I have been teaching, handling, and shooting handguns for over 40 years and have reviewed hundreds of pistols and revolvers for various magazines, websites, and organizations. But understand that I am not the wizard and fountain of knowledge for even approaching 100% objectively determining the classic 9mm pistols of all time. This is a subjective process influenced by many emotional, variable, and personally-preferred factors. It is one person’s opinion and is not any better than anyone else’s. But, I had to shoot these pistols for myself and then decided to combine this with my years of shooting them and many other classic pistols. To me, the word “classic” means a pistol that has been judged over several years (not just a short period like 10 or 15 years) to be of the highest quality with top-rate design, craftsmanship, and performance. And for this article, it means 9mm pistols.
There are many fine 9mm pistols, especially several excellent ones just introduced in the last 5 years or so. And there are several fine revolvers that I did not include in my list of classics. Please know that I am not the all-knowing seer, but I shot and own all these pistols except the Model 39, which is almost impossible to find or buy, let alone just shoot it. But I do have my opinions based on my criteria, preferences, and research, probably like you do. So, I was able to reduce my many 9mm pistol alternatives to my top 20 classic pistols of all time after a lot of consternation and switching back and forth several times. Then, I shot (or previously shot and reviewed) all of these “finalists.” I even came up with some “Honorable Mention 9mms” given below, which may include some of your classics. Know that my classics listed below are not in any priority or ranking order.
My Criteria – What Are Your Criteria?
The main criteria I used were the pistol’s:
- design and build quality,
- reliability,
- accuracy and shootability,
- ergonomics and feel in the hand,
- capacity, and
- weight.
Believe me when I say this was a very challenging task. You should try it. If you do, I would really like to know your criteria and the classic 9mm pistols of all time. Just mention them in the Comments Section below after my article. Remember, there are no correct or incorrect criteria or lists since this is very subjective. It was a very demanding challenge to reduce that number down to my top 7 classic 9mm pistols of all time.
Top 7 Classic 9mm Pistols of All Time
Here are my top 7 classic pistols of all time, with their date of introduction (not date of design and only for the basic model) and some of their general specifications. Note that most of these pistols have many variations and models, which usually are improvements or refinements of the earlier basic model introduced later after the initial date of introduction.
1. FN HERSTAL BROWNING HI-POWER [1935]
- Barrel: 4.70″
- Mag Capacity: 17
- Weight-unloaded: 35 oz.
- Overall Length: 7.80″
- Width: 1.40″
2. CZ 75 [1975]
- Barrel: 4.70″
- Mag Capacity: 16
- Weight Unloaded: 40 oz.
- Overall Length: 8.12″
- Width: 1.28″
3. SMITH-WESSON MODEL 39 [1954]
- Barrel: 4.00″
- Mag Capacity: 14
- Weight Unloaded: 27 oz.
- Overall Length: 7.55″
- Width: NA
4. GLOCK 17 GEN 1 [1982]
- Barrel: 4.49″
- Mag Capacity: 17
- Weight Unloaded: 25 oz.
- Overall Length: 7.95″
- Width:1.26″
NOTE: Glock 17 Gen 5 shown above has rail-mounted HD video camera attached.
5. SIG SAUER P226 [1984]
- Barrel: 4.40″
- Mag Capacity: 15
- Weight Unloaded: 34 oz.
- Overall Length: 7.70″
- Width: 1.50″
6. SPRINGFIELD XD [2000]
- Barrel: 4.00″
- Mag Capacity: 16
- Weight Unloaded: 28 oz.
- Overall Length: 7.10″
- Width: 1.37″
Springfield XD-M [2008]
- Barrel: 4.50″
- Mag Capacity: 19
- Weight Unloaded: 32 oz.
- Overall Length: 8.10″
- Width: 1.37″
Springfield XD-M Competition Series [2008]
- Barrel: 5.25″
- Mag Capacity: 19
- Weight Unloaded: 29 oz.
- Overall Length: 8.30″
- Width: 1.37″
7. HECKLER & KOCH P30 [2006]
- Barrel: 3.90″
- Mag Capacity: 17
- Weight Unloaded: 25 oz.
- Overall Length: 7.95″
- Width: 1.26″
Honorable Mention 9mm Pistols
Here are some other excellent 9mm pistols that were very close to my top seven 9mm pistols, but I had to draw the line somewhere. The introduction date for some was about ten or so years ago. Note the dates. Some had some issues, but most were remedied with a later variation and/or model. For example, the fine Luger P08 shown above is ammo sensitive, is challenged to cycle low-pressure rounds consistently, and must be kept very clean to operate. The P38 was ammo finicky about chambering powerful +P and NATO rounds and jammed. But, really, any of these could have been in my top 7.
- Luger Parabellum P08 [1904]
- Walther P38 [1938]
- Beretta 92 [1976]
- Smith & Wesson Shield [2011]
- Sig Sauer P320 [2014]
- Ruger LC9s [2014]
Hope my opinions here about my top classic 9mm pistols of all time have given you helpful information for your decisions.
Very Best to You and Be Safe!
Photos by Author and Wikipedia.
* This personal opinion article is meant for general information & educational purposes only, and the author strongly recommends that you seek counsel from an attorney for legal advice and your own personal certified weapons trainer for proper guidance about shooting & using YOUR firearms, self-defense, and concealed carry. It should not be relied upon as accurate for all shooters & the author assumes no responsibility for anyone’s use of the information and shall not be liable for any improper or incorrect use of the information or any damages or injuries incurred whatsoever.
© 2024 Col Benjamin Findley. All Rights Reserved. This article/review and its images/pictures may not be reprinted, reproduced, or distributed in whole or in part by mechanical means, photocopying, electronic reproduction, scanning, or any other means without prior written permission. For copyright information, contact Col. Ben Findley at [email protected].
Super Criteria– design & build quality are important. Those are all excellent classic 9mms. For some reason their system will not allow me to give a higher rating?
Good list, Ben. No disagreement here.