[Nathanael_Greene]

Can anyone offer any recommendations for a compact 9mm semi-auto?

I'm left-handed, so an ambidextrous safety is highly desirable.

To give you an idea of my preferences, I'm a big fan of the Hi-Power, and I also have had good luck with my old Taurus PT-99AF.

Thanks.

[Erich]

Why mess with a safety at all? Look at a Glock 26.

Or, for a slightly larger pistol with a traditional safety - look at a S&W 6906. Their CS-9 is nice, but the ones I've handled have only had the decocker/safety on the left side of the slide. The S&W 6946 is a DAO that has a slick slide - I liked mine.

These might not comport with your taste, but they are all compact 9mms that work well. I've no personal experience with the Kahrs, but I note a lot of problems with them popping up on pistolsmith.com and other sites.

[TonyB]

I'm a lefty..had great luck w/ my pt99 also.....go with a Glock...the ONLY disadvantage for us is the mag release can't be moved(I just use my weak hand to drop the mag)some guys use their trigger finger to drop the mag.But the beauty of Glock is no safety to mess around with,and the slide release is eaily accessable with the trigger finger...it's still a right handed world :banghead:

[psyopspec]

Have you thought about an HK compact? The 9mm can be had in a variant with the safety on the left side. Mag release is ambi, trigger finger operated and similar to a walther/s&w 99. Slide release is easy to operate with a trigger finger for a leftie.

More at hkpro.com on the specific variant you would need.

[jonnyc]

I'm a lefty and I've been very happy and comfortable with HPs, Makarovs, and KelTecs. Only SIGs have given me problems. The top of my trigger finger rubs along the slide release, very annoying.

[mainmech48]

When I bought my Star M43 'Firestar' in 9x19, it was about the only thing out there that was LH-friendly as it came OTB in a very compact package. It came with an ambi thumb safety, while most of the competition offered them only as an extra-cost/ special order option. Times have certainly changed in the nearly fifteen years since.

Now it's more a matter of "how small do you want it; what sort of action do you want; and how much do you want to spend?".

The best advice that I can offer is to visit a well-stocked dealer or gun show and see what fits your particular criteria best. While you might not see all of the choices, you'll get a much better idea of the range of options available in terms of size, features and cost. You'll also be able to get a better idea of what would fit you and your CCW needs best.

[Sistema1927]

Compact for a lefty?

Not one, but two:

Kahr PM-9, left front pocket in a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster

Glock 26 in a Rafter S IWB just behind the left hip.

"Safeties, we don't need no stinkin' external safeties." :D

[incursion]

HK P7s are awesome for lefties.

[drf]

H&K P2000 is fully ambi for a lefty or a right handed person..
Slide release and mag release on both sides...
I've got the decocker version with the decocking lever in the rear next to the hammer...

CZ 85 is available for a lefty but its not a compact...drf

[VaughnT]

Isn't the new CZ Rami ambidextrous? Getting rave reviews, too.

[45R]

XD9Subcompact is great for a lefty.

[Coltdriver]

You might also take a look at the compact HP with the SA/DA trigger and ambidexterous decocker and safety.

[10-Ring]

I would strongly recommend a HK P7M8 :cool:

[tc300mag1]

im a lefty carry the subcompact xd .. mag release is a ambi so thats not a problem and again as the safty is a grip safty and the trigger saftey why do you need a external one.\

glock is also a good choice but there subcompace with the finger grooves didnt fit me

[danbh]

THere is also the Beretta, ambi safety and the mag release can be put on the right side. My wife has a 92 custom and I have a 8045 both with the ambi safety and right side mag release. The mag release is easy to do yourself.. :)

[armoredman]

Walther P5 - already left eject.
CZ RAMI or CZ PO1 - outstanding guns, solid, accurate and dependable.

[happy g]

From one lefty to another...Kahr PM9

[krsjuan]

Another vote for sub-compact XD.

[Chipperman]

HK P7M8.
I'm Lefty and it's my daily CCW.
Nothing else even comes close for me.

[obiwan1]

Kahr or H&K :cool:

[NMshooter]

Whatever size of Glock or Kahr fits you the best.

[PX15]

I'm a lefty, and I have found my Sig P239 to be excellent for my needs. Additionally, the mag release can be reversed very easily and I enjoy having the mag release on the right side of the pistol. The Sig P239 is small, concealable, more accurate than I will ever be, and 100% reliable. I have ordered a LaserMax laser sight for it (arriving on the 25th of Dec.) as my eyes aren't so hot anymore (I'm 62). I have several 9mm's (S/W 3913/Walther P1/ KelTec P11/ Star BM), I have in the past had a Belgian HiPower/Glock 26/ and embarrassing to admit a Torkarev and the Sig is more accurate than any of them. JMHO :)

[admar2]

I'd throw my vote behind a Glock 19 or 26.

[Nathanael_Greene]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Does anyone have any experience with S&W semi-autos?

Might a 6906 be a good choice?

[mamba]

A 3913 would be a good S&W. Highly reccomend the USP9 compact as well.

[mainmech48]

The only S&W semiautos that I've used enough to form reasonably valid opinions about are a 4586 and an early 3613. Both were well made, reliable, and at least as accurate as I can hold for without mechanical assistance of some sort.

I don't much care for the slide mounted safety on the 3913, but that's just personal preference brought on by many years of using pistols where they were on the frame, where God and JMB intended :p

If the 6906 feels good to you, I can't see why it shouldn't do just fine. The fact that so many LEA trade-in examples are being offered in VG to EX condition at attractive prices right now doesn't hurt either.

My 4586 is an LEA trade-in from Idaho. It came with Hogue grip and two mags for just over $300 retail with taxes. Not pristine cosmetically due to holster wear, but mechanically perfect with only minor wear to the reciprocating parts evident when field stripped. I consider it to have been a good bargain.