No longer hamstrung by magazine capacity limits,
big 9mm pistols are popular again.
He finished in second place shooting this traditional DA first-shot semiauto.
A decade ago, gun dealers almost couldn’t give away full-size 9mm service autos with double-stack magazines. Because the ill-conceived Clinton magazine ban was in full swing, only 10-round magazines were theoretically available, and it was a little like a car dealer trying to sell a Chevy with a 427 engine equipped with a speed governor.
The market, of course, turned thumbs down. A pistol designed to hold 16 to 18 shots, now semi-neutered down to 11 rounds, was considered an insult to a free people. Manufacturers wisely shifted to more powerful guns designed around 10-cartridge magazines, and more compact 9mms with lower capacity. At one point Sig Sauer stopped listing the P226 in its general catalog, due to perceived lack of interest from the private sector, leading to the erroneous belief Sig didn’t want to sell potentially high-capacity guns to ordinary folks.
The benighted Crime Law sunsetted in 2004, and we were back to full-capacity magazines (which should have been the proper term right along, many felt). And, whaddaya know, full-size 9mm duty pistols were back on the gun buying public’s radar screen.
Today, dealers tell me that full-size 16- to 18-shot 9mm service pistols are on the bestseller list again, with the Glock 17, the S&W M&P, and the Springfield Armory XD9 leading the parade. At least one dealer tells me the standard Beretta 92 is his single best seller, due largely to servicemen going overseas and wanting to practice with the equivalent of the M9 they’ll be issued.
These guns aren’t that big. They’re roughly equivalent in size to the Colt Commander of 1950, which many considered the optimum concealed carry pistol. A double stack service “nine” will be a little thicker through the slide and fuller through the grip, but is still easily concealed with today’s holsters. Most have aluminum or polymer frames for lightweight.
These guns are easy to shoot. Recoil is inconsequential. Ergonomics are good, for all but those with very short fingers. These plusses add up to reduced shooter fatigue when the round count goes up as, say, at a shooting school. I chose the Beretta 92 for Thunder Ranch and the Glock 17 for Frank Garcia’s school for just these reasons, and breezed through their four-digit round counts. Skyrocketing ammo prices notwithstanding, good 9mm ammunition is still much cheaper than .357 Sig, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP. For those of us who travel to shooting locations by air, it’s important 9mm Luger ammo is also lighter, allowing us to have more rounds in the suitcase.
Most pistols in this category have good sights to start with, and all are affordably available with night sights. Many also have the desirable light rail, enhancing their serviceability for home defense. And, best of all, these are mil-spec guns famous for their high order of reliability.
The market, of course, turned thumbs down. A pistol designed to hold 16 to 18 shots, now semi-neutered down to 11 rounds, was considered an insult to a free people. Manufacturers wisely shifted to more powerful guns designed around 10-cartridge magazines, and more compact 9mms with lower capacity. At one point Sig Sauer stopped listing the P226 in its general catalog, due to perceived lack of interest from the private sector, leading to the erroneous belief Sig didn’t want to sell potentially high-capacity guns to ordinary folks.
The benighted Crime Law sunsetted in 2004, and we were back to full-capacity magazines (which should have been the proper term right along, many felt). And, whaddaya know, full-size 9mm duty pistols were back on the gun buying public’s radar screen.
Today, dealers tell me that full-size 16- to 18-shot 9mm service pistols are on the bestseller list again, with the Glock 17, the S&W M&P, and the Springfield Armory XD9 leading the parade. At least one dealer tells me the standard Beretta 92 is his single best seller, due largely to servicemen going overseas and wanting to practice with the equivalent of the M9 they’ll be issued.
These guns aren’t that big. They’re roughly equivalent in size to the Colt Commander of 1950, which many considered the optimum concealed carry pistol. A double stack service “nine” will be a little thicker through the slide and fuller through the grip, but is still easily concealed with today’s holsters. Most have aluminum or polymer frames for lightweight.
These guns are easy to shoot. Recoil is inconsequential. Ergonomics are good, for all but those with very short fingers. These plusses add up to reduced shooter fatigue when the round count goes up as, say, at a shooting school. I chose the Beretta 92 for Thunder Ranch and the Glock 17 for Frank Garcia’s school for just these reasons, and breezed through their four-digit round counts. Skyrocketing ammo prices notwithstanding, good 9mm ammunition is still much cheaper than .357 Sig, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP. For those of us who travel to shooting locations by air, it’s important 9mm Luger ammo is also lighter, allowing us to have more rounds in the suitcase.
Most pistols in this category have good sights to start with, and all are affordably available with night sights. Many also have the desirable light rail, enhancing their serviceability for home defense. And, best of all, these are mil-spec guns famous for their high order of reliability.
There's More Handguns in
the February issue...
• On The Road
• Top Shooters
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