Welcome to the best 9mm pistol site. Hopefully the information provided is useful. Your input is always welcome.
 
Most of you will not agree with this list. You can shuffle the top 25 list and still have good results. The difference between the #1 pistol and #25 pistol is so minor. We are really splitting hairs here. Don't put too much weight on this list. The very best 9mm pistol, is the one that shoots the best for you.
 
So you want a .40 S&W insted of 9mm? Most of the pistols listed are also available in .40 caliber. This could be a best 40 S&W site, as the same best 9mm pistols are normally the best chambered for .40 S&W.
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Why 9mm? The 9mm luger, also called the 9mm Parabellum or 9x19, is the most popular caliber in the world for carry pistols. More pistols are chambered in 9mm than any other caliber. According to FBI testing, the quality 9mm JHP ammo rivals the 40 S&W and 45 ACP in stopping power. Another plus is the low cost for ammunition. Only the 22 long rifle ammo cost less.
See 9mm Ballistics
Favorite 9mm ammo? None really. When Wal-Mart has the Winchester 100ct white box or Remington UMC on sale, I will buy every box in the store. These are great for practice. If I had to pick a favorite it would be Fiocchi 123gr FMJ. They are accurate and loaded pretty hot (1250 FPS!); plus work great in competition. For defense, I would pick any brand of 124gr or 147gr jacketed Hollow Point (JHP). The terminal performance is about the same for the cheap stuff as the premium.
So many Plastic Guns! I don't know if I can get excited about plastic. First thing that comes to mind is the life span of a plastic trash can.
A really cool feature with some polymer framed pistols, is you can swap out the backstraps to fit different hand sizes. This feature combined with the less felt recoil makes for a great wifey pistol.
The Super Nines. If you are a handloader you may want to take a look at the super nines. This includes the 9x23, 38 super, and 357 Sig. The 124g bullet from one of the super nines is faster than the 125gr 357 magnum in a snubbie revolver. The 38 super is a combat favorite. The 357 Sig is gaining popularity as a police cartridge, thus making ammo easy to find.
Cheap $100 indoor shooting range....by Fleetwood.
Ask the trailer park manager about abandoned mobile homes. You may get one for free, and only have the cost of getting it to your property. An used mobile home makes for an excellent 15 yard indoor range. Make sure to lock the front door and use plenty of sandbags or railroad ties! The exhaust fan above the oven sucks out the smoke and fumes.
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The rules: The guns must be great shooters, reliable, good quality, and cost less than $600 USD new from a gun dealer. The $600 rule will exclude many fine 9mm pistols and competition guns. If you don't agree or have other choices, you can sound off in the Guest Book. Enjoy.
Note: The haggle price is the best deal you should get from your local dealer. |  |
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1. CZ 75b: Haggle Price $470-$500
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What a shooter. Nice trigger. Never a jam! Over 10,000 rounds and still going strong. The CZ 75b gets better the more you shoot it. After the first 1,000 rounds, it performs like a tuned competition pistol. The accuracy is amazing. Even die hard revolver guys shoot good with this gun. It points like a M1911 and handles like a Hi-Power. If you spend some time shooting the 75b, you will fall in love with it too. I don't think you can do better for under $900. Ditto for the CZ 85b. Could CZ better the 75b platform? Yes; see the awesome CZ SP-01 and SP-01 Tactical. The SP-01 can be bought for under $600 if you haggle!
CZ USA
CZ 75b Review
CZ 75b Overview Video
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2. Baby Eagle 9915R: Haggle Price $500-$530
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The MRI Baby Desert Eagle is all steel with a 4.52" barrel. Handles just like the CZ 75, but more solid. Very good shooter with a strong heavy feel to it. About 500 rounds for break-in. I love shooting this baby. The good trigger and solid feel makes this the ultimate double-tap pistol. It is as close to the perfect shooter as you can get. The MRI Baby Eagle is a good choice for combat competition. I would have ranked it above the CZ if the exterior finish was better. Overall quality is great. The Baby Eagle is built to last a lifetime. The Isralies sure know how to make fine firearms. Also known as the IWI Jericho 941. This is NOT a CZ clone! Note: MRI is importing them again!
Magnum Research Website
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3. Beretta 92FS (M9): Haggle Price $550-$580
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Great performance on the range. This is a man's pistol. A true warrior that replaced the 45 ACP 1911 service pistol. The Beretta M9 (or 92FS) is the most tested pistol since the M1911-A1. Used by the U.S. Military and thousands of poilce officers. Beretta 92 pistols with over 75,000 rounds have been reported. This solid designed pistol is what replaced so many police revolvers. Nothing shoots better than a well used Beretta 92FS. Allow about 300 rounds for break-in. Good long range pistol. I can hit the 50 yard gong over and over again. Easy to find magazines and holsters for this popular gun. The Italian made ones are tight! See the new 92-A1 with 1913 Picatinny rail.
Beretta USA
Unofficial Beretta Site
92FS In Combat. WOW!
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4. Taurus PT 92: Haggle Price $430-$460
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The stainless steel model is awesome ($25 more). This Beretta 92 clone is just as good as the Beretta in every way. Taurus made some good improvements to the Beretta design. Reliably feeds every brand of 9mm ammo including Wolf and Blazers. With the 5" barrel, it is a tack-driver. Allow a few hundred rounds for break-in. Don't pay attention to all the disinformation from Beretta snobs. The PT92 is a very high quality piece! The only thing cheap about the Taurus PT 92 is the price. The PT 92 must be the best pistol bargain in the industry, and an economical way to get into combat shooting. Sure is pretty. Also see the more compact PT 911.
Taurus Website
PT92 Video
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5. Springfield XDm 4.5": Haggle Price $540-$570
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Spending only $75 extra for the XDm over the standard XD is one heck of a bargain! The XDm I tested was brand spanking new and the trigger has very little take-up with a short reset. So nice! I could not believe I was shooting a DOA striker fired pistol! It should be classified as a single action! The match grade barrel, two 19 round mags, plus all the extra goodies that come with the XDm are another plus. You can swap out the rear grips to fit your hand better too. Don't get me wrong here, as the standard Springfield XD is a very fine pistol. Springfield pulled out all the stops with the XDm and built close to the perfect handgun. It just shoots so good! I was having so much fun, I went through $50 worth of ammo in minutes. The XDm is excellent for combat or police duty.
Springfield XDm Review video
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6. CZ SP-01 Phantom: Haggle Price $530-$560
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How do you make the best polymer framed pistol? You start with using the SP-01 (CZ 75b) top end and guts; then add a mean looking poly stock with accessory rail to get the weight below 29 ounces. Then add an interchangeable backstrap section to make it easy to configure for any hand size. This is not a sweet little gun for concealed carry. The Phantom is a full sized service pistol with 19 round capicity that works good for competition too. Trigger break-in takes about 400 rounds. I have been waiting for over a year for prices to drop. The Phantom will own a combat course and embarass your shooting buddies. You must try the Phantom to gain the religious shooting experience like I have. My range brothers, the Phantom is a heavenly shooter and the most accurate poly pistol you can buy! Amen.
SP-01 Phantom Preview Clip Phantom of the Range
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7. Glock 17 Gen 4: Haggle Price $530-$560
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The Gen 4 pistols are the best shooting Glocks ever! A nice feature with the Gen 4 series is the 3 backstrap choices to fit different hand sizes. This feature is the biggest selling point for me. Older Glocks feel like you are holding a block of wood, while the Gen 4 series molds right into your hand. Glock 17 range performance is very good and the trigger is almost accetable for combat. It might be just me, but the Gen 4 feels like it has less recoil than the old G17. Glock has a proven durability history and is one of the most popular police carry guns. Glock does have a cult following, and ranking it #7 will upset many. If you want a Glock range champion, spend the extra cash for the awesome G34; or make your Glock 17 shoot like a G34 with the inexpensive Ghost Ultimate 3.5lb Trigger Connector! Also check out the new 21 ounce Gen 4 G19 with a 4" barrel.
Glock Site
Glock Gen 4 Review
Pro Shooting Glock Gen 4
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8. Walther P99 AS: Haggle Price $560-$590
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The Walther P99 grips so good. It feels like it belongs in your hand. The P99 trigger is great for a striker fired gun and would get an 9 out of 10 rating. The trigger in SA mode is short and crisp like an 1911 combat pistol! At the range the Walther P99 feeds all ammo just great with no jams. The poly stock takes the recoil abuse and is good for all day shooting. You have 3 backstrap choices for hand fitment too. The P99 is the perfect police carry hangun, and shoots better than any 4" barrel pistol on the market. At less than 23 ounces empty, the P99 could work well for concealed carry too. You get 2 mags, plus some extra front sights. The Magnum Research MR9 Eagle is close to the same gun, but cost less. I love the MR9 stainless slide. If you want a P99 with the Glock style trigger safety setup, see the Walther PPQ. The PPQ trigger is lighter and faster than the Glock 19 or Springfield XD.
Walther P99 Page
P99 Combat Video
MRI MR9 Eagle
PPQ Review
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9. Beretta PX4: Haggle Price $480-$510
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The PX4 Storm wins the award for the most pretty pistol. Design, fit and finish is excellent. You can swap out backstraps to make it fit your hand better. It the hand, it points and feels like the perfect pistol. The bigger 92FS is a better long range shooter, but the PX4 is better for carry. Allow about 300 rounds before the trigger smoothes out. I like the common DA/SA as found on most steel guns. With the rotating barrel and poly frame, recoil is almost nothing. It kicks like a .380! My wife just loves this gun. I also had the chance to shoot a PX4 in .40 S&W, and the recoil was only a little bit more. The PX4 Storm is gaining popularity as a cop gun. Good choice for combat too. Have you noticed the best combat shooters have dish-pan hands. Dish washing may be the trick.
www.px4storm.com
PX4 Storm Review
PX4 Combat Video
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10. FN Herstal FNP-9: Haggle Price $430-$460
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Made in USA! The finish and quality of the FN FNP-9 is very good. The FNP-9 handles like a Sig P229 or H&K USP, only lighter weight. It has one of the best triggers you will find on a carry pistol. A nice feature for those with small or large hands is you can swap out backstraps. Good gun for your lady. I like the standard DA/SA with no goofy trigger saftey. Feeds any 9mm ammo great. The FNP-9 is one of the best holster guns you can get. Cops should love this gun. It's a keeper! Note: Most distributors are ordering FNP-9 pistols with only 10 round magazines (to help boost FNX sales?). You can still buy 16 round mags for this gun. The new FNX-9 is mostly hype! It does not shoot any better than the FNP-9. I do like the FNX-9 safety and 17 round magazines. Ask yourself if the FNX makeover is worth the extra money. The FNX is a sweet shooter....just like the FNP.
FNH USA Site
FNP-9 Review FNP-9 Video Preview
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Firearms Self Defense Insurance - Must Have For CCW!
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11. S&W M&P: Haggle Price $480-$510
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This is no Sigma! If you like poly framed guns, this Smith is one of the best shooters. It is accurate as a steel framed pistol. The balance is perfect considering it weighs only 24oz. You can tell it will be a good shooter just by holding it in your hand. The M&P trigger pull is 6 pounds, but feels like 4. The M&P uses a trigger safety. You have a choice of 3 backstraps so you can tune it to fit your hand just right. Follow-up shots are so quick. The fit and finish is excellent. The M&P would be a top choice as a competition or police carry gun. It looks mean too. The M&P replaced all the premium steel cop guns in the Smith and Wesson line, so you know it is good! Spend the extra $60 for the M&P Pro Series with the awesome trigger and better sights. It cost much less than a trigger job! The Pro would rank #7 on this list! There is also a "L" version with 5 inch combat barrel. Check for rebates on these fine shooters.
S&W Site
mp-pistol.com
Lady Competition Shooter
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12. Sig Sauer Pro SP2022: Haggle Price $410-$440
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Sig Pro SP2022 prices have come down to the bargin bin zone! For the price of a Taurus, you can own a Sig! Buy the integral fire control unit ($45) and change the pistol from DA/SA mode to DAO if you want. No break-in needed, as the single action trigger pull is very smooth and just over 4 pounds. Recoil is very light, plus you can tune the SP2022 to fit your hand by swapping out grips. Great for females! Accuracy is excellent and on par with the FN FNP-9. At 29 ounces, the Sig Pro SP2022 is a little heavy for a polymer framed pistol this size. In fact it weighs more than the CZ P-01 metal framed pistol. It must have the beef in the right places because the US military uses the SP2022. With a decocker and 15 round magazine, it is an excellent cop gun. (Only one magazine comes with the gun)
Sig Arms Sp2022 Review
Sig Pro SP2022 Video
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| 13. Ruger SR9: Haggle Price $400-$430
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14. Baby Eagle 9915RL Polymer: Haggle Price $480-$510
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Just wow! I have never shot a handgun that feels this good in your hand. The Baby Eagle 9915RL is the polymer framed version of the Baby Eagle 9915R listed as #2 above. They both shoot great, however they don't feel the same. The polymer framed version feels better in the hand, and is a much better holster gun. At 30 ounces, it is light enough for all day open carry on your hip. The recoil is very low and feels like an 380. Cops that have handled my 9915RL have said: I need to get one of these. How much do they cost? Each pistol comes with two 15 round mags. What keeps the 9915RL from being #1 is the lack of switchable backstraps for hand fitment, as this is a must for poly framed pistols nowdays. I have medium hands and the grip feels perfect to me. If you want a slightly smaller duty version, see the Baby Eagle Semi-Compact on the 9mm Compacts page.
MRI 9915RL Page
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15. Stoeger Cougar 8000: Haggle Price $380-$410
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Beretta replaced the Cougar with the PX4, and moved Cougar production to Turkey. The Cougar 8000 was too good to let die. With lower production cost, You can now get a Cougar for half the price! Allow about 300 rounds for the trigger to smooth out. The accuracy is amazing with the short 3.62" barrel. We are talking 2" groups from a rest at 25 yards! Accuracy is better than many full size pistols. This gun is so tight! The rotating barrel design and great trigger are the reason the Stoeger Cougar 8000 shoots so good. This proven design feeds all types of 9mm ammo just fine. The recoil feels like a .380 ACP. The magazine for this gun holds 15 rounds. Great pistol bargain for concealed carry or duty use.
G&A Stoeger Cougar Test
Cougar Commercial
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16. Bersa Thunder Pro HC: Haggle Price $400-$430
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Don't pay attention to all the FUD from people that have never owned a Bersa. Bersa makes darn good guns! I can't believe you can buy such a nice handgun for so little money. The Thunder HC model holds 18 rounds. The Thunder 9 has that expensive pistol feel to it. I did get a number of FTE jams with Winchester white box. After break-in, the cheap ammo feeds fine. Don't pass judgement until the Thunder Pro has at least 400 rounds through it! Very tight gun! The 4.2" barrel, DA/SA, and good trigger, provides excellent accuracy. Good for combat! This metal framed pistol weighs only 29 ounces, and is a fine carry gun. The Bersa Thunder Pro HC is a proven military and police sidearm in South America. A buddy of mine has an older Bersa 9mm with about 4000 trouble free rounds. Lifetime warranty.
Bersa USA Site
Team Bersa In Combat
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17. Taurus PT 809: Haggle Price $360-$390
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I can't believe this pistol is priced so cheap! It would be a good bargain at $500! The PT 809 is the new Taurus duty pistol giving cops what they have been asking for. Features such as DA/SA instead of striker action, and different backstraps for hand fitment. Even though I have medium sized hands, the smaller grip feels the best. It shoots very nice at the range with no ammo problems at all. The PT 809 will fool you into thinking it is a metal frame handgun. It feels that solid! SA trigger pull is right at 5.5 pounds and very crisp. It should get even lighter with use. If you are looking at getting a 24/7 pistol, check out the PT 809 first. It will be the best $2 extra you ever spent. I let my H&K snob buddy shoot it. He could not believe I only paid $390 for the PT809, as it handles so good! My little woman has claimed this pistol for herself. It fits her hand well, plus the recoil is mild. Also see the new 24/7 G2 pistols, as they come with many of the positives of the PT-809.
Shooting PT-809 Short Movie Clip.
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18. Armalite AR-24 Full: Haggle Price $490-$520
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Make sure to get 500 rounds through the Armalite AR-24 before passing judgement, as the stiff trigger turns buttery smooth. The AR-24 is one of the most accurate 25 yard pistols you can buy. I like the grip and smaller feel of the AR-24 better than the Witness or Beretta 92. In your hand it points so good. Good sights. No ammo feeding problems. Good solid gun. I can see myself using it on the combat course. If you blended the best of the Witness Steel and Sig P210 pistols, you would get the AR-24. Sarsilmaz has been making firearms for over 100 years and the quality is excellent! Too expensive for a Turkish made gun? It shoots like it cost $800! The AR-24 Compact model with a 3.86" barrel is a big seller.
Armalite Site
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| 19. EAA Witness Steel: Haggle Price $460-$490
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Don't be fooled by the low price. This is a very high quality Italian pistol. Decent trigger. Tanfoglio builds world champion competition pistols, and you can feel the performance in the standard Witness Steel. This is a very fine shooter. A well used Witness will hold it's own with custom combat pistols on the range. This is a big pistol as it uses the same frame as the powerful 10mm. Overbuilt indeed! You can convert it to 22LR, 40, 45, 38 Super, or 10mm with a $240 kit. The single action factory custom shop tuned Witness "Elite Match" model would rank at the top of this list. You can get the Elite Match (production legal race gun!) for under $600!
Nice Article on Witness pistols Witness Elite Match Overview
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20. EAA Zastava EZ9: Haggle Price $470-$500
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What the heck is Zastava? Zastava has been in business 90 years longer than Glock or H&K! Remember the awesome Charles Daly ZDA? The Zastava EZ is pretty much the same gun with minor changes like the 1913 rail. This Sig clone is very high quality and the finish is excellent. The Zastava EZ is a very tight pistol and takes a few hundred rounds to loosen up. The trigger is above average and should get even better with use. Zero ammo problems. The Zastava is very accurate for it's size. So fun to shoot! This is an $950 gun for half the price; making the EZ9 a real bargain. It ranks at #20 because it is that good! There is also an EZ model that is ported! Zastava is a quality company that makes long guns for Remington.
Tabletop Zastava EZ9 Video
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21. Taurus PT 917 C: Haggle Price $410-$440
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The PT 917 is a work of art and one of the most beautiful handguns ever made. This is not a compact, but a smaller mid-size duty gun. The PT 917 is not as big and clunky as the PT92, and is more accurate than most striker fired pistols. The trigger is very good and would get a B+ rating. The PT 917 features an open slide (like Beretta) and nice finger grooves in the alloy frame. At the range the PT 917 handles better than some $900 pistols. Amazing 20 round capacity! Over 600 rounds fired and never a jam! This is a very high quality duty pistol, and sheriff deputies on a budget should take a hard look. The stainless finish is so pretty! Great for smaller hands. The PT917 is popular with female combat shooters.
Taurus PT 917 Page
Lady shooting PT 917 Vid
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22. EAA Witness Polymer Full": Haggle Price $450-$480
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For the money, it is difficult to get more gun. It has a great trigger and handles more like a steel gun. The poly frame soaks up recoil. At 30 ounces, it is overbuilt for a polymer framed handgun. It comes with top features like 18 round magazine capacity and accessory rail. No funky trigger or switches, as the DA/SA works the same as their steel pistol. This gun is a good shooter. Take it to the range with the Glock or XD9 and you will see how good it is. I am always worried about poly framed guns taking the abuse. It is a big gun. The 9mm uses the same frame as the 45 ACP. If it can handle the hammering of the .45, the 9mm should be fine. It shoots like a top 10 pistol. The Rock Island (Armscor) MAPP is the same pistol!
Witness Polymer Full Size Test (before updated stock)
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23. Sig Sauer P250 Full Size: Haggle Price $390-$420
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I wanted to hate the P250 before I even tested it. The P250 is a modular pistol with a 6.5 pound DAO trigger, thus not the makings of a good shooter. Surprise! The P250 is a really nice shooting pistol. I expected a modular gun to be loose fitting, but the P250 is very tight. A lighter trigger with less take-up would be welcome. It feels like a DAO revolver trigger and the reset is long making double-taps much slower than the XDm or Glock. Sig does make a short trigger (shorter reach) you can buy that should make the P250 shoot great. I did get a few FTE jams with UMC, but the hot Fiocchi loads worked fine. Typical new gun blues. I shot two mags through a friend's P250 Compact with the "short" trigger, and it shoots much better. A good bargain is the 2-SUM kit where you get everything you need to have a sub-compact OR Full size handgun. The Sig P250 should be a darn good duty pistol. It's a Sig, so it should last. Bargain priced!
Sig P250 Commercial
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24. Ruger P95: Haggle Price $300-$330
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The Ruger P95 shares many of the same internals as the metal framed P89. This means the P95 has a mushy trigger. You do get the feel of the trigger after a few mags, then you start shooting good. I did get a few stove-pipes during the first 200 rounds. Allow time for break-in, then ammo feeds fine. The P95 is one of the most durable handguns ever made. Just like the older P89, you can't break it! Low felt recoil. At only 27 ounces the P95 is a very nice carry gun. Look at the cheap price! Can you believe the P95 is made in the USA? I have known a few cops that carry the P95 and just love it. I swapped the hammer spring for a 19lb Wolf ($5), and used rubbing compound on the trigger guts. This really improved the accuracy. With the Wolf spring mod, don't use Federal ammo as the primers are too hard.
P95 Video Review
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25. Smith & Wesson SD9: Haggle Price $390-$420
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I was not looking forward to doing a SD9 review thinking is was just a modified Sigma. Boy was I wrong. The SD9 is a very fun and good shooting gun! Trigger pull was a smooth 7.5 pounds, but feels lighter. There is no trigger stacking to speak of, and feels like the Kel-Tec trigger to me. S&W is marketing the SD9 as a home and personal defense handgun. Why? I can see an officer using the SD9 as his everyday carry weapon! SD9 range performance was very good and ammo problems are not an issue. It does not handle or feel like a M&P or Sigma, but does feel good in the hand. At about 23 ounces, the SD9 would make a nice concealed carry piece. What is Smith and Wesson going to do with the poor Sigma?
Expert shooting the SD9
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