I was going to build a 1911. I did a buttload of research. For the gun I wanted,I was looking at at least 6 - 9 months. I could have slapped any ole thing together, but thats not for me. I was looking for a combat / defensive shooter. Reliable, accurate, and adaily shooter.
I am a rifleman, with loads of revolver experience. I owned several pistols over the years, but this pistol was going to be the go-to sidearm. My GP101 and Python are safe queens now living in NY. I am in California.
Steel or Plastic was now the question. The Answer was Plastic. Reason The polymer firearms are preforming extremely well for the past 10 years, 20 for Glock. Steel and Aluminum frames are great, but the quality needed in a steel frame raises the cost.I wanted (needed) to stay on a budget.
The contest was on...The contenders....Glock, Springfield, Beretta and S;W.
I thought about other well made firearms, Sig, CZ,...but when you have a mission you need to cut the BS quickly soIwent with these. If I was going for a metal frame, Sig would be it.
I first thought on the round. 9mm, 10mm, .40, .45. All proven rounds. In the end I went with the 9mm. Reason. In a SHTF world, 9mm is the most common, followed closely by .45. .45 is common, but not as common in LEO / Military circles. The double stack .45 is a hog leg, I wanted a slim firearm. The 10mm and .40 are great man stoppers, but Truth be told availability to resupply is an issue one must think about in a sidearm.
So now the issue is which models. I once again went with 'no-BS' and just choose the current top ones.
G17, A standard Glock, the workhorse of the fleet. A G19 is also a good choice.
XD9, Service. Smaller then the Glock 17, is gaining the rep as, 'the new glock'
PX4, Beretta has been making firearms for 500 years.
MP9, S&W knows firearms, knows combat firearms and is made in America.
The PX4 was quickly dropped from the running. While its a good choice, Beretta has a nasty habit of dropping models. The rotating barrel is a great innovative idea. But people have been reporting problems when the firearm is dirty and the barrel will not smoothly move over. It would be great if they dropped the line, the value of the firearm would increase over time, but that is not my objective here, maintenance, upkeep replacement partsare.
Next to go was the XD9. Another great choice, but people have noted increased failures with a dirty or dry weapon. The grip angle is also not the best for a combat firearm, nothing wrong with it, since its the same as a 1911, but times have changed and so has the therory behind combat stances. If I was going to build a racegun or range only shooter, this would be it hands down. Thousands atest to the guns durability and reliability, but I watched a test in which the XD9 had a class 1 malfunction twice in 5 minutes due to inadequate lube.
The MP9 was hard to dismiss, but in the end the workhourse G17 wins. The reasons are a combination of the reasons the others were taken out of the contest. Once again there is nothing wrong with this gun, but when there can be only one winner that .0000001% matters. There is talk the MP9 failed during stress testing. Extreme cold and rapid firing caused problems for it, not much, but more then a Glock.
Another plus for the Glock is the fact all you need to work on one is a pin punch. push out a couple pins and everything comes out easy. It is the AK of handguns, built simple and robust.Joining GSSF offer free service for any Glock for life, they offer training,and discounts. Its just $35 per year.
I will be dropping the cash for one on Tuesday. Could have bought one today, but I want to support a local Mom-n-Pop gun store, soI will wait till they open.
