Compact 9mm decision

[high country]

I am hoping for some suggestions on a new addition. I am looking for a 9mm compact for a general purpose handgun to carry in the truck on road trips, CCW, and range.

I have the full size niche filled with a P89 and GP100. I like the GP100 for its great trigger and ability to shoot light SWC through fire breathing magnums, but as a all around handgun I prefer the capacity of a semi and 9mm is a good balance of power vs. recoil for me. I really like the P89 and it has been my "go to" for a long time, but it is on the large end of full size. I have found myself wishing I could carry sometimes, and I don't feel I can conceal the P89 reliably. I would also like something a little more "refined".

Some considerations:
- double stack magazine
- good aftermarket support (grips, sights, holsters, magazines, etc.)
- compact size that is concealable, but not a huge compromise in med-large hands at the range
- prefer hammer fired decocker because that is what I am used to, but open to suggestions
- bonus points if a quality 22 conversion kit is available

I am going to try to handle a few this afternoon at the shops to try to narrow the list a little. I really want to look at a CZ75 compact, and will also take a look at a sig 226 and glock 19. I would greatly appreciate any other suggestions and comments on things that I should consider in my attempt to find a handgun to be my new "go to".

 

[chicharrones]

Some considerations:
- double stack magazine
- good aftermarket support (grips, sights, holsters, magazines, etc.)
- compact size that is concealable, but not a huge compromise in med-large hands at the range
- prefer hammer fired decocker because that is what I am used to, but open to suggestions
- bonus points if a quality 22 conversion kit is available

Sounds like a CZ75D PCR or CZ75 P01 would work fine. I have a PCR, but not the .22 adapter.

CZ75 Kadet .22 Adapter http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-75-kadet-adapter-ii-22-lr-adj-sights-10-rd-mags-will-fit-omega-system/

 

[CoalTrain49]

Take a look at P229. Very compact. I think they are being marketed as M11A1 now. Std military issue.

 

[hdbiker]

I like my Ruger LC9S Pro, 8 rounds of 9MM, small, light, accurate as you'd expect, eats any ammo I feed it. 340.00 bucks last spring. hdbiker

 

[5-SHOTS]

CZ P-01 or SIG-Sauer P229 (they both have .22L.R. conversions), the CZ being smaller. Take also a look at the HK P30 V3 and at the Grand Power K100 compact versions (no decocker options I think).
I have a Walther P99 AS and it is another outstanding option for a DA/SA pistol.
Have you considered the Beretta Px4 Compact?

 

[needmorecowbell]

Would definitely recommend a CZ. I have the P01 along with 75b and SP01 Phantom. Great guns. P01 very concealable with thin grips. However, since you mention the 22 kit you may want to get a P07 since those kits are about $200 cheaper than the 75 kits. For the cost of the 75 kart kit I could almost buy another gun. That's disappointing.

 

[Zendude]

For a DA/SA, the Beretta Px4 compact should be on the short list.

 

[Striker]

Beretta 92 compact, Ruger SR9c and CZ P10 are all solid choices and worth a look.

 

[Spats McGee]

The good news is that there are about 8 bajillion good compact 9mms on the market. The bad news is that there are about 8 bajillion good compact 9mms on the market.

Given that you are going to look at the G19, it looks like you're at least open to the possibility of a striker-fired gun. I like the G19, but don't overlook the S&W M&P2.0 Compact. Virtually identical dimensions & stats to the G19, but it looks more refined to my (perhaps untrained) eye.

I don't have much experience with CZs, but I did get to shoot a buddy's CZ 75 Compact a while back. It was an eye-opener. Made me understand why they're so popular for their ergos. Definitely worth a look.

 

[Theohazard]

Take a look at P229. Very compact. I think they are being marketed as M11A1 now. Std military issue.

They still make the regular versions of the P229. Many of them, in fact.

On a side note, the M11A1 is not — nor has ever been — military issue. The military issue sidearm you’re thinking of is the M11 (compact compliment to the Beretta M9). The M11 is the P228, which SIG no longer makes. The M11A1 is simply a marketing ploy by SIG: they took a P229, dressed it up like the M11 (old-school grips, no rail) gave it the SRT trigger and then added a UID sticker to make it look all military-like.

 

[Theohazard]

If you’re willing to branch out to a striker-fired gun, I highly recommend a Glock 19. It’s not my most favorite handgun in terms of emotional attachment or enjoyment at the range, but if I could only own one handgun I’d keep one of my two G19s.

It’s big enough to handle like a full-size but I can still conceal it appendix with just a T-shirt. It has a huge aftermarket following but doesn’t need most of those parts (just needs new sights, a holster, mag pouch, and extra mags in my opinion). Parts and accessories are available everywhere. It’s reliable and durable enough to make it through a high-round-count class with ease, yet it’s not that expensive as far as handguns go.

Some people don’t like Glocks and that’s fine, there are other good options out there. But if you can shoot it well enough compared to other handguns, you’ll find out that it’s a really, really easy firearm to own.

 

[Ignition Override]

highcountry: my handgun 'background' is modest, being mostly a rifle guy, until the last several weeks. My handguns were Makarovs (.380 Rus. and 9x18 EG/Bulg.) until about six weeks ago. Had sporadic brief exposure to other types.

Small world regarding some of your stated options.
As a result of many hours of reading, bought a self-defense class instructor's extra CZ PO1. After hours of reading about Sigs' very high quality, I rented both the 9mm and .40 cal. Sig P229 at Range USA in Bartlett TN. Similar, pleasant recoil between 9 and .40.

Maybe the CZ's ergos are a little bit better, but I'm equally impressed overall with shooting the Sig 229 series, so I bought a used .40
The CZ PO1s DA trigger requires a lighter pressure than the P229's DA, but the 229 isn't bad, and is a very smooth consistent pressure. They both are products of superb engineering.

Theohazard: even the M11-A1 appears to have the much longer, external extractor as with the military M11.

 

[FL-NC]

I like striker fired pistols,with my favorite being the Glock. But since you are apparently OK with double action, maybe you should stick to it. In which case, I recommend a Sig 228 or 229, in 9mm.

 

[Theohazard]

Theohazard: even the M11-A1 appears to have the much longer, external extractor as with the military M11.

No, the M11 has the same extractor as the P228 since it is a P228. The M11A1 has the same extractor as the P229 since it’s a P229. If you’re looking at pictures online of an M11 with that long external extractor, it’s actually a picture of a non-military P229 M11A1, not a real military M11.

Here’s an M11:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:M11_Pistol_(7414627234).jpg

Now here’s a regular P229:

http://blog.cheaperthandirt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/SIGP229_5.jpg

And here’s the M11A1 version of the P229:

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/images/83373.jpg


So the M11A1 is a P229 with the old-style grips, old-style non-hooked trigger guard, and no rail. But it’s still a P229 and not actually a real M11.

 

[zaitcev]

- double stack magazine
- good aftermarket support (grips, sights, holsters, magazines, etc.)
- compact size that is concealable, but not a huge compromise in med-large hands at the range
- prefer hammer fired decocker because that is what I am used to, but open to suggestions
- bonus points if a quality 22 conversion kit is available

Aww, man. I love these suggestion exercises and I was just warming up while reading up to this point about your GP101 and such, but now you basically narrowed it down to Glock 19 or Glock 26. Yes it's not a decocker gun but you'll get used to the trigger quickly.

 

[Bigmike79]

I've shot quite a few compact pistols over the years, but I have to say that the CZ-p01 is the best DA/SA compact duty gun made IMO. At 28 ounces, it's not that bad to carry, and it shoots just as good as any full size duty gun. In fact, my p01 actually shoots better for me than my full size 75b did.

 

[Ignition Override]

Theohazard: Thanks. I was holding my (commercial, DA/SA) .40 cal. P229 while observing photos of the M11 A1.
My .40 has a much shorter extractor than the 'regular 229' in the photo.
Sig-Sauer found that the 228's slide would not be strong enough when Sig planned the P229 in .357 Sig and .40, using a milled slide for these. Is this correct?

Bigmike79: Some of the Israeli plainclothes counter-terror officers carry the CZ PO1, at least when off duty.
Our class instructor in a very aggressive "self-defense" class, who sold me his extra PO1 works in one of their border units. The gun apparently is considered to be very effective.

 

[Theohazard]

Theohazard: Thanks. I was holding my (commercial, DA/SA) .40 cal. P229 while observing photos of the M11 A1.
My .40 has a much shorter extractor than the 'regular 229' in the photo.

I don’t know the details, but I know the P229 has changed over the years. The M11A1 is simply a variant of the currently-produced P229. Since your P229 seems to have a different extractor than the current models, I’m guessing yours is an older version.

Sig-Sauer found that the 228's slide would not be strong enough when Sig planned the P229 in .357 Sig and .40, using a milled slide for these. Is this correct?

That sounds right. If I remember correctly, the P229 was the first handgun to be chambered in .357 SIG. If the existing P228 would have worked for that caliber, I’m guessing SIG would have used that platform for the .357 SIG instead of making a whole new gun, so I’ll bet you’re right.

 

[jjones45]

Some considerations:
- double stack magazine
- good aftermarket support (grips, sights, holsters, magazines, etc.)
- compact size that is concealable, but not a huge compromise in med-large hands at the range
- prefer hammer fired decocker because that is what I am used to, but open to suggestions
- bonus points if a quality 22 conversion kit is available

It really does sound like you want the p229 or p01 and possibly the g19. All 3 have the .22 conversion kits available. The glock will have the best aftermarket with the sig and Cz behind in that order. Some of the best guns made are compact 9’s these days in my opinion. 2 other options I don’t think I seen mentioned were the Hk p2000 and sig sp2022. One of my person favs is the Walther ppq with the longslide (ppq 5”). It has the compact grip with the target longslide. That thing is a tack driver and carries easily as well. Lionheart makes a compact pistol that’s pretty good to but the aftermarket will be the issue with that. The Hk usp compact is another oldie but a goodie. Man I can go on and on with compact 9’s but I really feel the 2 that fit your criteria best are the p229 and p01/pcr.

 

[Deus Machina]

Another fan of CZ here. Nothing but love for the PCR and the whole 75 series.
Can't go wrong with Sig, either. Or, if you're willing to look at strikers, Glock if they fit you well. They don't for me.
Again if you glance at strikers, I've grown fond of my Ruger SR9c. They come in stainless which is good for a truck gun, and while it's barely big enough for my medium hands with the flat mag baseplate on, it fits well with the finger-hook one and a spacer on the full-sized SR mags makes it plenty big for larger hands. The only thing to consider is that you can't replace the grips and it's thin as stock. A sleeve would thicken it up.

 

[Ignition Override]

Theohazard: I've read that the 228's slide is manufactured from folded metal, where the heavier 229 slide is milled on a CNC machine. From Wiki (?) or a Youtube channel which is informed.

The only reason that the idea of a 229 in .357 Sig. has very limited appeal to me, is due to ammo prices seen on Gunbot.

 

[CoalTrain49]

There's also this one available that doesn't show up on the Sig website. I think this was a special run for Talo.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog...Handguns/Sig+Sauer/SIG+P229+9MM+CLASSIC+CARRY

 

[JONWILL]

P-07 is also an option. Not sure if you consider that a compact. The 22 conversion is reasonably priced

 

[bannockburn]

CZ P01 with Kadet .22 conversion kit or else a Ruger SR9c in a striker fired pistol with a manual safety.

 

[high country]

Wow, these are some great responses, thank you all!

I didn't get to go spend a lot of time at the local gun shops yesterday, but I did get by Cabela's briefly. The gun counter was a mad house, so I didn't get to do much other than peek through the glass in what little time I had. I also got a little time to look at specs on some of the great suggestions that you all made.

My first thought is that the P89 isn't as big as I thought. The CZ75c, glock 19, and even P229 aren't all that much smaller. The Beretta 92 compact is almost the same size, although a little slimmer. The full size 75b is almost a inch longer. I am thinking that my best bet would be something that would be more of a small compact/large subcompact - i.e. backup gun to a full size service gun like the P89 or GP100. That would put me more into the SR9c, Glock 26, P99c, or Px4 compact range (none of which were on my list, all of which you folks suggested, so thanks again for that). I have always leaned away from polymer frame handguns, but maybe it is time to reconsider that. I still want to add a CZ to the safe, but the RAMI seems to get less than stellar reviews, so I will probably just hold off on that until I find a good deal on a used 75b.

As between those, one big question is striker vs DA/SA. As I mentioned, I am used to DA/SA, but am not opposed to considering a striker fire. Any thoughts on the merits of either system, or other suggestions in that size class? Hope to go spend some time at my usual shop this week to get an example of each in my hand. One of the local ranges has the ruger, glock, and beretta to rent, so I will plan to go shoot them sometime in the next few weeks when I get a chance. One of the ranges also has a CZ 75 compact, so I will probably give that one a go too, especially if I find that the double stack subcompacts are too small to fit me well.