Single stack 9mm?

[johncage]

i don't believe in alternate carry guns for different season. i want controls and operations that are consistent and universal. and i want to concentrate my training on only one gun to maximize effectiveness with it.

anything above a micro compact, you will need to dress around to truly conceal during the hot and humid months where you only have a t shirt and draw string shorts. with that in mind, the shield is your best bet for an ultra concealable gun that isn't going to be so tiny it's hard to shoot. it is moderately light weight, thin, has non printing grip if you use the flush magazine, but a solid grip purchase if you use the extended magazine and it barely prints either. it's light enough that if you just tighten the draw string on your shorts, you can hang it fully loaded in a holster with a monoblock clip or an ulticlip directly to your shorts without a belt or any fear of it tipping over.

a sub compact or compact like the m&p 2.0 compact 3.6 inch, or the m&p9c isn't too bad, but you'll most likely need a thicker and thus warmer shirt during the summer or wear a loose flannel short sleeve or hawaiian shirt over your t shirt

[mk2dave]

johncage, I'm not looking for a carry gun. Please see my first post:

I got a buddy who is looking to get his first pistol. He's shot a variety of my firearms in an effort to find out what works for him and what doesn't. It looks like we are looking for a single stack 9mm in a full size or compact frame. Could be metal or poly frame. This would be for range and home defense, and carry is not a concern at the moment.

[mblat]

Just avoid Kahr. I really liked the K9 -- the feel was fantastic and trigger was long, but smooth. It wouldn't run. I would say the K9 would be an excellent choice if reliable.

Really? Interesting - I have PM9 - it gave me problems in the first 100 rounds or so - and then no problems what so ever.
Given how tight it was I was sort of expected it.

[cnj]

The CA approved Kahr CW9 is a great option. Reasonably priced, reliable with a decent very consistent DAO trigger. Had 2 over the years and sold both to help fund other projects. That was a mistake.

[tuna quesadilla]

Everybody, your friend included, should learn to shoot with a full size pistol. Something the size off G19 is as small as I would recommend. Any smaller and they will be fighting to control the gun before they learn the basics of marksmanship and weapons manipulation.

This.

We experienced shooters take for granted how much a compact-sized gun kicks and jumps. We've developed the forearm strength and the control in our wrists to handle it.

Understand that putting a gun like that in a new shooter's hands, unless they're getting some seriously high-quality training, is going to lead to bad habits and poor pistol-handling.

To the OP, if your friend is looking for a gun for range shooting and home defense, and if single-stack is what he wants, then I would wholeheartedly recommend a 9mm 1911. There are a couple of excellent models on the roster. They can be a little hard to find in-stock, but here's an example of one such rostered pistol in stock and ready to purchase: https://grovegunshop.com//product/sp...ustable-sights

[Nvberinger]

CZ 75 full size with Red Dot and Laser Light Combo sounds right. Fun on the range and good for home defense.

[RANGER295]

Reading about the P6, the feed ramp is designed for FMJ and may not tolerate JHP well. Anyone have experience with this? JHP need to be an option.

I'd love to talk him into a HK P7, but cost and cost prohibit it at a contender.

The P6 is the CCW weapon I carry the most. It is very picky on JHP. I tried a lot of different ammo before I found one that I had zero problems with and that is the Hornady Critical Defense 9mm. I have put around 200 rounds of it through my P-6 without a problem. There were a couple others that I had ok results with as well but I cannot remember which ones they were. I love my P-6 and trust it but I would really test it if I were going to carry one and not take my word for it. I do not know if they vary from piece to piece.

[Ruber]

Single stack 9mm?

The P6 is the CCW weapon I carry the most. It is very picky on JHP. I tried a lot of different ammo before I found one that I had zero problems with and that is the Hornady Critical Defense 9mm. I have put around 200 rounds of it through my P-6 without a problem. There were a couple others that I had ok results with as well but I cannot remember which ones they were. I love my P-6 and trust it but I would really test it if I were going to carry one and not take my word for it. I do not know if they vary from piece to piece.

[RANGER295]

Mine was imported by C.I.A. I bought it probably 15+ years ago when they first imported them. I want to say I paid around $300 for it. It came with a surplus holster that I never use. It was made in 1982. I use it bone stock. I am fine with the OG grips and sights. I really do not even mind the trigger. Mags are stupid expensive for it but I got lucky. Shortly after buying it I was driving home from Ft. Bragg/Mendocino and stopped at a combo liquor store/gun store in IIRC Jenner. They had a giant tub of random magazines for $3 each that the owner said he didn't know what they went to. I dug though it and found half a dozen or so factory P-6 mags, a bunch of Armscor AK-22 mags, and a couple other odd ball mags for stuff I have. I made out like a bandit.

[mk2dave]

I'm still looking for single stack, but people suggest double for variety's sake!

[Angrysnarf]

Love my 9mm 1911

[newbie1234]

...
... full size or compact frame.
... metal or poly frame.
... range and home defense
... carry is not a concern at the moment...

Your choice covers 90% of the 9mm on the Roster already , your choice will be LARGE, how about take you friend go to the shooting range or LGS, see the one that:
(1) Please his eyes.
(2) Fit his hand.
(3) 9mm ammo.
That's it. it's simple
To make more fun, let him try some revolver

[mk2dave]

It's the single stack that limits options though. Your advise is solid if single stacks prove to difficult to source. It's not my money, so online options are less appealing. He shot a Ruger Security Six with .38 wadcutters. If I were to choose a starter piece, something similar to this would be my choice. As reliable as gravity, effective round (in .357 JHP), and minimal training. With moderate training and a speed loader, the lack of projectiles is limited. But, alas, it did nothing for him.

[RetiredGranpa]

The surplus Star B is an old pistol but it fits the requirement of single stack 9mm but hard to find. You may have to search pawn shops. Turners sold them 16 years ago.

[highpower]

Since the roster limits his choices I think your friend may have to expand his search to what is available on the used market. The vast majority of my guns were purchased used and I have yet to get a bad one. If he is only going to look at new single stack guns, I imagine he will probably have to settle for something like a Shield or maybe a 1911 if he is willing to look at them.

I am not up on the roster as to what the Cali overlords allow you guys to have, but I picked up a Star BM a few years ago for $200 and it has been a solid little gun. It's an all steel 9mm compact and is maybe a little heavy for all day carry (which apparently isn't going to be an issue for him), but other than that, mine has been very reliable. I wouldn't hesitate to use it as my night stand gun. My only regret is that I didn't get two of them for that price. A quick look at Gunbroker shows that they have doubled in price over what I paid for mine. Come to think of it, I don't think they are C&R yet, so probably not very easy to find one out there. A Star B or Super B would also be a great choice and they are definitely C&R eligible.

gratuitous pics anyway:
Model BM


Star Super



I know that I'm not saying anything that you guys don't already know, but if your friend was willing to pay the Commiefornia premium, it sounds to me like he would be a perfect candidate for a Glock 48 or 43x. I have been using my G48 as my EDC for over a year and I really like it. Basically it's a single stack Glock 19 and they are very nice shooters.

48 on the left and 19 on the right;


First time I shot it, two magazines at 25ft. I know I'm shooting high and right but I am working on it.