Help me decide on my first Semi CCW


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Jabr0ney
July 22, 2012, 10:34 PM
I currently only carry a smith 442. After the Colorado theater incidents, ive decided i want at least a 9mm now and a whole lot more rounds than 5. Ill still keep the 442 for quick runs to the store and that sort of thing, but when im in higher threat areas, i want something a bit more.

So this is what i think i want in a ccw gun...

*Caliber- 9mm; Would consider a bigger round, but wouldn't be able to afford constant practice

*Double Stack

*Sub compact or Compact; Dont think ill be able to CCW a full sized

*Probably a DA trigger since im used to my DA revolver. SA/DA would work for me too

*Ability to put night sights on.

*Around $500, i have room to wiggle though

So shoot me some suggestions on what you carry and how you do it, as long as it meets my ccw needs. I'm very open to all suggestions!

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The_Armed_Therapist
July 22, 2012, 10:37 PM
I think the Taurus PT111 fits your criteria pretty well. Good value, 12+1, and very concealable (more than you'd think with 12+1). Off the top of my head, the other options I can think of would be sacrificing one or two of your listed criteria.

Jabr0ney
July 22, 2012, 10:42 PM
That looks pretty good, i like the price too. Heard anything about reliability with them? And im open to sacrificing some of my criteria. The big thing i want is 9mm and night sights

The_Armed_Therapist
July 22, 2012, 10:43 PM
Thought of some more...

Kel-Tec P11
Taurus 24/7 PRO Compact
Beretta Px4 Storm Sub-Compact

Other options are either 1) single stack, 2) higher than $500, 3) have single action triggers, or 4) are probably larger than you're thinking.

The_Armed_Therapist
July 22, 2012, 10:47 PM
I have experience with the PT111 and the PT145. Both have been positive, though I have heard of peoples' negative experiences as well. Also, I don't recall them being offered NIB with night sights, though I'm sure they could be installed.

KenW.
July 22, 2012, 10:53 PM
500 can get you a Springfield XD9 subcompact. A 13 round flush mag with a 16 round spare is nothing to laugh at.

Rusty Luck
July 22, 2012, 10:56 PM
I agree with the XDSC. I have one in 40. I've heard great things about the SR9c as well.

Jabr0ney
July 22, 2012, 11:12 PM
Been looking at a Px4 Storm for a WHILE now, and the XD series looks solid as well. I think those are my top 2 choices for now. Also haven't decided on the SC or compact versions yet. Both seem like excellent guns

vent51177
July 22, 2012, 11:58 PM
Cz p-01

toivo
July 23, 2012, 12:19 AM
Glock 26?

http://us.glock.com/products/model/g26


sub-compact
striker-fired
double-stack
Standard magazine is 10 rounds, but it will take all Glock 9mm mags including the 33-rounder.
Grip is short, but can be extended with aftermarket magazine baseplates.
Many, many holsters and accessories are available.
Very reliable and easy to maintain.


Good used ones can be found easily. New will cost you more than $500 if you want night sights.

coalman
July 23, 2012, 01:28 AM
Glock 26 or Glock 30. The Glock 26 can run 15/17/33 round sticks and the Glock 30 13rd.

ColdDayInHell
July 23, 2012, 01:56 AM
Glock 26 or the Ruger SR9c. You are probably in a free state and the SR9c accepts the full size 17+1 magazines. I love Glock and Ruger so either one would suit you perfect IMHO.

No offense to others but Taurus is garbage. I would never trust my life with a Taurus. You get what you pay for with Ruger/Glock/SA.

PabloJ
July 23, 2012, 04:33 AM
Glock 26?

http://us.glock.com/products/model/g26


sub-compact
striker-fired
double-stack
Standard magazine is 10 rounds, but it will take all Glock 9mm mags including the 33-rounder.
Grip is short, but can be extended with aftermarket magazine baseplates.
Many, many holsters and accessories are available.
Very reliable and easy to maintain.


Good used ones can be found easily. New will cost you more than $500 if you want night sights.
That would be sound choice. The G18 magazine could be fastened with velcro straps to the
forearm. After I got my Block I no longer look at other handguns anymore.

Jed Carter
July 23, 2012, 05:00 AM
G19 Glock, one of the best compact pistols ever, I just traded onother good compact, a CZ PCR for my G19. I really liked the PCR, after the first magazine out of the G19 I did not regret the trade. The G19 shoots just as well as my G17, maybe better due to the smaller grip. Sights are simple to change and easy to find on the G19, stuff for Glocks are everywhere. The CZ PCR was my daily carry pistol for about 2 years, then replaced it with a SIG RCS1911, I may go back to a 9mm CCW with the G19, it shoots and works that good.

Jabr0ney
July 23, 2012, 10:32 AM
Are there any problems with the current gen g19s? I remember I was considering a g26 not too long ago and I saw some issues with the gen4s or something like that.

easyg
July 23, 2012, 11:25 AM
Make sure you try out a Ruger SR9c before you make the final decision.
I once carried a Glock 26 as my EDC, but the SR9c sent it back to the vault.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n165/allenXdog/photobucket-26197-1335218688299.jpg


My wife liked mine so much that she claimed it for herself and I had to get another one...

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n165/allenXdog/HPIM7193.jpg


What I like about the SR9c over the Glock 26:

The grip portion of the frame is slightly slimmer than that of the G26.
The loaded chamber indicator is super easy to see and feel (although some think it's ugly).
The rails and block are beefier than those on the Glock.
And best of all, the trigger is much better than that of the Glock.

The only thing that I dislike about the SR9c is the magazine disconnect.
Luckily, it was a breeze to remove.


Good luck,
Easy

Godsgunman
July 23, 2012, 01:02 PM
Since you already have a S&W, stay in the family and get a 6904 or 6906. These are awesome guns that can be summed up in one word, RELIABLE thats why every LEA issued these before the tupperware craze. Not to mention accurate, very nice smooth DA trigger pull, SA is like butter, decocker and slide safety. 12+1 with standard mags, can use the 15 rnd mags from the 5900 big brothers, can even get aftermarket 17 rnd mags if you'd like. You can get a 6904 for 275 or less and a 6906 for 350 or less. These will out perform anything else and costt you half of everything else.

red rick
July 23, 2012, 04:44 PM
S&W M&P9c , $478 @ buds.

easyg
July 23, 2012, 06:17 PM
These are awesome guns that can be summed up in one word, RELIABLE thats why every LEA issued these before the tupperware craze.
I'm not sure this is correct.
Before the "tupperware craze" I believe that most LEA were still issuing revolvers.



Easy

Walking Dead
July 23, 2012, 07:04 PM
Sig SP2022
Ruger SR9c
Both are excellent guns and both are under $400 all the time. That leaves money for holster, ammo and a range bag.

needmorecowbell
July 23, 2012, 07:07 PM
Another vote for SR9c

carbonyl
July 23, 2012, 07:11 PM
Ruger sr9c. Mine's been perfect for over 2000 rounds, 10 and 17 round mags and made in the USA by a company based in the USA. What more could you want? :D

Jabr0ney
July 23, 2012, 09:47 PM
Sr9c seems like a very viable option. I love how thin it is too. The only thing that bugs me with it is the safety AND it's DA. How stiff is the safety? Any chance it could be activated while carrying?

easyg
July 23, 2012, 11:10 PM
The only thing that bugs me with it is the safety AND it's DA.
How stiff is the safety? Any chance it could be activated while carrying?

The safety is nothing to concern yourself about.
It is not so stiff as to be difficult to engage/disengage, but it is not so loose as to be accidentally engaged/disengaged.

As for the notion that it is DA...

Well, it's not really a true DA pistol.
It is like the Glock (but with a better trigger-pull).

carbonyl
July 24, 2012, 07:51 AM
It is striker fired and ay least to me it doesn't take much effort to pull the trigger. As far as the safety, it takes some effort to engage the safety but barely any to thumb sweep it off. I could see you
accidently disengaging the safety but if you want to carry with it off I doubt you would accidently engage it.

bannockburn
July 24, 2012, 11:29 AM
Another vote for the Ruger SR9c. The grip feels so much more comfortable to me than the Glock 26, and the trigger is considerably better (i.e. smoother and lighter), than any Glock I have ever used. I actually like having the frame mounted safety as it's easy to use yet very positive and secure when you engage or disengage it. Having the extra 17 round mag is another nice feature.

WinThePennant
July 24, 2012, 12:36 PM
The Glock 26 matches the OP's specs to a T.

Stop looking.

GLOCK 26 is what you seek. Don't overthink it.

I tried to overthink the whole process, and wrangled forever as to what my primary carry piece should be. I initially looked past the Glock 26 because it just seemed like too easy a choice, and when I'm faced with an easy choice I tend to hesitate and over-research things. Well, this really is an easy choice. You won't find a better subcompact than a Glock. The Glock subcompact has tons of after-market products, it's super easy to work on yourself, and it is the only subcompact I've shot that really shoots like a full-size pistol.

LOVE MY GLOCKS!!!

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