Update on my quest for the perfect single stack 9mm. The other day I went out and examined a ton of options at different stores to determine what I would like to test at the range with my limited funds.
First off, it's AMAZING to me how the "ultra sub-compact" variant of pistol has improved since I was a kid. They look and feel like guns despite their size (guns as opposed to something that comes with a happy meal). That is, except for maybe one.
All Sig Ultra Sub-Compacts- The ironic thing about Sig is that they have so many ultra sub-compacts in the same caliber, but they all seem to feel the same.
Pros- short, sits naturally on top of the hand, decent trigger pull
Cons- happy meal look (the only gun in this list to earn the dubious honor), getting a grip with the bottom two fingers is a trial, awkward ergos, external safety, 6 capacity, temperamental cocking mechanism
Price- $650 at both places I went.
Verdict- No.
Kimber Solo- Okay, in a world where I had to go all metal, this would be the one.
Pros- Best trigger pull on the list, classic 1911 hand fit, cocks and racks like a dream, smooth external safety, sights are awesome, thin, really sexy looks
Cons- heavy, rather large, 6 round capacity, complex operation (requiring more practice), defeating the purpose of concealed carry by looking so good thus tempting me to show it off.
Price- About $600
Verdict- This is the girl I would love to have on my arm at a fundraiser, but she's high maintenance and a little out of my designated price range...definitely an option for a man like Des.
Springfield XDS- An acquired taste.
Pros- Decent trigger (for a polymer ultra-sub), decent sights, longer grip
Cons- Terrible grip made more terrible by the grip safety it feels blocky and mushy at the same time a big turn off.
Price- $500
Verdict- Nutnfancy adores this gun. I don't.
Smith and Wesson M&P Shield- The gun I really wanted to hate, but couldn't do it!
Pros- decent ergonomic fit, sales for them abound so they come with cool accessories, 7-8 round capacity
Cons- very strange, squishy trigger
Price- $550 with accessories
Verdict- They say Smith and Wesson guys cross over to the Glock 19 and Glock men typically like the S&W Shield. That seems to hold for me. Especially if I get a laser with the gun. Wow.
Beretta Nano- Disappointment
Pros- 7 round capacity
Cons- shockingly awful grip, bizarre take down method, bizarre safety mechanism, absurd trigger travel
Price- $450 and my dignity.
Verdict- I really, really, really hated this.
Glock 43- Just another Glock. Just smaller.
Pros- Great trigger for a polymer gun, 7 round capacity, great grip, well proportioned, Glock ergos ie total and complete ease of use.
Cons- The sights. The famous Glock looks...though I kind of dig the way it is ugly. It's the probably the opinion every woman I've ever dated has held about me
Price- $529
Verdict- I'm a Glock man. This is a Glock.
Ruger LC9s Pro- Shocked. The salesman had to convince me that Ruger change its evil ways since the last LC9 and did he ever.
Pros- Best trigger on any of the polymer guns I tried, decent sights, thin profile (maybe a tad too thin), 7 round capacity, no external safeties, similar ergos to the Walther PPK (the James gun)
Cons- Light trigger but no safety, dubious reputation with the old model, markings on it are a total kow tow to lawyers and gun control ninnies: "read instruction manual before using firearm" "gun will shoot with magazine removed" and on the box "arms makers for responsible citizens."
Price- The least expensive model I found was about $350. With that I could buy both the Ruger and a good shotgun.
Verdict- I do not like Bill Ruger Sr.'s legacy because I'm one of those "no compromise" types in the realm of gun control...but this gun is just plain cool. I wonder if it legal to take off the lawyer language (it will drive me crazy to no end).
Walther PPS M2- I cannot find it anywhere for testing. The search continues.