I'm not sure if there's something funky with my eyes focus, but I had a really hard time aiming with both eyes open.

These were all shot at 7 yd. Black circle is 6" I think. The first few targets were shot without any tempo and just for accuracy. The last one I shot as quickly as I could regain sight picture.

I was only going to shoot one box, but those went pretty quick so I dipped into the second. Somewhere around 60 to 65 shots.

Number one
View attachment 866713

Number 2
View attachment 866714


Number 3
View attachment 866715

Number 4 - shot as fast as I could regain sight picture
View attachment 866716

Shooting pistols is hard. I also suck. Keep it up.

 

[walkingduckwaterfowl]

I've been around a lot of first time pistol shooters and thats not bad shooting....if you ever go to a public indoor range check for impacts in the ceiling and on the ground halfway to the targets and you will be surprised what you see!

7 yards shooting rapidly is open loop shooting. It is not a precision action. The intention is to stop the threat either through CNS disruption or injury that destroys its will to continue.

A good excercise in pistols is to shoot open loop starting around 3 yards and work your way back. Establish a proper grip and hold onto the pistol like its a rattlesnake thats trying to bite you. Your subconcious will do the aiming for you. As you increase distance, you will find the distance where your open loop shooting skills really start to fall apart and become inaqequate for the intended purpose. Good shooting and it will get even better with proper practice.

 

[ElPollo]

Holy crap I suck. I've shot pistols before; lots of pellet pistols in my youth but that doesn't count and CF a few times but have never shot for accuracy or speed. Just plinking with zero knowledge or intent.

I watched a few videos last night on correct grip and controlling recoil, and did a lot of dry firing which I think helped. My trigger press is solid and doesn't move the sight, but my sight picture is truly terrible.

I shot the first target with one eye closed focusing on front blade, then remembered that ain't how to shoot a pistol in a defensive scenario and shit the rest both eyes open. Shooting both eyes open was truly hard for me. I tried to focus on the front blade with both eyes open, but couldn't aim at the bull very well due to it being doubled. I'm not sure if there's something funky with my eyes focus, but I had a really hard time aiming with both eyes open.

These were all shot at 7 yd. Black circle is 6" I think. The first few targets were shot without any tempo and just for accuracy. The last one I shot as quickly as I could regain sight picture.

I was only going to shoot one box, but those went pretty quick so I dipped into the second. Somewhere around 60 to 65 shots.

Number one
View attachment 866713

Number 2
View attachment 866714


Number 3
View attachment 866715

Number 4 - shot as fast as I could regain sight picture
View attachment 866716

Work on your grip and trigger press with dry-fire practice and things will improve.

 

[TaperPin]

Give it 30 minutes and you’ll be bombarded with comments you should change eyes and shoot left handed, that it would be ridiculous to keep shooting with a non dominant eye. Many of us shoot just fine closing a left eye and shooting right handed. They will point to some kid learning to shoot who struggles closing an eye, or someone shooting like a pirate never opening that eye, rather than comparing decent shooters who do it well and only close an eye as the sights are coming on target. Everyone’s different, but you’ll probably shoot just fine closing an eye, so ignore most of what you hear.

 

[HighUintas]

Give it 30 minutes and you’ll be bombarded with comments you should change eyes and shoot left handed, that it would be ridiculous to keep shooting with a non dominant eye. Many of us shoot just fine closing a left eye and shooting right handed. They will point to some kid learning to shoot who struggles closing an eye, or someone shooting like a pirate never opening that eye, rather than comparing decent shooters who do it well and only close an eye as the sights are coming on target. Everyone’s different, but you’ll probably shoot just fine closing an eye, so ignore most of what you hear.

Haha yea ... I guess unless there's 3 different bears coming at me from different angles, I don't necessarily need to keep both eyes open

 

[justinspicher]

Proper grip is a funny thing……it’s very personal to you and the pistol you are shooting. When people see how I grip a pistol I’m told it’s completely wrong, but I have been blessed with bitch mitts and shoot a fulls sized pistol. It took me about a year to really figure it out, and several thousand rounds, but I figured it out.

Keep after it and you’ll find what does and doesn’t work for you.

 

[TaperPin]

Haha yea ... I guess unless there's 3 different bears coming at me from different angles, I don't necessarily need to keep both eyes open

Yes, lol.

You’ll figure it all out - just your interest in learning about things tells us that.

One thing that doesn’t get reinforced enough in many online discussions is the importance of a firm grip. Not a death grip, but something like a firm handshake. Recovery of sight picture is faster, fewer jambs, movement between targets is faster, and more consistence on target. For some it also reduces the tendency to push the muzzle down on the trigger pull, because the firm grip also stiffens the wrist. Watching experienced shooters you’ll see their forearms working.

 

[Formidilosus]

I picked up some norma 115 fmj today that was on sale and I'm planning on shooting tomorrow. We'll see what happens. I'll have to watch a few Jerry miculek videos tonight.

I'll report back ... Regardless of how bad it is haha.

Side note on chest harnesses, I think I'm going to try one from Wasatchholsters.com. They're local to me, their price is great, and reviews look good. The holsters look pretty much the same as kenai and invader. I haven't seen anyone on rokslide mention them, so I thought I'd throw the name out in case anyone is interested in trying them out.

Todd Jarret has in older one about the grip that is good, and is usually the first I suggest people to watch. Also, Tactical Performance Center has a pretty decent set of info/instructional videos on you tube.