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Best Sub Compact 9mm

32K views 65 replies 61 participants last post by  BigJerm80 
#1 ·
I'm in the market for a small 9mm for carry purposes. I'm stuck between the Kahr K9 & MK9, the Springfield XDsc, and the Glock 26. Any input would be appreciated:smile:
Thanks in advance!!
 
#4 ·
I have a G33, with a 9mm barrel and mag setup; so it's essentially a G26. I really like it, and recoil is surprisingly low. I would go to a range that rents all three, and shoot them. That's the best way to find out what YOU like. Internet opinions are only worth so much.Good luck.
 
#6 ·
Really. Any one would be fine. The Glock would be the finest, of course. :danceban:

You really need to find a range that rents them all and just give them all a once around the block. Find which one that fits your hands and easiest to shoot....for you.
 
#27 ·
You really need to find a range that rents them all and just give them all a once around the block. Find which one that fits your hands and easiest to shoot....for you.
Good advice on any gun purchase - try before you buy. Everyone has their own sets of likes and dislikes; everyones' hands are different. Get the one that feels the best, and shoots the best, in your hand.
 
#7 ·
I'm VERY happy with my G26. ANy of the guns you mentioned are good guns. It all boils down to WHAT fits and points best in your hand. Go rent, borrow or find a friend with the guns you think you'll like and give them a try, BEFORE you buy, if at all possible. At the very least, go handle them in the gun store, side by side, if possible, so you can compare fit and features. Good luck.
 
#11 ·
My personal favorite and CCW is the HK P2000SK. It is a very competent pistol. The Walther P99c is another outstanding compact. The Kahr K9 is a nice compact carry, just be sure to get the elite trigger. I've had excellent results with all steel Kahrs, not so good with plastic Kahrs. A little different pistol but still a world class CCW is the HK P7...very compact and reliable. I'd feel comfortable with any of the above in my holster.
 
#12 ·
Although not a Glock fan either, I would spend my dollars on the XD or the Glock. I don't think you would be sorry.
 
#13 ·
Kahr MK9 for a very small 9mm

I like the Kahr MK9 for this role because it is very small and concealable compared to the Glock 26. It fits more easily IWB for me. I prefer the larger Glock 19 for a substantial 9mm belt gun, which gives you 15+1 rounds and a full grip area.

 
#14 ·
M&P 9c

I had a Glock recommended to me by several people. I tried the 26 and it just did not feel comfortable for my hands. I really wanted to get one and become part of the Glock club. Stopped at a gun store and tried it again last Friday. I then asked to see the Walther version and it felt really comfortable, but I just didn't like the looks. Dumb reason to not buy a gun, I know. The gun store clerk then recommended a M&P 9c and it felt great in my hand. They were having a sale so I said what the heck, it's Friday. So I got it. Went right to the range and tried it out. A little wild at first but it settled in nicely after I firmed up my grip. Recoil is good. Picked up a new IWB Galco holster for a G26 and it fit perfectly. It now replaces my Bersa 380 as a carry gun but still doesn't shoot as nice as my P944. Bear in mind that this dissertation is written by a novice pistol user who has only been shooting for about 7 months.
 
#15 ·
Thanks for the input everybody! I think this is going to be a hard one. I had an M&P 40c but sold it for the M&P 360(kind of going through a revolver stage right now!:image035:!). I really like the Kahr but have heard mixed reviews on them and everybody loves their XD and Glocks.
 
#16 ·
BigJerm:

Have you handled any of the guns mentioned? Do any feel really good in the hand?

There are a lot of compact 9mm's on the market, some known for exceptional reliability and strength.

HK P2000SK
HK P7M8 (P7M10, P7M13)
HK USP Compact
Glock 19
Glock 26
SIG P239
CZ 2075 RAMI
Springfield EMP 9
Para Ordnance PDA 9 LDA
Para Ordnance Carry 9 LDA
Kahr PM9
Kahr MK9
Kahr K9/P9
Kahr CW9
Walther PPS
Taurus Millennium Pro
Rohrbaugh R9/R9S
Kimber Aegis 9mm
STI Rogue, Off Duty, Escort, LS9

If you haven't checked out the Para Ordnance PDA or Carry 9, see what you think. It's essentially a 9mm 1911 variant, with a non-1911, DAO trigger. Longer pull, but smooth as glass. One option, if a traditional 1911-style trigger system doesn't grab you.

If going IWB, thin conceals more easily, too. Kahr's got some thin ones. The Para's are great. The HK P7M8 is a nice package. The CZ, most HK's, SIG, Taurus are all a bit wider.

The HK P2000SK fits wonderfully well in my hand, and it's a great size. For me, though, the only trouble is that I can't generate enough pressure on the mag release to operate it, due to its position and distance from my fingers at normal position. For someone with fingers of normal length, though, it would be great. Were the magazine release in the traditional spot, I'd be sold.

The Para Carry 9 or PDA 9 feel fantastic. The LDA trigger is nice, IMO. While I like the 1911 style trigger, I did not grow up with 1911's and have never carried one. Am personally more comfortable with a non-1911 style trigger. If similar, then the LDA Para's might be a choice. These two are slim and concealable. Only fly in the ointment is how short the frame is. The sharpness of the trailing/bottom corner of the back strap digs sharply into my hand. If I could have that part angled/curved to blend into the hand, it would be a winner.

The Springfield EMP 9 is a dream, in the hand. Very nice. I've seen a couple at the range. The owners rave about them. Have handled one for awhile (all the while, keeping my drool from fouling the grips). If 1911-style format and trigger is your thing, I'd say this is the one to consider. Nice gun. BTW, the Springfield MicroCompact is nearly the same package.

STI makes a fine gun, too. If you play around with a VIP, you might be corrupted forever. Caution. The Rogue is a compact package. The LS9 is very flat.
 
#18 ·
If someone else can't pick out a pair of shoes for you, then they probably can't pick out a pistol for you either...but of your choices, I'd take the Glock-26.

Stay armed...with something you've picked out...stay safe!
 
#19 ·
so many options to choose from...

I recommend:

M&P 9c - I owned one and loved it. Only sold it because I also had the .40

Walther PPS 9mm - I want one. Had the chance to handle one this week and it was VERY slim. Very nice. Only problem with this one is the mag
release for me. Kind of awkward.

Or maybe the Kahr - Kahr makes a good gun, some have had problems with theirs most love them.

Matt
 
#21 ·
I'm unbelievably happy with the Glock 26. Just last year, before buying the Glock 26, I was totally unsure that a gun this size could be accurate enough for my taste, and having the Glock 19 already.

I rented a Glock 26 and was amazed at how accurate this little gun was. At the time I would say that my groupings were about 1 inch larger than my Glock 19 groupings at about 21 feet, which has improved since I bought my 26. Now I can shoot the 26 as well as my 19, if not better.

I have shoot the M&P, as well as the XD of the same size, but found that the Glock felt better in my hands, and shoots better for me as well.

Shoot them for yourself and find out which one you like best.
 
#22 ·
Due to my rather femnine mits I prefer the Kahr grip to the Glock Or XD. I think your hand size will be one of your major factors for shooting comfort with the mentioned pistolas. I have a friend who hates the Kahr grip but then again his hands make a full size 1911 look like a pocket pistol. :blink: And you know what they say about guys with big hands... they wear big gloves.
 
#23 ·
Although larger than your choices, I think the best compact 9mm is the P228, closely followed by the G19.

I think carrying, you will be most happy with the Kahr, its a toss up with the other ones, but I'd buy the Glock if it were my decision to make.
 
#24 ·
Just bought a XD sub-compact 9mm, really like it. But it dosent seem like you could go wrong with any of your choices.
 
#26 ·
The XD9 subcompact is my conceal carry right now. But, I have recently purchased the 9 mm Springfield Armory EMP that will soon become my daily carry. Both are great little pistols. My brother has a Glock 23 that he likes, but he bought a Kahr .40 cal (don't recall the model) for easy concealment. It truly is a personal choice. Good luck with you decision.
 
#28 ·
I have a thread running on my new G26, with a range report. What it boils down to is, it's a great little gun that's easily concealable, highly corrosion resistant, low maintenance, accurate, easy to shoot, and has a 10 + 1 capacity... a BUG sized weapon that can be carried as a primary carry due to it's capacity and accuracy. It doesn't get any better than that, IMO. I have heard complaints about the stubby grip from other people, but I managed to get some decent groups with mine on my first trip the the range with it.

I want to two different gun shops before I made the purchase, and looked at all sorts of subcompact 9mm handguns. Most of them were very nice and of good quality, and it was tough to choose only one to take home. I also liked the G30, the G36, and the subcompact M&P 9mm (with a trigger job, anyway).

I don't know if the G26 is 'best', because that's a personal choice, but it is definately 'best' for me, and clearly a weapon that I will never part with.
 
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