Looking for a Compact Pistol for Concealed Carry

[smores]

Originally Posted by panther76

The guns you listed are all VERY different. Are all the guns you listed guns you liked after firing them, or just based on reading about them? I think shooting them, either by finding someone to let you shoot theirs, or by renting one at a range that does that, will help you narrow your choices considerably. Do you want a SA, DA-SA, DAO, or striker fired "none of the above"? What caliber?

I have fired the Glock 23, and out of that list it's the only one I've actually fired. All but the P239 I've handled and after looking over several other small guns they were the most comfortable in terms of ergonomics and simplicity of operation. My dad has a P226 and at one point I had a P225/P6 but sold it since it doesn't feed hollowpoint ammo - so I'm quite familiar with SIG triggers, decockers - etc.

Here are my criteria: It's gotta be small enough to conceal well, preferably does not have any external safeties - but a decocker on a DA or safety in the case of a SA 1911 is acceptable. Caliber should be 9mm or .40 S&W - but a .45 ACP would be acceptable.

*gee it sounds like based on my own criteria I should not look at 1911's - I may knock that one off the list since I'm getting one down the road at some point anyway*


Gary - I have not handled the CZ RAMI but I have looked at the P-01 and P-06. I actually have a CZ-75B full-size 9mm that is the first handgun I ever bought... so I'm well aware of the quality and method of operation for CZ pistols.

Frenchy - 57B? Do you mean 75B? I actually have a CZ 2008 catalog laying around here and I really like the CZ-85... wish they made a compact version of that. I think the 75B compact might still be a little on the large side, but I'll have to go handle them.

vrocco - the Taurus PT1911 is on my short list, and I actually asked my dad to get it for me for xmas so don't worry, I'll have one. I only wish they made a compact version! To my knowledge Taurus only makes a full-sized 5" 1911.

[Mity2]

Of all that you listed, my choice would be with K9.
kahr - although I'm not too keen on their ties with Unification church - is some of the nicest CCW out there.
Its VERY high quality, and well thought out.
Unlike other compact that started as full size, such as 1911, M&PC, Glock, kahr was designed from scratch to be a slim CCW. When you hold one, compactness is simply remarkable.

Yes, trigger pull is long. But then again, its meant to be a CCW. You don't really want short, super light, touchy trigger that can be used as target trigger on CCW IMO.
While its long, it is without a dubt, one of the smoothest, most predictable trigger on production gun.

Yes, it lacks certain advantage of others, like its only holds 8+1, rather then 10+ of other compact 9mm, its never designed as fighting pistol.

I'm about $100 away from finish paying for my K9, and I'm sure I'll have tough time deciding which gun to carry every day(between M&P9C and K9) once I get it.

Oh I got my K9 without tritium for $575 NIB. And you can get Meprolight Sights for $59 from kahr
http://www.kahrshop.com/index2.asp?c...c&model=sights

[Dredly]

If you want I can take pictures comparing my M&P SC9, my wife's Kahr CW9, my 1911 Officers, and my wife's Bersa .380...

May help give a perspective on all of them?

They can all be easily concealed and carried. After carrying a 1911 for several months I'm looking forward to carrying my new SC9, especially in the summer. the 1911 did great but cleaning it was a requirement every day because it doesn't react well to being wet. Also the exposed hammer has caught me a few times and the safety digs into my side if I turn the wrong way.

The Kahr series are (imho) the best carry auto's out there. Small, accurate, well made, and they shoot well. I really enjoy shooting my wife's CW9 and It can easily be carried anywhere from standard IWB to Smart Carry to under the arm, ankle, pocket... anywhere, and it still is a fun gun to shoot.

Let me know if you want some pictures and I'll see what I can come up with.

[smores]

Dredly - pics would be appreciated! Is the M&P available without the magazine disconnect safety? That's one feature that really turned me off of that gun, along with the trigger. Ergonomically it was great though, aside from those 2 things it would be very good IMO.

I liked the Kahr I handled yesterday a lot...


I was thinking today, I have a Steyr M40-A1, which is close in size to the compact GLOCKS (23, 19, etc.). I've got a friend who has the 23 so I'll have to look at them side by side. I guess I didn't think about it as a carry piece before because in MD I've always had the "well I can't carry this so why bother thinking about it" mentality - although I do have an OWB holster for OC in VA that I've used a few times...

However even the Steyr might be a little large for discreet carry. Thanks for the input from you guys so far, it's helping a LOT. Talking to people that carry these things around is much better than reading about them...

[Nic]

I alternate carry between an alloy frame 4" 1911, a S&W 642 .38 snubbie with alloy frame, and a Glock 19. Only one is a "pocket" gun even though they are all very concealable. The 19 is too chunky for a pocket and prints even with a pocket holster. The 1911 does not print so readily, however when cocked and locked, the thumb safety can be bumped off inside a pocket. The snubbie hides easily inside my front pocket in a pocket holster, and it will draw swiftly because it does not have an external hammer. I wear untucked polo shirts with shorts for 9+ months a year (hate pants), so concealability is slightly challenging for me. Inside the waistband holsters work well with my 4" guns, but become uncomfortable while sitting or driving for long periods of time. Any of the guns you have listed will conceal well as long as you get a very good holster and belt that will keep your weapon tight against you. My personal reccomendation for a CCW would have been the Glock 19, but if the 4" 1911 fits your hand best, then I would go that route and become proficient with it. Nic

[Dredly]

Originally Posted by smores

Dredly - pics would be appreciated! Is the M&P available without the magazine disconnect safety? That's one feature that really turned me off of that gun, along with the trigger. Ergonomically it was great though, aside from those 2 things it would be very good IMO.

I liked the Kahr I handled yesterday a lot...


I was thinking today, I have a Steyr M40-A1, which is close in size to the compact GLOCKS (23, 19, etc.). I've got a friend who has the 23 so I'll have to look at them side by side. I guess I didn't think about it as a carry piece before because in MD I've always had the "well I can't carry this so why bother thinking about it" mentality - although I do have an OWB holster for OC in VA that I've used a few times...

However even the Steyr might be a little large for discreet carry. Thanks for the input from you guys so far, it's helping a LOT. Talking to people that carry these things around is much better than reading about them...

Magazine disconnect safety? Not sure what you mean... the gun will fire without a mag in the weapon (even says so right on the slide) and I've tested. it will fire without a mag.

The biggest issue I have (and my only complaint) is the M&P SC and the Baby glock have a reallly short grip, you can only get 2 fingers on without the extension. the XD SC has a grip thats about 1/2 inch longer which is just enough to get that third finger on.

Luckily there are mag extenders that add that extra grip realestate but it would be nice to not need it.

[JoeWilliams]

Originally Posted by Dredly

Magazine disconnect safety? Not sure what you mean... the gun will fire without a mag in the weapon (even says so right on the slide) and I've tested. it will fire without a mag.
snip

Some M&P 9c's have magazine disconnect safeties, some don't. S&W actually gives their customers a choice. What a concept!! One I wish other manufacturers would adopt.

[ar15jules]

I vote for the 239.
Jules

[MTechnik]

No love for the Walther PPS?

It comes in 9mm or .40s&w, and is very slim.

Here's one next to an XD9 Subcompact (which is similar in size to a glock 26/27):

[Paintwerk]

theres a Kahr Pm9 in the classifieds for $400. sounds like a pretty good deal.