High Capacity, Subcompact Pistols

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SwampWolf

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Does HK make a pistol chambered in 9mm, configured like the popular Springfield HellCat, the SIG Model 365, the S&W Shield Plus and the Ruger MAX-9 pistols in terms of size, weight and magazine capacity? I'm in the market for a high capacity, lightweight, relatively small and utterly reliable pistol for edc (again :uhoh:) and am researching options. It has to have a manual safety. Thanks.
 
H&K makes a P30 sub compact, but it's not as small as the 365 or Hellcat. For micro 9s, the Hellcat, 365 are the gold standards for micro compacts. I've had Rugers with problems in the past and won't touch one anymore, but it seems like the Max is a decent option.
 
Nope, they make a subcompact as noted but not as small as the 365.

Contenders in that market at this time are the 365, Hellcat, Ruger max 9 and Shield+.

Personally I like the thicker Glock 19, M&P Compact, HK VP9sk, P30Sk, etc al. Fills my hand better for better control in rapid fire and don't conceal any worse (for me) as belt guns. All these higher capacity single stack 9s don't fit in my pockets anyhow.
 
Thanks for the replies. Some people swear by the advantages of sticking with one pistol for all their edc chores but I'm not that practical. I don't dress around a pistol; I choose one that best fits my attire for the day (dictated mostly by the weather and the social circumstance I find myself in). Accordingly, I have the good fortune of having several to choose from, including a Ruger LCP (.380 ACP) for pocket carry, a CZ 75 Compact and a Smith Model 6906 (both 9mms), mostly carried in owb holsters, a SIG Model 227 (.45 ACP), carried mostly in an owb holster and a couple of revolvers chambered in .38 Special (the original Colt Cobra and a Smith Model12 Airweight), both carried in owb holsters. If had to have only one, it would be either the CZ 75 Compact or the Smith Model 6906.

But luckily, I live in America and I have a glut of pistols to choose from. As I see it, I have only one gap in my edc battery, a reliable "subcompact" (no bigger than a Ruger MAX 9 and its ilk) pistol chambered in 9mm, to be carried in an iwb holster. It has to have a high capacity magazine and a manual safety. The search goes on! :)
 
I’m a revolver guy. I am not familiar with all those guns you list in the OP.

I have a CZ 2075 RAMI 9 mm subcompact. It’s about the size of a J-Frame. It comes new with 10 and 14 round magazines. I bought a second 14 round magazine because it feels better in my misshapen arthritic hand. My only other semiautomatic handgun is a Ruger Mark I.

The CZ has functioned flawlessly with every type and brand of 9 mm I have fed it. Sights are dead on at 7-10 yards.

Shoot or handle one before you buy anything else.

588FCEE1-A08E-4C35-BD91-6FD5CD350559.jpeg
 
IMO HK are the finest production handguns. Unfortunately the VP9sk and a similar size hammer pistol are the smallest pistols they offer. I wish HK would introduce a thinner true subcompact gun.
 
The 365 is available with a manual safety, and is pocketable with an Alabama kydex pocket rig. They remain hard to find; if you can't find one with a safety, it can be added with factory parts.
The grip can be made bigger with the 12 round mag.
Moon
 
The P2000SK is ever so slightly smaller than the P30 subcompact. But still not as small as the 365. Not every company has jumped on the micro pistol with higher capacity bandwagon yet.
 
JR24 said:
Nope, they make a subcompact as noted but not as small as the 365.

Contenders in that market at this time are the 365, Hellcat, Ruger max 9 and Shield+.

Personally I like the thicker Glock 19, M&P Compact, HK VP9sk, P30Sk, etc al. Fills my hand better for better control in rapid fire and don't conceal any worse (for me) as belt guns. All these higher capacity single stack 9s don't fit in my pockets anyhow.
Click to expand...

This is spot-on. A lot of my shooting buddies are dumping their carry pieces they have loved for decades and going for the younger model (pun intended). Me, OTOH, I draw the line at the G19/23 size. Anything smaller I just don’t enjoy shooting *and* I feel I am giving up too much - capacity and feel (I know it is subjective).
 
Anchorite said:
This is spot-on. A lot of my shooting buddies are dumping their carry pieces they have loved for decades and going for the younger model (pun intended). Me, OTOH, I draw the line at the G19/23 size. Anything smaller I just don’t enjoy shooting *and* I feel I am giving up too much - capacity and feel (I know it is subjective).
Click to expand...

I draw the line at the Glock 48 myself, but I agree with you. The G19/23 is a superb balance, the Glock 48 with SA15 magazines matches that but is thinner which helps with IWB carry.

There’s a reason why the Glock 19 is so prolific out there, having to pull it out to defend oneself and one doesn’t feel under-gunned.
 
JO JO said:
CZ P01 maybe worth a look
Click to expand...

The P01 is somewhat compact-ish, but certainly not subcompact territory. It is comfortable enough to carry though, if you don't mind an all steel frame.

HK unfortunately doesn't make anything in the same size range as the shield and P365. I remember my first HK pistol was a USP 45 compact, and the first time I saw it and handled it I laughed, thought "THIS is their compact model??" It's barely smaller than my full size XD 45. But as was stated above, HK pistols are top notch, and will live longer than you, no matter how much you shoot it.
 
The H&K P2000sk feels right and carries 10 in mag , not the smallest out there but easy to carry and recoil is manageable as it is solid as a rock. My main EDC.
 
SwampWolf said:
Does HK make a pistol chambered in 9mm, configured like the popular Springfield HellCat, the SIG Model 365, the S&W Shield Plus and the Ruger MAX-9 pistols in terms of size, weight and magazine capacity? I'm in the market for a high capacity, lightweight, relatively small and utterly reliable pistol for edc (again :uhoh:) and am researching options. It has to have a manual safety. Thanks.
Click to expand...
I dont know about the HK....but if you're looking at ideas,
Rugers SR9C has those features.
17 and 10 rd mags
Safety
Rail
Ambidextrous
Loaded chamber indicator
Utterly reliable
Accurate
Butt ugly
One of the easiest shooting guns i own
Uses the same holster as a Shield
I'm holstering mine up shortly.
Ruger discontinued it, but they can be found on Gunbroker.
They have a cult following, but I'll never know why they weren't wildly popular.
I know you didn't ask for my submission, but your description seems so fitting.
20200712_152718.jpg
 
Armored farmer said:
I dont know about the HK....but if you're looking at ideas,
Rugers SR9C has those features.
17 and 10 rd mags
Safety
Rail
Ambidextrous
Loaded chamber indicator
Utterly reliable
Accurate
Butt ugly
One of the easiest shooting guns i own
Uses the same holster as a Shield
I'm holstering mine up shortly.
Ruger discontinued it, but they can be found on Gunbroker.
They have a cult following, but I'll never know why they weren't wildly popular.
I know you didn't ask for my submission, but your description seems so fitting.
View attachment 992903
Click to expand...

Agreed on all points.
 
JR24 said:
Agreed on all points.
Click to expand...

Seems many of the Ruger pistols have cult-like status. Ever notice that?
I like the looks and design of many of their pistol offerings, but then it seems they get discontinued quietly overnight. I really wanted a P90 years ago and regret never picking one up.

To this day my Dad still has his P89 for when things go bump in the night.
 
Anchorite said:
Seems many of the Ruger pistols have cult-like status. Ever notice that?
I like the looks and design of many of their pistol offerings, but then it seems they get discontinued quietly overnight. I really wanted a P90 years ago and regret never picking one up.

To this day my Dad still has his P89 for when things go bump in the night.
Click to expand...

Indeed. I bought my SR9c on a whim as my first CCW and shot it incredibly good for such a small gun and considering my skill level at the time. I occasionally want to borrow it from the guy I sold it to and see how well I could shoot it now, since I'm a much better shooter these days.

Ultimately I didn't like the safety location and how it interacted with my several times broken and dislocated thumb.
 
JR24 said:
my first CCW and shot it incredibly good for such a small gun and considering my skill level at the time
Click to expand...

The ease of hitting the target was why I got mine...
My son bought it new. I had shot it several times when he talked about trading it for a 1911. I bought it immediately from him.
I gathered some extra 17rd mags, a weapon light, extra flashlight and knife, Desantis SofTuck and a tagua slide holster and keep it all in this go-bag at the back door.
It is my reluctant go-to. I say reluctant because I prefer 1911s in .45, but the SR9C is undeniable in what ithas to offer as an edc pistol.
16187758394195269130102784374990.jpg
 
I have a P30SK and it's about the same size as my P365XL. I had a P365 but felt it a little small for my hand size, hence my interest in the Ruger Max 9. I currently rotate between my Sig and my HK for my EDC. When clothes require, I step down to a Kimber Micro 9 IWB in pocket holster.
 
E74946EC-01F6-40A7-A367-15E5584A09DA.png I do not give advice about what gun to carry because it is a personal choice that should be made from experience and good information. I decided to replace my Walther PPS M2 as my EDC because I wanted greater capacity. I looked at the popular subcompact high capacity models. I was pretty settled on the Ruger Max 9. They make very reliable guns, have great customer service, and cost less than most near quality competitors.

I took my time researching Ruger pistols high capacity capability. I found the Security 9 Compact, which has two ten round mag options and one 15 round. I made the
chart above to compare it with the Max 9 and other Rugers I own. I went with the Security 9 compact because it is not that much bigger with the 15 round mag and 15+1 is good.
 
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I tend to favor my HK P2000sk and CZ Rami for carry due to the fact hand issues have rendered my little finger useless for gripping.

Full size grips are pretty much out, and I find the Hellcat, Sig 365 too tiny for my tastes.
 
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