Lets not compare the HP carbines to the pistols..The carbines are highly reliable and fun as heck to shoot....The newer HP pistols have a slightly worse track record,but nothing the factory wont fix in a timely manner.....Of the two options given by the OP I would go with the HP....But you could pick up a new or used pistol for close to the same price range give or take...30$ or so for a S&W SD9VE(17 round of 9mm
) or a Gen 2 glock police trade or any number or other guns.CZ-82 perhaps
?I still like HP carbines an would recommend one anyways