HELP! need 9mm for combat course/CCW

[Lookn4Brass]

I favor single-stack guns most of the time, still love the 1911, and would like to know if anyone has had some experience with shooting a 9mm in an "El-Presidente" type course or other speed drills, advanced combat pistol course, etc. or similar excercise with a Sig P6/P225 or other mid-size or full-size 9mm.
I AM open to going with a double-stack, hi-capacity gun if it's still pretty concealable. I weigh about 205, 6-foot, have medium sized hands, and need to lose about 15-20 lbs so my guns fit/conceal a bit better in an inside pant or high-ride belt holster. Yes, I AM working on it!

So far I've only done a few drills with my favorite 5" 45 acp 1911, a Sig P239, a Glock 17, a Hi-Power, and Beretta 92. No, I don't own all of these. Some were borrowed. The Beretta is too big for me, but $&@t it's fast and very accurate! By the way, it's for sale if you like...("No animals were harmed in the making of this film.") Most of this was several years ago. I'm starting back with a vengeance. Not really!

Need to know if anyone's tested the Springfield XD (what size?) or a Sig P6, or another 9mm for fast shot recovery time with some experienced hands to boot. And yes, it HAS to be realistically concealable, not just with a shoulder holster or something. I can't conceal a Beretta 92 or HK USP or other biggie-sized "9" very easily. My Sig 239 is a little small, I think, for fast combat drills at distances over 7 to 10 yards. Yes, I want to hit something fast at least 10 or more yards away for some of the drills. I buy mostly used, by the way. Not interested in custom stuff either, unless I do it. Thanks!

 

[Khyron]

I took Fighting Pistol and Advanced Fighting Pistol at Tactical Response in TN in July. I wanted to use my single stack HK P7 PSP but only had 3 mags for it and the class required at least 5. Instead I used my HK USPc 9mm. I'm glad I did. With every round of shooting we did I usually about emptied the 3, 13 round mags I had on me before we stopped to top off. Sometimes I even had a 4th in my pocket. With only 8 shots in the PSP mag I would have had to have at least 4 or 5 on me. I guess if you got one of those quadrupple mag carriers it'd be doable but who actually walks around with those things? I find the USPc easy to conceal in colder weather when I can wear a cover garment like an untucked button down shirt. The class was great and the lessons transfer over to my P7 as well which I carry in the summer.

 

[Boarhunter]

Lookn4Brass,

Have you considered a Ruger SR9? It is a double-stack 9 that feels like a thin-gripped 1911. I carry mine easily in a CrossBreed SuperTuck IWB holster, and I am even more weight-challenged than you are...I am 6 foot and 300 pounds! Wear it slightly behind the hip under a jacket, vest, or large pullover shirt, and no one knows you have it.

Although I have not participated in any "combat" classes or training, I am a regular competitor in IDPA at the local level, and I find I shoot the SR9 better than my Kimber 1911s (.45 or 9mm) or any of the other guns I own and shoot.

The gun performs well for me, and I like it. You might give it some consideration.

Boarhunter

 

[9mmepiphany]

i think the HK P7 is a great buy right now as there are still LE trade-in models available.

they have a longer barrel in a smaller package than you 239, but with a better grip and lower bore line...much like the glock
...i do have enough mags to take a class, about 13, but they do run around $50

if you're interested in a double stack 9mm, i think one of the best on the market is the XD. it's grip angle is closer to the 1911s' than the Glock. the one i shot was a full sized model set up for competition...very smooth shooting

 

[CZF]

If you love the 1911,. the CZ75SA can be carried cocked n locked.
Same with a CZ Compact.

Otherwise, the XDs do have some loyal fans, but the gun is
more DAO than 1911-ish to me.

 

[DennisE]

I've only shot a S&W 945 in IDPA but my daily carry is a 9mm Kimber Ultra CDPII which I love. It has a great trigger, is reliable and very accurate. If you like 1911s, want a 9mm and can afford the +/- $1000 it's a great CCW gun. Dennis

 

[Marcus L.]

I'm not sure why you say that the Sig P239 isn't ideal for speed drills at ranges over 10yrds, I qualified on mine for a back up weapon at 25yrds. The only real difference in accuracy between the full sized P226 and shorter P239 is sight radius difference in which a longer sight radius allows you to make easier sight alignments. With practice, a shorter sight radius is not a problem. I've seen guys shoot playing cards at 100yrds with a .38spl snub nose revolver and that sight radius is quite a bit shorter than a 239. Only the last 1" or so of barrel makes a difference in pistol accuracy. If grip stability is an issue, get an instructor who is knowledgible to give you some pointers on a proper thumbs forward grip. I lot of people don't get it right and don't arch their off-hand far enough forward.