Looking for 9mm advice

M

marca

New member
Hey! Glad to see everyone is back!

I'm looking for a 9mm pistol to take along while backpacking.

I already have a Glock 26. As much as I love it, I simply can't get comfortable with the idea of carrying it loaded and cocked. For backpacking I'd prefer something with a decocker and more external safety than a Glock offers, but would like to stay with something roughly the same size of the Glock 26.

I have a Kel-Tec P-11. It's an OK gun but I will never learn to like it. In fact I'm probably going to see what it can bring in trade for whatever I end up buying.

Taurus is the only brand that is out of the question. Have not had great luck with them (of course that's just my experience - not bashing Taurus).

Beretta 9000 or Bersa Mini Firestorm come to mind. Anyone have any feedback on these. Other suggestions?

Thanks in advance!
 
Why not the Glock? Would you feel safer with a revolver?
As long as the gun is in a holster, it's perfectly safe with one in the chamber. I assume you don't have the 3.5# trigger group.

However, there are Berettas, Rugers..all kind of choices. I just think you already own one of the best (the best, of course, is the Glock 19!!)
 
CZ-75 compacts have decockers. That would be a good one.
For that matter, a full sized Browning Hi-Power or CZ-75 are great guns, larger than the Glock of course. The CZ-75 BD has a decocker, the Hi-Power is single action. I don't know if the DA/SA models of the Hi-Power has a decocker.
If you go to
JDL enterprises you will find a Detective model HiPower made in Argentina. That should be about the same size as your Glock.
The Beretta Compact Carry is a good one with a decocker/safety.
If you have the money, the Heckler and Koch compacts are great guns. The variant 1, the most common one, has a frame mounted safety, like the 1911. Push further down on the safety and it decocks.
Then theere is the Beretta 9000s series. I'm not a great fan of them. They are polymer and have a frame mounted safety lever. Pushing further up decocks the gun. That lever is very stiff, one of the main reasons for my dislike. It can use Beretta 92/96 magazines with a spacer, if you want larger capacity magazine.
I think that the Kahr K9 and the models based on them are good guns. It is DAO, so it has no decocker. Each Kahr is a single stack. There is no safety on it, similar to the Glock. The trigger pull is significantly longer than the Glock, providing an extra margin of safety.
 
The Rugers have decockers on all there models. Cost effective and reliable, Hi Caps avalible,I also like the Beretta 92 FS, again
reliable, accurate and built to last.


Tony
 
I'm assuming this is for two legged types and not for animal protection, right? That eliminates a full-sized 357. Besides, on the trail less is more, right?

I don't know of any GOOD small 9mm that isn't DAO. Maybe the Beretta 9000, but I don't think it has proven itself enough to justify the price they want. The Bersa pistols are supposedly not too bad, and they are cheap, so you wouldn't be taking too much financial risk in trying one.

If you'd be okay with a small downsizing of the round, the CZ 83 can be had in .380, and the Makarov in 9mm Mak. Both are traditional DA pistols.

How about a Ruger Sp100 357 revolver with the 3 inch barrel? Its small and would definitely do the job. 5 rounds of 357 out of a 3 inch barrel isn't too bad. Add a couple of speed strips and you'd have a good setup. It weighs a little more than I'd prefer, but it is a nice little gun.

Personally, if I were to start backpacking again, I'd take my G26. Light, decent firepower, and mostly rustproof in case it gets wet. IMHO, a good holster would make it safe. How about carrying it with out a round chambered? But you have to go with what feels right TO YOU. Don't let me or anyone else talk you into something you aren't comfortable with.

FWIW, I also had a P11 and ended up getting rid of it. I just couldn't get used to that trigger.
 
9mm advice ...


... Well, a lot depends on what you're going to use it for, and you might not like what you hear.

For targets, cheap plinking, introducing a newbie to a semi-auto, etc., the 9mm is fine. As others have noted, there's tons of acceptable models to choose from. In terms of "fitting the hand," there's something out there in 9mm for everyone.

OTOH, for backpacking purposes, and in the unlikely event you actually have to use it, you want immediate "stopping power," however defined, and the 9mm just can't be relied on to deliver it, at least not to the comfort level and reasonable certainty you want in a "trail" or backpacking pistol when you're out in the deep dark woods. Here's the latest example of what I'm talking about:

http://glocktalk.com/showthread.php?threadid=63621

But only you can make that determination, based upon your anticipated situation.

My advice would be to either move up a millimeter or so in caliber if you stay with an automatic (e.g., 10mm Auto or some +p .45acp), or consider one of the magnum revolver cartridges.
 
I think polymer might be the way to go ... being that it's lightweight. Lots to choose from - Glock, Walther, Ruger, H&K, etc.
 
There's alot of used S&W model 6906's on the market. It's a compact 9mm, 26ozs, 12+1 capacity and hi-caps are only $29.95.
The Ruger P-95, IMO, is a great 9mm pistol. Fairly compact, lightweight, durable (polymer & stainless), excellent value, and hi-caps are still out there and fairly reasonable.
Or, carry the G-26 with chamber empty. Only takes a fraction of a second to chamber a round. Good luck, J. Parker
 
Instead of going with a different gun or even a different 9mm, why not just try a different holster? If you feel comfortable with the G26, carry it (that's my primary carry pistol, and I carry it into the woods quite a bit). Don't worry about those that say the 9mm doesn't have enough stopping power, as many, many tests have proven, modern 9mm ammunition with modern bullets has just as much "stopping power" as any other gun (check out the www.ammolab.com tests if you doubt what I'm saying). As for holsters to use when backpacking, why not try one of these, the Wilderness Safepacker Holster. . Works for me.
 
Greeting's And Happy Return's To All TFLer's-

My much beloved Sig's have decocking device's; but if you must
have both a decocker and a safety, I would recommend
the Beretta 92 series.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
I checked out a Beretta 9000 two days ago and was not impressed. The decocker works in the opposite way of other guns, including the their 92 series gun. Also it was so stiff I couldn't flip the lever up with my thumb. I actually had to hold the gun in one hand, and flip the lever with my other thumb.
 
For backpacking as size and weight are an issue, I either carry a Makarov or my CZ-75 PCR. The PCR is light weight as it has an alloy frame and compact. Great all around carry gun.
 
H&K

If i were going the 9mm route = H&K compact in that caliber, in variant #1.

You will get all the desired features you want, plus reliability of H&K products.

12-34hom.
 
Check out an S&W 3913. Very compact, manual safety, decocker, and a great track record.
The USP suggestion is also a good one (I never liked there triggers though).

I have a fullsize CZ75 and based on my experience with it I'd guess the compact version is a superb gun, but I wasnt aware they came with a decocker as one of the posts above stated. If there is a variant of CZ compact with a decocker and manual safety that might be the best choice of all.
-Ed
 
Based on the feedback so far...

Thanks for all of the great feedback. A lot of good recommendations for 9mm choices.

Here are a few other factors for my situation:

-A holster is probably not going to be a choice because of the need to discreetly carry. At best, a fanny pack or something like the Safepacker would most likely be used, in conjunction with a Saf-T-Blok, mentioned by several TFL posters. I know there are a lot of good arguments for holster, but trust me, it will not be an option in this case.

-I'll be doing a lot of hiking in areas inhabited by bears. Not that I plan to have an encounter with one, but I will be traveling with my family and feel a need to be prepared.

-Goes without saying, when out and about in the isolated wilderness, there's always the chance of running into people who may become a threat. Again, odds of this happening are slim, but...

Based on a lot of the feedback I've gotten so far it sounds like the 9mm may be a bit on the light side for my needs? I mentioned it in my original post simply because my G26 is compact enough for long hikes, and I've spent a LOT of time with it at the range. I've very comoftable with it, and a pretty decent shot.

Now, putting my own pro-G26 bias aside (I posted here to learn, afterall :) ), a few posters mentioned 10mm and .45. IF I stay with Glock (iow, if Saf-T-Block fits my needs) I'd go for a G29 or G30, simply because they're compact (again, I need to be discreet). I've shot a G30 numerous times and have done pretty well with it. I've had no experience with the G29.

I suppose I'm open to considering a revolver, if I can find something that's compact, and more powerful than a semi-auto. I have a S&W snubbie, .38 and do OK with it, but my shooting is far more accurate when I shoot my Glocks. However, this has come with a lot of practice, and I'd devote the same amount of practice to any new gun, so I believe I'd get the hang of a new, higher caliber revolver.

Thanks for taking time to read what I just realized is a very long post!
 
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