M9 - which one is best?

Like the 1911, the M9 has many cosmetic iterations from Marui (Biohazard models, tac master, standard, and colour variants) but it also has the redesigned M9A1 which features adjustable hop up, enhanced blowback unit and functioning decocker. If you're going to go for Marui, get the M9A1. The standard M9 is antiquated.

The standard Marui M9 is a lightweight ABS plastic gun with a fixed hop up, that was one of their earliest pistol releases. The feel is all wrong - weight distribution relies solely on the magazine, and without that it feels like a cheap toy. The slide mounted safety does not have a functioning decocker, but rather just disengages the trigger. It shoots straight for about 20m, but that's it - you won't get much more out of it. The Marui M9 does not have a patch on their 1911 series, or any of their modern releases.

The KJW is a perfect clone of the Marui M9, only with a metal body. The Co2 version is the only one worth any consideration, so I'll just focus on that! It has an enhanced/reinforced loading nozzle (blue) to deal with the pressures of the Co2, and also has uprated recoil and hammer springs. The paint on their guns is decent and relatively hard wearing, but does develop a 'sheen' after a lot of use. The Co2 magazine delivers power year-round, and also a mean 'bang' which when combined with the kick makes it the most satisfying to shoot. The gun is a direct clone of the Marui, so the safety only disengages the trigger and doesn't act as a decocker. Weight/heft is better than the Marui, but the distribution is all wrong - it sits too much to the front. The KJW is better than the standard Marui M9, partly to do with the adjustable hop up (same hop up design, just with a grub screw added for partial adjustment).

TM threw themselves back into the ring last year with their announced M9A1 which took everything they learned from the PX4, and wrapped it up in the brilliance that is the M9A1. The gun now features a properly adjustable hop up, an enhanced loading nozzle (they increased the BBU's volume leading to a sharper kick), and a safety/decocker! It is the best performing M9 on the market, bar none. They have used lead weight around the inner barrel and in the grips to give the gun more heft without the magazine inserted, and it has worked wonders on the weight distribution. It feels almost like it should feel...just a little artificial. It uses the same old M9 magazines though, which are not the best in cold weather.

Finally you have the KSC/KWA M9. The KSC M9 is the finest replica of the Beretta M9 that I have had the pleasure of owning/using - it is a full metal replica (with the exception of the outer barrel), and uses a much nicer metal & paint combination than KJW. The gun has an adjustable hop up, but it is KSC/KWA's crappy ball bearing hop up which is all kinds of arse. I would replace with Volante's upgrade barrel + hop combo immediately after purchase. The NS2 magazines are solid; no complaints there - they provide enough gas to empty the mag (most of the time), though can struggle in colder weather. Shot to shot consistency sucks...but that's due to their hop up; once replaced it'll be much better!

WE/HK3P also have their own M9's - these look the part, but performance just isn't there. They're full metal clones of the Marui M9, so all the same stuff again (fixed-style hop up, non-functioning decocker etc)...but don't have immediate compatibility with KJW Co2 magazines. Heavyweight metal slides + old green gas design magazine = imminent failure every time. WE's Co2 magazines are an oddity - they limit the flow of Co2 until it behaves like green gas. You don't get the renowned Co2 thwack, but still have the cold weather performance...sort of.

HFC's M9 is a decent gun...once again a Marui M9 clone, but this time with full auto (if you wish). Hop up rubber and barrel are better than WE, but paint/finish is better on the KJW. Performance is so-so, but they're reliable little things. They seem to have largely disappeared from the market though...no great loss in my opinion.

The only one which I've not used personally, that I am anxious to get (if I could justify it) is the WA M9 - Western Arms make some seriously nice kit...but it's just so unbelievably expensive for what it is. I will eventually get one, but for now I have to reserve judgement.

Best Performer = TM M9A1
Best Value = KJW M9 (Co2)
Nicest Replica = KSC M9

Kwc m9?
Will be considering it myself, co2, extended mags, heavy weight and full auto function.