In the past ten years, the micro 9mm category of handguns has - I hate to use this word - "exploded." Today there are a very good number of choices from various manufacturers to meet just about anyone's style and budget, and they just seem to keep getting better and better. Personally, I've owned three different models, a Kahr PM9, a Sig P938, and now a Sig P365. Both Kahr and Diamondback were way ahead of the power curve in this niche, but all of the major players have jumped on this bandwagon.
I'm not here to debate the merits and demerits of the 9mm platform. I'm just curious as to how things have shaken out among the various manufacturers.
If you own a micro 9mm, which one did you choose and what were the main reasons you selected it?
(Note: If you own more than one micro 9mm, you can select more than one in the poll.)
Every gun is a good one if it fits your criteria and shoot it well. I bought the 43 a few years ago cause I was familiar with the Glock platform. Not crazy about the capacity...but with Taran Tactical and always a spare....it's my most carried. Would love to have all the latest guns, but my funds are not endless !!!
I've been carrying a G43 for the past year. It's about what you'd expect - boringly reliable, reasonably accurate at least in my hands and I hardly know I'm carrying it. It's a great gun and I do not regret the purchase. It has mostly replaced my G27 as my EDC. Of all things, my preferred holster for the G43 is a Bulldog leather slide holster I found in the LGS bargain bin for $12 :smile:.
I recently purchased a Kimber Micro 9 Nightfall. I've been too busy at work to shoot it much, but I think I'm really going to like this one. I've only got 150 rounds through it so far, a combination of factory and reloads, with zero repeat zero malf's. The ergo's and the trigger are top notch - I can just about shoot it as accurately 1-handed as I can 2-handed. I've got big hands, but this little gun fits like a glove even with the flush magazine. The molded Hogue grip helps with ergo's, but does increase grip width a little more than I'd like. The Hogue grips is probably 1/4" thicker than the G43. The huge factory Truglo's seem to show up well on many backgrounds and lighting conditions. I'm really anxious for things to slow down at work so I can get some more range time with it and work it into the rotation. It's a beautiful gun, just sexy as hell to look at.
I bought my Shield 2.0 after a lot of research and trying out several other micro 9s. At the time, the P365 had just come out and was having too many reported problems for me to consider. The Shield felt the best in my hand, appeared to be very sturdy/well-made, good trigger (not too light, not too heavy, not gritty) and shot the best for me. Since I was a revolver user and hadn't owned a small striker-fired pistol before, I bought the Shield with a safety so I could spend enough time with it to become comfortable with carrying, holstering, handling, etc. I've been very happy with the Shield and have never had even one malfunction. Have become a decent shot with it after lots of practice.
The P365 is now tempting me since the initial problems seem to have been worked out -- the capacity is fantastic for such a small gun and the trigger is very good. I don't, however, have lots of disposable income so have not "given in to temptation" (yet). The Shield is working fine and I just ordered 2 new OEM 7 round mags for it. I'll be keeping it one way or the other!
Though it was not offered as a poll choice, I purchased a P365 MS (manual safety version) about three weeks ago. I have not even had it out of the box yet. Too busy.
I purchased the Sig 365. I've used Sigs as my Duty weapons and like the quality.
6 years of chemo and anti-cancer meds have taken their toll on my stamina and I wanted something lightweight but with significant round count. The P365 has fit that bill nicely. I wear it around the ranch and our small town. I often switch to my P320 Compact in .357 Sig when we travel into the city for Dr appointments and COSTCO, but by the end of the day, my hip hurts.
I wanted a small pocket carry gun. I bought a Kel-Tec P3AT .380 when they came out. I had lots of jams and stovepipes with it. I bought a Ruger LCP .380 when they came out. I had the same issues with it. Those guns were to small for my large hands. I traded both on a Sig P238 .380 when they came out. I pocket carried it for about three years until the Sig P938 9mm came out. I traded the Sig P238 in on the Sig P938. I like them because my primary carry is a government model 1911 with a similar manual of arms. I have not had a single issue with either Sig with thousands of rounds through them. I carry my Sig P938 cocked and locked in a Ted Blocker leather pocket holster.
Keltec PF9 - same size as a Glock 42, which makes it smaller than the G43 or Shield. The PF9 also has a better trigger than the Glock or Smith and costs ~$165 new.
I don't carry mine all the time, it's my beater pocket gun for when I'm doing car or yard work, and it's the deepest concealment pistol I carry these days.
That said, most of the time I have my Kimber K6S in my pocket.
I have both the EC9s and LC9s Pro. Reasons were price, availability, reputable company and service/warranty access.
For deeper concealed carry I mostly carry the LC9s. Add a Hogue Handall Beavertail grip sleeve and they feel great in the hand.
I have two of the original "micro" 9mm pistols: Kel-Tec PF-9s. Both worked perfectly, but a year ago I decided to bring them up to new standards with some of the newest aftermarket parts. So I did the M-Carbo treatment on both. New triggers, trigger springs, stainless guide rods and 20 pound recoil springs. Using the extended mags for reloads, I can carry 24 rounds total in places where other guns cannot hope to fit - except for true "micro" pistols: 380s.
I really like my P290RS, the gun Sig unfortunately sent to an early grave for the P365. The full-stroke true DAO action allows me to carry it with a much higher factor of safety than a typical striker.
Walther PPS. Tried 8-9 single stack 9s back when I was looking for one. Also looked at the reliability testing of Guns & Ammo (only 3 of the weapons passed). The Glock was a Glock and I've never been able to instinctively hit the side of a barn with one so it was out. The Taurus PT709 Slim felt fine but Taurus has a bad reputation for post-sales support. The Walther felt great, was accurate, and all the torture tests showed it to be remarkably reliable. It had the added benefits of being able to use 6-7-8 round magazines AND paddle releases for the magazine which I find infinitely superior. I've had my PPS for 4 years, its never had a singel hiccup, and its much more accurate in my hands than any of the other weapons in its class that I have had the luck to be able to try.
I currently have a Sig P365 and Walther PPS M2 in this Micro-9 category. I think both are top shelf guns for their intended purpose. I go back and forth with the two, as to which I like best. The PPS M2 can be had these days NIB for under $300...that's a lot of money left over for ammo, holsters, etc. in many people's gun budget. The little Sig P365 is a true game changer though. it still amazes me how they cram so many rounds into such a small, well made pistol.
You're right about small, I'd disagree on the well made. However that's just my opinion. (Yes I know they "fixed" the problems) First broken strikers then bad trigger springs, what's next? They say it was a bad batch of MIM but are they testing it now, or in 2 years will you see a run of pistols with "oops we had another bad batch." I don't like giving money to a company who lets their products troubles get found by the paying consumers. I'm sure a little testing would have found the drop problem on the p320 and the afore mentioned problems on the 365.
Its tempting for size, but my mind would ALWAYS be thinking that Old Murphy was waiting inside my pistol to screw things up. If I had to go with a "micro 9" it'd be a Shield or G43 with no extended baseplates.
The S&W Shied 9x19mm emulates the M39 capacity of (8)Rds when the optional (8)Rd magazine is employed. I find it some what interesting what Tom Givens wrote in his book ( Fighting Smarter A Practical Guide For Surviving Violent Confrontations). Referencing his (60) students that were in gun fights along with FBI and DEA data the average number of shots fired were low round counts and the distances were close.
I have Kahr PM9 & Glock 43, the 43 is easier to shoot one hand weak hand; their purpose was 2nd option™ pistol carried in weak hand front pocket + larger pistol IWB.
However, ever since I acquired a Shield 40 neither the Glock 43 or PM9 gets carried much.
I used to own and carry a P938, the LC9s and a Shield (actually 2 Shields). The Shields were the only ones I could shoot worth a damn, probably because of the extra weight.
1. Walther makes high quality guns that are very reliable
2. Walther has a lifetime warranty
3. The gun is easily concealed
4. The gun's capacity is adequate for self defense
5. The ergonomics are perfect for my hand
6. The gun delivers performance equal to or better it competitors at a lower price.
7. If I cannot take the perp down with 7+1 and 1w in reserve, I need to hand grenades.
Had a Kel Tec PF9, replaced it with an XDS. I have carried the XDS extensively, don't at the moment, probably will again in the future.
Why that one? Springfield had one of their free magazine deals on.
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