Wonder 9

[RevolverRodger]

I remember seeing the term wonder 9 in alot of gun rags a few years back.
What are the true original wonder 9s ?
I would say sig P226 / Glock 17 / Berreta 92Fs
Who is lucky enough to own them all ?

 

[PerversPépère]

The first available one was the Browning Hi-Power. Then, there was the original CZ-75.
In the USA, the CZ-75 had nearly-mythical status due to the fact that it was a ''communist country'' gun ($$$) and also because the late Col.Cooper said it was the only ''CrunchenTicker'' that had his respect for its nice ergonomics and the rare option of both double action AND cocked and locked carry.
PP.

 

[Trigun]

It is no doubt that Browning high power is the grand grand dad of 9mm and is a true beauty.

Trigun

 

[Bullwhip]

Jan Libourel of G&A loved the phrase "wonder nine" and used it extensively, almost ad nauseam.

Mass LEO acceptance of the 9mm, largely because of convenience and perceived extra firepower that the high magazine capacities of the Beretta 92SB/Sig P226/ Glock 17 gave, began the true stampede from wheel guns to semi's by the early to mid eighties. Everyone was amazed at that time that you could get 15+1 (17+1 for glock) in a gun versus the six shooter or the 7 rounds in a 1911A1, hence the "wonder".

Note that by 1986, the "Miami Shootout" is attributed for pushing the FBI to fully adopt autoloaders as standard, and to eventually "up gun" to the 10mm (and then finally the 40 S&W) as they felt the 9mm had lost some of its wonder.

Having owned 9mm, 40 S&W, and .45's at one time or other, I still like the 9mm best for what I do with it: plinking, target shooting and general fun. To each their own, however.

Had the opportunity to shoot all the nines around (except the P7, Walther P88 & P99 and Steyr, strangely) and each is unique. I do have a real soft spot for the big old Beretta, though. The Sig was the most accurate I had ever owned. But the Glock was the quickest and easiest to use, just keep your finger off the trigger, where its supposed to. Everything else was really cool in its own way but just ok. That's only IMHO YMMV!

 

[punkrockboy]

I just purchased a refurbished RCMP Sig P-226, and actually just went to the range with it for the first time today, and I was blown away by what an awesome gun it is.The trigger is absolutely amazing, and it is sooooo accurate.I put everything in a 2 inch group at 15 yards, which is much better than anything else I've ever fired!!!

 

[MTF]

It's certainly true that the 9mm HP is the oldest high capacity magazine 9, but the term "wundernine" belongs to double-action 9s, which Jeff Cooper, who coined the phrase derisively, found lacking. He didn't like the double-action/single-action coupling -- found the trigger more difficult to manage than seemed reasonable to him, and was dedicated to cocked-and-locked carry; that's why he could champion the CZ-75 and not the Smith. The original North American double-action 9 was the Smith & Wesson Model 39, introduced in the mid-fifties. It was developed with the hope of a military contract, which never happened, but it caught on with the public and law enforcement. All the double-action nines owe their existence to the popularity of the Smith 39, 39-2, 59, etc., etc., etc.

 

[dan belisle]

Walther P38. DA, 9mm, etc. After that, the plice departments adopted the spray and pray shooting method, so large magazines were required. That ushered in all the double row mag 9mm wonders, with 13, 15, and 18 shot mags (gotta love that GB). - dan

 

[NAA]

I recall a ways back [before we saw any Glocks] in the days when the hi-cap 9mm's were the Browning HP, the S&W 59 and the Beretta SB's.... that HK made a huge capacity 9mm the VP 70 with an 18 round mag.

Type: Double Action Only
Chamber: 9x19mm Luger/Parabellum
Weight unloaded: 820 g
Length: 204 mm
Barrel length: 116 mm
Capacity: 18 rounds

'Course that was back in the good ole days before the mag restrictions so you could actually legally own them & shoot 'em at the range.

 

[RePete]

And don't forget the S&W69