Subcompact double-stack 9mm options?

[cluttonfred]

OK, I am thinking about options for a small, double-stack, relatively high-capacity 9mm. Subcompact size polymer frame so it could be used for concealed carry in a pinch, though it would not be my primary for concealed cary. I'd prefer to add a pinky finger rest than use extended grip magazines, I have small hands anyway. I have no preference for hammer- or striker-fired, I prefer DAO operation with no DA/SA change in trigger pull, no need for a manual safety but I'm not allergic the idea. I am not posting a poll because I don't think I have all the options on the table, but here are some off the top of my head:

• Glock 26
• Sig P250 Subcompact (or the not yet released P320 Subcompact)
• Springfield Armory XD9 (or XD9 Mod 2) Subcompact
• Taurus PT111 Millenium Pro G2 (or 24/7 G2)

I am sure I have missed a few. Ideally based on first-hand knowledge, what are some of the pros and cons folks see with the various subcompact double-stack 9mm options out there?

Thanks!

 

[Johnny_B_Goode]

The G26 and the G19 are so close to being the same size I would have to take a look at the G19 The G26 has a 3/4" shorter OAL l and a 3/4" shorter grip. If I buy another double stack 9mm it will be a G19 with the grip cut down to accept the G26 magazine.

What makes the G19 as it comes out of the box superior to the G26 is you can use all your fingers to hold the G19. Plus the G19 has the same sight radius as a Beretta 92fs. You get a 15 round capacity with a 4" barrel that weighs 23 oz a 7" gun in the G19

 

[cluttonfred]

Thanks, Johnny B Goode. You're right that a lot of manufacturers offer a compact or carry version like the G19 between the full-size guns and the subcompacts, but for now I am focused on the subcompact size.

 

[C0untZer0]

If you're going to include the Taurus then you should also include the SCCY

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I own a G26 and have considered trading up to the G19 for reasons already mentioned. However, I just plain shoot the G26 better...faster and more accurately and have heard that others do so as well. I don't think the G26 hides/carries much better or feels as good as a G19 *but* I can't out shoot my G26 with a G19.

My main squeeze is a Beretta Px4 SC. Of the other guns in the OP's list I have shot them all but preferred the Beretta and the Glocks. Of the other pistols mentioned I preferred the XD/XDS line in 9mm. The Sig is nice but pricey.

VooDoo

 

[jimbo555]

S&w m&p9c is another option. Kind of in between the g26 and g19.

 

[DairyVet]

Not on your list:
Sig p224
CZ RAMI
SCCY CPX-1 or CPX-2
Keltec P11

 

[bannockburn]

I have tried a couple of the subcompact 9mm.s (Glock 26, Taurus PT 111 MilPro, and the Beretta Px4 SC), but even with my small hands I could never get a comfortable grip on any of them. I eventually went with a more compact size gun and got a Ruger SR9c.

 

[cluttonfred]

Thanks, all, please do keep the suggestions coming. The Sig P224 is DA/SA or DAK, not my cup of tea, ditto the DA/SA CZ RAMI. I am not a Kel Tec fan and don't know anything about the SCCY pistols. The M&PC seems a more in the compact/carry category than subcompact. I would love to hear from someone who actually uses a Taurus subcompact 9mm. Taurus guns seem much maligned by those that don't own them but not so much by those that do.

 

[Thermactor]

The Taurus G2 gun is $197 on super sale at KY Gun Co, including shipping. A TTAG review (ugh) of the gun is positive about it, but I .. I've heard too much bad stuff about Taurus to trust my life to it.

 

[Coyote3855]

I have a Glock 26 with the Pearce magazine plate (not an extension for extra rounds). The plate has a "lip" that allows me to get all four fingers on the grip. I added a piece of bicycle inner tube to the grip for additional traction. I also have a 19 and a 23 and agree with other posters that they are about as easy to carry/conceal as the 26. That said, I carry the 26 because I have a better holster for it and don't feel at all handicapped by the smaller pistol. So I vote Glock 26.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Sorry...not trying to be mean or controversial *but* this is one ex Taurus owner who say's I hate 'em. They are just cheap. Period. Never own another even if it's given to me.

Others may have different opinions. YMMV.

VooDoo

 

[Mike J]

I have been curious about the Taurus G2 myself but I have never owned a Taurus. My wife has a model 85 .38 snubby & it is okay. I haven't really wanted a Taurus but the low prices being offered on the G2 are tempting me as I'd like to have a nicer carry piece than my old Kel Tec P11.

 

[bannockburn]

Owlnmole

Never had any problems with the Taurus PT111 MilPro and overall quality along with the gun's fit and finish were very good. It's just that I couldn't get a good grip on the gun as it always felt like it was too straight up and down in my hand. That seemed to make the gun point low for me on target and I would have to adjust my sight picture accordingly. By comparison my Ruger SR9c feels great in my hand, very comfortable and perfectly balanced, and I can quickly acquire the sights.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

There's also the H&K P2000SK.

 

[JohnnyBravo]

The G26 and the G19 are so close to being the same size I would have to take a look at the G19 The G26 has a 3/4" shorter OAL l and a 3/4" shorter grip. If I buy another double stack 9mm it will be a G19 with the grip cut down to accept the G26 magazine.

What makes the G19 as it comes out of the box superior to the G26 is you can use all your fingers to hold the G19. Plus the G19 has the same sight radius as a Beretta 92fs. You get a 15 round capacity with a 4" barrel that weighs 23 oz a 7" gun in the G19

A good alternative for some people would be a G26 with a grip adapter for G19 magazines.

 

[Orion8472]

FNH just came out with their compact FNS pistol.

 

[TarDevil]

Your OP describes a Sig P290RS. Subcompact, DAO long buttery smooth trigger, no safety, mag extension for your pinky.

 

[cluttonfred]

Thanks, all. TarDevil, I like the P290RS but this thread is about double-stack pistols. ;-)

 

[AK103K]

I have both the 26 and 19, and would choose the 26 over the 19, if I were to only have one or the other.

The 19 is a weird gun, its not that much smaller than a 17, and its not that much bigger than a 26. That said, the 26 can go places the 19 cant, and for the slight difference in size between the 19 and 17, why bother, just go with the 17.

Dont get me wrong here, I like the 19, I have a couple and shoot them a good bit, I just dont see the slight difference between them and the 17's warranting going down a slight step.

The 26 is probably the most versatile Glock going. It can be little, or it can be big, all with a simple mag swap.

Once you get used to wrapping your finger under the mag on the 26, I think youll soon find, its quite comfortable and very easy to shoot and control the gun with that grip. I too find that I shoot my 26's better than I do my 19's, when shooting deliberately. I really see no difference shooting any other way.

For me, the grip extensions just defeat the purpose, by making the gun bigger. I also found that they pinched my hand, both while shooting and reloading, which doesnt help matters. The couple of +2's I had, were in reality, +1's, and I never did get the +2 out of them.

I had a SIG P250C awhile back. It wasnt the SC, but I think its similar like the 19 vs 26. The P250 was always my favorite SIG "grip". The only other that was close in comfort, was the P226.

I know a lot of people dont like the P250's trigger, but I always found it to be very nice. If you shoot revolvers, DAO, it will be very familiar, just somewhat lighter.

The only downside to the SIG's, especially if you shoot "thumbs forward" is, you need to watch your thumbs with the controls. This is the norm with all of the P series SIG's, but the P250, with its ambi controls, lets the lefties get in on the fun too.

 

[Plan2Live]

Just curious. DAO is ok but not DA/SA. What is it about the transition that is unacceptable?

 

[Teachu2]

Interesting logic - the 19 is better because of the longer grip, so get one and cut the grip off to match the 26......

I own a 26, a 19, and several others. I find the 26 a joy to shoot with standard mags. It's fast and very accurate, certainly accurate enough for a carry gun.

If I were choosing a single handgun to "do it all", a 19 or 23 might well be the winner. Fortunately, I am not limited to one. Of the ten on my CCW permit, the ones I carry most are the G26, Shield 9, G36, and G30. Of the double-stacks, the G26 is carried most, by far.

Realize that here in California, 10+1 is pretty much the limit. That negates some of the advantage of a larger platform for CCW.

 

[Teachu2]

The G26 and the G19 are so close to being the same size I would have to take a look at the G19 The G26 has a 3/4" shorter OAL l and a 3/4" shorter grip. If I buy another double stack 9mm it will be a G19 with the grip cut down to accept the G26 magazine.

What makes the G19 as it comes out of the box superior to the G26 is you can use all your fingers to hold the G19. Plus the G19 has the same sight radius as a Beretta 92fs. You get a 15 round capacity with a 4" barrel that weighs 23 oz a 7" gun in the G19

left the quote out of the previous post.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Just curious. DAO is ok but not DA/SA. What is it about the transition that is unacceptable?

Yeah, I'd second the question as well. I really like my Beretta Px4 SC....snap out pinky extension, 13+1 rounds, polymer frame, super reliable. I like it just a little better than my G26 *but* it is DA/SA.

I'm curious. Then again I believe you can get a Px4 in DAO if it's a show stopper.

VooDoo

 

[shlike]

S&w m&p9c is another option. Kind of in between the g26 and g19.

+1 for me on the M&P 9C. Mine is a sweetheart, not a single failure in over 2000 rounds. A little bigger than a G26, a little smaller than a G19, for me it hits the sweet spot. 12+1 capacity. I carry it with the pinky extension on the mag. Great carry gun, fun range gun.