Top 9mm pistols

[Gutpile]

Glocks are never a bad choice just the most boring and ugly choice

 

I have several 9mm's but you need to figure this out yourself. I hated the G19 and the way it felt in my hand when compared to my others so I sold it. I love my M&P, Beretta, and CZ 75 though. Never had any problems with either. You need to go fondle a bunch of them and figure out if you want steel, poly, compact, sub, fullsize.

[rtspring]

XDM .40, 17 mag capacity! Very accurate gun, I carry mine every single day and trust it should I ever need lethal force on any two legged or 4 legged animal..

9mm just dont have enough ummph, I switched to .40 back in 2011. 

Shoot a bunch of diffrent ones and you will find one you like.

[C-Money]

The FN 9 is really nice....and I like the Beretta 92. A new one! Not an over used, under taken care of, loose & violated M9 that got a bad reputation.

[PerryM]

Glock 34 or M&P 9L

[JJB11B]

Glock 19-17 or Sig

[splitshot]

xd9s.   a bit lighter.  mike w

[b23]

If you're looking for a single stack 9mm in the small-medium size range, I bought a new Walther PPS I really like.

[Heredoggydoggy]

I bought an FNX-9 because my Browning Hi-Power was getting to be worth too much to continue shooting it.  I was so impressed, I sold my XD-40 and XD-45 and bought an FNP-40 (used) and an FNX-45.  The only drawback to them is that there aren't a lot of accessories available for the FN's.  I ended up buying a Galco leather holster for the FNX-9 and the FNP-40.  The FNX-45 is too big for the holster, though, so I use a drop-leg holster for it! 

[Mongo Hunter]

Anything from Glock, Sig, H&K, S&W, FN or Springfield and a slight nod to CZ. Nothing from Ruger, Kel-tec, Jerico or any other brand you've never heard of. I may get flamed for that last comment but I stand by it.

If its strictly for HD I would recommend the Glock 34. its basicly a G17 with a longer barrel/slide, extended mag and slide release and a slightly lighter trigger. mount a light to it and call it a day, you wont regret it.

However if the Glocks not to your liking try out one of the others I listed. go to a show or store and see which one fits your hand best. If you are digging the Sig I would say go for it, Sigs are great guns.

[splitshot]

    xd subcompact in model II, of course in 9 mm.  buy a rubber sleeve to cover the word "gripzone".  they should supply them.  not much thought went into that.    mike w

[Windwalker]

 What a loaded question- easy answer is to buy one of each!
Everyone will have an opinion on which is best -
Pick a few to choose from and go to a friendly gun store to handle or better yet shoot them if they have a rental program, see if they fit you.

What you choose will probably be looked back on as one of the first ones...as skills develop you're tastes will change and to complicate matters you may find the gun you choose isn't the one you can shoot as well as say..a Glock 19 for example.
 
You can look for various surveys of IDPA shooters http://www.idpa.com/blog/?tag=/Equipment+Survey for their choices.

The guns you like aren't always the 'best' at whatever but may serve your needs just fine.

Lots of haggling over the torture test results.
Since most guns come with a limited lifetime warranty of some sort, the warranty it isn't worth the trouble worrying over.
Most folks simply will not live long enough, or make enough money to buy the ammo to wear one out.
And if you do send it in and they will fix it or give you another new one.

Here is some old data from another site- have seen other tests upwards of 90k rounds-

Go here: http://pistol-training.com/  search for Endurance or Torture Test

SA 1911 (9mm)
64,579rds 15 Stoppages 0 malfunctions 5 Parts Breakages
*Barrel shot out

Glock 17 Gen4
71,260rds 19 Stoppages (+1 non LCI) 0 malfunctions 3 Parts Breakages
*Breachface damage

S&W M&P9
62,333rds 2 Stoppages 0 malfunctions 3 Parts Breakages
*Cracked Slide

H&K P30
91,322rds 13 Stoppages 0 malfunctions 5 Parts Breakages
*Broken Frame

H&K45
50,000rds 1 Stoppages 1 malfunctions 1 Parts Breakage
*unknown why he stopped the test..

Glock had the quickest stoppage at round 62 and the HK45 went the longest to round 31,523.

For those that feel the need for an underwater defense-
The Walther PPQ Navy Torture Test - 

Just pick one..easy deal.

My theory..browse the gun counter..pick one up that I like..I buy it..try to shoot a few thousand rounds out of it before passing judgement and repeat the process.

[mountainman]

If price weren't an issue, the HKp30. ..nothing more ergonomic and  HK has a $200 rebate right now. Makes it a $700 gun!

[irish52084]

My favorite 9mm of all that I've owned and shot is the CZ SP-01. Full size, all steel, night sights, good trigger, 19 or 20 round magazine. Lots to like about that gun. I loved the grip and how high and deep of a grip I could get with it. I used mine as my home defense gun with a light mounted on it for years and still would, but my wife has small hands and it was too big for her to comfortably use.
I love that gun and can't recommend it enough.

A Glick 17, XDM or M&P would all be tied for 2nd on my list. They're all good guns, just pick the one that fits you best and go from there. An XDM 9mm is the home defense gun now as its smallest back strap fit well for my wife.
I'll come out and suggest a full size Glick if you get one, the 19 tend to pinch the crap outta my palm when I reload and don't make a conscience effort to get my hand part way off the grip.

[Tyler_C]

I decided to pick up a Walther PPX for 330 out the door.  I love it...

[Firedogg]

Go rent some at a range to try out.  I really liked the Glock 19 I had years ago (Gen I ??) , but I have short stubby fingers and it just did not fit well which meant "I" did not shoot it well.

 I really like the Sigs, I have the 229 in .40, but I have had a chance to shoot dad's Sig 226 and it shoots real well for me. The 226 comes in several variations so it should be easy to find one you like, if you have the $.

  A Beretta 92 is a good home defense pistol since you won't be out getting it all mucked up, nice solid feel, runs pretty smooth. It's a little bulky to carry much if it's warm out and you want to conceal it under light clothes.

  The other major brands all make fine home defense weapons. Look at what LE agencies use and you will get a good idea of what works and what does not.

  but again, the key is getting something in your hand that "you" can shoot. Doesn't do any good if it's a fine firearm but it does not fit you to the point you can't hit $hit.