Recommend a 9mm Compact

[Chewy65]

I have begun shopping for my first (in recent history) semi-automatic and would appreciate some recommendations. Here is a list of my criteria.

Calibre: 9mm

Size: Compact

Budget: About $1,000, less is best

Purpose: Home defense, monthly range practice, very rarely for CCW (application pending)

Experience: None in last 40 years other than just spending an hour with a Glock 19. I liked it but have to compare to what is available. Heavy experience with Skeet and Trap. Shot a 1911 in the service for qualification, only, and rarely carried the 1911.

Other: I am curious about 1911's and also if I should go with a single stack for concealability. This is for me, but I would like my wife to be able to use it if I settle on gun we can both enjoy. She has very small hands but could shoot and rack the Glock 19. My hands aren't that large and the G19 seemed to fit pretty well. I want to see if others fit even better. I have been tempted to test the present Mance injunction, but am going to limit this to the Roster.

[SLO1911Fan]

CZ P-01
CZ 75 Compact
CZ 75 PCR
S&W Shield

[EspoMan]

I carry a Shield for CCW and love it.

[tbc]

CZ's are GTG.
More options:
HK P2000
HK USPc




Sent from my VP9

[MyOdessa]

CZ 75 Compact or CZ 75 PCR

Small enough for occasional CCW, but more ergonomic for range/HD, then S&W Shield.

[JBoutfishn]

Take a hard look at the M&P 9MM C. Slightly larger than the Shield, ergonomically superior, comes with three different size grips.

I carry both a compact (40S&W) or a shield (9MM), depending on which way the wind is blowing, but for range use the compact is a better bet. The compact in 9MM or 40S&W is physically the same size.

[NiteQwill]

CZ PCR or 75 Compact

Otherwise, Glock 19.

[SkyHawk]

Check out the Sig P239

[Deimos887]

Springfield Armory XD9 Service or SC, used SIG P229 or P239 (single stack compact), Glock 19 or 26, CA compliant S&W Shield, possibly used S&W M&P9c (though not sure if they'll fall in your price range, post SSE as they fell off roster last year... might get lucky), used Ruger SR9/SR9c (same situ as the MP9c) used Commander sized 1911 in 9mm..

[Dokbrick]

Glock 19 hands down or P229R (non-CA bull**** version).

[Quiet]

Glock 19
H&K P-2000
SIG P-229
SIG P-239

[steelheadmike]

G19, or a 26 with some mag extensions.

[skilletboy]

I know it's rate here, but I'm liking my m&p shield a little less than I hoped. Still a very good gun, but not my fav. But I'm a Glock shooter, I shoot g26/27s about the same as my full size.

If you could get one for less than 1k, hk compact is smooth as ****. Great .40 shooter, I know you want 9mm, but just saying.

[pluke the 2]

sig p239 is really really really good. on roster, all metal, and its a sig. its small but shoots pretty similar to my full size handguns. i will definitely be adding it to my ccw list.

[volosong]

G19, or a 26 with some mag extensions.

My recommendation also. As a distant second choice, a S&W M&P 9 Shield.

(disclaimer: Just within the past two years have I 'graduated' from .22s. I purchased a G19 two years ago and a M&P 9 Shield last year. The Glock is ultra-reliable; the Shield just fits into the hand as if it were custom made for it.)