Best Subcompact Choice 9mm for about 500

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It depends on how deep concealed you are wanting to go. You might find that you need more than one gun for your concealed carry system.

Deep concealed (think pocket carry, shorts & flip-flops attire) - I'd go with the LC9 or PF9.

Concealed ("normal" attire, pants, shirt, perhaps a jacket or coat) - G26.

My personal opinion is that one should have TWO concealed carry pistols so that you are always armed regardless of what you are wearing.
 
I've got a G26 and I carry it about 80% of the time and have to slim down to my Ruger LCP about the other 20%

I too am looking at the Kahr CM9, the KelTec PF9, and Beretta is about to release their new BU9-nano which appears to be somewhere in-between size/specs to the CM9 and the PF9 ... one of which I will be getting to fill in the LCP's gap to kick it up a notch

The CM9 is a bit more $$$.$$ then the PF9 ... but sometimes you get what you pay for and if you get it before the end of Nov you can get a free 7-round $40. mag > what a bargain

Not that the PF9 isn't a decent piece from what I've read anyways ... but the CM9 seems to get a little better reviews and is fully rated for +P's too

The Nano's msrp is $475. so it should be priced in the CM9's range OTD and it is a Beretta so it should be a decent CCW option too I would think YMMV
 
I own the xd sc9, and glock 26,27. They are fine choices. Both are extremely reliable, I've never had a failure from any of them. The xd is a tad heavier and thicker but it holds 13+1. The 26 is 10+1 and carries very well. The xd carries well in my galco supertuck(don't know the technical name but its Galcos version of the cross breed).
I've also owned the pf9 and px4 storm. Both got sold. I regret selling the pf9. It had no failures and was the perfect back up weapon. I'll soon get another one as I miss having it. I hated the px4 storm. It was accurate and no malfunctions, but I just couldn't get over the sheer ugliness of it. My Glocks look like an Ed Brown next to that thing :).
All that said I personally cary the xd sc. More rounds than the Glock and to be honest I have better peace of mind carrying in condition one with the xd.
 
My top three picks would be as follows (in order from first choice to last):

Walther P99C AS trigger module
Springfield XD 9 Sub Compact
Smith and Wesson M&P 9C

The Walther is going to be fairly slim, and comfortable in hand. I also really like the AS trigger module that allows for DA, SA or AS operation. The first shot in DA has a long travel and fairly heavy trigger pull though.

I like the fact that the XD Sub Compact has a grip that I can get three fingers around (unlike a Glock 26), I like it's more neutral grip angle, and also like the grip safety. I"m not too crazy about the bulkiness of the gun though as it seems to be a hair wider than a Glock and for some has sort of an awkward balance.

The M&P would be a near perfect option, but the trigger leaves a lot to be desired from the factory. In my opinion (as with all such pistols in this category), the trigger take up is too long and heavy. As an additional detractor from the M&P's factory trigger, the reset is very soft allowing the trigger to return to the full forward position again requiring you to pull through the full travel of the trigger before it breaks and fires.
 
My personal opinion is if you are thinking the Ruger LC9; at least look at the SR9c in comparison. I found that they LC9's smallness advantage was outweighed by the all the advantages the SR9c offered. On me, they concealed about the same, but I liked the feel, trigger, ammo capacity, and shootability of the SR9 more.

Granted, you are different, but at least give it a look.
 
I went and looked at all the available options at my LGS. After looking at everything they had (10+ pistols) I fell on a Kahr CM9 ($400) Felt like a baby Glock. And it had a nice trigger.
 
I own a Kahr CM9 that I now carry that replaced my KT PF9...IMO better trigger,better made...
 
Went to the gun show in Cowtown (Fort Worth for those of you not from Texas) today with the intention of buying either the G26 or XD Compact. Never touched either and don't own other Glocks or XDs.

Could not, could not, could not get the Glock to feel right in my hand. (And I have large hands!) Felt bulky and cumbersome. Picked up the XD - felt very natural. Pointed better, felt better, and, to me, looked better. (I got it in black & olive green)

I know Glock is a fine weapon, but I'm happy with my choice.

I'll report in again after I get back from the range.
 
im totally happy with my lc9, 1000+ rounds without a hitch. i have a G27 and have gone through both a pm9 and pm40 and this little gun is just about as perfect as a carry piece can get for me, it absolutly disapears in an IWB.
 
I had a G26 and sold it. Never could get myself to like Glocks. Plus it did not like HST's.
I have a XD 9mm subcompact. Now, I do like this pistol.
I carry a Kahr K9 and a CM 9.
For your price point, I would suggest the CM9. Mine has been 100% reliable with all manner of FMJ and JHP. Easily pocket carried in a Recluse or IWB in a Silent Thunder.

If you prefer a full grip then the CW9.
 
LC9

Do yourself a favor and try a Kahr CM9.

It is only $75 more than the LC9 (still under $500) and has a MUCH better trigger, and better sights.
 
Free mag

Do yourself a favor and try a Kahr CM9.
It is only $75 more than the LC9 (still under $500) and has a MUCH better trigger, and better sights.
Click to expand...
Also...Kahr is offering a FREE magazine with every purchase until the end of this month (11-2011). I sent for mine and they said it would be 6-7 weeks :(
 
I think my Glock 26 is one of the best purchases I have ever made. Not only is it easy to carry, it is just a blast to shoot at the range. I like being able to use different mags...10rd flat base for smallest size, 12rd OEM for best capacity/grip, and 15 or 17rd for hi-cap back up or range fun. It has never jammed with any round I have tried, and when I have it in my belt with 12 rounds of 127gn +P+ Ranger, I feel quite well armed. 40yd shots at my clubs 10" steel plates are no problem at all.
Plus...Glock has sold so many, that finding a used one for a bargain price is pretty easy...That's what I did.
 
I have a G26, a PM9, and a P380.

The G26 is the smallest one that still has the weight, bulk, and magazine capacity of a 'real' gun, while still being small enough to carry OWB/IWB practically anywhere (ex: I wore it to a wedding last weekend).

The PM9 conceals better IWB than the G26, so it's a good stand-in for those very rare occasions when the G26 is too big.

The P380 is absurdly light and easy to carry, even compared to the PM9. It's a perfect pocket gun, and makes a good backup to either of the other 2. I've never carried it as a primary, because I've never found myself in a situation where I couldn't (also) comfortably conceal something larger.

R
 
Pure opinion. Won't learn anything much here. Me, I like my Kel Tec, but many think they're junk for some reason. I don't care for Kahr for several reasons, but it's only opinion. Carry style has a lot to do with it. I do NOT belt carry. I pocket carry. If I could belt carry much of the year, I probably wouldn't due to comfort. I carry 24/7, in the house, out of the house, on the road, never without it. When I CAN belt carry, like after a REALLY COLD cold front when it gets down into the 70s... :rolleyes:...and I can wear a vest over my shirt, I usually carry a .45 or a .357 magnum revolver. If you're going to belt carry, carry a belt gun, by gawd! :D

Ah, good, the AC just kicked on. It's seat at 78. I was beginning to sweat.
 
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