Need advice: IDPA-legal single-stack 9mm

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My son will be old enough to shoot IDPA as a junior next year. He's been bugging me about it for several years, so I know it's not just a passing interest. Unfortunately, I don't have something suitable for him to shoot.

IDPA requires a minimum caliber of .38spl/9mm, barrel 3.8" or longer. He's not interested in a revolver. He has adolescent-sized hands, so I'm thinking a single-stack 9mm. I'd like to get him something semi-compact, though not so light as to have harsh recoil.

So I'm looking for ideas. I know Kahr has a suitable option, and S&W has the 3913, but what other single-stack 9s are out there that fit my requirements?
 
Sig P239? Sig P225? Sig P220 in 9mm? Beretta "M" or whatever that single stack is?

Didn't Smith make a run of 3rd generationof full-size single stack 9mms? See how he likes Glock or the Sprinfield XD. Not single stacks but they aren't too thick either.
 
You've got several good options in the previous post. I'd go with either a Sig or the Kahr T9 for an out of the box capable weapon. If you want to get it worked over to insure reliability, a 1911 9mm would be great as well.
 
The first ones that came to mind are the P7M8 & the SIG 225, but don't forget the Springfield 1911 in 9mm, the Walther P5, or even the single stack Beretta 92 compact. Of the bunch I mentioned, I recently saw a used Beretta compact for $400 so that might be a good option if price is a factor.
 
I'm not sure of the barrel length, but the RAP 401 is a single-stack 9mm. pistol, and you can get them for between $200 and $250. Excellent, high-quality gun, too.
 
Some choices for smaller hands:

DA only-Kahr T9 (looks good, hasn't been out long)
Da/Sa-Sig P225 (very comfortable grip, DA trigger reach may be a little long)
SA-Star BM (Short trigger reach, low cost)
 
A guy at an IDPA match I was at not long ago had one of the new T9s. Sweet looking little gun, and very nice in the hand, and very thin to conceal. I didn't get a chance to shoot it.
 
You could get one of those single stack Star Model B pistols at SOG. Heck of a lot cheaper than a Colt Commander in 9mm.
 
Rob, wouldn't that put him in Enhanced Service Pistol class? I understood the DA requirement as being to equip him for Stock Service Pistol.
 
Well, it's not a single stack, but the XD series is a really nice pistol for not a lot of $$. I am contemplating one as we speak and I have a CZ and a Sig, go figure.;)
 
I was thinking of CZ's too, but the trigger pull is long for some people. Then I thought about my Hi Power Clone. The grip is thin and pretty small in diameter especially with thin stock grips. Trigger reach is short.

He will be at a disadvantage with mags that hold less than the 10 round limit. It kind of depends if he wants to be competetive or just have fun.

I'm kind of interested in the T-9 myself however. Looks like a sweet gun.
 
One more thought. If he wants to shoot SSP. Maybe a Glock 17,19 or 34 and have a grip reduction done (or do it yourself with a belt sander and dremel.
 
I have small hand and I like the BHP, glock and the 1911. All of the double action have such a long triger pull that they really are not easy to shoot. I had a 3913 for a while and sold it because i just did not shoot it well. Just a opinion. Patrick
 
The nines I think would work are the BHP and the 9mm Colt Commander. My 11 year-old son shot the Commander and had no trouble with the grip or trigger. We still have to get him and the HP to the range at the same time.
 
One of our guy's daughter is shooting a 3913. A handy little gun, but the DA first shot is a struggle for her. A woman shooter - about the size of an adolescent boy - transitioned from an XD to a SA 9mm this year. The all-steel weight is no problem for her and the single action trigger and 1911 handling have helped her shooting.

I'd recommend the Star for cheap and the SA for nice.
So it's ESP. Was he going to win SSP?
 
If possible, I'd really suggest shooting any of the Smith 3913/908 series, and a Hi Power before buying. One of the "full size" single stack 9mms Smith made would be good to try out too. The 3913's & Hi Power are known world wide for being great 9mms, with very good grips. Hi Powers aren't single stacks, but their grips are much better than other double stacks, and work well for a lot of people with small hands. The 908's are simply less expensive versions of the 3913, with less of the expensive cosmetic machine work. I'd buy factory mags for the Smiths, and factory or Mecgars for the Hi Power.

Both 3913s and 908s meet requirements for SSP & are listed as approved (www.idpa.com).
 
I'm kinda coming late here but here are all of the possible guns with a relatively slender grip by division...

SSP- Glock 17/19/34, Sig P239/P225/P220 in .38 super, Kahr K/P/T/9, Springfield XD, CZ/EAA/Sphinx 75/85 (shooting from a lowered hammer), Beretta Compact Type M, S&W single stack 9mm

ESP- CZ/EAA/Sphinx 75/85 (shooting C&L), Kimber/Springfield/Colt/etc. 1911 in 9mm or .38super, BHP, HK P7

This is all I can think of that would meet the requirements of slender-ish grip, 9mm/.38super in caliber, and easy to shoot.

Mino
 
I know a 12 year old girl who shoots IDPA with a XD-9. If she can do it, your son should be able to as well. But you need to take him to the store and let him decide what he likes.
 
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