Battle of the Slims

[red rick]

I went to my LGS today and handled a few of the skinny pistols.

I own a P9 and I am thinking about replacing it for two reasons , ( 1 ) while the trigger is real smooth , it is long and ( 2 ) the mag has dropped a couple of times while shooting . I have replaced the magazine catch and it hasn't dropped since in 200 rds.

I didn't use calipers or a trigger gauge and I did not actually compare the Kahr side by side with the others . This is just from my observation and opinion .

Width : The Shield & PPS were very close to the same size , without calipers it looked like the PPS was a little thinner . The Xds was noticeably thicker .

Weight : I could not tell a difference handling them .

Height : The XDs was a little short with the 7 rd. mag. but there is a 9 rd. mag available for it that makes it a full size grip . The rest of them had a grip that I could get all my fingers on .

Trigger : The Shield and XDs had good triggers , I could not tell much difference in the trigger pull . I like both of them . The PPS had a harder and gritty trigger compared to the others . The Kahr has a smooth but long trigger , hard for me to gage trigger pull .

Magazine Release/Catch : The Kahr is the easiest for me to reach ( maybe why my mags. have dropped while shooting ) . The Shield and XDs , I have to change my grip to release them , but I like them . The PPS has a non typical trigger guard release , I also think that I would like it with some practice . I don't think I would accidentally hit it while shooting , if that is what I am doing with my Kahr .

Feel : The Shield had the worst feel in my hand . The Kahr and PPS had the best feel . The XDs felt good , just the grip was shorter than I like with the 7 rd. mag. as the others had .

Overall if I was to get another slim gun it would be a hard decision between the XDs and PPS for me .

 

[SeanSw]

I just sold my pps and bought a xds. My pps had a trigger reset problem out of the box and has the worst striker fired trigger I've ever felt. It felt thinner than the competition and actually had the least felt recoil of those I tried but I couldn't overcome the terrible trigger. My xds also feels a bit shorter and fatter in the hand but the trigger is better and I shoot it more accurately. Mine prefers 147gr ammo.

I would prefer the pps under ideal circumstances but it was disappointing for the cost and the xds impressed me instantly on the range.

 

[red rick]

I would like to compare them side by side at the range .

They just built a new Indoor Range near me that is billed as the largest indoor shooting range in the country . I will have to call them and see with ones they have for rent .

I did that once when I was looking for a 9mm range gun . I shot best with the one that had the worst trigger and sights .

 

[verdun59]

Don't know if Colonial has each of those for rent, but it's sure worth a try and a whole lot cheaper than buying and trading.

 

[red rick]

You got that right .

I am going to check with them tomorrow .

I went to their websight and they list those manufactures for rentals , it just doesn't list which models .

I would also like to try the XDs .45 if they have one .

 

[towerC]

I am saving up for a shield at the moment. I was looking at M&P compact but the single stack mags of the shield gave it a longer grip than M&P 9c. I am no fan of not being able to get my pinky around a grip.

 

[arizona98tj]

I would also like to try the XDs .45 if they have one .

Certainly a good thing to do before putting your money down on one. I was recently at the range and a friend tried out my XDs45. He was seriously considering one and was very happy to test drive mine. It took him 3 shots to realize it wasn't for him. He's got big paws and got a mild case of slide bite on the first trigger pull....right across the webbing between the thumb and trigger finger.

 

[browningguy]

I'm surprised, I love the trigger on my daughters PPS.

 

[thefish]

I have a shield, and after polishing the striker safety block pin and a few other pieces, the trigger is smooth as butter. As far as fit in the hand, it fits my hand MUCH BETTER with a Hogue JR grip sleeve.

Obviously you should pick the gun that feels and you shoot the best, but give the shield a try with the grip sleeve, it makes a world of difference. It's a great pistol.

 

[wally]

Magazine Release/Catch : The Kahr is the easiest for me to reach ( maybe why my mags. have dropped while shooting )

Make sure the metal insert that is supposed to be bonded to the mag catch surface that engages the magazine is there.

You should clearly see the shiny metal with the slide removed looking down the magwell from the top.

Good luck contacting them, they've not answered my Emails about my broken front frame rail