been thinking about a subcompact or micro semiauto lately.  I'm stuck on the Springfield Hellcat Pro.  like the small size, ammo capacity, optics ready and able to cowitness with factory night sights, and external safety
but always good to have options, so if you own or think another pistol is better or is similar in options, please post your knowledge   

some others I consider are the Glock 43X, Sig 365 or 365XL, S&W shield +.  or lmk others that I should consider







is there that much difference between the Hellcat Pro and the G19?  seems kind of close in size.  should I just stick with the G19?

I'm a novice when it comes to semi-auto pistols, and even less so when it comes to micro semi-auto pistols.  I've been a revolver man for many, many years.

But if I may I'd like to say I'm very happy with my newest purchase, a regular SIG P365 that I bought last year in October.  I have one with an external safety.

With the flush fit 10 rd mag it fits in my front pants pocket and you have to stare really hard to see the print of the gun.  With an untucked shirt it is hardly noticeable.

Only "those" guys (and maybe some gals) that like to look at botos will notice.

It shoots and handles great and I know it is accurate but it is limited in my hands because I suck.

I would try what your interested in as well. For me, the P365 feels funny due to the downward angle.  And so does the P320 (same downward angle). 

Currently we have a M&P 9C which isn't the greatest, but we don't carry it anyways.  I don't like the 9C due to the soft grips. 

Of course, I can't carry so everything is only in theory.

I want the smallest package which is flat with no protrusions or extras like RD or extended mags or lights.
I want something that fits in an inside-pocket holster with no bulges showing outside.
I want 10 shots in a slim package instead of 7 or 8.  If I need more than 10 shots then I made a fatal mistake of not bringing my AR.
(The proverbial bringing a knife to a gunfight)
I don't need to shoot at 25 yards at Kokohead, only 5-7 yards.

I got a SIG 365 with the manual safety, so I can carry 1 in the chamber with the safety on. 
The standard model doesn't have the manual safety.... but SIG says it can be carried safely with 1 in the chamber - spooky.

I've had a compact sw 9mm for decades (3913).
It's so old, the radioactive sights are already dim.
It's still very reliable.

But I had a chance to play with a 365 and I'm impressed.
That's what I would get today. It feels better than my old SW.

thanks for all you guys' input
I'll have to see what feels good in my hands
RDS not so important, but I like the option to have one.  I want to be able to pocket carry as well as IWB or OWB.  so maybe with the pocket carry, I don't want a RDS, but I like night sights.  pocket carry I would prefer an external safety, just my preference
I want it to be small, but have 10 rounds of 9mm.  I'd love to have 10 rounds of 45 but for a micro I don't think that's possible
It'll mostly be for home carry, and once in a great while mainland CCW

my pocket revolvers are ok, but having more capacity would be much better in a semiauto

Out of the choices listed, I've only shot with the Shield 9 and 43.  Between those 2, I like the weight and grip size of the Shield.  The 43 was good as well.  Have to be a little careful on the reloads with pinching my hand, but both shot and functioned well. 

It'll mostly be for home carry,

Can u elaborate more?  When I'm at home, I have 500 sqft condo. So my handgun is always within arms reach. When I go to the kitchen or sit on the toilet, it's within that.  So I take it from room to room with me.  Easier to do in a small condo vs. a home, which is why I don't take my rifle with me from room to room.  I also have extra mags in each room as well. So no need to carry mags on myself.   So unless the below happens, I never carry my handgun in the home.  We also don't have children or anyone else in the home besides me and Mrs. CMO, so leaving the gun on the table or counter in arms reach is fine.  If I had children in the home, I would not do this.

The 4 times in 2 years that we did have guest over, I was CCWing my VP9 and instead of appendix like how I do in Vegas, I was at the 4 oclock. This is because sitting for long periods is much easier at the 4 oclock. So since we rarely have guest, doing this with a bigger handgun isn't an issue. Same thing with CCWing in Vegas, it's only for a week or so, so no big deal carrying the VP9 all day/night.  If I could carry in HI, I would def get something smaller though.

Can u elaborate more?  When I'm at home, I have 500 sqft condo. So my handgun is always within arms reach. When I go to the kitchen or sit on the toilet, it's within that.  So I take it from room to room with me.  Easier to do in a small condo vs. a home, which is why I don't take my rifle with me from room to room.  I also have extra mags in each room as well. So no need to carry mags on myself.   So unless the below happens, I never carry my handgun in the home.  We also don't have children or anyone else in the home besides me and Mrs. CMO, so leaving the gun on the table or counter in arms reach is fine.  If I had children in the home, I would not do this.

The 4 times in 2 years that we did have guest over, I was CCWing my VP9 and instead of appendix like how I do in Vegas, I was at the 4 oclock. This is because sitting for long periods is much easier at the 4 oclock. So since we rarely have guest, doing this with a bigger handgun isn't an issue. Same thing with CCWing in Vegas, it's only for a week or so, so no big deal carrying the VP9 all day/night.  If I could carry in HI, I would def get something smaller though.

in and around my home OWB.  answer the doorbell I like to pocket carry. when bbq-ing I'll OWB.
there has been a couple instances in the past several years when there was sketchy people right outside my front door.  one homeless guy obviously high rummaging through my neighbors trash.  i was watching him and he just started smoking crack right outside my front door and that crossed the line, I had to approach him and tell him to move along with a few four letter words attached to my speech.  another time there was 2 big local dudes in a minitruck shining their headlights into my window at 11:00 pm and then had a flashlight shining through the window, ringing the doorbell.  said they were here to repo a nissan 350z.  obviously I dont have a nissan 350z and they had the wrong address that they were inquiring about.  I should have just ignored them and called 911, but i answered the doorbell instead with my LCR in my back pocket and hand on the grip behind my back.  If you are a repo man, you aren't going to ask permission to repo a car that you don't see.  after seeing me with my hand behind my back, the guy said sorry wrong house, and proceeded to approach a house 2 doors down.  then i called 911.  seemed like a couple of thugs scoping out the neighborhood for easy prey, or maybe i'm just paranoid.  but anyways, just going through many scenarios in my head I come to the conclusion that my 5 shot LCR just wont cut it on capacity, maybe good for a back up gun or a dresser drawer gun.  but for primary, I'd like a small semiauto with 10 shots.  now my primary is a full size XDM in 45acp, but its pretty large, can't fit in my pocket.  something like the Hellcat or that size should work better

in and around my home OWB.  answer the doorbell I like to pocket carry. when bbq-ing I'll OWB.
there has been a couple instances in the past several years when there was sketchy people right outside my front door.  one homeless guy obviously high rummaging through my neighbors trash.  i was watching him and he just started smoking crack right outside my front door and that crossed the line, I had to approach him and tell him to move along with a few four letter words attached to my speech.  another time there was 2 big local dudes in a minitruck shining their headlights into my window at 11:00 pm and then had a flashlight shining through the window, ringing the doorbell.  said they were here to repo a nissan 350z.  obviously I dont have a nissan 350z and they had the wrong address that they were inquiring about.  I should have just ignored them and called 911, but i answered the doorbell instead with my LCR in my back pocket and hand on the grip behind my back.  If you are a repo man, you aren't going to ask permission to repo a car that you don't see.  after seeing me with my hand behind my back, the guy said sorry wrong house, and proceeded to approach a house 2 doors down.  then i called 911.  seemed like a couple of thugs scoping out the neighborhood for easy prey, or maybe i'm just paranoid.  but anyways, just going through many scenarios in my head I come to the conclusion that my 5 shot LCR just wont cut it on capacity, maybe good for a back up gun or a dresser drawer gun.  but for primary, I'd like a small semiauto with 10 shots.  now my primary is a full size XDM in 45acp, but its pretty large, can't fit in my pocket.  something like the Hellcat or that size should work better

Weight on the hip is a factor if you gonna be OWB all day.

Can u elaborate more?  When I'm at home, I have 500 sqft condo. So my handgun is always within arms reach. When I go to the kitchen or sit on the toilet, it's within that.  So I take it from room to room with me.  Easier to do in a small condo vs. a home, which is why I don't take my rifle with me from room to room.  I also have extra mags in each room as well. So no need to carry mags on myself.   So unless the below happens, I never carry my handgun in the home.  We also don't have children or anyone else in the home besides me and Mrs. CMO, so leaving the gun on the table or counter in arms reach is fine.  If I had children in the home, I would not do this.
[snip]

Ever see Pulp Fiction?  I bet Vincent Vega (John Travolta) wished he'd not left his gun on the kitchen counter when he went to the bathroom.

Even carrying off-body in a backpack or hand-carried organizer is not as efficient as a holster.  You can be separated from your firearm too easily.

Then there's the "what if" scenario where someone enters your place undetected and just happens to see your firearm.  If they get to it before you can, then your plan backfires.

The potential outcomes of being just "arm's length" from your gun can go on and on.  To me, it comes down to your comfort level.  If you're more comfortable from a self defense perspective carrying, then do it.  If you are just as comfortable leaving it in a drawer or next to you on the sink, then that's okay, too.

When I carry, it's for the situations I can't predict.

I would try what your interested in as well. For me, the P365 feels funny due to the downward angle.  And so does the P320 (same downward angle). 

What downward angle is this?

 I never cared for the Glock grip angle after decades of 1911 handling.  But, that angled the barrel up for me.

Have a Glock 30 now because I like the.45, but other than here in AZ, not carrying the little guy.   Too big for a pocket, picking up a Galco IWB to see if I can get used to that.

I think 43x is a bit too big for pocket carry unless your  wearing 5.11 taclites (or similar) with those huge back pockets.

I only have experience with a g48 (I own) and 43x (my friend owns) at kokohead. I love a g26 too. Owned this one for years.

My coworker just bought a hellcat pro and loves the way it feels. He was in the same boat as you (365 xl, hellcat pro, g43) he goes vegas alot. After shooting my g48 and holding his hellcat pro I like both. Felt pretty damn good. Have you had a chance to hold a hellcat pro? Never got to shoot the hellcat but dry fire. I use to hate glocks... Cause it broke on us during my pistol class so I didnt trust it.

Anywho I like the 43x and 48. Everything same except a slightly longer barrel/slide on the 48.

Theres the shield plus if you dont want all the bells and whistles. Also the g26 but idk how well that'll go with pocket carry. 

Palmetto state armory had a 365 XL spectre with gold barrel on sale. Might still be on sale.

don't be racist- micronesian semiauto...

I think 43x is a bit too big for pocket carry unless your  wearing 5.11 taclites (or similar) with those huge back pockets.

I only have experience with a g48 (I own) and 43x (my friend owns) at kokohead. I love a g26 too. Owned this one for years.

My coworker just bought a hellcat pro and loves the way it feels. He was in the same boat as you (365 xl, hellcat pro, g43) he goes vegas alot. After shooting my g48 and holding his hellcat pro I like both. Felt pretty damn good. Have you had a chance to hold a hellcat pro? Never got to shoot the hellcat but dry fire. I use to hate glocks... Cause it broke on us during my pistol class so I didnt trust it.

Anywho I like the 43x and 48. Everything same except a slightly longer barrel/slide on the 48.

Theres the shield plus if you dont want all the bells and whistles. Also the g26 but idk how well that'll go with pocket carry. 

Palmetto state armory had a 365 XL spectre with gold barrel on sale. Might still be on sale.

never held a Hellcat Pro, nor a 365xl or 365.  I'll have to see what I can get my hands on in the next week.  I go back to HPD to pick up the PTA next week.  I'll try to coordinate things by then if I can.  if not, I'll wait until later.  don't want to rush things. 

I've had a compact sw 9mm for decades (3913).
It's so old, the radioactive sights are already dim.
It's still very reliable.

But I had a chance to play with a 365 and I'm impressed.
That's what I would get today. It feels better than my old SW.

Back in the old days before all the tiny 9mms, I really wanted the SW 3913 because it
was a chopped-up SW M39, wasn't it a semi-custom pistol?

I got one of the first mini 9mms - Walther PPS, but that pistol was a terror and just hurt my hands........

The SIG 365 is flat, tiny, and feels good in the hand.  After shooting tuned 1911s, the trigger seems mushy,
but I guess that can't be helped since it's striker-fired and DAO.............

never held a Hellcat Pro, nor a 365xl or 365.  I'll have to see what I can get my hands on in the next week.  I go back to HPD to pick up the PTA next week.  I'll try to coordinate things by then if I can.  if not, I'll wait until later.  don't want to rush things.

Ah I see. I almost got a regular 365xl. Ended up getting a sw mp 2.0 performance center. The shop I was at had it at the same price. The 365xl felt good too I must say. One of my other coworkers absolutely loves his gf's 365xl with romeo red dot. In fact he traded his dan wesson for the 365xl. I still think she made out (re selling pov)

New Shield 9mm 9rnd magazines for the Glock 43.

https://shieldarms.com/z9

don't be racist- micronesian semiauto...

I'll look for one with a gold barrel