Looking for American made 9mm

[Mic]

Sometime in the next 6 months or so, I would like to buy a 9mm for target shooting, home protection, and carry. As with most things I buy, if I have to choice to buy something made here in the states, I will.

So, I'm trying to come up with a list of 9mm pistols that are made in the states. And any and all feedback regarding them as well - especially reliability.

I am really looking at the S&W M&P - it feels very comfortable (have not fired one - just holding it), but I am not sure about the DAO. Any thoughts on this (DAO versus single action )would be appreciated as well.

I have had about a 15 year break from any serious shooting, so consider me relatively new to shooting and having limited firearms knowledge.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Mic

 

[malladus]

IF your looking at the Smith and Wesson, try the triggers on the long slide target models that are out. Its supposed to be alot better then the regular stock length triggers and according to SHOT show rumors its going to be available as an option in all the other model sizes this coming year.

On the buy American front, are you looking for a gun that is 100% american made? Not many, if any of those. Most companies out there that sale quality guns get various parts from someplace outside the US to use in their guns. Ruger may be the only mainstream one that doesn't but I'm not sure. I'm sure someone will be along in a second with some other makers.

malladus

 

[40Arpent]

Welcome. Ruger and Springfield are two that you might consider. If you want to expand into the 1911 realm of 9mm pistols, Springfield, Kimber, and Wilson are all highly rated.

By the way, technically speaking, the S&W M&P is not DAO, it is striker fired.

 

[40Arpent]

On the buy American front, are you looking for a gun that is 100% american made?

Oops, I guess I wasn't going that far into it, what with the Springfield XD's being made in Croatia.

 

[navyguy]

It's pretty hard to find a 100% us made (engineered, component manufacturing and assembly) in the US hand gun. Springfield was mentioned, and there may be some models of 1911's that fit that (custom shop?) but seems I remember reading that the frames come from Brazil.

Although Sig is thought of as a German company, today's current production of most Sigs come from Exeter NH so they probably have as much US parts and labor as other brands that are thought of as US companies. Sadly, German made Sigs are generally more highly regarded and sought after than the US counterpart.

 

[Mic]

Thanks Malladus and Pete.

As far as American made, I am looking for something assembled in the United States - you can never really know where every single component is made, so I don't sweat that too much. I prefer something designed in the states, assembled in a factory in the states, although an overseas company that puts a factory over here and employs Americans to build a gun will also get my preference.

As far as Springfield goes, at least the XD (which I think is a very nice looking gun) is made in Croatia.

As far as the striker fired as opposed to DAO, how does that relate to trigger pull length and weight? My best comparison would be to a Wesson model 14 revolver which is a whole world of difference when shot DA compared to SA. Would the striker fired M&P be similar to firing said revolver DA every time? Or is a striker fired usually a lower pull length/weight compared to a revolver?

 

[Mic]

Sorry - my reply covered stuff you guys had already said. Wrote it a bit back, but came back to computer and realized I hadn't sent it.

Curious about Sigs... Which are made where? Trying to look around on websites, it is hard to determine where their specific guns are manufactured. Guess that leaves me to trying to find pics of guns and reading sides of them

Thanks again for all the input so far and to come!

 

[navyguy]

All of the current US supply of P series come from NH, except P228 which was discontinued then brought back for a limited run. Any of the ones with carbon steel stamped slides are German made. The stainless steel slide models P226, P229, P239, P250 and SP2022 (all can be had in 9mm) are made in Exeter.

 

[jasont]

Thanks Malladus and Pete.

As far as the striker fired as opposed to DAO, how does that relate to trigger pull length and weight? My best comparison would be to a Wesson model 14 revolver which is a whole world of difference when shot DA compared to SA. Would the striker fired M&P be similar to firing said revolver DA every time? Or is a striker fired usually a lower pull length/weight compared to a revolver?

Striker fired is much different from DAO. The striker is 'cocked' most of the way back when the slide is moved to the rear. The trigger pull only moves the striker back a fraction of it's travel length. It is much lighter and shorter than a true double action. Also because of this you have no restrike ability when pulling the trigger a second time. The slide must be cycled to recock the striiker.

I know people that have M&P's with custom trigger jobs approaching 2lbs of pull and very little takeup and overtravel.

Here's an animation of a Glock firing so you can see what I'm talking about.
Sniperworld.com Glock resource

 

[Texas42]

Ruger. The SR9 looked interesting to me. It is an American company, though I don't know where they are made.

Does STI make a 9mm 1911? They are here in Texas.

In reality, I think you are going to find that no matter what gun you buy, something will be not be American. Heck, the Toyota trucks are made here in San Antonio. I'm pretty sure my Beretta said made in USA on it.

And yes, all the striker fired pistols I have fired have a much lighter and shorter trigger than a true DAO pistol.

 

[navyguy]

That Glock animation is pretty cool, but what it doesn't show is the short reset the Glock action has. It's about 1/4 of the full travel, and a nice feature.

FWIW, Glock stock triggers are around 5.5 lbs, and if you have been shooting SA guns (1911's and other DA/SA pistols) the striker fired guns take some time to get comfortable with. There are some off the shelf things that can be changed on Glocks (connector etc) that reduce trigger pull a bit, but for a carry weapon, I'm not in favor of really light triggers.

 

[jfrey]

For American made try the Kahr T9 or the CW9

 

[BombthePeasants]

Kel-Tec's line of pistols are made in Florida.

 

[TheDan]

All of the current US supply of P series come from NH, except P228 which was discontinued then brought back for a limited run. Any of the ones with carbon steel stamped slides are German made. The stainless steel slide models P226, P229, P239, P250 and SP2022 (all can be had in 9mm) are made in Exeter.

Many of the SP2022s you'll see for sale right now were made in Germany. You can tell the ones made in Germany vs US by the s/n being stamped on the frame, slide, and barrel, plus the slide will be marked DE. Any other new Sig is going to be US made, however they aren't quite as nice as the older ones

I don't think you'd be disappointed with a M&P9 if that's what you end up with. Very nice guns. Check out the Ruger SR9 as well. See if you can find someone that has them that will let you shoot. It will make decision making much easier.

 

[SIG_Fiend]

I highly recommend giving the M&P some serious consideration. IMO it is a better overall platform than the XD, and with only a little work the trigger can feel significantly better.

 

[Reacher]

I've had my M&P in .40 for about 6 months now and it has performed flawlessly. That being said, I think the XD is a fine gun and you would probably be happy either way. The M&P just felt best in my hand.

 

[Dawico]

Glock has a factory here also. Smyrna, GA. You can justify one of them as made here also.

 

[kurt]

Kahrs are American made.

 

[Biggy]

I've had a bunch of different 9mm pistols through the years. Right now I am waiting on two of the limited run S&W M&P "PT" pistols from G&R Tactical. I have come to prefer the striker fired pistols with the S&W M&P being in first place for me , the new next generation Glock just comming out would be in second place , then I would choose the H&K P30 third and finally the new Sig E series pistols just comming out in fourth place. These are all quality pistols and the order I have placed them in is just my personal preferance.

 

[Exile Machine]

My sister in law has a Ruger P series in 9mm, I think P89 or P95. It is the most fun 9mm I have ever shot. I have a Kahr PM9 made in USA and my Glock was made in Georgia.