Help me think of compact 9mm's to consider (with preferences)
- Thread starter southriseagain
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earlthegoat2
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Definitely a HK P7. You can get them for around 625. Less than most of the others. How many mags do you want or need. Get 2 or three and it will be 725. Still less than most of the others.
armoredman
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colt1903
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If you want to step down slightly to the 9X18mm there are plenty of police surplus CZ 82's that have recently hit the country:
colt1903
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Indeed they are. Worth the wait.
Phydeaux642
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I think you are looking for the impossible. At least it seems impossible to me since I've been looking for the same thing for a while now. I bought the CZ RAMI. It's a great gun but a little big for pocket carry. I thought about Kahrs but I still think they are overpriced. I still walk around with my S&W 642 in my pocket. It's not an semi-auto or 9mm but it sure is comfortable.
bigfatdave
Member
To the OP:
9mm and .380 are very different guns. Most .380 are direct blowback, which simplifies their design and production, while most 9mm pistols are delayed blowback, generally with a tilt barrel, which enhances reliability and durability, in addition to allowing them to handle the 9mm round.
9x17 (AKA .380 Auto, 9mm Browning, 9mm Corto, 9mm Court, 9mm Kratak, 9mm Kurz, 9mm Scurt, 9mm Short, 9x17mm) - mostly small pocket pistols. .380 is a decent round, there are some old venerable guns chambered in it and some interesting new designs. If I was going to carry a .380, I would pack a Kel-Tec. (but then, if I was going to CC a KT pocket pistol, I would buy a P32)
9x18 (AKA 9mm Makarov, 9mm Soviet, 9mm russian, 9mm Mak, 9mm PM) - slightly larger than the .380 - slightly larger surplus pistols in this caliber are quite inexpensive and concealable.
9x19 AKA 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9mm Parabellum, 9mm Para, or simply "the nine" - full power pistols, almost all with John Browning tilting barrel designs. 9mm pistols in smaller sizes are more expensive, more finicky, and often higher maintenance.
There are a plethora of other 9mm diameter rounds out there, but those are the most common.
If you really must have a small and slim 9mm pistol, the Kahr, Kel-Tec, Walther, and Taurus lines all have a model or two, but they are all marginal for pocket carry. Rent a few and see what you like, and then work your carry method around that. There is a reason that IWB carry is so popular, it is well concealed even with larger guns, the weight is on the belt and spread out more than in a pocket, and the draw isn't hampered by a pocket overfilled with gun, hand, holster, and the mouth of the pocket. The only true pocket 9x19 guns I can think of are the Rohrbaugh (expensive!), and the Boberg (not on the market yet)
You may have to get over your dislike of polymer if you want a small pistol in a heavier caliber. Have you even shot any of these pistols you dismiss out of hand without real consideration?
9mm and .380 are very different guns. Most .380 are direct blowback, which simplifies their design and production, while most 9mm pistols are delayed blowback, generally with a tilt barrel, which enhances reliability and durability, in addition to allowing them to handle the 9mm round.
9x17 (AKA .380 Auto, 9mm Browning, 9mm Corto, 9mm Court, 9mm Kratak, 9mm Kurz, 9mm Scurt, 9mm Short, 9x17mm) - mostly small pocket pistols. .380 is a decent round, there are some old venerable guns chambered in it and some interesting new designs. If I was going to carry a .380, I would pack a Kel-Tec. (but then, if I was going to CC a KT pocket pistol, I would buy a P32)
9x18 (AKA 9mm Makarov, 9mm Soviet, 9mm russian, 9mm Mak, 9mm PM) - slightly larger than the .380 - slightly larger surplus pistols in this caliber are quite inexpensive and concealable.
9x19 AKA 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9mm Parabellum, 9mm Para, or simply "the nine" - full power pistols, almost all with John Browning tilting barrel designs. 9mm pistols in smaller sizes are more expensive, more finicky, and often higher maintenance.
There are a plethora of other 9mm diameter rounds out there, but those are the most common.
If you really must have a small and slim 9mm pistol, the Kahr, Kel-Tec, Walther, and Taurus lines all have a model or two, but they are all marginal for pocket carry. Rent a few and see what you like, and then work your carry method around that. There is a reason that IWB carry is so popular, it is well concealed even with larger guns, the weight is on the belt and spread out more than in a pocket, and the draw isn't hampered by a pocket overfilled with gun, hand, holster, and the mouth of the pocket. The only true pocket 9x19 guns I can think of are the Rohrbaugh (expensive!), and the Boberg (not on the market yet)
You may have to get over your dislike of polymer if you want a small pistol in a heavier caliber. Have you even shot any of these pistols you dismiss out of hand without real consideration?
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Phydeaux642
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So, you sleep in your pants?
Jed Carter
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Cz 75d pcr, its a compact not a subcompact, if you want to hit what you shoot at first shot, follow up shot... 14 follow up shots. Shoots better than many fullsize auto's and all subcompacts, imho. Fits a man's hand perfectly, imo.
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Starcheck55
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HK P7
CZ PCR or P01
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everything else
CZ PCR or P01
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everything else
searcher451
Member
+1 on the Walther PP Super.
A Walther P5C also would be an excellent choice, although they are a bit on the pricey side and not always easy to come by. Still, it's a tough gun to top at any price.
A Walther P5C also would be an excellent choice, although they are a bit on the pricey side and not always easy to come by. Still, it's a tough gun to top at any price.
CJ
Member
Well, got beat to it, but the two that sprang to mind on you criterion were the CZ RAMI and the Sig p239.
It's too bad your limiting the choices so much as you're ruling out the majority of options that fit your size criterion (e.g. Kahrs, Walther PPS, Kel-Tec PF9 or P11).
It's too bad your limiting the choices so much as you're ruling out the majority of options that fit your size criterion (e.g. Kahrs, Walther PPS, Kel-Tec PF9 or P11).
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I'm going to recommen the Kahr PM9. It's MOSTLY metal and the trigger is the best anywhere around. You will not find a better shooting small pistol. It' s very easy to get used to and you'll be driving tacks within moments from your first shot. Don't let the square profile fool you. You'll love the feel of this pistol. It's substantial yet diminutive. Worth the money. Skip on any of the 'night sight' options and you've got a bargain.
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The Lone Haranguer
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S&W 3913, CZ PCR. Both of these have metal (aluminum alloy) frames, are compact and have DA/SA operation.
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