9mm suggestions ?

[NCMom]

I have carried a S&W 3913LS for years. Middle age eyesight is making me wish for laser grips and they aren't made for this gun. Recently bought a Ruger sp101 .327 to help solve the laser grip situation but would still like a 9mm autoloader that laser grips can be purchased for.
Any suggestions as to what I should be looking for that might be comparable to my 3913LS would be appreciated. To keep it in the same size range, I am looking for something about 24.8 oz empty with a 3 1/2" barrel and 6 7/8" overall length. Accuracy and reliability are important factors. Prefer DA/SA and grips that will fit an average size woman's hands.
Glock is ok but a bit bulky. I am not overly fond of polymer but would go with that if necessary. Did look at an XD 9mm this week end and it is a possibility, but not sure.
I'm sure many of you will understand when I say that the day I picked up the 3913LS, I just "knew" it was a fit. So far the few things I have looked at haven't hit me that way yet, so am looking for suggestions.
Many Thanks!

 

[CoLJ]

Hard to say... so many choices...

What have you shot so far and what did you like/dislike about each?

 

[Marcus L.]

Laser "grips" are usually designed with metal framed pistols in mind. I would suggest looking at the Sig line of pistols. Current 9mm pistols of manufacture are the P226, P229, and P239. If this is to be a CCW, an ideal carry sized pistol would be the P239. Sigs have probably the best production DA/SA trigger out there, they are tack drivers, and reliable enough that they are the primary pistol used among Federal agencies. DOI, ICE, DHS, and USCG just to name a few.

 

[Purple95]

NCMom,

I share your fondness for the 3913 Lady as I have one that is my primary carry gun. I experienced your "this is it" feeling for the Lady the first time I picked one up several years ago. I also share your aging eye syndrome.

I agree with Marcus in that the Sig P239 might be a good choice for you. I owned one a while back and found it to have similar characteristics to the Lady, most noticeably both guns are dead on accurate. As I recall, Crimson Trace makes laser sight grips for the P239 but I have no experience with them.

The Glock 19 is a wonderful machine but a world apart from your Lady Smith. However if you can make it work for you, there is nothing out there that is markedly better. There are three types of laser sights available for the Glock, the grip style Crimson Trace, the guide rod style Laser Max, and the light rail style from Streamlight and others. I've tried all but the Laser Max and found them to work well.

There is a learning curve for shooters new to the laser sights but worth the effort.

Good luck.

Cheers,
dan

 

[Blues Brother]

Look into Sig Sauer. Excellent pistols, and lots of accessories available for them.

 

[rbert0005]

1911

Bob

 

[gtmtnbiker98]

Go and take a look at the S&W M&P 9c and you can get them with or without an optional Crimson Trace grip insert.

If you want metal, the Sig line is also hard to beat and you may also want to look at a CZ RAMI.

 

[pogo2]

Another Sig P239 vote

The Sig P239 in 9mm is very similar to the S&W 3913 in size, weight and trigger design. Laser grips are also available for the gun. I've been pleased with mine.

 

[mhillsing23]

I vote for a Sub-Compact XD with Crimson Trace.

 

[BlindJustice]

IMO - Sig P239 excellent suggestion.
DA/SA in standard, or Two-Tone
O.A.L. = 6.6" Bbl. Len. 3.6" 27.5 oz.
Width: 1.2" Height: 5.1"
Mag. Capacity 8 rds
with optional 10 rd magazine with extension
of front grip 'mag pad.' $42

Also Avail. from Sig

SPare grip screws $6.95

Sig P239 spare parts kit $26.95
It would be nice if more manufacturers
would offer a 'package' spares kit
or go to Wolf - but it would be nice to have a
specific box with a slot for every part and on
the inside of the lid is a lable for every item.

FWIW - I looked at the Sig line, they have a
rep. for accuracy for all the P2nn series of models.
But I went with a standard blued CZ 75B
I like the thumb safety - no problem manual dropping
the hammer for DA mode.

To compare double stack

CZ Compact models in 9MMx19
P01 and PCR both are on the alloy frame
14 rd. mag cap. but the 16 rd standard mag
also works it just sticks out the bottom
The PO1 is a smaller version of the SP01 both
tested and accepted for NATO. The PCR has
newer style sights, and a loaded chamber indicator
with 'cleaner' roll marks on the slide Both are
decocker and Specs.
O.A.L.: 7.2"
Bbl. Len.: 3.9"
Weight: 27.2 oz.
Width: 1.4"
Height: 5.3"

The standard CZ 9MM Compact with thumb safety
instead of decocker has the steel frame so its
around 32 oz.

so there's the rub, the width of the double stack
even if you went CZ 2075 RAMI
Decocker model
O.A.L.: 6.6"
Bbl. Len.: 3"
Weight: 25.4 oz
Width: 1.3" Height: 4.7"


Angus at Ghost Holsters, Arizona offers a
modified PCR,

Randall

 

[SigP229R]

Check boards and auctions for----

Check The boards and the auctions for one of the Sig P6 which is the German version of the P225 they are used but in fairly decent shape cosmetically and they are reasonably priced and very reliable. You can find some of them on www.gunsamerica.com.

 

[rde]

Ummm...they did make a 3913 with a rail. The 3913 TSW model I believe. There out there but can be a little hard to find. Might be some benefit in sticking with something you are already comfortable with..and they should share the same mags.

 

[NCMom]

First of all, thank you to everyone for all the great information.
What have I shot and liked/disliked about each? For the past 10+ years I have mostly shot my S&W 3913LS. Before selecting that one, I did shoot a number of others but don't recall specifically what they were. Most of that was to determine the largest caliber I was comfortable with. I have shot several of my father's revolvers over the years but I am looking for a semi-auto so that's not much help. I do have a SP101 .327 that we just bought and are going to put laser grips on. I shot a S&W airweight at some point and hated the recoil. I remember an AMT backup that I didn't like either. Have shot a couple of Glocks and they were ok but not wonderful. Shot hubby's CZ99 and it is too heavy and the grip too bulky. Most of what determines my likes and dislikes are whether or not they feel comfortable in my hand, are light enough to carry comfortably but heavy enough to avoid too much recoil.
The S&W M&P compact looks promising with the interchangeable backstraps. The price is right and I already know I like S&W.
The Sig P239.....a bit pricey but may be worth the extra if I like it that much more than the others. Will have to get my hands on one and find out.
The Sig P6..I don't think I can get the laser grips that I want for it. Am pretty much sold on Crimson Trace.
The XD is a possibility, too. I did look at and hold one at a show this past week end. It wasn't bad, just didn't have the "oh! this is IT!" reaction that I had when I decided on the LadySmith.
The CZ Rami looks interesting, too. Don't recall ever seeing one of those. If it is as reliable as hubby's CZ99, I would be very pleased. The other CZs look like they are heavier than I would like.
The 3913TSW...no Crimson Trace grips available for that as far as I can tell.

Again, many thanks for all the great info. Looks like the next step is to check some shops and try to hold as many of the above as possible. Not sure there is a range around here that rents guns, but if so, that would be even better. To actually try them out.

 

[Southern6er]

Have you considered any of the 9mm 1911 offerings like the ones from STI, Kimber, Springfield, etc? Fairly compact, CT grips are readily available for the 1911 platform, and are easily carryable.

 

[NG VI]

I would reccomend czeching out either the CZ PCR or P01, the P01 has a rail so you can mount a light/laser to that, but both take the CZ compact Crimson Trace laser grips.

Fantastic pistols too.

 

[Project32]

http://www.best9mm.com/index.html

Good 9mm information link

 

[1SOW]

The P-239 is a great pistol--Works with my small hands--be sure to ck it out.
I'm also sold on CZ.

Switching to fiber-optic front sights REALLY compensated for my bad eyes in the daytime. Way fast.

 

[DFW1911]

Maybe worth feeling out a Walther P-99. Of course my personal favorite is a BHP, but that's just plain bias on my part .

Try the Walther - it may be a good fit for you. Re: lasers, you could attach one to the accessory rail if needed / wanted.

Happy hunting.

Take care,
DFW1911

 

[krs]

If Crimson Trace is your prefered laser maker (I know of NO reason it shouldn't be) look carefully at how the switch is arranged for activating the light.

I only have CT grips on two 1911 pistols but unless things have changed I would not select CT for my Glock 19 because last I knew the activator for any Glock is a switch that must be mounted om the side of the gun to be activated by a finger. This could require a learning period before the light would become easy and intuitive to use.

The 1911 versions are activated by simply squeezing the grip but that's not a universal method unless CT has refined their stuff in the last couple of years. Seems they design the switches differently for different pistol models

 

[armoredman]

This is my CZ-P01, the most comfortable compact sidearm I have ever used, and the forged alloy frame make it very light, too, but with easily managed recoil.



CT grips are VERY easy to use. Note, staged photo, nobody had a weapon pointed at them...

 

[RustyShackelford]

good 9mmNATO pistols..

A quick note;
I'd look into a SIG sauer DAK model P-239 SAS www.sigsauer.com or a HK P-2000sc LEM model, www.hk-usa.com .
These small 9mmNATO pistols can be had with lasers or with the HK, a white light .
These weapons have smooth even DA only pulls and can be compact too.

For 9mmNATO ammo; get the Speer Gold Dot bonded 124gr +p JHP or the Remington Golden Saber +P JHP(bonded). If these loads are not available, get the Corbon 115 +P+ 9mm or 124gr JHP +P.

The Glaser safety slug(silver) and Magsafe loads are great for home protection or limited use(offices, stores, etc) but I'd not recommend these exotics for general CC.

-Rusty

 

[Northslope Nimrod]

1911 Commander size in 9mm: For a sweet trigger. SA only is great.

or

CZ P-01: A little less $$. Seems to fit your criteria. Love mine. But love my BHP more and 1911's even more.

 

[Mr Kablammo]

I am puzzled by the lack of mention of the S & W 5906. Crimson Trace has the LG for the 3rd Gen. Granted the 5906 is not quite the same, but you like the platform and company. J & G, CDNN, and others are selling the 5906 at very attractive prices.

 

[gc70]

Crimson Trace has models for both the Sig 239 and S&W M&P Compact. The Sig 239 model wraps around the grip, which might be an issue if you value the slimness of the 239 grip as much as I do. The M&Pc model replaces the gun's backstrap, with a profile described as being equivalent to the medium backstrap. If DA/SA is not absolutely critical, the M&Pc might be the ticket (and gets a rousing two thumbs up from my wife.)

 

[j1979]

My new HK P30 is one comfy gun. Right on par or better than my Sp-01. Havent got it to the range yet so no idea how it shoots, but I like it far more than my Glock as far as ergonomics go.