chaim
Member
I have a decent gun collection now with most of my gun needs covered. I have full-sized autos (both double and single stack), service sized revolvers, a large bore revolver, black powder revolvers, 2 J-frame sized snubs (one steel and one aluminum), a .22 pistol, a nice CCW auto in a service caliber (my Taurus PT140 M. Pro) and a Bersa in .380. However, I'd very much like a smallish single stack on a 9mm/.40S&W sized frame.
First, I am a fan of CCW type guns and this is an important type of CCW gun I lack (when in CCW states it would do IWB tucked better than most while still having some punch if needed). Second, and more importantly (on the timing anyway), I am dating a wonderful young woman who likes guns. She owns a Ruger .22 pistol (I don't know if she has a MKII or 22/45). I'd very much like to take her shooting (actually she brought up wanting to go shooting with me) and I'd like to have her shoot a gun in a stronger caliber. However, her hands are very small and other than the Bersa and the snubs (which aren't the most comfortable to shoot) I doubt if any of my guns would fit her hands. I should also be getting a decent tax return soon. So, I'm thinking it may finally be about time to add a single stack 9mm/.40S&W to my gun safe (how's that for justification ).
I've had a chance to handle most of my choices at one time or another. I've had a chance to shoot some of them. I know they are guns I'd like. However, most I have not been able to check out back to back. Also, I am a man with very thick fingers and beefy hands so I can't really judge how'd they'd be for small hands. So, I'd mostly like everyone's feedback more as a size comparison for what I'm looking for.
I want the gun to be concealable for when in a CCW state. I want it to be relatively comfortable to shoot at the range so this time I'm not looking for the smallest possible. I want it to be a thin gun. Basically, I want a concealable gun for myself that will also be good to introduce small handed shooters to service caliber weapons (I'm sure this woman I'm dating won't be the only person I take to the range with small hands- if nothing else, I plan to have kids one day).
Here is my list:
-S&W 4040. Interesting lightweight single stack .40S&W. From all I hear it is actually fairly comfortable to shoot.
-SIG 239 (not sure if I'd get one in 9mm or .40S&W). I shot one once in .40S&W and I found the recoil to be negligable, and it was accurate.
-Kahr P9. Very thin (thinner than the K-series). I don't know how comfortable it is to shoot though- my best friend's PM9 is pretty similar in felt recoil to a steel J-frame.
-Kahr K9. Very thin, easy to shoot, comfortable to shoot, accurate, reliable, concealable, etc.
-Kahr K40. A little more substantial a caliber than the K9, but I'm not sure about the recoil (remember, this is also going to be an introduction gun for people with small hands).
-S&W 3913. Very nice guns. Comfortable in the hand. I may go with the LS version, but even the regular version has grips that should fit most small hands.
-S&W 908. Basically a less expensive version of the 3913.
-S&W 410. Basically a .40S&W and slightly larger version of the 908. Don't know if the recoil characteristics and size will be what I'm looking for though.
-Taurus PT908. Only available used, but good prices, very concealable, small single stack 9mms. This one I haven't actually had the chance to check out in person though (I'd probably order one online if I bought one). I have checked out the double stack PT911 and liked it a lot though.
I am also considering 3 double stacks but I'm worried they may be bigger than I should go for this use:
-Taurus PT911/PT940. Always liked this gun but I haven't yet bought one. They are pretty compact for double stack guns.
-CZ 75 Compact. Nice gun, I love my CZ 75B, but I'm not sure the width of the grip is any less than the full-sized gun so it may not work for what I want.
-Glock 19. I'd have to find one used since I won't buy a Glock new (one possible problem). It is a double stack, but polymer guns are usually a bit more compact than their metal counterparts. I don't know if this will be enough to counteract the bulk of the double stack mags though.
As of right now I think my top choices are the SIG 239 (I'd prefer it in .40 but I may go 9mm for the lesser recoil), Kahr K9, S&W 3913, and S&W 908 but that may well change. I'd probably prefer the .40s but recoil is a strong consideration for what I want this gun for (so if you suggest one of the .40s please have something to say about perceived recoil- preferably be able to compare it to another common handgun). Also, I'd love a Commander or Officer sized 1911 for this but: 1) the single stack 9/.40 would be a bit smaller, 2) I already have a gun essentially Commander size in my Ruger KP345, 3) the single stack 9 would have less recoil, and 4) the 1911 would probably be significantly more money than most of my other options.
First, I am a fan of CCW type guns and this is an important type of CCW gun I lack (when in CCW states it would do IWB tucked better than most while still having some punch if needed). Second, and more importantly (on the timing anyway), I am dating a wonderful young woman who likes guns. She owns a Ruger .22 pistol (I don't know if she has a MKII or 22/45). I'd very much like to take her shooting (actually she brought up wanting to go shooting with me) and I'd like to have her shoot a gun in a stronger caliber. However, her hands are very small and other than the Bersa and the snubs (which aren't the most comfortable to shoot) I doubt if any of my guns would fit her hands. I should also be getting a decent tax return soon. So, I'm thinking it may finally be about time to add a single stack 9mm/.40S&W to my gun safe (how's that for justification ).
I've had a chance to handle most of my choices at one time or another. I've had a chance to shoot some of them. I know they are guns I'd like. However, most I have not been able to check out back to back. Also, I am a man with very thick fingers and beefy hands so I can't really judge how'd they'd be for small hands. So, I'd mostly like everyone's feedback more as a size comparison for what I'm looking for.
I want the gun to be concealable for when in a CCW state. I want it to be relatively comfortable to shoot at the range so this time I'm not looking for the smallest possible. I want it to be a thin gun. Basically, I want a concealable gun for myself that will also be good to introduce small handed shooters to service caliber weapons (I'm sure this woman I'm dating won't be the only person I take to the range with small hands- if nothing else, I plan to have kids one day).
Here is my list:
-S&W 4040. Interesting lightweight single stack .40S&W. From all I hear it is actually fairly comfortable to shoot.
-SIG 239 (not sure if I'd get one in 9mm or .40S&W). I shot one once in .40S&W and I found the recoil to be negligable, and it was accurate.
-Kahr P9. Very thin (thinner than the K-series). I don't know how comfortable it is to shoot though- my best friend's PM9 is pretty similar in felt recoil to a steel J-frame.
-Kahr K9. Very thin, easy to shoot, comfortable to shoot, accurate, reliable, concealable, etc.
-Kahr K40. A little more substantial a caliber than the K9, but I'm not sure about the recoil (remember, this is also going to be an introduction gun for people with small hands).
-S&W 3913. Very nice guns. Comfortable in the hand. I may go with the LS version, but even the regular version has grips that should fit most small hands.
-S&W 908. Basically a less expensive version of the 3913.
-S&W 410. Basically a .40S&W and slightly larger version of the 908. Don't know if the recoil characteristics and size will be what I'm looking for though.
-Taurus PT908. Only available used, but good prices, very concealable, small single stack 9mms. This one I haven't actually had the chance to check out in person though (I'd probably order one online if I bought one). I have checked out the double stack PT911 and liked it a lot though.
I am also considering 3 double stacks but I'm worried they may be bigger than I should go for this use:
-Taurus PT911/PT940. Always liked this gun but I haven't yet bought one. They are pretty compact for double stack guns.
-CZ 75 Compact. Nice gun, I love my CZ 75B, but I'm not sure the width of the grip is any less than the full-sized gun so it may not work for what I want.
-Glock 19. I'd have to find one used since I won't buy a Glock new (one possible problem). It is a double stack, but polymer guns are usually a bit more compact than their metal counterparts. I don't know if this will be enough to counteract the bulk of the double stack mags though.
As of right now I think my top choices are the SIG 239 (I'd prefer it in .40 but I may go 9mm for the lesser recoil), Kahr K9, S&W 3913, and S&W 908 but that may well change. I'd probably prefer the .40s but recoil is a strong consideration for what I want this gun for (so if you suggest one of the .40s please have something to say about perceived recoil- preferably be able to compare it to another common handgun). Also, I'd love a Commander or Officer sized 1911 for this but: 1) the single stack 9/.40 would be a bit smaller, 2) I already have a gun essentially Commander size in my Ruger KP345, 3) the single stack 9 would have less recoil, and 4) the 1911 would probably be significantly more money than most of my other options.