Sub Compact 9mm

[Walkalong]

What is your idea of an inexpensive?

What the OP said, which was...

Something around the $400 range?

It seems there were a lot of good options stated.

Good, yes, my idea of small, not so much.

My XD SC .40 (with a 9MM conversion barrel), is really nice, but thick enough that I would just as soon carry a 5" 1911. Fortunately, I have a LW Commander and a Kimber Ultra, so I don't have to if I don't want to.

 

[777TRUTH]

+1 on the Bersa T9 Ultra Compact.

 

[J_McLeod]

I really like my XD9 SC. If I could only have one pistol, that would be it. If you want something smaller, the KT PF-9 is great.

 

[Bentley4700]

^^^PF9 isn't bad IF you get a good one...

 

[TennJed]

Kel tec p11 and pf9

 

[Pukindog12]

Another vote for the Bersa Thunder 9 UC Pro. Awesome little gun considering it's price.

 

[3KillerBs]

I was going to mention my Taurus PT 709 Slim, but then I saw the post saying you wanted a double stack.

Since this is to be a back-up gun, is there some particular reason you're wanting a double-stack? Given that flatter guns are easier to conceal?

My only issues with my Slim are that my husband shoots it better than I do and that he "steals" it from me when he's wearing lighter shirts that don't cover his M&P 9 very well.

 

[sigpro]

3KB

Since this is to be a back-up gun, is there some particular reason you're wanting a double-stack?

Ok, so here's the deal. I realize that it probably won't make a lot of sense to some, but here it is.
I carried a Kahr E9 (the old economy model they made a bunch of years ago) for a while. Great little gun, but a little heavy for a seven shot. So then I down sized to a S&W M37. Turned out to be a great gun to carry, but not a lot of fun to shoot well. Went to qualify with it at my dept's off duty qual course, and had a hard time. I quickly realized that (for me at least), it's much eaiser to reload a semi-auto, under pressure, then it is to reload a revolver, even using speed loaders.
So, I've determined that I absolutly must have a Double Stack 9mm Sub-compact. And I really like the idea of having 10+ rounds compared to 6-7 rounds. A wise man once told me "There isn't anything you can you can do with 12rds, that you can't do with 6rds". This is true. But, if I really have to put someone down, in a life or death situation, I want as many chances as possible.
I'm still suprised that no one has suggested the Taurus PT111.
Thanks, Glad you (and your husband) are
happy with your PT709.

 

[3KillerBs]

Thanks, I was curious. To me personal preference is a completely valid reason for establishing a set of criteria. I wanted a semi-auto no matter how passionately people kept telling me that a snubby revolver was the perfect carry for a woman.

I've never used the PT111. When I was looking at guns in the shop I that model turned out to be one of the ones that simply didn't fit my hand. An oddity, since almost all of the Taurus and Beretta guns fit me.

 

[sigpro]

Just realized that I could get a Px4 SC for $450ish. Don't know much about them, except that they use a rotating barrel design. Also, handled a P250 and a SR9 today. Really impressed by the trigger on the P250. The ergonomics seemed pretty good on both guns. Still have to check out a Px4 and a XD in person.

 

[F350Lawman]

I have the PT145 if the PT111 works just as well (and why wouldn't it) that is a great idea ...you will also have left over money for a holsters and ammo from the original $400!

As far as fitting the hand, I have a small to mid size mitts (big palm stubby fingers) and it was OK for me. Not my favorite gun to point but about like my Glocks. My 145 is obviously a double stack 45 so the 111 should be better I guess???

 

[fxstchewy]

The XD9SC is a little heavy but mine is a great sidearm and has never missed a beat, eats anything, mags hold 13rds and also 17rds.

 

[sigpro]

Thanks. For some reason the XD always seemed to be a little on the tall side (measurement from bottom of the mag, to the top of the slide). Don't know if thats just my preception or what. What about the CZ75 Compact, is that something I should be looking at?

 

[allaroundhunter]

"There isn't anything you can you can do with 12rds, that you can't do with 6rds"

Au contraire, mon ami....You cannot shoot 7 spaced out targets with 6 shots, but you can with 12

 

[sigpro]

can't argue with logic like that.

 

[Doghandler]

I can shoot seven spaced out targets with one bullet if they are spaced out properly.

 

[GlackAttack]

The Ruger SR9c is great. Shoot one, you won't be disappointed.