Which Small 9mm To Get? Down to 3 Choices...

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MadMercS55

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Have been looking to get a small 9mm pistol for a few months now. Have it pretty nailed down to one of 3. They are, Glock 26, XD SubCompact, and the S&W M&P 9c. I'm very familiar with the Glock, but not so much with the others in their compact formats. Any big pros and cons would be great. Not sure which direction to go, so any/all opinions would be great.
 
Look into the CZ Rami. I have the Poly version. About same size as a Glock, alittle heavier though about 23 oz. DA/SA hold 10rds. I love mine.
Good luck all the pistols you mentioned a very good choices, just wanted to add mine suggestion as I was looking at the same models you mentioned.
 
IIRC, both Glock & XD can accept the higher cap mags of their bigger-brother counterparts. I don't believe the same is true of M&P, but could be wrong. This may or may not be worth consideration for your purposes. S&W & SA both have great marketing offers going right now, with the free mags/other gear & rebates, but I'm sure you know that. I personally love the ergonomics of the S&W.
 
I would go with the XD- just feels right in my hands, I think they're a step up from glock. The trigger pull on those things is amazing. The grip angle makes a big difference and they seem to be more accurate. That said, a lot of people don't like the grip safety on the XD. Best bet is to try them both and find out what fells best to YOU.

For the record, I'm not an XD fanboy, my sidearm of choice is my CZ P-01. :evil:
 
IIRC, both Glock & XD can accept the higher cap mags of their bigger-brother counterparts. I don't believe the same is true of M&P, but could be wrong.

I respectfully must inform you that you are indeed wrong. I have both the full size and the compact. The compact takes full sized mags with no problem. they are very compatible platforms.

I LOVE the ergos and the feel of the M&Pc. It's also fantastically accurate.
 
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As a fan of the CZ I tried an early steel framed rami. Nice but heavy. I haven't handled the poly version.
I would have said Glock 26 ( i have one ), or 19, but I shot the compact S&W M&P 9 the other weekend and was very impressed with the ergonomics, construction and accuracy. Tempted to pic up the 45 version that has the 1911 style safety....
 
I have a 26 and love it, but would be happy with a M&P or a the XD. I picked the Glock over the XD because the XD is slightly larger (the Smith wasn't on the market yet). If I was making the choice today, I'd consider the new Walther PPS because it is smaller than even the baby Glock.

Any of these (including the CZ) are good guns, though I can't vouch for the Walther PPS yet because it is too new and I haven't shot one.
 
I have the xd-subcompact and love it. When I shot the Glock it felt a little loose in my hand. I was also more accurate with the XD. I would have to say the decision maker for me tho was the loaded chamber indicator and striker-status indicator. I'm familiar with handguns, but my fiance is not, so those two features left me with more peace of mind. The free XD gear was a nice side feature, including the mag-holder, speed loader, and the 16 rd mag with grip extension.

Great feel+great shooting+free gear=Happy day!
 
Not saying anything bad against the other two, but based on my experience with the Glock 26 I'd have to recommend it. It's a proven, simple, durable, dependable, amazingly accurate little pistol with plenty of hoslters designed for it. It's very easy to learn to detail strip, and parts (if ever needed) are inexpensive and easy to replace, overall, it's just about ideal.

As always, YMMV...;)
 
Dahwg, on another forum (TFL) a guy who bashed Glocks for so long finally bought one for his [supposedly] "expendable travel gun," and when he brought his Glock 26 to the range, he said it was actually more accurate than his XD9sc. At the end of his shockingly suprising unbiased review of the competition between his XD and Glock, the Glock 26 came out on top in his "point system" he had for the competition.

If you don't like the grip angle (it's that way for a reason, which I'll get to in a sec.) then simply heat it up over a candle (when it's fully UNLOADED of course), and push it back.

That "hump" is there, because GLOCK put a hole on the bottom-rear part of the Glock pistols' grip, so a soldier could put his finger inside to more effectively grasp the magazine and pull it out, in case it ever got jammed up there. So, you see, that "hump" is there for a tactically sound reason. ;)

Anyway, I agree, go check them out for yourself; go to a range where they rent guns and rent them all out, then make your decision.

P.S. if you think the G26's grip is too short, then simply get a pinky extension. But better to have a shorter grip option, because you can effectively ankle-carry the G26 without the pinky extension, if you ever want / need to. ;)
 
I have a CZ Rami and like it a lot - nice and solid in the poly frame. BUT to be honest, I'm considering a Keltec PF9 or possible a Ruger LCP for carry purposes.
 
I have the XD Sub and I love it. It is my most reliable handgun. That being said, I am contemplating getting the M&Pc with my stimulus rebate.
 
I have some trigger time on a friends G26 and it felt like it was going to "pop" out of my hand. He didn't have the pinky extension on his and I'm going to try that before making a decision on the G26. I've only seen the XD subcomp and M&P in photos. I checked one local store today and found only fullsize versions. I'm off over the weekend and will check out a couple more places here that should have them in stock. Hopefully I can find some rental XD & MP's to get some time on. I'll also see if I can find a CZ Rami to handle.
 
I really think Glock did its best work in 9mm and the G26 is one of the nicest shooting subs made today, plus the potential of 33 round mags makes for a fun shooter :cool:
 
g26
unless you plan to ankle carry i would seriously suggest looking into the glock19
 
I'm not a Glock fan and haven't owned one. I have owned both the XD and M&P and much prefer the M&P.

I find it more comfortable and I am much more accurate with it.
 
As someone who owns all three (not subcompact but compact or fullsize) the glock is the superior. The M&P is right behind it and the XD isn't exactly trash either. They are all quality... just feel then all in your hand and pick which one you like the best.
 
As far a functionality and size they are equal. The XD and M&P have different grip angles than the Glock. Its going to come down to a tough decision. As someone once said...if your in love with two girls marry the pretty one...and beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Good luck :cool:
 
I considered all 3 and chose the XD

I shot the XD and Glock and handled all three.....XD just felt the best and I liked the grip safety
 
Our experience with three Glock pistols has been excellent! Reliable as hammers; accurate as the shooter can be; durable as you could ask--they do everything very well!

With no breakage or repairs, our three Glocks have performed as follows YTD...

G21: 10/2005, 10,500 + Rounds .45 ACP, 2000 + Rounds 10 mm

G19: 12/2005, 8,500 + Rounds

G17: 06/2006 11,000 + Rounds

Funny, I don't find them ugly any more! ;)

--Ray
 
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