Need compact help!!!!!

[Karl Blanchard]

What to buy, what to buy!  In the market for a compact but can't decide.  Looked at a few today, m&p, walther p229, glock, xd, taurus slim, even a kimber1911! I just can't make up my mind so let me here some pros and cons and personal favorites.

[Wazukie]

I like my Taurus pt-145.  Just about the same size as the slim but holds more rounds 10+1.  It has shot flawlessly with anything I've ran through it, even my LSWC reloads.  The price was right also, but I know there are lot's of great options these days.

[Ridgeratt]

Buddy just picked up the Springfield EMP in 40!! If I was in the market it's one I would look at.

[cwuwildcat]

It depends on your size and build, and holster.  I carry a full sized 1911 commander, and you can't tell.  I've got "love handles".  If you're skinny, might be another matter.

 Where are you comfortable carrying?  3/9 oclock, 4/8 oclock, small of back, behind your front pockets, inside a pocket?

[ellensburgpo]

Springfield XDS with extended mag. New favorite gun.

[Karl Blanchard]

I'm medium build and carry 3/5. Its pretty hard for me to hide anything of size.  I have a taurus pt-111 and a s&w airweight .38 w/laser that I carry just board and want a new toy.  Trying to stay under $650.  Its like women and shoes, gotta have a different one for every outfit right!

[Ridgeratt]

Ok so throw out the Springfield then!! $$$$$

[MrsTurkeyFeather]

My new "baby" is a Ruger LC9 (with Crimson Trace) it was about $500...so far I love it...I mostly carry it in my purse (not saying you need a purse  ) but I've dropped it in my coat pocket and even the front pocket of my jeans and it's comfortable to carry there as well (I dont have a holster for it yet but imagine it would be easy/comfy to carry that way too). It fires spot on, esp with the laser. My husband loved how it handled at the range too and how it feels to hold.

Have fun shopping! 

[Karl Blanchard]

Ok so throw out the Springfield then!! $$$$$

I said I would like to stay under 650 not had to.  I liked the extended mag on the springfield.  Getting the pinky finger on the grip is important to me.

[Ridgeratt]

I've got fat hands and I liked it!!

[turkeyfeather]

I also carry the PT-111. Love the gun however either my pants are shrinking or I need to go on a diet cause it's getting harder to get that double stack IWB. I also have a little Ruger LCP for other wardrobe options.

[Russ McDonald]

It depends on your size and build, and holster.  I carry a full sized 1911 commander, and you can't tell.  I've got "love handles".  If you're skinny, might be another matter.

 Where are you comfortable carrying?  3/9 oclock, 4/8 oclock, small of back, behind your front pockets, inside a pocket?

LOL I carry the same thing and have the same proble  .  I just picked up a S&W SD9 a little lighter then my 1911 so that should carry better.

[Karl Blanchard]

That was one feature that sold me on my M&P .45 I bought a while back was the different grips that would fit my hand better.  Does the compact M&P come with the different grips, I never asked.

[Russ McDonald]

That was one feature that sold me on my M&P .45 I bought a while back was the different grips that would fit my hand better.  Does the compact M&P come with the different grips, I never asked.

If you were talking to me I didn't get a M&P I got a SD.

[Karl Blanchard]

That was one feature that sold me on my M&P .45 I bought a while back was the different grips that would fit my hand better.  Does the compact M&P come with the different grips, I never asked.

If you were talking to me I didn't get a M&P I got a SD.

lol! sorry trying to bathe a 3yr old and an 8month old and think about guns while typing!

[Russ McDonald]

That was one feature that sold me on my M&P .45 I bought a while back was the different grips that would fit my hand better.  Does the compact M&P come with the different grips, I never asked.

If you were talking to me I didn't get a M&P I got a SD.

lol! sorry trying to bathe a 3yr old and an 8month old and think about guns while typing!

I hear yeah good luck with that 

[Karl Blanchard]

I also carry the PT-111. Love the gun however either my pants are shrinking or I need to go on a diet cause it's getting harder to get that double stack IWB. I also have a little Ruger LCP for other wardrobe options.

I did have an LCP w/laser but my wife has pretty much claimed it.  She is a "gun digger"!  Its kind of like a gold digger.

[jackelope]

You can get pinky finger extenders for mags for lots of weapons.
Glocks, XD's, etc.
Machias posted a couple good youtube video comparisons of the little guns recently. It seems the XDs and the little M&P were pretty dang popular.

[yorketransport]

I've had a Taurus 24/7 and XD Subcompact, both in 40, that were nice guns which would work well for you and are in your preferred budget. I switched to a 1911 though and never looked back. I have a harder time concealing a double stack subcompact than I do a full size 1911. I'm 5'7" and 145# and my wife can't tell when I have the Kimber on, so it's unlikely that anyone else will notice. The right holster makes all the the difference.

Andrew

[huntandjeep]

My neighbor just picked up a new S&W M&P sd (or sv) in .40 for $400 out the door. it felt pretty comfy in my hands. A little smaller than my M&P .45 which I carried till I got my Kimber. Now the kimber is my go to. Agree with yorketransport that it's all in the holster.

[Karl Blanchard]

Well on that subject what do you guys recommend for a low profile carry holster?

[huntandjeep]

I use a Galco concealable holster for my Kimber. It carries the gun high and canted forward. The M&P i use a Mikes or just shove in the small of my back.

[yorketransport]

Well on that subject what do you guys recommend for a low profile carry holster?

Cross Breed Supertuck is my favorite concealment holster.

Andrew

[coyotecrazy]

XDS with extended mags,,,, simply awesome.

[CAMPMEAT]

Glock 23 Compact 13 rounds plus one in the pipe. It's been throated and polished and sports Trijicon Night sights. I've had that one for 23 years. I carry it in the long forgotten yuppie fanny pack in the summer. I have hands that look like hams too.

[timberghost72]

Springfield XDS with extended mag. New favorite gun.

I like it better than my 3" Micro compact 1911. Sweet little gun.

[jaymark6655]

Glock 23.  I have large hands, it has near a full size grip.  The subcompact is where I need the extend mag.  It still has a rail up from for laser or light.  The wifes sub compact (27) does not.

[CAMPMEAT]

I have Pearce extensions on my Glocks.

[thinkingman]

Kahr PM9, forget double stacks.

[Rotty]

I guess it depends on what you are after in the way of a compact. I have had KelTec PF9 it was OK for CC and fits in a pocket fine but the trigger takes some getting use to and the snappiness of it being so small plus picky on some ammo at time on the 3 I have owned. Taurus PT709 in a OK CC/pocket carry trigger is better I think than of Taurus models. 1911 officer model are good option as well you can find some decent entry level one like Charles Daly Rock Island Armory or Armscor product to be fairly good. For double stack mags I find I like a Glock 26 or 27 for carry works for me but it depends on what I'm wearing or going I may even take my XD45 compact or one of my 1911 pistols. Another option would be a revolver it may be a good choice also if you like them for carry 38 special or 357 magnum from Taurus Rossi or S&W. I found when I have carried them they fit in a pocket really well if you do go that route you can fine some of the ultra lite models reasonably priced usually. You might want to try some out at a range to see what you like best. Good luck

[GEARHEAD]

Glock19, Kramer horse leather holster. small enough to conceal easy, big enough to be accurate, and holds alot of lead, holster is thin and pulls that gun tight to ya.

[Mongo Hunter]

+1 for Glock

I recommend you see what fits your hand best but I like Glocks personally. if your looking to carry I would throw in the 19 or the 26, ammo is going to get really hard to get and expensive, 9mm is a good bet. I have heard great things about the XD's and M&P's as well just never have gotten a chance to shoot one yet so I cant recommend it as much as a Glock.