Compact 9mm CCW - What to get?

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Some of the above suggestions are large and heavy. He wanted a light CCW in 9mm, not a 9mm HD pistol.

Take a look at these:
S&W CS9 - 7+1 @ 20 oz.
S&W 908S - 8+1 @ 24 oz.
Taurus PT-111 Pro - 10+1 or 12+1 @ 18.7 oz.
Kel-Tec PF-9 - 7+1 @ 12.7 oz.
Kel-Tec P-11 - 10+1 @ 14 oz.
Kahr PM9 - 6+1 & 7+1 @ 14 oz.
Rohrbaugh R9 - 6+1 @ 12.8 oz.

Have fun and be safe!!
 
I think you'd have a winner with the Walther, but I'd also look at the Taurus PT111 MilPro. I have one that is double action only that is a great gun. There's no de-cocker, but there doesn't need to be.
 
Thanks for all the ideas guys! Looks like I will need several trips to gun stores to handle some of these. The Walther fits the need and fits me as well, but I hate buying a gun only to see another that would have been a better choice for the job I had in mind soon after. I have a 642 for pocket carry, but want something in 9mm for times when I can get away with IWB/OWB. Replacing a G29 because I'm standardizing my HD, range and carry guns to 9mm/.357/.38 to get in more trigger time for less cash. The Glock's also a bit blocky for being an ideal CCW.

Checked a range in my area that sells used guns, the owner is going to let me try an M&P compact, a Taurus PT111 and an S&W CS9 out of his case. I just have to clean them when done.
 
Checked a range in my area that sells used guns, the owner is going to let me try an M&P compact, a Taurus PT111 and an S&W CS9 out of his case. I just have to clean them when done.
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ARTiger, that is one heck of a dealer! Goodness Gracious. Do please tell us of your "shopping range report" comparing the three. My money is riding on the new M&P compact as the one of those three you take home to clean. But they're all fine little 9's.
 
Sounds like you've got some ideas already, but I'll chime in that both the Sig P239 and the CZ P-01/PCR carry well IWB, and are basically the same size. Both of them are fine firearms.

Also, I handled a compact M&P the other day, and I liked it a lot. I didn't buy it, but it may be on the list in the future. It was light, comfortable, and fit my hand pretty well for such a small gun.
 
I prefer the ultra reliable G26 myself,but I'm really liking the looks of the EMP. May have to add one to the stable. Ridiculously high priced tho,IMO.
 
On the PT111 make sure that it's the Millennium Pro. I really like mine which is a 12+1 (mag only fits 11, but that's okay) double action only. The trigger (no hammer) is much like a double action revolver. There's a manual safety, but for a stress situation the double action only trigger is perfect.

The funny thing is that I've got a lot of other carry guns that some would consider comparatively high end to the PT111, like an HK USPC, P99C, Steyr S9, three compact Glocks (G36, G33, G29), and in the end it may well be the Taurus that I chose to carry (I'll have my carry permit by summer). In Georgia we can travel in our car with a loaded gun without permit (if we are eligible for a permit), and it has been the PT111 MilPro that has traveled in my car over everything else that I have. That tells me a lot.
 
I have a Walther P99c.

If you get the Walther p99c AS, I doubt that you will ever regret it (until the Phaser Mark II is avaliable). Small but not tiny, accurate, reliable, reasonable recoil, multiple trigger options--the kind of gun you'll keep as long as you carry.
 
[Have tried Glocks and Kahrs, but not a good fit/feel for me.]
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A CCW piece isn't going to fit your hand like a combat piece. The tradeoff is worth it. I'm a decocker man myself but you just can't beat a Kahr P9 for concealability. If it ain't thin it ain't a CCW gun. I can stick a P9 in my waistband at left hip with grip forward....crossdraw style, if you have long torso/short arms you can go "Mexican carry". No discomfort when I sit down. I carry this way only with shirt untucked. It dissapears from view. I can walk around all day in comfort, getting up and sitting down many times and it stays there. It's only 9/10 on an inch wide. That makes it a true CCW piece.

Did I mention they are thin?
 
Called it a day and stopped working at 4 today and went on a gun hunt . . .

Was able to handle a CZ P01 (yes has a thicker snout than the PCR but same weight) - nice. I have 2 CZ's and really like them. Maybe a bit big for what I had in mind. Also looked at a Sig P239 SAS - really nice, but heavier than I want and pricey.

Then when I got to the range the Taurus had been sold an hour before and they did not have any other 111's in stock new or used. Guess I'll have to continue looking for one to check out. Did get to shoot the M&P 9c and CS 9. Really liked the M&P! Not a big difference from the full sized version which I have shot prior - accurate and well made. I do however still favor the P99c over it. Just like the action and fits my hand good. However, the M&P I used only had the small palm swell and I have catcher's mitts for hands. Will give it another look if I can find one with all the grip attachments and try the larger one. The CS9 is a nice little gun, but seemed heavy for it's size and more of a challenge to shoot it well for me.

So far the P99c is still in the lead closely followed by the M&P. Had to resist just buying the Walther today . . . it was hard, but I managed by the hardest to keep my wallet in my pants. Will continue checking out some of the others suggested. Also, a friend I shoot with sometimes just bought a Bersa Thunder 9 Compact that I may get to shoot this weekend.

Thanks again everyone for all the good input and suggestions.

Oh, and BTW; I had a Kahr once and while I thought it was a nice gun and indeed really thin, mine had some minor, but pesky issues. Don't want to revisit ground already covered there. I just didn't shoot it as well as some of the other small 9's I've tried as well.
 
ARTiger,
There is nothign wrong with the Walther P99C. It's a quality pistol are a reasonable price. I would try and shoot a Taurus PT-111 Pro before you buy the Walther.

Storm,
The PT-111 Pro can be either 10+1 or 12+1. The pistol is the same, only the Mags are different. If you can fit only 11 in your Mag it might be a 10 round Mag and you are overloading it. I get 12 rounds in all 3 of the 12 round Mags I have.
 
My vote would go to the HK P2000 V3. DA/SA action, very ergonomic and more carryable than the USP Compact. It fits most USPc leather holsters and share the same magazines. Plus it's fully ambidexterous as well as having the lever mag release like the Walther P99.

DSC_0052.jpg
 
I have a Kel-Tec P11 and carry it wherever I'm able (Smartcarry or the screw-on belt clip, depending on what mood I'm in). I bought it super cheap and I've never had a single failure with it. 12+1 factory mag in a tiny package is nothing to sneeze at either. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a carry gun.
 
some of the super small polymer compacts look neat (keltec and such). I love my cz PCR though. absolutely wonderful firearm. wouldn't hesitate to trust it under any circumstance
 
get a .357 hammerless stubby revolver from taurus, load it with .38's if you'd like.

That WILL go bang when you pull the trigger...even if you do have a bad round, just pull the trigger again. It's hard to dispute that a revolver ever has MECHANICAL problems with fail to feed, fail to eject.
 
Storm, The PT-111 Pro can be either 10+1 or 12+1. The pistol is the same, only the Mags are different. If you can fit only 11 in your Mag it might be a 10 round Mag and you are overloading it. I get 12 rounds in all 3 of the 12 round Mags I have.

The mags are marked with "12" above the bottom window on the back of the mag. It's not all that unusual for mags to hold one less than advertised, especially on a newer gun (which mine is not). Sometimes that changes with time and use, other times it doesn't.

Eleven works for me :)
 
Okay guys . . . Couldn't resist but I'm covered here for the purpose I wanted. I did buy two guns this morning and although they are very similar both fit well in my overall handgun battery. My wallet is substantially thinner, but I am happy with these guns.

I bought the Walther P99cAS and just finished shooting 200 rounds through it. What a neat little gun. Light, small yet very controllable and accurate. I even shot 30 +P+ rangers through it and did not feel at all uncomfortable.

I also ordered a new CZ PCR for which I traded my lightly used SP01 even. After buying the SP01 I also ran across a CZ 75BD POLICE which I like better and fills the role of HD/Range gun well as it has night sights. The PCR will be for belt carry mainly whenever I feel I can hide it well and also will no doubt visit the range often. The Walther will be my "light" belt carry gun - mainly IWB and I have a S&W 642 for pocket carry. Although I will be ordering a Mika poket holster for the P99c as well just to try. That completes my "working handgun" contingent.

I do have several other handguns that are for hunting and a few "safe queens". Overall though, I am very pleased with this set of guns that will see the most use. The CZ's are incredibly accurate and reliable shooters, the Walther is a breeze to carry and the 642 is just simply the best pocket carry I've run across.

Again thanks . . . ART

P.S.: Pics and range reports on the PCR and P99c as soon as I get a chance. Swamped with work, etc. now and struggling to get trigger time whenever possible.

Yet again, thanks all for the input. The 'ol Tiger is well armed at this point and still have tax refund money left for ammo and holsters. Can't recall that I have ever had so much fun shooting and generally dealing with handguns since I've been aboard at THR and have benefit of all the combined wisdom. What a great gun forum!!
 
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You'd better get a .45 caliber gun. Those pesky 9mm's barely scratch people.
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Covered. I have a tempermental, overpriced Wilson CQB and a S&W 625 revolver, not to mention a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Long Colt. . . They all live in my safe.

My defensive 9mm's are stoked with Winchester's Ranger 127 grain +P+ SXT hollowpoints. Yet to read or hear of an occasion where they failed to stop and I sure don't want to get shot with one.
 
You'd better get a .45 caliber gun. Those pesky 9mm's barely scratch people.
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You sure a 45 is enough? Nowadays S&W makes a 4" 500 magnum, and Ruger makes snubby 454. ;)
[AUSTRALIAN ACCENT]That's not a gun ...this is a gun[/AUSTRALIAN ACCENT]

Seriously Art, it sounds like you've worked out a great set of handguns for yourself. Enjoy those new role fillers.
 
Snafu in the plan here. My dealer called this morning and said the PCR I ordered was on backorder from his distributor and would be 3-5 weeks. He gave me an offer to cancel. After some thought I dropped by his shop to see what else was available as he had many new arrivals from another dealer who closed and sold inventory.

At the end of the case in the mousegun section was a PT111. It was a slightly used but older version. Just Millennium not Pro. Looked like maybe had a box or two through it if that, no carry wear - I'd give it 98%. Guess he felt bad about the PCR order as it was to be in today, but I bought the Taurus for only $190. I decided to cancel the PCR order and will pick one up sometime in the future because I definately want one.

Haven't shot it yet, but I'll say the PT111 compares well to the P99c. Same weight, just as compact. Trigger is heavy but smooth. Does have a safety which seems overkill on a DAO gun with a heavy trigger, but guess I can always just not use it. PITA to take down and reassemble.

So now I am "flush" with 9mm compacts having began with none. Overall though, still pleased as the deal on the PT111 was fantastic and I have some unexpected cash which can go for ammo. Have some questions about the PT111, but will start another thread for that.
 
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