Best single stack 9mm?
- Thread starter 9mmLaw
- Start date
Sig 239 (if ok in CA) or the all steel Kahr K9. I have very small hands and can not handle any double stack 9mm. The Kahr is perfect in size and easy to control. I would advise to stay away from the polymer frame Kahr for the time being (too many bugs). The steel versions (blued) will rust, but the finish is warranted by Kahr for life .
don't shoot it's me
New member
The best is a P7M8.....ooops, sorry, you can't get them either...now I bet you really want one
P
PreserveFreedom
Guest
Find a Llama MiniMax in 9x19mm. That is, if you like 1911 style handguns.
Walt Sherrill
New member
BMWGS80 got it almost right...
I've got a P-210-6 (match-grade trigger) and a friend has a S&W 952. The 952 is very good, but doesn't match my P-210 in accuracy -- or his P-210, for that matter. Its a fine gun, however, and far better for IDPA (my latest interest), than the P-210.
I also have a S&W 52, and I like it better than the 952, too. And I think the 52 might be more accurate than the 952, as well. I know the trigger is better.
My P-210-6 came with a factory proof target that had a sub-2" group at 50 meters (about 55 yards). I don't think many 952s will do that.
One gun that nobody has mentioned is the Star Firestar. Hard to get parts for them, but I've got two (9mm and 40 acp) and they're both very impressive guns. Heavy. Crisp triggers (both of mine have had trigger jobs). Very accurate. And very inexpensive.
I've got a P-210-6 (match-grade trigger) and a friend has a S&W 952. The 952 is very good, but doesn't match my P-210 in accuracy -- or his P-210, for that matter. Its a fine gun, however, and far better for IDPA (my latest interest), than the P-210.
I also have a S&W 52, and I like it better than the 952, too. And I think the 52 might be more accurate than the 952, as well. I know the trigger is better.
My P-210-6 came with a factory proof target that had a sub-2" group at 50 meters (about 55 yards). I don't think many 952s will do that.
One gun that nobody has mentioned is the Star Firestar. Hard to get parts for them, but I've got two (9mm and 40 acp) and they're both very impressive guns. Heavy. Crisp triggers (both of mine have had trigger jobs). Very accurate. And very inexpensive.
bad_dad_brad
New member
Without a doubt, the Kahr K9.
George Helser
New member
Ala Dan,
I agree with you. The S&W M39-2 is a classic. It was also the first handgun I ever bought. I still keep it loaded nearby (the mags have always been fully loaded for the past 26 years) and I occasionally practice with it. Unfortunately, it is not little by today’s standards. I don’t carry it.
My favorite carry gun is the HK P7-PSP.
Regards,
George
In sunny Arizona
I agree with you. The S&W M39-2 is a classic. It was also the first handgun I ever bought. I still keep it loaded nearby (the mags have always been fully loaded for the past 26 years) and I occasionally practice with it. Unfortunately, it is not little by today’s standards. I don’t carry it.
My favorite carry gun is the HK P7-PSP.
Regards,
George
In sunny Arizona
Marko Kloos
Inactive
There are plenty of good single-stack Nines out there...hard to choose a favorite. Mine is probably the HK P7M8.
Also tried and true:
-*&* Model 3913 (especially the classy LadySmith version with the tapered dust shield and the dove-gray grips)
-Walther P5, a generally underappreciated pistol
-SIG P225 & 239
-*&* Model 39, especially the older versions with the glossy blue finish
-HK P9S, one of the most accurate pistols ever made
-SIG P210, generally overpriced but a fine pistol nonetheless
Also tried and true:
-*&* Model 3913 (especially the classy LadySmith version with the tapered dust shield and the dove-gray grips)
-Walther P5, a generally underappreciated pistol
-SIG P225 & 239
-*&* Model 39, especially the older versions with the glossy blue finish
-HK P9S, one of the most accurate pistols ever made
-SIG P210, generally overpriced but a fine pistol nonetheless
Wild Romanian
Moderator
Best single stack 9mm
Walt Sherrill, Your right on the money Walt. I could not agree with you more. If the sole criteria is simple the best there isthere is simply no argument at all. Anyone who is lucky enough just to shoot one let alone own one will agree that for looks, reliablity, superb balance, fantastic workmanship and out of this world accuracy few other 9mm are even in the ball park. The Sig P210 often rivals many custom built super-guns. I bought mine about a month ago and have retired all of my pistols to my safe where they will probably never again see the light of day. Why bother even shooting a lesser pistol. I own just about all of the major brand and many minor brand 9mm's. None of them even come close to the accuracy, balance, beauty and sheer joy of ownership of the Fantasic Sig P210.
If the criteria is a small and economically priced and reliable then you would have a hard time finding anthing better than the little Star Starfire. I have one and it has proven accurate, reliable and has an excellent trigger pull. It was one of the first of the so called "Pocket Rockets" and strangely enough it was first and is still probably the best. With a single action pistol you can hit what you are aiming at with ease. Why in the world anyone would want to own a double action only pistol simply is a mystery to me. I have also heard hundreds of complaints about the Khar pistols and their many malfuction problems. The Khar is not even a true double action. Most real double action pistols allow you to pull the trigger twice in a row in case of a misfire. Not so with the Khar , you must retract the slide to cock it after pulling the trigger if you have a misfire. It is the worst of both worlds, double action pull and no repeat in case of a misfire plus many malfucition problems. I have owned many double action only pistols and I consider the very small ones almost totally useless in a real world gun fight except at almost point blank range. Under pressure I have observed few people on our range able to actually hit anything with them. W.R.
Walt Sherrill, Your right on the money Walt. I could not agree with you more. If the sole criteria is simple the best there isthere is simply no argument at all. Anyone who is lucky enough just to shoot one let alone own one will agree that for looks, reliablity, superb balance, fantastic workmanship and out of this world accuracy few other 9mm are even in the ball park. The Sig P210 often rivals many custom built super-guns. I bought mine about a month ago and have retired all of my pistols to my safe where they will probably never again see the light of day. Why bother even shooting a lesser pistol. I own just about all of the major brand and many minor brand 9mm's. None of them even come close to the accuracy, balance, beauty and sheer joy of ownership of the Fantasic Sig P210.
If the criteria is a small and economically priced and reliable then you would have a hard time finding anthing better than the little Star Starfire. I have one and it has proven accurate, reliable and has an excellent trigger pull. It was one of the first of the so called "Pocket Rockets" and strangely enough it was first and is still probably the best. With a single action pistol you can hit what you are aiming at with ease. Why in the world anyone would want to own a double action only pistol simply is a mystery to me. I have also heard hundreds of complaints about the Khar pistols and their many malfuction problems. The Khar is not even a true double action. Most real double action pistols allow you to pull the trigger twice in a row in case of a misfire. Not so with the Khar , you must retract the slide to cock it after pulling the trigger if you have a misfire. It is the worst of both worlds, double action pull and no repeat in case of a misfire plus many malfucition problems. I have owned many double action only pistols and I consider the very small ones almost totally useless in a real world gun fight except at almost point blank range. Under pressure I have observed few people on our range able to actually hit anything with them. W.R.
Walt Sherrill
New member
Re: the P-210
The Wild Romanian wrote: "Why bother even shooting a lesser pistol. I own just about all of the major brand and many minor brand 9mm's. None of them even come close to the accuracy, balance, beauty and sheer joy of ownership of the Fantasic Sig P210."
Well, if you shoot in any combat sports, like IPSC or IDPA, you'll find that the P-210 is not particularly well-suited to that venue.
The mag exchanges are terribly difficult and slow, and the sights will slice you if you're not careful. (I had to take a dremel to the edges of the rear sight to keep for bleeding during a match.)
The P-210 is a marvelous gun. Wonderfully accurate. Almost indestructible. Holds its value. But to tell you the truth, I shoot my CZ-85 Combat better in a combat simulation, and while its not as accurate, at 25 yds or less, the difference in accuracy just doesn't matter.
Mine is for sale at our local gun shop, on consignment. I've just bought a new pickup, and I want to reimburse myself. ($1550, including 1 extra SIG mag and 3 aftermarket magazines that work perfectly [after a lot of tweaking!]. I expect it to sell quickly, for about that price. New ones cost $300 - $400 more, and they don't have the match trigger or the extra mags...)
The Wild Romanian wrote: "Why bother even shooting a lesser pistol. I own just about all of the major brand and many minor brand 9mm's. None of them even come close to the accuracy, balance, beauty and sheer joy of ownership of the Fantasic Sig P210."
Well, if you shoot in any combat sports, like IPSC or IDPA, you'll find that the P-210 is not particularly well-suited to that venue.
The mag exchanges are terribly difficult and slow, and the sights will slice you if you're not careful. (I had to take a dremel to the edges of the rear sight to keep for bleeding during a match.)
The P-210 is a marvelous gun. Wonderfully accurate. Almost indestructible. Holds its value. But to tell you the truth, I shoot my CZ-85 Combat better in a combat simulation, and while its not as accurate, at 25 yds or less, the difference in accuracy just doesn't matter.
Mine is for sale at our local gun shop, on consignment. I've just bought a new pickup, and I want to reimburse myself. ($1550, including 1 extra SIG mag and 3 aftermarket magazines that work perfectly [after a lot of tweaking!]. I expect it to sell quickly, for about that price. New ones cost $300 - $400 more, and they don't have the match trigger or the extra mags...)
for Rob96,
the Sig P225 is the one member of the "P" classic
series that has always eluded me? Don't know why, but it seems the dealers in my area (Birmingham) just don't stock 'em; favoring the
P228 with pre-ban magazines. So, like many
other's, I jumped on the bandwagon of the P228.
Still wouldn't mind owning a P225!!!
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
the Sig P225 is the one member of the "P" classic
series that has always eluded me?
Don't know why, but it seems the dealers in my area (Birmingham) just don't stock 'em; favoring theP228 with pre-ban magazines. So, like many
other's, I jumped on the bandwagon of the P228.
Still wouldn't mind owning a P225!!!
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
In a single stack 9mm I'd look at the Sig 239 (there is a girl I know who shoots IDPA with one) Its small and reliable. I'd also look for a Colt commander in 9mm, they din't make very many of them and they weren't very popular and its often possible to get a great deal on one.
The old SW 39 series guns are supposed to be pretty good but finding one NIB is a stretch.
A luger is awfully heavy for a single stack 9mm
and its finicky about ammo. The P-38 is a much better choice. A P-38k would be just about perfect. Also wartime guns can have a really rough finish. The k series guns are all postwar. (besides the man from U.N.C.L.E. used a P-38K)
Beretta used to make a "brigadier" which is the precourser to the 92f in a single stack 9mm that held 8 rounds I think. If beretta is making this type of pistol again I'm sure it would be a fine weapon.
So I'd say Sig 239, ColtCommander 9mm, Walther P-38k
The old SW 39 series guns are supposed to be pretty good but finding one NIB is a stretch.
A luger is awfully heavy for a single stack 9mm
and its finicky about ammo. The P-38 is a much better choice. A P-38k would be just about perfect. Also wartime guns can have a really rough finish. The k series guns are all postwar. (besides the man from U.N.C.L.E. used a P-38K) Beretta used to make a "brigadier" which is the precourser to the 92f in a single stack 9mm that held 8 rounds I think. If beretta is making this type of pistol again I'm sure it would be a fine weapon.
So I'd say Sig 239, ColtCommander 9mm, Walther P-38k