Need to decide on a subcompact

BKM5

BKM5

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Hello

I have been looking into getting myself a subcompact. I have shot a few (S&W Bodyguard and Shield, Sig p238 and p938, Walthers and others) but can't make up my mind. 9mm vs 380. 40 vs 45
I like the look of the Sigs and the fact that they have the extra safety features. I like the size of the Bodyguard but hate the trigger. I can go on forever. I would like to hear the opinion of those of you that have carried concealed for a lifetime and that know what to talk about. Is there something else out there that I should try or should I just pick one since they all will do the same thing at the end of the day?

Thank you in advance
 
If your comparing the P238 vs P938, go with the P938. 9mm ammo is cheaper for some reason, as is for finding HP ammo. The P938 trigger is a cross between a DA and SA. Yes it's a SA, but has the pull of a DA, It's around 7lbs. The length of pull is due to how it rotates a firing pin blocker out of the way before the sear moved, releasing the hammer. If you like 1911 style pistols, you will pick up on the P938 very quickly. I have the scorpion and love it, wicked accurate too.
 
84ta406 said:
Just looked the the PM9 and wow that thing is light.
Click to expand...

I used to coach a Scholastic Steel Challenge team, and I'd use the PM9 when shooting against the kids. 5 hits in under 4 seconds was no problem. Under 3 seconds was less common, but it happened when I did my part. It's quite an effective, lightweight package.
 
coachjpg said:
Kahr PM9 works for me. Worth a look, IMHO.
Click to expand...

I agree with the Kahr. I picked up a CW40 last year and it is a great way to go (and cheap to boot!!). Very concealable, but still accurate and reliable. Prior to that, I always carried a Sig 229 or Glock 30. For warmer weather or deep concealment, I found I loved having a larger framed gun, but carrying/printing could get tricky. If I could do it again, I wouldve gotten it in 9mm, but it is still a really smooth firing handgun. Honestly, the bodyguards/shields feel like toys to me (I have big hands). The Kahr is the perfect balance and is trusted by LEOs as a great backup gun and I totally see why. The trigger (even for a DAO) is extremely smooth and crisp. Also, it is made to be concealed- there is nothing on the frame/slide of the gun to get snagged on during your draw...Check them out! It seems like many others on this thread agree!
 
my 9mm favorites:
for striker gun, walther PPS, kahr PM9 or S&W shield
for hammer gun, sig P938 or sig P239

i'm not a big .380 fan, but i gotta admit the kahr P380/CW380 are mighty nice little striker guns. the S&W bodyguard is ok but feels cheap IMO.

wouldn't rule out a snubby if i were you. the ruger LCR series is fantastic, as is the S&W 442/642 although their stock triggers kinda suck.
 
84ta406 said:
I have the Walther PPS and love it. Just looked the the PM9 and wow that thing is light.
Click to expand...

I second the Walther PPS. Its my carry gun of choice.

The mag release is not what I am accustomed to, but I do not carry a spare mag. If 7+1 dosn't get the job done... oh well
 
I just traded in my LC9 for a PM9, love how tiny it is, cant wait to shoot. Threw it in my LC9 smartcarry holster and barely know its there.
 
I didn't like my PM9 because of the Long pull and didn't hold atleast 10rds. Accurate as hell for a little Gun though. the Price Diff between the PM9 and the New LC9s is about 200 bucks atleast, no brainer there.
 
How do you plan on carrying it? That dictates the size of the gun to a fair degree.

A PM9 fits in a front pocket (unless you're a hipster). A Glock 26 really doesn't.

As far as 9mm guns that can be pocket carried, I think the PM9 is still the best.
 
Deep conceal. Seacamp. Smaller than an iPhone. I carry it jogging. It's a niece piece. Was wary about 32. Shot some pumpkins. Impressed. Not the biggest but no reason not to carry if you have one.
 
Here's another vote for the Kahr PM9. I put Talon grips on mine. Its the best carry gun I've ever owned and very, very easy to conceal and shoot.
 
BKM5 said:
Hello

I have been looking into getting myself a subcompact. I have shot a few (S&W Bodyguard and Shield, Sig p238 and p938, Walthers and others) but can't make up my mind. 9mm vs 380. 40 vs 45
I like the look of the Sigs and the fact that they have the extra safety features. I like the size of the Bodyguard but hate the trigger. I can go on forever. I would like to hear the opinion of those of you that have carried concealed for a lifetime and that know what to talk about. Is there something else out there that I should try or should I just pick one since they all will do the same thing at the end of the day?

Thank you in advance
Click to expand...

Which of these have you actually handled?

Of those, which have you shot?

Personally, the compact S&W's are a bitch to rack & I'm no little guy.
I've done this exerciser with my SO a while back; we looked at a lot of compacts & sub-compacts at Shooters then tried some out at MFL.

My ammo preference is 9mm.
Why? Because I don't have anything in .380 and I really don't want to reload, or have to stock another caliber in my safes. Nothing against .380, just my personal reason. I picked 9mm when I started out because it was economical, and have grown into several other calibers, and space can be a premium at times.

Moving forward.
The Sig 938 is a smooth, crisp gun. Heavy for its size, it holds the recoil of the 9mm well; just as well if not better than my Ruger SR9c. Likely due to its all metal frame. It racks very easy. Loading the mag is not a chore. My S.O. doesn't have the strongest hands... so these are both big pluses, in the ease of use/operation department. It being a sub-compact the mag held 7 rounds. She said the last two were harder to put into the magazine, but I didn't have an issue with it.

Its a nice little gun, not cheap, but nice. It's on our list as a definite maybe because she was shooting low (pushing). It was solved with some dry-firing, but she was discouraged by the low shooting. We'll probably take a look at some wheel guns as it starts to warm up.
 
I had a shield in 9 and liked it. 9mm def cheaper. Grope Glocks, Sigs, Kahrs. It will be what's fits your hand best. Best of luck
 
Another vote for the Kahr PM9. It fits nicely in my front pants pocket.

If you're carrying OWB or IWB there are more options, like the Glock 26. And I do like the S&W 442/642 with an ankle holster, although something I almost never do.
 
I didn't see it in you list of choices, but Springfield's XDs is a great pistol. I had one in .45 ACP, and just recently traded it for a 9mm. Ammo cost wasn't an issue, but I found that I did not shoot the .45 nearly enough, because it kinda sucked to shoot after the first 150 rounds. I've already put about the same round count through the 9mm in a month as I did the .45 in the year I owned it.

Practice cost and ease are a consideration for a small carry gun, so if you want to shoot it a lot(and you should, IMO), get something that doesn't hurt to shoot. I fell into the trap of "It's a .45, people tremble in fear looking down that sewer pipe, and if I had to shoot, the bad guy would disintegrate with one shot", then refined my thinking to shot placement and volume, so by going to the 9mm and practicing, I got a lot better at placement, and gained 2 rounds in each mag.

As for the gun itself, they have a good trigger with no aftermarket additions, sights are decent, but I'll put night sights on as soon as I have the cash, and it's very concealable.
 
jibbr71 said:
I didn't see it in you list of choices, but Springfield's XDs is a great pistol. I had one in .45 ACP, and just recently traded it for a 9mm. Ammo cost wasn't an issue, but I found that I did not shoot the .45 nearly enough, because it kinda sucked to shoot after the first 150 rounds. I've already put about the same round count through the 9mm in a month as I did the .45 in the year I owned it.

Practice cost and ease are a consideration for a small carry gun, so if you want to shoot it a lot(and you should, IMO), get something that doesn't hurt to shoot. I fell into the trap of "It's a .45, people tremble in fear looking down that sewer pipe, and if I had to shoot, the bad guy would disintegrate with one shot", then refined my thinking to shot placement and volume, so by going to the 9mm and practicing, I got a lot better at placement, and gained 2 rounds in each mag.

As for the gun itself, they have a good trigger with no aftermarket additions, sights are decent, but I'll put night sights on as soon as I have the cash, and it's very concealable.
Click to expand...

The OP is in Mass, making an XDS pretty expensive. It's easy to find new Glocks cheap, but an XDS seems to cost around double a Glock.

Springfield doesn't make a single stack compact or subcompact do they? Cause the XDS seems kind of fat.
 

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