Are the Days of the 9mm Compact Numbered?
- Thread starter ATF
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Ok everyone has different ideas of what compact means. The point of this thread was to ask the question whether a G26 for example in 10+1 configuration is really worth carrying compared to a 7 or 8 +1 single stack 9mm. Larger calibers need a bigger frame but 9mm can now be carried in such a small package that'll easily fit in your pants pocket. They also challenge J-Frames for their convenience and quick reloads.
ChattanoogaPhil
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There are so many different criteria, objective and subjective, that it's a pretty tough question to answer for anyone but the individual.
I'll say that the capacity of a carry gun is pretty low on the priority list for me.
My carry guns are LCP, 642 and XDs45 3.3. Of the three, the LCP is the "Hi-Cap" of the pack.
ps You might be surprised how subcompact a 45 can be. My XDs 45 3.3 rivals some of the subcompact 9s.
I'll say that the capacity of a carry gun is pretty low on the priority list for me.
My carry guns are LCP, 642 and XDs45 3.3. Of the three, the LCP is the "Hi-Cap" of the pack.
ps You might be surprised how subcompact a 45 can be. My XDs 45 3.3 rivals some of the subcompact 9s.
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Speedieguy
Member
Some people's hands are just too big for a sub-compact.
I just purchased a P938. Recoil is pronounced but manageable. I just ran 100 rounds through it at the range with no issues. I could have easily shot 200.
I just purchased a P938. Recoil is pronounced but manageable. I just ran 100 rounds through it at the range with no issues. I could have easily shot 200.
Phil the XD[M] is almost identical is size to a G26 and it's 9+1 in .45 ACP. Great gun. XD
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Rastoff
US Veteran
Spend some quality range time with the USP compact and one of the other brand sub-compacts and then tell us again about 25 yard accuracy.
I currently own an H&K USP 9mm Compact and have owned a Glock 26 sub-compact. The Glock is OK, but the H&K is a real pleasure to shoot.
When push comes to shove I'll take ability to hit the target over small and easy to hide any day.
Rastoff
US Veteran
Oh yeah, about size and nomenclature. The Glock 17 is a full size, the 19 is a compact and the 26 is a sub-compact. These are just names. You'll have to decide which size is right for you.
I'm going to agree with everybody else. To me, the Shield felt better then the 9c so that's what I went with. My 21yo son liked the 9c better, but, and he was honest, didn't want to stay in the Smith line because he wanted to forge his own way, got a Ruger SR9c. I like the feel, but I'm used to my Shield and the 9c feels a little big for me. A friend of ours routinely goes between a G26, G19, PM9, and a Bersa ThunderCC for his EDC. He's comfortable with all of them and usually brings them all out when we shoot and will comfortably shoot all of them. He will also bring out his G23, and some other FS guns. I guess it's what your comfortable with. Kind of like cars. Did the Honda accord go away when Honda offered the Civic?
One gun store: May 20, 2014
"The Glock 19 is by far our best seller,” gun department manager and buyer Don Langworthy said. “They outsell all other guns by a two-to-one margin.”
Market Trends: Glocks, Holsters, and ACOGs | Gun Digest
Another gun store: February 11, 2015
“Our top five handgun sellers, in order, are the Glock 19 Gen4, Glock 42, Smith & Wesson Shield in 9mm, Springfield XDS in 9mm, and Ruger LC9,” Ball said. “
http://www.gundigest.com/firearms-m...handguns-holsters-leading-way-washington-shop
"The Glock 19 is by far our best seller,” gun department manager and buyer Don Langworthy said. “They outsell all other guns by a two-to-one margin.”
Market Trends: Glocks, Holsters, and ACOGs | Gun Digest
Another gun store: February 11, 2015
“Our top five handgun sellers, in order, are the Glock 19 Gen4, Glock 42, Smith & Wesson Shield in 9mm, Springfield XDS in 9mm, and Ruger LC9,” Ball said. “
http://www.gundigest.com/firearms-m...handguns-holsters-leading-way-washington-shop
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Aticus
Member
Guys, I stated my ideas of a compact and sub-compact gun in my post above.
Do I think the "compact" 9 is on the way out? NO I DON"T! There is a place for all the various sizes of 9mm handguns. Which size you use and what you or the manufacturer call it is up to you and them. They'll be around for a while because of the advancements in bullets for the 9.
Rant over.
Do I think the "compact" 9 is on the way out? NO I DON"T! There is a place for all the various sizes of 9mm handguns. Which size you use and what you or the manufacturer call it is up to you and them. They'll be around for a while because of the advancements in bullets for the 9.
Rant over.
Glock are way behind with their size categories. S&W classify both the 5" & 4.25" barrel M&P's as Full Sized or Large Framed. Both are the equivalent of the G17 & G19 respectively. On Glock's website they list the G19 as a Compact and back-up gun. Back-up for what? An AR? Every other manufacturer I know of calls a G26 sized pistol a Compact. If I was in a war-zone or SWAT team I'd certainly go for a G26 sized back-up gun, but as a civilian a PM9, LC9, P938 sized pistol makes more sense for everyday carry even as a primary weapon. You are right about the H&K Compact it's a great gun and I'll probably end up buying one or something similar but it'll most likely end up as another range toy, but a very nice one at that.
hkcavalier
US Veteran
You can argue that Glock's terminology is a bit outdated I suppose. The G19 has been around since the 1980s when tiny automatics for CC were not in vogue at all.
I posted on another thread here that I felt, honestly, that the G26 and Shield with 8rnd mag were pretty much a push in ease of concealment. I've also own the PF9 and Solo, both were easier but had their own set of problems.
To add to my previous post, I don't see the "compact" 9mms going anywhere, but there is some risk of the tiny 9mms like the Solo and 938 becoming niche guns as people find out they're not for inexperienced shooters at all. They are at the bleeding edge of mechanical limits e.g. how fast can the magazine get another round in position with such a short and fast slide throw. I consider the Shield to be a step up in size and reliability when compared with those two guns.
I posted on another thread here that I felt, honestly, that the G26 and Shield with 8rnd mag were pretty much a push in ease of concealment. I've also own the PF9 and Solo, both were easier but had their own set of problems.
To add to my previous post, I don't see the "compact" 9mms going anywhere, but there is some risk of the tiny 9mms like the Solo and 938 becoming niche guns as people find out they're not for inexperienced shooters at all. They are at the bleeding edge of mechanical limits e.g. how fast can the magazine get another round in position with such a short and fast slide throw. I consider the Shield to be a step up in size and reliability when compared with those two guns.
wheelgunguy
Member
I would say a resounding no.
One of the main reasons is new shooters and people who only plan on owning one gun.
I know a lot of members here have helped people with their first purchase and introducing them to the shooting sports and CC. See if this story sounds familiar.
A prospective gun owner goes to the range to rent different models to find the one that's right for them. They shoot a "full size" and really like it. They shoot a "sub-compact" and find it's not to their liking because of controllability. They shoot a "compact" with and without an extended mag. They decide it's just right because with the extended mag it handles more like a full size and plan on this configuration for home defense. They shoot it with the standard mag and find it more controllable than the "sub-compact" and it's easier to conceal than the "full size". At this point they almost feel like they are getting two guns in one. They feel like this is the perfect compromise for them.
Then like a lot of us one turns into two, which turns into three....
The "compact" is a gateway gun into the addiction many of us have.
The manufacturers know this and realize if you want to sell multiple products of yours to the same person, you have to get them to buy the first one.
Of course there are many reasons why experienced shooters like them too.
One of the main reasons is new shooters and people who only plan on owning one gun.
I know a lot of members here have helped people with their first purchase and introducing them to the shooting sports and CC. See if this story sounds familiar.
A prospective gun owner goes to the range to rent different models to find the one that's right for them. They shoot a "full size" and really like it. They shoot a "sub-compact" and find it's not to their liking because of controllability. They shoot a "compact" with and without an extended mag. They decide it's just right because with the extended mag it handles more like a full size and plan on this configuration for home defense. They shoot it with the standard mag and find it more controllable than the "sub-compact" and it's easier to conceal than the "full size". At this point they almost feel like they are getting two guns in one. They feel like this is the perfect compromise for them.
Then like a lot of us one turns into two, which turns into three....
The "compact" is a gateway gun into the addiction many of us have.
The manufacturers know this and realize if you want to sell multiple products of yours to the same person, you have to get them to buy the first one.
Of course there are many reasons why experienced shooters like them too.
dullh
Member
That's like asking if the days of the revolver are number.
Answer: No. They're not.
Rastoff
US Veteran
The Accord came out after the Civic (CVCC), but we get your point.
They are neither behind or ahead with their names. They are just terms used to distinguish their own models apart.
Glock uses 6 categories to distinguish their lineup:
- Standard
- Compact
- Subcompact
- Subcompact Slimline
- Competition
- Long Slide
The model 17 came out first. It wasn't called a "standard" until the 19 came out. To distinguish between the guns, they called the 19 a compact because it was more compact than the 17. That's all there is to it. They aren't trying to compare their guns to other manufactures.
The same goes for H&K. The USP Compact is larger than an M&P Compact. So? These terms are only used within brand to compare size. S&W doesn't use the term "sub-compact" to describe the Shield. If they did, would the Bodyguard then be called a micro gun? Super compact?
The point here is that the nomenclature is irrelevant. The 9mm, in any variant, is not going away any time soon.
sgtsandman
US Veteran
I never knew there was a system to their model numbers, interesting.
wadcutter1
Member
I actually am a fan of compacts (e.g. Glock 26 or 23) and have little use for sub compacts likes the Shield. For me, a j-frame is a easy to carry pocket gun. If I'm stepping out to go to the local market for milk, the 638 goes into my pocket. I'm just not comfortable with pocket carry of the sub-compact semi autos. If I need to put on a holster, I find a 15 round Glock 23 is little more hassle than something like a 7 round shield.
Of course that is just my personal preference. Since everyone is different I'm sure there is a long term market for just about everything from a Seecamp to an x-frame.
Of course that is just my personal preference. Since everyone is different I'm sure there is a long term market for just about everything from a Seecamp to an x-frame.
Protected One
Member
I looked at the Kimber Solo when it first came out. Loved the thought of a 9mm in that size, but I am convinced that the problems they had with that gun were because there is a limit to the size that 9mm and larger calibers can be reduced to-without problems.
I have a 9mm Shield as my primary carry gun, and in my opinion it is the perfect size for that purpose.
Actually, the Glock 23 (my edc before the Shield 9mm) is considered a "compact" and the 26 & 27 are sub-compacts. [p.s. Glock 23 hold 14...if you keep one in the chamber]
You are right about everyone having different preferences. I'm 6'-3" 200lb, and can easily carry the G23...but the Shield carries so much easier.
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