Narrow this down for me...pistol recommendation

I carry the G26 so for me its my choice.

What is most important to you? I used to carry a glock 27 (same exact size as g26) and I still love it, but I wanted something slimmer and smaller. I now carry Kahr pm9 so I can comfortably pack heat and still wear my tight hipster jeans One thing I will say about the pm9 is that the trigger is like a revolver: long but smooth. It isn't a big deal, but it has taken some getting used to. My friend carries a Ruger LCP and hasn't had problems with it. Hard gun to beat at around $300. I can't stand the sights (or lack thereof) on the LCP though.

9mm Shield, Walther PPS, XDS 9

Jack19 said:

1. Dead nuts reliable. I don't have time, or will I be able to, send it in for service.

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I'd venture to say most of us "don't have the time" to put up with things that fail or fail to live up to expectations. Unfortunately, the 100% flawless gun is just a dream. Everything mechanical has flaws, tolerance stacking can cause the best designs to turn out as lemons and if the device has a single moving part ... Murphy's Law will find you sooner or later.

You pays yer money; you takes yer chances. About the best you can do is read about those that have the least problems. And although I've had few problems, you can find gun rants all over the web.

Another 100% reliability comment, just for good measure...

In terms of malfunctions, there are only two categories of guns: those that have had a few, and those that eventually will.

You would have to define "compact". For me personally that means a gun that fits in my pocket. A compact 1911, Shield or Glock just don't fit my definition. Great guns for sure and easily concealed IWB or OWB.

As far as holster and mag availability around here you would almost have to go with one of the above mentioned names and then pay the piper. I don't understand why that is a priority though as you can buy mags online from 1000 different sources for much less than my LGS. With holsters you need to touch and feel but mags...not so much.

It is apparent me that the only reasonable answer to the OP's question:

I've been racking my brain looking for a compact 9mm or .380ACP pistol. It must:

1. Dead nuts reliable (at least as mechanically as anyone can make them.) I don't have time, or will I be able to, send it in for service.
2. Minimum of 6 round mag.
3. Magazines readily available at my LGS.
4. Weigh less than 25-30 oz unloaded.
5. As compact/flat as possible, but fatter must buy me higher capacity.
6. Have holsters made for it that I can buy at my LGS.
7. Action type does not matter.
8. Price range new to lightly used $550-700

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... is Howdah Pistol




Now, admittedly it only meets two of the listed criteria, items One and Seven,isn't in the desired caliber,isn't an autoloader, heck, isn't even a firearm*, but I think it would still be ideal for the OP's intended usage.





The OP should carry a proven dead nuts reliable example of whatever pistol He/She can shoot best while fitting within size constraints.





* as the feds define one

CZ line-up

I would highly recommend you take at least a look at the CZ line-up. Several pistols meet your criteria and are known to be very good and reliable firearms. The CZ 75 P-01 weighs 28-ounces, is an alloy framed, compact version of the CZ 75, has 14-rounds and you can find magazines for this pistol on MecGar (they're the same as the CZ 75 Compact) or you can use the full size CZ 75's 16 round mags which are fairly easy to find (I see 'em at gun shows). Holsters are also had pretty easily on the internet.


There are other pistols available from the CZ line up that fit a few/most of your criteria such as the very similar CZ 75D PCR or their .40 cal sister, the P-06.

If that doesn't work I'd also recommend the Obrez pistol.....

Any thoughts on the springfield micro gi?

If at all possible, shoot 'em before you buy. I owned a LC9, and currently own a Shield 9, a M&P 9c, a G26, a G19, and other compacts.

I shoot the G26 very accurately and very, very fast. With a Crossbreed Supertuck IWB, I can easily conceal it. It has become my primary CCW. The Shield is a fine gun, but my hands fit the G26 better. The LC9 was just too little, and waaaay too slow. If I feel the need for a larger caliber, the G30SF is even more accurate and nearly as fast.

I've carried a long time, and I'm a XXL-sized guy. I'm willing to adjust my wardrobe to conceal, and have carried 6" N-frames and full-sized 1911s. As I have gained experience and technology has improved, I've transitioned to lighter pistols. I only pocket carry within sight of home.

My suggestion is to carry whatever you shoot best with, and dress accordingly.

XDs 9mm. I love my .45, it is a great carry gun. From the criteria you posted my suggestion would be to at least shoot the XDs in 9mm and see how you like it.

A compact gun has to fit in a pocket? What does a pocket gun fit in then?

Jack19 said:

I've been racking my brain looking for a compact 9mm or .380ACP pistol. It must:

1. Dead nuts reliable (at least as mechanically as anyone can make them.) I don't have time, or will I be able to, send it in for service.
3. Magazines readily available at my LGS.
5. As compact/flat as possible, but fatter must buy me higher capacity.
6. Have holsters made for it that I can buy at my LGS.

I keep coming back to the Glock 26...but I recently found that I have NOT kept up with pistol development over the last few years and there's a lot of new stuff out there and a few brand names I do not recognise.

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I'm going to focus more on requirements 1, 3, 5 & 6.
Of the several guns I've experience with I tend to lean towards the M & P Shield. I can pick up mags at my LGS. Can't say that about the Khar or the XDs ATM. Don't even bother looking for a PPS mag. Plus, I think the week link for Khar is the magazine when it comes to 'dead nuts' reliability. Twice I've had mags not seat and cause an issue for me. Not so for the shield. They've ran like butta.
It's easy enough to find holsters for the shield locally. At least In my case. Khar not so much.
As far as #5 goes Khar wins hands down but not by so much to base a choice on this aspect alone. It does tend to exclude the G26. At least it does for me. With all that said, I've never met a glock that I didn't like but for the purpose of the OP the Shield is on a very short list. It's a very good choice.

Certainly nothing wrong with the Glock 26. It will probably have more holsters available for you at the LGS than just about any other choice. However, even though I am a Glock fan, I am leaning toward the XDS in 9mm. I loved it in .45 but it's size is perfect for a super compact 9mm. Holster availability may be lacking at the moment though.

G19

My vote will go to a Shield

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I can't say that I have extensive experience with the Shield, but my biggest complaint about them is that they are scarce as hens teeth, at least around here. The SR9c, and a few of the other mentioned guns are not. I am kind of in the market for a new CCW pistol myself, and the Shield is on my list of guns to look at, but it seems much more likely that I will end up with an XDs or an SR9c.

The Glock 26 is a good gun. I had one and carried it right up until I sold it back to the guy I bought it from. My only complaint, and it is relatively minor, is that it is chunkier than any of the guns mentioned above and most of the guns mentioned in this thread period. Its not that big of a deal, and I would recommend the gun for the most part. Just personally, I think that a thinner pistol would be a better deal for me.

Springfield EMP or Walther PPK

^^ Good points, Timbokhan.

I keep looking at other guns to expand my carry rotation, but can't find anything that is as well suited for me as the SR9c.

The Sig P290 may change my mind, if I ever get to shoot it.

TarDevil, I still love my P290RS. Did you finally get one, and not shoot it yet? Or still anticipating procurement?

I would go with nothing less than the 9mm for carry, but if you are dead set on the .380, the Sig 232 just can't be beat for concealability, reliability, and accuracy. I sold mine awhile ago and it is the only sale I've made that I regretted down the road. Sig 239 is a great single stack 9mm as well, but brand new might be a little over your budget.

Beretta Nano or Walther PPS.

Since no one else has mentioned it - the Beretta Nano is only a little bigger than most .380's and slightly smaller than a lot of the other single stack nines. Mine is very accurate and has been quite reliable.

(Edit: Okay, someone else mentioned it.)

Glock 26

My vote is the Glock 26. I open carry and IWB carry very comfortably. All types of holsters are readily available. Standard mag holds 10 but I added a 12 round mag. A big plus is that, although it is small, I shoot it better than any of my other handguns, which are bigger. A bigger plus: It is easy to take down and shoots any kind of ammo.
I love mine!
My son made this IWB holster. I love it and is very comfortable. Open carry holster is a Blackhawk Serpa avilable LGS to ebay.
Rod

The Glock 19 was my first semi-auto pistol, since then I've had (and still have some of them) Sigs, H&Ks, S&Ws, CZ's, Rugers, STI Spartan, etc. I still think that the G19 is the best platform for the 9mm, and one of the all around most useful and usable pistols I've ever tried. Aside from all that, it fits all your criteria and comes in at the bottom of your price range.