Slim (single stack) 9mm options?

[BigBL87]

I carry a shield 40 and really enjoy it. I was doing some shopping a few weeks back and had a chance to check out a lc9. I thought the trigger was garbage it had no reset at all and it just feels way to long of a pull. The shield trigger is not a whole lot better either. But the shield price is very hard to beat.  You could also look into a Sig P938. If they weren't so pricy that would be my edc.

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Ya, the LC9 trigger from what I've heard is terrible.  The new LC9s is the one I was looking at though, and that is the one with the vastly improved trigger and a few other upgrades.

In any event, still heavily leaning towards the Shield.

[jb1911]

If you want a slim 9 that is 100% reliable the only choice is the G43.

[mig1nc]

It may be good, but he wants a thumb safety so he only has one manual of arms.

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[Scarlett Pistol]

If you want a slim 9 that is 100% reliable the only choice is the G43.

JB 1911, Welcome to the forum! One of the reasons this forum has such an awesome group is the willingness for everyone to share opinions and great information. We all have our favorite brands and makes, we mess around and bag on some, but ultimately we're all trying to be pretty fair about it. We do have some threads where real nitty gritty testing is done and then some real debates on the facts ensue. Again, the moderators and members work really hard to be respectful in the process, so we all get the best information and build a stronger community.

That being said I've seen and read a lot about how great the G43 is in the reliability department, but is it the only choice? If there have been many independent tests where the other single stacks have failed and the G43 has not failed, then please share them so we can be aware of this. If you just really love the G43 the most, thats totally fine, let everyone know why and you're a lot more likely to convince people with some good explanations that come across as fair and not biased. And... if you're being a little sarcastic and I just missed it then maybe an emoticon or something to let us less perceptive pick up on your humor. Anyways, welcome again to one of the best firearms forums around!

[jb1911]

I was being a little sarcastic.  Here's me being serious.  I've only owned and fired over 500 rounds through 3 single stack 9s.  The Ruger LC9s was a jam-o-matic, the Beretta Nano was also a jam-o-matic and the Glock G43 which was as reliable as a hammer.

PS  I sent the Ruger and Beretta back to the manufactures to "fix" the stove pipe and FTEs twice each and they came back unchanged.

[arthropraxis]

I have a Ruger LC9 that has never had a malfunction. It disappears IWB under a T shirt, very easy to conceal. The trigger is a long pull but smooth. This isn't a range gun, it can be accurate if you take your time. The LC9S should be even better. 

[gwvt]

Yeah, as I mentioned earlier, I like my LC9s for the reasons already mentioned - it's accurate, very easy to conceal and reliable. The only time I've had any malfunction was when I was first getting used to it and had a few stovepipes due to me limp wristing. I just looked at my records and I have 1220 rounds through it, mostly reman RN but about a box of XTPs as well. Hell, I ran at least a couple hundred moldy Canadian NATO rounds from 1973 through it with no problems.

[Scarlett Pistol]

Thanks jb1911 that was definitely some good feedback in the LC9s and the Nano. And it spurred some more good feedback from others.
I personally just don't like the trigger on the LC9 when I shoot them and even with a better trigger on the LC9s there's just something about the grip and recoil that I don't care for.
Really like the Shield when I've shot a few times and I'm waiting to get the chance to shoot the G43.
Had a sweet shooting Sig P-938 but I read quite a few reviews of some bad wear on parts of the frame that worried me and at the time I just wasn't handling the small grip and recoil. Sold it and bought my CZ 75 Compact 9mm. Best decision I ever made! Because of that I sit around hoping CZ will make a single stack for when I save up some money to get one again... Otherwise this is the thread I'll visit right away for some great single stack opinions.

[BigBL87]

Otherwise this is the thread I'll visit right away for some great single stack opinions.

Glad this thread has been useful for others!  I'm still waiting to sell my PT-111, but leaning heavily towards the Shield when that finally happens.

[JRhodes]

I have done extensive testing w 10 subcompacts.  Thousands of rounds.  I wanted to know which one was truly best for me.  Long story short I ended up w the LC9S.  It's point of impact is dead on for me without using sights.  Although I do not care for the grip either.  The shield and G42 and G43 hit high unless I push my wrist forward and actually use the sights.  In the event I have to use the gun I don't want to have to think about technique.  It's should come as natural as trying to throw a ball to someone.  Just FYI the G42 and G43 jammed more than any other guns tested when my wife shot them.  It appears they have to be held just right.  I only experienced about 20-30 jams myself on those out of prob 1000 rounds.  The LC9S nor shield ever did for either of us.   The LC9S is so easy to carry using the technaclip.  I wear scrubs 90% of the time and it's lightweight and tapered edges allow it to hide well and not pull them down too much. 


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[OlegG]

Folks,

This is just one guy's opinion.

The choices need to be narrowed down at the "high level" first.
At the high level, we have:
- Striker-fired single-stack handguns (mostly polymer frames) from Glock (43), Springfield (XDS), S&W (Shield) Ruger (LC9S), Walther (PPS) Bersa (BP9CC), and many others. Most of these pistols are reasonably priced in the $300+ to $600 range.
- Double-action only single-stacks. Kahr (CM9, PM9), Ruger (LC9) and others. Wide range of prices that start relatively low (Ruger) and go to $700 - $800 for some of the Kahr models.
- Single-action 1911-ish small pistols. Springfiled EMP, Sig Sauer (P938) and some offerings from Kimber, RIA and others (what they call "Ultra" sized 1911s with a 3" barrell). This is probably the most expensive category in general ranging from $600 to $1000+

This is the first filter that one needs to apply - type of action and manual of arms and the available budget.
Once the high-level decision has been made, one can choose a particular firearm from the chosen category that fits them best.

When choosing the specific pistol, the main factors to be considered are:

- How much size / weight are you willing (not able but willing) to conceal and carry on your person every day or as frequently as you deem needed? Meaning, determine the realistic size of the firearm you are comfortable with (not willing to live with but comfortable). To me, this is the most important decision because quite frequently, a wonderful, softest-shooting, deadly-accurate handgun winds up being left at home or in the car because it's a bit too bleep heavy to carry comfortably.

- Once you figured out the size/weight answer for yourself, then proceed to choosing the particular pistol that for YOU comes as close to the ideal with its trigger pull, accuracy, recoil, etc. And, important, the handgun you will be definitely training with at least part-time to keep proficient with your carry, as well as your range toys.

To use myself as an example. After a period or trial and error (mostly error) I decided that I wanted to standardize on a single caliber and the same (or very close) manual of arms for my home defense / range and my carry handguns. The first choice was for an HD/range weapon - CZ-75B SA. Absolutely love this handgun for its intended purpose. The next decision in choosing the carry gun was an easy one: my high-level filter said that I need a 9mm handgun that I can carry cocked and locked (single-action only or DA/SA with a manual safety). The next question was how much of a gun I am willing and comfortable to carry? For me, and me only, the answer was: Sig P938. Can I fit it into my budget? Yes. So this is how I bought my current EDC handgun and so far I am very happy with the choices I made 
On the budget issue: if you have made the right choice for the handgun you can and should be carrying, but cannot afford it TODAY - the world will not end, if you need to wait a few weeks/months to save the money for the purchase of the right weapon.

[mig1nc]

Great post above. I would also add that you need to consider the threat level you intend to be able to defeat. Meaning, do you need barrier penetration? Do you want to incapacitate multiple attackers?

Remember at least half your shots will miss. NYPD stats are 57% of rounds miss inside of three yards.


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[crand16]

It's important, too, to consider how small is too small - I have small hands and the Shield and G43 fit me really well, but if you have larger hands, getting a good grip on some of the smallest ones - LC9 or LCP, for example - might not be comfortable.

I like the Shield for the balance of small but not too small.

[qwikrex]

In the Single stack 9mm category, your best bet is a Glock 43 or a Shield. I'd say a CM9/PM9 would be a close second. I do like the new PPS M2, but haven't had a chance to fire one yet.

[Dale]

I purchased the  Sig 938 back in February. I love the small size and it shoots accurately for me. BUT, after about 50 rounds the hammer was not being caught on the sear after firing. On one magazine this happened 3 times.
Sent back to Sig. A week and a half later, the gun was returned. They replaced the sear and the hammer spring. The trigger pull is much greater than before .
 I went to the range after getting the gun back and shot about 50 rounds. The first time I racked the slide it did not go into battery. It stopped about half inch short. I pushed it into battery very easily then fired 50 rounds. There were no other malfunctions.
After the range visit I began to clean the gun. When I took the slide off the recoil spring and the base of the guide rod went flying across the room. The rod was missing. The guide rod is 2 pieces. The rod screws into a base that contacts the barrel. Looking at the base it shows that the rod sheared off.  It did not unscrew. The rod is some where on the firing range.
The gun was manufactured in July 2014. I now am waiting for a new recoil spring and guide rod from Sig.
The quality of Sig products that are made in Ct. are certainly worse than those made in Germany!

I forgot to say I had to drift the rear sight to the right. It was shooting 4 inches to the left  at 7 yards.