I'm looking to buy a 9mm pistol for defensive shooting.  Not sure to pick up a Kimber 1911, Sig, Sti, HK P30L, S&W, or SA.  I've been shooting HK45 LEM for awhile and getting expensive and also need a light trigger pull.

Never thought of CZ 75 SP-01.

Gen4 Glock 17 or Gen 4 Glock 19 produced within the last year or so with 042 RSA and 30274 ejector. 

Sig's, M&P, and the HKP30L on your list are good options.  Much comes down to budget and personal choice with any of these pistols.

I'm looking to buy a 9mm pistol for defensive shooting.  Not sure to pick up a Kimber 1911, Sig, Sti, HK P30L, S&W, or SA.  I've been shooting HK45 LEM for awhile and getting expensive and also need a light trigger pull.

P30L
You can get LEM and have marching triggers

But everyone knew I was going to say that
I'll have my V3 (DA/SA) P30L at next Saturdays hdf range day if you want to compare it to your HK45

.

Don't get one super nice in case you actually have to use it for self defense. It would get taken in by HPD for evidence and you'd hate to give up your H&K or Colt 1911 gun. Not really sure how long they'd keep them for evidence.

Don't get one super nice in case you actually have to use it for self defense. It would get taken in by HPD for evidence and you'd hate to give up your H&K or Colt 1911 gun. Not really sure how long they'd keep them for evidence.

speedtek and many others on this board will tell you PPQ

id get a glock. 

Pretty much any compact 9mm would be good....

G19

Cz gets my vote.

Many good ones out there but I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed with a Beretta 92FS.

Today, I play with M&P Shield, nice light trigger pull. Fell like a Glock. H&K P30L light LEM fit very nice in my small hand with a light trigger. Compare with my HK45, HK 45  trigger pull feel twice as stiff. 1911 Sig look and feel good. All 3 guns had zero malfunction problems. It's hard to pick, but leaning towards HK P30L, then 1911, M&P. Need to check the Sig and Cz. Thanks for the advice. I have a friend wanted to sell me his HK USP9 Tactical but grip feel a little big. Also Beretta 92F is good, but if you carry it for years you really really get sick of it.

PPQ M2 9mm

For self defense purposes, I think it is best to purchase a stock pistol that HPD commonly issues.
Then do not screw around with it by modifying the trigger.Why?

1- Relatively inexpensive. So if it gets confiscated it's not a big loss.
2- Legally defensible. If it's what HPD uses, then it must be ok. Less hassles in court.
note: If you modify the trigger, then a lawyer can paint you as a bloodthirsty gun nut.
3- Easy to use and shoots well right out of the box.

My friend just graduated from HPD recruit
training and he was issued a Glock.17.
That would be an excellent choice.

Dammit Oldfart !
Why you gotta make so much sense.

Now I think I'm gonna change my Glock 17 trigger back to stock.

Today, I play with M&P Shield, nice light trigger pull. Fell like a Glock. H&K P30L light LEM fit very nice in my small hand with a light trigger. Compare with my HK45, HK 45  trigger pull feel twice as stiff. 1911 Sig look and feel good. All 3 guns had zero malfunction problems. It's hard to pick, but leaning towards HK P30L, then 1911, M&P. Need to check the Sig and Cz. Thanks for the advice. I have a friend wanted to sell me his HK USP9 Tactical but grip feel a little big. Also Beretta 92F is good, but if you carry it for years you really really get sick of it.

your friends have some nice iron
technically, the USP9 is not a tactical per se, it is considered a USP9SD,
but still a really cool gun
which LEM is your HK45?
that's the first time i've heard of someone liking the P30 that much more than the HK45

I have the LEM without any external safety. I believe it's not the light version. Compare with P30L light Lem and Hk45, 3 people notice mine is heavy. For a while I was drilling at 10 to 15 yards and was shooting very low about 4" below bull. Those were lollipop sight alignment like 1911 or Beretta 92F. I thought it must be my heavy trigger pull. I was doing dot drill yesterday and still shooting low. I adjust to cover the sight on the bull like shooting a scope sighted in the middle. It hit the middle every time.  A friend next to me told me it's my front sight. It's not the heavy trigger. Don't shoot like its a 1911.

I have the LEM without any external safety. I believe it's not the light version. Compare with P30L light Lem and Hk45, 3 people notice mine is heavy. For a while I was drilling at 10 to 15 yards and was shooting very low about 4" below bull. Those were lollipop sight alignment like 1911 or Beretta 92F. I thought it must be my heavy trigger pull. I was doing dot drill yesterday and still shooting low. I adjust to cover the sight on the bull like shooting a scope sighted in the middle. It hit the middle every time.  A friend next to me told me it's my front sight. It's not the heavy trigger. Don't shoot like its a 1911.

yup, stock HK sights are cover hold
you can change  springs on your HK45 to make it a light LEM
see HKPRO.com for details
there are stickied posts explaining the spring set up on each version of LEM