Compact pistol

[bbennett16]

Glock 48 is always a good option

 

[Nosferatu]

A stainless Lorcin L380 will have all the ladies lined up in your shooting lane wanting to blow your little rocket.

 

[Member 24198]

There's a SIG 228 in the classifieds with a pile of magazines.

 

[thorborg]

I've tried quite a few, and several glocks to boot but I still advocate for the sig 365. Plus, even in a pitch black room I can find it on the bed stand from the glowing sights not that it is particularly unique to sig.

 

[1911Fanatic]

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

Mazama's in Eugene has a LE 40 S&W M&P with 3 15 round mags for something like $430 on their website.

 

[1911Fanatic]

Oh never mind I completely ski\piped over the "Compact" part.

 

[1911Fanatic]

Cableas has the Sig P365 Snakebite with nightsights for just under 500 bucks. I bought one for my wife. It has a reversible mag catch and no external safety. I had originally bought her a Kimber Micro 9 for $475 on sale at Cabela's but she can't use it, so I guess it's mine now.

 

[nammac]

Get yourself a Sig P365 and a can…. That's all ya need for happiness…

 

[Nosferatu]

Get yourself a Sig P365 and a can…. That's all ya need for happiness…

View attachment 1977997

This is the way.

 

[MDDM]

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.

These don't take any getting used to...

My bad, just dawned on me you said Gen 5.

TSX "26X" Grip Extension for G26/G27 (Gen3) - KM3 SOLUTIONS

EXPECTED LEAD TIME: 2 WEEKS Includes One (1) Twenty Six X (TSX) Grip Extension and One (1) Set Screw ONLY. All Other Parts Shown In Photos Are Not Included, And Are For Demonstration Only No Modifications Required Designed By KM3 Solutions In Collaboration With Battlecock Tactical Creates A...

www.km3solutions.com

 

[Mono1]

Pfft..

Pistol Guys.

 

[gmerkt]

I've had a Glock G19 for a long time which I'm happy with. Recently, I bought a G43X, which is a bit more compact but still has a substantial grip for my hand.

Along in there I once had a G23, which is .40 S&W and the same size as the G19. I found .40 to be a bit snappy and not comfortable for me to shoot. But my hands are not in the best of shape. I let the G23 go. It's best to have a gun you are comfortable with and can shoot safely yet repeatably.

 

[Old Dog]

I was a firearms instructor with a large department for many years until my recent retirement.

In good conscience, the only compact pistols I will recommend now are (in no particular order):

Springfield Armory Hellcat
SIG P-365/365XL/365X
S&W Shield/M&P Compact
Glock 43X

Caveat: the are the pistols I have much experience with. If one wants to go the " budget" route and try Taurus, Canik, SCCY, Ruger, Kel-Tec, etc., feel free.

But, in my experience, the higher prices do bring a significantly higher level of reliability, accuracy, ergonomics and durability.

 

[monkyfroth]

honestly I would just get a P365 or P365xl

 

[nammac]

Along in there I once had a G23, which is .40 S&W and the same size as the G19. I found .40 to be a bit snappy and not comfortable for me to shoot. But my hands are not in the best of shape. I let the G23 go. It's best to have a gun you are comfortable with and can shoot safely yet repeatably.

Exactly the same here, I like the G19 so much, I pick up a G23 for the fancy .40. But found the recoil
Impulse to be way too snappy for me, didn't enjoy the G23 nearly as much as the G19. Sold it to a friend more than 20 years ago and he's still enjoying it.

 

[Sxsnuf]

I'll jump on the "range rental" bandwagon, to a point. It's a fine way to discern what feels good in your hand, is most comfortable to shoot, has the better trigger or even which one shoots most accurately, for you.
What it won't tell you is which ones are the most reliable, long term, the most picky about ammo or have the better aftermarket support such as grips, sights, holsters, triggers, magazines, etc.
I believe Safe Fire has a selection of rentals. I think they also have an on-site gunsmith. Not sure, but I suspect most ranges that rent firearms have a resident smith, or armorer who cleans, maintains and repairs those rentals. In a perfect world, that's the individual whose brain I'd like to pick.
You mentioned you really like the G3C. You didn't tell us if you'd fired one, or just liked the price. I have one, and have never had an issue with it. In fact, it's been dead nuts reliable for about 500 rds. You also questioned whether there might be something better. Of course there is. If you consider every recommendation that's been offered on this thread, I can guarantee you there's "something better" than than each of them. There always is.
Don't be swayed by the gun snobs. Do your own research, look at online reviews, and by all means, handle as many as possible.
ETA: I've heard folks say they don't like Glocks for one reason or another, but I've seldom heard anyone complain about their reliability. Reliability is paramount, regardless of how much you spend.

 

[orygun]

Caveat: the are the pistols I have much experience with. If one wants to go the " budget" route and try Taurus, Canik, SCCY, Ruger, Kel-Tec, etc., feel free.

I initially found your inclusion of Ruger with the budget brands interesting. But then, thinking along the lines of pistols, not revolvers, I have never been impressed with any of the autoloaders besides their original 22 and it's descendants. When I was looking for a small 380 I actually bought a couple of Taurus TCPs because I thought it was a better gun than the Ruger LCP.
And the Kel Tec is likely better than both!

These days, though, I prefer to carry a small revolver over a small pistol.

My wife has a G43. If you like Glocks, it's one to check out.

 

[MikeInOr]

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

I personally think that a compact pistol is a great choice for a home defense pistol. I like a pistol I can slip into my jacket pocket when I take the garbage out and not rile the neighbors in the process.

I still recommend looking at the Sig P365 and Springfield Hellcat if you decide on 9mm. For me the Hellcat fit my hand better than the P365 but they are both excellent pistols worth considering.

When 40 S&W was popular I avoided them. Now that they are out of favor I own 2 of them. I think that 40 S&W is also a great choice. A Glock 23 is Glock 19 (9mm) with a 40 S&W barrel. There are conversion barrels for Glock 23's that allow it to shoot 9mm. There are no conversion barrels for Glock 19's to allow a Glock 19 to shoot 40 S&W. I have a 9mm conversion barrel for my Glock 27 (40 S&W) which allows me to practice with the much cheaper 9mm rounds.

The S&W Shield in 40 S&W and 9mm are well respected guns and would be a good choice. The S&W Shield EZ is specifically designed for weaker hands and might be a better match for your wife. You say you are comfortable shooting a 40 S&W, is your wife comfortable with this snappier recoiling round?

I personally prefer the Springfield XD, XD mod 2, XD mod 3 and XDM line of double stack pistols. I REALLY like how they have form fitting spacers to use larger capacity magazines in their compact pistols (like I have shown in my original post). With a hi-capacity magazine and the spacer they feel and shoot like a full sized pistol. I have a similar aftermarket spacer for my Glock 27... it isn't near as well fitting as the ones that come with the Springfield pistols.

Like many others have stated there are many great pistols available these days. It is really a matter of what fits you best. What fits me and my large hands best is likely not what fits you best.

P.S. I have never owned a Taurus. I have avoided them based on their reputation. Whether the reputation is fair or not is another discussion.

 

[orygun]

ETA: I've heard folks say they don't like Glocks for one reason or another, but I've seldom heard anyone complain about their reliability. Reliability is paramount, regardless of how much you spend.

I don't like Glocks. But you're right, it's not a reliability issue. If it was, my wife wouldn't be carrying one.

 

[bbennett16]

I don't like Glocks. But you're right, it's not a reliability issue. If it was, my wife wouldn't be carrying one.

I get that. I really like my Walther pdp, I've heard the pdp F is pretty decent for a smaller pistol