single stack 9s

Of the ones you listed , I would pick the XDs. I have it as well as an older PM9 and both have been flawless in reliability.

Magazines for the PT709 (Taurus) aren't even listed on the TaurusUSA site, and everybody selling them seem to be "out of stock."

There are bunches of them on EBAY, however, and they are pricey!! (Sort of like the Kel-Tec PMR-30 prices over the past few years...)

I saw a couple in the $50 range, but most were a bit more.

I very recently was looking at those pistols as well (and other of that size), but chose the Kahr CM9. Man, I honestly couldn't be happier. It fits my hand wonderfully, it's amazingly accurate and it hasn't malfunctioned yet while working through the break in. I've put 150 rounds of 115gr Federal Champion FMJ and 50 rounds of Federal P9HST1 during the first range trip and despite being so small, it was a pleasure to shoot.

I'm saying sometimes the loaded magazines stick or do not insert/seat without having the Shield's frame mag release controls clear on both sides. Your hand(palm) may keep the stainless steel loaded magazine from going in smoothly you have to look down at it or be careful.

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Its not a problem with the gun, they'll all do this if your grip prevents the catch from moving out to allow the magazine in. It may not work for you and the way you grip it but its not a problem with the pistol. Not every gun fits every hand which is why there is such a large variety and the modern trend is inserts of some kind to increase the possibilities of getting a good fit.

But so far the single stack sub-compacts all seem to go for "small" grips and if its too small for you, then you need something different.

I run 200+ rounds a month through my Shield pistols and have never experienced anything remotely like what you describe. But I can pick up most any auto loader and make the magazine difficult to insert if I grip it so as to interfere with the mag catch movement (an advantage of the heel type release? ). Seems to me you should have similar issues releasing the magazine unless you are shifting your grip to insert the mag.

Of the 3 the OP listed, the Shield would be my top choice.

But I would still choose the Walther PPS and Glock 43 (in that order) over all of them.

I liked the LC9 so much I have two the original LC9 and a LC9s Pro. I also like my SIG p239 and my S&W 39-2 and my 6906 though not a SS it's not that much bigger than the 3913 and I get 13 rounds of 9mm too. If I were to pick up another SS 9 it will be a Shield.

I had the original LC9, like many I didn't care for the trigger. I recently picked up the LC9s pro. Love the trigger. Very accurate for me out to 10 yards (haven't shot it further than that yet.) So far, I'm liking it.

I have a Shield a like it a lot. That being said, I handles a Kimber Solo today. If I had money coming out my ears, it would have come home with me.......and the Shield would be sitting........

If I had to pick one it would probably be the Shield.
Really good trigger, great ergos, great design.
They come with or without the safety if that's something you don't cotton to.

The early XDS guns were really nice with a really good trigger but since the recall/fix all the newer ones I've felt have a terrible trigger.
The grip texture is a little aggressive and tend to irritate when wearing IWB without the right holster and or undershirt.
I've owned/tried 3 different ones (45 and 9 versions), all three have gone on to more appreciative owners.

I just recently picked up a Ruger LC9s Pro. It's pretty impressive and is the closest to being pocket carryable of the three due to it's smaller size and slim lines. The rumors are true about the trigger, amazing for a striker fired gun.
I'm only 100 ish rounds into this one but so far so good.

Accuracy is all in the same ballpark with all three.

Get the Ruger LC9s Pro.

I had the original LC9, like many I didn't care for the trigger. I recently picked up the LC9s pro. Love the trigger. Very accurate for me out to 10 yards (haven't shot it further than that yet.) So far, I'm liking it.

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I've heard many say that about the original LC9's trigger pull, however for me I grew up shooting DA/SA revolvers and the LC9 was like going back to the good ole days. It's been said if you can master the DA revolver you'll be able to adapt to any action. In my experience this has proven to be true. YMMV. I like my original LC9 for pocket carry where the long DA pull gives an added margin of safety when the firearm is so close to the family jewels!!

Xds 3.3

I was recently in the market for a single stack 9mm. After looking around a bit, I decided on the XDs, but went with the 4.0, not the 3.3 you mentioned. The extra bbl length still carries well, and I like the longer sight radius and velocity. With the 7rnd mag it conceals very well and the 8rnd with the grip extension makes it a dream on the range. Just something else to consider......

I was on the fence about the Shield myself but in the end I went with the PPS.

Laura

After reading the article in "Guns & Ammo" that Walt referred to, I would buy the Taurus PT 709 slim. Why pay more for less. Snoop

snooperman said:

After reading the article in "Guns & Ammo" that Walt referred to, I would buy the Taurus PT 709 slim. Why pay more for less.

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After reading on the Taurus forum, the only negative seems to be finding extra mags. (They're available on EBAY, but they must be gold-lined: $50-$70 each.) Of course, you probably only need one extra one for a carry gun.

If I decide to go to a different small single-stack (I have a PF9 that I carry, but have been thinking about using a CZ P-07 instead), the PT709 will be my choice, too...

I only carry one mag for my CCW and can not ever remember wearing a mag out even though I prefer to have two with each gun.

I researched all of these you are considering and ended up with the WALTHER PPS......
I made the right choice for me.

M&P Shield 9mm no thumb safety.

Carry's like a small gun, shoots like a big one.

Jimmy

Spoiler Alert ....

I don't want to upset any printed magazine readers out there, but I read thru the current Guns & Ammo article about single stack sub-compact 9x19mm pistols in 06/2015.

The "best"(the 3 that made it to 1500rds & had high marks):

Glock 43 Taurus Slimline 709 Walther PPS
To my knowledge, all the T&E 9mm pistols were factory stock. I don't recall what gun oil or CLP the test staff & shooters(varied skill levels) used.

The Taurus 9x19mm doing very well was a big surprise. One gun shop near me refuses to sell or market Taurus firearms.
The PPS looks good but the top engineering & Walther QC helped the model sell big in Europe & the USA. Even 007/James Bond totes a Walther PPS, in .40S&W .
Glock 43's impressive ranking makes me want one even more. It got high praise from the panel & offered decent marksmanship.
Other guns: Beretta Nano, SIG P290RS, Ruger LC9, M&P Shield, etc did okay but the big 3 led the pack.

Go used and find a S&W 3913/3914.
In my opinion, the best compact single stack 9mm carry guns at any price. I have a couple (3913 Ladysmith and 3914) and they are unreal.

S&W Ladysmith 9x19mm ....

I recall the slick S&W Ladysmith model. I liked the white grips & contoured style.
Even magazine writers of the era(early-mid 1990s) said the 3913/3914 Ladysmith was great & S&W needed a male version.

I shot a rental 3913 in the early 1990s that had a few problems but I think it was dirty & the cheap reloaded 9mm rounds were the main reasons.

I'd agree a LNIB or very good Ladysmith 9mm would be a great value.

I have tried most popular single stack small carry pistols. The xds was nice but has a pretty heavy "rolling break" trigger and it is a bit heavy for its category. I had a first generation lc9 and it never ran quite right, I just didn't trust it. Never had a shield but I did own a 40 compact m&p, I liked it just liked my g27 more. My FIL has a shield and it seems nice. I currently still own a cm9 and it is nice. I eventually purchased a p938 sig and I will NEVER let it go. Small, light, single action trigger; it just possesses a feel of quality that I have never before felt in a small carry pistol. I change guns like I change socks, the little sig is staying.

Surfer

I love it.

surferdaddy said:

I love it.

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I agree. Must be a Texas thing.