[Twoply]

So I think I'm going to have about $600 saved for my ccw gun. I plan to go to the range and handle and shoot the ones that feel good. The range I frequent has a great rental selection and I hope to get a couple of boxes in. So far I have on my list to handle, feel and shoot:

Sig 229
Sig 239
p7m8- HK
Kahr pm9
S+W 3913
S+W M&P
XD40 Sub Compact
Taurus Mil Pro
Ruger???
SW40VE

Please add to my list as I'd like to try as many as possible. I've tried glocks and they just don't fit my hands well. I have kinda more muscular but shorter hands than the average guy probably. Carpenter all day will do that.
Thanks Guys!
Mike

[EdLaver]

S&W M&P compact
Glock 29

[up_onus]

SW 340pd

[James NM]

Walther P99c, Kahr P40, Kahr P9

[MM]

Any of the Springfield XD series.
SatCong

[RP86]

When I first shot a glock it was a G17 gen1, it just didn't feel right for some reason. Since then I have shot G22, G30, and G33 all but the G22 being later generations with finger grooves etc.. I now consider glocks for future purchases. Give glock another chance, they make great dependable guns. The XD compacts look pretty tempting as well.

-Ryan

[Kimber1911_06238]

ruger sp 101

[Ala Dan]

Springfield XD- .45 ACP 4" service and 5" tactical
S&W M&P
Kimber Custom TLE
Smith & Wesson 1911 (#108282)
Springfield MIL SPEC 1911
H&K USP-F .45 ACP

[hexidismal]

Well, I carry a RugerP345 .45. Wiser men than me have often stated "If you're going to be in a gunfight, bring a caliber that starts with a 4"

[davhina]

Ditto on the Springfield XD's:) Try all that you can and go with what feels good to you.

The 9 most feared words "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help":eek:
Ronald Reagan

[Mayo]

Take off the P7M8---you won't get 1 for $600 and you won't want anything else if you shoot 1. Besides the P239 and P229, you might want to try a P228---more balanced then a P229. Try a P99c as well. Those are the best of the best.

[modifiedbrowning]

Bersa Thunder Ultracompact (9mm,.40 or .45 available)
www.bersafirearmsusa.com

[Autolycus]

HK P2000.

HK P2000sk.

Both are the perfect carry guns in my opinion. They are ambidextrous hold a decent amount of ammo. Are lightweight and seem very sleek. They both are very reliable. And well... they are HKs.

You wont find an HK P7m8 for around $600. I maybe wrong but I doubt it.

Check CDNN for the P2000s. They can be had for around $600-700 if you look hard enough. I paid $700 for my P2000 with 3 high cap mags and night sights from Ordnance Outsellers.

[ForeverArmed]

I've tried glocks and they just don't fit my hands well.
They're outstanding guns but can be grip-fat for some people. A solution you might consider is Robar's Glock grip reduction:

http://www.robarguns.com/glock.htm

[TA_Raider]

Makarovs are great carries.

[kirkcdl]

I second what ForeverArmed said.CDNN has Glock 33 subcompacts for $399,in "Test-Fired only" condition.For about $150 you can get the backstrap reduced to a straight backed type,kind of like the 1911.I have a G32 with a Robar reduction and it's the only Glock out of the 4 I've ever owned that fit my hand properly.So,$550 plus shipping to and from Robar,and you'll have a Sub-compact Glock that feels right.Or you could try and find a Steyr S40...But then you'd be addicted...:evil:

[Redhat]

Kahr K9 - I like steel in compacts

Colt's Commander

[ugaarguy]

Browning or FN Hi-Power in 9mm or 40 S&W; get the SFS if you aren't up for cocked & locked carry. If you like SIGs there have been quite a few German surplus P225s (marked P6) imported of late with great pricing. Kel-Tec's P-11 is a great ultra compact 9mm. The FN FNP continues to have nothing but solid reviews as well.

[tydephan]

I carry a Glock 26. I love it, but if it don't fit, it just don't fit.

I am awaiting a IWB holster for my new carry, a Springfield Armory EMP. But it's outside your price range.

You've got a great list of weapons so far. You might take a look at the Sig P230/232. I had one of those (wish I hadn't sold it - will probably buy another at some point.) I traded it for my Smith M&P 9 (and got more for it than I originally paid from the same gunstore - how often does that happen?)My larger hand constantly got bitten by the slide, but I don't think that would be a problem with someone that has smaller hands than mine.

Good luck with your purchase!

[markmc753]

Steyr M40-A1

[Mortech]

Steyr M357

[Gordon]

The 239 sure is a sweet carry piece, as is the P7. The S&W 39 series is very underated and is very reliable and carryable and the price is right. When you get down to the smaller Kahr sizes the practical accuracy starts to slip IMHO. I see guys qualifiying twice a year with their back up guns and most seem to do better with a good snub revolver than a micro semi. I don't consider a Glock 26 or a Colt defender a micro! I am limited to 5 pistols by serial # on my CCW card. Most areas in Ca are 3 or 2. My 5 are: Colt Lt wt Officer's .45,S&W 1911PD (Scandium Commander) , Colt Agent .38 spl. , S&W 296 .44spl., and a S&W 629 .44 Mountain Revolver for those times in bear country;)

[blackedoutharley]

How about a CZ ? !!!!!!!!

I have the CZ 75B 40S&W on my permit and will be adding my 75 Compact 40 very soon...

I also have to second (or is it 3rd, 4th, etc) the 3" / 3.5" 1911 as well....

[Rinspeed]

The 239 just does everything right for me. I traded my USP compact for the full size USP because the 239 is small enough to conceal easily yet big enough to fully control. I also have a 229 but usually only carry it in the cooler months when I have a light jacket on.

[redneckrepairs]

In the Kahr line look at the p9 and p9 covert also. The p9 covert is a p9 with the butt trimmed to the pm/mk series size so you get a longer sight radius and imho a better recoil system and lockup with the over all height ( the butt imho is the hard part to conceal not the slide ) of a pm or mk kahr The slide of course is the same as the p which makes it 1/2 inch longer . For the truely frugal this could easily be done to the Kahr cw also since it takes the same mags . If the pinkie dangeling off the grip bugs you then the regular por cw series is the way to go .

[armoredman]

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/PCR3.jpg

[The Lone Haranguer]

Originally posted by Gordon:
When you get down to the smaller Kahr sizes the practical accuracy starts to slip IMHO. I see guys qualifiying twice a year with their back up guns and most seem to do better with a good snub revolver than a micro semi.
The exact, polar opposite of my experience. :)

Some more guns worthy of the OP's consideration: the CZ75 compact and P-01, and the steel-frame Kahrs.

[two tone]

My carry piece is a Glock compact (G23). i dont know if i will have to say this in every CCW there, but let me tell you its all about making sacrifices. yes i would like to carry a Glock practical tactical (G34/G35) but it is simply to large.

thankfuly, there are alot of options out there. here is the most important consideration..will your gun be holstered on a belt strong side? if so get as much gun as you think you can carry and conceal.

oh btw. that CZ 75 compact or whatever they call it is truely a beautiful weapon. pictures just dont do them justice. i noticed one for the first time the other day at the store and could help but stare.

[Tremek]

Not only are the CZ compacts beautiful, but they FEEL right in my humble opinion. Amazing feel in my hands... You might think so too.

[Geno]

P7M8- HK will run you between $1,499 to 1,699

Doc2005

[two tone]

oh i know they probably do. especially if it is anything like a tanfoglio 9mm that i shoot at the range. this is the probablem with ccw pieces, i just want them to have and carry them all. haha

[romma]

Kel-tec p-32 or p-3at

[3rdpig]

In 28 years of daily carry, and trying dozens of guns, the best I've come up with is a Glock 26 as my general carry gun. There's not one thing to dislike about it as long as it's not meant as a pocket gun, which it's just a little too big for, IMHO. It's rugged, reliable, damn near rust proof, can take hi cap magazines and night sights and is very controllable and accurate. Add the Concealable Control mag floor plate to the 10 round mag and it's even better. Carry 17 round mags as spares.

For ultra deep concealment go with a KT P3AT, Seecamp or, if you can afford it, a Rorbaugh. For a pocket gun there are lots of options besides just the tiny guns listed above, the Kahrs, the KT PF9 and the AMT DAO Backup (which I recently acquired one of to play with) as well as the lightweight 38 revolvers.

But after having tried out so many I still find the Glock 26 is the perfect blend of size and power, in a heck of a rugged package.

[JCF]

+1 on 3rdpig's recommendation of the Glock 26. I have small hands and short fingers, and the Glock 26 does real well for me. Definitely not for your pocket, but is very easily concealed IWB.

The Sig 239 and Kahr MK9 are very close seconds IMHO if you simply can't do the Glock.

[cpaspr]

limit it to any caliber range, so I'll add the Sig P232. Light weight (mine's 22oz fully loaded), same size as the P239. Only available in .380 (9mm short), either stainless steel or steel slide with an anodized aluminum frame (mine).

I never have to worry about my pants being dragged down by the weight.

[michiganfan]

Browning Hi Power

[bb21]

We I just thought I'd add my two cents, I know the Mil Pro on your list has not been suggested too much, but if money is a concern it is a good way to go plus you should have enough left over to buy some quality leather, probably two different holsters and all the ammo you will need to break it in and still have some left over. Some may suggest the Mil Pro's are inferior in quality, but do some searches here at THR and you'll find a pretty devoted and pleased fan club. Most of the supporters are owners of the PT145, 10+1 of .45 in a small package is pretty nice. I have the PT111, cost is an issue for me and 9mm makes practice a bit more practical.
What I really like about it is the grip fits me and is very easy to get all fingers on it. My only regret is I got the blued not the stainless. You could also check out the PT24/7, the grip is not much larger, I have been looking at them the last few days and I love the way they feel.
Good Luck and Be Safe!

[jimacp]

I either own or have shot all the guns listed and they are all good. I love the HKp7, Walther P99, Glock 23, 19, or smaller, and Browning Hi-power. One gun not listed which is also great is the Colt Lightweight Commander.

[PX4MAN]

If your life depends on it, no problems, go BERETTA !!!:)

[Gordon]

I checked over the qualifacation records of a med sized (146) dept. for 2006 for back up guns. The Kahrs were down in the lowest passing score area with Berretta Tom Cats and Keltecs (there were 17 of various types) and the 34 various snubs were uniformly higher.The Compact models of duty standards did the best! Now of course this is anecdotal data so is not gospel. But I will say this : in courses I have taken where a secondary weapon is drawn under stress and fired at up to 15 yards or more, the DAO trigger and rudimentary sights of the Kahrs have made very good shooters look pretty poor compared to 'compact' series of full sized pistols. Just my $.02 and NOT to be taken as gospel. I know I shoot my Colt Agent MUCH more accurately than I can with the 4 different Kahrs I've fooled with. The Glock 26 and 27 are pretty good, but as mentioned blocky for some unknown reason! The Colt Officers and Commanders are by far the best CCW for me, accuracy wise and otherwise!:cool:

[camper]

Khar MK9 or 40.

[out1land]

I see all kinds of recommendations of what to carry, but the big question is WHY and WHEN you are going to carry.

Make that determination before all others.

If you are carrying for self-defense and want to carry all the time, then I would recommend something small as your first carry.

Remember, the .22 in your pocket is worth more than the .45 at home.

Go to the gun shows and/or dealers and try the "pocket guns" and find what would be comfortable for you to carry all the time, even in your jogging shorts with no shirt. You can add to it later as funds allow.

My primary carry is a Kel-Tec P3AT .380 (239.00) with an ArmaLaser (159.00) and a spare mag (23.00). I can carry this no matter what I wear or where I go. Fits well in front or back pocket, IWB, USH, BB, and just about anything else you can think of. Weighs in @ 12 oz fully loaded w/laser. ;)

Well within you price point with the laser and if you head out to the 7/11 on the spur of the moment you won't have to don special holsters, just drop it in your pocket and go, that is unless it is already in your pocket like mine is. :rolleyes:

With the laser, you know you are on target quickly. "One shot, One kill". :evil:

My other carrys depending on where I am going are:
Kel-Tec P-11 9mm, ArmaLaser :D
S&W M-59 9mm
S&W Special .38
http://www.world-interactive.com/images/ccw10.jpg

[Jkwas]

For Carry? Here's one you can always carry.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson/upload/images/firearms/163810_large.jpg
642

[Outlaw Man]

I used to carry a Hi Power and it's a fine gun, but I have found the Browning Pro-9 to be a bit more comfortable. It'll probably feel similar to some of the Sigs. Either one would be an excellent choice depending on your situation.