I was wondering if I could get some suggestions on single stack 9mm. My dad wants to get a .380 for his carry gun and I’m trying to talk him into a 9mm. If I can’t find something I’m probably going to point him towards the Ruger LCP. If anyone has any ideas on a 9mm that is roughly that size for around $500 I’d really appreciate it. I like the small Kahr’s but I think they’ll be out of his price range.
Thanks
Bud’s has German police trade in Sig 225 for $325. They make really nice carry guns and you can always send it back to Sig for the once over if the used thing really bothers you. I haven’t shot the new Walther PPS but I have held one and dry fired it and it felt pretty good in the hand. Other than those two there isn’t much in the way of single stack 9MM out there for less than $500.
Do not overlook the superb Smith & Wesson 3913.
There aren’t going to be many 9mms the size of the LCP…
As far as good single stack 9mm pistols, if you can find a used Sig P239 or S&W 3913, that would be my pick.
I own both.
I’ll +1 the 3913, great little guns. Personally I’m a fan of the Kahr’s, I have a K9 and love it. I’ve seen some good deals on used Kahr’s in the past. The 225 is a great gun if you like Sigs, I sold mine recently only because I prefer the Kahr.
As John_Wayne777 pointed out, you’re not going to find a LCP-sized 9mm pistol. It’s amazing you can find a LCP-sized LCP, in my opinion. 
The smallest available 9mm pistol I’m aware of is the Rohrbaugh R9. Definitely not within your price bracket, though. Your best bet for <$500 is going to be a used pistol in good shape. SIG P225 or P239, S&W 3913, or Kahr are all options.
Is he looking for a .380 due to size or recoil? Most .380’s recoil substantially more than an equivalent 9mm because they use a different mechanism for keeping the gun locked during the firing cycle. So if it’s about shooting comfort, a slightly larger, heavier, 9mm pistol will be better for him. If it’s all about size, just getting a .380 in an LCP-sized pistol is, as I mentioned, quite a feat.
You might also want to consider a S&W j-frame (revolver). Not as small as the LCP but extremely concealable, lightweight, and easy to use.
Indeed.
And more powerful to boot.
Yep.
I’ve owned a 3953 (DAO version of the 3913) for over 15 years, and it’s been ergonomic, concealable, accurate, and completely reliable.
I am not a big fan of 38 special but I guess it does beat a 380 ACP. I must admit that the new Federal 327 magnum could cause me to rethink my position on carrying a snubbie if more companies were to make loads for it and if S&W decides to make a 6 shot snubbie for it.
Sorry for the slight thread hijack.
Getcha some 158 gr LSWCHP +P from Remington (good) or Buffalo Bore (best).
By a wide margin.
The S&W J frame is THE most popular BUG you’ll find in law enforcement and in many civilian circles as well. People like Ken Hackathorn and Larry Vickers have had some very positive things to say about the little J frames.
A J frame is a SUPERB idea. Load it with 135 grain +P Speer Gold dot ammo, and put Crimson Trace laser grips on it, and viola! You’ve got an effective, lightweight, concealable weapon that will be easier to make hits with under stress at all sorts of ranges.
I wasn’t questioning the utility of the J frame itself but the under powered cartridge that it is most commonly associated with. Sure a 38 special is better than a sharp stick and certainly better than some other cartridges, but it is what it is, and that is an underpowered (by modern standards) 99 year old design.
That is the reason why the 327 Federal magnum is appealing to me. It bridges the gap between 38 +p and 357 magnum while being able to slide a 6th round into a J frame sized cylinder. You get a more effective cartridge in the same package.
The .38 Smith & Wesson Special is often derided as an underpowered 100 year old design. The funny thing is that it has left a wake of dead people hundres of miles long in that century.
I do not feel undergunned with a handgun so chambered in the least. Particularly not with my choice of loading.
It certainly does work but on the continuum of effective self defense cartridges it is much closer to the ineffective end than many other cartridges. I knew referring to its age would draw some fire, as the 45 ACP is nearly as old, but what was once considered state of the art is no longer. The 45 ACP is still the rare exception to that rule. As I said earlier it still beats carrying nothing or a sharp stick.
I’d also like to point out that my comments are my own personal opinions of what I prefer. If you don’t agree with that who am I to say you are wrong. I just prefer a little more meat on the ribs, if you will. YMMV.
The Speer load I mentioned was developed specifically to provide a round that offers acceptable penetration and reliable expansion from one of the super-small J frames. It has performed very well in ballistic testing thusfar.
I’ve never seen any testing data on the 327 Federal Magnum…but in general making lighter bullets and pushing them to higher velocities doesn’t necessarily translate into better terminal ballistics. The age of the cartridge isn’t the limiting factor here.
Rather, it is the amount of performance you can squeeze out of a light-weight, compact revolver with a 1 7/8" long barrel.
That is the reason why the 327 Federal magnum is appealing to me. It bridges the gap between 38 +p and 357 magnum while being able to slide a 6th round into a J frame sized cylinder. You get a more effective cartridge in the same package.
Well…that’s the goal, anyway…
Whether or not the .327 actually delivers that kind of performance has yet to be seen. When DocGKR gets some testing done with it we’ll know more. In the meantime, I’m reluctant to encourage people to get too worked up about a new handgun caliber offering that’s supposed to be “revolutionary”.
I’m kind of an old fashioned guy. I don’t like carrying what I consider to be untested weapons and ammo. The super small J frame may not be perfect, but it’s a known quantity and there’s something to be said for that, in my opinion.
The 9mm is also 100 years old. The basic idea for the .327 is older than that.
When it comes to firearms there really is very little that’s new under the sun.
My 3913 is perfect, shoots dead on and always goes bang.
He wants the .380 because of the size I think.
I tried to talk him into just getting a little j frame but he didn’t like that idea. I carry the s&w 342 as my backup gun and love it. I wasn’t loving it when we did a 50 round qualification course but for a backup gun I really like it.
If he can manage to find one of the little LCP’s that’s probably what he’ll go with.
Thanks for the help
Don’t forget the Kel-Tec PF-9 or P-11. Crappy little guns, but they get the job done.
I owned a Kahr subcompact 9mm before the polymer model came out . Great little gun, and very accurate. They are not worth the price in my opinion, and a little heavy to carry on the ankle. The PM model should be the ticket for weight though, but still too pricey. If you have the extra money I would highly recommend the Kahr.
I currently own a Kel-Tec PF-9 that is undergoing testing. I’m far from sold on it as the end all be all, and probably never will be. BUT, out of 600 rounds it has not failed to go boom, and it is the smallest/lightest 9mm I have carried. It is a single stack mag but holds 7+1. The price is cheap at $265 on Gunbroker, but you get what you pay for. I don’t expect it to live forever and am surprised it hasn’t failed me already. But when loaded with Winchester Ranger+P+, it will ruin anyones day if it must be used.