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Starting my research for a 9mm to carry

3K views 27 replies 17 participants last post by  Rick1967 
#1 ·
I used to carry a 9mm...

For a while it was a Taurus 709 slim, then a Bersa BP9CC, then a M&P Shield, even a Kahr CM9 for a while (was happy with each)

For the last year it's been the Shield in cal. .45

Now I'm ready to look for another 9mm single stack... Looking for thin, light and reliable

I'm interested in what you folks like... It will give me more ideas and reviews to read/watch

Glock 43 is one possibility
 
#2 ·
i'm huge fan of the Springfield Armory XD series. you might look into their single-stack XD series as well.

i'm thinking of seriously upgrading from my Bersa Thunder 380 to a pocket 9mm to replace it. the Glock 43 and the SA XD-S or the XD-E are the three i'm leaning towards for myself.
 
#7 ·
That's what I'd do. I traded a Glock 43 for the 9mm shield I now carry, and haven't regretted it yet. Of course everyone has a different perception of felt recoil, but I thought the Glock 43 I had was way too "snappy" for a 9mm. To me, my 9mm shield doesn't kick as hard, and it's just as reliable.
My wife carries a Glock 42. She likes it real well too.
 
#17 ·
That's what I'd do. I traded a Glock 43 for the 9mm shield I now carry, and haven't regretted it yet. Of course everyone has a different perception of felt recoil, but I thought the Glock 43 I had was way too "snappy" for a 9mm. To me, my 9mm shield doesn't kick as hard, and it's just as reliable.
My wife carries a Glock 42. She likes it real well too.
I agree with headspace. The felt recoil of the Shield is less than any other little pistol I have shot. I also shoot it better than any other subcompact pistol.
 
#10 ·
looking at the comparison in size and capacity, that P365 is looking pretty good! i'm adding that one to my list to check out as well.

it's shorter in height and length, and weighs the less and has 2 to 4 more rounds of capacity than the others. and with an MSRP of $599, the only one with a much lower MSRP is the SA XD-S at $497. the other two are within $20 to $30 in difference.
 
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#6 ·
Walther PPS is the original single stack carry pistol I believe and one you need to take a look at. I carry a shield and XD sometimes and those have been suggested. I was thinking about a diamondback for a pocket pistol, but so far have only thought about it....hmmm
 
#13 ·
I'm in the same boat as the OP. I had a Taurus 709. It was a very reliable handgun, but I could just not get used to the trigger.

Bought a SCCY, probably should of stopped there, but the snob in me came out and I traded up to the Sig 938.

Bought the 938 22 conversion for practice and the MOA was different so I traded it off too. And honestly, I don't need a safety on a handgun for social work.

Was going to get the S&W Shield, but being a reloader I turned it down due to the warning from Starline Brass.
https://www.starlinebrass.com/brass-cases/9MM-Luger-Brass/

The GLOCK 43 was given consideration, but I just don't like GLOCKS.

Looked at the Ruger LC9, but no go. I could of lived with the trigger, but I don't do magazine disconnects.

Then I bought a Kahr, both a 380 and a 45 ACP. Love them, so I decided on a Kahr 9mm.

About this time I ran across the Honor Defense Honor guard. Then found the info about it not being drop safe.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/bearingarms.com/tom-k/2017/12/19/honor-guard-pistol-unsafe-dropped/amp/

Went back to Kahr then the Ruger LC9sPro came out. That stalled me. I am a Ruger fan boi, so I was vexed between the two.

Finally decided to get the Kahr when lo and behold, I get an email from Sig announcing the 365. Now I'm back in a holding pattern. :confused:

It WILL be the Kahr or the Sig though. This has been going on for 2 years or so. Time to make a decision, but I promise, I will like what I what I get. For goodness sake I've put in enough time looking at and shooting them.
 
#14 ·
I'm in the same boat as the OP. I had a Taurus 709. It was a very reliable handgun, but I could just not get used to the trigger.

Bought a SCCY, probably should of stopped there, but the snob in me came out and I traded up to the Sig 938.

Bought the 938 22 conversion for practice and the MOA was different so I traded it off too. And honestly, I don't need a safety on a handgun for social work.

Was going to get the S&W Shield, but being a reloader I turned it down due to the warning from Starline Brass.
https://www.starlinebrass.com/brass-cases/9MM-Luger-Brass/

The GLOCK 43 was given consideration, but I just don't like GLOCKS.

Looked at the Ruger LC9, but no go. I could of lived with the trigger, but I don't do magazine disconnects.

Then I bought a Kahr, both a 380 and a 45 ACP. Love them, so I decided on a Kahr 9mm.

About this time I ran across the Honor Defense Honor guard. Then found the info about it not being drop safe.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/bearingarms.com/tom-k/2017/12/19/honor-guard-pistol-unsafe-dropped/amp/

Went back to Kahr then the Ruger LC9sPro came out. That stalled me. I am a Ruger fan boi, so I was vexed between the two.

Finally decided to get the Kahr when lo and behold, I get an email from Sig announcing the 365. Now I'm back in a holding pattern. :confused:

It WILL be the Kahr or the Sig though. This has been going on for 2 years or so. Time to make a decision, but I promise, I will like what I what I get. For goodness sake I've put in enough time looking at and shooting them.
Gotta love the choices, trials and tribulations and decisions.... I do!:)
 
#21 ·
I went through this process just this winter. I thought I wanted a more slender, single stack pistol for summer carry as my other pistols are thicker, or larger or ....something. I really REALLY wanted a Walther PPK, but for price thought a Bersa Thunder 380 was a great deal.

In the end, I realized my Steyr SA-40 was just about the same size at the Bersa OR the Walther PPK. (Sorry, Mr. Bond. You are simply out gunned and out of date!).

Here in Maine there is no law against carrying concealed (except in a few places). Regardless, I have a concealed carry permit so the only places I can't carry (for the most part) are places posted: hospitals, etc.

So I will carry the Steyr in its belt retention holster which puts it high on my hip and will mostly be concealed beneath whatever shirt I wear during the summer.

You might look at the Steyer SA-9. Not a small gun...ie: not a 'mouse' gun but pretty light and small and a nice shooting pistol.
 
#23 ·
I just happened to watch hickok45's review of the sig p365 today (was re-hooking up the chrome cast doohickey on my tv so I can watch YouTube gun vids on the TV)

Anyhoo.. That sure looks like a great gun

Of course, I also want the Shield 380-EZ
 
#24 ·
Funny story... My shield .45 (frequent carry gun) is locked in my small night stand safe (electronic combo lock style) and the batteries went out and I don't remember where I packed the keys!

Guess I won't be carrying that until I unpack my shop boxes and find the keys

I have other guns to carry... But sure hope I find the keys ;)

Wish they would have designed it like my front door electronic lock... If the batteries go out (when you are locked outside) you can hold a 9-volt up against to leads on the outside of the lock and then enter your entry code (you can only change battery from inside obviously)
 
#28 ·
I currently pocket carry a CM9 in a handmade leather pocket holster. But if you already had one, I guess you have a reason for not getting another.
 
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