Sub compact 9mm

[jdb]

Sometime after the 1st of the year I plan on buying some kind of sub compact 9mm. I'm currently leaning toward the smith and Wesson shield. Thoughts? Alternatives? I also like the kahr but they cost a bit more. My other thought is a sub compact 1911, thoughts?

[Solohunter84]

Had a full size smith and wesson. Loved it. Wanted to conceal. Got the shield. Just as sweet. No complaints

[Jim the Plumber]

Take a look at the Sig 290. Little more $ but comes with 6&8 round mags and night sights. As well as a holster.

[CAMPMEAT]

Glock 29

[jdb]

Glock 29

the glock dosent feel good in the hand

[CAMPMEAT]

Glock 29

the glock dosent feel good in the hand

Too bad. Very reliable gun. I have hams for hands though.

[Cap.Silver]

Springfield XDs is great IMHO

[rtspring]

I have both the XD and Kahr both in .40

The Kahr is a great concealed gun for a single stack, but the XD can put 17 in the hopper!

[lamrith]

Another vote for the shield.  Though, most important is to go out and hit a range and rent a few.  There is no substitute for shooting each one.  A gun can feel great holding at the counter and be terrible shooting.

I started M&P 9fs, then went to a shield.  After that I tried a G26, just not a glock fan and it did not conceal as well for me.  Went back to Shield.

[Bofire]

  I am a devoted 1911 fan and carrier. I will say this, the shorter the barrel on a 1911 the more the malfunctions go up, Or the better the gun must be built to avoid this. a 5 inch 1911 is as dependable as a gun gets, 4 inch is very dependable, 3 inch less so.
My advice is, if you need a gun that small, get a smaller caliber and less ammo in the mag. There are many good small 380/9mms. The Ruger looks really cool to me.
If you need a gun for a "fight" take a 5 inch 45, or a rifle/shotgun, or both!!! for light carry the light synthetic guns are hard to beat.
Carl

[buck man]

Sig p938. Can't go wrong with that!

[b23]

Bought a XD subcompact in .40 about 6 years ago and it's been a great little gun.  Can't say that I've put thousands of rounds thru it but I have put hundreds of rounds thru it.  It's all been a mix of different brands and it has never had a single hiccup yet.  They don't cost a great deal so it'll leave you with some money to buy ammo.  My P7M8 is still my all time favorite 9mm and I'd call them a subcompact, sorta. 

If this is going to be something you plan on having for awhile and a gun you will shoot lots and lots and lots.  I'd suggest doing a good amount of research and get the one that fits your budget and has the best reliability.

[MP123]

Another vote for the shield. Though, most important is to go out and hit a range and rent a few.  There is no substitute for shooting each one.  A gun can feel great holding at the counter and be terrible shooting.

I started M&P 9fs, then went to a shield.  After that I tried a G26, just not a glock fan and it did not conceal as well for me.  Went back to Shield.

Good advice.  Try to find a range that rents and try different ones out.

My experience has been that sub compact 9s conceal pretty well but are somewhat unpleasant to shoot (snappy recoil) and not very accurate either.   A duty size 9mm will shoot much better but concealment can be an issue.  I don't know the OPs level of experience or if he's got other guns to practice with so maybe he's got that all figured out already.

I also agree with 1911s running better in full size than 3".

For me nothing conceals better than a J frame .357 just to throw that into the mix...

[Heredoggydoggy]

If money is no object, look at the EMP 9mm.  It is made in 40 S&W too, but I liked the 9mm version better!

[CAMPMEAT]

Stay away from EAA WITNESS. Mine would jam, slide wouldn't go into battery. Sent it to the factory 2 times to fix it and it came back worse each time with no explanation of why it was worse. They lied about fixing it the whole time.

[ICEMAN]

Let the laughing begin....but...try a keltec pf9. Will fit in your pocket, 1 inch wide handgun...lightweight...deadly as any other 9mm. .... mine is accurate and easy to shoot.

[jay.sharkbait]

Let the laughing begin....but...try a keltec pf9. Will fit in your pocket, 1 inch wide handgun...lightweight...deadly as any other 9mm. .... mine is accurate and easy to shoot.

No laughing here....

I carried a p32 as a 2nd handgun for quite a while.

[jdb]

Let the laughing begin....but...try a keltec pf9. Will fit in your pocket, 1 inch wide handgun...lightweight...deadly as any other 9mm. .... mine is accurate and easy to shoot.

i will check them out

[superdown]

Let the laughing begin....but...try a keltec pf9. Will fit in your pocket, 1 inch wide handgun...lightweight...deadly as any other 9mm. .... mine is accurate and easy to shoot.

No laughing here....

I carried a p32 as a 2nd handgun for quite a while.

I have a pf9 now and love it the only reason i bought it was i had a p32 basically given to me and it was stupidly accurate for what it was my father and i were both able to hit 32oz. gatorade bottles off hand at 50 feet with it.I usually practice out to 50 yards with my Kimber Eclipse custom II full size 45acp so i was very surprised with that little piece of junk    

[Goldy79]

Sometime after the 1st of the year I plan on buying some kind of sub compact 9mm. I'm currently leaning toward the smith and Wesson shield. Thoughts? Alternatives? I also like the kahr but they cost a bit more. My other thought is a sub compact 1911, thoughts?

If you have larger hands do not go with the shield. I have a subcompact XD9mm and it's my daily driver. It's a little wider than the shield and feels more like a full frame. I have large hands and it's set up well for me.

[callonetta]

At least you know the KelTec Pf9 worked for G. Zimmerman...........Too soon??? 

[Evil_EdwardO]

I like my Berretta PX4 Storm Sub. Double stack 13 rounds so it is wider. People either lover or hate this pistol but I love it. Will also take magazines from the compact and full size with the highest capacity mag is 20rds.

[Jburke]

Sometime after the 1st of the year I plan on buying some kind of sub compact 9mm. I'm currently leaning toward the smith and Wesson shield. Thoughts? Alternatives? I also like the kahr but they cost a bit more. My other thought is a sub compact 1911, thoughts?

If you have larger hands do not go with the shield. I have a subcompact XD9mm and it's my daily driver. It's a little wider than the shield and feels more like a full frame. I have large hands and it's set up well for me.

This was my biggest concern with the shield because I have pretty big hands as well.  But I found that it fit surprisingly well for me.  I handled a compact XD as well and the Shield was much more comfortable for me.  It will be my next gun soon.

[wafisherman]

I looked over the more popular and higher tech options, but found a nice little S&W 3913\3914 that I fell I in love with.  Great little single stack daily carry gun with range+accuracy and dependability (will take any ammo you feed it all day long) that is hard to match in such a small gun.  8+1 rounds.   I'm able to wear it all summer with a t-shirt just fine (IWB).  Just wasn't a fan of the 'plastic' guns.  Tried out the shield and liked it, but just couldn't jump on the bandwagon.  Kinda old school I guess.

[hooker]

Sometime after the 1st of the year I plan on buying some kind of sub compact 9mm. I'm currently leaning toward the smith and Wesson shield. Thoughts? Alternatives? I also like the kahr but they cost a bit more. My other thought is a sub compact 1911, thoughts?

Id stay away from any Kahrs due to dependability.  Customer service is excellent but in a small concealable why not just own a wheel gun as a single stack semi doesn't send anymore down range.   

I love my SCCY 9mm with 10rd mags.  Thank me later!   

http://www.sccy.com/products/cpx-2-cb-9mm

[aaronoto]

I know you said subcompact, but take a look at the Ruger LCR, it might just change your mind.

[safehunter]

 Walther PPS all the way!

[mossy8352]

Do look at and try and shoot a Ruger SR9C. I have one and it has been trouble free (any weapon can have issues) for me. I carry IWB with the 10 round magazine and shoot at the range with the ten and a few 17 round magazines. For me there have been no cycle issues and it seems to like any ammo I have tried so far from some of the best to the cheapest I could find a few years ago! Accuracy is great and a good shooter did prove that to me!

[TVHunts]

I know you said subcompact, but take a look at the Ruger LCR, it might just change your mind.

Another vote to check out the LC9. I have carried one for over a year, light, skinny, feels great in my hand and accurate.  Only downfall is the trigger takes some getting used.  I would guess that in a hurry at say 6 yds or so I could make it hit anything!  Good luck, let us know what you decide on.

[ww1rdb]

I have Kimbers and Sigs but for some reason I shoot the ugly Glocks the best..reliable and accurate..not pretty like my Kimber Eclipse but a shooter..also for a pocket gun the Glock 42 is a sweety..just my thoughts

[Rich_S]

I saw you mentioned a compact .45 as well. I've had this one since 1985 and it has never had a FTF. Recoil is less than most full-size 1911's and accuracy is a pop can from a rest at 50 yards if I do my part and the planets are aligned 

Besides - it was made in Seattle!



Detonics CombatMaster .45 ACP 3" barrel (also shoots .451 Detonics magnum with a barrel and recoil spring swap)

[BsB]

Another vote for the shield also. I converted from glocks to the M&P series. Started with the 9fs, then the fs.22 and then the 9c. Recently picked up the shield and wish I would have bought it before the 9c. But hey, I've got the whole set. Just need the C.O.R.E. now. Lol.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[hillbilli]

someone mentioned the LC9.. see if you can find the new "lc9-s" i think it is called, has a striker trigger system, much better trigger.. I have shot the shield, nice gun , I have a Kahr, but is the original all steel K9.. several very good options, just find what fits you..

[Mongo Hunter]

Sometime after the 1st of the year I plan on buying some kind of sub compact 9mm. I'm currently leaning toward the smith and Wesson shield. Thoughts? Alternatives? I also like the kahr but they cost a bit more. My other thought is a sub compact 1911, thoughts?

Awesome choice. Also take a look at the Glock 26's. little fatter but you may like it. As far as 1911's while I love shooting them, they are heavy to carry and the small ones TEND to be finicky. some are more reliable than others. but the shield already has a great rep and is lighter so that would be my pick.

[CAMPMEAT]

I've never owned a Sig, but bought one last month. It's a 9mm P250 COMPACT with Sig Night Sights, 15+1 for $397 to my door.

[pilebuck]

Beretta compact 92fs inbox rail Cadillac pistol after owning a full size frame 92 this compact is such a awesome pistol but ur gonna pay