Recommend a 9mm Compact

[Mayor McRifle]

I shot a standard XD9 today, along with a Sig 220, a full size Beretta PX4 Storm, and a Glock 19. All being 9's.

A 9mm SIG P220?

[Deimos887]

^ I caught that too, assumed he meant P226... then again Euro 9mm P220's do exist. Not common in the US, but they're out there..

[ElDub1950]

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

To start out, eliminate CCW from your criteria and get something you like to shoot a lot because then you WILL shoot it a lot and then it will be good for both training and HD.

If you try to find one gun for all purposes you usually end up with one that isn't very good for any purpose. If you get a small gun for CCW 'most' people don't enjoy putting 4-500 rounds through it on a good range day. And as many have said, a lot of people successfully carry a full sized gun.

Regardless of all the recommendations, go rent as many as you can find that seem to feel good to you. Put a couple hundred rounds through each, then, and only then, will you find something you actually like.

[Gryff]

S&W M&P9 Compact

Smaller than the Glock 19, but feels better in the hand than the sub-compact Glocks.

[Chewy65]

Actually, I meant a Sig P229, but hit the "0" key next to the "9". What ElDub said about getting a standard gun makes a lot of sense. Especially renting as many as possible. Where I have been going they don't seem to have any subcompacts to rent, but I would really like to try the Sig P239. Since it is a metal gun it is as heavy as some compacts and while the barrel isn't 4", it is longer than the 3" sported by most sub compacts; 3.6". The single stack also intrigues me.

Still, if not convinced that I will be happy with the 0239, I agree it may be smart to stick with a 4" barrel model (a.k.a. a service or compact size or whatever marketing comes up with.) To me a full or tactical size is 5" and I don't want that.

As for concealment, why did I lose 25 pounds in the last year? All that blubber could have hidden a howitzer.

[Mayor McRifle]

Where I have been going they don't seem to have any subcompacts to rent, but I would really like to try the Sig P239.

Where are you located?

[tacticalcity]

Glock 17, 19 or 26...most likely the 19 will meet your needs better based on what you wrote but often times once you examine something in person priorities shift.

If it were going to be carried daily I would say 26. But since it is mostly a range gun with only some carry I say 19. That said, if a 17 fits your hands better go with that. A full size gun can be concealed. Just depends on your wardrobe.

Notice a theme developing here?

Get a Glock. Simple design makes it easy to master. Compared to its competitors it has a shorter pull and shorter reset, but not so short your risk prematurely firing and having an ND. As much as I like how thin the Shield is for CCW, I don't like the thumb safety that is so damn small it is hard to flip off but could get accidentally engaged if trying to carry with it off...and I don't like the heavier/longer pull and longer reset. That is not to say I dislike it, I just like the Glock better. Besides, you didn't say it was primarily a CCW. So you don't want something that small, they are not a joy to shoot compared to larger guns.

[Deimos887]

Actually, I meant a Sig P229, but hit the "0" key next to the "9". What ElDub said about getting a standard gun makes a lot of sense. Especially renting as many as possible. Where I have been going they don't seem to have any subcompacts to rent, but I would really like to try the Sig P239. Since it is a metal gun it is as heavy as some compacts and while the barrel isn't 4", it is longer than the 3" sported by most sub compacts; 3.6". The single stack also intrigues me.

Still, if not convinced that I will be happy with the 0239, I agree it may be smart to stick with a 4" barrel model (a.k.a. a service or compact size or whatever marketing comes up with.) To me a full or tactical size is 5" and I don't want that.

As for concealment, why did I lose 25 pounds in the last year? All that blubber could have hidden a howitzer.

As another option if you like the size and slimness of the P239, SIG Sauer P6's can be had for about half the price, which is a German Federal police issue surplus variant of SIG's now discontinued P225 model (which was the predecessor to the P239). Which was basically a compact P220 chambered in 9mm only, about the same size as a P229 but single stack.

It's still on the roster under P.W. ARMS (the importer) if you can find one in a LGS or through a distributor, however I'm pretty sure Century Arms International imported many more (and unfortunately CA considers different importers of the exact same handgun to be different)... but that's no concern if you find one up for sale through cosignment or a PPT.

I paid $400 for my '81 West German P6 in 2010, had some holster wear but was evidently shot very little as the internals looked near new. As bsg makes note of below, P225's are tuned more appropriately to a civilian handgun and less a Euro police issue one (with 20lb D/A trigger pull) and have better finish, but they've been out of production almost 20 years now, and have become fairly difficult to source used (I guess people just hold onto them)... P6's on the other hand were mass imported to the US from Germany in 2010 and 2011 and still pop up for sale pretty regularly. Swapping springs and a little polishing can lighten up their triggers pretty well, and is a hell of a bargain for (what I'm assuming) go for +/- $500 now... one of my favorite SIGs btw.

my favorite 9mm compact is the Sig Sauer P225; not on roster, but can be had via PPT. the Sig Sauer P6 (P.W. ARMS) is on roster, but would most likely need some work to bring it up to speed of the P225; my preference is for the w german P225 for defensive application.

the P225 is known for it's great ergonomics, and especially that it is very comfortable in the grip for those with small hands and for those with large hands. it is arguably the most ergonomically pleasing Sig Sauer handgun ever manufactured; YMMV. the P225 is pleasant to shoot and many owners find that it soon becomes their favorite handgun after acquiring one. most all owners of the P225 express strong loyalty to this Sig Sauer classic. the cost to purchase a P225 has recently increased significantly, coinciding with the gradual widening of it's fan base.

[JDW67]

A 9mm SIG P220?

^ I caught that too, assumed he meant P226... then again Euro 9mm P220's do exist. Not common in the US, but they're out there..

Sig made the 220 originally in 9mm.

OP, I went through the same thing you're doing and got the Glock 19. Liked it so much that I got the 17 and am now looking for a 26.

[Bullitt01]

Ha....MANY that are good!

[pluke the 2]

i dont see anyone fitting the p01 on their persons comfortably. unless its winter time and you got a big jacket. the p01 by cz is the equivalent to an sp2022 from sig.

the rami from cz is closer but smaller to the equivalent sig p239

[hefedehefe]

SIG P320

[Mr. Gillious]

OP... get a CZ

You won't regret it... and if you do just sell it to me

[Chewy65]

SIG P320

Thanks. It looks nice but there is the Roster.

[TripleThreat]

Not really.