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Wonder Nine

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A Wonder Nine is a semi-automatic pistol chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum with a staggered column magazine and a double-action trigger for at least the first shot.[1]

The term was coined by firearms author Robert Shimek, and became popular in American firearm-related magazines during the 1980s and 1990s by those advocating their use by police forces.[1] At the time most American police departments were still using revolvers, with the majority chambered in either .38 Special or .357 Magnum.[2]

The simplicity of being able to fire the first shot just by pulling the trigger (a prominent feature of double-action revolvers), larger ammunition capacity, and faster reloading of ammunition with the use of box magazines are the "wonderful" features of a semi-automatic pistol.

Examples include the Heckler & Koch VP70 (1970), Smith & Wesson Model 59 (1971),[2][3][4] CZ 75 (1975), Star Model 28 (1975), Beretta 92 (1976),[2] Steyr GB (1981), Glock 17 (1982), FN HP DA (1982), SIG Sauer P226 (1984), Ruger P85 (1985),[2] Walther P88 (1988), IWI Jericho 941 (1990), Vektor SP1 (1992), Heckler & Koch USP (1993), Bersa Thunder 9 (1994), Walther P99 (1997), and Steyr M (1999).

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b Sodofsky, Christopher (20 March 2023). "The Rise Of The "Wonder Nine"". Shooting Times. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d Sadowski, Robert A. (2018). Book of Glock: A Comprehensive Guide to America's Most Popular Handgun. Skyhorse Publishing. pp. 6, 17, 251. ISBN 9781510716032.
  3. ^ Trzoniec, Stanley W. (1981). Modern American Centerfire Handguns. Tulsa, Okla.: Winchester Press. p. 49. ISBN 0876913419. OCLC 7572377.
  4. ^ Hartink, A. E. (2002). The Complete Encyclopedia of Pistols and Revolvers (first ed.). Edison, N.J.: Chartwell Books. p. 279. ISBN 9780785815198. OCLC 51024327.