Looking for a Compact Pistol for Concealed Carry

[smores]

Yeah, the M&P I handled yesterday definitely did not have that wording, as I was checking out the ambidextrous slide release (good feature). I also tried to dry fire it with the magazine removed and it just wouldn't work. The clerk "didn't know" about that option.

Out of the pictures you posted, the Kahr and the RIA look like the ones I'd like the best... But the more I think about it I get apprehensive about the SA and safety... I don't currently have any SA guns, they're all SA/DA or striker-fired.

My Steyr is almost exactly like a Glock in terms of features, but in design it's got a cutout in the barrel so you can see the edge of a round in the chamber, and there's a LCI that protrudes from the rear of the slide below the rear sight. No manual safety, safe action trigger, firing pin safety, etc. I'm used to loading a pistol and it goes bang. On my bedside guns I load them and leave them (striker) or decock them (SA/DA).

Looks like I'll be packing the Steyr at first until I can make up my mind.

Someone above posted the Walther PPS, which I was very interested in about a year ago or so when it was coming out but I never really messed with one. Comfort is a big thing and if I grab a gun in the store I can tell almost instantly whether I'd like it or not. I'll try to find some people that have what I'm looking for when I get up to pgh, I've never been able to buy a gun after trying it first as most of the stores here in MD don't have ranges.

Again, thank you guys so much for the input! I'm sure it will help others as well....

[P-11 shooter]

I was going to say M&P9C but just saw it's on your list.

I'd vote for the Glock 19 or the Kahr.

[1adam12]

Going by your selection and my personal experience with the following handguns I rate the following for CCW.

1.) SIG Sauer P239: in either the .40S&W or .9mm “buy it in the .40S&W’’ you can always down grade to the .9mm awesome accuracy for it’s size, easy to conceal and highly reliable ‘’it’s a SIG what else needs to be said’’!

2.) Commander sized 1911: ‘’my current mode of CCW’’ I am not going to get into a pissing match to why that is my personal favorite, all one needs to do is reflect on the history of the 1911 and it will be obvious.

3.) Ruger SP-101: very reliable, concealable, reasonable accuracy ’’CTC grip recommended’’ and enough power to get your point across.

[Dredly]

Originally Posted by smores

Out of the pictures you posted, the Kahr and the RIA look like the ones I'd like the best... But the more I think about it I get apprehensive about the SA and safety... I don't currently have any SA guns, they're all SA/DA or striker-fired.

I like the RIA for shooting, its a great gun but compared to the Kahr... well there is no comparison really (for conceal ability)

The guys at Kahr have one purpose. sell guns to their market... their market is concealment. Their largest gun would count as a "compact" or "standard" for most line ups, everything else is compact or sub compact... and it really does show. If you goal is a gun that is going to need to be hidden well all the time and one shot on occasion then the Kahr is for you.

If you like shooting and practicing a lot with your weapon, you aren't as concerned about concealment and you like the 1911 platform then there you go :P

its the difference between carrying a PDA and a flip phone or a fat wallet or a money clip... its all personal preference.

[imperialism2024]

Originally Posted by MTechnik

No love for the Walther PPS?

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

I have one in .40

It's extremely accurate, recoil is minimal given the caliber and size, and is fairly comfortable to fire... when it fires.

I still need to take it out to the range again and run a few hundred more rounds through it. But after I got it back from the service department, I had 2 FTFs out of 200, and to me that is unacceptable for a primary carry gun.

So I bought a Glock 27. Haven't gotten it out to the range yet, but I expect it to be as reliable as my G22. The G27 will be my backup to my G22 when openly carrying, and my primary concealed gun when concealing only. And the PPS stays on the ankle...

[Dredly]

Originally Posted by imperialism2024

I have one in .40

It's extremely accurate, recoil is minimal given the caliber and size, and is fairly comfortable to fire... when it fires.

I still need to take it out to the range again and run a few hundred more rounds through it. But after I got it back from the service department, I had 2 FTFs out of 200, and to me that is unacceptable for a primary carry gun.

So I bought a Glock 27. Haven't gotten it out to the range yet, but I expect it to be as reliable as my G22. The G27 will be my backup to my G22 when openly carrying, and my primary concealed gun when concealing only. And the PPS stays on the ankle...

You carry 3 guns on you?

[King 5.45]

Your last two on the list, OP, are ones that I would consider, the semiauto because I've owned one, and the revolver because I've heard a ton of second-hand praise and very little bitching about it.

Personally, I'm not a big, big fan of .40 S&W, though, especially not in midget-ish pistols. If I were dead set on getting something for CC, I'd look at offerings from Walther and H&K, the P99c and the P2000Sk, specifically, but in 9mm.

[Pete D.]

Since you have Glocks on your list, let me suggest the Glock 36, subcompact slimline, .45 ACP six rounds, 27 oz. loaded. Accurate, reliable.
Here's a pic of one matched up to a full sized 1911, magazines are lined up even at the bases.


As to limited capacity, you'd be no worse off than carrying a snubnosed revolver, with the advantage of a faster reload.

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

Originally Posted by Pete D.

Here's a pic of one matched up to a full sized 1911, magazines are lined up even at the bases.

GREAT pic comparison Pete! Thanks!

[Dredly]

Originally Posted by Pete D.

Since you have Glocks on your list, let me suggest the Glock 36, subcompact slimline, .45 ACP six rounds, 27 oz. loaded. Accurate, reliable.
Here's a pic of one matched up to a full sized 1911, magazines are lined up even at the bases.


As to limited capacity, you'd be no worse off than carrying a snubnosed revolver, with the advantage of a faster reload.

Great pic! it really shows the size of the grip on the Glock, I should have done that for the SC9 as well since they both have the 2 finger grip... Make sure you actually pick these up and feel them before you buy, my dad's hands are bigger then mine and he could barely get 2 fingers on the grip... he picked it up and immediately put it back down and said no way.