Sub Compact 9mm comparison please

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

Chadk

New member
I'm interested to see / hear your comparison between three sub compact 9mm handguns. They all seem to be pretty close from a pricing stand point.


The Springfield XD 3"
S & W - M & P Shield
Glock 26.

thanks much,
 
The Glock 26/27 and the XDsc will be relatively similar except for their obvious differences. They are both double-stack subcompacts, and as a result will be thicker than the M&P Shield. They are more comparable to the M&Pc series.

The Shield is a single stack 9mm/.40 S&W and as a result is thinner than the two aforementioned pistols. I find that the width of a gun is more of a factor for concealability than barrel length, and many find the Shield easier to conceal than the Glock 26/27 or XDsc as a result of that.

Are you wanting a conceal carry gun? Or are you just interested in the differences?
 
CCW

Yes this would be to replace a slightly larger CCW. I had always thought the glocks thickness was a dealbreaker, but after handling a couple today and even putting it in my front pocket, it's really not as thick as i thought it was. I also like the fact that the Glock will eat anything with a crazy low failure rate. This is obviously a primary concern and why I'm not looking at some of the less expensive polymer frame sub compact 9's. I'd like to hear anyones feed back from a relyability standpoint on the other two weapons.


The obvious answer is find a rental range and go shoot all 3. There is one close they have apretty good selection of rental guns so I'm sure I'll do just that, but I am always interested in the oppinion of the masses as well....

Trigger pull's and accuracy test opinions would be appreciated as well.
 
Yes this would be to replace a slightly larger CCW. I had always thought the glocks thickness was a dealbreaker, but after handling a couple today and even putting it in my front pocket, it's really not as thick as i thought it was. I also like the fact that the Glock will eat anything with a crazy low failure rate. This is obviously a primary concern and why I'm not looking at some of the less expensive polymer frame sub compact 9's. I'd like to hear anyones feed back from a relyability standpoint on the other two weapons.
Click to expand...

Right now I have an M&P9 (full size) and a Glock 19 that I carry. If I was to go smaller (which I will soon), it is going to be either a Shield or I am going to go with a Kahr PM9. The width of the Glock 26 means that it will not be much different as far as concealability goes from my 19, and the whole point of getting a smaller gun is to get a thinner gun.

Reliability-wise, they will all run great, and I would trust any of the three without a doubt.

I would not carry any of these guns in my pocket without a pocket holster however. And that reminds me, the Shield has a manual safety whereas the other two do not. You don't have to use it, and there are many that choose to leave it disengaged because it still has about a 6.5lb trigger pull, but that is a personal preference.

The Glock and XDsc will have your standard Glock and XD triggers, no surprises there. I prefer the Glock, but that is just me. The Shield trigger again, is about the same as the other M&P's (IMO), though some people have feel that the reset of the Shield is better (more positive).
 
My experience-

The XD9SC is easier to shoot but harder to hide. ( I own it and carry it )

The G26 not as reliable as the XD (just my experience, think I had a bad extractor ejector combo) but easier to hide. (traded it for a G27 that has been VERY reliable and is my EDC)

The M and P I do not own and therefore will not comment.

Also I really like the XDM 9 compact for carry. In my opinion it hides slightly easier than the XD9SC does and has the same capacity.

All said and done, the G26/G27 is the easiest to carry everyday and my G27 won't even fail if I try and limp wrist it. ULTRA reliable. My XD9SC is also very reliable.
 
I purchased a G26 about a month ago and have carried it just about every day since. The thickness was an issue at first, but as with everything a little experimenting with positioning solved any comfort issues. I also found that for me the length of the grip was more of an issue in concealment than the thickness of the actual gun, but again this may vary between users.

Also, I like that the G26 can carry more ammunition than the Shield and can use larger GLOCK magazines. I currently have the standard ten round magazines along with 17 and 33 round versions. While this is a little subjective I believe the GLOCK is more rugged than the Shield, but again just my opinion after handing both guns.

Finally, I have fired about 250 rounds through my G26 and found it a smooth, mild and accurate handgun particularly considering size.
 
Why not the M&Pc? It compares favorably with the G26.

I considered the Shield, but I have an M&Pc. The M&Pc is only a little thicker than the shield... 1.20 inches vs. .95 inches. The Shield is actually a taller handgun than the M&Pc.

The M&Pc is slightly taller than Glock, but also holds 2 more rounds.

Glock 26... 1.18 inches wide, 19.75 ounces
M&Pc... 1.20 inches wide, 21.7 ounces

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57954_757781_757781_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y
 
I have a Glock 26 that I have carried virtually every day for the last 3 years or so. No problems with concealment or comfort IWB at around 3:30 or 4:00. It has cycled every ammo I have ever put through it with a failure rate of zero.

Other people may have other opinions, but for my needs the G26 is hard to beat. My satisfaction with my G26 has kept me from looking hard at the Shield, but it looks good and gets glowing reviews, albeit with 7- and 8-round magazines versus the G26's 10- and 12-rounders.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top