Compact pistol

[jmaclaren]

I'm looking at getting a new pistol and I want a compact model but can't decide on what to get? Any suggestions on maybe what to stay away from and maybe what I should get I really like the Taurus G3C but I feel like there is better compacts out there and I'm thinking either a 9mm or 40 cal

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[MikeInOr]

Sig P365 and Springfield hellcat are both popular for good reasons.

What is the intended use of this compact pistol? Carry? Range? Home Defence?



Personally I am a fan of pocket carry so my collection reflects this.

My favorite all round (multiple use) compact is the XD mod 2 3.3" in 45 acp. It handles like a full sized gun with the extended magazine but is still pretty easy to conceal with the flush magazine.

 

[Alexx1401]

Same advice always best. Is there a range with rentals near? If not find one that's worth making trip to even if its a day trip. There are so many to choose from now. What I like may not be what you like. If you buy then later decide you like something else its no longer just a matter of selling the one to buy another. Selling now is normally a matter of how much you are willing to lose on the money you had in the first. FAR better to make sure you like what you are about to buy.

 

[ivan_drago]

Taurus has a horrible trigger IMHO and doesn't like hollow point ammo. Good value for the money and a good training pistol. If you want to stay with thumb safety, go for M&P Shield Plus. Better trigger, still not great, but better than Taurus. Size wise they'd be very close. Compare them at the range. I found that I hit better with some than others.

 

[MTpockets]

Any suggestions on maybe what to stay away from

Mess with the Taurus…. Get the gore.

Maybe I can get @Certaindeaf to fix my verbiage..

Budget?
Use/Intended Use?
Intended Carry Method?

 

[300shooter]

Kahr PM9 is small, concealable and has a nice trigger (own one w/o safety)
As mentioned above, you can't go wrong with a Sig P365, X, XL, or macro (own the XL)
You also can't go wrong with a SWM642 or SWM442 (disclaimer...don't own any revolvers)
As suggested above, try to rent or borrow for range (and home) testing before buying. Also, research holster options and evaluate concealability and reliable discrete draw.
Happy shopping!

 

[bradsteen]

Guns are highly personal items - what works for one person may not for another. I would hit a local range that offers rentals and rent everything in the size/caliber range they have. That will help you figure out what you like and what you don't. If you can manage it, try to avoid the cheapest guns out there. Major names like Ruger, S&W, SigSauer, Glock, Springfield, Beretta, etc are generally good bets.

 

[Member 24198]

What's your budget, caliber, usage, and experience with firearms?

 

[jmaclaren]

So this will be my first gum owned I've shot the Taurus g2c and g3c both 9mm and I've shot my cousins s&w 40 I really like the 40 but my hands are kinda small I guess I don't want something that just feels too big plus just had a kid and moved out into the country area and need something for protecting my 5 month old and wife there is some weirdo people out here that just wander and think it's ok I want something to conceal carry but also my wife or I can pull and defend if needed I don't know if that makes any sense

 

[Member 24198]

Glock 19.

 

[MDDM]

Depending on how you define "compact", I would recommend(in order) the Glock 19, Glock 48, 43x, or a P365 variant in whatever size form suits you. If you are completely new to guns, then the P365 is a great option due to its ability to reconfigure it in a minute or two by swapping the FCU over to a new grip and/or slide combo.

Friends don't let friends buy junk like the offerings from springfield, Taurus, kahr, etc.

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

Guns are highly personal items - what works for one person may not for another.

This! I'm a big fan of the S&W Shield Plus, fits my hand well, good size and good price

 

[orygun]

I had a Shield in 40SW. I'd buy another one if I was looking for something like that.

My "compact" gun is a P3AT in 380.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

I'm looking at getting a new pistol and I want a compact model but can't decide on what to get? Any suggestions on maybe what to stay away from and maybe what I should get I really like the Taurus G3C but I feel like there is better compacts out there and I'm thinking either a 9mm or 40 cal

Good choice of caliber imo. 40 s&w you may find to be a bit snappy in that size though. My suggestion would be to go to a range where you can rent several guns to compare (if possible). Personally I would not trust my life to a Taurus semi auto.

Also suggest carrying the largest gun that you are confident you will carry all the time. If that's a tiny pocket 9mm like the single action sig p938 great! If it's something larger like Glock 19 that's also great, or anything in between.

Once you identify the largest size gun you are confident you will carry all the time, then anything that size or smaller is fair game. Tons of good options out there by reputable brands. Too many to list. That's how I would approach it anyway. Find max size first then see what guns are available in that size or smaller.

FYI This thread was recently discussed re quality full size firearms. While the specific guns mentioned there are likely too big for what you are looking for, it might be helpful to look at the brands that people recommended.

 

[Alexx1401]

So this will be my first gum owned I've shot the Taurus g2c and g3c both 9mm and I've shot my cousins s&w 40 I really like the 40 but my hands are kinda small I guess I don't want something that just feels too big plus just had a kid and moved out into the country area and need something for protecting my 5 month old and wife there is some weirdo people out here that just wander and think it's ok I want something to conceal carry but also my wife or I can pull and defend if needed I don't know if that makes any sense

Yes it all makes perfect sense. Since you want something that will work with both of you at least to start, take the Wife with you shopping. There is a TON of guns that will work for both of you but, only way to make sure is be able to try some and handle them. Find a range with some rentals. Both of you go. Handle stuff in the store to see how you both feel about it. Then rent some and both of you try. The cost of renting will be nothing if you end up buying a gun that one or both of you end up not liking. It can be a lot of fun to do some looking and some shooting to decide on which one will work for both of you as a start.

 

[Droo]

Same advice always best. Is there a range with rentals near? If not find one that's worth making trip to even if its a day trip.

This is the correct answer and your best bet for long term satisfaction IMO, did this with my wife to find her a concealed carry. Had to take a drive to Vancouver, but it was worth it, she got to hold and try out almost 10 different firearms until she settled on one she fell in love with. I wanted to make sure she found one she liked so she would be more apt to actually carry it and use it, highly recommend if you have the means near Prineville!

 

[orygun]

Yes it all makes perfect sense. Since you want something that will work with both of you at least to start, take the Wife with you shopping. There is a TON of guns that will work for both of you but, only way to make sure is be able to try some and handle them. Find a range with some rentals. Both of you go. Handle stuff in the store to see how you both feel about it. Then rent some and both of you try. The cost of renting will be nothing if you end up buying a gun that one or both of you end up not liking. It can be a lot of fun to do some looking and some shooting to decide on which one will work for both of you as a start.

Fantastic advice. The only issue could be the requirement to already have a handgun before the range will rent one to you. That's the downside of shopping for the first one.

 

[Alexx1401]

Fantastic advice. The only issue could be the requirement to already have a handgun before the range will rent one to you. That's the downside of shopping for the first one.

The place I go only does that if you are alone. If you and the Wife go together you should be fine. If you still run into a problem see about a membership if the place is close enough. Place I am a yearly member of that membership allows rentals even if I am alone and have none of my own. Another option is buy a nice little .22 pistol like a Ruger. They are a ton of cheap fun and great cheap practice.

 

[NeoBlackdog]

Glock 43X with Shield Arms 15 round magazines. Tiny package, lots o' whoopass.
BUT, as has been said, find a rental range and try some out.
Except the Taurus. Yuck.

 

[Jade Falcon]

I have a gen 5 Glock 26 with an X-Grip sleeve on a 15-round G19 mag. The grip takes some getting used to, but works great. Be warned though, the back of the grip on the magazine can get hung up on your palm if you shift the gun in your hand to eject the mag. I have small hands, so I have to do this.

The G26 is the Gold Standard for a reason.