9mm SA single stack compact

[Shmackey]

Hey all--long time no see. So I'm looking for a carry pistol for my wife. All our pistols are 1911s or run exactly like a 1911. I want to keep the operation the same for her carry gun.

In a perfect world I'd get her a 9mm version of my lightweight custom CCO, but I don't want to spend nearly that much.

What do you guys recommend? If the M&P Shield or PPS had a thumb safety they'd be perfect. Something like that....

 

[Sergei Mosin]

Sig p938.

 

[cmdc]

The Sig 938 is right up your or rather her alley. Single action, ambidextrous safety. Compact, accurate and handles 9mm recoil well for a small package.

 

[cmdc]

You can also get the Shield with a safety.

 

[jmace57]

Or if you want to go real cheap, the STAR BM (surplus). Heavy, though

 

[justin22885]

how about a zastava M88?.. its a compact, 9mm, single stack, modernized version of the old tokarev TT33 pistol which is similar to the 1911, theyre like under $300 for the pistol..seems like a valid choice when cheaping out on ones spouse.. i want to get one of these soon for myself

 

[railroader]

Well if you could go 45acp here's a good deal on a compact 1911.

https://getbattleready.us/product/classic-ultra/

 

[C0untZer0]

Also the Springfield Armory Enhanced Micro Pistol (EMP)

http://www.springfield-armory.com/products/1911-emp-9-mm/

 

[BSA1]

What does she want?

Or are you making the decision for her?

 

[wild cat mccane]

I have two P938 SAS Sigs. Though short in pull, the triggers are quite heavy.

 

[bannockburn]

New-SIG P938
Used-Star Model BM (steel frame) or BKS (alloy frame).

 

[gotboostvr]

a 9mm lightweight Commander 1911 would be a very good option. Especially so with thin grips and a bobtail cut.

 

[Shmackey]

What does she want?

Or are you making the decision for her?

She doesn't really care, as long as it's easy enough to shoot (hence 9mm) and works like everything else she shoots. It's pretty much just a tool to her, like buying a screwdriver or something. Which is kind of awesome actually....

I didn't realize the Shield can be had with a safety. That pretty much seals the deal. I had an MP full-size a few years ago, and it ran like a sewing machine.

The others mentioned certainly win on style points, but the Shield should be cheap and light and reliable and shootable. Sold!

 

[IdahoSkies]

Rock Island has some single stack 9mms. They are are 1911s in 9mm. Probably right what you are looking for.

 

[gotboostvr]

I really wish Rock Island would bring a lightweight commander to market.
I'm not even picky on caliber. Just give it the fiber optic front sight & G10 grip combo they've been throwing on models and I'd be sold.

 

[Winkman822]

I'd vote Springfield Range Officer Compact in 9mm or EMP in 9mm. I had the latter and kick myself for selling it every day. It is a fantastic little gun.

 

[Dudemeister]

I vote for the EMP.

 

[BlindJustice]

Colt has just added a Lightweight Commander offered in .45 ACP or 9x19

The Lightweight Commander MSRP $ 949
( 1991 Series Steel frame Cmdr MSRP $ 799
the Ltwt Commander is 29.4 oz empty,
compared to 33 oz for the steel framed '91

for the + $ 150 you get Novak low mount
sights, / Beavertail Grip Safety,/dual recoil
spring sys. so it's worth the extra coin.

-or- a notch down in market price and a bit
more Compact Springfield Armory RO Compact
4" Bbl/Slide on Officers alloy frame.

R-

 

[wgp]

The EMP is exactly what you are asking for, except it's not cheap. But try it and you may decide it's worth it.

Also, Springfield has just come out with an EMP4 with a 4 inch barrel and a slightly longer grip that holds two more rounds. I handled one last weekend, liked it a lot. Kind of like a down-sized CCO.

 

[justin22885]

i still like my idea, its 9mm, its single stack, its compact, its single action, and its only about $300

 

[Husker_Fan]

I handled a Kimber Micro at SHOT show. The samples there were very nice.

 

[hAkron]

I really like my 9mm S&W shield. I added a pinky extension to the 7 round mag, and one of those rubber grip things to it to add a little thickness to the grip. It's an awesome gun, and you can find them for around $350 new, with a lifetime warranty.

 

[Tirod]

As with all gun recommendations to make for a third party, the best thing to do is go to a gun store that lets her handle the gun, dry fire, even rent it for range use, and then let her decide.

They sometimes respond with a choice a bit further off the table than you'd expect, like a Kahr.

The point is that most smaller carry pistols are liability designed and two pound triggers notably absent. Expect a 6 pound trigger for something in the smaller class of auto, and a polymer frame to be 25% lighter. They may operate the controls the same, but they don't "shoot" the same.

 

[MIL-DOT]

What do you guys recommend? If the M&P Shield or PPS had a thumb safety they'd be perfect. Something like that....

Both of these are great options, you really can't go wrong. As mentioned above, there is a thumb-safety version of the Shield. It's very well positioned, and is plenty easy to disengage, while not being very easy to accidentally engage.
The Walther is nice, but it's ballance and ergos are a little funkier than the Shield, which I think, just melts into your hand.
The factory sights are a little better on the Walther,(larger,wider,brighter dots) and the gen1 still has the paddle safety, which I always thought was a great idea. These don't inadvertently let your magazine pop loose when pocket carrying like a tradtional button release can (and has for me, a few times).
Now that the Walther's PPS prices have come back down to earth, they're serious competition for the Shield and XDS. But, the mags are harder to find, and more expensive.
Also, both pistols now come with a 7 and 8-rd mag, but the PPS is noticably larger with the 8-rd mag, than the Shield is with it's 8-rd mag. The Shield with it's 7-rd mag is VERY compact.
I've seen Shield mags on ebay for $24.99, delivered. Also, they're stainless, whcih I really like.
Both pistols, in my experience are accurate and 100% reliable, with a wide variety of ammos.
Given the popularity of the Shields, the cheaper stainless mags, and S&W's stellar customer service support, I would give the nod to the Shield (and I say that with a gen1 PPS in my pocket as we speak,LOL!)

 

[Baron_Null]

i still like my idea, its 9mm, its single stack, its compact, its single action, and its only about $300

Different manual of arms when it comes to the safety, and given that the OP's requirements are to "keep operation the same with her carry gun" as well as the OP's discounting of some poly-framed options because they lack the thumb safety, I'm guessing that it doesn't qualify.

I've also heard too much about it being finicky to be able to recommend it outright, unless one buys with the knowledge that it may take some work to get running right. And given that this is supposed to be intended as a carry gun for the OP's SO, I doubt that's a desirable quality.