Diamondback DB9 G4 9mm 3.10" 6+1 Black Black Stainless Steel Slide Black Polymer Grip - $145.94

I feel like the Ruger Max 9 works as well as most full size guns in those regards & it's not much bigger than this DB9 & has a capacity of 12+1. It's 18.4 oz. I'm surprised it isn't more popular. I got one right when they came out & keep it on me more than any other firearm I own. It easily fits in my pocket right beside my phone, but I don't ever wear tight pants either lol.

Agree with everything you said but those others are really subcompacts with a few more ounces of mass in slide/frame that mitigate recoil/improve reliability and most are double stack mags, thicker and every round adds to overall carry weight, meaning you can't just carry them concealed in the back pocket of Levis or swim trunks, only the DB9 and Keltec PF9 are 9mms that can do that and are very comparable. Micros were really intended as backup or pocket guns, not duty weapons for IWB or OWB carry dependent upon clothing, belts and using a full holster. In a real self defense situation, its usually under 7 yards and you won't mind the recoil at all versus not having a weapon that day because you were only wearing shorts with no shirt, but I agree almost any other gun is more fun to shoot at the range. For me it was break them in with a 100-200 rounds initially, but once I gained confidence in its reliability, it was only a single mag dump as a function test on subsequent range trips before switching to something bigger. Today, I'm wearing jeans with a belt and a windshirt, so I didn't even consider the DB9 vs something a little bigger in a IWB holster.