Compact/Micro 9mm Suggestions?

[Offhand McFlan]

I love the aftermarket belt-clip I installed on my Shield. Capacity may not be as much as some double-stack guns of nearly the same size, but the belt-clip has made it super versatile. Occasionally I carry it in a holster for comfort, but I don't have to. It gives it a real concealable edge over just about all other guns in its class. I've carried it like this for years, appendix style. The Kel-Tec P11 is the only other gun I know of which has an aftermarket belt-clip available. Of course, P11's quality can't hold a skinny birthday candle to a Shield. I've carried that Shield in gym shorts or sweat pants with no holster many a time. However when I do use a holster, the belt clip also helps my Shield adapt to a wide variety of holsters.

I bought S&W Equalizer today, and was told no belt clip is available for it. In spite of the close family lineage between the two guns I definitely won't be selling my shield right away.

 

[mavracer]

Looking at it, the CM9 is actually pretty close to ideal. My one issue is the DAO trigger -- how is it? I liked the trigger on my S&W M19-3, for example, but have never found a semi-auto DAO trigger I like.

The Kahr trigger is a smooth constant pull with no stacking. IMHO leaning on or blaming a particular triggers feel is a crutch for poor trigger discipline.
I used to really like the Kahr better than striker triggers that stack or had a wall before breaking as coming from a background of shooting DA revolvers in competition it was an easy transition. Now that I've evolved from shooting rifles with 2 stage triggers, the striker triggers that have a distinct wall don't affect me negatively any more.

 

[Walkalong]

Walkalong.... If you're looking for a good practice load for your 365, you might try Missouri Bullet Co's 124 gr LSWC for the 9mm. I've had great success with that bullet over Unique, a cpl tenths below max with F-C brass and Fed primers. Seated to 1.110" OAL, my load is 4.5 gr but work up to it. It'll do right at an inch for ten shots at 10 yds from an unsupported Weaver Stance with my 77 yo eyes doing the sighting.

That's one great thing about the P-365, my old eyes shoot it great, plus it shoots like a bigger gun.

I am running a plated or coated 124 at about 925ish, or a 124 jacketed at around 1025ish, from my P-365 for practice.

 

[halfmoonclip]

With just a little work. It feels like a baby 1911…even a safety you can shoot thumb high.

Hey Sarge, what is the source of your safety? Looks a nice piece of kit.

It's a hellofa load in my gun, and as good as I can hold without a rest. I've not chrono'd that load but estimate it's ~1000 fps. And BTW, it's also my most accurate load in my Springfield SA-35 Hi Power.

I have a 4.6/B'eye/115/FMJ loads that runs around 1100'sec, which has always been entirely reliable, and the same velocity as the SIG 365 carry ammo. Eighty bucks @ K primers have put me out of the 9mm reloading business; such primers as I can find are used in ammo that is more expensive to buy. I've gone to Blazer Brass, which ends someplace not too far different than my reloads.
Your cast boolits reduce your cost...I've cast in the past, but casting/lubing/sizing is a real time eater.
Best,
Moon

 

[halfmoonclip]

The Kahr trigger is a smooth constant pull with no stacking.

Always liked the trigger, sights and ergos of the little .380 Kahr. The issue for me was the slide rack, that requires two men and a boy to achieve. If not charging from slide lock, the Kahr is apt to misfeed.
Wish Kahr would update their pistol; I'd get another. They are pricey enough to justify some changes.
Moon

 

[sgt127]

Hey Sarge, what is the source of your safety? Looks a nice piece of kit.

I made it. Thread here:

Sig P365 extended thumb safety

I like the little Sig P365. Weight. Capacity. Reliability. Accuracy. it’s a great little carry gun. I’m also a huge fan of Off switches on guns. I carried a 1911 for many years. Shot IPSC. So I picked up a P365 with a manual safety. As a 1911 shooter, I’ve always shot thumb high, on the...

www.thehighroad.org

 

[drobs]

I have 2 guns in my carry rotation, a Glock 43X with 15rd and 20rd Shield Arms mags and a Ruger LC9s Pro with 7rd and 9rd factory mags.
Both are striker fired, neither have thumb safeties. I find the trigger on the Ruger to be very similar to the Glock and shoot both equally well.

Since Ruger discontinued the LC9s Pro, if I were you op, I'd look at / handle a Ruger Max-9 Pro (no thumb safeties).
Or try to find a LC9s Pro used.

I wouldn't buy a EC9s as my carry guns must have night sights. I think Ruger should've stayed with the LC9s instead of cheapening it with the fixed sight EC9S.

 

[lee n. field]

Hello,

I have an LCP II and I really like it. It's handy for going armed in places/situations one of my 1911s would prove too cumbersome. That said, I'd really like a step up in power from the .380.

Specs I'm looking for:

- 9x19
- polymer
- single stack
- hammer fired (shrouded or bobbed)
- single action with long takeup or safe action
- no external safety lever save for one on the trigger

Late to the thread.

All the requirements are easy, except "hammer fired". The only ones that I can think of are the Kel Tec PF9, and Ruger's "homage" to it, the original LC9. Both no longer made. I have experience with the PF9. A firm "meh".

Why does hammer fired matter? It probably doesn't get you what you think it does.

My experience with striker fired guns that meet your other requirements are: Springfield XDS (works, no failures ever, factory mags up to nine rounds), Kahr CM9 (nice trigger, really nice. tiny, barely larger than an LCP.) and a Mossberg MC1SC (totally reliable after a trip to the mothership, surprisingly pleasant gun to shoot, essentially a clone of the Glock 43).

Basically, it would be an LCP II beefed up to take 9x19. I see something close to what I want on Ruger's website -- either the Security 9 or the LC9s -- but the Security looks like it only comes in double stack and the LC9 has a thumb safety and is striker fired.

If I could get an LC9s without the thumb safety, I'd consider it, even though it has a striker. Problem is I don't see any made like that.

Any suggestions/recommendations? I wonder if the regular LC9 is what I'm looking for, but only see the LC9s when I look for it. Is it still made?

Thanks!

 

[Wildbillz]

So I know that its not what you asked for but. As others have said, take a look at the Sig P365. Size wise its not much bigger then your LCP II. But it is striker fired and double stack. Other then that it shoots well for its size. Comes with night sights (or at least did when I bought mine). supper easy to carry. Fast and accurate.

I will go as far as to say that, if I could only have one gun, the Sig 365 would make the short list of choices to pick.

WB