Single stack compact 9mm for carry, suggestions?

[pyromensch]

do i sense a little impatience here?

[Blademan21]

I carry a CW9 in a IWB Crossbred and it disappears even under a t-shirt. Can't go wrong on the price either.

[Bug Splat]

I also say Kahr. I like the all SS models but I don't mind the extra weight. I'd take a CW9 over the CM9 as I think the Micro's are too small. The "regular" size Kahrs (CW9, P9, K9) are just perfect size to get a full grip on it and still be very compact.

[Legasat]

Shields should start to hit the CA market in Dec. If you can hold on that long, it's worth the wait.

[morrcarr67]

Damn, why the **** do I even bother writing anything in the OP since the majority of the people that reply don't even bother reading it?

That's ok. No one looked at you avatar or where you live either.

[redcliff]

I have two Kahr's, the PM9 and P380. If pocket carry is your primary concern (and I did read your original post and know you want 9mm) I thought I should mention that the P380 is a bit easier to pocket carry and draw from in my cargo shorts. For me, a Glock 26/27 for pants pocket carry is simply not an option, the grip is too wide.

Whatever 9mm you go with be sure to try in your pocket with a pocket holster before you buy.

[JeremyS]

I've been quite happy with my Beretta Nano. Affordable and I don't think it can be beat for quality and reliability. It's skinny and short, but you can find lighter (same weight as the Shield, 19 oz). The weight does mean it shoots softer than other guns in the same size category, like the Kahr CM9/PM9. It's shockingly accurate.

I have also seen a surprising number of favorable reviews of the Taurus 709. Certainly affordable, and I've seen used ones in my area that are extremely affordable. Lifetime warranty is transferable so you still get it even with a used purchase. Still... just due to the stigma of Taurus I'm not sure I'd want to bank my life on it, but the same can be said for Kel-Tec and other inexpensive guns. I had a Taurus Millenium Pro back like 5 years ago and it was 100% reliable for me with everything I fed it, so I know Taurus can make a working gun. The truth is... if something happened, I wouldn't want to be seen carrying the Taurus (or a kel-tec)

The grip of the Shield is a little taller and it wasn't in my final running because of it. The back corner of the grip is always what prints for me and the Nano was the max height I was considering. For pocket carry, it works just fine. Not sure I could get something taller in most pockets. The Kahr is just shorter than the Nano, but the controllability and reliability of the Nano pushed me that way.

[Renaissance Redneck]

Sig 938, love mine.

Ditto. I have an early-run serial, and they had a few problems with those. (Mine is still at Sig). But, Sig customer service is outstanding, and they are standing behind their lifetime warranty. According to most with problems, Sig is fixing them, or giving the buyer a new gun. They've apparently solved the problems. Growing pains for a brand-new pistol, I'd guess.

That said, it's a nice little pistol. Operation is very familiar to anyone used to the 1911 platform. I'd recommend it.

[GR8Guns]

Don't get mad, but if the only reason you gave up on the LC9 was the ridiculously long trigger pull, there is a solution. Galloway Precision makes a trigger kit that cuts the pull length in half. With the trigger mod, the LC9 is a sweet little single stack 9 carry piece in my opinion. Just trying to help.

[drifter2be]

I've been quite happy with my Beretta Nano. Affordable and I don't think it can be beat for quality and reliability. It's skinny and short, but you can find lighter (same weight as the Shield, 19 oz). The weight does mean it shoots softer than other guns in the same size category, like the Kahr CM9/PM9. It's shockingly accurate.

I have also seen a surprising number of favorable reviews of the Taurus 709. Certainly affordable, and I've seen used ones in my area that are extremely affordable. Lifetime warranty is transferable so you still get it even with a used purchase. Still... just due to the stigma of Taurus I'm not sure I'd want to bank my life on it, but the same can be said for Kel-Tec and other inexpensive guns. I had a Taurus Millenium Pro back like 5 years ago and it was 100% reliable for me with everything I fed it, so I know Taurus can make a working gun. The truth is... if something happened, I wouldn't want to be seen carrying the Taurus (or a kel-tec)

The grip of the Shield is a little taller and it wasn't in my final running because of it. The back corner of the grip is always what prints for me and the Nano was the max height I was considering. For pocket carry, it works just fine. Not sure I could get something taller in most pockets. The Kahr is just shorter than the Nano, but the controllability and reliability of the Nano pushed me that way.

This was the kind of post that I was waiting for, and what you described about the back corner of the grip is exactly the problem that I run into when I carry, only part of the gun that prints for me as well. Can almost IWB my G23 except for the bottom corner of the grip.

I'll be hitting a few stores later today and the Nano will be on my list of guns to check out. I'm knocking the CW9 off my list because of the grip length, looks to be almost a full size grip on it, and I know if I can comfortably get my pinky on the grip it is going to end up printing.

So my list is sitting at Beretta Nano, Kahr CM9 and Taurus 709

[dpop24]

Didn't see if you mentioned you were LEO or not. Those three you list above are all off roster if I'm not mistaken.

[Blademan21]

Didn't see if you mentioned you were LEO or not. Those three you list above are all off roster if I'm not mistaken.

OP's location is "Grand Canyon state". If so he has no off roster hurdle.

[JeremyS]

Didn't see if you mentioned you were LEO or not. Those three you list above are all off roster if I'm not mistaken.

His location says (implies) AZ.


drifter2be: here are a bunch of reviews, and the first one is a comparo with the CM9. If you look up magazine tests of the Nano, you'll be shocked at how accurate it is. Easily the most accurate sub-compact I have ever seen tested, and it repeated these results in American Rifleman, Guns & Ammo, and other controlled tests.

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/02/daniel-zimmerman/destinees-take-kahr-cm9-vs-beretta-nano/

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/03/destinee/gun-review-beretta-nano/

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/07/chris-dumm/a-reader-asks-whats-a-good-9mm-subcompact/

http://www.gunsandammo.com/reviews/nines-are-the-hot-hand-the-beretta-nano-review/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXxpkM7q_2E

One really cool thing is that the internal stainless steel frame is the serialized part, which means you can swap the polymer frame as you please. Beretta may be coming out with different sizes of that, but they're just about to release Flat Dark Earth, OD Green, and Pink frames and they're only $27 through Brownell's. An 8-round extended mag with grip extender is coming out in a week or two and if you hold off on your purchase for a couple of weeks, new Nanos are supposed to come with one 6-round flush mag and one 8-round extended mag. Otherwise you'll get two 6-rounders and can pick up an extended one later. Tritium night sights are available now for $100 and it's easy to swap them yourself (they rely on set screws to really hold them fixed, so a gunsmith isn't necessary to remove and reinstall).

Downside on this gun is the trigger. It's not particularly smooth. I think this is due to the plastic striker spring guide and the spring slightly binding on it as it compresses. You can feel that through the trigger rather than it sliding perfectly smoothly. I want a long, heavy trigger in a CCW gun if it doesn't have a safety, so I like that the Nano has this. It isn't as long as the LC9, but it's heavy. Just right, IMHO. It could be smoother but I think it'll break in some and there are aftermarket striker spring guides that I think would fix it right away.

BTW made in the U.S.


Here's mine compared to the EMP I have for sale. You can see that the frame is much less likely to print at the base of the grip. I put Talon Grips (rubber) on mine, which I like.

[TheThousands]

Kahr! There's a P9 (slightly more upscale CW9) for sale right now in the marketplace.

[drifter2be]

Made it to the store, got to handle and dry-fire (with a snap cap) all three guns. I wasn't particularly fond of the trigger on the Taurus but the second strike capability was a nice feature to have that is lacking in most single-stack subcompact 9's. The Nano felt the most substantial in my hand, trigger wasn't all that bad, definitely felt nicer than the LC9 and PF9 I used to own, although the stacking at the end of the pull was noticeable, but not a deal breaker. The CM9 felt great in my hand, best trigger out of the three, in my opinion, no safety to fumble with, although I usually don't use a safety on a carry gun, or worry about accidentally engaging, external slide stop lever is a nice feature that doesn't really get in the way.

After all that I have eliminated the Taurus 709 from my list, not a fan of the external safety and it didn't feel as good in the hand as the Nano or CM9. As it stands I am waiting to hear back from two potential sellers, one has a CM9 and the other has a Nano. I think at this point I won't be disappointed whichever way I go.

Thanks JeremyS for the links. Going through them as soon as I finish this post, maybe I will get swayed one way or the other on the CM9 or Nano