What is the best compact 9mm? And why?

I prefer my equalizer or my wife’s shield 2.0. I tried the g43x and hellcat and both didn’t feel right. To small in my hand. The equalizer was the closest thing to a 365xl I shot that didn’t come with the XL price tag. Not a huge aftermarket for it if that’s your thing but it runs nice.

 

Glock 43X or Glock 19 loaded with 148gr or 124gr Federal HST.

 

Accuracy is good, but I find I don't shoot mine as well with the 7 rnd mag as I do with the 8 rounder with pinky extension.

 

I love my Glocks, but with Glock it is either a love or hate relationship for most people.
It is either the grip angle or the Glock fan boys that turn people off.

A lot of great suggestions already made.
If you like your single stack you might look at a Glock 43, thinner and lower capacity than the 43X.
I sold my 43X after I bought my Sig p365 XL.



Wife has a Glock 42 but then you get into the whole 380 debate and it shoots pretty snappy.




It is hard to beat a J-frame for concealment and reliability.
38sp is 5 shot, or you can go with 327 Federal Magnum for 6 shots.
If that interests you, I'd look at S&W 442/642 or Ruger LCR pistols.

My 442 VS my P365 XL


The 642 I used to carry with a CTC grip laser.
The best part of the grip was the pocket at the top of the backstrap..


My main carry to conceal is my original Ruger LCP.
It's no fun to shoot and gets back into the 380 debate.
But Ruger now makes several small semis in 9MM.

 

I recommend going to a range and trying a few. The ones near me have a few options that they will rent.

 

I just went up to the local gun store and they had a Glock and an sig. I’m in love with the sig, but wondering how it handles since it’s so light weight

edit: pricey too

 

Handles like a dream. I want one bad but for the little I carry and shoot in general, couldn’t justify the price tag. The equalizer shoots just about as well and was way cheaper.

 

I like carrying my shield when i feel like using a semi auto. It's small but fits great with the pinky extension and it's narrow.

Nothing makes me feel safer than my snub revolver though which is my main loadout.

 

Got a few thousand now on my fn reflex, has been damn reliable and I barely know it’s there. I always use the 13 round mags but it carries in the pocket with the short mag

 

I also agree with @topdec if there are any decent sized local gun shows around there is no better place to view and handle several firearms in one place.
You certainly don't have to buy there.
Don't be disappointed, they certainly are not what they used to be.
You used to be able to haggle a bit on the purchase price.
But now if you tell a seller So&so has this gun for $XXX amount, can you beat it?
They will tell you to go buy it from So&so..
The only way I can get a deal at a gun show now is to buy more than one gun from the same dealer.


As well I've handled several CZ pistols and they felt so good in my hand, I just never shot or bought one.
I probably need to get one in the future.

I only like DAO for carry guns, no decocker, same consistent trigger pull, etc..

 

I disagree unless the one you mentioned is not ported or compensated. No one wants that blast in their face should they have to shoot from a low position. Otherwise, 365XL all day. Not that big of a fan of the macroXL

 

I love my 365xl, and have considered moving up to the xmacro. But I agree with most people that you have to get some in your hands to really know what's best for you. Can't go wrong with anything anybody has recommended so far. Just got to find that right fit for you.

 

yeah this is going to be one for the record book on responses... lol. \

Lots a variables. i would go to a local range and see what they have in the rental category so you can shoot different ones and see how they fit...

1. Springfield Hellcat.
2. Sig 365
3. Glock 43
4. M&P Shield variation

all solid sub compacts.

Compacts open the world up even more and the fanboy vs hater level here is plentiful.

Grip, comfort, accuracy > anything else.

If daily carry, i recommend no safety and a solid holster. But this will vary from person to person and situation to situation... oh, and locally enforcement...

Good luck on the search!

My favorites

1. Sub - Hellcat
2. Compact - HKUSP9C, Sig p228 or CZ P-10.
3. Full size - Longer list.

Least Favorites
1. Glock - all models
2. 1991's - Even though I have and enjoy
3. Springfield XD's - All models
4. A lot of the S&Ws MP lines - sloppy triggers. But then again, My safe queen is a M&P45

Lastly, all of this is allegedly as if I would ever own a fire arm since the great loss I took a few years ago. Now I trust in the local leadership and response times....

 

Lots to love and laugh with here - all without hate, just gun convos.

Do you like your LCR? I had the LCP for years and finally got rid of it in favor of the hellcat. I have yet to shoot an LCR, but that LCP was a snappy little PITA.

 

I don't have an LCR, just the LCP and yes it is snappy.
But it is so easy to carry and conceal.
Slips into front or rear pants or cargo shorts pocket.
Disappears in my OWB custom holster.



My Kahr CM9 isn't much bigger than my LCP, but it's a pretty snappy shooter as well.
It's also easily hidden in an OWB or pocket holster.






My only J-frame now is my S&W 442.
I sent it to S&W for their Master Revolver Action Package to clean the trigger up.
I first tried an Apex J-frame spring kit and didn't care for it.

I've considered buying an LCR in 9MM since I have so much of it.
But I've read a J-frame in 9mm is pretty snappy too.
Plus I'd have to deal with the moon clips.
I'll probably end up with an LCR if I can figure out what caliber I want.
9mm, 38, or 327, although I really don't want a 327 and have to buy ANOTHER caliber of ammo.


Many guys on my other gun forums seem to like Kimber's K6SX revolver.
It holds 6 rounds so it is a little bigger than a J-frame.

Kimber America | K6xs carry



When I first started carrying in 1995 I carried a Glock 26.
But these days there are so many more choices in a compact or subcompact 9mm.

I guess what it boils down to @gosolo is if he needs the thinner single stack or wants to go with a double stack.
Handling some guns should help him decide..
Hopefully, he has a decent gun store close by.
My experience over the years is gun store employees try to push their favorites on everyone that comes in the store.

I usually already know exactly what I want before going to a store and purchasing it..

 

I've carried various Glock platforms professionally for over 2 decades, and they've never failed me... So, I'm bias to them

If I'm carrying on a day w/jeans, belt and at least a thin hoodie on it's Glock 45 (9mm w/G19 slide length and G17 frame size). It's reasonably concealable w/med-depth carry in the appendix position and by adding a spare mag holder (side car as the new kids are callin' it) the holster set up is actually more balanced out as the weight of the set up is distributed over a larger area. This set up isn't really 'compact', however it's more compact than a lot of full-size set up due to the shorter slide length.

However, when carrying on a day that I need more versatility due to clothing (even just shorts and a t-shirt), etc. or I'm just wanting to carry something more 'compact' it's a Glock 43x in the appendix position. The Glock 43x has a single stack 10 round magazine, and its frame size is narrower and a bit longer than the Glock 26, which makes it feel less like a 'brick' when tucked away on your person and more 'contouring' to the body. Also, the longer frame allows for a more natural grip as there is more real estate to wrap your hands around then there is on a Glock 26. I'd say my hands are average, and with no magazine extensions almost my entire hand is able to make contact with the gun (pinky finger hangs rides the magazine base just a bit); but it's important to note that my grip is naturally very high on the pistol. The 43x also has a slight beavertail to the backstrap which helps with acquiring a good consistent high grip on the pistol during the draw.

Both guns come from the factory w/Glock's match grade barrels, so accuracy is enhanced over some of Glock's other platforms and they are highly competitive w/other 'accurate shooting platforms'. For me at least, the 43x is more accurate of a shooter than a Glock 26.

My Glocks all have Talon's 'pro' grips installed. Talon has (3) different grip textures: rubber, granulate (which feels like skateboard tape), and pro. The pro grip (which my wife doesn't like for some reason) is a combo of rubber and the granulate, but I think it's a perfect combination of 'friction and sticky' and works great in wet climates or places where you're hands are sweaty and such. Plus, the grip gives the frame of the 43x a little more girth and real estate to wrap your hands around when acquiring the pistol.

https://talongungrips.com/gun-grips/pistol-grips/glock/43x-48/

The slide width on the 43x is a bit narrower than most platforms, so if you're looking at running an optic I'd recommend getting the MOS version as there is now a couple of RMRCCs out there that will bolt right up (Trijicon has a very nice one at upper end pricing and Sig has one for the P365 that will also work w/the Glock 43x at about 1/2 the price of the Trijicon).

Another benefit of the Glock is that they are generally not sensitive to ammunition; they'll pretty much discharge anything you put in them w/o malfunction. Many other brands are sensitive to how they cycle and operate w/various manufacturers' ammo and will give you malfunctions and misfeeds if you don't feed it what it likes.

Bottom line though is that it's gotta be right for you. It has to feel right in your hands and has to feel like it's a part of you and an extension of your natural existence; no different than the right knife .

 

Thanks for the feedback. Good information from yall. I’m leaning toward the Glock. Probably make a choice tomorrow. I’m going back to the gun shop with some knives, the owner wants to put them in a showcase for sale.

 

Great write up..
My G45 is my favorite house handgun.
Sold a 19X when I bought the G45..

One of my issues with the 43x was indeed the grip width.
I'd bet a Talon grip would have added a little width and perhaps I would have kept it.
I shot it better than the P365 although I've had little range time with that Sig.
I'm also accustomed to Glock triggers.

+1 on my Glocks eating any ammo I ran through it.
Cheap reloads, dirty Wolf, you name it, all ran without any malfunctions.
I favor 147gr in my 9mm pistols.

I've owned 15 Glocks in every caliber except 45GAP since I started buying handguns in 1994.
The owner of Sigfroum started a thread You will buy a Glock in January of 2000.
This thread has 563 pages of posts, and a lot of reading if one needs Glock info or has time to kill.

I've yet to carry my P365 XL.
I bought it on a whim from hanging out a Sigfourm.
It felt good in the hand so I purchased it, still on the fence about keeping it.
It is my only handgun with a red dot on it, one reason I'm not sure about keeping it.

Note that the P365 had it's issues when it came out, kinda like the Gen 3 Tundras..

 

Glock 19

It’s the Toyota Camry of the gun world. Beat them to hell and use them in the harshest conditions…and they just keep coming back for more. They aren’t pretty, very simple, and just works.

In regard to fit. It’s very personal to the shooter HOWEVER unless the fit is absolutely horrible, with plenty of practice your body will adjust (muscle memory) to fire any weapon.

 

Position of carry and just “how concealed” you want or need to be are some variables that you need to answer first. Then pick up a few from all of the great suggestions made here and shoot them. See what feels best, draws best, and gets lead on target best (for you). If you’re fortunate enough to purchase and try, do that but renting at a range is a decent option too.

Personally, I’ll never not be a Glock fan. Just too reliable, too fun to shoot and too many available parts/magazines/mods to not make them great and/or keep them running.
However, concealed for me is the Sig P365x (longer grip of the XL, but shorter slide of the P365). It fits my requirements of “best for me” that I mentioned above. It’s never not gone boom when I squeeze the go button.

*edit
I don’t find the p365 (subcompact size) snappy or hard on the limbs at the range but that’s just me. Stepping up to the 365 macro (larger grip, slide) might be a good compromise. Not *as* concealable, but not by much really. Very smooth shooter, imo.

 

Exactly my thoughts regarding Glock in general.

I’ve had lots of others.

But trusting my life to it? Glock. Every time.

 

Once again, a lot I agree with or would align with. I have a Ruger Revolver that is a fun little flame thrower, but I would never EDC it. I misread and thought I saw LCP, thank you for the correction.

I Loved my LCP, especially when I would wear board shorts in Florida with it. If you havent, check out the hellcat. double stack 9mm that stays flat when you train with it. Plus it is super easy to conceal. I wear golf shorts and fishing shirts almost every day and the only issue I ever have with it is when I forget to put a belt on it pulls on my waist line.

 

I turned away from Glock after growing up on a G22 1stg that sucked to shoot. I have a G19 5thg and do not hate shooting it as much.

As a non Glock guy, I absolutely agree with the camry comment and the life comment, until "every time."

Absolutely not arguing, because they are reliable, usually cost effective and solid platforms.

I always recommend going to a range that has rental programs so people can feel them and see what fits under practice, not just leaning on a glass counter top.

Besides agreeing with this advice when I was younger, I stand by it now because that 22 would eject casing directing into my forehead... annoying and unsafe in a critical situation. Obviously they fixed that ejection issue, but it is a great example of testing before buying.

 

Here’s my go to, an over-engineered, antiquated by todays standard, but still nothing like it, HK P7M8. Single stack 9mm, 8 shot mag, typical mag release unlike the original heel release P7, fluted chamber to aid in brass extraction, and squeeze cocker safety. I love mine! Super safe with loaded chamber, super accurate with fixed 4in. barrel, very flat in design as well so easily concealed. Negatives, cost of purchase, and mags aren’t cheap either, but it does it all with HK reliability and style!

 

That's awesome that he's gonna showcase your knives. Depending on how busy his shop is, I'd bet they move fast...

Good luck on finding something (pistol wise that you're super comfortable with), and just a heads up if you do end up w/Glock...

I think I already mentioned the MOS vs non-MOS versions... If you plan to ever run an optic get the MOS upfront rather than having the slide milled later or buying an MOS slide (much cheaper this way).

Also, regarding factory Glock sights... the pistols are now being sent out in different configs; each w/a different price point: The box will annotate which configuration the pistol came with from the factory, and the following examples are listed in ascending order of price point.

Standard Glock white sights (not night sights w/round dot up front and u-shaped rear sight).
GNS (Glock Night Sights) w/2 rear dots and one dot up front (they are tritium and all 3 glow green in low light conditions); they do have a small white outer ring around the tritium which helps w/picking up the sights in the daytime.
Ameriglo Bold which has a subdued rear 2-dot sight and a different color (usually orange) single dot up front; some folks call these combat sights, but the Glock box will be marked w/Ameriglo Bold if they came from the factory like this.

 

Never had a single failure of any kind with any Glock with any ammo whatsoever, but all of mine are gen 4 & 5.

My Nighthawk on the other hand is a 2011, absolute dream to shoot and a total laser beam, but if you limp wrist it at all with normal 9mm ammo, it will FTE. Run hot loads or death grip it; it’s just a lot of weight for a 9mm round to cycle.

How it feels to shoot is less important to me than it working the way it’s supposed to every single time. Buy the carry gun for dependability, and train train train.

Lots of overlap here for why I buy Toyotas, too. They’re not as fun to drive, generally speaking, but they just work.

 

I was waiting for an HK user to show up

I have a couple of buddies that ran HKs their entire careers and absolutely loved them and wouldn't consider anything else. For some reason they never really felt 'right' in my hand, but that model in particular screams true German design and quality. I'm going to have to shoot one of those someday

 

Damn it, now I am going to have to change my verbiage a little when I speak on this topic. I like how you worded that. I did have an ammo issue in the G19 5th. But it was trash ammo and I was running it through the Glock for a reason. I have more rounds through my H&K, and it has never failed. Same with my Hellcat and my CZ. All that said, I havent thrown trash ammo through them.

The concern I have with reliability outweighs comfort is my only personal example. I love my revolver, it is beyond reliable and has handled everything I have thrown at it. Unfortunately, I am not as accurate with it and it is uncomfortable to throw rounds through, especially multiple wheels worth. My hellcat is much more accurate, so far failure free and way more accurate. Then again, damn near all compacts are more comfortable than sub compacts.