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speedsix wrote:...might make a good gun to stash in the kitchen...or laundry room...we keep those we don't carry often loaded and placed around the home where those who know can get them no matter what room they're in...just an idea...

That's a great idea... for those without kids or kids who would visit.

Liberty wrote:insightful thread. I recently bought a 9mm PX4SC, and it is pretty big when compared with some of the other guns mentioned. Its worth mentioning that there is no pain involved in shooting it though. It's actually fun to shoot.

I wonder though just how much energy isn't utilized in these short barrels. Are we losing enough power that the high tech bullets might not expand as designed. I don't believe the ballistics will be the same as from the same ammo shot from a P92 with its 4.9 inch barrel.

The PX4SC for Comparison with TAM's SpreadSheet:
Cal 9mm
Capacity 13 +1 with Spare Mag 13
Barrel 3.0 in
length O/A 6.2 in
Width at controls (The Safety bulges out) 1.4 inch
Weight unloaded w mag 26.1

The research I've done says that the shorter barrels don't take that much off the performance for it to be meaningful. Most modern handgun ammo is made for a very short barrel and there is not much lost between a 5" and a 3" barrel... maybe 50' per second.
Also, consider that we're comparing mouse guns. Is a "mouse" 9mm better than a "mouse" .380? Other than the 'fun to shoot so whether one practices as often," argument, I can't imagine why a .380 would ever be considered a better round?
The 9mm is cheaper and in the equal sized barrel, is always a better performer.

I fall into the camp of "don't carry a mouse gun unless it's an absolute last resort". So take my opinion with that perspective.
I bought and still own a mouse .380, but I'd say I carry it about 5% of the time. Rarely am I in a situation where I couldn't carry a G26 instead of a .380 if I really had to.
When I'm taking a gun from a safe, I almost always visualize being in that restaurant, bank, or store where someone is threatening my life, and I can rarely make myself grab that .380. I'd be kicking myself if that's all I had when I needed to defend myself.

The G26 barrel length is barely more than the mouse gun, but the 11 rounds is almost twice that of most 'mouse' guns which I consider paramount. Also, I know the Glock will perform as expected. The tight tolerances of a small mouse gun scare me a bit. Yes, my little .380 has been flawless for the last 1000 rounds, but if I left the house, and an oracle told me that I'd be in a 'gun fight' that day, would I carry it???

So, in the end, I only carry it when I *absolutely* cannot be made as carrying, and/or it's an extremely low risk environment (i.e. there will be armed security there anyway).

Anyone want to buy a TCP 738??? Just kidding. I won't sell it, but it is the cheapest "safe queen" ever...