A Full-Sized or Compact 9mm Handgun: Which Is Right for You?
Should you carry a full-sized or a compact handgun? There are legitimate
points on both sides, points that are worth considering. As 9mm is by
far the most common caliber that pistols are chambered in, the focus
will be on the nines. So should you invest in that full-sized Glock 17
or the compact Kahr PM9? Read on to consider the positives and the challenges of each to help you choose wisely.
Full-Sized 9mm Pros
One of the most commonly-cited benefits of using a full-sized handgun is the superior capacity. The greater size of full-sized pistols’ magazines accommodates more cartridges. Many gun owners also consider larger pistols to be easier to control. More gun equals more gun to hold, which translates into better control while firing. Greater size and greater weight also both contribute to better recoil control. These features make that Glock 17, HK P30L, or SIG Sauer P226 a great choice for many shooters.
Full-Sized 9mm Cons
That greater size can also make a full-sized 9mm pistol harder to conceal on one’s person. People with smaller hands may find that a full-sized handgun is harder to hold and, therefore, harder to use than a compact model. That greater size can also make it more difficult to conveniently store a handgun in a purse or a compartment in a vehicle.
Compact 9mm Pros
As the “cons” of the full-sized pistol suggest, the more compact 9mm is virtually always easier to conceal. They are easier to carry on your person, easier to fit into a purse, or into a vehicle panel. Compact 9mm handguns are often marketed to those with smaller hands, and to women specifically, as an easier firearm to handle.
Compact 9mm Cons
One counterintuitive drawback of a compact 9mm is that some models for some people are actually harder to control than their larger cousins. That smaller size results in less manageable recoil and less effective general ability to aim and control when firing. The shorter barrel on a smaller gun may also affect accuracy. However, proponents of compact 9mm handguns suggest that the practical difference in accuracy between a compact and full-sized 9mm is negligible.
The Verdict
As is so often the case with questions like these, it simply comes down to preference. Which style do you prefer, which shoots better for you, which is more comfortable to use and carry? Determining that does require trying both out to make an effective comparison. Consider heading to a range that rents guns or with a friend who has a compact and full-sized 9mm to find out which works best for you before you take the plunge.
About GunBroker.com
If you are looking for a marketplace for gun enthusiasts, GunBroker.com is the perfect place for you. The GunBroker.com team is dedicated to sharing their affinity for guns, offering a platform for buying, selling, and finding new guns, hunting gear, gun parts, accessories, collectibles, and more. Whether you are looking for a DPMS 308, a CP 75, a rifle or accessory from Knights Armament, your favorite generation of Glock, or virtually any other firearm you can imagine, there’s a good chance you can find it on GunBroker.com. They offer a safe, secure, and transparent way to buy guns online, strictly adhering to all policies and regulations and promoting responsible gun ownership. They offer tools for buyers and sellers, including an FFL lookup and buyer’s protection. If you are in the market for a firearm or want to sell a gun, GunBroker.com can help make the process easy.
Browse the firearms and more available at Gunbroker.com
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| Kahr PM9 |
One of the most commonly-cited benefits of using a full-sized handgun is the superior capacity. The greater size of full-sized pistols’ magazines accommodates more cartridges. Many gun owners also consider larger pistols to be easier to control. More gun equals more gun to hold, which translates into better control while firing. Greater size and greater weight also both contribute to better recoil control. These features make that Glock 17, HK P30L, or SIG Sauer P226 a great choice for many shooters.
Full-Sized 9mm Cons
That greater size can also make a full-sized 9mm pistol harder to conceal on one’s person. People with smaller hands may find that a full-sized handgun is harder to hold and, therefore, harder to use than a compact model. That greater size can also make it more difficult to conveniently store a handgun in a purse or a compartment in a vehicle.
Compact 9mm Pros
As the “cons” of the full-sized pistol suggest, the more compact 9mm is virtually always easier to conceal. They are easier to carry on your person, easier to fit into a purse, or into a vehicle panel. Compact 9mm handguns are often marketed to those with smaller hands, and to women specifically, as an easier firearm to handle.
Compact 9mm Cons
One counterintuitive drawback of a compact 9mm is that some models for some people are actually harder to control than their larger cousins. That smaller size results in less manageable recoil and less effective general ability to aim and control when firing. The shorter barrel on a smaller gun may also affect accuracy. However, proponents of compact 9mm handguns suggest that the practical difference in accuracy between a compact and full-sized 9mm is negligible.
The Verdict
As is so often the case with questions like these, it simply comes down to preference. Which style do you prefer, which shoots better for you, which is more comfortable to use and carry? Determining that does require trying both out to make an effective comparison. Consider heading to a range that rents guns or with a friend who has a compact and full-sized 9mm to find out which works best for you before you take the plunge.
About GunBroker.com
If you are looking for a marketplace for gun enthusiasts, GunBroker.com is the perfect place for you. The GunBroker.com team is dedicated to sharing their affinity for guns, offering a platform for buying, selling, and finding new guns, hunting gear, gun parts, accessories, collectibles, and more. Whether you are looking for a DPMS 308, a CP 75, a rifle or accessory from Knights Armament, your favorite generation of Glock, or virtually any other firearm you can imagine, there’s a good chance you can find it on GunBroker.com. They offer a safe, secure, and transparent way to buy guns online, strictly adhering to all policies and regulations and promoting responsible gun ownership. They offer tools for buyers and sellers, including an FFL lookup and buyer’s protection. If you are in the market for a firearm or want to sell a gun, GunBroker.com can help make the process easy.
Browse the firearms and more available at Gunbroker.com
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