WAS going to get a Shield until I held on and operated it.

[Orion8472]

I was just about to join the S&W Shield bandwagon. The other day, I happened to find one to try out and I came away slightly disappointed. The grip was a bit TOO thin for my liking. Also, when I did a dry fire on it, . . . as hard as I tried, upon the "click", the pistol moved slighly to the right. In other words, while looking down the sights, the front sight would slighly jerk to the right when the trigger was pulled. It also felt pretty gritty, especially the relatively long take up. I heard people say that they liked this trigger better than the Glock trigger, but I have to disagree whole heartedly. So now, I'm back to trying to figure out what 9mm carry gun is going to work for me. Shield is out. Kahr is out. Any gun with a long DAO trigger is out, for that matter. Can't afford a Solo or Sig 938. Kind of at a loss.

 

[19-3Ben]

Hrm... perhaps something like a S&W 3913 or the like? The traditional DA/SA would give you single action trigger pulls for everything but the first shot, and it's a single stack 9mm.
Just a thought.

 

[afrederick]

Get a Ruger SR9c. I couldn't be happier with mine. Trigger pull is relatively short, light, and crisp for a striker fired pistol. I carry it often in a Crossbreed Supertuck Deluxe and it is very comfortable. I also shoot it at IDPA matches whenever I can. It is small enough to easily and comfortably conceal yet large enough to be comfortable and fun to shoot. The price was right as well.

 

[kludge]

If you have a Glock/like the Glock why not the G26?

Springfield XD(S) or XDm-3.8? I have an XD-40 and XD-40sc. The XD doesn't have a long DA pull, is more like a long single action pull, I prefer it to all the others.

Ruger SR9C? (still a thin grip -- too thin for me, yet still a double stack magazine). I shot a buddy's SR9, and to tell the truth it was probably the most accurate (in my hands) 9mm pistol I've ever shot.

S&W M&P9c?

 

[Orion8472]

What I get will have to be relatively thin. I thought about a Glock 19 [I don't personally own any Glocks at the moment], but it is a bit too thick.

I may check out the posibility of the SR9c.

The S&W 3913 looks nice, however I'm more interested in something with a lower bore axis for recoil management.

If Springfield Armory releases the XDs in 9mm, I may consider one of those.

 

[bannockburn]

I would second the notion of a Ruger SR9c. For me the grip is perfect, especially for a double stack. Trigger was a little gritty when I first got it but now it feels just fine, and definitely better than my Glock 17. Sights are quick and easy to acquire and I like that you can change the backstrap insert and magazine baseplate to better suit your hand.

 

[Water-Man]

Walther PPS

 

[Orion8472]

I forgot about the PPS. It is another option. A bit too high on the cost, though.

 

[TarDevil]

Three for the SR9c.

I've been thinking about a single stack, but since I can't justify one over my current EDC, just using the money for more ammo.

 

[JP5EDC]

Another SR9C fan here!!

 

[Orion8472]

Again, I will take a look at the SR9c. However, I see they are ~ 1.25" in width, which may be a bit too wide. I'll see when I check one out.

 

[Pilot]

I am considering both the Walther PPS and Shield to fill this niche. I've handled the Walther, and I'd like to handle a Shield. I have large hands, and I am sure the grips will feel thin, but that is to be expected with a sub compact, single stack, 9MM.

 

[Orion8472]

I could have lived with the thin grip. . . . perhaps a Hogue slip on. What I didn't like more was the trigger feel. Now, I had just checked out the trigger on my brother's Glock, but the Shield was too rough. And the release causing the slight movement to the right was disconcerting.

I know many have said it, . . . . but it is too bad that Glock doesn't come out with a thinner single stack line.

I also wish that Kahr had the traditional full striker instead of the half staged striker. The CW9 I had felt VERY nice. Just couldn't warm up to the trigger pull. If it had a stage to just where it released, I would be fine with that. I prefer knowing exactly where my trigger releases the hammer/striker.

 

[wbwanzer]

The XDm Compact has almost the same dimensions as the SR9C but it weighs a few ounces more . I'm not familiar with the SR9C but I do have a full size XDm, and it is nothing but reliable.

 

[tydephan]

Trigger preference aside - I'd be interested to see if your "slight" pull to the right is a product of the grip size of a single stack pistol. If it is, then you'll likely need to stick with a double-stack, of which there are no shortage of options. If not, then the PPS may be a good option for you. The trigger is nice, and you can find them used for ~$450.

 

[Orion8472]

Not sure if the movement was due to the think grip. Another guy there had the same experience when he dry fired it. It is thinner than I thought it was going to be, actually. It MAY be a candidate for a Hogue slip on, but that adds rubber into the mix, which COULD catch on clothing.

I also wonder if that would cure some of the movement. . . . . or if something could be done to smooth out the trigger?

 

[SwampWolf]

Trigger preference aside - I'd be interested to see if your "slight" pull to the right is a product of the grip size of a single stack pistol. If it is, then you'll likely need to stick with a double-stack, of which there are no shortage of options.

One of which is the fine Smith&Wesson Model 6906. A very reliable and well-built, compact, double-stack, 9mm pistol. Affordable as well. I highly recommend it.

 

[tydephan]

I also wonder if that would cure some of the movement

I don't know how experienced of a shooter you are, so please pardon me if this seems like a novice recommendation - but have you experimented with the amount of finger you're placing in the trigger. Too much or too little will introduce the movement you're experiencing, regardless of the grip size.

Just a thought.

 

[Orion8472]

I am pretty experienced. . . . . which is why I was taken back by the movement. It was hard to keep it from doing it. It was really odd.

 

[PabloJ]

I was just about to join the S&W Shield bandwagon. The other day, I happened to find one to try out and I came away slightly disappointed. The grip was a bit TOO thin for my liking. Also, when I did a dry fire on it, . . . as hard as I tried, upon the "click", the pistol moved slighly to the right. In other words, while looking down the sights, the front sight would slighly jerk to the right when the trigger was pulled. It also felt pretty gritty, especially the relatively long take up. I heard people say that they liked this trigger better than the Glock trigger, but I have to disagree whole heartedly. So now, I'm back to trying to figure out what 9mm carry gun is going to work for me. Shield is out. Kahr is out. Any gun with a long DAO trigger is out, for that matter. Can't afford a Solo or Sig 938. Kind of at a loss.

I would get M&P9c or Glock 26 instead. Unless it is truly pocket-competible like R9 single stack 9x19 pistols make zero sense to me. Why would anyone sacrifice half the capacity for 1/4" of thickness loss? I do not understand gun people at all.

 

[Orion8472]

Because I often even have issues with small single stack guns printing.

 

[Crazy Carl]

SR9C & G26 are both excellent choices. Ended up with a G26, but love both.

For reference, I felt the the G36 was too thin, but the SR9C is just right. G26 is a chubby little monkey, but I've got meathooks, so it's all good.

 

[Orion8472]

I do not [nor have ever] liked the feel of the Glock 26.

 

[RBid]

Another nod to the SR9c. That's my CCW, after carrying an LC9 and a PF-9, previously. I carry all day, every waking moment. That 1.25" width is a little misleading. The grip and slide are actually not that wide. That width is at the widest point of the controls, and those portions of the pistol ride above a holster. I routinely wear a pretty fitted polo shirt to work, and I don't print. All it takes to soften the lines is a 'wife beater' made with good material. I have always worn those, so no change necessary.

Added bonuses: full size spare mag, amazingly soft shooter, very good trigger, three finger grip, Ruger customer service (if needed), strong-right ejection (zero brass in your face).

 

[Bobson]

Given any consideration to the Ruger LC9? I don't have any firsthand experience with them, but was always interested to shoot one if I come across an opportunity to. Also didn't see anyone mention it, so thought I would. Good luck finding the best gun for you.