Renewed Interest In Single Stack Auto Loaders

[Plan2Live]

I carried a Sig P239 for several years before my son graduated college with a mechanical engineering degree and wanted it as a graduation present. I replaced it with a Sig 225A-1. I enjoy shooting and carrying either of these designs. Some have suggested Sig's P229 is only millimeters larger and carries more rounds. I've never felt like I needed the higher capacity a double stack design offers, plus Sig's traditional double stacks never felt right in my hand.

History tends to repeat itself so I've been wondering if we are going to see renewed interest in single stack semiauto pistols?

 

[BreechFace]

Not with the new stack and a half magazines such as the Shield Arms mags for the G43x/48, the Springfield Hellcat, Sig P355/xl.

Why would I carry a gun the same size but with 1/3 - 1/2 the rounds essentially.

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

I think there will be some renewed interest, given what people think might happen over the next few years.

My single stack needs are covered, but i really dont have much interest in changing up what i carry any time soon.

 

[Mark 40]

With somewhat small hands, a single stack usually works better for me.

 

[WVsig]

I carried a Sig P239 for several years before my son graduated college with a mechanical engineering degree and wanted it as a graduation present. I replaced it with a Sig 225A-1. I enjoy shooting and carrying either of these designs. Some have suggested Sig's P229 is only millimeters larger and carries more rounds. I've never felt like I needed the higher capacity a double stack design offers, plus Sig's traditional double stacks never felt right in my hand.

History tends to repeat itself so I've been wondering if we are going to see renewed interest in single stack semiauto pistols?

If you don't know your past then you don't know your future. One of the things that created guns like the P239 was the Clinton Ban. The 1911 saw renewed popularity during the ban. If you are going to restrict me to 10 rounds then make it 45 ACP and the best trigger ever created. If there are mag restrictions then we will see a return of single stack pistols. IMHO

 

[MosinT53Hunter]

If you don't know your past then you don't know your future. One of the things that created guns like the P239 was the Clinton Ban. The 1911 saw renewed popularity during the ban. If you are going to restrict me to 10 rounds then make it 45 ACP and the best trigger ever created. If there are mag restrictions then we will see a return of single stack pistols. IMHO

I still have Gun Digests from that period that list all semi auto hand guns with only 10 round capacity magazines.

 

[JDR]

Although these are out of production, personally I wouldn’t trade my Sig P239 or my Sig P6 for a G43x/48, a Springfield Hellcat, or a Sig P365/XL. But that doesn’t mean that Sig will be putting the P239 or P225/P6 or similar models back into production. I think a hammer-fired P239 with a stack and a half magazine configuration and a polymer frame would sell like crazy, but who knows what Sig will end up doing?

 

[Telum Pisces]

Nope, I like having 14 rounds in my micro 9mm Hellcat!!!!!! I carry my .45 ACP full size 1911 at times. But I just feel like I just don't have enough bullets.

 

[WestKentucky]

I can’t imagine any scenario where such a large step back in design improvement would happen without some outside provocation (gooberment shenanigans). Pistols have been made smaller and thinner than ever before so the size barriers have been broken to where a 13 or more round magazine still works out for a true carry gun without compromise on concealability. It would take a huge and innovative design change to make folks look that direction.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

If the new administration pursues hi-capacity magazine restrictions similiar to the Clinton-era AWB, then there may be a renewed interest in single-stack pistols. We may even see a resurgence of the .40S&W.

Of course, the manufacturers may deem it too risky to pursue any new semiauto pistols designs for the next few years. The ones with an existing single-stack model already in production will be well positioned, however.

(Mod note: Cleaned up, serious answer to OPs qustion.)

 

[Rexster]

I never lost interest in single-column-mag pistols. I have long hands, but medium-to-short fingers, and short thumbs, so, most wide-body pistols are handSguns, not handguns. Working 33+ years of big-city night shift police patrol, I often needed my support hand to be doing something other than providing support to the pistol. I did not use a wide-body duty pistol until forced to do so, by policy, in 2002. The Gen4 Glock, with none of the add-on adaptors, helped tremendously, as it was the first double-column-mag pistol I could use, for duty, with a sufficiently-lower-volume grip. (I bought my own duty handguns, guided by PD rules.)

My first love, among autoloading pistols, was the 1911.

It is not that I hate wide-body pistols, or disapprove of them. I still have the P229R, that was my duty pistol from 2004 to 2015. It is a wonderful weapon, but for me, it is a two-hands-gun, not a one-hand-gun. I keep it, for old times’ sake, but do not carry it.

 

[Ernie Bass]

Lol, I never once even thought of leaving the great single stacks. They are not just making a comeback they never went anywhere in the first place and manufacturers are not jumping on the band wagon to do anything but keep them. The idea that a gun is going to shoot as well, feel as good, etc etc just because it has a few more rounds is simply not true. I will keep my single stacks. And for the record, myself and other club members ran a couple of the new model larger capacity against many of the single stacks and these folks decided not to change out for just a few more rounds. Just not worth it.
That said, if you feel like you need more rounds then go for it.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Being in NJ I have not much choice in capacity ,so single stacks work for me.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

Never gave it much thought till you posed this question. My VP9SK and SD40VE are double stacks, the other 9 semiautos I own are single stacks. Looking back, it wasn't case capacity that drove my purchases. With 2 extra mags, I would hardly feel under gunned carrying my S&W model 39-2.

 

[Charlie98]

It is not that I hate wide-body pistols, or disapprove of them.

That...^^^^ I love a pistol like the BHP, but I can't conceal one of those. I carry a single-stack for that reason... and understand, everyone's needs are different.... I can't conceal a 1911, either, or at least very well.

They are not just making a comeback they never went anywhere in the first place

I agree with that as well. Everyone always wants shiny newness, so the newer micro-doublestacks get the attention... meanwhile, the venerable singlestacks just go to work everyday like everyone else.

 

[stevek]

Not with the new stack and a half magazines such as the Shield Arms mags for the G43x/48, the Springfield Hellcat, Sig P355/xl.

Why would I carry a gun the same size but with 1/3 - 1/2 the rounds essentially.

BF, thank you for this. I had no idea about the Shield Arms magazines. Just registered on their website, and for notification when the mags are back in stock.

 

[JDR]

I know that my like new P239 SAS Gen2 was traded for a P365 and while I know that part of the reason is the ammo capacity of the “latest & greatest” gun on the market, I’m glad that this “old relic” found its way to me at a fair price.

 

[mjsdwash]

never stopped, but FWIW, the now discontinued Keltec p-11 was a double stack that is thinner than most single stacks, if you plan to carry a lot and not shoot much.

 

[25-5]

I have always been confident with 8 in a Series 70 + spare mag, or a Baby Chief and a spare strip.
For the police, that's a different situation.

 

[Mr. Mosin]

If government interferes (which seems likely), I'd love a re-introduced Sig 239, just like the originals.

 

[BreechFace]

BF, thank you for this. I had no idea about the Shield Arms magazines. Just registered on their website, and for notification when the mags are back in stock.

Be sure to order an aluminum mag catch with the Shield Arms mags because they are steel and under recoil will chew up the OEM Glock polymer mag catch. It is a very easy replacement and the aluminum catch still works with the OEM Glock 10 rounders.

My 4 magazines have been flawless.

 

[ThomasT]

With 2 extra mags, I would hardly feel under gunned carrying my S&W model 39-2.

Yep I feel the same way about my 39-2. I have 4 mags for it and its dead nuts reliable plus very accurate. And I have a Ruger EC9s on my GB watch list right now. Another single stack gun. With one in the pipe you have 8 rounds. That should take care of any problems and a spare mag is easy to add to the carry rig.

 

[Mark39]

Always loved the single stack semi-autos. So much more convenient for IWB EDC. Double stacks are nice for travel and woods carry but not practical in an office environment.

 

[velocette]

KS5shooter;
You have good taste in firearms. I bought the identical Springfield Armory 9mm Compact Elite. It is an excellent pistol. It feeds & fires anything I can stuff into the mag. Target LSWC, JHP of many different manufacturers, FMJ from all over the world, everything.
I changed the ambi safety on the right side to a left side only Ed Brown because I carry this pistol every day & have discovered with other pistols with ambi safeties that they can be swept off by mistake.
I installed Trijicon nite sights, a CT laser sight & use Wilson Rogers mags. It's trigger right out of the box is a clean crisp 4 lbs. I live in Florida and can carry any pistol I want. (God bless the Gunshine state!) Sold off an excellent Sig 229 that was functionally flawless but I never fell in love with it.
The Springfield with the Wilson Rogers 9rd mag (+1) is all I need. If more is needed, I should'a brought my AR or a Marine.
Just incidentally, I am a NJ Ex Pat, 20 years now & never regretting a minute.

 

[MrChicken]

I went to the range today.
Worked on accuracy with the Hellcat. It really brings out the worst in me. I can do fast and close with it to my satisfaction but that seems about it. Although, the last four rounds I fired were at a 10" plate at roughly 25 yards and I hit them all.

OTOH, my Kimber TLE of which I have put less than 100 rounds through in the past five years I shoot faster, and more accurately at any distance. It was both gratifying and disheartening at the same time.

I like that the Hellcat carries easier but at this point that's all it has over the old 1911. Capacity doesn't matter if the accuracy isn't there.

Side note, the 147gr 9mm rings steel. 230gr 45 bangs it like 3lb sledgehammer.