9mm sub-compacts...What to choose?
seeker_two
April 26, 2004, 09:25 PM
I’m thinking about trading my M-43 Firestar in for a lighter, more compact model for CCW. I’ve looked at the Glock 26, and it doesn’t light my fire. After owning a G-17 for a year, I couldn’t get used to the light trigger w/ no non-trigger-mounted safety & the “trigger-guard-covering-holster-must-be-used-at-all-times-or-Austrian-inventors-will-hunt-you-down-and-lecture-you-about-Glock-perfection-until-you-gag” requirement.
Has anyone here tried the above-listed models? Which do you prefer & why? And, if I’ve left out another good option, let me know.
Thanks in advance…
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Jim PHL
April 26, 2004, 09:32 PM
My Kahr K40 is an excellent carry gun. If you are set on a nine, I'd suggest you check out a K9 or P9. The way the K40 eats up .40 recoil, the K9 should be a real pleasure. They carry very well. If you will shoot it a lot I'd lean towards the "K" for the added weight. If it will be carried much and shot little, you may prefer the polymer model.
Good Luck.
Denmark116
April 26, 2004, 09:43 PM
Sig P239
S&W CS9
Kel-Tec P11
Bersa Thunder 9mm
All of the above are good guns and will serve you well. However, when in doubt, go with a Sig....
Denmark
longeyes
April 26, 2004, 09:54 PM
Get more kindling: Glock 26.:D
sgb
April 26, 2004, 10:25 PM
Another vote for Kahr. I've got the P40 and though the muzzle flip is a little sharp, recoil is not bad at all. The same gun in 9mm the P9 is a pussy cat to shoot if 9mm is more your liking. Check them out.
wally
April 26, 2004, 10:31 PM
Kahr PM9 or PM40.
Also consider the CZ RAMI if you want 10+1 and cocked'n'locked SA option and can stand a bit more weight (~1/4 lb).
--wally.
ddj8052
April 26, 2004, 10:37 PM
I would also vote for the Kahr. I have a MK40 and it is an outstanding gun. Personally, I much prefer the .40S&W round over the 9mm, but of you insist on a nine check out the MK9 or the PM9. Also I had a Glock 27 and whle it was a little to wide for me, it is still a nice gun. Both are excellent subcompacts.
Redlg155
April 26, 2004, 10:48 PM
The Kahr PM9 is one of my carry guns. I can definitely recommend them.
If you like the Glock but you are uncomfortable with the trigger you can have a safety fitted. At the shows here in NW FL there is usually a guy who will supply and install them for a reasonable price. I got to see the system and it looks and works pretty good. Enough to alleviate any concerns about the Glock short trigger.
Brownells sells them as well.
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=5532&title=GLOCK~+MANUAL+SAFETY+KIT
Good Shooting
Red
tc300mag1
April 26, 2004, 10:52 PM
I went with the Springfield Xd fit my hand the bes out of the smith the glock and Kahr .. Kahr's were way to small in the grip for me
rbernie
April 26, 2004, 11:08 PM
CZ PCR or RAMI.
Myself
April 26, 2004, 11:12 PM
Kahr MK9.
I have bigger and smaller but I find this is the one that most frequently fits.
Thin and pocketable, Multiple ways to carry.
Will Fennell
April 26, 2004, 11:53 PM
I voted with my wallet for a Kahr P9 Covert. I've been very pleased with my pocket rocket so far. I highly recommend it!
Josey
April 26, 2004, 11:53 PM
The ONLY compact anything I could suggest would be the S&W CS series, CS9, CS40 and CS45. They work.
waktasz
April 27, 2004, 12:05 AM
glock 26 :D
magsnubby
April 27, 2004, 12:09 AM
From the three listed i would go with the Taurus. I've shot the Springfield and it just feels clunky. I have a Taurus PT-111 in 9mm and it's really a sweet little shooter.
makarov
April 27, 2004, 12:41 AM
I have a Kahr K-9 Elite 98 and it is a great shooter. It is heavy though. It carries pretty well because it is slim, but you know it is there. I haven't seen a CZ Rami in person, but I love CZ guns. Have an 85 Combat and a pre-B 75 and 2 452's and a 527 Varmint. Great guns.
jem375
April 27, 2004, 01:06 AM
you left the best one out........G26
7.62FullMetalJacket
April 27, 2004, 01:09 AM
PT-111...................................................NOT
The XD-9 is real good. Little small for my hand. The grip safety can be a problem for large hands.
The Glock has no such problem.
fastbolt
April 27, 2004, 01:10 AM
Of the listed pistols, I picked the SW99 Compact ... because I've shot the .40 S&W version, I'm familiar with the 99 series platform, and I tend to shoot it well enough to satisfy myself.
If the SW99 wasn't on the list, I'd have selected the "Other" option, and listed the CS9. I really like my CS9, but the slightly longer barrel & slide of the SW99 Compact may make for an advantage at some point, sometime.
I wouldn't accept the Taurus as a gift (I could state hit gentler, I suppose, and hope nobody that owns one is offended. It's only a personal opinion about Taurus firearms, and your opinion and experience is every bit as good as mine) ... and I just don't prefer, personally, the always fully cocked striker of the XD series.
The full size XD I recently handled and shot functioned just fine when I was shooting it, and observing the owner shoot it, though ...
9x19
April 27, 2004, 01:27 AM
The Kel-Tec P-11 gets my vote.
I've had at least one since they were introduced and they have been excellent performers.
mini14jac
April 27, 2004, 08:11 AM
Any of the guns on your list are good choices, but I feel that a true "subcompact" should slip into a pocket.
I voted for "Other".
If you're looking at true subcompacts, the Kahr PM9, or MK9 are excellent subcompact guns.
I believe the guns on your list are double stack guns, which makes them easy to carry on a belt, but they wouldn't work for pocket carry for me.
bradvanhorn
April 27, 2004, 09:26 AM
Kel-Tec P-11
It's the smallest and lightest 9mm I've handled, and it fits very comfortably in my hand. For ~$225 new, the P-11 is a steal!
Whole Hog
April 27, 2004, 09:40 AM
Here's another vote for the Kahr PM9. They're small, thin, light, and mild-recoiling, and the trigger is amazing.
Scott
Marshall
April 27, 2004, 09:43 AM
I have a 4" XD-40, I have no doubt you would enjoy the smaller and more compact one. I considered it but, I carry OWB and the service model concealed as easily as the sub compact when carrying that way. Both are really two large for decent pocket carry.
They're considerably more money but I sure like these .45 double stack LDA's from Para!
Para Ordanance (http://www.paraord.com/pages/lda_highcap_carry.html)
http://www.paraord.com/pages/images/lda_highcap_carry.jpg
Rock
April 27, 2004, 10:11 AM
Kahr PM9
http://kahr.com/images/pm9093.gif
Curley
April 27, 2004, 10:16 AM
Your poll left off the two best options for a subcompact 9mm: The Kel-Tec P-11 and the Kahr PM9.
They weigh the same (14 ounces unloaded) and are virtually the same size, with the P-11 being slightly bigger. But the P-11 holds four more rounds.
If you can afford the price, the PM9 is the choice, but if money is an option, go for the Kel-Tec.
armoredman
April 27, 2004, 10:25 AM
CZ RAMI, CZ PCR, EAA Witness compact.....:cool:
PCRit
April 27, 2004, 10:53 AM
CZ-RAMI-.40 S&W, CZ-RAMI-9mm, CZ-PCR, in that order of preference.
Zan
April 27, 2004, 04:07 PM
CZ RAMI, CZ 75 P-01, XD-9
The Kidd
April 27, 2004, 06:32 PM
I own and carry a PT 111. It is 100% reliable. It is safe to carry with the long DA trigger pull. It will function with any ammo you choose. You can get a Fobus or a couple different types of IWB holsters. It is fun to shoot.
gggman
April 27, 2004, 06:35 PM
Another vote for the Glock 26.:D Small, light, easily concealed, and shoots great.
fastbolt
April 27, 2004, 07:01 PM
Well, if you're going to add in "pocket carry", using a suitable holster ... I think the CS9 might be a bit overly large for most folk's idea of pocket carry. But then again, some folks feel that using a G26 for a pocket pistol is just fine. All a matter of personal perspective ...
The little PM9's & P-11's are smaller, true. The only PM9 I've personally handled and shot seemed to function okay for me, but not consistently reliably for the owner. I can't say, personally, but you can read about variable QC reported by some current & prior Kahr owners. Don't know.
The same can probably be said for the P-11, I suppose. Very pleased and content owners on the one hand ... and not-so-pleased prior owners on the other hand. I've seen one come through our CCW course and complete 36 rounds without malfunctioning, and I've seen 3 others come through and malfunction anywhere from a couple of times, to frequently, during a short qualification course. Don't know what that means, either ...
I dislike DAO pistols for MY use, though, so that would mitigate against them for ME. Different strokes ... and only one of your potential choices is a DAO design.
I mean, the 3 examples you listed pretty much have 3 different types of actions, so to speak. The XD is essentially a fully cocked single action, the SW99 is TDA (DA/SA) and the Taurus is DAO. What's YOUR preference? Often someone will prefer a pistol simply for the action design/function, especially related to the trigger operation.
Highland Ranger
April 27, 2004, 07:06 PM
this looks interesting: http://www.rohrbaughfirearms.com/
CZ-100
April 27, 2004, 07:10 PM
I voted other and they would be... CZ RAMI or Kahr PM9
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