First pistol in a decade. Compact choices.

[JeffT]

You need to hold and shoot several, maybe many. As you hold them and shoot them, find the one or two that fit your hand(s). One or two of them will fit your hand and the sites will line up good or maybe perfect. Those are your best choices, regardless of what brand they are.
For me, they are Springfield XDM 3.8” .40, or S&W M&P 2.0 .40.

 

[MacFromOK]

For small size, the Kel-Tec PF-9 beats everything I've seen. It's a single stack 9mm (7+1), and is very easily concealed.

It's accurate enough for my aim, but it also kicks like a mule.

Everything is a trade-off...

___

 

[SanMan]

So I'm not a "pistol guy" which I know is kind of a dumb term, but they have just never motivated me
to spend time and money on them. I haven't carried outside the home much in the last few years, between
the plague and working from home to start with, I don't get out a hell of a lot. But anyway,
my 20 year old Glock 22 that I've had for like, 12 or 13 years is annoying to even halfass try to
conceal. I carried it open plenty and it's fine for that, and I love a full size handgun like Peter loved
the Lord, but it just ain't workin at this stage in my life.

Soooo, compact 9 or 40. I don't care which. Lot more 9's around than 40's, but I have an ammo can full
of 40 so that kinda sucks jumping ship but whatever.

M&P 2.0 looks solid, lot more 9's than 40's around.

Canik TP9SF Elite, I like "different" things, and I'm really leaning toward
one of these. Though I think they are selling for more than they are worth, or
maybe they were underpriced to start with.

Taurus G3C. I'm pretty impressed from the reviews and such on this thing, especially
for the money. The last time I paid any attention to pistols Taurus didn't have an
awesome reputation but they seem to have made progress. The price seems about
what I'd expect to pay for a decent little 9, unlike everyone else's offerings.

Beretta APX Compact, the reviews are all pretty good for this and it's
cool just via being a Beretta and having been part of the whole mil pistol
trials thing. I'm not sold on the funky slide cuts working all that well but
it seems to work overall.

I know the default answer is G19 but that's kinda boringly guaranteed to be
perfectly okay.


Any screaming red flags about any of these I've missed?
Anything else I should be looking at?

I know holster compatibility is a thing with some of the less
popular ones, and I generally prefer an owb retention like
a 578 Safariland, but hopefully with something slightly smaller
than the foot long 2x4 my G22 is I can experiment some.

G43X with a flush carry shield arms metal mag (and metal mag catch) for a mini G19 all while still carrying 15+1. For the cherry on top, put a shield RMSC on it, and you’ve got a heck of a reliable compact weapon.

 

[wolf_walker]

I'm on exactly the same search. I haven't been paying a tremondous amouty of attention to the polymer pistols. I thought the M&P 2.0 Compact was the answer, but ended up selling it here. After 150 rounds or so the takedown lever gets pretty warm. This wouldn't be an issue if my left thumb didn't press directly against it.

I'm currently considering the Canik TP9SF elite, Walther PPQ 2.0, and Beretta APX Centurion.

That hot takedown thing is exactly the kind of info I was looking for. Thank you.

 

[Jason Freeland]

Just put 150 rounds through my Shield Plus today and still love it as much as when I bought it. Even had it cut for an optic, since I bought the 3.1 inch and it didn't come as an option. Heat really hasn't been an issue with the Plus.

 

[xseler]

I'm on exactly the same search. I haven't been paying a tremondous amouty of attention to the polymer pistols. I thought the M&P 2.0 Compact was the answer, but ended up selling it here. After 150 rounds or so the takedown lever gets pretty warm. This wouldn't be an issue if my left thumb didn't press directly against it.

I'm currently considering the Canik TP9SF elite, Walther PPQ 2.0, and Beretta APX Centurion.

I really like my Beretta APX Centurion! Plus, they seem to be bargain priced now!

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/beretta-apx-centurion-semi-auto-pistol

.

 

[Mike762]

I have over the years carried everything from 1911 full-size to NAA .22 mag . My wardrobe at any given time dictates what I carry . More often than not it’s my Sig Sauer m11a1 a heavy beast that best rides in an on the belt holster a versa carry at the moment . If I’m sporting around in basketball shorts a belly band carrying my model 60 in .357 mag .

 

[okcBob]

Shield 2.0. They have better triggers than the originals. Slim & comfortable to carry

 

[wolf_walker]

I really like my Beretta APX Centurion! Plus, they seem to be bargain priced now!

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/beretta-apx-centurion-semi-auto-pistol

.

Been eyeing them too, they are indeed cheap for what they are.

 

[Hworth18]

I have the Canik Elite and it is a fine carry pistol. But as the OP noted, they are a little high right now as I only paid $299 for mine in the Elite One series.
The Sig P320 XC is also a great option and a little smaller than the Elite. I have both of these and the 320 was my EDC until I graduated to the Springfield 1911 9mm Contour carry. These 3 are my top 3 choices and I would be comfortable recommending any one for someone else.