Which of these subcompacts would you get?

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I can pocket my g26 in 7 out of 9 pairs of my cargo shorts and all my of cargo pants. I started taking it into the dressing room to try um on and don't buy um anymore if it don't conceal. Like they <whom ever they are> say "dress around your CCW"

I had a PF9 but the trigger kept pinching my finger and I just didn't personalty care for it anymore after shooting a friends shield. So I sold the pf9 and got $27. more :D then I paid so I'm going to use the monies to get a shield as soon as the next one comes into my LGS.

So I'd suggest the g26 first and the shield second.
 
I carry a G26. For me its as big as I would care to carry and as small as I would care to fight with. Anything smaller has less rounds, worse handling or both. Anything with more rounds is going to be bigger and heavier.
 
I have an sr9c that carries well and is pretty accurate. If you're active it may be harder to maintain concealment with IWB side carry than you think. You may want to consider a .380 for pocket concealment. The .380 is a proven round and in a defense situation would be adequate. I have a friend that carries IWB and thinks he keeps it concealed with a light shirt. Drives me crazy, he may as well just open carry. It kinda defeats the concealment part. I keep a .380 for that reason. If it's a hotter day and I'm wearing lighter clothing It's easier to maintain concealment.
 
From your list given and reasons (not wanting to pay for anything other than function)...either the PF9 or LC9.

PF9-~$300
LC9-~$350
Shield-going for around $500, hard to find just about anywhere
P250-~$400, a friend had one, hated it, got rid of it within 2 months
26-~$500
CZ-~$475
PPK-~$500
 
None of the ones listed. Have and carry a Kahr CM9 (less expensive clone of the PM9). High quality construction, lightweight, compact/concealable, accurate - even at longer distances, smoothest trigger of all, unequalled reliability, and fairly priced.
 
From your list the CZ, but I think the Kahr CW9 is the perfect CCW gun. Small enough to take anywhere yet can get your whole hand on the grip and actually fun to shoot.
 
Glock.

I can speak to some but not all of the above choices. They are not apples and apples. There is a difference in size between say the KT and the Glock for instance.

I like CZs, I like XDs, and I like Kahrs, and a few others...

That said, the Glock pistols of all varieties have always been flawless and accurate for me. And the nice thing is that your spare mag can been of the 15 or 17 or 30 round variety. I often have a couple larger mags with me when I have my subcompact Glock.
 
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I used to own a Sig P250 SC it was too clunky and thick imho to really be in the SC class. A KelTec P11 is actually smaller and easier for me to pocket carry.
I have no experience with the other SC guns you listed.
 
I carry a G26. I usually carry OWB, but the 26 prints no worse under an over-shirt than a cell phone. I will sometimes back pocket carry mine if I am wearing a shirt that comes down to the top of my pocket height...or if I just don't care if some sees it.

It's been accurate, dependable, and affordable. It's actually a pistol that I can shoot well right or left handed, and I like the fact that I collect mags for it as I stumble across deals on them as it will take all Glock 9mm mags from the 10 to 33 rounders. It stores away in a nano vault nicely in my bag for travel (gun loaded with two mags for a total of 31 rounds). I like that I can pack it in states where my permit counts yet they have limitations on high capacity. It's just as at home on my belt in the woods as in the urban jungle (no, I'm not going into bear or cat territory).

Just a great do-it-all little pistol in an affordable and effective caliber.
 
Mine isn't on your list. It's true it's no longer being made and you have to look hard to find one for sale, but i carry a FN HP-DA/DAO Compact (I have both). 9mm, 10 shots, all steel and made by FN Herstal- what's not to like?

Best,
Bill in Cleveland
 
My every day carry is a Keltec PF9 and has been for the last 3 years. Light weight, no failure to fire or feed, good sights & the trigger is pretty good. I also have a PPK in .380, its a good gun but its large for caliber and heavy, sights are too small (disappear late in the day or early A.M.). If I was going to .380 I would get a Keltec P3AT, much smaller & lighter and no safety to mess with, mine is my second (son got my first) or was, now my wife carries it. I put 300 or so rounds thru the P3AT before I trusted it as a carry gun no problems. Due to their light weight and small size both the P3AT and the PF9 do have a rather sharp recoil, but they are much more accurate than they have a right to be. With a pocket holster the P3AT sort of disappears in your pocket. I usually wear overalls so the PF9 fits my pocket in a pocket holster just fine.
 
My top 3 suggestions, in order are:

1. M&P Shield
2. Glock
3. Ruger LC9

I would place the PF9 last. I've owned one (brand new) that was unreliable, unfortunately so I speak from experience. Keltec is a good company, but their products can sometimes be hit or miss.

Good luck.
 
My Vote - Glock 26

Love my Gen4 G26. It's been reliable and accurate with everything I've put in it, ranging from light 115gr FMJ to +P 124gr HPs. There are a lot of aftermarket parts out there, as well as various options for holsters. Finally, it's a joy to shoot.
 
In my experience, the S&W Shield is the best pistol in its size class. For comparison I have experience with the Walther PPS and the Kahr. The forward rails of polymer frame Kahr separated from the frame. To me the Shield is built better than the PPS which had some bugs early on. S&W is the importer for Walther so there's no doubt that S&W learned a lot from the failings of the PPS. Walther has since corrected most of the problems and lowered the price of the PPS. No doubt due to the success of the Shield. ;)

If you can carry a Glock 26, then you can carry the SA XDm 3.8 Compact which I would choose over the Glock.
 
I own a couple of G26's. Decent, solid smallish 9's.

On any given day, however, I prefer shooting my 3913, SW999c & CS9.

All of that said, after having spent an afternoon trying another instructor's Shield 9, I'm going to be ordering one. ;)
 
Another vote for the Walther PPS. Slim, but solid. Heavy enough to be easy to shoot. Trigger is heavy, but easy to control. Reliable. And with the shortest grip (6-rd) it's doable for pocket carry.

If you are happy with the size of the Glock 26, it's probably the best choice of the bunch. Super reliable. 10-rds of 9mm. Takes the larger G19 and G17 magazines. But it's a big thick compared to the rest of your options.

Good luck.

TMann
 
Another vote for the Walther PPS. Slim, but solid. Heavy enough to be easy to shoot. Trigger is heavy, but easy to control. Reliable. And with the shortest grip (6-rd) it's doable for pocket carry.

If you are happy with the size of the Glock 26, it's probably the best choice of the bunch. Super reliable. 10-rds of 9mm. Takes the larger G19 and G17 magazines. But it's a big thick compared to the rest of your options.

Good luck.

TMann
 
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