Plenty out there to choose from. I'd recommend going to a range that rents them and try a few out for fit to see how you like them before you spend your money. You'll get lots of different recommendations from the forum members here but nothing beats shooting them before you buy. Good luck.

Yep, you need to try as many guns as you can at the range to see which one you like. I have a Ruger SR9c in stainless. It comes with a 17rd mag for range time and a 10rd mag for concealed carry.

Ruger SR9c

Glock 19 sounds like what your looking for.

I second the sr9c bought ours for the same reasons you have

I was exactly in your position recently, looking into 9mms to fit my small hands, and for a variety of uses, HD, Target, Training, eventual cc...
Here's the short list of what worked for me:
CZ-75
FNX-9
Ruger SR9
Beretta 92 variant
HK P30
S&W M&P9
HK USPc
Sig 226

They're all very good. The choice was so difficult, I bought three of them - HK P30, CZ-75 SP-01, FNX-9. And someday I will probably own a Sig P226 and a Beretta 92 variant too.

I went to some gun shops last night to handle and research some pistols. You name it and I handled it pretty much; I will tell you I LOVED the way the Springfield pistols felt over all of the other pistols! But, what surprised me is I liked the way the full size pistol felt in my hand over the compact and sub compacts did.

I like the full size pistols, too, but the compacts are easier to carry concealed especially in the warm weather. That's why I bought the SR9 & SR9c, one is full size and the other is the compact version.

Good idea on trying them out at the range first. The pistol has to fit your hand and be comfortable to you, so use that range rental time to select the gun you like shooting the most. Now as to size, the smaller the pistol the harder it usually is to control and shoot well. For example I will shoot a couple of hundred round during a shooting session using my Browning High Power a full sized all steel pistol but, when I am shooting my very small very light Kel-Tec P-11 (a 9m/m) 50 rounds is about all the hand can take in a session. The Kel-Tec as said is small and light and really is uncomfortable to shoot very much. So if you have something like it you may not get the practice time you really need in learning a new SD pistol. Select you pistol based on it most frequent use HD and range, maybe full sized or just under?

Try to attend a major gun show or if that is not in order, visit a large gun shop. Handle a number of guns until you have willowed down your candidates to a manageable number. Then locate a range that rents guns and see if you can shoot your candidate selections on that range.

There are many excellent choices out there in 9mm so don't rush things. Take your time and learn as much as you can about terminology, handguns (both semi-automatics and revolvers), how they work, and how to safely handle them (this should be first on the list). Once again, take your time. You don't need to be in a hurry. You'd be surprised how many people buy the first gun they "fall in love with" just to find out later it is not the best choice for them.

In 44 1/2 years of being in the gun culture, I have owned a lot of handguns. I can tell you that there is no such thing as the perfect gun for everyone. But there ARE some damned fine guns out there so you should be in good shape finding one that is best for your specific needs.

Beretta PX4 Compact, right now Beretta is offering a $50.00 rebate which is a steal in my opinion. You can thank me later.

Originally Posted by denner

Beretta PX4 Compact, right now Beretta is offering a $50.00 rebate which is a steal in my opinion. You can thank me later.

I second the PX4 Compact. I had my choice narrowed down to the SR9C and the PX4 Compact. Went to a gun show and held them both. No contest. The Beretta is one of the best feeling pistols I have held. I, too, have small hands. The recoil is very light. I highly recommend you try the Beretta.

If you can find an SP 2022 Sig, you might take a look at that as it also has changeable grips for different size hands.

Originally Posted by scottemory72

Accuracy, easy operation, and less recoil are VERY important.

Originally Posted by scottemory72

I liked the way the full size pistol felt in my hand over the compact and sub compacts

That's good because the bigger, heavier gun is usually easier to become accurate with and it will help absorb more recoil than a small, lighter gun.

It is no surprise the full size felt best in your hand. They are bigger absorb recoil better and all of your fingers get on the gun.

A few fine guns have been mentioned, there are the typical one that will always be bandied about. My suggestion is that you do not buy any other gun until you have tried a CZ 75B. Why, because its my favorite. I do not suggest you get it, I suggest you get the best gun you can afford. By best I mean the one you deam the best fitting, most accuracate, easiest to operate. I do own more then one handgun and I personally like the CZ you may, as well. Good luck which ever way you go Be safe have fun!

RCG