The P-239 is AWSOME...it is a small single stack pistol that has a great grip right out of the box. It is a tiny heavy at the slide but it is german made (frame) and works like a mercedes. Expect a little play between the frame and the slide, that is normal...gun is accurate and the decocker is really nice when you want to just chamber a round and go! I recomend night sites if you can afford them...look up the fine folks at www.sportingarms.com they have excelent prices, and if you need a great holster and are a lefty I have a top of the line C-tac holster for the P-239 for sale!!!!!
Good luck, and oh how it campares to the bigger dog...it is smaller that's all i could tell! Barrel is a little longer so you can use heavier rounds, but i have NO problem shooting 180 grain .40 S&W Another great quality of the P-239, if you buy the .40 or.357 you can just buy a second barrel and magazine and interchange the two easily 9mm as well i believe.