Smallest most Comfortable 9mm for CC?

[SpidyJ]

I'm not set against a revolver by any means.
I'm looking for the smallest reliable 9mm.
My XD is just too bulky to carry for me.

[Pete]

Carrying is comforting not comfortable.

A really small 9MM with proper defensive loads is a real handful.

Good luck with your search, I would start with a better holster for the XD.

[Slyk Willy]

I carry Ruger LC9. They've just intro'd the stricker fire version, LC9s. for my nickel a great small 9.

[czuch]

I had a Lady Smith untill recently.
It was a .38 and had a comfortable feel.
Still, quite a handful.

[Jess from VA]

For me, the Kahr line of pistols offers some of the best quality, reliability and accuracy available in small autos.  Their more budget end has regular rifling, and higher end polygonal rifling.

I don't carry a 9mm instead of a .40/.45, I carry a small 9mm instead of a .380.

I started with a top end K9 (all stainless), and later traded to a P9 (polymer frame).  Hot 9mm in a small gun makes a lot of noise and flash but does not really kick that bad.  And I have small hands.  You really do need to try pistols on for feel/hand fit before deciding.  Since the bbl is super easy to conceal, I won't go shorter than a 3.5" bbl in a 9 for carry, better velocity, better sight radius.  Single stack.

I like all black (not shiny) for carry.


Lots of reading
http://www.kahr.com/product-reviews.asp

[bigguy]

I'd recommend that you at least check out a Walther CCP. I have no first hand experience with this pistol. I was recently looking for a pistol for my wife and this is one I would have definitely taken a look at if it had been available. From what I can tell, it's about the size of an XD. Not petite, but it has other features that may keep it in the running for you.

From the Walther website:

The CCP's SOFTCOIL™ gas-delayed blowback system uses gas pressure from the ignited cartridge by directing it through a small port in the barrel in front of the chamber to slow down and delay the rearward motion of the slide. This is accomplished by means of a piston contained inside of a cylinder located under the barrel that opposes the rearward motion of the slide until the gas pressure has declined after the bullet has left the barrel.  This allows the slide to end its rearward motion, opening the breech, and ejecting the empty cartridge case.

Benefits of Walther SOFTCOIL ™ Technology

It allows the slide to be easily manipulated to chamber a round.
Barrel rise is reduced up to one third less than similar pistols.
Decrease barrel rise helps you remain focused to accurately hit your target shot after shot.

Sharon has arthritis and finding a pistol she could rack and shoot outweighed all other considerations. We settled for a Walther PK380. I wish this gun had been available.
If you do try one, let me know what you think.

[Dave Ritsema]

If your used to the controls of an XD consider an XDS in 9mm. I carry an XDS.45 with integrated laser as my primary and find it to be a very comfortable carry.

[flcjr]

If your not against a revolver I recommend a lcr 357. very nice to carry packs a big punch. Its a bit of a handful with full magnum loads but not offensive. very light and they never fail to feed. Just my $.02

[valk2128]

I carry a Smith and Wesson M&P Shield 9mm, great little gun.
Be sure to take a look at one and see if it feels right for you.

[fudgie]

You can just about get a revolver in any caliber these days.

My Bersa .45 is comfortable in my biachi accumold. Kind police carry. But then again I dont care if it shows. 

[Black Pearl's Captain]

I had a Ruger LC9 in my pocket when ever I could (not at work) for about 2.5 years. I sold that about 4 months back and as I type have a Ruger LC9s in my pocket.

The new LC9s trigger is so much better. It can be had for about $350 usually. A small plastic 9mm auto is not a handle full to shoot. My 10 year old grandson begs me to shoot the LC9. There is also another new LC9 model without a magzine safety but I can't find the model right now.

I think all the new "plastic" 7 round 9mm are real close in size and are all good guns but the LC9 LC9s and Keltec PF9 are among the smallest.

YMMV

Edit: I also carry it with Corbon 9mm +P 115 grain which has 1350fps and 466 ftlbs of smack.

[72cutlassdude]

Stick with the Springfield XDS 9mm and get yourself an Alien Gear Cloke 2 holster. I carry an XD Mod 2 9mm and love the Alien holster for concealed carry. My .02

[Trynt]

If you want small, accurate and reliable, I would recommend a Kahr PM9.  They're not cheap, but you get what you don't pay for.

[Crackerborn]

I usually carry a Ruger SRC 9mm with the 17 round clip so the pistol fits my paw a bit better. I hope to never be in a situation that I need all 17 rounds (126 grain HP) but I still carry an extra loaded clip when working in unsavory neighborhoods. Little thing will hold a 1" pattern at 30 yards freehand if I don't try to imitate a full auto (I practice a bit). Stainless for me since sometimes just seeing the shiny thing will turn the potential problem around. Don't be an easy victim and sometimes they just leave you alone.

[Gavin_Sons]

Check out diamondback. They have nice small pistols. I went with a glock 42. Yes it is a 380 but shoots great and carries well.

[..]

I'm not set against a revolver by any means.
I'm looking for the smallest reliable 9mm.
My XD is just too bulky to carry for me.

Whatever fits your hand?

[Xtracho]

Check out diamondback. They have nice small pistols. I went with a glock 42. Yes it is a 380 but shoots great and carries well.

The Glock 42 is a sweet shooting pistol. Look up on youtube the ballistics on the defensive ammo for the .380. Some of it is pretty impressive for a caliber that many discount as too small for a defensive firearm. I like mine and carry it IWB or pocket depending on my dress for the day. Lots are expecting Glock to introduce a single stack 9mm at the SHOT show.

[big d]

whatever feels the most comfortable in your hand, or for your carry purposes. The wife loved her sig p232 .380 and I liked my springfield xds 4.0. Unfortunately we were robbed and lost everything.

[Gavin_Sons]

Check out diamondback. They have nice small pistols. I went with a glock 42. Yes it is a 380 but shoots great and carries well.

The Glock 42 is a sweet shooting pistol. Look up on youtube the ballistics on the defensive ammo for the .380. Some of it is pretty impressive for a caliber that many discount as too small for a defensive firearm. I like mine and carry it IWB or pocket depending on my dress for the day. Lots are expecting Glock to introduce a single stack 9mm at the SHOT show.

Mine is great, a buddy had the ruger LCP and it like to flip out of your had when you shoot it. The Glock had very little recoil and is comfortable to shoot. Would love to have a 40 caliber if they ever come out with something like that. I also carry mine IWB with a sticky holster and belt clip.

[CajunRider]

A bit pricy... but I have one of these (my wife's actually).  

I'm VERY satisfied.  Shoot good, shoots smooth, never jams, and accurate.  
Some may complain about the exposed hammer... I rather that over enclosed.  Strictly my personal preference.

Sig Sauer P938 (This is the 9mm version of their .38 "P238").



Picture is borrowed from Sig Sauer's website...
http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/p938-blackwood.aspx

[Wetrudgeon]

Check out diamondback. They have nice small pistols. I went with a glock 42. Yes it is a 380 but shoots great and carries well.


A word of caution here regarding Diamonback 9mm pistols.  We purchased a Diamondback DB9 some months ago and found it to be light, easy to carry and accurate.  It was, however, very violent in recoil.  An 11oz pistol launching 115 grn pellets at supersonic speeds is very hard to hold onto.  We have better than average hand strength, owing to a lifetime of weight training; and it was all we could do to hold the thing firm enough to prevent "limp wrist" malfunctions; and our little mate could not begin to shoot it.  After 20 or so rounds per session, the hand could take no more.  Ended up selling the thing because it was useless to our mate.  The Diamondback .380 may be just fine, but be prepared for an unpleasant experience with its 9mm brother.

Our $.02.

We trudge on.

[BnB Tom]

  
       If you want a small/hi-octane 9mm then the Glock sub-compact 26 is a viable solution.

   The 26 was called the "Baby Glock" prior to the Glock 42 . . .   which happens to be a .380 cal.

Sorry this video as a little lenghty.  You might want to skip toward the actual shooting part where you'll see accuracy of this little short barreled beast. 

              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6PmNjrZvjw#t=463

[solo1]

Glock 42. The new ammo puts this Baby Glock .380 into a worthwhile class. 

It's very easy to carry in a pocket holster with maximum conceal ability. Lightweight and soft recoil.

[Rudy]

Karh

[BF]

Ruger SR9c - Best 9mm Handgun for Under $400 - TheFireArmGuy

[Xtracho]

Question the .380? Check out this video. This is the ammo I use for EDC.

http://youtu.be/-H9M6cZGd18

[Gavin_Sons]

Glock 42. The new ammo puts this Baby Glock .380 into a worthwhile class. 

It's very easy to carry in a pocket holster with maximum conceal ability. Lightweight and soft recoil.

I'm a big fan of this little gun, have shot several hundred rounds from 20 yards at an 8" target and every round hits it. Tried the same thing with my buddies LCP  and only hit the target 3 or 4 times out of 50 rounds. The new ammo out of these 380's almost has them in the 9mm class. 380 is the same bullet diameter of 9mm only 2mm shorter case length and lighter bullet. I loaded up some hot rounds for mine, call them my custom +P and they shot only 50 fps slower than off the shelf 9mm personal protection rounds. Recoil is a bit more but still very light for such a small gun. Ordered some night sights a couple days ago. Taurus has the new curve coming out if it hasn't already which looks to be a comfortable gun to carry, might take some practice to get accurate with though.

[Tundra]

Stick with the Springfield XDS 9mm and get yourself an Alien Gear Cloke 2 holster. I carry an XD Mod 2 9mm and love the Alien holster for concealed carry. My .02

Many interesting answers here. I have plenty of big bad heavy caliber hand guns and don't carry any of them. Many fantastic combat pistols, don't carry them either. Bottom line is, YOU have to be comfortable and practiced the weapon you carry. I believe a good carry rig can make the life of carry much more enjoyable (and safer) for you. 72cutlassdudes holster selection will make your choice much more comfortable and functional for daily carry. Remember most carry guns are just that "carry"... I wouldn't choose my carry gun to go into combat. The biggest gun is the one you have ON YOU when and if you need it. I would not want to stare down the business end of any weapon regardless of caliber. Good luck with your choice
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=alien+gear+clock+2+holster&qpvt=Alien+Gear+Cloke+2+holster&FORM=IGRE

[Xtracho]

Stick with the Springfield XDS 9mm and get yourself an Alien Gear Cloke 2 holster. I carry an XD Mod 2 9mm and love the Alien holster for concealed carry. My .02

Many interesting answers here. I have plenty of big bad heavy caliber hand guns and don't carry any of them. Many fantastic combat pistols, don't carry them either. Bottom line is, YOU have to be comfortable and practiced the weapon you carry. I believe a good carry rig can make the life of carry much more enjoyable (and safer) for you. 72cutlassdudes holster selection will make your choice much more comfortable and functional for daily carry. Remember most carry guns are just that "carry"... I wouldn't choose my carry gun to go into combat. The biggest gun is the one you have ON YOU when and if you need it. I would not want to stare down the business end of any weapon regardless of caliber. Good luck with your choice

Well said Tundra. That pretty much sums it up. The argument over caliber & load is ages old. Besides, scumbags hate to get shot regardless of the caliber.

[RudyF6]

Ruger LC9/Alien Gear here. All day every day. Standing, sitting, in the car or on the bike - don't even notice it there 99% of the time.

But I sure feel naked without it.......

[PAVALKER]

Always carry Keltec P380 in rear pocket opposite wallet.  It gives balance on the cheeks when sitting and easily accessible for the most part.

If stuck on 9mm and reliable.....check out Taurus 905, a 9mm revolver 2in snubby.  Small, comfortable and.....revolver reliability.  I have one and it is more comfortable to shoot than my PF9.

[SpidyJ]

I'm  taking a likin' to the Sig P290, Ruger LC9  the Taurus 905 and maybe the Glock 26.  The LC9 seems to be the smallest.  Time to go to the gun store and hold 'em in my hand.

[Patrick]

Not 9mm and I'm old fashioned, but, for small size and low recoil I'm a fan of the Walther PPKS. JoAnn has had one for 30+ years. She hasn't had the need to use it yet, except on me one night.

[bassman]

If you want small, accurate and reliable, I would recommend a Kahr PM9.  They're not cheap, but you get what you don't pay for.

If money is an issue the Kahr CM9 might be an option......about $200 cheaper than the PM9........biggest dif is the polygonal barrel in the PM9.....the rest being cosmetics

[Jess from VA]

Not 9mm and I'm old fashioned, but, for small size and low recoil I'm a fan of the Walther PPKS. JoAnn has had one for 30+ years. She hasn't had the need to use it yet, except on me one night.

THAT sounds like an interesting story.    

After the menopause stage of my marriage entered what I call the time of blitzkrieg, all the firearms around my house gave me some nervous moments.  That and the fact she is well trained (by me) and carried/carries for a living (and regularly outscores career military policemen).  

Once upon a time I could have bought as many Walther PPs, in .32 (West German police trade ins) as I could have afforded at $170 a copy.  The problem was how to get them home from GE without all the import falderal.  The one I got is an amazingly accurate and reliable little auto (due to fixed bbl, blow-back operation), but all steel and heavier than you would think.    

[Patrick]

Not 9mm and I'm old fashioned, but, for small size and low recoil I'm a fan of the Walther PPKS. JoAnn has had one for 30+ years. She hasn't had the need to use it yet, except on me one night.

THAT sounds like an interesting story.    

After the menopause stage of my marriage entered what I call the time of blitzkrieg, all the firearms around my house gave me some nervous moments.  That and the fact she is well trained (by me) and carried/carries for a living (and regularly outscores career military policemen).  

Once upon a time I could have bought as many Walther PPs, in .32 (West German police trade ins) as I could have afforded at $170 a copy.  The problem was how to get them home from GE without all the import falderal.  The one I got is an amazingly accurate and reliable little auto (due to fixed bbl, blow-back operation), but all steel and heavier than you would think.    

We have been burglarized twice.  Not too long after one of these incidents I came home late one night after being at the gun club. After shooting we usually make something to eat, sit around drinking a few[?] beers and play cards. So anyway I walk thru the kitchen door and don't bother to turn a light on. All I hear is ' who is it ?, who is it ?, Patrick is that you, talk to me ! '.  Since I'm half drunk, I think this pretty funny and figure I'll play around with this and took my sweet time about turning the light on.  When I did all I saw was a Walther barrel in my face and a wild eyed woman behind it.  That kinda gets your attention.  I also think there have been times since then when she wishes she had not let me get that far across the room. 

[Jess from VA]

Good for her (and shame on you, after two burglaries).

I figured something like that.

(A few special code words between husband and wife are a very good idea.)

During the time of blitzkrieg, I drove up to find the wife stalking the yard with her Sig P220 in her hand.  WTF???

One of the neighbor long-time juvenile delinquents (long history of bad blood) had thrown a recently used condom in her face, and she had decided to kill him.  I could not blame her, but had to put a stop to that..... very carefully (fortunately all the JDs are finally gone).  Marrying into the Mediterranean hot-blooded part of the world had it's wild and crazy moments, good and bad.   

Had I ever had to man a foxhole against all comers, I would have rather had her next to me than many men I have known.   

[Patrick]

Good for her (and shame on you, after two burglaries).

I figured something like that.

(A few special code words between husband and wife are a very good idea.)

During the time of blitzkrieg, I drove up to find the wife stalking the yard with her Sig P220 in her hand.  WTF???

One of the neighbor long-time juvenile delinquents (long history of bad blood) had thrown a recently used condom in her face, and she had decided to kill him.  I could not blame her, but had to put a stop to that..... very carefully (fortunately all the JDs are finally gone).  Marrying into the Mediterranean hot-blooded part of the world had it's wild and crazy moments, good and bad.   

Had I ever had to man a foxhole against all comers, I would have rather had her next to me than many men I have known.   

I don't blame your wife, that would be hard not to do. 

As far as my incident, I've never been known for my brilliance, especially when drunk.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Good for her (and shame on you, after two burglaries).

I figured something like that.

(A few special code words between husband and wife are a very good idea.)

During the time of blitzkrieg, I drove up to find the wife stalking the yard with her Sig P220 in her hand.  WTF???

One of the neighbor long-time juvenile delinquents (long history of bad blood) had thrown a recently used condom in her face, and she had decided to kill him.  I could not blame her, but had to put a stop to that..... very carefully (fortunately all the JDs are finally gone).  Marrying into the Mediterranean hot-blooded part of the world had it's wild and crazy moments, good and bad.   

Had I ever had to man a foxhole against all comers, I would have rather had her next to me than many men I have known.   

I often think in times of war we would be better off drafting 50 year old menopausal women than 20 year old men.

[Jess from VA]

Well they definitely have the right attitude.... but lack the fitness required of extended combat.


Have you seen recent news about all women failing OTS (Marine infantry officer basic)?

Lots of men fail too, but because the women are having a hard go, the PCers want the standards lowered.  In America, apparently all standards are racist or sexist.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/fourteen-women-have-tried-and-failed-the-marines-infantry-officer-course-heres-why/2014/03/28/24a83ea0-b145-11e3-a49e-76adc9210f19_story.html

I came very close to trying the course myself (at 31).