Something like M&P Shield but not so ugly!

You might take a look at the BERSA offerings. They are alloy framed and most are quite handsome looking. If Stars are being offered as a solution, I can't see why Bersa's shouldn't be.

I love my Star BM

 
Being in Europe rather than the US will mean you're dealing with market availability issues completely different from what I'm familiar with so advice from the states may not be as relevant as you'd like.

For size of the Shield but all metal you'll be looking at single stacks (& some are repeats of above):
1) SIG P938 - great gun, I have the smaller P238 in .380acp/9x17mm
2) Zastava M88A - not a great gun, but it is still in production; I have the M70A, very thin, decent trigger, spotty reliability.
3) Star BM - I had one; liked it but I was concerned about long term parts accessibility.
4) Kahr's. Several models in all steel if they are available there. I have the polymer CW9 & it's virtually identical in size to my Shield.
5) S&W CS9 (their wonder nine Chiefs Special model); had one, same concern with long term parts availability.
6) any good commander size 1911. You know that we Americans absolutely LOVE our 1911's. SIG makes their version that has some slight variations from the original design.

In this polymer world, all metal pistols in the single stack compact/subcompact size are getting hard to find. Good luck!
 
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If you want a reliable easy to carry pistol,I just do not understand why you would want anything other than a polymer framed striker fired gun,After all this isn't 1880.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I think there is nothing sexier in the gun world than a Glock pistol just covered in honest wear from years of EDC or duty use.
 
If you cannot carry on a loaded chamber and want more the 6 rounds and desire an attractive handgun, what about a lightweight Smith and Wesson 7 shot revolver? If it has to be a semiautomatic, what about lightweight 1911A1 Commander style in 9MM or .45ACP? Or a Sig 220!! The Sig 220 is about perfect, as far as semiautomatics go. Both the 1911A1 and the Sig 220 Are bigger than the SW Shield, but in return you get 2X the handgun. I sold my Shield, it WAS indeed ugly.
 
shurshot said:
what about a lightweight Smith and Wesson 7 shot revolver?
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The only truly compact 7-shot revolvers offered by S&W in modern times are rimfires, which probably don't fit the OP's requirements.

S&W has marketed a number of L frame 7-shot .357 Magnum revolvers, but they're not exactly compact, the lightweight alloy-frame versions are quite pricey, and AFAIK none of them are currently cataloged.
 
Remington R51 is an option(if all the issues have been resolved). Sig 938 as others have said. I carry a Springfield XDS and it's been excellent(for a polymer that is).
 
Star/Firestar M43.
This example is slightly beat up, but, Google M43 & there's a ton of images.



Two problems though:
1.) They aren't made anymore and parts are getting hard to come by.
2.) They are heavy & don't carry as well as a plastic gun.




I have this particular piece in stainless. It is a fine weapon, accurate, reliable and the heavy weight takes the recoil very well. The downside as you said, it's heavy and parts are hard to find. I spent a year trying to get a second magazine. My wife loves this pistol and when she carries in her purse this is her choice. Even though I have many polymer, smaller caliber handguns and revolvers, she likes this one.
 
sarge83 said:
I have this particular piece [Star M43 Firestar] in stainless.
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FWIW I believe that your pistol actually has the so-called "Starvel" finish, which was Star's trade name for electroless semi-gloss nickel plating. I don't think Star ever marketed the pistol in true stainless steel.
 
I found the Shield ugly as well. Never thought I'd get one until I actually handled one. This gun shoots so well, all that ugliness soon vanished for me. Don't count it out.
 
^^^^^^^^^Plus one.
same for me. My brother had one and I shot it at the range. It felt so good in the hand. Then someone wanted me to trade one of my LCR's for one, so I did.

Don't regret it. Small compact, holds 9 rounds with the magguts magazine conversion (8+1 in chamber in flush mag) and has decent trigger and shoots incredibly small groups.

I didn't like the looks, but the gun won me over.
 
I understand your point about the shield being ugly. That was one of the reasons I hadn't considered it for so long. Something about the barrel length-to-frame ratio just didn't look right to me, and at times still doesn't. However, after handling one in-store and hearing so many great things about it from people I trust, I bought one. And I do not regret it one bit. I got the flat dark earth frame with black slide. I am usually and all-black gun type of guy, but I think the fde frame looks better on the shield. Just gives it more character.

Anyway, I wouldn't count out the shield just based on looks. When guns start getting this small, they all honestly start looking bad to me. Like miniature versions of their actual selves.

But, if you're dead-set on a metal frame pistol similar to the shield, I would have to say the sig p938 or the cz75 rami like many others have stated.
 
I've never thought of the Sheild as ugly. It's no 1911. But it's not a bad looking piece IMHO. But it's real beauty is on the inside. Mine is so very reliable and shootable. It's about impossible to beat as a carry gun. I carry mine 14-16 hours a day 7 days a week.
 
Thanks for the amazing turn out and solid advice with no trolling.
I realize my expectations are not so pragmatic as yours.

I was lucky enough that they had a used shield in store and therefore, were able to register it into their range and then I could fire it.

It's an amazing little gun! Overall, my speed and accuracy were similar to a normal sized gun (I am not very good but I try to learn how to put some lead down and I keep track of my overall damage-per-second) but this is so light and small, I would use it as a keychain if I could!

My problem is all that flaring that seems to come from early xbox games, blah!
I guess I will just buy it and CONCEAL it :)

Thanks again :)
 
Carried mine today over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house for turkey dinner. I had to get it out and look at it because of this thread, but I can't find anything "ugly" about it. Not sure what flaring you're referring to?

But as you've discovered, it's a real shooter.
 
In addition to the Kahr K-series guns, you might find S&W 39-series and Beretta 92M pistols to your liking. Are Walther P5 and HK P7 available in your area?
 
Mustey said:
Thanks for the amazing turn out and solid advice with no trolling.
I realize my expectations are not so pragmatic as yours.

I was lucky enough that they had a used shield in store and therefore, were able to register it into their range and then I could fire it.

It's an amazing little gun! Overall, my speed and accuracy were similar to a normal sized gun (I am not very good but I try to learn how to put some lead down and I keep track of my overall damage-per-second) but this is so light and small, I would use it as a keychain if I could!

My problem is all that flaring that seems to come from early xbox games, blah!
I guess I will just buy it and CONCEAL it

Thanks again
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Mustey, I'm glad you were able to get the information that you needed.

There are reasons that the "plastic wonder pistols" are popular. They may be ugly, but they're also light, reliable, and easy to maintain.
 
I may be too late with this but, check out the Ruger LC9s. Very clean lines, excellent shooter, the most reliable semi I've ever had, very accurate, easy to carry and conceal, and it holds 7+1, plus you can get 10 round mags to carry as spares. I currently own 4 guns capable of being carried concealed, but I basically only carry the Ruger. I just rotate the other three as car guns.
 
Yes, the S&W Shield I bought for my daughter-in-law is ugly, IMO

The Kahr K9 is a fine gun, but there's nothing ugly about my Kahr CW9:

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