Smallest practical 9mm

Jun 2013
46
0
Bellingham, WA
I'm looking for a small-as-possible 9mm pistol. What's out there that's smaller and flatter than a Glock 26/27?
 
Jan 2009
870
0
Lynnwood, WA
RugerLC9vsGlock26-ComparisonChart-MarbleSlateSeries-MASTER3D70percent.jpg

RugerLC9vsGlock26-MASTERComparisonChart-R70.jpg


images stolen from: http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum/defensive-carry-guns/130592-ruger-lc9-vs-glock-26-carrying-2.html
 
Jan 2009
845
0
Renton, WA
I bought an LC9, didn't care for the long DA trigger, and for me, my thumb tended to ride the mag release, and so it would drop the mag when shot to slide lock. I sold it to a buddy and bought a Shield and LOVE it. It is SO much more shootable than the LC9 it's not even funny. My buddy who bought my LC9 shot my Shield and traded his LC9 in on one.

That said, the LC9 is a smidge smaller and lighter, and for pocket carry and such that may give it the nod for some people. I still have my LCP and love it, but it's big brother never really did it for me. YMMV.
 
Feb 2011
258
0
Seattle, Wa
The LC9 replaced my TCP for warm weather under the T-Shirt concealment, when it's colder and more clothes are required it's a Beretta Storm sub compact, both where chosen because of the DAO or DA first shot..but that's just me.
 
Jan 2009
1,684
0
s. greenlake *****
I bought an LC9, didn't care for the long DA trigger, and for me, my thumb tended to ride the mag release, and so it would drop the mag when shot to slide lock. I sold it to a buddy and bought a Shield and LOVE it. It is SO much more shootable than the LC9 it's not even funny. My buddy who bought my LC9 shot my Shield and traded his LC9 in on one.

That said, the LC9 is a smidge smaller and lighter, and for pocket carry and such that may give it the nod for some people. I still have my LCP and love it, but it's big brother never really did it for me. YMMV.



I shot the LC9 and couldn't really hit very well with it.
(silhouettes at 25ft no prob, but hitting smaller targets at that distance is an exercise in ammo frivolity)

I shot pete's stupid shield.. and now I want one. You can actually hit with it.
Not just body shots at close range. I have a XDSC, and can hit really well with it.. I didn't think I would want anything smaller, but now I do.
 
Jan 2009
1,684
0
s. greenlake *****
The XDSC feels a lot bigger than the ones above..

it's a double stacker and can hold 16rnds (if you have the standard SC mag in), I can hit really well with it.. but side by side, the LC9, and M&P are way slimmer, and overall much easier to conceal?
 
Jan 2009
845
0
Renton, WA
XDS 9mm is about the size of the above pics, no?

Yes it is very similar to the Shield. Forgot to mention that one. I'm a big fan of the XD/XDm line, I have an XDSC and two XDms, but I went with the S&W this time, just felt better in my hand. But the XDs is also nice, and available in .45 ACP.
 
Jan 2009
196
0
Marysville, WA
I have a Shield. I like the form factor very much. It's in a whole different league than the Glock 26 (which is just too fat). Not sure I'd want anything smaller in 9mm than the Shield - I'd go LCP for pocket carry.
 
Dec 2012
51
0
Renton, WA
Yes it is very similar to the Shield. Forgot to mention that one. I'm a big fan of the XD/XDm line, I have an XDSC and two XDms, but I went with the S&W this time, just felt better in my hand. But the XDs is also nice, and available in .45 ACP.

Word. My go-to carry is an XDs 45. I haven't held the 9 because I'm happy with the 45 but I think I read somewhere that externally they are identical?

I need to shoot a Shield. I hear nothing but good things.
 

mjn

Jan 2009
394
1
Tri-Cities, Wa
Easy answer; Sig P938. Absolutely LOVE mine. Spot on accurate, smooth action, nice trigger.. Very compact.



First time out. 25+ feet.

 
Oct 2012
1
0
Des Moines
I now carry the M&P Shield 9 but at one time I carried the Kel-tec PF-9, probably the most narrow and lightest 9mm around. An inexpensive pistol that was not fun to shoot, went boom every time and easy to carry.
 
Jan 2009
1,318
1
Kirkland, WA
The Sig P938 is a beauty. I think you'd have a hard time going wrong with that.

I shoot a Shield and love it -- super comfortable in the hand and I can hit with it just as well as other pistols.

The XDS in .45 is another option. It's almost identical to the size of the Shield (check YouTube for videos comparing the two). Did they ever come out with a 9mm version?

Have you considered a Glock 36? Great guns! Carried one for a while and would again. It's Glock's only single stack (that I know of) and it's a sub-compact .45. What's not to love?
 
Apr 2011
225
0
Corvallis, OR
i rather like my HK P7 PSP, but its not as small as it could be and while its a beautiful pistol, i think the M&P shield is the best overall choice as far as small 9mm pistol's go...
 
Aug 2013
13
0
West Linn, Oregon
Kahr CM9, slim, lightweight, easy to carry and conceal, very smooth trigger, and very accurate.
 
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