What’s wrong with ME?

[JohnR]

I was sure that since this was a very bad time to be buying guns, and since I was satisfied with what I already had, the urge would not hit. But it occurred to me that there was a hole in my arsenal - a “medium size” 9mm. I have bigguns and little’uns, but nothing in between. I didn’t even realize “in between” was a thing. I’d kind of like to have something not too big and heavy, 9mm, and not a mouse or pocket gun. Something around 10 rounds. Carryable in my ever-present briefcase or in a holster. And even though I swore off 1911s, I’m drawn to the Ruger Lightweight Commander. If there’s a question in here, I guess it’s, “If I don’t shoot .45 1911s accurately, can I assume I’ll also be frustrated by 9mm 1911s?

[Bawanna]

Wow, there's some deep thoughts in that thar post. I wish I had a good answer for you, never run across nobody that couldn't shoot a 1911 good. But that don't mean they aren't out there.
I had (wish I still had) a full size Ruger and it was a fine gun.
I'd like a Commander 9mm myself but I'm trying to convince myself that I'm also content with my current inventory but that never ever last very long.

I was asking about a Hellcat yesterday when I filled out the paper for my EAA Witness. That in itself is not a good sign.

[jeepster09]

I have liked my Sig 239, it shoots 9mm, 40 cal and 357Sig all with same gun. 357 and 40 use same mags, 9mm uses different mags. All that is needed is barrel swap.

[JohnR]

A Kahr T9 might scratch my itch, but they’ve all disappeared so it’s a moot point.

[berettabone]

If your like me, it won't make much difference in caliber. If you don't gel with 1911's, you don't gel. You could look in to a H&K P2000 or SK model. Love mine in .40 and would never sell.

[JohnR]

I did look at the P2000SK on line, and some Sigs. Not sure if any can be found in the wild.

[JohnR]

I’m also liking the Shield 2.0 Performance Center with 4” barrel, though I already have a 1.0 that’s 100% reliable, it’s just boring and hard to shoot well. With the 8-round mag the grip holds my pinky so it’s kind of the the ballpark I’m thinking of. I know, a fraction of an inch more barrel and sight radius, on a plastic striker gun that I already have? Quit huffing the Hoppes No. 9.

[340pd]

OK, The boyz here made me go with a 1911 and after running some downrange and carrying it for work a few times, I am really glad I went down the path they pointed me toward.

I really like Jeepster's suggestion of a multi caliber gun, especially in today's ammo market. The Sig 239 (https://www.sigsauer.com/store/p239-nitron-compact.html) is an interesting suggestion.
I am not a Glock shooter but their single stack G43x or G48 (https://www.ammoland.com/2019/05/glock-43x-maximum-concealment-and-it-shoots-review/) have received good marks even from non Glock people. You might consider looking at the M&P Shield EZ in 9mm (https://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2019/12/smith-wesson-mp-9-shield-ez/). A very nice hammer fired gun that has got a lot of attention. I have the EZ in 380 and it is a really nice platform and I much prefer it over the Shield I once owned.
Good luck with your decisions, Greg and the boyz cost me a couple grand.

[JohnR]

Yup, I checked into the G48 and EZ. Also the Sig 365XL. I’ll probably get over this fever an end up getting nothing. Or maybe not.

[dao]

I have a P2000SK in 9mm. It's a fine gun. I have 10, 13, and 15rd mags for it. It's temporarily my HD gun after selling my FNX45 and until my P227 gets here. My particular example is a DA/SA with decocker and no safety. But there are LEM models to be had if that's more your style.

In my recent search for a new HD gun I spent an incredible amount of time on gunbroker. In that time I did see around four P2000SKs as well as a couple of P30SKs. So they are out there. My last two purchases were made on gunbroker and I've come to feel like a kid in a candy store while looking there.

I think that like a lot of people I shoot SA guns better and particularly hammer fired SA guns. But with enough practice and good mechanics I do believe that any shooter can shoot at least nearly as well with the first round of a DA/SA gun.

Good luck in your hunt. Sometimes that's the best part of getting a new gun :)

[jeepster09]

I like my 239.

[Armybrat]

Ruger SR9c (compact) 10+1, and also comes with extended 17 round mag. Not much bigger than a CW45, and the same slim width.
They were selling for $250 at Sportsman’s Warehouse before the Chinese Corona hit.

[gale155]

It may be too small for you, but the Sig P365 (not the XL) is my enthusiastic suggestion. It's certainly not a mouse gun, but could be pocketed should the need arise. I've found mine to be amazingly accurate for a smaller gun, and I'm still trying to figure out how the Sig engineers got 10 rounds to fit in the mag. If you get one, you'll need an Uplula...trust me on that one.

The urge for "just one more gun" never seems to end, IMO. A few weeks ago I went to a large LGS just for something to do, and to window shop. Their shelves were pretty bare, but I spied a LNIB Walther TPH .22lr that had been traded in just a few days prior. I've been wanting one for several years, but was hesitant to write a fairly hefty check for one sight-unseen. It was priced reasonably, so of course I brought it home. :D

[Armybrat]

I paid $250 for this full size SR9 in December From SW. still has the tag on it and is still wrapped in the plastic bag NIB in the safe. It will go to one of my sons for Christmas.
It’s mate - for which I paid $300 in September from CDNN - is my nightstand gun. If they were available at the same price I’d buy several more.

[jeepster09]

You mainly need to decide between hammer fired or striker. They are both out there. A lot of good choices.
Now for me.....I go from my Sig 365 to 239 to 229 [both my 239 and 229 are multi caliber] to my new 1911 in 357.....so many choices! I like them all and don't want any of them getting jealous.

[dao]

I like to make mine jealous. By bringing home new love interests especially :)

Hey, what's wrong with ME?

[berettabone]

I’m also liking the Shield 2.0 Performance Center with 4” barrel, though I already have a 1.0 that’s 100% reliable, it’s just boring and hard to shoot well. With the 8-round mag the grip holds my pinky so it’s kind of the the ballpark I’m thinking of. I know, a fraction of an inch more barrel and sight radius, on a plastic striker gun that I already have? Quit huffing the Hoppes No. 9. I owned an M&P auto in .40. Never gelled with the trigger and it was hard for me to be accurate with also. The P2000SK sold me first hold. It's the setup that works best for me. Hammer, SA/DA, no safety, I love the trigger type, and with the mag bases, I can get three fingers on the grip and I've never had a misfeed issue due to pressure on the bottom of the magazine. Never had an issue period. I have seen some for sale, but the prices keep going up......................

[JohnR]

Well, so I'm still pondering this. Looks on paper like the 1911 is almost identical in size to the 4" Shield, which I found kind of shocking. Of course, it's not that simple. The widths are very different. 1911s have lots of clickety snickity bits and a whale tail on them. Shields just have a trigger and a takedown lever. The Shield's sight radius is actually the longest of all I'm looking at, which can only help accuracy. I took my snub nose Shield to the range and compared it to my CW9, and the Shield had a slight edge in accuracy, though the Kahr trigger is mighty luxurious which I thought would aid accuracy but didn't. At 10 yards from a rest I was getting around 2 1/2" groups discounting the usual flyer so I can't complain.

So for now I'm leaning toward the 4" Shield...

[Bawanna]

"1911s have lots of clickety snickity bits and a whale tail on them."

I put in a good word for you with John Moses, he was tossing and turning in his grave. I think he's ok now, settled down but might be cautious for a bit.

He was mumbling something about no tupperware on his creations, just sayin.

[Barth]

Own a Hk P2000SK and carry it often (357/40).
Also got bit by the itch for a medium sized 9mm (whatever that means - LOL)
This was my solution -
https://i.imgur.com/KCvUZdw.jpg?1

[JohnR]

"1911s have lots of clickety snickity bits and a whale tail on them."

I put in a good word for you with John Moses, he was tossing and turning in his grave. I think he's ok now, settled down but might be cautious for a bit.

He was mumbling something about no tupperware on his creations, just sayin.
;) Forgive me JMB for I have blasphemed! That wasn’t really a complaint, just a comparison. Didn’t the Army make him add the clickety bit?

[Bawanna]

They did in fact require the clickety. I'm sure JMB will forgive you your transgressions or at least put you on probation.

[JohnR]

I do still have my AO 1911 in GI configuration.

[Bawanna]

I do still have my AO 1911 in GI configuration.

Well that has to be worth something even with the clickety clicks. Write Jeff Cooper 300 times and all is forgiven. I heard it from JMB.

[JohnR]

Doesn't seem to matter which one I decide on, nothing's available. :o

[JohnR]

Well, I visited the city’s biggest LGS and they had the Shield 4” in .40, so I handled it a bit and was underwhelmed. Maybe my 1.0 snubnose Shield is ok. The 2.0’s trigger let off a springy “doing” when I dry fired, which always turns me off. Gimme hammer-fired!

My 1.0 doesn’t make that cheesy “doing” but it does have an Apex sear which might be why.

[dustnchips]

Guns are scarce on line as well. If you would find one the down side is you wouldn't get to play with it before you bought.

[JohnR]

True, but you get the opportunity to reject a transfer if there’s a defect. For what I’m looking for, I’ll probably end up with the 4” Shield once prices and availability come back to Earth.

The Sig 365 and 365XL don’t sing to me for some reason. The G48 looks goofy and one online reviewer showed that he could sqeeze the grip and flex the plastic. Really, Glock?

I also found that MagGuts has +2 kits for the Shield now. I thought my +1s were hot stuff, that’s even better. A 4” Shield with 10+1 would cover about 98% of my handgun needs. It’s almost a “one gun” solution, for me.

[Scarpia]

I just added a M&P 45 V2 Compact to the collection, with a 4" barrel it's hardly "compact". Like the OP, I have big guns, small guns and a smattering of medium sized guns. Another medium'ish gun to consider is the Ruger SR9C/40C. They can be found on Sportsman's Warehouse site for $250, the gift of all time.

[JohnR]

I've always like the looks of the SR9C but just can't warm up to striker fired guns.

I've been quiet on this because a T9 appeared on Gunbroker, as if by divine providence. Unfortunately, I was outbid and it's now well over $800 and more than a week to go. It does come with an extra mag and a nice holster, but I think I'll wait for Gunpocalypse to subside before seeking out one of these.

[Scarpia]

If hammered guns are your preferred type, consider the TriStar C100. The C100 in 9mm is an all metal (AL alloy) frame, 9mm Turkish made clone of the CZ-75 with its inside the frame slide engineering. I have the C100 in 9mm, 380 Auto (no longer imported) and in 40 S&W (steel frame). These guns are of superior quality and super accurate. The 9mm is a 15+1 and the 40 S&W is 11+1. The C100 dimensionally is 7.36 X 5.35 X 1.41, weighs 955 grams fully loaded, barrel is 3.93". DASA, trigger pull in SA is 4.75 lbs. They are under $400, really a bargain. The C100 is a CZ-75 Compact clone made by Canik55 and marketed by TriStar in the US.

https://www.tristararms.com/series/pistols/#c-100-pistols-black

https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting-gear-gun-supplies/handguns/tristar-c-100-pistol/p/p47231

[JohnR]

I have acquired a Kahr CT9. And I have a total of three 9-round mags (8 rounders with MagGuts kits). It's actually Jocko's gun, since the serial number starts with BAA---- but I don't think he'll mind me using it. Where is Jocko, anyway??? The CT-9 is only a skosh bigger than a CW9 but has a full 3-finger grip. These things should be more popular than they seem to be...

[I_Like_Turtles]

I have acquired a Kahr CT9. And I have a total of three 9-round mags (8 rounders with MagGuts kits). It's actually Jocko's gun, since the serial number starts with BAA---- but I don't think he'll mind me using it. Where is Jocko, anyway??? The CT-9 is only a skosh bigger than a CW9 but has a full 3-finger grip. These things should be more popular than they seem to be...

Mag Guts makes a kit for an 8 rounder mag? I didn't know that.

[JohnR]

They make the 6 -> 7 round kits, which I tested in the 8 round mag and it works. The CT9’s break-in will test two more mags, just to be sure.

[JohnR]

Break-in is complete, it functions perfectly. One bobble, I shot some weak-handed and limp wristed it, and a round nosedived. Nosedove? Not the gun's fault. But the three 9-round mags worked perfectly as well. Accuracy is outstanding, the longer sight radius helps me aim better.

[DavidR]

Congratulations and good work extending the capacity with Magguts.

[JohnR]

That T9 I was bidding on sold for $965.