Sold my Glock 43 & 36. What metal frame carry gun should I get?

[Great Scot]

I’d avoid the Kimber Solo. I loved the feel, trigger, size and look of the Solo. Very unreliable. I think the Kahr MK9 is a better option.

 

[tarosean]

I’d avoid the Kimber Solo. I loved the feel, trigger, size and look of the Solo.
Very unreliable.

It's replacement does in fact work very well. EVO SP.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Im a Glock fan,but for metal ,Kimber x2.Only drawback is they only come with one mag.

 

[citizenconn]

It's replacement does in fact work very well. EVO SP.
View attachment 1096833

For the Glock 43 replacement I've been looking at the Kimber Micro 9's in various configurations as well as the Springfield Ronin EMP 3". I definitely need something with a ledge for my pinky.
Now as far as a .45 acp replacement for the Glock 36, I haven't found anything yet.

 

[citizenconn]

kahr K9, or the mk9
Sig P938
Kimber solo

I have been looking at the P938, but want to lay hands on one to see if it will, in fact, fit my hands. Thanks.

 

[citizenconn]

I have a few metal-bodied 9mm guns that I think would fit your needs.

There is the Kimber Micro 9. Mine is a good shooter that didn’t kick hard and is easy to carry.

View attachment 1096609

View attachment 1096613

The Kimber Ultra Carry II is much like the SA Ronin EMP. It is shown here with a 4.25” Ronin. The 3” or 4” 1911 with more size and weight than the Micro 9 shoots nicely and recoils even less.

View attachment 1096612

UC II
View attachment 1096618

Ronin
View attachment 1096621

The CZ 75D Compact is a great carry option. Its a bit heavier than the Micro 9 but man do they feel good!

View attachment 1096620

The SIG P228 is my last one. This is another gun that us larger than the Micro 9 for CCW users but shoots extremely well.

View attachment 1096616

Good luck with your search. When you find what you are looking for let us know what you’ve chosen.

Stay safe.

The P938 and Kimber Micro 9's have been my top contenders so far for a small 9mm. Thanks.
I haven't run across a good alternative for a slightly larger .45 acp. A Ronin EMP 4" in .45 acp would have been perfect. Maybe someone else makes a similar size 1911 in .45 acp, but I have not looked at those too hard yet. Been focusing on the 9mm pocket pistol first.

 

[bannockburn]

Not sure if they're still making them but if you're looking for a small, lightweight gun in .45ACP, there's the Colt Defender. Colt's website shows a couple of different models, also available in 9mm. Both models have an aluminum frame, weigh around 24 oz., and the mag holds 8 rounds (9mm.) and 7 rounds (,45 ACP). I had a Colt New Agent for awhile with XS sights and it was my EDC until I switched over to the even smaller and lighter weight Kahr CM9.

 

[12Bravo20]

Here is a photo of me holding my Sig P938 with the flush fit magazine. I have small hands so take that into account.



As you can see I can only get two fingers on the grip when using the flush fit mags. A Glock G43 is a little bit longer in the grip to where I can get my pinky halfway onto the grip when using flush fit mags.

The difference in grip length between the two is only the thickness of the Glock magazine base plate. P938 on top of a G43



And the difference in the grip length due to the base plates.



So if you shot the G43 well and it fit your hands, then the Sig P938 or Kimber Micro 9 will also fit you. Extended +1 magazines with a floor plate with pinky rest is available for both the P938 and Micro 9.

 

[citizenconn]

For the .45 acp replacement I'm looking at the Dan Wesson Guardian. Commander length slide, lightweight Officer sized frame - seems a good compromise, uses JMB's original internal design and geometry, and easy enough to carry IWB. Anyone here have one to provide some input? Also, would 38 Super be a better carry round that .45 acp?

 

[weisse52]

Colt Defender
Springfield EMP

The CCO guns that combine a Commander size slide and Officer size frame would be an outstanding combination.

Lot’s of options in that space these days.

 

[Tallball]

I got this Kahr MK40 yesterday. Stainless steel slide and frame. Definitely small enough to carry.

KahrMK40

• Tallball
• Aug 17, 2022

 

[P5 Guy]

I really want one of these.

 

[bannockburn]

citizenconn

One of the pluses with the .38 Super is that by getting a barrel assembly (includes barrel, bushing, link and link pin) along with some magazines, you can easily convert it to 9mm.

 

[sevt_chevelle]

Cz PCR
P01
or regular compact.
These are not small guns nor large, they are about glock 19 sized.

 

[12Bravo20]

citizenconn

One of the pluses with the .38 Super is that by getting a barrel assembly (includes barrel, bushing, link and link pin) along with some magazines, you can easily convert it to 9mm.
View attachment 1097254

Sometimes it is not even necessary to get a second barrel bushing. It really depends on the slide and barrel. When I bought a 38 Super barrel for my RIA 9mm I did not need another barrel bushing. In fact I probably got very lucky in that I didn't even have to hand fit the 38 Super barrel, it dropped right in the 9mm slide. This is usually not the norm though and some hand fitting is usually required. I did buy my 38 Super barrel directly from RIA which probably helped.

 

[bannockburn]

12Bravo20

I was also quite fortunate that the Storm Lake 9mm.barrel and bushing were a perfect drop-in fit.

 

[will11]

Just wanted to say that I also side with the CZ Compact Pistol Line up. I have the PCR model but I also really like the PO1 I believe it has the accessory rail. CZ's are really quality firearms. This seems to me a buyers market as far as so many handgun choices available to the shopper.
Will

 

[Smaug]

Walther PP or Beretta 84 or CZ-82.

 

[jag1954]

I'm partial to my SA Ronin EMP 4" (alongside the SA Hellcat). A very smooth shooter in 9mm.

 

[JoeHenry]

Second vote for the EMP. I have a 3" and a 4", if I had to choose I'd take the 4". Another idea: I've become a great fan of the Beretta 92X Compact. OK, it is heavy, but it shoots very well, best DA/SA trigger I've found, The full-size 92FS/M9 just pushes the weight/concealability thing a bit too far. It has pushed my Glock 19 to second-choice for EDC.

I too like the Beretta 92X compact. About a year ago I found one at a gun show, decocker only. Very accurate and easy to shoot. Midway had factory mags, 13 rounders, on sale a month or so back. So I purchased a couple more mags and now have a total of 5. Just a tad heavy for me to CCW, it has become my nightstand gun. Easy to shoot, easy to clean.

 

[westernrover]

I would avoid anything in aluminum too. It's a poor metal for most gun parts and the few parts where it doesn't really leave anything to be desired could just as well be made of steel and the gun wouldn't be any worse. Take the 1911 for a good example. What's great about aluminum ones? Nothing. Just get steel. For SA, there's the 45, and the Hi-Power. For DA/SA, the 92, CZ, or one of the CZ-variants like some Sphinx. There's even steel-framed striker-fired guns now like the P320 and the Walther Q4.

 

[Shivahasagun]

I would avoid anything in aluminum too. It's a poor metal for most gun parts and the few parts where it doesn't really leave anything to be desired could just as well be made of steel and the gun wouldn't be any worse. Take the 1911 for a good example. What's great about aluminum ones? Nothing. Just get steel. For SA, there's the 45, and the Hi-Power. For DA/SA, the 92, CZ, or one of the CZ-variants like some Sphinx. There's even steel-framed striker-fired guns now like the P320 and the Walther Q4.

Alluminum is light. Easier to carry all day.

It's a perfect material for many gun parts.

 

[sevt_chevelle]

I would avoid anything in aluminum too. It's a poor metal for most gun parts and the few parts where it doesn't really leave anything to be desired could just as well be made of steel and the gun wouldn't be any worse. Take the 1911 for a good example. What's great about aluminum ones? Nothing. Just get steel. For SA, there's the 45, and the Hi-Power. For DA/SA, the 92, CZ, or one of the CZ-variants like some Sphinx. There's even steel-framed striker-fired guns now like the P320 and the Walther Q4.

Really??
Cause a few of the most combat tested guns have alloy frames.
Also might wanna read up on testing the CZ P01 went through.

The sphinx guns, also have alloy frames, some I believe had alloy and poly frames.

 

[westernrover]

Alluminum is light. Easier to carry all day.

The difference in weight is only a few ounces, and it's to the steel gun's advantage. Lightweight handguns might be easy to carry, but they're no good to fight with.

It's a perfect material for many gun parts.

Name one.

Really??
Cause a few of the most combat tested guns have alloy frames.
Also might wanna read up on testing the CZ P01 went through.

The sphinx guns, also have alloy frames, some I believe had alloy and poly frames.

I didn't write that aluminum isn't dependable. Heck, the plastic is dependable.
The example I gave were some Sphinx that are steel-framed.

 

[5-SHOTS]

CZ 75 PCR, CZ P-01, used SIG-Sauer P239 or P228, SIG-Sauer P229, Beretta 92FS Compact, used Mauser M2.