Best DA Pistol, Not Revolver (Sorry)

[andrewdl007]

Ive been thinking about getting another pistol that I would use for Conceal Carry and as a bedside table gun. I've had XDs and Glocks in the past, but Im always afraid of carrying a pistol like them with a round in the chamber and the internal firingpin cocked. I want to find a good DA auto so that I cam keep a round in the chamber with the hammer down, but with a pull of the trigger it would fire. I like 1911s but I do not want to carry with the hammer back on a loaded chamber, same problem with the BHP. So, what DA pistols are there, that are also on the small side, well suited for Concealed Carry. Thanks.

 

[DougDubya]

SIG Sauer - a trade-in P6/P225 is relatively inexpensive, has a safe decocking mechanism and is on the small side. Another option is the P239.

Also check the Smith and Wesson 908 - the fools discontinued it, but there probably still are 908's in counters.

 

[markallen]

You can look into a Ruger P345. DA/SA. external hammer. Decocker/ safety lever. Loaded chamber indicator.And magazine disconnect ( that can be removed if you want). It has a 4.2" barrel. Polymer lower frame. It's light weight. Amost Identical in size to a 1911 Commander, but slightly smaller, and slimmer. 8 +1, of .45acp. Whats not to love?
I know that beauty is in the mind of the beholder......IMHO the P345 is a good looking gun. Mine is a daily carry, with a IWB holster. no hard / sharp edges, carries well, with exception of the grip. I carry at four o-clock, and the grip does extend away from my side ( I'm sure my love handles don't help).
But I saved the best for last. I have NEVER had a Jam, fail to feed, or eject. I shoot lead, for practice, and sometimes FMJ white box. I carry 230gr JHP Speer Gold Dots. This pistol has been TOTALLY reliable out of the box.

 

[bannockburn]

andrewdl007

Maybe consider a SIG P228 or P229. Both are on the compact side and have good DA triggers and a well designed decocker.

 

[snubfan]

why not a revolver?

 

[DawgFvr]

When you say DA...do you want the DA/SA abomination or a true DAO pistol? If a true DAO...I've a hankering for the Para CCW in .45 ACP

http://www.gunsandammomag.com/ga_handguns/para_0904/


and the Kahr K9 in 9mm:

http://www.kahr.com/PA-1B/review_handguns_197.html

 

[usp9]

Anything made by Sphinx. The triggers are what make these guns special.

 

[andrewdl007]

I would choose a DAO or DA/SA, but Ive only used a DA/SA before never a DAO. I said not revolver because I just like autos better as well as they always seemed better for Concealed Carry(I worry a revolver's cylinder could get cought on clothes while drawing the gun. I also like that most autos can carry more ammo than a revolver.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

Walther P99 or Compact with AS trigger.
CZ P-01 or PCR.
Bersa Thunder 9 Ultracompact.
Fn FNP9.

 

[NGIB]

I have 2 that fill the bill. A Para C645 with LDA trigger and a Kahr P45. Both are sweet shooters and great carry guns...

 

[MCgunner]

(I worry a revolver's cylinder could get cought on clothes while drawing the gun.

Bob the hammer and you have no worries here.

I like Ruger P guns for the value, most for the money. Sigs are great. CZs, no one mentioned CZ yet? Odd. I don't know what is "the best", just know these are superb.

 

[Lupinus]

A sig .239 is a great choice. I carry around the house and it is plenty comfortable. When I get my CWP it will be my carry gun.

 

[Black Majik]

If DA/SA, one of the best pistols suited for carry (w/ the best DA) would be a compact SIG with Bruce's carry package from Grayguns. I've handled quite a few Grayguns SIGs, the carry package really smoothed up the DA, and shortened the reset. Not quite as nice as their competition package, but still superb concentrating strictly for a duty or carry piece.

 

[jocko]

karh

any kahr, my favorite is the pm9 super handgun, very concealable to.

 

[9mmepiphany]

the best buy on the market has to be the surplus sig 225/P6 models.

AIM Surplus has them down to $259

then take the money you're saving and send it to Grayguns for a really nice action tune

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I've had XDs and Glocks in the past, but Im always afraid of carrying a pistol like them with a round in the chamber and the internal firingpin cocked.

I guess that lets out Kahrs then.

Look at the S&W 3913 and similar models (different numbers denote metals, finishes and DA/SA or DAO actions), and the SIG P225, P228, P229 or P239. The latter two are available (in new production) in DAK, a DAO variant.

 

[nalioth]

worry a revolver's cylinder could get cought on clothes while drawing the gun.

That's the first I've ever heard of "getting a revolver cylinder" caught on clothes, usually it's the hammer that is viewed in that capacity. Semiauto pistols can have 'clothes catching hammers', too. Autos also have those pesky safeties and decockers and takedown levers, too.

I also like that most autos can carry more ammo than a revolver.

Are you planning on taking on a street gang?

 

[1832]

Just my .02, but the Glock trigger system and the Para LDA are not "cocked" when a round is chambered. The trigger action on the Glock moves the striker to the rear where it is then released to go forward and fire the round. The Para functions in a similar way. I don't see a difference between this and the revolver's trigger action moving the hammer to the rear until it is released to fire the round. I don't have an XD so I can't speak to its trigger system, but I'm assuming its similar to the Glock striker system.

 

[equitytrader]

CZ-75B or a variation of it.

Jeff Cooper, long-time advocate of the Colt 1911, hailed it as the best-designed double-action autoloader available. - per Wikipedia

 

[wnycollector]

+1 on the SIG reccomendation. The ONLY autoloaders that I still have in my collection are DA/SA SIGs (P220, P226 and P6)...everything else is a revolver!