Concealed Carry Weapon Suggestions

Within the price range you mentioned, IMHO the following 5 handguns are worthy of consideration. Of course, only you can make the decision of what suits your needs best!

Bersa T380MC Thunder 380 Combat 8+1 380ACP 3.5"
Bersa T9MP13 Thunder UC Pro Series 13+1 9mm 3.25"
Charter Arms 74420 Bulldog 5RD 44SP 2.5"
Charter Arms 73520 Mag Pug 5RD 357MAG/38SP +P 2.2"
Taurus 85B2FS M85 5RD 38SP +P 2"

The 9mm Bersa was the first thing that came to my mind

Funny, after I read your first sentence I was going to suggest an M&P Shield.

If you are looking for something bigger and are open to a pistol chambered in .40 S&W, there have been some excellent close-out prices (under $400) on FH FNS pistols at Palmetto State Armory recently, but it appears they have sold them all.

Cheaper than dirt still has some in .40 with night sights at $399:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/prod...4.do?utm_source=slickguns&utm_medium=referral

The FNS is not my favorite polymer-frame, striker-fired pistol, but I have shot one in .40 and it handled well and is a quality pistol judging from those I met who have owned them.

My sister has a S&W Shield .380 pocket pistol and having fired that little monstrosity, I want nothing to do with something that small.

Click to expand...

You might want to check if that is actually a shield. I don't believe they are offered in .380, and their recoil is not generally considered objectionable. If it does turn out that it was a shield, you probably won't like any gun that is in the "pocket carry" category (smaller gun = more recoil) and may want to move up to something larger that is easier to handle recoil wise.

With a good belt and holster you can conceal almost anything. Lots of people conceal Glock 19 sized weapons (or larger full sized guns) every day.

If you're recoil sensitive, I'd avoid the P64. It is harsher than the shield and requires replacement springs in order to have a manageable DA trigger on the first shot (which is something you need if it's used for defense). If you do end up getting one, I'd recommend a stiffer recoil spring as well.

Pocket sized?

My current favorite is the Remington RM380. It can be found around my area for less than $400.00.

It's easy to shoot (for a DAO gun), easy to hold onto, and easy to rack the slide. It also has an ambi-dextrous mag release, slide lock on empty, and it comes with two magazines. I like the double strike capability of the RM380 which might be useful if you only have the use of one hand in a high stress encounter.

Compared to other pocket guns I've owned or fired, the RM380 is softer shooting than either a Ruger LCP or a Taurus 85UL. I can't say how that compares to a S&W Shield.

Bersa BP9 is a slim single stack 9mm with a great trigger. You may have to find a used one to get in your price range. Great shooter.

The Shield has been very well-received and seems highly regarded by those who have them. It is also available with or without an external safety. If you are looking for a subcompact polymer-frame, striker-fired pistol it would probably be the first one I would check out.

If you would consider a hammer-fired, polymer-frame pistol with a true DAO trigger, the SIG Sauer P250 can be had for under $400:

http://lanbosarmory.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=24_27_28&products_id=7330

The P250 has a long but smooth trigger pull. It is certainly not everyone's cup of tea but for a concealed carry pistol I think it offers an element of safety. The early P250s had lots of reliability issues but SIG seems to have worked those out. You can also use the longer 15 round magazines for the 9mm P250/320 in the subcompact P250 and X-Grip makes an extender sleeve. That allows you to carry the P250 with the more easily concealed 12 round subcompact magazine, or the longer 15 round magazine that allows a full three-finger grip.

Sammael94

Lots and lots of choices out there, especially in a single stack 9mm. for concealed carry. A few that come in under $400 and a couple that even get in under $300:

Taurus PT709-$229
Taurus PT111 G2-$259 (mag holds 12 rounds but still very compact)
Bersa BP9 3.3-$346
S&W Shield-$381
SA XDs 3.3-$404.

I carry the Shield daily, and have side since it came out on the market. It's accurate, totally reliable, carries well, and is pretty pleasant to shoot, definitely among the softest recoiling 9 in that size category.
I have some experience with the Taurus pt709, and it was a pleasant surprise. It actually won the Guns & Ammo single stack 9mm shootout a year or two ago... And it's only $230 at Bud's Gunshop right now.

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

What about the SCCY Pistols. They shoot well, they feel good, and their customer service/warranty are excellent.

The Ruger LCP Custom (380) runs $320 or so here locally, and is close to perfection in a pocket pistol, but it does kick a bit. It is not too much for my 19-year-old daughter, but she has been shooting her entire life.

BOARHUNTER

Taurus PT 709 Slim here. I've got very large hands but with the Pierce extensions it's very manageable. I think I'm the only one who likes the Taurus SA/DA triggers on the 709 and 111 but IMHO they have a crisp light pull in SA mode, very predictable. Although it does have a fair amount of take up it's a very short reset. And it conceals very well with a IWB holster, almost invisible.

Great price point as well.

No need for a 380 when 9 mm come in the same size package and ammo is cheaper. I own a Kahr CW 9 and love it. Reliable as a glock and conceals very well. If you want a bit smaller go with the CM 9 but I find the CW fits my hand perfectly. Hard gun to beat and you can buy them in the 375-400 range.

^^ Yep. Just recently passed up on a CW9 that was going for $300 used at my LGS. Just didn't need it then, and figured I'd let someone else have a crack at it. But it looked and felt good in hand.

If you like the P64 for its "heritage", but dislike small, snappy guns, you ight not enjoy shooting it that much. A Makarov pistol, like my Bularian, in 9x8mm, might fill the bill if carrying a piece of Commie-Bloc history is intriguing.

Otherwise, I agree with others that say the list is lengthy and offers many good choices, from the Kel-Tec PF9 I have carried and shot since 2008, to well above your intended budget.

Anyone mention the Glock 42 (.380ACP) and the Glock 43 (9mm Luger) yet? I'm not a Glock guy, so it wasn't supposed to be me (the 43 may be over your $400 mark, but the 42 can be had for a tick less.)

I am a very large guy with very large hands. I have four carry guns that I use regularly:

1) Shrouded Charter Arms Bulldog in 44 special. I can only carry it easily in cold weather. It makes very big holes in things. I love 44 special.

2) Taurus 85 ultra light (aluminum alloy frame) with hammer spurt removed. It isn't terrible to shoot and fits in a pocket decently, though a little bit heavy.

3) LCR. I got the 38 special but had to substitute the longer LCRx grips to be able to control it. My friend also has large hands and has the 357 version, which is a few ounces heavier. I can control it fine, but it doesn't seem to weigh much less than my 85UL.

4) Keltec P3AT 380. It is not fun to shoot, but I can easily empty it onto a paper plate at 7 yards and I can carry it in any kind of clothing in any weather.

All of these are probably in your price range. All of them have been 100% reliable for me.

I recommend the Taurus PT111G2. They are $269 at Fleet Farm, I am tempted to get one at that price. Only thing stopping me, (besides actually laying out the cash) is I don't have any 9's, nor loading stuff for it. For a few more bucks, the Glock 43, 26, and 19 would be my choices. (Did I just say that... )

Taurus PT 709 Slim here. I've got very large hands but with the Pierce extensions it's very manageable.

Click to expand...

I carry the same gun. I will have to look into the Pierce extension.

To the OP, I am very happy with my 709 Slim. It is plenty accurate at SD distances and mine has been extremely reliable. The only issue I've ever had with it was my ammo, not the gun.

Here is how I carry mine. I am generally not a fan of ankle holsters but I sit at a desk all day, so it works for me.

My Charter Arms Undercover DAO is versatile and works for pocket carry but not too small to handle well.

Shields are usually $329 and are one of the best selling guns right now for a reason.