Compact 9mm options

[PCRCCW]

Kahrs? Have a bad trigger? Hmmmmmm WOW...
The standard travel length is 1/2" ..the Elite is 3/8" and a tad lighter. Wow.....Ive owned a couple of DAO guns and shot alot more and have not liked a trigger more than the Kahrs.......
Ive probably shot a dozen Kahrs...all have been at least in the good trigger, if not ...semi great catagory.....
Hey to each his own.....
For what it is....its consitant, smooth, light and you still can feel it......at first it does seem long.....
Shoot well

 

[Steelharp]

PCRCCW... maybe I've only felt bad examples. They were used... I have not handled a new one. But then again... maybe I don't know s--- from shinola... ya know?

Mikey D...

 

[bad_dad_brad]

Steelharp, the Kahr triggers are supposed to feel like really smooth DA revolver triggers. That was the intent of the design.

Kahr also makes an elite trigger which does have less takeup.

But some of the newer Kahrs seem to have a gritty feel which I assume smooths out after use.

 

[telewinz]

Pssssst.......Kel-tec P-11..........Kel-tec P-11 .......Kel-Tec P-11 .................the P-11 ..........don't tell anyone but the pistol is;......Kel-Tec P-11 ............those in the know....Kel-Tec P-11:banghead: Enough Said

 

[Alan Fud]

I have to agree with what some others have said ...

... The 3913TSW is the PERFECT compact 9mm pistol -- small & compact yet still big enough to get a good grip on it (i.e., it isn't a sub-compact like the MK9). I was so impressed with it, that I own three of them ...

 

[fastbolt]

I'm ashamed to admit that it's been almost 2 months since I last shot my new CS9, and I've only shot my 3913 twice in that time ... My only excuse is that I've been shooting the issued 6906 for a couple of thousand rounds ...

I had to do my "recorded" quarterly qualification with current duty & off duty weapons last week, which meant I had to drag 7 different pistols and a snubnose in ... which is actually less, believe it or not, than I've listed in the past ...

Anyhow, the off duty pistols included the 3913 & CS9. I used a mixture of a lot of 124gr +P, 115gr +P+, 127gr +P+ and 147gr ammunition through both pistols. The distances in the current qualification courses only run from 7 to 11 yards, but they all include "precision" targets at all distances, comprised of small "bullseyes", and head shots on silhouettes, in addition to the usual COM targets ... movement, barricade shooting, etc ... We had a lot of 3-5 yard targets during the previous couple of quarters, but wanted to bring some emphasis back on accurate, "precision" shots this time around ... I know some shooters will question any target closer than 25-50 yards being called a "precision" shot but when you include short time limits, and other factors, it can be challenging to the "average" L/E shooter. It's all relative ...

Even though I have the "open" Novak Ghost Ring rear sights on these small pistols, they were more than accurate enough to equal the duty pistols regarding accuracy, and they digested all of the +P & +P+ ammunition flawlessly ... again. I also used the 8-round 3913 magazines as reloads for the CS9.

After running through the regular "duty" course with the off duty pistols, I then moved up to shorter distance (1-5 yard) close combat scenarios, with single and multiple targets ... and then used the reduced sized pepper poppers out at 15-25 yards. These little pistols always amaze me with their balance, handling and shooting qualities.

If you want a small, aluminum/stainless steel, single column magazine DA/SA pistol, the current S&W offerings may be just what you're looking for ...

 

[knowledgegreen]

Go with a Sig P-225. It's very coucealable, accurate and reliable.

 

[Zak Smith]

A couple people have mentioned CZ's in this thread. I have both a CZ 75 COMPACT (not the PCR - it's almost the same) and a BHP. Even though the BHP is a "full-size" pistol, I find it easier to conceal due to its short and thin grip than the CZ COMPACT.

In the comparison, I'm using two high-quality leather IWB holsters- Milt Sparks Watch-Six's in both cases.

-z

 

[Akurat]

Frankly, if youve got the money, go with the P7 and feel completely satisfied. If not, I'm a big fan of the FireStorm Mini series...9mm, .40, and now in .45. Inexpensive, but NOT cheap by any stretch of the imagination. I have not found a single thing I do not like about my Mini9. I honestly cannot say that about my other pistols, a Beretta, Springfield, and CZ.

 

[Dr. J]

I carried an Kahr MK9 for years, but I found one I like better.

If you would be interested in a 1911-style, you might consider an STI LS9 - slightly larger than an MK9, but thinner. I think it's the flattest 9mm on the market. Very accurate; very little felt recoil, and the best customer service I've ever encountered.

You can check it out at http://www.stiguns.com/

 

[Tecolote]

If you don't like polymer and you want SA/SA a SIG P239 is hard to beat. They're reliable, light and very accurate. If you prefer something with an external safety look into a SW 3913. Although in my book SW should dump the tactical lettering on the slide because it detracts from a clean design.

Alan Fud,

How did you get the mag to fit flush on your 3913?

 

[Ian11]

Glock 26

Sig P225 or P239

 

[PrudentGT]

Alan, are those three identical pistols? Why?? Unless, of course, you've got a shooter, one to look pretty, and one to scrounge parts from in the distant future...

 

[brsman]

Set them all straight w/Springfield Micro .45

Well it looks like it is time to set the group straight. Everyone seems to have missed the carry gun of all carry guns. Wake up everyone.....It's the Springfield Micro Compact 1911-A1 3" with wilson mags, slim line cocabolo grips and finger grooves. I too had to take the hard road to find this out. Yes I also own Para Ordnance alloy .45, cocabolo & laser grips (great gun), H&K USP Compact .40 cocked & locked (love it), Springfield XD Sub .40, Springfield full size, Glock 22 .40 15 round, Bersa Ultra compact .45, Rock Island 38 super 1911-A1, (great and straight), and I'll be darned if the Micro Comapact is not the best for carry for all reasons conceivable to man. Very accurate and shoots any ammo you can throw at it without a jam. My favorite carry and would be yours too!! Trust me, I wont c..opps -can't say that here. "Try it, you'll love it" and throw all the others back into the safe. A $1200 gun and bought for $715 new. What a deal. Now go get yours-hurry! Your lives are in danger without it.

 

[astraman]

Star BM

The Star BM is a very compact 9mm, feels great in the hand, is dependable, and also very accurate. cheap too. it is heavy as it's all steel.

 

[fastbolt]

Whoa ... Is this thread really brought back from 2003? Interesting ...

By interesting, I mean that I read what I'd posted a couple of years ago, and then compared it to my current thoughts and experiences.

First, I finally changed out the Novak Ghost Ring rear sights on both my CS9 & 3913, returning to the stock 3-dot sights for the CS9 and installing S&W factory (Trijicon) night sights for my 3913. My reason for this was that I became interested in doing more shooting at 20-35 yards with these small 9mm pistols, and the open Novak Ghost Ring rear sights weren't really intended for common use beyond closer distances. I simply wanted to take more advantage of the inherent potential accuracy of these S&W pistols ... and they haven't disappointed me.

Then, I ordered a TDA (DA/SA) SW99 Compact 9mm pistol. I've done a fair amount of shooting with this pistol in the several months since I bought it ... more than a couple of thousand rounds ... and it's been a very satisfactory off-duty pistol. I've left the sights alone (stock 3-dot), although I'll probbaly get around to ordering some of the Trijicon sights for it, eventually. It's accurate, reliable, lightweight, with an ergonomic grip which suits my hand, and it's barely larger than my G26 (with similar capacity, FWIW).

Looking back at the pistols I was carrying off duty when this thread was started, and what I was doing the bulk of my frequent training with ... and comparing it to now ... when it comes to personally owned pistols, my CS9, G26/27 & SW99c have been getting a lot of use.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

Don't forget the Bersa Thunder Nine compacts.

 

[MR.G]

P-11. I carry one in my front pocket with the flush fitting twelve round magazine loaded with +P ammo. They also take the S&W 59 series fifteen round magazines, which I carry as a backup. For me that is a plus, since my house gun is a model 910S and takes the same magazines.

 

[Pointblank]

Check out the CZ-2075 RAMI. It's not polymer and can be fired double-action or carred 'cocked and locked'.

 

[armoredman]

The RAMI is alloy framed, but a poly framed version is coming soon! My wife loves her 9mm RAMI.
The PCR/Compact are great CCW choices, but I go one further with the PO1, which many people think can't be concealed well due to the M3 frame rail. No problem...
Odd, no matter what I want in a pistol, CZ makes almost all of them...

 

[albanian]

I have a lot to say on this matter because I 9mm compacts are my favorite type of gun and as a result, I have owned more of them than any other type of gun.

First let me say that there are a few that you should NOT consider for a serious self defense gun. The Kel-Tec, older Taurus Mils, Kahr plastic guns, and Sigmas don't seem reliable enough to put them into a life saving role.

I am a huge Kahr fan so it hurts me to say that the plastic ones are not very good but that is the fact. I have a P-9 that someday may prove itself but after some problems during break-in, my confidence in it is shaken. If you get one, give it at LEAST 200rds to break in and make sure you have no jams. If you have jams, make sure you have shot 200rds with no problems before you even consider carrying it. Don't even think about buying anything from Kel-Tec, their guns are junk period.

Out of all the compact 9mms I have owned, the Kahr K-9 is my favorite. My second fav but far behind the Kahr is the S&W 3913. They are about the same weight but the 3913 is much larger. The Kahr is all steel and the 3913 has an alloy frame. The Kahr sits lower in the hand and is thinner. The Kahr is a little more accurate for me as well. The Kahr is striker fired with every shot being the same pull. This is nice but there is no second strike capability in case of a weak primer hit. The 3913 is a DA/SA with safety/de-cocker. I don't like safeties on defense gun and wish it was just a decocker instead. The Kahr has no levers other the slide release so it is very simple to operate uner stress.

I have had many others but in terms of reliability, accuracy, ergos, sights, trigger, safety, speed, weight ease of carry, the 3913 and the Kahr are my two favorite. Maybe in time the P-9 will prove itself and then I will carry that as it is a lot lighter than the K-9 but I doubt I will ever cotton to plastic.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

Is a new Walther P99 compact planned?

PLANNED? Already out. In fact, I saw them in CDNN's newest online catalog release. I have an SW99 Compact in .40 and I like it fairly well. Recoil is a bit lively.

I like the Glock 26, Beretta 9000s and Kahr K9. Of the three, I find that the K9 is about my favorite. It's flat & small. Hides very easily. Not the lightest gun in the world, but plenty light enough to carry. Heavy enough to use as a regular range gun. Also have a PM9. While I like it, I don't care to stand there on the firing line and plink away all day. Bearish with +P+ loads.

 

[gotime242]

How about a bersa thunder 9mm? Seems to be a nice looking gun, that is of a concelable yet comfortable size. I read they also perform well, and are reliable. Its what ill be looking at when my time to buy comes around.

 

[Brian Williams]

Here is my idea of compact and lightweight 9mm, It is a 642 with a 940 cylinder installed. Real light and powerful and moonclips make for a quick reload. it is a real handful with full house +p loads.

 

[cuteo100]

For a "true compact 9mm", you can't go wrong with the little pocket Rohrbaugh. It packs 7 bullets and it makes you forget it's even in your pocket. It is a little more expensive than others but you are paying for high-quality: CNC machining from single blocks of stainless steel (17-4), 7075 aircraft aluminum, and carbon fiber. Springs are Wolff's. Although beauty is subjective, it is the most beautiful thing in sight! If you get a chance to see it in person, do it. There is a current 5-month waiting list.

I also love the H&K P7Mx and marvel at it's engineering and beauty. It's is a little too big as a pocket gun for my purpose but a great belt gun.

If I were to carry two guns, it would be the two quality guns mentioned above. Here's some pictures of the Rohrbaugh: