Sig P239 or S&W CS9, both in 9mm.

[Marshall]

I haven't seen this question posted before so maybe we can get a poll going.

When I joined THR years ago not many people spoke highly of S&W auto's but, today quite a few do. We all know people on this board speak highly of Sigs.

P239..........

Weight.........27.5oz with mag
BBL.............3.6"
Mag capacity 8
Stainless w/Nitron



CS-9

Weight.........20.8oz
BBL..............3"
Mag capacity 7
Aluminum/Stainless glass bead
Low mount Novak's



Which gun would you buy for a Carry piece? Why?

 

[albanian]

Niether would be my first choice in a small single stack 9mm. I think Kahr has them both beat. That being said, I almost bought the SIG 239 when I had it narrowed down to the Kahr and SIG. I liked the way the Kahr felt in my hand much better and the lower bore axis is great. SIG sits too high in the hand.

I would get the SIG if those were my only choices. I like the S&W 3913 better than the CS9 because the grip is better. I think a used 3913 might be a better deal than either because they can be found at rather good prices.

The SIG does out class S&W autos. It is made better and everything is smoother. It will likely be more accurate as well. The Kahr K-9 makes both of them look like C&R pistols however.

 

[Alan Fud]

I don't like Kahrs for CCW due to the weight and the light trigger pull without a safety but I will agree that my first choice for a compact 9mm would be the Smith & Wesson 3913TSW.

Sticking with the two choices given, I would go with the 239 over the CS9 unless size is a major issue -- the CS9 is about half an inch (more or less) shorter than the 239 and in SOME cases that's a big difference.

 

[tracer]

I have owned both of these guns.The bore axis on both is quite high,compared to single action Hi Powers,or 1911's,or (da) CZ's.They both functioned perfectly for me-no jams for either gun,not even one.The 239 was more accurate in my hands.I was always able to hit 15 yard targets effortlessly.Not so with the CS9-although I believe it was STRICTLY my problem,because the S&W grouped well.You won't be making a mistake buying either one,although Smith autos normally don't resale so well.The Sig bluing is a joke- I don't know why they don't apply something like an epoxy finish (such as CZ uses.)Anyway good luck.Like another poster said-the Kahr is smaller.
tracer

 

[mlk18]

The CS9 is a great gun and conceals very well. Maybe it's just me but it seems much smaller in my hand the a P239 does. I believe the P239 is even larger than the 3913 or 908S. Anyway, I was a carrying a Bersa .380 as my deep concealment piece until I picked up a CS9. The CS9 is thicker but just as concealable, accurate and reliable. I considered a kahr as well, but just wan't impressed at all. Some people love 'em, I am not one of those people.


mlk18

 

[albanian]

Many people think the Kahr is too heavy to carry but it weighs the same as a S&W 3913. I just weighed my 3913 and my Kahr K-9 with empty mags. They both weigh about 25ozs. Not the lightest guns on the market but in a decent holster, they are no problem. They are not so heavy that they are going to make your belt or pants sag or make your back hurt. They weigh nothing in a holster.

I see that the Kahr is not right for everybody but I think some of the Kahr's good points should be incorporated into every semi auto from now on. The low bore axis is the big thing with the Kahrs. That is why they point so nice and deal with recoil so well. All autos could use as low of a bore axis as possible. There is no benefit to a high bore axis so it should be seen as a fault and avoided. The smooth DA trigger is also very pleasent to shoot. I am not saying that all guns should be striker fired, I just think that most DA triggers could be better. It is like they don't expect people to aim the first shot or something. The thin grip is great for people with smaller hands. It is much smaller than the S&W 3913 and they use the same cartridge.

 

[Marshall]

OK, thanks to all. Any comments on the S&W 39-2?

 

[field70]

If I didn't already have a 3913, I would get the CS-9. In fact, I might anyway, and give my 3913 to my daughter. She found out yesterday that she could rack the slide on it and fell in love.

I like the grips on that 39-2 Marshall...Got an extra set???

 

[Marshall]

Field70, it's not mine but I'm eyeballing it strongly.