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E-mail from a listener: 

    I listen to you as much as possible on the drive home, and last fall you reviewed a small compact 9mm that you really liked as a nice all around easy to carry and conceal.   It’s hard to remember everything you say when I'm driving. Sorry I know you review a lot of guns, but can you suggest a couple affordable options for me to consider?  I want a 9mm to train with and register for concealed carry. 

Thank you,

Craig

     You are not alone.  In fact Fire Arms Friday has gained fans in Nebraska, Louisiana, Florida, and even California and Connecticut.  Amazingly I have also received the same basic question, “What do YOU choose to carry?”.  The answer-Smith & Wesson, M&P 9mm
Compact.  This week I compare it to not only its larger brother the M&P Full, but the all new Beretta 9mm Nano.

     Originally I chose the Smith & Wesson M&P Full because; it is reliable and inexpensive,
holds 17 in the magazine, shoots a reliable, available and cheap round, and comes with an optional laser pointer that is PERFECT for night time aiming.  It mounts on the side of the
grip so your balance is not thrown off.  I thought the compact version would be more suitable for the lovely wife so I bought one for her.  Funny thing; she shot better with the large version and I with the compact so we switched.  The compact version only holds twelve, but
 the magazine of the full size is compatible.  It comes with the same options as the larger one AND it is much easier to conceal which is really the goal.  Both are reasonably priced, almost never jam, have a short pull and quick reset, and are exceedingly easy to strip down and clean.

     Producer Tom Miller wanted to play with his Christmas present, the Beretta Nano 9mm.  It looks as though Beretta is making an effort to produce a better concealable gun to compete with S&W and other manufacturers.  This model has a single stack magazine so it only holds 6 with a sixth chambered.  Berettas are well made, reliable, efficient and easy to strip and clean too but have their own personality.  The pull is long, so you have to begin the squeeze on the trigger, set your site, and finish the pull.  Once you master this it is fine.  A little more expensive and I’m not aware of any laser options, but go with what works for you.

Smith & Wesson M&P Positives:

-Easy to conceal.

-Reasonable priced, well made and found everywhere.

-different options for grip and sights.

-short pull and quick reset

-double stack magazine holds a lot.

Negatives:

-Not as small or concealable as other models.

-Options do add up sometimes doubling cost.

Beretta Nano Positives:

-smaller than the S&W and easier to conceal

-light weight and well balanced.

-well constructed and reliable.

Negatives:

-requires practice to get used to it.

-single stack magazine only holds 5