time for a compact carry gun

[farmbif]

well I guess todays Supreme Court ruling got me thinking maybe its time to get a compact carry gun. since I have thousands of 9mm that's probably what I should go with. buds gun shop is not too far away and have lots of options available. as far as expense, yeah that's been a problem lately. one more round of paying off medical bills and I should be good to go. but only want to do this once.. is it a good idea to go with a sig right out out of box or are the inexpensive rugers and taurus guns any good. buds has the lowest prices I know of and I dont have to order it and then wait and pay shipping and transfer fees. here's what they have in stock
https://www.budsgunshop.com/search.php/type/pistols/caliber/10000837-9mm

[rintinglen]

Well, what I wear may not fit you, but here are my two cents. I have a Shield, 2 Kimber Micro 9's and a Remington R51 that fulfill my compact 9 needs. My brother swears by the Ruger EC9, he has hundreds of rounds through his with no problems. I personally don't care for the feel, but it shoots OK.
My neighbor bought a Taurus, but his is one of the larger ones--G3, IIRC and he hasn't shot it much yet.
If you are looking for a pocketable 9 that won't make you wear clown pants, check the Kahr CM9. Its only 7 shots, but there are plenty of 380's that are bigger. It is too small for me, but the one I rented ran flawlessly through a box of Federal FMJ's
There are oodles of good choices out there, you can't go too far wrong.

[Catshooter]

If I wanted a compact 9 and budget mattered I'd go with a M&P Shield or Shield Plus. Excellent weapons.

[Finster101]

There are some really nice carry guns in the clearance section at Buds. Don't overlook them.

[Kenstone]

This is what I carry in a $25 OWB bought off ebay.
DAO trigger, no safety, more capacity than a single stack, ships with 2 mags, free shipping, and comes is colors!
https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/251513
I don't have the optics though, wish I did.
Can be had without optics for less than $200!
jmo,

[DougGuy]

Don't overlook the Kahr offerings, Made in USA, great trigger, accurate, light weight, compact, etc...

[35remington]

I have found no exception to the rule that I shoot a bigger pistol better than a small one. I started out with small sub or micro compacts and gravitated to the compact size for good reason.

[MostlyLeverGuns]

I have been pleasantly surprised by both the accuracy and reliability of my S&W Shield. I no longer carry my XD-s 45 or my lightweight 1911 Colt Officer's 45. I have the 9mm CCI shotshells and have even shot a few rattlers with, two before I had the shot cartridges,though I did shoot more than once to quiet them. I carry 147gr Win Ranger for real and Federal Flat Point 147 for around home. Trigger is decent and I went to 147's because that is what hits center at 25 yards with factory sights. It has fed and fired my light reloads, just a good little gun that is easy to carry and shoot.

[M-Tecs]

I opted for a Sig 365XL will a Holosun red dot since I am at the age that the front sight is hard to see unless I have my prescription shooting glass on. I also really like the Springfield Hellcats. I shot both of them very well. I have a very early S&W Sheild. That vintage had the rep of not shooting well. That is an understatement. My shoots poorly at best. The newer ones seem to shoot well.

I have medium and large frame guns but I find I don't carry them due to size. My Sig 365XL goes with me everywhere.

[Lefty Red]

How are you going to carry it?
Pocket carry? I would go with Taurus GX4, Sig 365, one of the “obsolete” single stacks, of J Frame.
Belt carry? Taurus G3C, Sig 365XL, Shield, Shield Plus, or G26.
Lefty

[Mk42gunner]

How you plan to carry it will make a big difference in what is suitable for you and what is not.

Personally, I have not found a 9mm that is small enough for daily pocket carry. The Ruger LCP II and LCP Max work, with the II being more comfortable, but the Max has better sights.

Robert

[pworley1]

I have tried several and liked most of them, but I always go back to the Sig 938.

[Outpost75]

Don't discount 6-shot, .38 Special wheelguns. You may not want to leave a trail of ejected brass for the bad guys to follow. Of course, I am an old school dinosaur who was trained by Harry Archer at The Farm....

Yeah, I am a D-frame Colt guy..Six for sure. Usually a pair of them.

[stubshaft]

Don't overlook the Kahr offerings, Made in USA, great trigger, accurate, light weight, compact, etc...

I carry a Kahr CM-40 or my old S&W 36/642. It is accurate and easily concealed.

301497

[rintinglen]

Truth to tell, I most often carry a Colt Cobra. I also have a Detective special that gets some work. I find the Colts reload better than the 2 inch S&W's, though the K frame Smiths generally have a nicer trigger. But he asked for 9's.
301501

[badwolf]

Look at stoeger str9, about $200 with $25 rebate. Glock 19 size they also make a compact.

[winelover]

I have no issues pocket carrying a Beretta Nano or Kahr CM-9. Even with the extended magazines. Just need to choose the right pants.

Winelover

[txbirdman]

I pocket carried a Kahr CM9 for years and really liked it. The trigger felt somewhat like a good revolver to me. When the Sig P365 first came out I bought one and have pocket carried it with 10 round or belt carried with the 12 round ever since. I really like the little pistol and can shoot it as well or better than larger pistols I own even though I have large hands (extra large gloves). The CM9 was great but the extra capacity of the Sig is why I switched.

[country gent]

One thing if it is available to you. Most ranges have rental handguns in various styles, it might pay to rent several different makes models and try them out then decide on what you want. Find what fits you and you shoot well. also pay attention to sights some of the smaller pistols sights are almost non existent to older shooters or those with poor vision. Smaller grips and controls may also create issues for arthritic hands, or hands that have stiffness. Handle a few different models both revolver and semi autos.
The sigs are very good as are others but in the end its what fits you your needs and way of carry.
The other is where you will be carrying, at home in the fields and yards is different than in large crowds and public gatherings. retention, concealment levels and comfort level all are affected by these.

[Thumbcocker]

I have tried a Ruger LC9 and a Sig 365. The Ruger was serviceable the Sig more refined and easier to hit with.

[Uncle Grinch]

Been the DA plastic gun route and came back to the 1911 style. My smallest is the Sig 938 in 9mm with the Springfield Range Office Compact in 45 next. I choose whichever fits my choice of clothing.

[FISH4BUGS]

I am a old time revolver fan. S&W 36 3" is one carry gun, the other is a S&W 3914.
I LIKE the SA/DA on the 3914. 8+1 is plenty. 2 spare mags and off you go!
If you practice with the 3914 the DA first shot is just like the revolver then you get the benefit of SA afterward.
The 3914 is also a compact gun and actually started the 9mm compact craze.
I would encourage you to seek one out. They are not made any more.

[JoeJames]

It's seasonal for me - 9mm Glock43 in a tecgrip pocket holster in summer, and a 4 1/2" Ruger BH in 44 Special in a converted M3 shoulder holster in the winter.

[Goldstar225]

I bought or test fired a number of guns in my search for the right one for me over the years. I have come to rest on the Shield Plus. For the rare occasions that I need to pocket carry I have my S&W 642 that I've had for over 20 years.

YMMV. I recommend that you handle and if possible rent as many of those that interest you as you can.

[gc45]

Carry guns are all the rage now, 1000's on the market perhaps. I find the best ones for me are any older J-frame snubby, I own several or, a new Shield 9mm. Both very reliable and accurate for their intended use and without issues if not abused..Guns are not hammers like back in the day...Do not own a LW nor will I ever..Both guns mentioned carry very well with lots of holster options..The J goes right in my front pocket inside a slip in Desantis, the Smith is carried cross draw inside a Flobus inside waistband unit..can also be carried strongside..

[Texas by God]

My Shield 40 2.0 is very well liked by me. Good power and accuracy; this group fired at 10 yards.
My wife's original Shield 9mm shoots just as well.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220624/59f68dd1751cefe874ab8bd26869542d.jpg

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

[charlie b]

I have carried several different guns in the past. From full size 1911 to a .25acp. My favorites were the Colt 1903 (.32acp) and a Ruger SP101 .357. Almost as comfortable as the Colt was a PPK (.380).

Which gun depended on what I was doing and what I was wearing. Summer I like a slim gun, IWB carry. The 1903 was perfect for that. A 'melted' look on a pistol decades before that became popular. It was even comfortable without a holster. Winter was the .357 in a pancake or shoulder holster under a jacket. I could never get used to an ankle holster but several people I have known prefer them, including a couple judges and LEO's.

These days I'd probably get one of the slim 9's but I'd still be tempted by a small alloy revolver. Most of them come in 9mm since you already have ammo for it.

[35remington]

I have to say my 40 Shield shoots very well too. To be proficient with it I have to practice frequently. I certainly would not term it underpowered. It demands more from the user but it was easier to stay on top of when ammo and primers were more freely available. The less I get to shoot the more and more prominently the shootability differences between micros and compacts show up.

[Jtarm]

Don't discount 6-shot, .38 Special wheelguns. You may not want to leave a trail of ejected brass for the bad guys to follow. Of course, I am an old school dinosaur who was trained by Harry Archer at The Farm....

Yeah, I am a D-frame Colt guy..Six for sure. Usually a pair of them.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220625/55586b2f819b1424eb1e8b6ee8a9b966.jpg

When talking pocket carry you should see a big neon sign flashing “Revolver”.

[RJM52]

Before you order something, if there is a range near you that has rentals go "try before U buy"...saves a LOT of money in the long run...

Friend just bought a SIG 365 that he just loves over his G43... I shot both of them yesterday and prefer the Glock... That said when I was looking for a pocketable 9mm I went with the Kahr PM9 as I already had a P380 that shoots excellent...

Bob

[Anchorite]

Glock 19 OWB for me, year round on the sweltering gulf coast.

[FergusonTO35]

Don't discount 6-shot, .38 Special wheelguns. You may not want to leave a trail of ejected brass for the bad guys to follow. Of course, I am an old school dinosaur who was trained by Harry Archer at The Farm....

Yeah, I am a D-frame Colt guy..Six for sure. Usually a pair of them.

Taurus 856 for the win! Installed Wolff springs and this little wheelgun is fully the equal of my S&W's and Rugers in terms of trigger pull and accuracy.

[murf205]

farmbif, I had the same experience as Uncle Grinch with the polymer/plastic guns and came back to a Ruger ec9s even though it has a non metallic frame, for my carry gun. Its is a bit heavier that the Kel-Tec PF-9 that it replaced but close to the same weight as a Shield. I found the Shield a bit too bulky for my liking and mine had FTF problems with some loads including some factory. The Ruger works every time without a hiccup with my hand loads or any factory I've run through it and that is the most important thing you are looking for in a carry gun. When you REALLY need it, there are no "time outs".

[farmbif]

got to put this off again gives me more time to go to different shops and see all the options available. saw doctor today, he's sending me on another round through the experts, and physical therapy at least once a week, and then a whole other round of new bills will come in. I guess all his buddies need new Cadillacs. ,

[jakharath]

Compact 1911 (w/8 rounds) mostly. Full sized and two spare mags if there's stuff going on. I've carried baby glocks, Sig 238, Mauser HSc, Smith hammerless 5-shot 38 (can't remember the model) and always end back up at the 1911 platform. It's heavy, but I just feel more comfortable with them. I'm also the only person at work that caries high IWB.

[murf205]

got to put this off again gives me more time to go to different shops and see all the options available. saw doctor today, he's sending me on another round through the experts, and physical therapy at least once a week, and then a whole other round of new bills will come in. I guess all his buddies need new Cadillacs. ,

Prayers for you brother. Hope your recovery is swift.

[Bigslug]

Glock 48 MOS: it is the same height and length as a Glock 19, but is thinner; can take the aftermarket 15 round Shield Arms mags along with their metal magazine release; has a rail for mounting a slimline TLR-7 Sub Streamlight; and will let you red dot it if your eyeballs aren't what they once were.

The 43X MOS is exactly the same grip frame with a shorter slide that ends at the dust cover. Not my preference as the Streamlight then protrudes past the muzzle, but different strokes.

[Striker]

S&W J frame, Kahr CM series, Glock 43, Sig 365, SA Hellcat are all solid choices.... but it really boils down to what you like and are comfortable and confident with.

[Lefty Red]

I feel the OP’s situation with medical bills. And if I may suggest the Taurus GX4 as an inexpensive and very reliable firearm.

Been working the range rental counter for the last few weeks and several of my coworkers suggest it to those looking for a pocket pistol. Our range rental has over 5k documented rounds through it with no problems. Two RSA changes. I have about 1K through mine with no problems. I know of several coworkers that own one too. We are all retired LEOs/COs/military and value a dependable weapon. We might have Duty sized Glocks, Staccato Ps, 1911s, or Sig 229s on our belts during work but we have a Taurus GX4 in our pockets when we head home. LOL

[Estacado]

Tried many guns. A long time ago, I was trained on Model 1911. Too big to carry concealed. I tried every holster. I have settled on the Sig 365XL. Great gun with good capacity. When it is difficult to conceal, I carry a Seecamp in .32acp.

[Andy45]

My current concealed carry is a SIG P365XL. So slim, great trigger, and very accurate! Love the capacity - 10, 12 or 15!
Before that a couple of KAHRs in .40 S&W. I
Before those a S&W M-66 4" (my all-time favorite!)
Tried a G-19 and a couple other Glocks. I'm done with those.
Still, if concealability were not an issue, it would be a full-size 1911 or CZ SP-01.

[Loudenboomer]

When I conceal cary it's a J frame in my pocket or a shield in a ankle holster. If you like the 1911 platform look into the Springfield EMP.

[Cosmic_Charlie]

I handled a Glock 43 at the lgs yesterday and it felt great in my hand. Going to get one i think.