What is the best compact 9mm? And why?

Lol no triggering here. And no condescension intended. I am just surprised more Toyota drivers aren’t also Glock shooters for the very same reasons.

We all start with the most reliable platform even though it is deficient in other ways and mod it to our liking.

A gun is not precious to me. It’s a tool. I know it’s a contentious subject, but I can’t bring myself to buy anything from Sig with the way they handled the P320 debacle (they’re up to 100 lawsuits and 80 injuries from the 320 going off on its own). Too bad. I like their image stabilizing binos a lot.

 

Yep
I've seen people with a 5 shot revolver shoot reload and shoot again as smooth as a baby's bottom, their times between reloading were impressive. And all in the kill zone.
As much as I'm comfortable with any firearm, I'm slow when it comes to revolvers. I need to practice more.

 

Yeah, that's some shooting skill right there. No, to answer your question. I have however hit flies that landed at 15-25 yds. .22 LR cases at 20 yds. But that was awhile ago. I could probably get there again if I practiced it more. Now to catch more flies......ha ha ha jk

 

Yeah buddy!! I have an RIA 10MM "Big Rock" and as big and heavy as that gun is, the recoil is definitely noticeable. I love it though. Probably one of the most reliable handguns I've ever had. It's a 2011, 6" long slide double stack. 16 rnd magazine of 10MM goodness!! Love that gun. Currently at BarSto getting a barrel fitted for a suppressor.

 

The most painful gun I have ever shot was a Ruger SP101 in .357 Magnum. Had aftermarket Houge grips that actually cracked from the recoil. They were wood laminate and beautiful but I couldn't believe they cracked. Anyway, yeah, every time I shot it, it felt like getting hit in the hand with a hammer. Not fun. Ended up selling.

 

LOVE the .45 ACP and 1911s.

 

This is almost exactly my experience. I bought a Glock 43 mainly because I got it for like $250 new, which was a steal...but it was/is WAY too small for my hands - and I don't have the biggest hands. I got the same bruising on the middle finger. Meanwhile...I 'acquired a target' in the store I found the P365XL in, and I didn't even have to line up the front sights with the back sights. It was just....there. I was shocked. Did it like 5 times in a row and it just felt natural, so I bought it, and it's been fantastic.

 

You can Google 'Sig 320 news' and see all kinds of stuff about the 320 issues.
At first, I thought it was fingers on the trigger, but lately, I'm not so sure.

Group of 22 file suit over SIG Sauer's P320 pistol; company offers strong pushback | Courts | unionleader.com

"It Happened Again" Major Problems Continue with the SIG SAUER P320 - Survival World

The only Sig I have left is my 1988 WG P226..

And to @Corndog123 worst recoil comment.
I'd say mine is the S&W Model 29 44mag I had for a few months.
Not bad in 44 Special, but 44 mag was a range clearer.

Although my LCP is no joy to shoot either..

 

We don't have our own range locally and used to partner with another local PD and Fed Agency. The local PD terminated that partnership back in Jan 2023 because our issue pistol is the P320, previously was the P229.

We also had an AD a few months back that put a guy in the hospital for a few days (gun discharged into his thigh). I wasn't there and don't know the guy personally or have heard details from the source, so I won't speculate or give any more info.

As well and that's what I carry whenever I can: 9mm and 45.

 

FEI-
the fire control units of the P365s are different than those of the P320; The 365s return to striker spring akin to what Gaston designed (and the safety associated with it).

 

Iron sights on the P365X. My slide is an older one that removes the rear sight when mounting a RDO. Not against RDOs since I have them on my other pistols, just old school to want back up iron in case the RDO dies. Haven't decided whether to send in a non RDO ready 365 slide to a milling service or just buy a newer RDO ready slide that keeps the rear sight with the RDO mounted.

 

My carry gun is a Canik Mete MC9. I really like it a lot.

 

'Looks like I've missed another great thread not being on the forum for a while...I digress.

Currently and the last few years have been carrying the G26. Smaller frame but with the extended mags/ grip, can carry 15+1, and the added grip fits my paws really well.
I've carried a few through the years, S&W shield, compact, and G19. Liked them all, but the G26 was a perfect blend for CC.
Although I'm forever an iron-site fan, I finally moved to a RDO on the G26 couple years ago.

Love my sigs as well, but never had anything for CC...until I tried the 365 platform. I now have a 365 XL build on the table...

 

I've a G40 5th gen and I'm very happy with it. OOB, sights are off enough to correct, but that's not difficult to address.

 

P365 X Macro, True precision BBL, AC grip module, Slide cut and BBL ported, M Carbo trigger, Holosun 507K.