I recently joined a local firearms enthusiasts group and the topic that is always the most heated is " Which QUALITY 9mm is the best one to carry?". I feel that the R9 is a great gun, and it will always be a great gun...but, I think that the time has come to appreciate them more than use and fire them. ( JMO JoshA). I was no longer comfortable putting my existence in the hands of my R9, and I have sold off the Safe Queens. I am carrying a FNS 9mm Compact or a Sig 1911 Ultra .45 (3" barrel). But that 9mm question seems to haunt everyone. I know 2 guys that have sold their R9s and replaced them with Kimber Solo CDPs. Small, Stealthlike and have gotten a lot better over time. Notice above I used the word QUALITY. To me, that rules out all the lightweight low cost pocket pistols. So, what's left?
I have no problem at all with your opinion carga, nor do I think anyone else here does either. Some people probably really don't even NEED to carry and are armed to the teeth with a R9 in the pocket.
Most of us have lots of different guns for lots of different applications. The R9 is a class act that when reliable (underscore and highlight) it is a formidable, pocketable fire-breathing dragon.
The solo is great if you want small, but a bit too big for my pocket typically.
Then there is of course the poly framed single stack - XDS, shield and Walther pps (nice pistol IMO)
Then move to G26 H&k p 2000 SK
Then metal framed 9s. 239 is a nice gun, but heavy and single stack.
Then double stack poly and aluminum. Lots of choices here. Too many to cover really.
Those are the ones I consider anyway. I'm sure there are more exotic guns out there.
For me I look at what gives the most results for the lightest weight. For instance the Kimber solo, Glock 26 and 19 are awesome deliverers. When I move up to heavier guns I want them to help mitigate some recoil. Like the sig 239 In .357 sig or the .45 Kimber ultra carry II. That's a heavy gun for me to carry, but I'm a wuss.
The R9 is going to be an ankle or pocket carry for me when the shirt is tucked and I don't feel like I can go IWB.
But if I lived in the mountains and the people were all friendly or far enough in the sticks when I didn't see people much or I was shuffle boarding every day and my biggest fear was someone cutting in line I would probably only pocket carry. Why not?
That being what it is, I am probably looking to get a G 29 next. Not really a pocket pistol : )
Like carga I would like to hear of what other quality 9mm's you guys appreciate to add to my bucket list.