Reliability of the popular striker fired 9mm single stacks

[DMK]

Wow, there is a huge skew on the Shield. That seems to be one popular pistol.

I'm surprised the Glock 43 isn't more popular than it is.

 

[Limnophile]

23-0 (no problems vs any problems) for the Shield is pretty good for an informal poll. If the samples were randomly selected (they're not) that would mean at least 88% reliability with 95% confidence.

I'm still in the market for a pocket pistol. How pocketable is the Shield? I also want a thumb safety, which is an option for the Shield. As I understand it, a safety is not an option on any of the others, is that correct?

 

[saleen322]

I have a Ruger LC9 that I never had any problems with but I did not see it in the poll. Very happy with it, accurate for what it is and very reliable.

 

[adamBomb]

I'm surprised the Glock 43 isn't more popular than it is.

Its less than a year old, not always in stock, and most people already have a single stack (ie shield) so I wouldn't expect as many people to have it at this point. Also, you have people holding off on it until the price cools down. While there are places that sell it for $450 there are many shops asking $500+ for it still.

I'm still in the market for a pocket pistol. How pocketable is the Shield? I also want a thumb safety, which is an option for the Shield. As I understand it, a safety is not an option on any of the others, is that correct?

The shield is not a pocket pistol unless you have monster pockets. I picture a pocket pistol fitting in my jeans and gym shorts. I think the only guns that do that are the micro 380s. I dont think I could even pocket the glock 42. But this really depends on what you mean by pocket pistol.

 

[Captains1911]

They are all reliable. Focus more on which one fits you best, and not what a tiny sample of Internet people say.

 

[jmr40]

My G43 has been perfect, but to be honest not enough rounds for it to be meaningful. Right around 50-60.

 

[kozak6]

My Kahr MK9 (same as a PM9 with a steel frame) has been flawless with the 6 round magazines.

The slide tends to lock back randomly when used with the 7 round magazine.

 

[GrailKnight]

My M&P Shield 9mm has had no problems.

 

[Targa]

I just hit 200 rounds with my CM9, not a single problem so far, even when racking the slide to chamber a round which Kahr recommends not doing due to the slide not fully seating.

 

[lee n. field]

Some have said the striker design is why Taurus and Springfield guns were shooting accidentally. Is there anything to that?

Sez who? I've not heard of Springfields "shooting accidentally".

The internet is a vast sewer of misinformation.

At this point the poll only indicates any problems at all with the Glock 43 and XDS.

I was warned about possible problems with the XDS when I was looking. What I could find pointed to some people having feed problems with some ammunition.

I have had zero problems with mine. 500 ("-ish") rounds through it so far (I really don't keep count), a mix of handloads, whatever's cheap at Walmart, a motley mix of whitebox hollowpoints, and 124 grain Golden Saber.

 

[Model12Win]

I think this proves without a doubt the S&W Shield is the most reliable gun. Look how much higher the "no problem at all" bar is.

 

[mkiker2089]

Some have said the striker design is why Taurus and Springfield guns were shooting accidentally. Is there anything to that?

Sez who? I've not heard of Springfields "shooting accidentally".

The internet is a vast sewer of misinformation.

Springfield said there was a problem http://www.springfieldrecall.com/

It's a somewhat tricky but easily repeatable issue. A few youtube videos showed how to do it and it's something about racking the slide a certain way. I don't know details.

 

[seeker_two]

Another vote for the LC9. Haven't shot over 300 rounds yet, but I haven't had a failure yet, either. And it works well for pocket carry.

 

[michael t]

I have a KelTec PF-9 over 700 trouble rounds . But not a striker and not the list. I trust it over a lot of more expensive guns.
My CW-9 was fired a lot before I bought from a cop. So no idea number of rounds. Its a good carry pistol.

 

[lee n. field]

Springfield said there was a problem http://www.springfieldrecall.com/

Oh, yeah, that. It was fixed so early in the XDS' product life that I'd forgotten about it.

 

[gbclarkson]

Not on the list

I have a Bersa BP9cc - also a single stack, striker fired, 9mm. Not really a "pocket gun" though. It had some issues at the beginning cycling HP but no problems at all following a corrective trip to a warranty center.

 

[Mosin44az]

Limnophile, unfortunately the Shield--mine has been perfect, and extremely accurate-- is marginal for pocket carry in my view. It's a couple of ounces heavy and not the sleekest shape. MIGHT work for you, but it's marginal.

This slight excess in size and weight led me to JUST BUY an LC9s, which was perfect breaking in with 90 rounds generic FMJ but failed to feed TWO rounds of the first 25 in Hornady Critical Defense. Both high-angle jams. I will try another load before shipping off to Ruger. Damn.

Both the LC9s and Shield have the thumb safety option. LC9s Pro does not.

While my CM9 and PM9 were both better than my awful P380, I found them both to be more than a little finicky. No more Kahrs for me.

Nice poll, by the way.