Best compact single stack CC gun?

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Monkeybear

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What are the best small reliable handguns you would consider for consealed carry? I would like to stick with .40, .45, .357/38spl and 9mm. Its about time I started to carry and I have decided to put all other purchases aside and get a CC gun. I am looking for something small and reliable. Single stack would be preferable but comments about double stacks are fine. I just need some ideas to start with. Small revolvers are fine too.


Compacts/sub-compacts/ultra-compacts only please. If you are going to post about a large or full size gun that you comfortably carry please refrain as that would be off topic. Thank you :)
 
For a semi auto I personally think the SIG P239, HK P7 or Smith 3913 are about the best things going for this duty.

Personally I think the P7 is one of the finest, most accurate, safest, quickest into action CC firearms I have ever seen and this is comeing from a SIG guy.

Now all that aside, don't discount a good .38/.357 snubby as most of us end up there eventually. :D I really believe the small J frame sized revolver is just about the best CC weapon ever devised. The Smith 638, 642 or 442 really shine athough the Model 60 works well too. I won't go into all my reasons but a small revolver is just so easy to throw into a pocket and go. It is also easy to unload to wipe down after a day of carry and then reload.

My take on revolvers can be found here if you are interested.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=165494

Chris
 
i would first recommend the xdsc line up but they are not exactly the smallest and most compact conceal carry guns but they are great and i carry one. definetly worth checking out.

I also carry a kahr k-40 from time to time and they are really sweet pistols all around. they are accurate, light weight dependable, conceal easy and come in almost all the calobers you stated above. thr kahr's have polymer and steel framed models, i prefer the extra weight of the steel framed models which isn't that much, but i like the feel over that of the polymer. they are great single stack guns, i have experience with the k-40 love it, k-9 elite and I love it, the smoothest kahr i have ever handled, and the p-40 polymer framed nice gun but i didn't like the polymer. kahr is the way to go i believe in your situation and they will serve you well.
 
Now all that aside, don't discount a good .38/.357 snubby as most of us end up there eventually. I really believe the small J frame sized revolver is just about the best CC weapon ever devised. The Smith 638, 642 or 442 really shine athough the Model 60 works well too. I won't go into all my reasons but a small revolver is just so easy to throw into a pocket and go. It is also easy to unload to wipe down after a day of carry and then reload.
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My thoughts exactly, but that is my personal preference.

Your best bet is to find some fellow gun enthusiasts who will let you try out their pocket guns. I like my J Frame S&W 642 as I shoot it as good or better than my larger and impossible-for-me-to-CCW XD 9mm, but you aren't me and you may like something else better.

Whatever you decide on, make certain it is something that you can shoot accurately and that it is as trustworthy as a mechanical man-made device can be.
 
Kel Tec has a ney tiny 9mm, but I would wait a year to make sure the bugs get worked out - it is a new product.
 
For me I prefer what I can carry comfortably and shoot well, and for now it's a S&W 36, or a 9x18 Makarov.
 
....or Smith 3913 are about the best things going for this duty.
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+1 on the S&W 3913

My S&W 3913 replaced my XD9 sub compact recently for CC and it is single stack 9mm with alloy frame and it is easy to carry. I greatly prefer it over the XD sub, thought the XD was just fine for a very short, but thick CC handgun.

A small J-framed revolver is also a great choice. I've had one and another may be in my pocket soon.
 
In 9mm, I'd either carry the SIG 239 or the S&W 3913. In .40, I carry the SIG 239 daily. The 239 isn't the smallest gun around but, it conceals well and I find that the more I shoot it, the more I like it.
 
I settled on the Kahr line and carry either a p9 or pm9. The .40s are the same size if that is what floats your boat, but i got a deal on used 9s from a friend.
 
Glock 36 was and is my choice, 6 + 1 of 45acp in a thin, single stack design. Very carryable!
 
Never shot it but fondled one at the last local gun show ...

EMPright.gif


:cool:
 
Not the smallest,doesn't hold the most rounds,not the trickest and niftiest but I love my P239 as it shoots amazingly well and it's 100% reliable.
 
or Smith 3913 are about the best things going for this duty.
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+1 on the S&W 3913
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In 9mm, I'd either carry the SIG 239 or the S&W 3913. In .40, I carry the SIG 239 daily.
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I have the single stack S&W 4013. Got it just for CC. Same frame/slide as the compact 9mm with a different barrel.
The .40s are the same size if that is what floats your boat
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Any that's why I got the bigger bullet/small gun combo.
 
I've carried 2&1/2" S&W K Frame (M66) quite comfortably. I find the 2" to 3" bbl K Frames to be an excellent balance of size, weight, and power.

The old slab-sided 1911 also carries well for me with it's slim profile. A 4&1/4" bbl commander size will soon be my carry gun. Many folks like the slightly shorter officer's size grip with it's 3" bbl, and the officer's frame with commander's slide, aka CCO, is another popular choice.
 
Just my impressions.

HK P7M8 tops my list, although I have not seen a way to afford one.

I had a Kahr K9 and the K/MK series guns are good; the only thing keeping them from being better is the trigger.

I have a SIG 239. It is a fine gun but it doesn't conceal as well as a single stack ought to. No questions about its performance, and it'd be interesting if they could/would chamber it for .45ACP since Kahr managed it.

jm
 
Thanks for your replies everyone :D


I am seriously thinking about the MK40, if its reliable itll be perfect.

The 239 is a little bigger than I have in mind, so are most of the others. Ill be taking a look at them anyways the next time I head over to the gunstore. I have a list:p
 
Kahr

PM40, it's tiny. I have the PT145 Taurus and it looks large relative to that little .40. Considering one as CCW for myself now since it offers such a small profile. Easily disappears into a front pocket if needed. Much like a keltec in size, but with more power.
 
Bobtailed 1911 commander, micro compact, or Kahr P45 are what I prefer.
 
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