midsized 9mm

I needed inexpensive 9mm to rent for shooting excess ammo out. Found S&W 469. I found out that it will shoot subsonic, standard and higher energy loads with no problems. It grew on me and I decided to keep it. Just out of curiosity I'm going to pick up box or two of Fiocchi ball that Glock boys hate to see how the gun functions with it. I'm going to to limp wrist the gun and shoot it one handed too.

Antihero

Best bet is to have her try out a P11, if possible, just to see what she thinks about it. Not sure as to how much larger of a gun she wants to go to, as the P11 is a pretty small 9mm. To me a midsize 9mm. could be anything from a Glock G43, to a G26, G19, S&W Shield, S&W MP9c, Ruger SR9c, or Springfield Armory's XDm, XDs, or XD MOD.2. All of these are relatively compact pistols but still somewhat larger than the P11.

Midsize , would be Glock 19, S&W M&P9 compact, SIG P239, XD9 compact and H&K P2000 just to name a few. The keltec guns would be subcompact not midsize.

Hopefully you have ranges in your area where you could rent and try different things.

Kahr makes 9mms in the whole spectrum, getting bigger step by step. If she just wants a small gun, she could try a G26 or Shield. Both are subcompacts that shoot like they are much bigger than they are.

Or just let her shoot the p11 and see what she thinks. I had a friend that was initially drawn to smaller guns because they seemed less intimidating, but after shooting them, people learn that a bigger gun can be your friend.

Try the Glock 42 and 43. The Kahr Mk9 is nice and soft shooting because it's heavy steal instead of plastic.

Yes, the Keltec p11 has a hearty recoil. We all bled after shooting ours.

Are you the same Antihero as this guy?:

Bersa's compact aluminum-framed 9mm may be worth looking into, provided it fits her hand. I'm not sure how the trigger-reach is on those.

The CZ-75D PCR fits this role for me. It is my primary carry gun, and all around great 9MM.

Walther PPS

I second Pilots CZ75 PCR recommendation.

Walther PPS

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Agreed. I was pleasantly surprised shooting one in 9MM. For me it was a soft shooter and I was able to shoot right on target. Won't replace my Walther PPQ as my CCW but sill might buy one.

OP your best best is to get her some training if she has not had any and then let her try out some pistols. By training I mean at least one class locally if possible. Being able to know proper stance, grip, and trigger control will make a huge difference in how one perceives recoil. Many of these training classes will have a variety of firearms for new users to handle and try out.

Good luck!

Rent before buying if you can. I've been down this road before as have a lot of guys here

My girlfriend likes her kahr K9 best for a 9mm after trying several, but after renting or borrowing quite a few guns, shes's settled on a Kahr P380 as her favorite pistol. Its tiny, and very light weight but she finds it more comfortable to shoot, go figure.

Basic polymer frames like glock or M&P were difficult for her to mainttain grip in 9mm, checkered backstraps/magwells like higher end 1911's were too rough, the CZ75 compact felt great at the gun counter with its contoured grip but she didn't shoot it any better than my M&P9C. You just can't tell until you shoot it sometimes.

You just can't tell until you shoot it sometimes.

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That's the truth!

S&W SD9VE. Very low recoil. Revolver-like simplicity and trigger pull. I've shot all kinds of pistols and like the SD9VE better than a dozen that cost 50-100% more.

FNS Compact. It's on my radar but I haven't seen one yet. Sized between a G19 and a G26.

You say she got to handle a P11. Did she dry fire it?
If she tried that trigger and still wanted one, just buy one.

rskent said:

You say she got to handle a P11. Did she dry fire it?

If she tried that trigger and still wanted one, just buy one.

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If you have her dry fire that P11 you will buy it like it or not. Use a snap cap. They do have a long heavy trigger pull but that's their safety feature.

Having bought a Keltec P-11 as my first carry gun, I found out quickly that between the very heavy trigger and the small size, that it was not fun to shoot and accuracy was not very good. My second purchase was a Glock G-26, a really big improvement and one that I still carry. You might also look at a compact Baby Eagle in 9mm, based on the CZ design but has a better feel (for small hands) and is a very soft shooter.

You may want to keep an eye out for a S&W 3913/3943. As well.

Sam

Another vote for the Walther PPS. Very soft shooter for being so compact and light. More accurate than some full size 9s I own.

Another vote for the CZ 75 PCR but I also like the P07. Seems a very solid gun, not too light, not too small and a very good shooter.
9 fingers

G19, g43, cz