I'm really liking the 9mm Luger more and more every time I shoot it!

[NYH1]

I've never really been much of a 9mm fan. My first pistol was a Ruger KP94DC 40 S&W (1996). I shot it for a few years. It was very relible, I just didn't like the trigger. It was the long double action first pull of the trigger. Then the short single action shots there after. I had a couple of wheel guns. Then I shot my friends Gen 2 Glock G20 10mm. I really liked the Glock but didn't want one quiet as big as the G20. So I bought a full size G22 40 S&W (1999). A year later I bought a Beretta 92FS 9mm stainless model. It was a really nice pistol, it just didn't fit me so I sold it, which I shouldn't have. Maybe I'll buy a regular military type M9 with the blued/parkerized finish just to have. Two years later I bought a Glock sub compact G27 40 S&W (2002) for conceal carry in the warmer months. I alway's wanted a full size stainless semi auto 45 ACP. I liked the S&W 4506. However, the grip angle didn't fit me, kind of like the Beretta 92. So I bought a SW1911 45 ACP (2008). This is a very nice pistol. It shoots great, looks great too. You should see my 10 year old son shoot my 1911. He's absolutely devistatingly accurite with it. . . . .says it's now his.
 
Both my Glocks were bought brand new and are Gen 3 models. I really like them. I have a G31 357 Sig and Lone Wolf Distributor 9mm conversion barrels for my G22. I've shot 12 to 13K rounds through my G22 to date without any failures at all, it's been 100% rock solid. My G27 has about half of that. It's been 100% rock solid too. My G22 even using the extra barrels I use in it, no problem with them either.
 
When I bought the G31 357 Sig barrel for it I was getting 50 rd. boxes of 125 gr. Speer Gold Dots for $15 per box, plus shipping from this place in Florida. That source has dried up. Now 357 Sig practice FMJ ammo is expensive. That's why I bought the LWD 9mm conversion barrel.
The 9mm barrel in my G22 basically makes it a G17. I can shoot it faster and still be more accurate when shooting with the 9mm barrel over the 40 S&W or 357 Sig. barrels. My groups are way tighter with the 9mm then they are with the other two rounds. I've come to really like the 9mm so much so, that I ordered a new Gen 3 G34 Tactical/Practical 9mm long slide/barrel model, to target shoot and to shoot in the GSSF match in our area this year. Unless it's after my next surgery, in which case I'll be really p!$$ed.
 
What about any of you guys or gals, have you found yourself's going back to the 9mm or any other cartridge??
 
NYH1! 

[drdougrx]

I know that I have.  I've just picked up a ruger SR9 and I've worn the trigger in.  I also have a SW3914 that I bought on the 1990s.  I feel...and this is me...that the 9mm has come along way in ammo development.  I currently use Win Ranger T 124gr plusP(the uncoated black talon a few times improved).  They are accurate and I can put quite a few down range quickly with center of mass hits. I can also buy them in boxes of 50 at a good price and shoot them for practice.  I've aso loaded 1000 125gr FMJ to the same velocity and practice with them as well.  I have 45's and 40s and 357s and a slew of others.  It's just that the 9 gives me a flat, concealable piece with good ballistics and energy. 


I keep up with Evan Marshall's site as well as this one and the folks who actually know a bit about the nasty are happy with the 9mm in many cases.  Seems many police depts like it as well and the new stuff has been proven to stop fights as have the other calibers.  It's preference really and as I get older, I'm a bit more introspective about the whole self defence thing....hi cap, extra mag and a BUG.  Yep....a bit different for me know. 

[cwlongshot]

I have to agree with you... I too am not a big fan. But I too bought a Lone Wolf conversion barrel for my G23. I fired only about four mags thru it so far but I have to say WOW I am impressed!!

Aside form the MK I II III Rugers I am no fan of Ruger semi autos, but I have owned Sigs, Smiths and Brownings in 9MM and none have been this accurate!



CW

[drdougrx]

I'm hearing you CW....I'm also not crazy about RUGER autos, but, after handling the full sized SR it actually fit me and I was happy.  No problems with reliability, I can see the sites and its really flat.  I'll put my HP away for a bit and use the SR9.  I've had a variety of Smiths, Beretta 92s, and a sig but never warmed up to them....I do like the 92 but feel it is over built for the caliber and too large to conceal.  I haven't tried a Glock....imagine that!!  Funny very few of my shoot'n buds own them.  Also, unless it's a single action 1911 or a SBH, I'm not paying for any more custom work on anything....famous last words.   

[cwlongshot]

I'm hearing you CW...
  Also, unless it's a single action 1911 or a SBH, I'm not paying for any more custom work on anything....famous last words.   

LOL, That was me for a very long time too!!

As for not wanting to pay for work, the Glock is taylor made there too as its not usually required!

CW

[jlwilliams]

  I almost had to be dragged kicking and screaming to the ammo counter to buy 9mm the first time.  Well, that's an exageration but you get the point.  When I got into handguns as a young guy, the old guys I looked up to were all 45 guys.  I got a 1911 and stocked up on 45acp.  A number of years later I got a 9mm because they are so much cheaper to feed.  I looked at it as a more or less strictly recreational round.  Now I really like it.
 
  9mm in a good modern load with a modern bullet is a good round.
 
  As already stated, check out Evan Marshall's sight.

[Mikey]

Hey Doug:  on that Ruger - a buddy of mine got himself a SR9C (I believe) and found the trigger so Ruger-ish that he installed a Ghost Trigger - wadda difference.  I handled a non-Ghost SR9C at a local shop and then handled his - major difference with the Ghost Trigger and it is user friendly to install.
As for the 9mm - I have a 9mm barrel for my Tokarev but it shoots so high with the sights regulated for the 7.62x25 that it's no fun.  My dad's P-38 however is another story.  Purchased in 1966 with a 1966 date stamp it is a plain jane P-38 with no other markings other than the Walther Waffenfabrik Ulm, Germany.  The trigger is standard P-38 and this pistol is nothing more than a M&P pistol, but it shoots good and is accurate and by the time I'm finished playing with it I can hit first round da and keep the rest of the mag in the black.  I don't have a problem with the 9mm in combat having used a High Power in Vietnam, Saigon and then Bangkok later on. 
I wish I could find lots of 45 acp mil-surp but that ain't gonna happen I think and the 9 is a bit easier to shoot.  jmtcw.

[nitesite]

I'm a fan.  I wasn't always but for the past ten years I really think it's a great cartridge.
 
I usually carry a 1911 on duty, but it's very feasable that I'll switch out holsters and carry a 3rd Gen GLOCK34 (personally owned, with Trijicon fixed trits).  I am issued a 3rd Gen GLOCK22 and am given free ammo for it but I prefer to stick with my 9mm.
 
Also, my BUG is a 9mm.... not a .380 or a .38Special or a micro .40-cal.  It's a nine, and I'm very okay with that choice.
 
And lastly, I recently dropped some pretty big coin on a brand new CZ-75B Stainless 9mm that is one of the finest pistols ever designed if you listen to Col. Jeff Cooper and many other pundits.  I agree with them.  I simply love shooting that thing.
 
Since there is lead and casting equipment at my house I am making 100-rds of 124-gr LRN 9mm ammo for about $4.00 per 100.  I can make 100 rounds of .45 Auto for the same.   There's plenty enough room to have fun with both!

[Lloyd Smale]

Im not much of a 9mm fan. Ive got a berreta 92 and a glock 26 but much prefer the 40, 45 and 45acp. It doesnt cost but pennys more to reload them and they just hit ### harder.

[NickSS]

When I first started shooting hand guns I started with a 357 mag Ruger blackhawk (the old three screw model) and quickly bought a 1911 45 auto.  I did buy a few 9mms but at the time ammo was not cheap and I lost so much brass that it was not economical to fire so I sold them and never had much to do with them until the late 80s.  I bought a glock 17 and a Taurus PT99 around then and shot them infrequently for years.  Today I have added several other 9mms and shoot them more than any other pistol caliber other than 22 RF.  I just like the round and have found that it works very well for me.  My latest handgun is a RIA 1911 in 9mm and I was very impressed with two things with this pistol.  One was noticably less recoil than my 45 ACP RIA and it was slightly more accurate.  As far as power goes I have killed several animals with both a 45ACP and a 9mm loaded with gold dots or Hornady XTP bullets and see almost no difference it killing power on animals such as coyote and racoons.

[ratdog]

i tried the 9mm plastic guns didn't shoot well got a 1911 9mm and its accurate stainless model taurus not a hiccup totally happy.

[Gun Runner]

Ive had a CZ75B for some years now, and it has become my regular carry gun. I have put over 10,000 rds thru it and it just keeps sending them down range. I shoot a 124gr cast (home made) bullit on top of 3.9 grs of bullseye. I can perty much hold me own with other shooters. I shoot with a member from G B, at a range he belongs to and he also shoots the same bullet (I cast for both of us) and does us a diffrent powder and load, but still does quiet well.

Gun Runner

[williamlayton]

Is it the bullet that ya'll are fond of or the loading/caseing/ powder/velocity---I guess i am trying to identify what it is ya'll are saying you are fond of.?!
I like the 9x23 a lot and the .38 super--but in this conversation is it not still the 9mm/.38/.357  we are talking about?
Blessings

[SHOOTALL]

I shot the 9mm most in IDPA and in self defense classes to save money on bullets . I always like larger 40 something. But then shot a Browning HP and love it. Now there are good rounds for it . I still tote a 40 S&W Glock at times but thinking about a 9mm bbl for it .

[WD45]

I think they are stating that they like the actual 9x19 cartridge loaded as such.
For them it is cheaper to shoot if you are not a reloader and they are more accurate with it due to less recoil especially in full size guns. I pretty much side with Lloyd and never really cared much for the 9x19 but I will say that modern ammo is much better than it once was. On the other hand modern ammunition has made other defensive calibers that much better also.

[SHOOTALL]

Nothing beats cubic inches in a fight ................but for target use they are great

[Old Griz]

When I first got my carry license we had to choose between 9mm or .45ACP (.40s weren't invented yet). I chose the .45 and since then carried either a Glock 21 (95%) or a S&W .357. Because of the price of ammo, I finally broke down and bought a 9mm just to have as a fun gun. I almost bought a CZ75, but just to save money (again) I went with the Ruger SR9. It has really been a hoot. Accurate as it could be, and not a single FTF. And this is all with the cheap Russian stuff. I was so impressed with it that I bought a box of CorBon just in case ever wanted to carry it instead of the big old Glock. I know it isn't a .45 or .357, but I sure wouldn't want to get hit by one! After all these years I can't believe I'm saying something nice about a 9mm!

[jackruff]

I've been a revolver guy - .357 magnum, .44 magnum - but some months back bought a Springfield Armory XDm-3.8 in 9mm.  I was going to go through some intensive training for concealed carry, which required a lot of shooting and reloading.  I really didn't want to reload a revolver that much.  I think the 9mm is great!