Compact 9mm options

[Jaegermeister]

I'm looking for a compact 9mm, something smaller than my Ruger P-95 (great pistol, I absolutely love it). Use would be legal concealed carry.

I looked at a Beretta 9000s last week. That thing was strange. I could not activate the slide release with my thumb without the safety getting in the way. I read they had some fancy design firm do the design for the pistol. They should have had the designer for the 92FS on the job. The 9000s seemed not very size efficient.

I like the Kel-Tec (Kel-Tek?), but not the trigger.

I'd love to have an HK P7, but it is too expensive.

No Glock 26 for me. I hate Glocks. Bad grip angle. I'm not sticking one of those inside the waist of my pants without a seriously safe holster. I know someone who shot himself down the side of his leg with a 9mm Glock 17 that was discharged by his holster.

I'm leaning toward the Kahr P9 or the smaller polymer model.

Is a new Walther P99 compact planned? I read something on that on TFL.

What about the Springfield Armory XD compact 9? Any good?

How small is the CZ P-01? Is is smaller than my P-95?

I plan to stick with 9mm due to caliber compatibility.

It is nice to have a new home. (formerly HerrJaegermeister on TFL)

 

[Climb14er]

Absolutely beautiful and shoots great too

HK USPc 9mm

Accurate. Reliable. Breaks down easy. External safety. Can carry condition 1. Priced right.

 

[Marko Kloos]

Give the SIG P239 in 9mm a good look. Very easy to conceal, and typical SIG accuracy and reliability. It's an 8-shot single-stack 9mm, with optional extended 10-rounders available. Easily one of the best compact CCW pieces available.

 

[Forseti]

If you want to be adventurous...this has not been released yet, so nobody knows just how good/bad it will be...

http://www.rohrbaughfirearms.com/productspg.htm

Dimensions and weight look very appealing.

Alternatively, despite the bad press on the low cost Taurus Millenium line (issue with PT-111 is some users have complained the plastic rivets securing a metal liner to the plastic frame have come loose...others complain about a long trigger pull, but that is not a very valid complaint since this is a DAO striker fired weapon, with the entire trigger pull priming the striker), I have a PT-145, and am pleased with it so far. Simple, low cost, lifetime guarantee. The titanium variant of the PT-111 is VERY light. The .45 caliber version I carry is heavier, and it is still a good carry gun. I even like the heavy trigger...its not TOO heavy, but there is little risk of accidental discharge. Give it a close look.

The new Kahr PM9, while expensive, also looks nice for size/weight, though I have no first hand experience with it.

These are some of the smallest, lightest 9mm's around...

 

[denfoote]

What you seek is the Kahr MK9 Elite. It is designed to fire 9mm+P+ ammo all day long and comes with a 6 &7 roung mag with an 8 rounder available. The Elite has the smoothest trigger I know even sweeter than the P95!! I know, I have a P95 too and have had the same problem: Great gun, to big to carry concealed!! Take it from a fellow Ruger owner, get the Kahr!!!

 

[Zak Smith]

The CZ P-01 is much more blocky than the PCR or the regular 75 COMPACT due to the accessory rail, both of which I'd recommend you take a look at. For a SA compact 9mm, the 75 COMPACT is a good choice: the trigger can be made very good, it's accurate, durable, etc. The steel frame might be a little heavy. If you want a DA/SA pistol with the aluminum frame, look at the now-discontinued PCR.

Another idea would be the Browning Hi-Power. Yeah, it's classified as a full-size pistol, but its grip is about the same length as the compact CZ's and Glocks, and it's narrower than both.

I have a friend who swears by his Springfield XD, nee HS2000, but have no experience with it personally.

-z

 

[Sactown]

I'd go with a Sig225. I've had no problems with it at all. Dead on accurate and reliable. Excellent ergonomics. Smooth DA/SA.

 

[BerettaNut92]

Come on. You know you want it.

$ave tactically, buy $trategically!

 

[.45Ruger]

Kel-Tek P11

You are making a correct choice in not considering the P11. I owned one for six months and never got used to that trigger pull. It stinks and I finally used it as a partial trade in on a .45.

 

[agony]

Kahr K9 elite98

The sweetest shooting 9mm compact this side of the SIG P225.

 

[fastbolt]

If you're able to rent some of the various pistols at a range ... you ought to consider firing a couple of boxes of QUALITY factory ammunition through a couple of the Kahr's, S&W 3913/908S/CS9, and the smaller SIG's. Somewhere among these compact & subcompact 9mm pistols you'll more than likely find something that "fits" exactly as you'd wish ... and remain within your criteria.

Spending the extra money to shoot 1-2 boxes through each of the rental pistols may save you some aggravation if you select one, but THEN further shooting is less satisfying than you'd hoped ... and you already own it.

Personal "fit" and satisfaction varies quite a bit among shooters ...

Take your time and pick a good one you'll enjoy shooting for years to come ...

 

[Kahr carrier]

I like the Kahr k-9 they are very small package and they carry well you almost forget you have it on.

 

[railroader]

I haven't shot the XD compact but I have the fullsize. The fullsize is a very good gun with good accuracy and a good trigger. It also is super reliable. The compact looks like it could be a nice carry gun plus it holds 10 plus 1. Mark

 

[bernie]

I am glad I am not the first guy to mention it so I am not the only one to get flamed (just kidding), but try the Smith and Wesson 3913. I have a 3913 TSW (the old 7 round mag version) and it has gained a treasured spot in my heart! It is small, potent, easy to fire, and reliable. I can carry it all day in a VersaMax II holster and hardly know that it is there.

 

[Chan Bates]

Kel-Tec P-11

Kel-Tec P-11's, their first effort at a pistol specifically designed for concealed carry, earned a rep for a heavy, long DAO trigger (11 lbs initially). It was the major complaint with the gun. KT adjusted their design (8.5 lbs, smoothed the pull), and the stock triggers are significantly better now, very similar to the DA pull on any good revolver.

DAO has a number of advantages for concealed carry.

--You always have the same trigger pull that is reasonable in weight, 8.5 lbs with a KT vs 11-14 lbs DA then ca. 5 lbs SA for many of today's pistols, essentially wasting the first shot in a true panic situation for many shooters, and much lighter than many of the other striker fired pistols.

--You have a true second strike capability for a light primer strike.

--As on a revolver, you do not need a safety or a decocker--additional mechanical devices which can fail, require manipulation, confuse and be forgotten in tense situations.

Unlike many striker fired DAO's, such as the Taurus PT line and the Patriot .45 (Cobra), the KT hammer/trigger system is simpler and smoother. It is also rather easy to adjust to your liking, both lightening the pull and shortening the trigger stroke. There are instructions around the 'net how to do these minor mods. My four KT's have 7 lb. smooth-as-silk 1/4" shortened pulls that will rival any DA anywhere. I did it myself.

So, when you recognize that the KT trigger rap is now undeserved, and add that the P-11 features the smallest, lightest, highest capacity, safe, simple design, reliable, excellent service if needed, S&W mag compatible, plenty of accessories, lots of support, currently available, it deserves serious consideration as a concealed carry piece.

You can pick up a used one for about $150, and IF there are problems with it, send it back to the factory for a free warranty re-build, and you will have a great gun. Or you could dump it for the same $150.

If you have not carried concealed before, you will soon find that size, weight and shape are key factors. KT has them all in excellent proportion.

All concealed carry involves compromise. You want a large caliber, usually you get a large, heavy gun. You want a small, lightweight gun, you get a small caliber, or at the very least a low capacity gun (single stack). You want dead-on target accuracy, you get a large gun with a long sight radius you can't conceal well. I could go on, but you probably get the point. KT has designed and very successfully marketed the best compromise out there, in my opinion.

Of course, in theory price should not matter for a serious concealed carry defense handgun, but for many it does, and that is another reason to look at the econmical, but not cheap, KT.

I don't mean to bash all the other fine, reliable, well-designed guns being suggested here. How, when and where you carry will affect your decision on what handgun to buy. Whatever works for you is what is right, but don't automatically rule out a Kel-Tec without trying one out.

http://www.ktog.org/vbulletin/
http://www.kel-tec.com/
http://www.ktog.org/

CB3

 

[Zak Smith]

I gotta' agree with Skunkabilly: you only have to buy the right thing once.

-z

 

[PCRCCW]

Good question...first off....Hey there! Now lets see.....what to say?....IMO the Beretta 9000 is a quality gun...but I HATE the grip..its a chunk. Too damn fat/chunky for what it is...every gun I have conceals as well..is more comfy, has more/equal capacity and has a thinner grip.
The CZ PCR/Compact are excellent choices...same with the 39/69 series S&W's, Kahrs.....all great choices.
Ill straighten some stuff out here. The CZ Compact 75 is a trad d/a gun. It is a heavy carry especially with 15 rnds, but offers cocked and locked carry. The PCR/PO1 are also trad. d/a guns but have the decocker...no cond 1 ! The PCR is the best carry as it is slimmer than the PO1 and personally, I dont see anyone carrying with a light fixed to the gun. It has all of the "tactical" bells and whistles I love in a panic/defensive situation.
Its 5 oz lighter than the Compact and thinner than the PO1.
The S&W guns are first rate.........period.
Taurus PT 9** guns are also great and offer the best safety KNOWN TO MAN! Much like the HK version.....cond 1 safety with decocker function.
Kahrs are stellar guns......Ive shot a dozen, owned and carried them....great guns for limited capacity single stack designs.

Have fun shopping.....Shoot well

 

[Zak Smith]

Just to clarify. The CZ 75 COMPACT has a safety and no decocker. The trigger operates in both DA and SA modes. You'd carry this one cocked-and-locked, just like a 1911. Only difference is that it has re-strike capability.

The PCR (and 75 COMPACT "D" - rare) operate just like a classic SIG: decocker. Carry mode is DA on first shot, SA on subsequent shots.

-z

 

[10-Ring]

Save the money of buying 2 & get the P7M8 1st! The cult is calling, resistence is futile!

 

[PCRCCW]

You can carry any Compact CZ in Cond 2 hammer down/loaded chamber..the Compact 75 B does offer the option of Cond 1.
The PO1 offers every control as the PCR....
Shoot well

 

[DRGREG]

Kahr MK9 Elite

I'll put a vote in for the Kahr MK9 Elite. Small package, not quite as light as there polymer model but will safely handle +P and +P+ rounds (I am not sure if these are recommended in the PM9). The stock trigger is just fabulous.

The only drawback I can see is the limitation of 6+1 rounds.

Another option is the MK40 for those who profess the superiority of the .40 over the 9mm. The MK40 has to be one of the smallest .40 cal semiautos I have seen, limited to 5+1 capacity though.

 

[flinch]

Im putting in my 2 cents worth for the FN HiPower DAc. Compact ( smaller than CZ and Sig 225 ), will actually fit in a pants pocket in size, 10 + 1, double action/ single action, decocker, has a hammer so you KNOW whats going on, attractive. Trigger is ok in double and not bad & improves with use for single. Good quality and a good price too.

 

[txgolfer45]

too bad you don't like Glocks. A G19 or G26 are excellent choices.

Scott

 

[Gary A]

I would really like to see one of the FN Hi-Power compacts. I've been reading about it and it really looks interesting. I know the CZs are good. If the FN is good and not outrageously expensive it might be a great option. It certainly is smaller and looks slimmer than the CZ. How much are they going for?

 

[Pilot]

Lately I've been carrying a CZ-75 PCR. Great compact 9MM. But I do trade off with an HK P7M8 and a Walther P-5, depending on terrain/clothing/mood.

Oh yeah and a "9MM" Makarov in 9x18. Still 9MM, not just 9MM Luger.