I want a new semi-auto - 9mm compact/pocket?

[BDinPutnam]

I have a CZ 75 BD (9mm full size) as my bedside, alongside a long gun and a Fenix PD-35 flashlight.

What I'd like is something smaller I can secure in a drawer down in the main living area for taking the dog out late at night, etc, and not have to go up, pull the CZ, put it back afterward. I do usually have a vaquero-style holster on my belt when home, but I don't generally sit around with a full size 9 in it.

I'd like to pick up something that's a bit (or a good deal) smaller than the CZ, preferably metal, hammer fired DA/SA (decocker instead of safety would be a bonus), with a similar manual of arms. At some point I'll be upgrading my permit to full carry and I don't think I'll want to haul my full size 75 around with a couple extra mags.

Generally this leads me to the CZ PCR and P01, or the SIG P228/229 in 9mm. I am a bit recoil sensitive in handguns (which I'm working on) and I'm not a huge fan of 1911's so not terribly interested in the Kimber 9 or the SIG 938 for design or size in this caliber (I do like my mother in law's 238 but I'm not looking at .380 here).

My first choice would be the CZ PCR as it's the exact same pistol as the 75 BD but every time I've looked at them they're back ordered like a year. I'm leaning P-01 or p228/229.

Anything else I should look at?

 

[av8r]

P365 or VP9SK not on your radar?

edit..missed the DA/SA part..carry on.

 

[Edwardteach72]

I have a CZ 75 BD (9mm full size) as my bedside, alongside a long gun and a Fenix PD-35 flashlight.

What I'd like is something smaller I can secure in a drawer down in the main living area for taking the dog out late at night, etc, and not have to go up, pull the CZ, put it back afterward. I do usually have a vaquero-style holster on my belt when home, but I don't generally sit around with a full size 9 in it.

I'd like to pick up something that's a bit (or a good deal) smaller than the CZ, preferably metal, hammer fired DA/SA (decocker instead of safety would be a bonus), with a similar manual of arms. At some point I'll be upgrading my permit to full carry and I don't think I'll want to haul my full size 75 around with a couple extra mags.

Generally this leads me to the CZ PCR and P01, or the SIG P228/229 in 9mm. I am a bit recoil sensitive in handguns (which I'm working on) and I'm not a huge fan of 1911's so not terribly interested in the Kimber 9 or the SIG 938 for design or size in this caliber (I do like my mother in law's 238 but I'm not looking at .380 here).

My first choice would be the CZ PCR as it's the exact same pistol as the 75 BD but every time I've looked at them they're back ordered like a year. I'm leaning P-01 or p228/229.

Anything else I should look at?

I've always wanted a p-01 and everyone I know that has one absolutely loves them

 

[BDinPutnam]

P365 or VP9SK not on your radar?

edit..missed the DA/SA part..carry on.

You missed the "metal, hammer fired" part too. but I appreciate any feedback and thoughts!

I've always wanted a p-01 and everyone I know that has one absolutely loves them

I haven't shot a P01 but I have handled them and they're quite svelte and pointy, which gives it the edge over the SIG's (and I LIKE SIG). I did think the grip was a little small but- kind of the point. Definitely on the short list.

 

[av8r]

You missed the "metal, hammer fired" part too. but I appreciate any feedback and thoughts!



I haven't shot a P01 but I have handled them and they're quite svelte and pointy, which gives it the edge over the SIG's (and I LIKE SIG). I did think the grip was a little small but- kind of the point. Definitely on the short list.

Ya, saw that also, but the DA/SA was enough of a DQ for those 2 so.... Can't help you much. My only hammer fired are 1911 and revolvers.

 

[Steal2B]

Sig P225A-1. Arguably Sig's best offering
Not my photos but

P225A-1 with bigger brother P229 Legion

 

[Podmonkey]

If you ask me (and you did) small, compact CCWs are the dominion of polymer striker guns.
For your stated purpose guns like the G43, Shield ect. are well suited.
However for the sake of thread compliance check out the CZ Rami, which is a subcompact version of the P01. It's in the same size class as a G26, but a bit larger:

 

[Justincase]

H&K P30sk with the standard (V3) trigger with decocker.

 

[IraIII]

Do you want new or used? Sig p239 which was recently dropped and replaced by theP225A1 S&W 3913 long out of production S&wCS9 also long out of production would fit your desires, although the S&W have decocker/safeties. CZ Rami BD has decocker but is harder to find than the safety version. The world is moving to polymer striker fired making da/sa metal framed harder to find for those of us who like them. Rami would be closest to your 75, P239 and 3913 are almost the same size, and the CS9 is almost the same size as a S&W shield which my CS9 replaced.

 

[Steal2B]

Photo of my P225a-1
Natural shooter, soft shooter. My primary carry. Great out of the box DA/SA trigger with SRT std. Wife's favorite handgun. Conceals well. Fits in pocket and I'll pocket carry it around the house or to walk the dog once in a while but it is not in any way a pocket gun.

 

[BDinPutnam]

I had completely forgotten about the newer P225, I will check that out, thanks much @Steal2B. Moved up the list. Price is a little high but I am thinking about dumping a P227 I have that I don't shoot much.

@Podmonkey the RAMI is I think a little smaller than what I have in mind. Agree with your initial point; I may look at the Shield, I like the M&P 45 coming my way when I get off my ass and arrange the MI to NY transfer. I'd like to like Glock but I just... don't. They stand well in the hand and point well but there's something I can't "get" about em.

@Justincase thanks, I had not even thought really of H&K. I will check those out; hard to find a dealer around here when I was looking at full size 9's.

@Irall- in a perfect world (for me), SIG would have made the first gen P239 SAS with a normal DA/SA trigger instead of DAK - and I would be stalking Gunbroker right now. That damn trigger. I'm curious about mag availability at this point, for both the P239 and the S&W'S you mention.

I'm not opposed to going used, just wondering about parts and mag availabilty.

Thanks all, much appreciated, ongoing, as always.

 

[BDinPutnam]

You posted while I was typing War & Peace above, @Steal2B, lol.

How is the balance? It looks like it fits the bill and my fingers and hands know SIG controls well.

I think I have a bias because they dumped the 239 for the 225A1....

 

[Podmonkey]

I had completely forgotten about the newer P225, I will check that out, thanks much @Steal2B. Moved up the list. Price is a little high but I am thinking about dumping a P227 I have that I don't shoot much.

@Podmonkey the RAMI is I think a little smaller than what I have in mind. Agree with your initial point; I may look at the Shield, I like the M&P 45 coming my way when I get off my as and arrange the MI to NY transfer. I'd like to like Glock but I just... don't. They stand well in the hand and point well but there's something I can't "get" about em.

@Justincase thanks, I had not even thought really of H&K.

@Irall- in a perfect world (for me), SIG would have made the first gen P239 SAS with a normal DA/SA trigger instead of DAK - and I would be stalking Gunbroker right now. That damn trigger. I'm curious about mag availability at this point, for both the P239 and the S&W'S you mention.

I'm not opposed to going used, just wondering about parts and mag availabilty.

Thanks all, much appreciated, ongoing, as always.

Oh, I for the longest time resisted hoping on the Glock bus. But the simple truth is I shoot Glocks better than many other pistols. I don't even know why really. I hold my PPQ and think "Ja, das ist goot" then I hold the Glock 19 and think "Bleeeech!". Then I go to the range and shoot tighter groups with the Glock. And then I scratch my head for a little while. Then I mag dump a 32 round magazine. Then I think "Ja, das ist goot."

 

[Podmonkey]

You posted while I was typing War & Peace above, @Steal2B, lol.

How is the balance? It looks like it fits the bill and my fingers and hands know SIG controls well.

I think I have a bias because they dumped the 239 for the 225A1....

The P239 certainly was a fine pistol. It was my carry gun when I was in Texas.

 

[Steal2B]

You posted while I was typing War & Peace above, @Steal2B, lol.

How is the balance? It looks like it fits the bill and my fingers and hands know SIG controls well.

I think I have a bias because they dumped the 239 for the 225A1....

My FFL could not stop gigling as he handled it. He loved the balance and trigger. I had a typical P225A target from my wife on my phone.( My wife and son in Texas exchange target photos after each range session). This was in excess of 15 yards (that's right ... yards not feet). Mine are similar but not as (damn it) good. She lets me know she is a better shot after every range session. It's fun but it sucks.

I keep asking my wife if she would like a P210 or a recently discontinued Dan Wesson Valor and she replies, why bother.

 

[Podmonkey]

My FFL could not stop gigling as he handled it. He loved the balance and trigger. I had a typical P225A target from my wife on my phone.( My wife and son in Texas exchange target photos after each range session). This was in excess of 15 yards (that's right ... yards not feet). Mine are similar but not as (damn it) good. She lets me know she is a better shot after every range session. It's fun but it sucks.
View attachment 39273
I keep asking my wife if she would like a P210 or a recently discontinued Dan Wesson Valor and she replies, why bother.

The Valor was discontinued?! What replaced it?

 

[Steal2B]

The Valor was discontinued?! What replaced it?

Rolling it out at SHOT show. Tight lips so far from DW on the new flagship other than shipping in 2019.

 

[BDinPutnam]

That's sick, @Steal2B. In a good way. I'm thinking I need to track one of those down.

Pod, I suppose I should just get over my own bias and train to the tool (I *can* shoot a Glock well, but I've only done it on the range and under no pressure). I kind of don't want to, if that makes sense. For what I want here a 19 would probably fill the bill but... god damn if there's something not right there, for me, between the brain and the trigger.

 

[Marine Cpl]

Since you said preferably and not absolutely, I'd recommend a Glock 26 only because you mentioned you might be recoil sensitive. It shoots just like a bigger Glock 19 but it isn't a pocket pistol. You'll need a belt.

Then you always have the Kahr Pm9 or Cm9 which is a true 9mm pocket pistol that can be carried in a pocket without a belt for walking the dog. That'll have a little more recoil though.

Going even further, a Glock 42 in .380 has almost no recoil at all and can also be put in a pocket. When I fired my friends, it felt like a little more than a .22.

 

[Edwardteach72]

That's sick, @Steal2B. In a good way. I'm thinking I need to track one of those down.

Pod, I suppose I should just get over my own bias and train to the tool (I *can* shoot a Glock well, but I've only done it on the range and under no pressure). I kind of don't want to, if that makes sense. For what I want here a 19 would probably fill the bill but... god damn if there's something not right there, for me, between the brain and the trigger.

I know its polymer but what about the P-07? Or even a 10c

 

[Defilade]

P229! Provin for decades. I have 2 of them. Flawless!

 

[Steal2B]

I have a CZ 75 BD (9mm full size) as my bedside, alongside a long gun and a Fenix PD-35 flashlight.

What I'd like is something smaller I can secure in a drawer down in the main living area for taking the dog out late at night, etc, and not have to go up, pull the CZ, put it back afterward. I do usually have a vaquero-style holster on my belt when home, but I don't generally sit around with a full size 9 in it.

I'd like to pick up something that's a bit (or a good deal) smaller than the CZ, preferably metal, hammer fired DA/SA (decocker instead of safety would be a bonus), with a similar manual of arms. At some point I'll be upgrading my permit to full carry and I don't think I'll want to haul my full size 75 around with a couple extra mags.

Generally this leads me to the CZ PCR and P01, or the SIG P228/229 in 9mm. I am a bit recoil sensitive in handguns (which I'm working on) and I'm not a huge fan of 1911's so not terribly interested in the Kimber 9 or the SIG 938 for design or size in this caliber (I do like my mother in law's 238 but I'm not looking at .380 here).

My first choice would be the CZ PCR as it's the exact same pistol as the 75 BD but every time I've looked at them they're back ordered like a year. I'm leaning P-01 or p228/229.

Anything else I should look at?

The CZs were on my short list and my wife's at one time. They are nice. We liked Sigs better. If you can get the CZ, you will be happy. Just don't ever shoot the Sig P225A if you do get a compact CZ, ... because you never know ... unless you get both ... nothing wrong with that. It's our job to encourage you to eventually go shop for a bigger safe. Now keep us posted, because ... let's recommend some nice worthy holsters ...

 

[ECU Pirates]

I had a 239 and wish I kept it. Great trigger and great gun but it’s no light weight. I have a p30 so now that I really like also. I would like to get a usp compact 9mm also. Springfield armory makes the xde. Have not shot one but all the reviews look good. Of course the hk and sa are not metal.

 

[Edwardteach72]

I had a 239 and wish I kept it. Great trigger and great gun but it’s no light weight. I have a p30 so now that I really like also. I would like to get a usp compact 9mm also. Springfield armory makes the xde. Have not shot one but all the reviews look good. Of course the hk and sa are not metal.

Springfield does NOT make the "xde" they import them from Croatia then resell them

 

[IraIII]

Mags for the 3913 and CS9 are easy to get midway usually has them. The P239 mags are a little harder to find especially the 40 and 357Sig varieties, the mags for the 9mm are harder to find, but the magazine for the 225a1 are the same body, spring and follower, you just need to replace the floor plate of the mag. As far as parts are concerned P239 shares some parts with its larger siblings, springs etc available from Wolff, parts for 3913 are a little harder to source, other than springs not much goes wrong if you leave it alone.
Wasn’t the second gen P239 SAS sa/da?

 

[Steal2B]

Wasn’t the second gen P239 SAS sa/da?

The P239 SAS always included a P239 DA/SA.

Initially the P239 SAS was available in SA/DA or DAO and DAK was added for Law Enforcement.

The "Generation 2" of the SAS variant featured a DA/SA SRT (Short Reset Trigger) trigger and night sights, but with slimmer polymer grips.

 

[togmaster]

I know this. Is not what you asked for but if you are a CZ fan check out the new P10 C or S. I know you said no striker fired and metal but you should give the striker fired's a try. I have the C and you are welcome to give it a try if you like.

 

[Different Drummer]

Given the information you put forth I suggest you hold out for the PCR. I recently received an email saying it was back in stock. I think it was from Grab a Gun. Be patient and look around.
If you cave and go polymer give a look at the Walther PPS.

 

[nortatoga]

An oldie but goody a S&W 6906 if you can find one with 10rd mags. My first 9mm and still my favorite to shoot 24oz ( aluminum alloy frame) same profile size as my S&W Shield. 6906 SA/DA with decocker.

Not mine but the same with Hogue grips that help it fit my hands better.

 

[Karpteach]

I’d go with a Sig P239 or an older P228. They are perfect for any need. All metal! The 239 is my pocket pistol and the 228 is preferred for waist in/out.