Advice on a new compact Concealed Carry Gun

[usmarine0352_2005]

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My friend is looking for a new compact Concealed Carry gun. He doesn't know if he wants a revolver or auto yet. Well, he wants a revolver but his wife wants an auto because it has more safety features she said. He doesn't want a micro compact like the SW Bodyguard .380, but something a little bigger, but not fullsize. He said maybe a Bersa .380. He wants to keep it under $500.



I recommended the new Ruger LC9.





What do you guys think?


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[Zundfolge]

Not a bad choice. My only concern is that its a brand new design and I'm not a big fan of being an "early adopter". Both the Ruger LCP and the SR9 had problems that required recalls (but Ruger was very good about taking care of their customers).

But size wise the LC9 sounds like it should fit the bill just fine (a similarly sized piece would be the KelTec PF9)

 

[memphisjim]

the new kahr cm9
proven design

 

[Winkman822]

Perhaps a Smith and Wesson M&P Compact 9 with the manual safety.

 

[txhoghunter]

I agree with the M&P9c....but take your friend AND his wife out shooting so they know what they like....not just what we prefer

or a used Glock 19? that trigger safety is a great safety feature that his wife would love

 

[Sig88]

I would say look at a G26 but if you are adamant on the extra safety features then look at Ruger. A good revolver like a S&W J-frame without the hammer leaves a rather heavy but smooth trigger pull. Its as good as any other safety that is added on to a pistol.

I had a S&W M&Pc and it was fun to shoot but it was bulky to carry. My J-frame carries extremely well but so does my G26 which after break-in will be my EDC.

 

[Vonderek]

If he doesn't mind used, S&W 3913

 

[gearhead]

I chose the Taurus 709 Slim, I've been very pleased with it so far. It seems that all the pocket nines on the market when I bought mine (prior to the Ruger and Kimber announcements) have trigger quirks of some kind. My 709 has a VERY long take-up but a nice crisp break, it was the most manageable of the ones I checked out. It's popular enough to have decent coverage for holsters also, something that's very important in a carry weapon.

 

[ForumSurfer]

My friend is looking for a new compact Concealed Carry gun. He doesn't know if he wants a revolver or auto yet. Well, he wants a revolver but his wife wants an auto because it has more safety features she said.

It kind of depends on if he or his wife is carrying it. If it is primarily for him, he needs to get what he feels comfortable with and she needs to familiarize herself with it IMO.

Sounds like they both need to spend a saturday at the range renting a few.

For an auto, I'd stick with a glock 26/27 or if a safety device is mandated and a point for possible divorce that she is unwilling to budge on...I'd order an m&p 9/40c with an external safety.

Their are thinner choices out there, but those two I love to shoot and I feel comfortable running the guns through drills. Both conceal easily under a normal sized t shirt and shorts for me (as long as I use a good belt and a good holster) so I haven't felt the need to search out smaller alternatives.

 

[cls12vg30]

+1 on the Taurus 709 Slim. I just purchased stainless model for $379 out the door. So far I've put 120 rounds through it, mixed FMJ and JHP, and the pistol has performed flawlessly. The SA/DA trigger takes a little getting used to, but after 100 rds or so I was shooting 3" groups at 7 yards, and I expect that to improve with more practice.

My wife also liked the fact that the Taurus has an external safety and an integrated trigger lock. I don't see myself using the lock, but it's nice to have it there and is completely unobtrusive. The safety has a very similar location and feel to a 1911 safety, so it's easy to develop the muscle memory for safety-on carry.

I've read about reliability issues with some of the earlier model 709's, but it seems like the ones coming out of the factory since mid-year 2010 have the bugs worked out.

The lifetime warranty and free 1-year NRA membership are nice, too.

I couldn't be more pleased with the purchase.

 

[tmoore912]

Kahr CW9. Wondeful size for carry, and most people can get there whole hand on the grip.

 

[Zundfolge]

Kahr CW9. Wondeful size for carry, and most people can get there whole hand on the grip.

Only downside to a Kahr is that it has the same safety system as a J Frame and thus the OP's friend's wife wouldn't go for it.

 

[Nushif]

I think they need to go shoot a couple guns before we tell them what we like.

 

[jiminhobesound]

i agree that you need to shoot as many as possible. There are no perfect guns and the choices are many. Semis carry easier than revolvers, revolvers are supposed to be more reliable. Revolvers are simple, the semis win the light weight contest because of lesser recoil, and typically more rounds available Neither my wife nor I shoot revolvers well, and I have tried many. Semis just fit out hand better. I suggest that you start with 9mm as the smallest caliber.

 

[DAP90]

I’m not sure about all the Kahrs but I believe the PM9 is now available with an external safety. I didn’t like it much but they’re not me.

CZ makes an option or two with an external safety and one at least in which you can choose between an external safety and a decocker. I think the handgun comes with both; you just install the one you want.

Bersa is another manufacturer with multiple handguns with safeties in multiple calibers. I think Ruger has one or two. Taurus, as mentioned above, is another.

As others have said what they’re going to have to do is identify the models they’re interested in and go track them down and handle them. I’ve never had much luck finding models to rent and shoot for manufacturers like CZ but maybe in their area they will.

A couple of people have mentioned Glocks. Personally, I don’t consider a safety built into the trigger to be a true external safety. It may be more of a safety than just the double action pull of a revolver (debatable) but for me an external safety is something that prevents the firearm from being fired when the trigger is depressed (or blocks the trigger from being depressed). This is separate from firing pin or hammer blocks.

I realize Glocks have additional safeties beyond even the trigger safety and I am not calling them unsafe. They just don’t have what I would consider an external safety.

 

[Dr_B]

I think the Ruger LC9, Bersa .380, Ruger SP101, and Kel Tec PF9 are all good choices. The Bersa, in particular, I have found to be about as reliable as a revolver. Load it with some hollowpoints and stick in an Uncle Mike's, or one of the IWB's they sell at holsterstore.com. Also fits in a fanny pack.

 

[PabloJ]

I would look into Turkish 'Walther 99' aka Charles Daly CD9. "NIB" sample runs about $300. While not true compact design it is proverbial fitted glove for most hand sizes.

 

[MrWesson]

I own a M&P compact(9 or 40) Great ergos, switched from glock 26(carries the same), standard rifling to shoot lead, awesome trigger after you break it in, and for me it shoots like a full size gun(except the shorter sight radius).

These are 2 others I am considering
keltec Pf9
Kahr cw9