Undecided on compact 9mm

[Sutcliffe]

I have this and love it

CZ 75 Compact PCR

Have the steel framed(well, the wife's) 75 Compact and find the PCR to be more accurate and easier to shoot than the steel frame?

Still, great guns and harder to obtain than most other options.

[i like boys a lot]

G19

[baranski]

Take the plunge on a G43, you'll never look back.

[Dnele928]

Good info here. Thanks to all the contributors.

[Jimi Jah]

Measure twice, cut once.

Go find an indoor range that has those contenders available for rent. You will never know which fits best until you shoot all of them, preferably at the same time for instant comparisons.

Or, do the Cal Guns classified two-step.

[jaysantosauxiliarypolice]

M&P Shield 9 is my conceal carry (on my property ).
I don't even feel it.

[Carcassonne]

Interested in member opinions on these Ca. compliant handguns in 9mm; Gl 26; Gl 19; S&W m&p shield; Springfield XD subcompact. Things such as all around function for HD and target shooting, mag reloading, trigger pull, good SD/HD rds, comparable accuracy. Any members who own one or more of these guns who can would care to give their opinion I would appreciate it. Also any suggestions on comparable 9mm compacts under $600. Thanks!

The Shield is most likely the thinnest/smallest of the guns you listed. I do not like mine, but I have not shot it very much. The G26 and G19 are similar. The G19 is probably a better all around gun. The G26 has a shorter barrel/slide and shorter frame than the G19. You can get an X-Grip extension and use a G19 magazine in the G26.

I have not shot an XD subcompact.




.

[Subotai]

All are good, feel each in your hand, try to rent each one. I have the Shield with the Beavertail grip which works fine.

[GlockN'Roll]

I own and have carried the G26, Shield and G43.

These are all excellent carry pistols, with the wider G26 being a little more pleasant and forgiving to shoot.

The Shield and the G43 are noticeably easier to carry and conceal,

but due to their thinner grips, they require a little more practice to shoot quickly and accurately.

I shot and considered the other options recommended here and yet settled on the three listed above.

The Glocks and the Shield will have a wider selection of accessories,

sights and holsters due to their huge popularity in the market place.

Currently, my go to CCW is the G43...

[jaysantosauxiliarypolice]

It would also depend on how the OP defines compact.
If all that is meant by compact is shorter and smaller, then the XD or Glocks would be fine. Now if they meant shorter, smaller and thinner (IMO what defines a compact) then the Shield wins.

Glocks and XD look and feel like a 4 year old molded Play dough in 10 seconds and called it a gun. Fat, bulky and ugly.

The Shield on the other hand looks more elegant and feels better in the hand. It wasn't made by simply snipping off the barrel and grip like Glock and SA did with their compact pistols.

[rugershooter]

Kahr CW9. Don't let the price fool ya. At a minimum, research Kahr.

Another vote for the CW9. I love mine. I've put a few thousand rounds through mine and haven't had a single issue with it. Very concealable and easy to shoot. The long trigger reset can take some getting used to, it doesn't have a short reset like Glocks or XDs. But it's a smooth, clean trigger. The grip is on the long side for pocket carry, but I can do it fairly easily with the right pants. Completely disappears under a polo shirt with a Galco kingtuck holster; 7+1 capacity and 2 spare mags. I don't feel undergunned with it.
Kahr also makes a few other sizes. I think the PM9 is the next size down with a slightly shorter grip.

[Lonestargrizzly]

Another vote for the CW9. I love mine. I've put a few thousand rounds through mine and haven't had a single issue with it. Very concealable and easy to shoot. The long trigger reset can take some getting used to, it doesn't have a short reset like Glocks or XDs. But it's a smooth, clean trigger. The grip is on the long side for pocket carry, but I can do it fairly easily with the right pants. Completely disappears under a polo shirt with a Galco kingtuck holster; 7+1 capacity and 2 spare mags. I don't feel undergunned with it.
Kahr also makes a few other sizes. I think the PM9 is the next size down with a slightly shorter grip.

Never shot a kahr, but ive always been underwhelmed when handling them at lgs'.
Something about them feels like a knock off of a knock off.
Idk how they shoot though, and i imagine they carry like a swiss pocket watch.

[rugershooter]

Never shot a kahr, but ive always been underwhelmed when handling them at lgs'.
Something about them feels like a knock off of a knock off.
Idk how they shoot though, and i imagine they carry like a swiss pocket watch.

They have a couple different lines of pistols; a more refined line and the affordable line. I think the only real difference is cosmetics, but I'm not totally sure. My CW9 is definitely a solidly built pistol. It feels very natural for me; fairly low bore axis, natural grip angle, etc.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

I am a fan of glock so no bias here when I say I love my 9mm Shield. Not a single complaint. I picked up a Hogue 18400 HandAll sleeve Grip. Looks good on the shield and holy hell it feels good in the hand. The pistol completely locks into my hand. Without the grip, I would have to adjust my hold every couple shots or so but now it does not move in the hand at all. I just wish I could have tried the shield out in .45 but not on roster.

[ZombieLivesMatter]

I have both a Shield and G26, both have their pros and cons. the shield is thinner and prints less when concealed but for my hands personally I don't like how thin it is. The G26 double stack is a much better grip in my hands but feels noticably fatter and heavier than the shield when carrying.