Budget friendly compact nines

[Kevin77]

I'm thinking that I need a compact pistol for CC and I want to be able to find ammo so that rules out .380 and I have a full size 1911 in .45 so I would like a 9mm.

I have limited it to the following models
Some I have handled some I haven't yet.
I'm interested in any experiences that you have had with them.


SCCY CPX1
Bersa Thunder 9 Ultra compact
Kel-Tec P-11
Taurus M111

 

[ArchAngelCD]

A brand new Kel-Tec PF-9 will cost you less than $250 and is a reliable pistol. IMO it's hands down a better handgun than the P-11.

 

[samurai]

Of the mentioned brands, I have had the best overall experience with Bersa. I've only had the 380 model, but it was well made and reliable.

 

[eight433]

kel tec pf9 and a crossbreed holster

 

[Jed Carter]

I suggest you handle and shoot if you can all of your choices before making a decision. I would go to as many gun shops and fondle as many pistols as you can, my guess is that you will find a pistol that is not on your list. My personal choices for CC are the SIG P232 and CZ PCR. Expand your search to narrow the field to one or two, it will help you decide what you like and dislike about each on your list. One more consideration is magazine price and availability, for instance Glock magazines are some of the cheapest and best, you can get them everwhere. Bersa, Taurus, Keltec, etc could take weeks to find, if you can. Check here http://budsgunshop.com if they don't have it you don't need it or can't easily get it.

 

[WC145]

I've owned several Kel-tecs, inc a P-11 and they're decent guns. Just keep in mind, if you live someplace that gets cold, the PF-9 trigger guard is too small for gloves.

If you're set on an auto I'd suggest a Kahr CW9 - slim, solid, light, reliable, and accurate - and they can be found in the $400 range.

 

[MICHAEL T]

New Bersa Thunder pro 9mm or the KelTec PF9 no P-11

 

[batmann]

Ditto on the Kel-Tec PF-9.

 

[Vonderek]

Only shot the P-11 and it had a loooong & heavy trigger but otherwise okay..not real compact for 9mm these days but definitely budget friendly in its category.

 

[austinco2]

Go for the Taurus. I've got a Bersa Thunder 380 it's pretty much junk in my opinion. I don't care for KelTek i'm genuinely afraid that it's so cheesy it'll blow up in my hand weather it's loaded or not. I've never heard of SCCY so I can't say anything about that.

 

[Yo Mama]

I've never heard of SCCY so I can't say anything about that.

They were made by original gunmakers at keltec. With that said, they are not very good guns from what I've heard.

OP, I'd go hands down with keltec pf9 or p-11. The pf9 fits into Levi's front pocket easily in a pocket holster. P-11, not as easy.

That Taurus would also be a good shooter long term for many rounds, but I'd search for problems with this gun first as they seem to get many bad reports. I have a pt145 that I love however.

 

[wally]

Kahr CW9 only about $100 more than the Kel-Tec and a much better pistol overall. I've got both, the CW9 is much more comfortable to shoot. I've been running 55 rounds a week thru mine for the almost four years I've had it with only a recoil spring change.

--wally.

 

[REAPER4206969]

PF-9

 

[BP Hunter]

I have had my Kel Tec PF9 for a couple of months and have palced nearly a thousand rounds through it. I love it as a carry since it is so mall and thin and fits very comfortably in a cheapy gunmate IWB holster. I am actually carrying it right now. It is very accurate and I actually like it better than my other fullsize 45 and 9mm.

 

[JShirley]

I don't care for KelTek i'm genuinely afraid that it's so cheesy it'll blow up in my hand weather it's loaded or not

How, exactly, would an unloaded weapon explode? I actually met two of the staff here over 10 years ago on the old Kel-Tec Owner's Group email list. There were a few people on the list with P11s with over 20,000 rounds fired.

John

 

[mustang_steve]

I own a SCCY CPX-1. It's accurate, has had zero feed or fire issues in the 170 rounds I've fired through it.

The only gripe is the safety levers on it. Namely I have rather meaty hands, and they dig into them when firing. Don't remove them, as it seems the trigger mechanism relies on it being there. Don't thin the levers, since I tried that and it caused the tensioned side to crack (safety assemblies are free w/ free shipping from SCCY, just call). The only answer is to shorten the safety lever.

If it wasn't for the safety levers digging in, my first 50 with the SCCY would have been tighter than the first 50 I fired from a Glock 26. Around the last 12 or so rounds I was changing my hand grip because the levers rubbed my hand raw. So trim those levers if you get it.

The stainless barrel has nice rifling inside, the integrated feed ramp is very smooth. The stainless slide is a nice touch as well. Also unlike some of the P11s, this has a steel guide rod instead of composite. the Mag release is lower than on the P11, thus KT and S&W mags will not fit. you can get magazines directly from SCCY for $25 (not sure on shipping if there is any). the rear sight is adjustable, although I haven't messed with it, since it's zeroed nicely out of the box.

Basically, to me, it's an upgrade from the P11, minus the safety issue. They seemed to have designed this as an inexpensive but good defensive pistol as opposed to something suited for running 50rd range sessions on.

 

[BlindJustice]

+1 for JEd Carter's advice of trying them for size, in terms of grip
and the trigger reach/pull. You might also find a lot to handle at
a gun show.

One small 9 that is a proven design, descended from the
S&W 3913 to the Chiefs SPecial 9 is today's S&W 908 - it's a
DA/SA single stack 9mm Luger Stainless steel slide, and alloy
frame - and of course you get the S&W Warranty Service IF
ever needed. I think the current market they run a little over
$400. Hey, it's a Smith & Wesson and all metal / reliable and
time proven.

Randall

 

[Jed Carter]

The Kel Tec actually takes ammunition? I keep looking for where the water goes in. Just kidding, the P11 has merits as a back up but as a primary, or range use the 9 pound trigger pull would keep me ever wanting one. http://kel-tec-cnc.com/p11.htm

 

[GojuBrian]

I own a Taurus Pt-111 millenium pro. It's accurate, reliable, and easy to conceal with 12+1 capacity. I have about 500rds through mine without a hiccup. The trigger is bad, but better that the kel-tec's trigger for sure.

 

[MCgunner]

I've carried and shot my P11 now for 13 years. It has in excess of 11,000 rounds fired, all standard pressure except for 3 or 400 +Ps. It's rated for limited +P use so I limit them and carry them. It is quite accurate, amazingly accurate. I can put 5 rounds into 3.5" off the bench at 25 yards with it and off hand, 6" plates at 25 yards have no chance. Some say it's not a fun gun to shoot, but I have a blast with it mowing down those falling plates at the range and other practice. It just takes a bit of getting used to.

I've not had the thing jam that I can remember except on some odd 147 grain stuff it didn't like. I reload and mostly shoot my own reloads out of it. My Dillon square deal is in 9x19 as that's what I used to shoot a BUNCH of for IDPA. I've scored well a few times in IDPA with the Kel Tec when I wanted to try it. My scores were a little slower than my P95 I was shooting at the time, but not THAT much. I amazed some of the shooters out there with it who didn't give it a chance in hell. LOL

I shoot the gun well and am very confident with it considering all the shooting I've done with it. KT has great customer service, though I admit I've never had to use it. If this thing ever does need service, I might just buy a new one while I have it off at KT to test the lifetime warranty. I like it that much.

I know nothing of the other guns, but I can recommend the P11. Some don't like the trigger, but I'm an old DA revolver shooter and find the trigger fantastic, long, smooth DA which stages a little. It's very safe to carry and easy to shoot well if you can shoot DA. If you're a 1911 guy, you're going to have to learn the trigger, but revolver shooters will adapt to the longer throw. Any good DA shooter knows smoothness is everything and the P11 trigger is WAY smooth compared to most any revolver DA, well, especially after 11K rounds fired.

The KT P11 is the SAME EXACT SIZE as the PF9, just about a little over 0.1" thicker and 2 ounces heavier. I carry mine in my strong side pocket just fine and it is a double stack with 12 round factory mags available.

 

[dusty14u]

PF-9 is my recommendation. It is a good CCW. It is not a range gun but it does what it is supposed to do very well.

 

[thales]

I have carried a P-11 for 5 years as a pocket pistol, alternating with a S&W 360 SS (alloy J frame, 5 round .357 Magnum, 1 7/8" barrel, stainless steel cylinder). Which one I carry depends mostly on the pants I'm wearing and the shape of the pockets.

There aren't too many pistols that will carry 11 rounds of 9mm and still fit in your pants pocket without printing. The P-11 is not a miracle of artistic gunsmithing, but it is a very good choice for concealed carry. It is plenty accurate enough to hit center of mass of a bad guy at 25 feet when you're in a big hurry; uncomplicated DAO. In 2000 rounds, the only malfunction I have had was with a bad aftermarket magazine. After break-in, I polished the trigger parts. The trigger pull is still heavy (DAO) but pretty smooth; not as good as a nice S&W (don't ya wish?) but just fine for business purposes.

I have tried other CC options; 1911's, service 9mm's (S&W and Browning HP), Glocks (9 & 10mm), service revolvers (S&W 686, Colt Python), etc., in holsters including IWB, appendix, shoulder holsters, small of back, etc. None of them concealed nearly as well or were nearly as comfortable as either the P-11 or the 360SS in a pocket holster.

 

[Mike J]

My personal opinion is you should handle & shoot as many of the different models you consider as possible.
As far as finding magazines for the Kel Tec they have them at their website. www.kel-tec-cnc.com/cart2/index.php?cPath=2_5

 

[chris in va]

I've had a P11 for a few years now. After fondling the PF9 at a gun show, I was shocked how credit-card thin that gun is. No thanks, my hand actually fits the P11 much better, despite the super long trigger (which I've lightened BTW).

Of course now I'm spoiled by my Kahr K9, but that one costs 2.5x what the KelTec does.

I'd have to second the CW9 recommendation if you're limited by funds.

 

[NG VI]

A really great compact 9mm is the FNP-9M, the barrel is a fifth of an inch shorter than the fullsize, the grip is nice and short but still holds 15+1, mine has never malfunctioned, and the trigger is smooth. Sights line up very quickly as well.