I've gone through nearly every thin carry gun...still looking.

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Orion8472

Orion8472

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So....I have gone through a LOT of different carry guns and have yet to find one that I wanted to stick with....for various reasons depending on the gun. I'll give a rundown, starting with my latest.

Glock 43. Just didn't like the trigger.
Shield. Didn't like the ergonomics....or trigger.
XDs. Liked this one, and was okay with the trigger, but my thumb placement kept the slide from holding open on the last round as it inadvertently riding the release.
Kahr....and any other DAO long pull trigger pistols. That was the issue.
P938. Liked this one the best. A bit pricey for a carry gun. Might have to get over that.

Ones I haven't owned, but tried either on the range or at a store.

Walther PPS. Felt good in the hand, but the trigger is kinda like a Glock.
Walther CCP. Felt real good, trigger okay. Just cringe at the take down.
LC9s. Grip angle is a little off for my natural hold,...but great trigger.
Bersa BP9CC. Really nice trigger. A bit to tall. And it's a Bersa.
Taurus 709 Slim. :-/ No thanks.
Remington R-51. :rolleyes:

So, as you can see, I've tried a lot. Did I miss any pistol? If so, let me know. Why only single stack 9mm pistols, you may ask? Just my preference.

Thanks in advance.
 
It seems like the XDS was almost a great fit.
Have you considered grinding of the tab of the slide release and slingshotting the slide?
 
Yeah. Thought about a way to modify the slide release, but I wouldn't want to have no knob there.
 
But.... which one did you shoot best?

See, no gun is perfect, but if you shoot it well then use it and live with its faults.

Deaf
 
I carried a Glock 26, but it was too fat. Then I got a Ruger LC9 (which you haven't tried- not bad for a DAO) but I prefer a striker pistol, so back to 26. So I went to the S&W shield, which I really liked, but I prefer a Glock trigger, so I went back to the fat 26. When the G42 came out, I knew a similar 9mm would follow. I waited, and now I'm happily married to one. If you don't mind DAO, the LC9 is worth a look.
 
I can relate. I think I've owned almost everything on your list at some point. None of them really felt right to me.

My favorites were the P938, PPS, and G43. I kinda decided they were all bigger than what I wanted to carry so I downsized. I now have a Glock 42, Beretta 21A Bobcat for summer/backup carry.

The 938 was comfortable carrying but started to dislike the safety.

The only other guns you might like are perhaps 3" 1911s in 9mm.

I've borrowed a friends' Colt Defender in 9mm and decided I needed one of those too.
 
I'd be afraid that any 1911 style will be too big.......or rather tall in the grip area where I'd be most likely to print.

As for the suggested LC9, that would fall in with all the other long pull DAO pistols that I've tried and didn't like,.....but the LC9s Pro is closer to the top at this point.

I appreciate the responses guys. Keep it up! It's helpful. :)
 
I would look at the new PPS M2 , I hear they have a better trigger than the PPS . Like you I didn't like the trigger on the PPS . I plan on trying the PPS M2 .
 
If the only issue you have with the XDs is riding the slide release, I would suggest that you spend some more time practicing your grip with it and concentrate on a hold where you don't ride the release. Maybe even build up the ridge below the release with something like JB Weld to allow your thumb some purchase so it doesn't drift up and over it.

By the fact that your thumb rides that high as to interfere with the slide release with a normal grip I think it is also safe to say that if you were required to quickly draw and fire with a sub optimal grip it may ride high enough to contact the slide and effect the functioning of the gun. This would be true of any semi auto given your hold.

Just my $0.02
 
Orion8472

Maybe a Colt New Agent or Defender if you like the single action trigger that you tried on the SIG P938.
 
bannockburn said:
Orion8472

Maybe a Colt New Agent or Defender if you like the single action trigger that you tried on the SIG P938.
Click to expand...
That may be your ticket with a high-riding thumb. I have a DW ECO which is very comfortable, accurate, and reliable. However, I can't stop carrying the PPS. It carries like it isn't there and shoots like a bigger gun. Very accurate and reliable. The trigger is actually pretty good when you're firing it. It's very positive and crisp. However, it's a 200 round gun at the range before my girly finger starts to bleed from the trigger dangly. I wish we would do away with those dumb things.
 
I put a Talon Grip on the LC9S and Pierce end caps on the mags. It fits more comfortably, grips solidly, and shoots more accurately.

I love the shooting and handling of my XDs but the LC9S carries better.
 
Your top 3 choices looks like the Sig P938, LC9s, & Bersa Thunder.
My carry is the P938 in an Alabama Holster front pocket holster. It fits in any clothes and is easy to draw from. SAS model, very smooth "melt" job. Found on sale a little over $500. They're out there.
My son often carries his LC9s Pro (IWB) and loves it. I think it's one of the best striker triggers there is, period. It would be my second choice in this size range.
I carried a Bersa Thunder for a year or so. It is small enough to easily conceal but is not a pocket gun. I used a Remora IWB holster with great success. The trigger is nothing short of amazing, both SA & DA. All metal (alloy) frame, nice weight, good pointer. There's nothing wrong with choosing a Bersa. Don't let the gun snobs steer you away if it works for you. I still have mine-- don't want to sell such a good pistol. Good luck.
 
98Redline said:
If the only issue you have with the XDs is riding the slide release, I would suggest that you spend some more time practicing your grip with it and concentrate on a hold where you don't ride the release.
Click to expand...

That's my thought as well. I frequently have issues with my guns not locking back, including my XDs,, and I'm 95% sure it's my fault. So I consciously cock my thumbs off to the left to keep them away from the slide lock/release.

Also, a few suggestions.

I don't like Kimbers but there is the Solo, and their micro 9's.
Kel-Tec PF9
Sig 290

Honestly, when I read this thread my first thought is "Are you sure you just don't like small single stack guns, because it seems like you are looking for reasons not to like all these guns?"

Have you considered stepping it up to a G26, XDm 3.8, P30SK, P2000SK, PX4 compact, M&P 9C, or some other mid sized gun?
 
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Uh, how about a commander-sized 1911? 1911's are quite thin, especially if you change out the stocks/grips for thin ones.
 
You forgot the Remington R51! It is a nice feeling gun with a nice trigger pull. However, on the downside it may malfunction every time you pull the trigger.
 
Kills me how people are more concerned with trigger "feel" in a carry gun. The main points of a carry gun are:

Assume CCW

1. How well the gun conceals
2. How reliable the gun is
3. Availability of good holsters

I personally carry an LCP. It has a horribly heavy trigger, but it conceals VERY well and has been 100% reliable. I can shoot center mass at ~5 yards and I can control the pistol. My LCP is not a pleasurable range toy, it is a device that I may use someday to save my life.

The OP reported that the grip angle was a "little off" for his natural hold. My advice is to go with that one, but get the LC9s Pro(no manual safety and no magazine disconnect).
 
I was also going to suggest the Colt Defender in 9mm, but there's an incremental step downward in size from that: the Springfield EMP. It's bigger than the SIG P938 and smaller than the Colt Defender.

The folks I know who own them really like them. Too small for my hands, though. And not a budget gun by any measure.
 
You haven't given revolvers a try.
After starting out with a full sized 1911 and going through many different guns , my best friend is a gun shop owner, the one that has become , though trial and error , my everyday goes out the door gun is a S&W J-frame Airweight in 38 special. In winter , when I wear a heavy coat, its a snub nosed Taurus 455 , 5 shot , 45 acp revolver....sort of a J-framed 45 acp.
I tried the semi-autos, tried hard to find the right one.... but the small light revolver rose to the top and won out.
Gary
 
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