There seems to be an assumption here that all 9x17 pistols are incredibly small, easy to conceal, and hard to shoot. While it is true that some 9x17 pistols fall into all three of those categories, not all 9x17 pistols fall into any of them. There are plenty of options that are not sub-compact. Further, some sub-compacts shoot well.
As I discuss 9x17 pistols you will notice that blowback pistols are absent. The only blowback pistol that I can recall owning is a Makarov, and it is not in 9x17. I also have a braced Scorpion and a High Point bullpup; however, I hardly count them as pistols.
The Mustang variants (sold by several different companies) include some that shoot very will. As an example, I am continually surprised by how well my Kimber 308 Micro shoots. However, as some have pointed out, the small size leads to a stronger felt recoil. Moving up in size is the Glock 42 (G42). At that point we are well into pistols that are large enough to start seeing the low recoil advantage of the 9x17. However, we are no longer looking at sub-compacts. I am not going to deny that the G42 is a hard pistol to shoot accurately. That said, like the parent of the Mustang variants, the Colt 380 Government Model, it has the potential accuracy; which can be seen when shooting from a rest.
Leaving those behind, we are now looking at the full size 9x17 pistols. This class is typified my the Beretta 84/85 service pistols. While I do not have either of these pistols, largely dye to my avoidance of blowback pistols, these service pistols remain highly regarded. This categories newest entrants include the Smith & Wesson M&P 380 ez, which I have not fired; but, as mentioned in this thread, is highly regarded. Also in the recent entries in this category is the Browning 1911-380.
Based on my experience, I would not hesitate to recommend The 1911-380. However, with my arthritis in my thumb, I am finding that I need to move away from the 1911 based, and other thumb safety pistols. I find that I am moving back to my PK380 that is both DA/SA, and has a paddle release that I can easily operate with my trigger finger. However, like the 1911-380, it is no micro pistol.
Yes, I am fully aware that, with most of the pistols I have named, I could have done with 9x19 instead of 9x17 and found something very similar. However, I have had no great desire to do so. I suspect that if I regularly frequented ranges that do not allow rapid fire I might feel very different (and yes, I am aware that prohibition is quite common). As it is, while I am not a competitive shooter, I enjoy placing my shots well, and rapidly. As far as defensive capability, based on the information I have seen, I consider the 9x17 to be adequate.
I have been using 9x17 for my EDC since I purchased my 380 Government Model in the '80s. While I have a small number of 9x19 pistols, I see little reason to shange my EDC.
