Best CCW 9mm

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Strab

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Rather than sift through old posts (which I did for the last 30 minutes) - I'll just post my question directly.

I am looking for a 9mm CCW. I have shot the g26, and really liked it in my hand. I have done a little research over the past week, but I want some of your opinions.

When listing your choices, please provide what I might expect to pay on the buy/sell pages of THR (shipping NOT included). I will purchase in AZ. My budget is not that limited, but I am not inclined to pay $500+ for a "name" when $300+ will do just fine.

This does NOT have to be a polymer. Anything will do. This will be for home protection only; I want something I can keep in my pocket around the homestead.

I am looking for reliable statistics on which is the thinnest, lightest, shortest, etc. So if you know one of your recs takes the crown in a certain category, be sure to mention that as well.
 
I've owned several CCW pistols (Kahr, Kel Tec, NAA) and finally landed on the Glock 26, which I'm very pleased with in terms of comfort, shootability, accuracy, and reliability. Lots of aftermarket support (mine has Trijicon night sights) too. I'm still struck by how easy to shoot and accurate this little gun really is. Good luck in your hunt.
 
You do know that "Best" is a subjective word? No such thing as Best in the real world.

What fits your hand may not fit mine. A trigger for me may never feel right for you.

Go try out several to see how they fit your hand, feel when shooting, if you like the manual of arms.

Anything else is only an opinion. Here's my opinion: Rohrbaugh 9mm. It is the thinest, shortest, lightest. Too bad it's double your budget.
 
You have some experience with the G-26 and thats a great ccw right there. I would also strongly recomend the G-19, both fitted with NY-1 module's for added security. Frankly you really can't improve upon those two choices to my way of thinking. Both can be had NIB for $499.00 from many vendors. There are other excellent choices, the S&W M&P is superb and available in a compact ccw version, but to my mind remains somewhat unproven. It also can be landed for $499.00, also look to options from CZ, Beretta, Sig Sauer, FN, and perhaps Springfield Armory(the XD can be had for under $500.00). All make excellent pistols in and around the price range you've established, each will have plenty of supporter's on THR. IMHO I'd go this way, 1-Glock 19/26 2-S&W M&P compact-9, 3-CZ-75 PCR or PO1 compact......Good luck!
 
I've been wondering about this subject myself. I've done a lot of internet research over the last couple of weeks, and this is what I know: The smallest 9mm autoloader on the market right now is the Rohrbaugh R9. $900! If I had the money, I'd get it. But who wants to pay even half that for a pocket gun? The Kel-Tec PF-9 and Kahr PM-9 look about the same size with the Kel-Tec being a little thinner and a little lighter. But just from personal experience with a P-3AT, Kel-Tecs are not to be trusted 100% when your life is on the line. I've heard about some reliability issues with the Kahr as well. One recommendation I can make with confidence is the Springfield XD-9 Subcompact. I own the XD-40 Subcompact and it's the most reliable autoloader pistol I've ever shot. It's just a bit too thick for actual pocket carry but it conceals very well in an IWB holster. That's what I carry during cold weather where my clothing conceals better. But for pocket carry I am going to buy a S&W 642 5-shot .38 special. Not an autoloader, and not quite a 9mm, but still better than a Kel-Tec in my opinion...
 
For me, the "best" combination of carryability, size, weight, thinness, caliber, capacity, and price, is the Kel-Tec PF-9. 2nd place goes Kahr (PM9, CW9 or P9), then the double stack sub-compacts such as Glock 26, P99c, etc. YMMV.
 
Let me suggest two at either end of the price spectrum:

Kel-Tec PF-9 at about $300.

Springfield EMP at about $1,000.

Either will do the job. Just differently. The PF-9 is a plastic DAO that gets the job done well, but is not much to look at or brag on. The EMP is a reduced-size 1911 SA that you will want to show all your buds and shoots incredibly well.

Boarhunter
 
Best CCW-G26

I use the G26 which I did purchase new for around $499. I would not recommend carrying it on the ankle as it is too awkward but anywhere else on your person works just fine. It has the reliability of Glock, just not the prettiest or slimmest of the group. To me I want something somewhat small but reliability is #1; if its not easy to use and reliable then not much point in having one:) Hope this helps
 
No Glock double stacks. Period. Too damn thick for concealed carry, except in the winter time, and if I'm going to carry something too thick and heavy to conceal IWB, I have other (better) choices. Once again, my opinion.

I know a lot of people go on and on about G-19, G-26, etc. I have owned several, and while they are great range or HD guns, they are not CCW guns...for me.

What does that leave you with?

Bottom end--the PF9. I don't like the trigger or trust the quality. I've owned four Kel-Tecs so far and am batting 0-for-4. There will not be a fifth.

The Kahr PM9 is my favorite, but I had to send mine in. Once. Since then, it's been the best CCW gun I've ever owned. Light, accurate and absolutely reliable. Bought mine used for $500, and will probably buy another one day.

The EMP is a jewel, but weighs more than it should, and my first one was so bad that Springfield worked on it for a month, then gave up and replaced it. The replacement is not 100% yet either. :(

Good luck, and let us know how it ends up.
 
As stated, "best" can have many definitions. I consider my Colt Pocket Nine to be the best 9mm because of it's subcompact size allowing me to pocket carry it just about anywhere. I consider my Smith & Wesson 3913TSW to be the best 9mm because despite it's compact size, I can get a pretty good grip on it. I consider my Beretta 92FS Compact to be the best 9mm because of it's high round capacity despite it's relatively small size and it's accuracy and reliability.

You need to define "best".
 
Also consider a SIG P239. Very accurate, very reliable, very nice. For us old guys, Crimson Trace grips are a worthwhile add-on.

Dave
 
Yes, Glocks are thick, but the 26 is so small that it's not that big of a problem for most guys I know. An excellent IWB holster is the answer there. I'm a pretty lean fellow and I pack a 23 (same size as the 19) all the time.

As far as prices, that depends on how much your local shop is going to charge you to transfer a gun you find online.

Check out www.summitgunbroker.com for used Glocks. Right now he's got 19s for $365-415. Check out his new Glock section too.

Az-Morgan
 
For me the CZ-75D PCR is the best all around mix of accuracy, capacity, reliability and concealibility. I also have a Sig P228 and the CZ even edges that out.

If you want a slim, lower capacity design the HK P7M8 or P7 PSP is a very good choice.
 
I have a CZ Rami 2075 and, while it's a fine gun, I wish I had gotten a Glock or XD. I found a great deal on one and, since I have a CZ75B, thought I'd go with it for carry purposes (although I rarely actually carry it). Still, I think that the Glock 26 would have been a better choice.
 
+1 on the S&W 3913, especially if you can find it in a TSW configuration, and depending on your needs, perhaps even in a pre-rail version.

Decent trigger, reasonable weight, very compact/thin (single stack gun),very accurate, and so reliable its boring. The TSW guns are especially nice, because while they're not Performance Center guns, most components were hand-selected/hand-fitted for each gun to build a little extra quality into the already outstanding 3913 platform.

Some consider the slide-mounted safety and magazine disconnect detractions. I don't. You have to decide for yourself how such features fit your desires for a CCW and your risk tolerance/aversion/affinity for such features.

The only other detraction can be finding gunleather for the 3913. It's out there, but not quite as plentiful as the more recent guns du jour. I use a DeSantis Thumb-break Scabbard for mine, although DeSantis themselves have dropped the 3913 from their standard offerings. My next holster will probably be custom, Hume, or Boomstick.

In my opinion, the fact that the 3913 reached its design pinnacle at the same time polymer guns really hit their stride, combined with the "detractions" above, is a dampening of the market for used versions. I have two 3913TSW's, and my most expensive one was $329 (both in excellent condition).

All good guns mentioned by the above posters.....the 3913 TSW is the one that works best for me.
 
I and 3 other guys went through this a few years ago.

I had a new Sig 239 which I liked, so we rented a Glock 26 and a Walther P99c at the range to test along with my Sig 239, all guns were 9 mm. results:

After shooting 300 rounds through these 3 guns, the Walther won hands down by 3 of the 4 guys.

Everyone agreed the Walther P99c was the most accurate of the 3, also, the lighest at 18.7 oz. empty.

The Sig had the least felt recoil and the glock had the most.

The Walther was kind of weird at first because the mag release is part of the trigger guard, but, 3 of us got used to it quickly and didn't mind it's location, 1 guy just didn't like it.

I liked the Walther so much that I tradedd my Sig 239 in for a new Walther P99c and have no regrets, for me, it's so much more comfortable to carry and
I purchased a 16 round mag and mag extension for it. I can't say enough about this little gun with 16 round mag and 1 in the pipe, 17 rounds in this little baby, wow!

Three of the four guys bought the Walther and one went with the Glock 26.

Good luck,

Sigbear
 
The S&W M&P 9MM compact carries nicely for me, and with the $50 rebate and 2 free mag offer going on right now (extended to april 30th, I believe) is the best deal going at the present. It shoots well, accuate and can be had for about $469 in my area - rebate brings it down to $419
 
Nothing wrong with what has been mentioned.

On the opposite end of the Sig spectrum ("name" and cost) consider the Taurus PT111 or 24/7 packages. The PT111 is just a shade too big to be in Bobo's "pocket auto" chart - a shade too long, wide, and heavy, but not by much - but still small enough that one dropped in a blue jeans pocket (w/pocket holster, I would suggest) wouldn't be in the way. The 24/7 is a bit larger, but still carry-able, has very good ergonomics, and is very reasonably priced - around $350. Another good value gun is the Smith & Wesson Sigma series. It also has the $50 rebate and 2 mag deal right now. People badmouth the Sigma, but the new models (VE designation) do one thing consistantly: shoot. Yes, it has a heavy trigger, but it this is not a target gun.

I'm not arguing against suggestions made, above, but am trying to offer three "budget-minded" suggestions.

Q
 
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