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I currently carry a USP Compact 9mm. It is not my favorite gun in the whole world, but I trust it. And there's something to be said for the fact that it "operates" just like my beloved full sized USP. But I have to accept that fact that it's time to get something a bit smaller for those times when "wearing" space is at a premium.

Can you guys help me narrow my search? I'm looking at Kimbers, STI's, Kahr (the PM9), the Micro Desert Eagle or anything along the same size range as those.

I know this is one of those topics that everyone hates because it gets worked to death here at the forum, but any critical reviews of a smaller carry gun would be MOST helpful!

Thanks,
T.

USP Compact is about same size as a "compact" or "mid-size" Glock 19/23/32 as I remember. So smaller than that?

My first recommendation would be a snub-nose revolver, whichever "flavor" floats your boat

S&W J-frame
Ruger SP series
Ruger LCR
Taurus 85

I traded my Charter Arms Undercover years ago and bought a Kahr PM40. For many reasons that was a bad decision and I decided after rectifying it with purchase of a S&W 638 that I would never be without a snubbie again. They are just so darn PRACTICAL! Slip it into your strong-side front pocket, throw a speedloader or speed strips in your other front procket, head out the door.

If it must be a semi-auto, then look at ...

Walther PPS
Glock subcompact 26/27/33
Kahrs (my personal opinion is avoid the polymer-framed versions)
Taurus "Slim"
Ruger SR9c ?

Or go really small with a pocket .380
Ruger LCP
Taurus 738
Kahr PM380
S&W Bodyguard .380 (brand new)

I seem to recall williamkevin mentioning yesterday that the CZ 75 D PCR compact 9 is his daily carry. Do you not like it? (For what it's worth, I have one, too, and it shares carry duty with a Kimber Pro Carry II.)

If size and 9mm are your main criteria, you won't get smaller than the Rohrbaugh R9. It is very pricey though I think over $1000. The next step up would be the PM9 from kahr, again very small, but also kind of pricey for a small 9 IMO.

You may want to consider the kel-tec pf9. It is only slightly bigger (in height) than the kahr and costs about $300 dollars.

Nutnfancy has a good video where he compares the PF9 and PM9:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNRbkOdUgms" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have the Micro Desert Eagle. It is heavy and painful to shoot (my whole family agrees, it ain't just me). On the plus side, if you run out of ammo you can throw it at someone and make a sizeable dent.

LarryH wrote:I seem to recall williamkevin mentioning yesterday that the CZ 75 D PCR compact 9 is his daily carry. Do you not like it? (For what it's worth, I have one, too, and it shares carry duty with a Kimber Pro Carry II.)

I do like his CZ, but I think I'm ready for something a bit smaller. During the course of my daily life, there are places where I have to disarm to enter a building. For that reason, on most days I purse carry so it's easy to transfer to the car safe if I can't take it inside. The USP Compact fits in my purse, but it's pretty snug and pretty heavy. I was thinking if I got something smaller, not only would it be more practical on days that I purse carry but more comfortable on hot summer days when I carry (thinking about going to IWB).

Thanks for all the suggestions too AustinRealtor. I hadn't considered a revolver. I don't dislike revolvers, just not as comfortable with them. I going to look up that S&W .380 and see about the details for it. I'm hearing that .380 ammo is getting easier to find...true?

So many guns....so little time.

T.

Purplehood wrote:I have the Micro Desert Eagle. It is heavy and painful to shoot (my whole family agrees, it ain't just me). On the plus side, if you run out of ammo you can throw it at someone and make a sizeable dent.

Ohhh...thanks for letting me know that. I had been looking at those because I liked the way they look and although they were smaller, I could still hold it (I have kind of biggish hands for a girl). I'll steer clear of that.

T.

TLynnHughes wrote:

Purplehood wrote:I have the Micro Desert Eagle. It is heavy and painful to shoot (my whole family agrees, it ain't just me). On the plus side, if you run out of ammo you can throw it at someone and make a sizeable dent.

Ohhh...thanks for letting me know that. I had been looking at those because I liked the way they look and although they were smaller, I could still hold it (I have kind of biggish hands for a girl). I'll steer clear of that.

T.

IMO anytime you go small on a carry piece, fun to shoot is not a top priority. They are all going to have a certain level of kick that is greater than their big brothers. In general, the heavier the piece, the less it kicks. The small light high caliber pieces can be expected to kick. In the end though, its a tool, as long as its manageable its ok. When I want to shoot for fun, I will use a bigger gun. I've been shopping for small EDC gun myself, and I am looking for ease of concealment, fun to shoot is not high in my criteria list. Of course it is a personal choice.

TLynnHughes wrote: Thanks for all the suggestions too AustinRealtor. I hadn't considered a revolver. I don't dislike revolvers, just not as comfortable with them. I going to look up that S&W .380 and see about the details for it. I'm hearing that .380 ammo is getting easier to find...true?

You're welcome, TLynn. Revolvers take some practice to become proficient. Nice thing is that with most modern revolvers dry-fire practice is OK and you don't have to rack the slide each time to practice your trigger control while dry firing - just keeping pulling the trigger, just like you would with live fire (of course, MAKE SURE the gun is empty). You can get the trigger control down quickly with dry firing a revolver, then only need to practice recoil control with live fire.

Most snubbies do have some kick to them, but nothing unmanageable with .38 or even .38+P ... I've not yet been brave enough to fire .357 out of a snubby.

As for a .380, the ammo is getting easier to find. Local Academy in Cedar Park seems to have been sitting on the same case of American Eagle .380 for a month now.

TexasTony wrote:

TLynnHughes wrote:

Purplehood wrote:I have the Micro Desert Eagle. It is heavy and painful to shoot (my whole family agrees, it ain't just me). On the plus side, if you run out of ammo you can throw it at someone and make a sizeable dent.

Ohhh...thanks for letting me know that. I had been looking at those because I liked the way they look and although they were smaller, I could still hold it (I have kind of biggish hands for a girl). I'll steer clear of that.

T.

IMO anytime you go small on a carry piece, fun to shoot is not a top priority. They are all going to have a certain level of kick that is greater than their big brothers. In general, the heavier the piece, the less it kicks. The small light high caliber pieces can be expected to kick. In the end though, its a tool, as long as its manageable its ok. When I want to shoot for fun, I will use a bigger gun. I've been shopping for small EDC gun myself, and I am looking for ease of concealment, fun to shoot is not high in my criteria list. Of course it is a personal choice.

I failed to mention that it is my standard carry gun despite of its shortcomings whenever I cannot carry my XD40. The little MDE goes in a pocket holster. I just hate taking it to the range...but I do so to make sure that I am somewhat proficient with it should the need arise.
I would recommend trying to find something more shooter-friendly. It was kinda pricey too.

Is a Sig P-239 too big? 3 chioces of calibers too.

I have a Kahr MK40 (steel frame) and it kicks less than my Glock 23 (also .40s&w) and has the best DAO trigger I have ever fired. Oddly enough, it also seemed to have about the same recoil as my cousin's Kahr P9 (polymer). The weight seems to make more difference than I had thought previously.

I have nothing but good things to say about it.

glbedd53 wrote:Is a Sig P-239 too big? 3 chioces of calibers too.

That one's not too bad. Hard to tell exactly how big it is from the pictures but looks to be about the right size. I'll add that to my list of guns that I want to fondle before I make a decision. Thanks...I wouldn't have thought about looking at Sigs!

T.

TLynnHughes wrote:

LarryH wrote:I seem to recall williamkevin mentioning yesterday that the CZ 75 D PCR compact 9 is his daily carry. Do you not like it? (For what it's worth, I have one, too, and it shares carry duty with a Kimber Pro Carry II.)

I do like his CZ, but I think I'm ready for something a bit smaller. During the course of my daily life, there are places where I have to disarm to enter a building. For that reason, on most days I purse carry so it's easy to transfer to the car safe if I can't take it inside. The USP Compact fits in my purse, but it's pretty snug and pretty heavy. I was thinking if I got something smaller, not only would it be more practical on days that I purse carry but more comfortable on hot summer days when I carry (thinking about going to IWB).

Thanks for all the suggestions too AustinRealtor. I hadn't considered a revolver. I don't dislike revolvers, just not as comfortable with them. I going to look up that S&W .380 and see about the details for it. I'm hearing that .380 ammo is getting easier to find...true?

So many guns....so little time.

T.

The CZ RAMI was mentioned in another thread somewhere -- 3" barrel. Might check that out, since you like WK's (and my) CZ.

LarryH wrote:
The CZ RAMI was mentioned in another thread somewhere -- 3" barrel. Might check that out, since you like WK's (and my) CZ.

I did go check it out and I really like this one. It's got a short barrel but still looks like I could hold on to it ok. I'll have to find that other thread and check it out. Thanks for the suggestion, LarryH. I guess I'll have to get my own Czechnology Tshirt.

T.