Best CCW 9mm

[EOD Guy in VA]

Until recently, I would have said, without question, the SIG P239.
However, much to my surprise... my S&W M&P Compact has replaced it. 100% reliable, great fit & finish. changeable back-straps, and larger mag capacity.

 

[tc7458]

S&w M&p9c

pros = light, ultra dependable, fitted grip options
cons = double stack (meaning a tad thick) over the $300 bogie but under the $500 max originally stated

If SD is a priority, pick the gun that you shoot well and dress around it. My wife & I carry Bersa 380CC 80% of time b/c of size and business dress. She's moving more to the G26 and adjusting her wardrobe gradually around that choice. For me, it the M&P.

 

[XNavyflyer]

Its hard to beat a HK P7. I'm giving serious consideration to one of these $269 P6s http://www.centerfiresystems.com/. With a reduced power mainspring the DA pull is supposed to be sweet.

 

[JRC45AUTO]

Alternative

Since 1985 I have toted every 9mm/380/32/38/357 etc they have made.
They all have drawbacks in weight, reliability, accuracy, and totability.

My personal go anywhere "self defence" not "swat" present baby is
the slim, single stack (6+1) Glock 36 with night sights.
You can trust your life to this one.

Add the Clip-Draw to it and you have a smooth, flat, thin, light piece
you can cover with your shirt tail pulled out.
No holster to fight, just jam gun in pants & go.
Clip is very secure and allows movement anywhere, even crossdraw.

The 45acp is really a better round if it is your only or main gun.
Takes out playing cards at 25 yds no problem.

Sorry to change the subject but just had to offer you an alternative
to the 9mm.

 

[18DAI]

S&W 3913, early version without the luggage rack on the dustcover. Shoot one, and you will be pleased. TJ

 

[Crow61]

I don't see any mention of the Ruger SR9. I am looking at this pistol as my next concealed carry gun.

 

[Bob79]

My personal favorite is my S&W Cheifs Special 9mm in DAO. Nice slim profile, 7+1 of 9mm, Novak 3-dot set up, size of 38 J-frame, and weighs 26 ozs when fully loaded.

The Glock 26 is also a very good gun, a little too "chunky" for me to really like the feel of it though. I have owned 2 before, but just can't seem to warm up to it. It was 100% reliable, and you get 10+1 of 9mm. I highly recommend the Glock 26 if you like the feel, and grip angle.

 

[Strab]

Thanks

Thank you all for the suggestions - keep them coming.

I have to say that picture of the PPS really made me want to try one. That looks "pocketable." I did like the feel of the G26, but there is no way that gun can fit in any of my pockets without feeling very obvious.

And while I enjoy the other caliber suggestions (particularly the G36, which I would love to try), I specified 9mm because it is the last major caliber I do not have a gun chambered in, and in my research I came to the conclusion that a highly concealable 9mm was the perfect melding of stealth in carrying, and firepower. And I also want something my small handed wife will not hesitate to pick up and shoot. She fires my old m19 and SA 1911a1 well at the range, but I can tell they intimidate her. Funny aside, she fired the S&W just fine with .38 rounds, then I put a .357 round in as the sixth shot (I warned her - I'm not that mean; or glutton for punishment); she fired it off fine, then gave me a look and said "no more of that, okay." The 1911a1 is just too heavy for her to feel comfortable with.

So while I have always wanted a full size 9mm (Berretta was always my first choice - and I will have one someday), the more prudent choice for the household is a CCW.

Thanks again High Roaders.

 

[Dilbert]

9mm Woman

A small 9mm is just like a woman, there are no bad ones, only misunderstood ones.
That said, S&W M&P9c is my top choice, but I sure would like to get my hands on a Springfield Armory EMP.

 

[newkahrman]

I recently purchased a kahr cw9. I have to say as far as ccw this one is hard to beat for the price. I would love to have something like the new walther but my budget is tight. I picked up the kahr for under 400 it is lightweight, super easy to conceal, has light recoil, and is incredibly accurate for a short handgun. If you are looking for high quality and great concealability at a good price, look into this one. I had trouble with wolf ammo but everything else has been flawless.

 

[wanderinwalker]

Well, I would suggest the Glock 26 also, as I used to have one. It IS reliable, accurate and has good capacity. But danged if it ain't a bit thick to just stuff in a pocket, eh?

As I was driving to a gunshop to put a used G-26 on layaway after Christmas, I swung into my really local shop and bought a Kel-Tec PF-9 on the spur-of-the-moment. It is in hard-chrome, and cost me $330 OTD. It is more accurate than I expected, if a bit tough to shoot past 15 yards, and now that I am closing in on 500 rounds, it has smoothed out and been very reliable, 100% the last couple of range trips.

In all honesty, it was 100% the first 50 rounds out of the box, and then would give me some odd failure to feeds every 2nd range trip, usually 2-3. Then it would go a trip without incident. I was ready to give up on it and use it to trade for the Glock, but two weeks ago it went almost 100 rounds in one sitting, and today it went another 75, making me happy.

The PF-9 will fit in a pocket and go places a G-26 couldn't with me. The Glock is just too thick for me to carry comfortably and conceal well and easily. The Kel-Tec does just disappear IWB. And I still have 7 +1 rounds of 9mm +P hollowpoints on tap.

Also in the running should be a Kahr K or MK-9. These can be had used for reasonable prices, and the MK-9 I got to test-fire was accurate and reliable, and handled well. Oddly, I can't say it really seemed to kick any less than the PF-9 I have now. The G-26 was probably the softest shooting of the bunch though, IMO.

 

[biscuitninja]

I bought, refinished and modified my little P225. Its been OUTSTANDING, a little tack pusher also. My only beef is the rather large reset, otherwise the DA trigger pull isn't that bad (trigger is supposed to be 24 lbs, but spring sag has it at 20-22ish lbs. I like it that way instead of really mild triggers.

My other CCW is not so CCW its a USPc. Not exacly small. I'd check into a nice little compact RAI. But BOY are they a handful.
good luck
-bix

 

[DerbyDale]

I don't see any mention of the Ruger SR9. I am looking at this pistol as my next concealed carry gun.

I agree... The new Ruger SR9 does look promising. Very Thin and 17+1 capacity seems like a winner. Its looking like that may very well be my next purchase. I cant believe there is not more buzz about it here...

 

[JeepGeeek]

I'm awful partial to the Taurus 24/7. 17 rounds of 9mm.

Thinking very hard about buying two- one in 9, one in 45.

 

[Chortdraw]

I have a CPX-1 for a carry and just got a SR9. CPX being the smaller but they both would be a good carry gun. The SR9 is a great shooting gun once you get it broken in. The same with the CPX. The recoil is a bit more with the CPX but that stand to reason with the size. Just love the flater grip on the Ruger and the size.

 

[WARPARTY36]

Not all are CCW, but here are some choices.

http://best9mm.com/

 

[JustinL]

I'm very happy with my P239.

 

[Wesson Smith]

Not a single Sig listed in the "best 9mm" review?
I gotta call him on that one.

 

[bdg146]

Another vote for the HK P7 series. Awesome pistol.

 

[CPshooter]

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.

Now that is some terrible luck.. surprised you haven't given up on handguns completely! Just use a knife lol...

 

[jon_in_wv]

I personally carry a M&P 9C. I am very tempted by the Kel Tec PF9 though. Very light, slim, good trigger, and good sights. All for around 3oo bucks. Not a lot of glamour factor but it will do the job very well.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree with the above suggestion of the Ruger SR9. It's a reliable pistol and it's a Ruger!