What is the best all around gun

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That is an incredibly vague question. The answer largely depends on what you can handle easily, and we don't know your experience, chosen carry method, and what you're wanting it to be "lighter" than.

All that being said, the one gun that goes with me everywhere, in all attire, is easily handled, capable, lightweight, and carries a respectable amount of rounds of a respectable caliber, is my Kel-Tec P32. I'm usually carrying it as a backup to another, bigger gun, but the P32 would be a contender for being my personal go-to if I could only have one carry gun. It's around nine ounces fully loaded, less than 3/4 of an inch thick, and holds eight rounds, including the one in the chamber. Its longer trigger pull negates the need for any kind of a safety lever; it's a "pull, point, and press-to-play" defensive pistol in every sense. I often carry it with Kel-Tec's optional ten-round magazine in place, giving me eleven rounds of .32 caliber fight if needed.
 
The "best" gun is the one you have on you. The "worst" gun is the one you left home.

I've carried a lightweight Commander 1911 for over 40 years. As long as you're willing to dress around the gun it's an easy carry.

You need to wear a belt, have a good holster, and wear a cover garment that's loose enough to conceal the weapon.
 
You could do a lot worse than the Ruger EC9s, especially for the money. I had one and liked it quite a bit. I sold it only because I liked the Sig365 better. Of course you can buy 2 Rugers and a couple boxes of ammo for what I paid for the Sig.
 
38DDSpecial said:
I am considering a ec9s
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I have and pocket carry a LC9S, same gun except with better sights.
Thing is, small and light is easy to carry, hard to shoot.

I have arrived at this gun after years of using everything from .25 to .45 and know and can somewhat compensate for its limitations.

HOWEVER, in the current straitened circumstances, I am looking at ways to carry More Gun.

Note: I find a small revolver like dawei's even tougher to shoot well than a small automatic.

CorneredCat.com is an excellent resource.
 
It is tough to make a choice based on catalog puffery and opinionated gun boarders.

A rental range or a not too opinionated friend with a large Urban Arsenal so you can actually shoot some of these things would be great.

Depending on how far you are willing to go up in size, 9mm is adequately powerful, but more shots and more to hold on to would be good. P365 or G43X/48 would get you up to 10 shots; a G19 or M&P Compact 15 tries.
 
+1 on trying some rentals first.

I had an LC9S (the forerunner of the EC9S). It's a great pistol, but there are two things you should know about it:
  1. It's light, so the felt recoil is pretty snappy.
  2. The trigger pull is very light -- lighter than some people are comfortable with for concealed carry. I had the Pro version of the LC9S, which has no manual safety. I generally don't like manual safeties on carry pistols, but in this case you might want to have one.
 
True. I wish my competition revolvers had such smooth light double action.
Mine has the thumb safety and I use it.
They sell a lot without safeties and if it is your main gun, you can no doubt handle it safely.

The Glock 43 is the same size.
 
My daughter is quite petite, with small hands. She tried a large number of pistols before settling on a Walther PPS. I hate plastic guns and even I have to admit its a nice carry pistol- very thin and easily concealed, powerful, accurate, and surprisingly comfortable to shoot.

I suggest finding a range with rental pistols and trying as many as you can before making a decision. That said, Im confident endorsing the PPS.
 
The best gun hands down is the one that fits you well and you can shoot with accuracy. Sure, a Korth will be a better quality revolver than an RIA snubbie,and an H&K will be a better quality semi auto than a Hi Point. Get what fits your hand, fits your budget, and shoot the hell out of it and become proficient with it. THAT is the best gun.
 
38DDSpecial said:
I am considering a ec9s
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Welcome to the forum.

What are you carrying now or is this your first ccw.

Are you looking for new or used.

I carry a third generation Smith and Wesson 5904, it's not light or compact, but Smith did make compact versions 3903..... In single stack and double stack magazines.
 
For myself I have small hands so I like my CCW to be as ergonomic, especially in the grip area, as possible. I also prefer a double action trigger as here is no manual safety to have o contend with. In a .38 Special revolver I like the S&W Model 638 and in a 9mm. semi-auto it's the Kahr CM9.
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38DDSpecial said:
for carrying? I'm small so would need something lighter.
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Your question has too many answers.
Questions to help you narrow it down.

1. What shooting experience do you have?
2. What guns have you shot and what did you like?
3. Have you had any firearms / range training?
4. When would you carry?
5. What would you be wearing when carrying?
6. Do you carry a handbag?
7. Why do you wish to carry? Protection from people, animals, both?
8. Would you be willing to seek expert help at a range or trading class?
9. Do you have a range nearby that offers rental guns to try?

Not trying to be a wise guy, but a little info could help us help you make a choice or point you in the right direction.

Welcome to The High Road :)

Edit due to fumble fingers. Duh!
 
I've found that 115 gr bullets tend to have a snappy feel to recoil. That can be mitigated some by using heavier bullet weights like 124, or real heavy 147 gr weights. The heavier ones male recoil impulse more like a push.

These are what I carried in the mid 90's. I still have a couple boxes, but went to fed 124 hst for my carry bullet. IMG_20200428_170122.jpg IMG_20200412_104240.jpg IMG_20200412_104325.jpg
 
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