I believe I mentioned that I had been playing with handgun optics at the range for a bit in another thread.
I now have two (soon to be three) handguns with mini red dots on them and a combined 2000 or so rounds through them, and I have been forced to admit that for combat/SD type shooting a red dot is better than irons in pretty much every way. I could go into details, but there are literally a thousand YouTube videos where better shooters than me lay it out for you.
In any case, I am strongly considering adding an optic to my primary carry, or swapping the carry gun for one with an optic on it.
I have long been a fan of the "mid" sized (P229/G19-ish) 9mm as a good compromise between controlability, concealability, and capacity. I will "downsize" to a 1911, PPS or even a P238 if clothing requires it because thin guns hide better, but I dislike taking the hit on mag capacity.
Which brings us to some of the new svelte carry guns. The P365XL and Springfield Hellcat are both pretty much as skinny as a 1911. the 365XL has an option for 15 rounds in a mag, with a "small" mag being 12. The Hellcat is 11 and 13 I think.
Both are optics ready. This is pretty compelling to me. I tend to be a Sig guy, and am strongly leaning towards the 365XL, but I thought I'd ask if anyone had any experience with these two guns? Any other basically 1 inch wide guns that hold 12-15 9mms? I was looking at the G43X, but you need the aftermarket mags to exceed 10rds, and I'd need to mill and/or replace the slide which adds some cost.