Compact Carry 9mm?

[Tere_Hanges]

All the slim micro 9s are going to feel snappy compared to a thicker compact size pistol like the 19. Theres no real way around it. If you can shoot it well to qualify and defend yourself, thats all that matters. CCW guns are tools not toys. Shoot a bigger gun if you want a range toy.

 

[tomrkba]

G26 too thick? You can also run that with G19 mags

Goal is a thin gun. I carried a 26 for at least a decade

 

[loganhunter0815]

I bought a g48 mos last month. Its ok.

 

[tomrkba]

I bought a g48 mos last month. Its ok.

I have one too. I'm lukewarm on it. I would have preferred a 43L.

 

[loganhunter0815]

I have one too. I'm lukewarm on it. I would have preferred a 43L.

Im looking at a p365 xmacro comp now.

 

[559guns]

I have the shield x comp and I like it. The shield plus comp is noticeably softer shooting due to the longer recoil spring. Swapping the plus comp slide onto the x frame was my preferred combination between the two guns.

 

[drinktothat421]

G26. G19 of m&p 2.0 compact. Is my go too if not xmacro 365

 

[shadow77phl]

The original Shield was my gold standard back then, small gun that shoots like a regular gun; that was until the 365, XL grip module with Radian Ramjet and afterburner. This was the flattest and fastest micro compact I shot with and shot with proficiently. I recently acquired a 43X and I equipped it with the Radian duo but I still gravitate back to the P365.

 

[DJD100]

My choices are Sig P365 for IWB (usually in Spectre Comp form...), and a Kahr PM9 with Magguts +1's for the pocket.

 

[Skilly]

Have you considered getting the 380 conversion for your P365? It changes the entire profile of the gun while keeping the size small and for me, made it my preferred carry. Turns it buttery smooth and shoots more like a 22

 

[safetyfirstont]

I've been using my Glock 43 with Magguts +2 for a long time. I have the SIG P365 in standard and XL sizes (and X). I'm not really thrilled with the 43 or the P365. I dislike the recoil pattern of the P365 standard far more than that of the 43. In both cases, the ballistics out of the short barrel are compromised as compared to longer barreled semi-autos. I shoot both fast and accurately. The goal is to have a thin gun that is slightly more concealable than a Glock 19.

I'm going back and forth with these guns. Another idea is to just move up in size. I could try the Glock 48, Springfield EMP, or similar. What do you think? What alternative on-roster guns of similar size with 8-11 round capacity in 9mm might you recommend?

I don't know. If you shoot your current carry guns well, why switch it up ? My opinion, don't worry about velocity loss from shorter barrels . Not really a concern . Recoil ? Yeah I get it but if you shoot your current carry guns well , stay put.

 

[tomrkba]

My choices are Sig P365 for IWB (usually in Spectre Comp form...), and a Kahr PM9 with Magguts +1's for the pocket.

What do you do about the Kahr mags dropping rounds? I have a CM9 but stopped carrying it because of this issue.

 

[tomrkba]

Summary

Goal: The goal is to find a thin pistol in 9mm. It is competing for one of the slots on my permit. The Glock 43 with Magguts +2 is the current gun.

9mm thin pistol options sorted by size using Handgunhero.com's "Tabletop Compare". Height, length and width were compared, prioritized by width, height, then length:

Kahr CM9
SIG P365 (technically same as 42 but mag slightly longer. Flat base will make it the same)
Glock 43
S&W Shield
S&W Shield Plus
SIG P365 X (taller than Shield by a bit)
SIG P365 XL
S&W Shield X (slightly wider than P365)
Springfield EMP
Glock 48 (almost the same as the EMP)


For all intents and purposes, these are all the same width except for the EMP. I discount the thumb safety since I'm concerned with the back of the slide area (and the holster/belt thickness is wider than the safety). Technically, the CM9 is more narrow in the slide. Visually it doesn't look like much, but practical carry demonstrates there is a difference. So, if I truly needed the most narrow gun possible, the CM9 is best. But there are deficiencies with the CM9, which is primarily due to the magazine. It drops rounds. With only six in the magazine, this is a big problem.

If I add in the Glock 42 and Ruger LCP, the top 3 are:

1) Ruger LCP
2) Kahr CM9
3) Glock 42

But, the goal is the thin 9mm. Top choices are the CM9, P365 and Glock 43.

If I eliminate on capacity equal to 10 rounds, the list shortens:
SIG P365
S&W Shield Plus
SIG P365 X (taller than Shield by a bit)
SIG P365 XL
S&W Shield X (slightly wider than P365)
Glock 48 (almost the same as the EMP)

If I drop down to eight to ten rounds:

SIG P365
Glock 43 (Magguts +2)
S&W Shield
S&W Shield Plus
SIG P365 X
SIG P365 XL
S&W Shield X
Springfield EMP
Glock 48 (almost the same as the EMP)

Logically, the Top 3 should be:

1) SIG P365
2) S&W Shield Plus (standard Shield is not under consideration)
3) SIG P365 X

I have owned and/or shot all of these guns with the exception of the Shield Plus and Shield X. I should probably acquire a Shield Plus and Shield X to check recoil pattern and feel while carrying. I like the M&P M2.0 guns, so I anticipate liking the Shield Plus and X. I dislike the standard S&W Shield and it is not under consideration, but it is included for future readers to think about.

 

[tomrkba]

On the Glock 48:

This gun on paper would appear to be the best narrow 9mm pistol. It's Glock 19 sized except for width and we all know the history of that gun. You can get 15 round magazines for it (mine run). You can even turn it into a 43X with a 43 slide (mine works too). But it's not what the market wanted. They wanted a 43 width grip stuffed with 10 rounds. Shield Arms managed to stuff 8 into it with a flush fit. Not bad. The design is fighting its own grip and what the market wants for concealed carry.

I find mine to be decent. It's a good carry gun, but doesn't stand out. I'm sure I'd end up liking it if I used it for a year or two; that's how the Glock 23/19 grew on me.

 

[Hit Factor]

Im looking at a p365 xmacro comp now.

Get it, and your search will be over.

 

[tomrkba]

Get it, and your search will be over.

Has anyone fired a comped gun from the retention position? I never have. How is the blast?

 

[DJD100]

What do you do about the Kahr mags dropping rounds? I have a CM9 but stopped carrying it because of this issue.

I use Magguts +1 mag followers and springs, no problems dropping rounds plus one extra round, 7+1 flush or 8+1 extended.

 

[HarleyLowRiderST]

I don't think you have to like shooting your carry gun to carry it. If you shoot it well then that's good enough. I don't think you have to actually shoot it very often to stay familiar with it, you can dry fire with it regularly and shoot it a couple times a year and you will be fine. Size vs recoil is always a trade off, a compensated barrel is a different trade off (noise and velocity), a bigger gun is a different trade off (concealability).

I think @Deleted member 16735 is correct. I have plenty of 9mm full size that I shoot better than my CCW guns. P365X, G43X, G19. I shoot the G19 the best, but at 5'8" 195 belly pounds I have a harder time concealing it. The P365X is the perfect conceal for me and I can shoot it well enough for what it is intended for. I value concealability/comfort over shooting comfort everytime.

 

[DJD100]

Has anyone fired a comped gun from the retention position? I never have. How is the blast?

Tilt 45* if high retention, low retention not a problem with my Sig P365 Spectre Comp (top ported slide).

 

[joem98]

Hoping the CC9 coming soon is the answer to this question