Sub-compact Gun Thread, does anyone own any of these and willing to comment?

[onza]

I'm going to purchase one and was wanting some feedback.. Price isn't a big deal, hundred here hundred there so it's all relatively similar in cost. This is for mostly conceal and carry as I have my permit. In MN we can open carry but I don't care for the un-needed attention.

Thanks.
Onza

NOTE: Glocks gun only weight should be 19.75 oz's for both.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I owned an airweight S&W .38 Special with a 2" barrel and it was practically impossible to shoot very accurately out past 10 yards and it wasn't particularly pleasant to shoot either. I have a Beretta Tomcat .32 ACP that isn't much better. I don't even bother shooting it much anymore...I may just get rid of it.

 

[Kabob]

I owned an airweight S&W .38 Special with a 2" barrel and it was practically impossible to shoot very accurately out past 10 yards and it wasn't particularly pleasant to shoot either. I have a Beretta Tomcat .32 ACP that isn't much better. I don't even bother shooting it much anymore...I may just get rid of it.

That's good, because most gunfights in the real world happen within 7 yards or less.

Glock will always get my vote for a "trust my life to it weapon," they've proven over and over how reliable they are, especially the 26/27's. They also make a subcompact .45 (model 30 maybe?) if you want more whallop. There's also a single stack .45 subcompact, can't remember the model #, but it's smaller than the 26 or 27.

The Springfield XD's are also very nice, although I've not shot the compact version though.

Personally I'd go Glock → Springer → Khar.

 

[deadlyapp]

Lol @ Jules not answering about the guns in question.

I had the ruger sr9. Fantastic gun, I actually shot much better with it than any of my other guns, but it could have been because I primarily shoot 45. Its very thin, which makes it extremely easy to grip, and coming from a 1911 background that was beneficial. The fit and finish of the gun overall is about a 6/10 i'd say. The black finish wears off of the lower slide rails pretty quickly. Its easy to disassemble as well and can be done with no tools. There are a lot of MIM parts in it though, and a lot of gun owners try to stay away from heavily MIM'ed guns, but that is why it is so cheap.

Oh I've also used the XD's. The 3" XD leaves a bit to be desired for me, mostly in the compact handgrip, as it is a relatively wide grip but very stubby. With the finger extension its nearly the same length as the non-compact. The 4" one I love, its the perfect size for shooting and isn't too large to conceal. I daily carried the 4" .45 model for a while when my kimber was out of commission.

 

[Kabob]

MIM isn't as bad as it's made out to be. AR-15 guys absolutely vilify the stuff.

 

[Numenorean]

Glock 27. Still compact and smaller but in .40 and not a 9mm round.

Or the XDM 40.

 

[unxpurg8d]

I owned an airweight S&W .38 Special with a 2" barrel and it was practically impossible to shoot very accurately out past 10 yards and it wasn't particularly pleasant to shoot either. I have a Beretta Tomcat .32 ACP that isn't much better. I don't even bother shooting it much anymore...I may just get rid of it.

Seriously hate the airweight - the kick is entertaining though. Went to a range with it and a guy was making fun of my little Lady Smith girly gun. (Stupid gun, stupid concept, by the way. Came with "pretty" grips and tough as heck to hold onto while firing, along with the weight being counterproductive. Wonder how many women gave up shooting in frustration after trying this thinking it was actually going to be a well thought out woman-focused firearm?!) Imagine his surprise when it bucked his hand back HARD.

OOPS - totally missed the target on the OP's original list too. Bad ME.

 

[highland145]

Glock 27, fobus ankle holster, docker style cuffed pants 6 out of 7 days.

 

[Scotteq]

MIM isn't as bad as it's made out to be. AR-15 guys absolutely vilify the stuff.

/signed - The controversy over Metal Injection Molded parts reminds me of similar arguments over composites. I also expect that ultimately the outcome will be similar: MIM will both improve and become accepted.

 

[Numenorean]

Glock 27, fobus ankle holster, docker style cuffed pants 6 out of 7 days.

ankle too far away

 

[olds]

The recoil from the PM9 blistered my wife's hand. I thought it was fine.

 

[olds]

ankle too far away

Not if you are curled up in the fetal position...

 

[highland145]

ankle too far away

I spend some time in the truck and can't get the ultra-lite out of my pocket. I wouldn't have it otherwise. Just commenting on the concealability of my 27.

 

[highland145]

Not if you are curled up in the fetal position...

I'm ready for the next time you taser me.

 

[Numenorean]

I spend some time in the truck and can't get the ultra-lite out of my pocket. I wouldn't have it otherwise. Just commenting on the concealability of my 27.

Ahh.

I tend to prefer an IWB holster.

 

[highland145]

Ahh.

I tend to prefer an IWB holster.

I would like that but I wear tucked in knit shirts so I work around it.

 

[onza]

In terms of bullet power obviously the 40 has a bigger punch. I wouldn't want the bullets to travel thru walls and such. Reduce the probability to travel thru the walls and hit something you didn't want to hit.

I like 9mm because of the number of bullets the gun can carry vs a 40.

Choices choices... Also my GF would be shooting the gun with me.

 

[Numenorean]

In terms of bullet power obviously the 40 has a bigger punch. I wouldn't want the bullets to travel thru walls and such. Reduce the probability to travel thru the walls and hit something you didn't want to hit.

I like 9mm because of the number of bullets the gun can carry vs a 40.

Choices choices... Also my GF would be shooting the gun with me.

If you want a home defense round, check out the Glaser Safety Slug:

http://www.shopcorbon.com/Glaser-Safety-Slug/500/500/dept

 

[highland145]

In terms of bullet power obviously the 40 has a bigger punch. I wouldn't want the bullets to travel thru walls and such. Reduce the probability to travel thru the walls and hit something you didn't want to hit.

I like 9mm because of the number of bullets the gun can carry vs a 40.

Choices choices... Also my GF would be shooting the gun with me.

glock 27 10 rounds with the extension. IIRC, average # of rounds in a gun fight is 4 or less.

Speer Gold Dot, ftw.

 

[deadlyapp]

In terms of bullet power obviously the 40 has a bigger punch. I wouldn't want the bullets to travel thru walls and such. Reduce the probability to travel thru the walls and hit something you didn't want to hit.

I like 9mm because of the number of bullets the gun can carry vs a 40.

Choices choices... Also my GF would be shooting the gun with me.

There is less of a difference from 9mm to .40 as far as capacity I'd say. Personally I prefer the 9mm over the .40 because the .40 feels too sharp in recoil.

As far as wall penetration? If it doesn't hit a stud both rounds will go through more walls than you have.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot1.htm

 

[Numenorean]

I have 13 in my .45 lol. Hollow points too.

I don't care too much about over penetration right now.

It's a full size so not the easiest to carry but I don't carry it often anyway.

 

[onza]

If an intruder walks into my personal domicile same story all those in the clip will probably be used. I'm taking zero chances and will make sure they are removed from the world if they put my life in danger. Also if it ends up in the court of law. I would want the intruder not be present.

40. Is the clear winner.. Now I just have to pick one.

edit - my instructor also said to use hydrashock (SP) ammo. Because the feds use this ammo lol

 

[Numenorean]

Hydra-Shok is a good round. Hollow points. Rip you to bits.

 

[deadlyapp]

Federal HST or the Winchester Ranger. HST are hard to get without spending out your ass but the ranger is readily available usually around $32/50 rds. The new ranger is essentially the same bullet as the black talon as well.

Edit: Don't buy a round that is ridiculously expensive to the point that you won't shoot it regularly in range practice. For any defensive round you decide to use you should shoot at least a couple of magazines through during regular range usage to ensure function. I had purchased some defensive ammo for use in my kimber and it turned out to not like feeding them, but I wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't shot a box of it.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Seriously hate the airweight - the kick is entertaining though. Went to a range with it and a guy was making fun of my little Lady Smith girly gun. (Stupid gun, stupid concept, by the way. Came with "pretty" grips and tough as heck to hold onto while firing, along with the weight being counterproductive. Wonder how many women gave up shooting in frustration after trying this thinking it was actually going to be a well thought out woman-focused firearm?!) Imagine his surprise when it bucked his hand back HARD.

OOPS - totally missed the target on the OP's original list too. Bad ME.

No doubt you'll face the wrath of the guy with the squirrel as his avatar.