Recommend a 9mm Compact

[Libertarian71]

Glock 19
HK P2000
HK USP 9c

[scoobydo]

Check out the LC9s if your ever thinking of carrying.
I would go with a G19 if its going to me more for range and home defense.
Hickok 45 decided for me on the LC9s.
I ordered the gun immediately after watching this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opx_IFm0iQU

[Mayor McRifle]

SIG Sauer P239

[1911ShooterPhil]

Why limit yourself to a compact 9mm?

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.

Chewy65,

Just to play the devil's advocate here...but, why are you limiting yourself to a compact 9mm? For your intended budget ($1000), you could get a sweet, compact 1911 for the purpose you have discussed. Since you are curious about 1911s, I can offer my insights in regards to using and carrying them.

I love 1911s and have carried a 1911 (in various form) since I could legally own one. Mine have all been tuned to match my shooting style and personal preferences. A 1911 pistol is certainly concealable. 1911 pistols have a narrow profile, and with the correct holster, a 1911 conceals quite well. I have a customized Rock Island Armory Compact, specifically for my CCW:

.45 ACP "Custom Compact" 1911 (done by Mark Bunach, http://www.ocgunsmith.com/)


That's a slim profile pistol, and with the 3" barrel in .45ACP, it has some bark and a bit of recoil...but, it conceals quite well & has knockdown power.

Since you already have experience from the military using a 1911, and you possess some confidence with one, since you had to qualify with a 1911...then why force yourself to learn a different weapon system? The reason I have stuck to 1911s for so long is because I am so familiar with them. I can practically operate a 1911 in my sleep and I bet I could disassemble one while upside down & blindfolded.

If you are worried about if your wife could handle a 1911...you won't know until she tries. I have instructed female shooters in the use of a 1911, and, many of them have loved it. Why? Light trigger pull and narrow grip profile. Plus, with slim grip bushings and grip screws and a set of slim grips, you could make the grip even more narrow, if you really wanted to.

Like I said, I'm just playing the devil's advocated here. Others in this thread have made good suggestions for compact 9mm pistols. CZ and SIG both make great pistols. I have a SIG P6 (P225) which is a great, reliable compact 9mm pistol (I also have a SIG P220 & SIG P238 -- both of which are great pistols, too). CZ and SIG pistols are built to last. Kahr is also a good choice. The Kahr K9 or Kahr P9 would be good choices for CCW as well. Both of those have a narrow profile, good for concealment, but with a full length grip, to aid with recoil and follow-up shot placement. Kahr pistols are simple to disassemble and operate.

Take a look here: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/i...oved+Handguns/

You'll find a good selection of CA-approved handguns. Best of luck in your decision. Cheers!

--1911ShooterPhil

[Chapped Hide]

Springfield EMP?

[scootle]

If the OP isn't necessarily going to CCW/carry, something like the M&P Shield or other sub-compact pistols might not be the best choice for general HD and range use. Personally, I'd say something larger than a M&P9c (sadly off-roster now) or Glock 19 would be more comfortable for extended range use. If carry isn't the governing use-case, the size becomes less an issue, honestly. Small hands doesn't equate to "smaller pistols are better" -- usually it's the opposite due to the sharper recoil on smaller framed pistols. Grip profile is more important, imho.

With a budget of $1000 there are lots of options though... and you can, as mentioned, consider a 1911 as well, even in 9mm chambering. Also see if any CZ or Sig offerings float your boat... or even an HK. It also depends on what kind of manual of arms you prefer... learning to shoot and manipulate a 1911 for defensive use is arguably a bit more involved than a more "modern" striker-fired pistol.

[Chewy65]

There have been some great suggestions and I haven't ruled out the 1911, but as for being familiar my military experience was in the 60's and I barely used a 1911, except when I was temporarily assigned to Marine Barracks LBNS. that and I was the small arms armorer in a fighter squadron. All the meant was I cleaned the pilot's 1911's. AS for the money, I can do a nice 1911 but a 9 or a .40 is likely better suited to my small frame and puny old man's musculature.


I am reviewing all the specs of the suggestions, most of which I had heard. and so far it looks like the G19 or a Sig P229 Enhance Elite. The Glock is nice, but the 229 has a lot of features I like that may be similar to a 1911. Both have a rail but the Sig is DA/SA. This will be a close choice but as I have learned with shotguns, buy once, cry once.

[Oxnard_Montalvo]

The Springfield EMP is my new love, I'll let you know in September if it's just a summer thing .

[Chewy65]

You caught it, scootle. Carry isn't the priority and from shotgunning I leaned that weight can help to tame recoil and make for less time to getting back on target for follow up shots. I am going to hold off on making a decision for at least a week, since my wife may just surprise me and want a gun better fit to her little hands. And just what that is seems odd. After an instructor took pity on her and showed her a proper two hand hold, it seemed to me that she had just enough room for a two hand grip. I tried copying it and felt like I could use a slightly larger gun.

This means I have to rent and shoot all of these. Life is tragic?

[cncer]

My USP Compact is a range favorite for myself and my wife. I carry a P2000sk for CCW.

[Oceanbob]

Check out the LC9s if your ever thinking of carrying.
I would go with a G19 if its going to me more for range and home defense.
Hickok 45 decided for me on the LC9s.
I ordered the gun immediately after watching this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opx_IFm0iQU

This^^^^^

I love the LC9S and also bought the Pro model.

[SonofWWIIDI]

Springfield EMP?

You beat me too it.

[static2126]

P01 or G19

[JackRydden224]

CZ P-01 or PCR from CGW ($946 plus tax and fees)

[MrElectric03]

I'm pretty happy with my Sig p239. It's a bit on the heavy side for ccw to some people but shoots very well. It's a single stack with 8+1 capacity. IIRC I paid $930 OTD.