Best 9mm CCO-like (longer barrel, shorter grip)

[Ed Ames]

I'm trying to refine my carry gun options. Right now I have small guns that are harder to use well than I'd like, and bigger guns that are harder to concealthan I'd like. The closest I have to a Goldilocks is an XDm.45 3.8 with the 9rd magazine. The thing is, the barrel could easily be longer, and I'd like the whole gun to be slimmer, so here's what I'm hoping to find:

1. 9mm chamber.
2. Normal/long barrel relative to many CC guns. 4" or so would be good. 5" would be acceptable.
3. Relatively short grip frame.
4. Rounded or bobbed butt - no sharp heel to poke me
5. Single stack slim design.

I am flexible on polymer, alloy, or even stainless construction. Likewise I can adapt to DAO/striker fired, decockers, 1911 style SA, etc.. The budget is pretty flexible.

Seems like there is a fresh batch of small-ish 4" barrel guns e.g. the Kahr T9, EMP 4, etc, that would fit the bill except they have full size grip frames.

Anything out there I should check out?

 

[Sergei Mosin]

Springfield Armory's Range Officer Compact is a CCO 1911 with a 4-inch barrel in 9mm or .45 ACP. Dan Wesson and STI also make CCO-style 1911s in 9mm but they're quite a bit more expensive than the Springfield.

 

[Ed Ames]

I should point out that I would prefer something designed around the 9mm (short action) on the theory that it will result in a more compact gun overall.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

The 4" XDs in 9mm sounds exactly like what you are looking for. 7 rounds in a flush fit magazine. 1" wide. 4 " barrel.

I have a 3.3 in 45 and have been nothing but happy with it.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

If you want a longer barrel, I'm not sure why you're worried about the length of the action. We're talking about a tenth or two here.

I'll be interested to see if anybody comes up with a non-1911 CCOish gun. It's a very small niche that your specifications have narrowed even further. I have heard of people doing grip chops to Glocks - cutting down a G19 grip to G26 height, for example - in order to create their own, but of course that's a double-stack gun.

 

[Ed Ames]

Main reason for the smaller action is that it translates into a narrower gun, and a smaller grip frame, and hopefully reduced weight.

Example: The Springfield XDs 4" is on paper close to what I am looking for. So close I am probably going to get one. The issue is that the 9 and .45 models are dimensionally identical (per their web page) while the 9mm weighs 1.5oz more (empty) than the .45 version. I am trying to be picky and get something that is as good as possible.

 

[jaowens76]

xds 4" was my exact thought based on your list of requirements.
I realize you are after ultra slim but, for me a G19K (chopped G19 grip to g26 dimensions) is very hard to beat. Allowing you to go from 10-33 rds with a mag change. I carry a full size sig and plan on switching to a 19k for many of the reasons you stated in your OP, plus the option of a substantial reload.

 

[TomJ]

I have the XDS 4.0 9mm, as do several of my friends. They all swear by them, and mine's been great. I don't carry it as much as other guns due to wanting a little more capacity, but that's a personal choice. For what you're looking for it's a great option. Customer service also plays into my decisions, and Springfield's is fantastic.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Main reason for the smaller action is that it translates into a narrower gun, and a smaller grip frame, and hopefully reduced weight.

Example: The Springfield XDs 4" is on paper close to what I am looking for. So close I am probably going to get one. The issue is that the 9 and .45 models are dimensionally identical (per their web page) while the 9mm weighs 1.5oz more (empty) than the .45 version. I am trying to be picky and get something that is as good as possible.

At one inch wide, do you really want to go thinner than that? I'm asking not advocating. I have reasonably large and boney hands so any narrower and I'd have a hard time holding on to the gun. You may not have that issue.

Regarding your statement about being dimensionally identical. That is a fair point, but it's been my experience that the XDs is a very trim gun. Again, it may not be exactly what you're looking for, but the XDs does not have a spare tire at all. There are smaller guns, like the LC9S, or a small Kahr, but then you won't get the barrel length you want.

I wish to God that HK would make a single stack, narrowed up version of the P30SK.

 

[FL-NC]

Take a Glock 19, shorten the grip to accept Glock 26 mags. You will have a Glock 26 with a 4" barrel. For more capacity, take a standard mag or 2 and add a +2 floorplate, its a 12 round pistol. If you don't want to do this surgery yourself, there are companies that specialize in this. They will even contour the bottom of the frame, remove finger grooves, etc.

 

[bluecollar]

The 4" XDs in 9mm sounds exactly like what you are looking for. 7 rounds in a flush fit magazine. 1" wide. 4 " barrel.

I have a 3.3 in 45 and have been nothing but happy with it.

This^. The XDM 4.0 to be precise.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

This^. The XDM 4.0 to be precise.

No, I'm talking about the single stack XDs, not a double stack XDm.

 

[pblanc]

You might consider a compact SIG P320 with a 3.9" barrel. I have one and bought a small sized, subcompact grip module for it and 2 subcompact 12rd magazines. I shopped around and got the magazines and grip module for a few dollars over $100 for the three.

The compact P320 slide works just fine on the subcompact grip module. The subcompact grip module in the small size is not only thinner, it lacks a rail and has a rounded trigger guard so is easier to conceal. It is pretty easy and quick to switch the fire control unit over to the compact grip module if you want to have a larger grip for the range.

The P320 does have a significant tang on the grip module although the tang is attenuated on the subcompact grip module:

http://www.osagecountyguns.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015-infographic-P320.jpg

The compact slide on the subcompact grip module looks like this:

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/...x n match/P320 Compact slide on sub frame.jpg

The longer 15 round magazines for the compact P320 can, of course, be used with the subcompact grip module, and magazine extenders are available.

 

[Ed Ames]

Definitely need to look at the 320. The sigs ive handled mostly felt pretty chunky so i haven't been giving them much thought.

I handled an XDs 4" today. It would certainly work.

I also handled a S&W shield. They really should make a 4" shield. Thay would be a perfect match.

 

[pblanc]

The P320 is not a single stack, but with the small, subcompact grip module the grip is actually thinner than the thickest portion of the slide. The slide on the P320 is a bit thicker than some, a Glock 19 for example. You would have to look at one to decide if it is too thick for you.

 

[wgp]

would think thata the original EMP would fit your bill, or the new EMP 4. I have the original, it's light, slim, accurate and reliable. Hard not to like.