9mm single stack

[Ankeny]

I carried an HK P7M8 in a Milt Sparks holster for many years. Cool gun, but a bit heavy on the pistol grip end. I have also had a model 39, a 59 and a 3913. Good guns if you don't mind the DA/SA gig. I now have two single stack 9mm pistols. One is the Kahr CW9 and it is a nice little gun, great for carry. I also have a Dan Wesson Guardian and I like it a lot. Bottom line, pick the one you like and practice.

 

[Mp7]

interesting thread.

That http://www.bobergarms.com/notes/XR9_Shorty seems to be the singlestack wondernine.

 

[rellascout]

What is the $$$ amount you are looking to spend. IMHO your two purposes are contradictory. If you have $600 there is a better way to accomplish your two goals than one gun IMHO.

I would not choose a small thin single stacked gun as a home defense gun. If t were me I would pick up a cheap Remmy 870 18" barrel for home defense. You can get these from just about any big box store for about $280. Used they can be $200.

In the summer I do carry a Kahr CW9. Good size light with a consistent clean trigger. These are $375 or so.....

If you are set on a single gun doing both tasks I would look at the Sig P225/P6 which can be had used for about $450. OTD.

 

[3KillerBs]

Are you willing to bet your life on that?

Even if you are correct the last Home Invasion that I read about here in Co Springs involved 5 invaders. I'm not prepared to take on 5 to 1 odds with (for example) an 8 shot M1911A1

Criminals are not military troops. While there are always statistical outliers, criminals are about getting what they're after with the least possible bother -- otherwise they'd be honest people living honest lives working for a paycheck rather than robbing houses.

Criminals don't have the mission orientation and the training that military combat troops get to press on towards a goal after taking casualties.

Exceptions could happen but, given all the proof that most self-defense incidents are resolved by the mere presentation of a gun without the need to fire it even once, the probability of encountering multiple attackers dead-set on pursuing their mission after I've taken down one or more of their companions is low enough for me to be comfortable with a gun that is small enough to be concealed without having to wear a hoop skirt or a burka to cover it up.

Every activity in life involves balancing probabilities and risks. People need to do their own analysis and take into account their own, individual circumstances. Some people's physical capabilities and life circumstances make carrying a full-size, high-capacity, double-stack semi-auto easy enough that they can routinely cover that low-probability of meeting multiple, highly-determined, mission-oriented attackers who won't retreat after taking casualties. Other people's physical capabilities and life circumstances don't.

 

[Water-Man]

In a single stack, the Walther PPS 9mm gets my vote.

 

[PX15]

bfd:

Actually that little red "flag" perched atop the LC9 is saying it has "mail" for anyone who might threaten the person who has it in his/her hand...

Some folks don't care for the "red flag", "safety disconnect" or external safety but I don't have any problem with any of 'em..

My primary concern for any firearm used for personal defense is RELIABILITY first, then reasonable accuracy 2nd. My LC9 was absolutely reliable right out of the cheap white cardboard box (knock on wood), and is MORE than self defense accurate..

In the past I've had a Glock 26, Sig P239, Walther PPS, Walther P99c, HK P2000sk, and P7's,and a few more compact 9's, and none were easier to conceal, nor more efficient or reliable than the little Ruger LC9.

Truthfully I'm not expecting the XR9-S to be "light years" an improvement over the LC9, but I just like the little ugly bugger and want one..

Best Wishes,

Jesse

 

[Tomac]

I've been down this road once or twice myself and as previously posted, there's a lot of personal preference involved.
I eventually settled on the M&P9c (12+1) w/thumb safety, night sights & APEX sear & hammer block.
I like this setup so much that it serves for both nightstand & CCW (I'm 6'1"/200 and don't find the extra thickness to be a problem when carrying AIWB and to be honest I'd rather have the extra rds than a slimmer grip but YMMV).
Tomac

 

[PX15]

rellascout:

I agree with you about not preferring a single stack (any caliber) pistol for home defense.

My choice in a home defense pistol choice is my 3RD Gen 9MM Smith&Wesson 5906. I have a set of CT Lasergrips on it, and it offers all steel construction, absolute reliability, 15+1 rounds capacity, and is sweet to shoot..

Very low recoil partially because of the heavy weight I guess..

My bride prefers her Security-Six 357mag. revolver in her nightstand.

In the closet I have a High Standard 12ga. pump ready and willin'..

Just personal preferences.

Jesse

 

[Lonestar49]

...

...

Only 2, but so far I'm good to go..

Sig P225 9mm and SA EMP SAO 1911 9mm


8+1 and 9+1



Ls

 

[David E]

I've noticed that many home invasions now involve multiple attackers. .

As do confrontations on the street. At least 40% of the time, there is more than one attacker.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Criminals are not military troops. While there are always statistical outliers, criminals are about getting what they're after with the least possible bother -- otherwise they'd be honest people living honest lives working for a paycheck rather than robbing houses.

Criminals don't have the mission orientation and the training that military combat troops get to press on towards a goal after taking casualties.

Exceptions could happen but, given all the proof that most self-defense incidents are resolved by the mere presentation of a gun without the need to fire it even once, the probability of encountering multiple attackers dead-set on pursuing their mission after I've taken down one or more of their companions is low enough for me to be comfortable with a gun that is small enough to be concealed without having to wear a hoop skirt or a burka to cover it up.

Every activity in life involves balancing probabilities and risks. People need to do their own analysis and take into account their own, individual circumstances. Some people's physical capabilities and life circumstances make carrying a full-size, high-capacity, double-stack semi-auto easy enough that they can routinely cover that low-probability of meeting multiple, highly-determined, mission-oriented attackers who won't retreat after taking casualties. Other people's physical capabilities and life circumstances don't.

Clearly, being right is very important to you.

Ultimately the choice of weapon is a personal decision; you pick what works for you. As another poster pointed out if you’re up against multiple attackers armed only with a hand gun you are already well behind the curve.


My choice of weapon is partially based on the fact that I live in a military town where quite a few of the criminals are military troops that do have quite a bit of training and (if recent news reports are to be believed) will press the attack. Per the following link, this is not a new development.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/justicelawlegislation/a/gangs.htm

If I were to use your yard stick (most self defense incidents are ended by the mere presentation of a firearm with no shots fired) I’d have to ask why you bother to load your weapon at all (after all as you pointed out in the majority of case you won’t even need to fire it) Where is the balance of probability and risk there?

I am aware that my choice won't work for everyone and I'm not suggesting that everyone carry a double stack full size wonder nine. I don't even do that, I generally carry a S&W 5906 that carries 12 rounds (nice pocket pistol if you have big enough pockets). The OP asked for input and I gave mine

 

[David E]

I generally carry a S&W 5906 that carries 12 rounds (nice pocket pistol if you have big enough pockets).

I suspect you have an alloy framed compact 6906, not the all stainless steel full size 5906.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

I suspect you have an alloy framed compact 6906, not the all stainless steel full size 5906.

OK I just checked the box and you are correct. I don't know why but I can not remember the model number of that gun to save my life. It is a nice little carry gun though

 

[War Eagle]

In a single stack, the Walther PPS 9mm gets my vote.

I agree...mostly. The only quirky thing about the PPS is the mag release. BUT...if you train with the anything enough, it will become second nature.


...

 

[hardknocks!]

one to consider

S&W 908. 8+1 9mm 3rd gen. alum frame if plastic isnt your thing.
350 out the door.


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[rondog]

My new 9mm. Nice and thin, single stack.





But this is what I keep handy for social work.

 

[catnphx]

The XDM can serve both CCW and HD but there is significant difference between single and double stack. You'll have to figure out which works best for you; I've got both. I CCW both my double stack M&P 9c (12+1 or 17+1 w/ extension) during the winter when I wear more clothes but I usually carry my single stack Kahr CW9 (7+1). Options are good so get both if you can (single and double stack).

Good luck!!

 

[Dr.Rob]

Kahr's all stainless 9mm single stack has gotten my attention before as a single stack 9mm pistol I'd like to own. Spendy though compared to their polymer guns. Far more practical than say, an HK P9S (which is a very big pistol.)

I like the P7, but its not for everyone. Colt's 9mm Commander is a great option but you can have the same gun in .45 with ONE less round.

 

[3KillerBs]

Clearly, being right is very important to you.
...

Why would anyone ever be content to know that they're wrong and remain that way?

The article you linked is quite interesting. I can see this becoming quite the problem in certain areas.

I acknowledged in my first post that if I were at home I would prefer to have access to my DH's M&P9 -- assuming he weren't already using it.

 

[2WheelsGood]

I agree...mostly. The only quirky thing about the PPS is the mag release.

Once you get used to it, any other mag release seems inferior. You can drop a mag and insert a new one very quick and easily without changing the position of your grip at all. I wish all of my guns had the same mag release as my PPS.

 

[bigfatdave]

I agree...mostly. The only quirky thing about the PPS is the mag release.

Once you get used to it, any other mag release seems inferior. You can drop a mag and insert a new one very quick and easily without changing the position of your grip at all. I wish all of my guns had the same mag release as my PPS.

I agree, the PPS magazine release is the correct way, if it had been standard 100 years ago the button on the side would be a head-scratcher oddball design.
Not that I can't work with a button or even a heel release, but I don't see a downside to the flipper except possibly fragility.

 

[arizona98tj]

Lots of good comments in the thread. You asked about full sized vs. compact and also single vs. double stack. Here are a few pics that I recently included in a 9mm review. They give a pretty good idea of how big or small a 9mm can be and also how the width varies. Perhaps it will help you get an idea...not necessarily on the brand, but more on the size variations you are looking at. I CCW all of them, but without a doubt, the Kahr is the lightest and easiest to conceal.

The 3 players.....



Sub-compact 3" double stack vs. full size 4" double stack



Sub-compact 3" double stack vs. 3" single stack



Width variation between double and single stack

 

[NinjaFeint]

I mostly carry a PM9 with the extended mag and it is also a home defense gun, not my first choice though. If I fell asleep on the couch it would be there as the rest of my guns are upstairs, I am fine with that.

As for the multiple home invaders, I would guess if they are unarmed, they are going to flee when you start firing on them. If they are armed, I am likely losing a 5 to 1 gun fight before I use up my 8 rounds.

This is not to say that if I am sleeping in bed and hear something that my Glock 17 isn't being grabbed, just that I wouldn't feel undergunned with 8 shots in my PM9 or 1911.

 

[solman]

I agree on the pps mag release. Once you get used to it you wonder why all the others aren't using the same type. Mags drop free as well and make the mag change quick and easy without changing your grip.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Why would anyone ever be content to know that they're wrong and remain that way?

I couldn't argue that point if my life depended on it Ma'am. I concede.