CCW Suggestions

If cost of training is a primary factor, then stick with 9mm. If you want one gun to take to the range, defend the house, and conceal and carry, a "compact" class gun (barrel length 4" or less) like a SIG P229, P239, Glock 19, FNX-9 are good choices. Full size guns like the 92FS or P226 are also excellent choices, but may be more difficult to conceal than their smaller counterparts.

All of the guns you're looking at good to go. If you like DA/SA guns with a decocker, then SIG Sauer, the FNX line of guns, and CZ might also fit the bill.

Check out the Sig SP2022. It's smaller and lighter than most of the others you mentioned but still big enough to feel like a real gun. And the price is hard to beat!

I have the Ruger SR9c and love it! Very accurate, and has many features. Part of me wishes I had the SR40c, bit the 9 is a nicer size for concealment. I recommend either.

the best thing to do for a ccw gun is try them on in the gun store. put the gun in a holster on you and move around and sit down. a lot of guns like to dig into your side while your sitting in a car or chair. sigs are one of the most comfortable guns for me to carry. s&w m&ps are one the most un comfortable because of the sights. everyones opinion varys.

Pony,

Yes, the FNX ergonomics are virtually identical to the FNS ergos.

Another pistol in that size range that has a decocker is the Walther P99AS. Ignore what everyone says 'AS' stands for. It really means, 'Awesome Sauce'. That is a fantastic pistol.

If you opt to go with a slightly easier carry, the Ruger SR9c, S&W M&P9c, Glock 26, and Springfield XDm 3.8" 9mm compact are all good. I went with the SR9c.

I carry a Glock 27, 40SW. Ten shots in a small package--a small and powerful pistol.

The beretta is a fine choice. It was my first semiautomatic handgun, and I have trained many many many other service members to shoot it as well. It is large, but it can be concealed. I did so for many years. That being said, the M&P is also a fine weapon, and will be easier to conceal as it is slimmer, smaller, and lighter. You really can't go wrong with either. If I had the choice, I would choose a new fullsize M&P over a used 92. See if you can find an M&P to rent and shoot again, they are pretty easy to come by. It is worth the extra $100 in testing to get the right pistol for you. Good luck, let us know what you pick!

Concealing a Commander-sized 1911 in a crossbreed supertuck (or similar) IWB holster was very easy for me. If you have a 1911, like carrying it, and it's reliable, I don't see a reason why not to go with that.

Personally, I would find a gun store where I can rent as many guns as possible and I would try them all that were under consideration - what looks good in a magazine is not the same as when YOU have to hold and fire it

If the cost of ammo is a major concern, then save some of your budget and get into reloading

I would recommend a Kahr CW9. It's large enough to get a decent grip on it but not so large that you can't carry it comfortably. It has a thin grip like a M1911 and is very comfortable. It comes with 7 rnd mags which I think are fine for CCW.
I will say that it does have a double action trigger but it's a decent DAO trigger (and I hate them as a rule). Mine is a lot of fun to shoot and it's very accurate. It has a bit more muzzle flip than a full sized service pistol like the Beretta 92 but it really isn't bad. The grip shape helps a lot. Even shooting +P's is fun.
A lot of people don't like shooting their CCW guns but I really like the Kahr. I think that it would be a good crossover from home defense to CCW.
They run from $400-$480 in my area. There's a lot of variation from shop to shop. I got mine at a gun show for $400. Mags were about $30 from CDNNinvestments.com.
It wasn't on your list but I thought that I would throw this recommendation out there. If you go too big on the size then you won't carry it. We've all been there. You just won't. Once the CCW novelty wears off the gun will sit at home.
If it's too small then you'll hate shooting it. This is especially true of new shooters. My wife and I have 2" J frames that only get shot because we carry them and it's a responsibility to be proficient with them. They aren't any fun (IMO).
I think that the Kahr CW9 or something similiar in size might be a good place to start.
You also need to think about how you want to carry. IWB, shoulder holster, fanny pack (hee hee), etc. Another member mentioned the Supertuck. I like the Crossbreed and it works well for me. There's other versions out there that are similiar. I also use a Galco shoulder holster for the Kahr and it works well depending on what I'm wearing. Don't go cheap on a holster or belt. The $12 gun show holsters are better than nothing but you won't use them long for CCW. A good belt helps a lot too.
I've got a review of the CW9 on here if you check out my profile.

Gen 4 G26 with 124 +P GDHP

That's what I am ccw'ing as I type. It's my EDC and load of choice. I am just waiting for my Galco leather holster to arrive via UPS. I am using a Galco made for my G23 currently. Anyways, this is my very favorite pistol, etc. I suggest that you rent and shoot one of these before you buy. Good luck with your choice.

FMF Doc said:

The beretta is a fine choice. It was my first semiautomatic handgun, and I have trained many many many other service members to shoot it as well. It is large, but it can be concealed. I did so for many years. That being said, the M&P is also a fine weapon, and will be easier to conceal as it is slimmer, smaller, and lighter. You really can't go wrong with either. If I had the choice, I would choose a new fullsize M&P over a used 92. See if you can find an M&P to rent and shoot again, they are pretty easy to come by. It is worth the extra $100 in testing to get the right pistol for you. Good luck, let us know what you pick!

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What kind of holster did you use with your Beretta? I am working on my ccw and have a Beretta PX4 Storm compact. Still trying to find a good holster to carry with. Thanks.

Pony ~

One consideration when gun shopping is whether you intend to carry it concealed for personal defense, or it's just going to be your house gun or range plinker.

I'm a big fan of 9's in general and over the decades I've had a bunch of 'em, and I believe for home defense you'd be hard pressed to beat a 3rd Gen Smith 5906.

The 5906 is all steel, built like a tank, and absolutely reliable. I put a set of Crimson Trace Lasergrips on mine, and it's my nightstand choice.. Sixteen rounds of 9MM +P's on call...

If you are even considering the possibility of carrying your pistol choice concealed then a compact 9 makes more sense. There are "large" compacts, and there are "small" compacts.. If you want one to do double duty, then get a large SMALL compact and you'll be well served.

My large SMALL compact choice is my HK P2000sk (V3). The sk is tremendously accurate and absolutely reliable. I use the full sized P2000 mags (13rd) w/Xgrip for home use, and the standard 10rd fingertip mag for cc.

Another large SMALL 9MM that I own, and consider as a wonderful 9MM choice is the 3rd Gen Smith 3913LS. These guns are no longer in production, but highly appreciated by many gun experts as one of the best 9's ever made by S&W. All 3rd Gen Smiths have a reputation for absolute reliability, and RELIABILITY is job one for me in a firearm used for personal protection.

Plastic is "in" with most new gun buyers, but I consider the 3913 (LS or NL) as fantastic 9MM pistols.

Just choices.

Good shopping ~ good shooting!

Best Wishes,

Jesse

P.S. The targets were printed upside down. Well, either that or I'm so stupid I didn't catch it until after I had started shooting and was too lazy then to flip the target frame over... Hey, I'm old..

I would say give a 3rd gen S&W semi auto a good look. Before the tupperware craze these are what almost every police force issued. Extremely reliable, good trigger, good accuracy, decoker and slide safety, just an awesome dependable gun all around. You can find them pretty cheap also. I have a 6904 that I got for $250 and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I second the CW9. Although mine is primarily for carry. If you want it to split HD/SD duty, then I second the SIG SP2022.

Both can be had for $349 on Palmetto Armory's website.

I really like the way that 1911's shoot, however I'm not sure concealing will be so easy, plus most are fairly expensive

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If you are comfortable with a 1911 get it, they are thin compared to most polymer guns and are actually easy to conceal (I carry a full size no problem 5'11" and 190 lbs)
not all 1911 are expensive either, look used. And remember... whats the price on protecting your life?

If you are uncomfortable carrying a 1911 there is no way you can carry a 92 Beretta, its longer, thicker and taller. Its bigger in every dimension.

I'm going to come out and say what people are hinting, you are picking range guns for CCW and they are all going to be too big. Here is my advice, don't buy a thing. Get your CCP and buy a holster for your 1911. Carry it for awhile on a trial basis. You may even find you like it but you will learn quite a bit about carrying and what qualities you want in a pistol.

added: I carry a Glock G26, its as big as I would care to carry and as small as I would want to fight with. Too me this is what defines what should be your CCW.

Kahr P9, virtually the same as the CW9. Slim, light, very accurate, and reliable. Not cheap, but a great CCW pistol.

Get your CCP and buy a holster for your 1911.

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He doesn't have a 1911, yet.

BTW...I carry a Sig P220.

Another 3rd Gen S&W carry fan here. I own/have owned a bunch of em, but the 5904 is currently my preferred concealed-carry (in a Supertuck) and I find it suits me well.

If you don't want to go with the 1911 check out the Glock 23 like someone else mentioned. 13 shots in .40 and it weighs around 31 oz. fully loaded.

For CCW and range time Glock 19. The 92fs is a huge gun for CCW. The M&P and XD are larger than the Glock 19, but very good guns. The P229 is a great gun, but also very large for a CCW. Regardless, 9mm for sure as a first pistol.

Glock 26.