Subcompact 9mm...HELP ME DECIDE!

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hilander

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Hey everyone-
Looking for a new 9mm polymer to be used for concealed carry; think I have it narrowed down to the following:

Springfield XD subcompact

CZ Rami polymer frame

Sig P 2022

Steyr S-series (If they are available; having trouble finding one?)

Any of you have a basis for comparison? I have owned the fullsize versions of the XD and Steyr myself. Also open to other suggestions, but be forwarned:

1)Have had dissapointing experiences with both Kel Tec and Kahr :barf:
2)Hate the feel of a glock :barf::scrutiny:
3)Love the Walther PPS, but the low capacity is a deal-breaker!

Any advice would be appreciated!!
Thx!!!
 
G26, XD or Rami... HKP2000SK if you want to spend more money. ;)

The SP2022 is not a subcompact. It's a pretty bulky pistol to be honest. I owned one for a while and sold it. It's not what I'd consider a great size for CCW.

Steyrs are good pistols and feel really nice in the hand. I owned the M9-A1, but decided I preferred my Glock 19 in an Austrian polymer 9mm. ;) Trigger reset was comparatively vague on the Steyr, and trapezoid sights aren't for everyone. Holsters are more challenging to find for Steyr products.
 
The XD-9c and the RAMI both made my short list because you can use the large-cap mags in them. I decided on something else based on my personal preferences, but don't think you could go wrong with either.
 
Dollar an hour: thanks for your info...perhaps i should say p239 instead of sp2022. Haven't heard anything against the sigs, though.

Tried my friend's hkp2000 and to be honest, didn't feel it worth the price tag. Felt considerably FATTER than the springfield xd, and i honestly had trouble hitting the target for some reason, beyond just the short sight radius.

My Steyr M40A1 gave me the best groupings i've ever got from any carry pistol, and i loved the trapezoid sights. Your statements about the trigger reset and holster availability are agreed with, though.

Have shot several glocks, and my misgivings were only (1) hate the trigger and (2) the overall ergonomics feel crappy, with the majority of the models feeling way too fat.
 
This is just me,but give me a small size and a thin gun with a single stack mag for ccw and ill be happy.Double stack is for my HD.
I dont even carry extra mags,if i had a revolver id only have 5-7 shots depending on the gun.
The odds are i will never have to use my gun in a SD manner,and if i did it will be over in 2-3 rounds or when i empty the gun as that is a better move.

Try and convince a jury you needed to shoot a guy 15 times to stop him.Or if its a gang of 3 thats 5 shots each,thats 2 more than needed imo.
I play the odd's and as you can see i make them up as i go along also.But i think they may be true if i did research it.
 
I'd say don't let low capacity be a deal breaker. If you need, have a bigger gun in a bag nearby or a vehicle or stashed in the house (with locked boxes, if kids...), and use the walther as a defensive weapon. You say you love the walther! Get it! No regrets. Many people carry 5 shot revolvers, and you'd have more firepower in your walther than that, and you COULD carry an extra mag or three.

You'll want to be carrying this all the time, otherwise it's not worth buying a pistol, get a shotgun and don't carry it like you won't carry a huge double-stack.
 
hmm... depends on what you're willing to compromise on... usually it's capacity w/ subcompacts.
i love my steyr m-a1's, but good luck finding an s9-a1, i've been looking for a couple years now to no avail!

the xd' are ok but you are stuck with whatever trigger it has been born with... and they're not known for great triggers. an m&p compact would be a better choice IMO but the trigger reset is vague.

had a PPS that shot well but had issues, and for what it cost (and what extra mags cost!) i expected much more.

rami's are cool, but iffy trigger reset, and some have feeding issues...

any 9mm sig will weigh as much as many full-size poly guns.

i carry a PF-9 about 10% of the time when i can't hide my EDC G17... and while it has it's down falls (LONG-ass trigger pull), 7+1 in a 15oz package the size of a deck of cards and super easy to hide is hard to beat. for me my sub-compact is only used when i have to...

if it's for EDC, i'd give a G26 another chance (don't forget that for under $20 bucks you can make their triggers rock with a lighter connector and trigger spring, and the ol' bike tire grip sleeve goes a long way on a glock)...

good luck!
 
Are you sure all these are subcompact guns? The P239 is fairly large, as is the Steyr.

Quick summary:

CZ Rami
Glock 26
HK
Kahr PM9 or MK9
Kahr K9
S&W J-Frame revolver (I know, but they're really good pocket guns)
S&W M&P subcompact
Walther PPS

Avoid the Kel-Tec PF9 unless it's the only one in your price range. I owned one and they're just not that well made (just open it up and you'll see what I mean).

The real question is: What is your ratio between performance and convenience?

I know many guys who just won't sacrifice convenience. In their minds, the odds of getting into a shooting situation are extremely small AND the odds of actually firing are even smaller. Therefore, a tiny gun is all they will need. This attitude will change immediately during the moment of truth:

Some may say that a (S&W) Model 29 with a 4-inch barrel is too much gun to carry. To them I say, you will quickly change your mind when you get into a gunfight and see your opponent staring at you intently and raising his weapon toward you. As you fire, you can see the flash of your gunfire in the reflection of his eyes, and in those fractions of a second, which seem like an eternity, you will hear your own voice asking yourself, "Why don't those eyes flutter and close? Why doesn't he fall? Will he fire and hit me? Will I die?" It's then you will wish you had a hand cannon that will part your opponent in quarters with one shot. If you do get into that kind of situation, I am sure you will join me and say, "Yeah, that Model 29 is just fine to carry!"
Click to expand...

--Jim Cirillo
Guns, Bullets, and Gunfights
Page 16

If you're going to go with 9mm, go with higher capacity. Terminal ballistics are terrible in handguns, so you may find yourself shooting bad guys repeatedly. Multiple hits create more opportunities for the body to shut down. Don't buy into the "One Shot Stop" marketing!
 
it's really a compact and notn....but...

the CZ P-01 is worth looking into.
it was NATO tested and approved
very reliable and accurate
 
it's really a compact and not a subcompact ....but...

the CZ P-01 is worth looking into.
it was NATO tested and approved
very reliable and accurate
 
the Bersa UC 9MM Pro Thunder

I've NEVER heard or read any negative remarks about this little " sleeper ".
It's only $347 and is very concealable.
It does not jam or fail to recycle.

P.S. Plus it holds 13 rounds.
If you can't get the job done with that amount.....well.....the dummy gene pool has a way of weeding itself out selfdestuctively...if you know what i mean ....

LOL !!
 
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The P239, compared to the subcompacts you're asking about here, is kind of a boat anchor. It's heavy and larger than XD9c, RAMI, G26, etc... I got rid of my P239 as I always reached for my G19 instead. Much easier to carry, more capacity and more durable finish. I also prefer a consistent trigger pull in my carry pistol.

Since you weren't impressed by your pal's HK P2000, and you don't really like the G26, I think you'd be happy with either the XD9c or the M&P9c. The M&P9c feels great in the hand and S&W customer service is tops should you need them.
 
Is the EMP in consideration? Small, thin, accurate, dependable.........not polymer, but a lightweight aluminum frame.
 
I own a RAMI-P & love it. It's very accurate, very small, very light, and very concealable. It's 10+1 with the flush mag and 14+1 with the extended grip mag, and both are easily concealable. I've never had a problem with mine. Easy to strip & clean, attractive, now available with either a manual safety or decocker, available with stainless slide too.

It's small enough that holster choice isn't that much of a big deal. I have a High Noon Bare Asset, and it disappears. That said, I love the Cross Breed I have for a different gun.

I don't own an XD subcompact, but I do own a full sized XD that I carry sometimes, and it shoots great. I love XDs, too, but they're blockier for carry than a RAMI. The RAMI has smoother contours and conceals more easily, IMO.

I'm with you on not liking the look & feel of a Glock. I like their different caliber & size offerings, but really have a hard time warming up to Glocks.

Another gun you might consider is an H&K P7. Only 8+1, but VERY fast & intuitive to use if the SHTF. VERY accurate (fixed barrel), too.
 
Thanks so much to everyone for their input! Here's where I'm at now:

Glock: No matter how much work I put into the trigger, it still feels like a bar of soap with a fat grip.

Steyr: Compact not available is the only thing breaking my heart. I guess I'll give up looking.

Springfield XD: Trigger upgrades are as available as the Glock, so I still don't have any reasons not to buy this one!

Springfield EMP: Not in my price range!

Smith & Wesson M&P: Don't know much about 'em, but the local range has them for rent, so...

Walther PPS: Still would like more like 10 rounds, but it's so sexy I'm afraid of you guys talking me into this.

CZ Rami: Haven't shot it, but I held one and it's a tie with the Steyr for most comfortable pistol in my hand, ever.

Sig: Concerns about size from a few. I'll keep researching what Sig has to offer, taking this into consideration. As far as reliability and trigger quality, I don't hear anything bad or even neutral on sigs.

Any more would still be appreciated, but in the meantime, thanks for all the new thoughts!!!
 
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