compact 9mm for Concealed Carry

[rellascout]

The LGS has a recently acquired S&W 469 used for $250. How does that compare?

IIRC it is a double stack 2nd Gen Smith. They are a little heavier than the 3913 and I never liked the grip. Reminds me of the H&K USP grip which is like holding a block of wood.

All that said for $250 you could do a lot worse. I would offer $225 OTD if you like it but in all honesty I think the Kahr is well worth the extra $$$.

 

[USAF_Vet]

Neither of my LGS' typically carry Kahr. One pretty much only deals in long guns and big bore hunting revolvers.

The other is a S&W, Beretta, Taurus, Ruger and Hi Point dealer. They always seem to have several models of each in the display case. Used, it's a crap shoot. They do a lot of business, especially in the used gun market, so what used guns they do have don't sit in the cases long.

They just put the S&W 469 and a Ruger P-95DC on the used list, both at $250. Easily within my budget with room to spare for extra mags and a decent holster. As stated, the Ruger is not at all compact, so not really a CCW worthy candidate, which is the ultimate goal of the gun.

I'm in no huge rush to pick up the gun, I can wait on something if they need to order it, but I'm one who likes to try before I buy. I can't handle something if they don't have it in stock.

All that said for $250 you could do a lot worse. I would offer $225 OTD if you like it

Sadly, this LGS doesn't really haggle on prices, but they will be inclined to sweeten the pot with a spare mag or something.

 

[FAS1]

Since I prefer the Glocks to the other models you listed I would probably go with the G19. My CCW is a G26/CBST and my HD gun is a G17/FAS1 Safe. I like the idea of a common platform and controls for both. If you needed either it would probably be a split second decision and I wouldn't want to fumble around with it. If I was limited to one gun for both it would be the G19 as it seems to be the best compromise for me.

 

[wnycollector]

The LGS has a recently acquired S&W 469 used for $250. How does that compare?

A 469 is a 2nd gen S&W "wonder9". It is very similar to the 6904 that I posted the link to. If you can pick it up for $250 with a spare mag or holster thrown in to sweeten the deal, grab it. One nice thing about the S&W compact 9mm's is that they will take the both their standard 12 round mags plus full sized 17 round mags. Two ex-LEO friends carry the pistols with the 12 rounder, but keep a 17 round mag as their spare.

 

[MikeNice]

S&W third gen compacts (e.g. 6904 or 6906) would fit the bill on price, reliability, and concealability. Here is a S&W 6904 for $270 http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=245631047

I think you hit the nail on the head. In the OP's price range a S&W 5 or 6 series is probably going to be the best bet he can easily find.

Here is a thread I started for guns $400 and under that are new in the box. I bought something that was a little more expensive. It might help though.
The $400 NIB Round Up.

 

[darkfreedom]

I have my Hi Point C9 set for CC and it works just fine, you can find them at budsguns.com for about $150. I know a lot of people complain saying they r ugly, heavy, or say they can't be all that good since they are not too expensive, but mine has gone bang every time I've fired it (it has about 400 rounds through it so far) and I have complete faith that it will continue to do so for many years to come.

 

[USAF_Vet]

I went with the S&W 469. Love it.

Not to knock the Hi Point, I do own the .45, but I'd never consider them, any of them for CC. Way too heavy. The Smith, fully loaded weighs significantly less than my Hi Point unloaded. I've open carried my Hi Point since I got it, and may eventually conceal it come winter, but not in the spring, summer or fall.

 

[jyo]

For a smaller 9mm, I went with the Kahr CW9 (two actually, one for me, one for the wife)---they run 100% and both shoot right to point of aim---carry mine when on my property at night. Also own a Walther PPS 9mm and like it as well. There are smaller pistols, but the grip is too small. A local sporting goods chain was selling CW9s for $350 brand new a month ago.

 

[hmphargh]

I'll put in another vote to check out the Kahr CW9, I have a P9 and have had no issues with it - plus it shoots beautifully. I think the Ruger SR9c is also worth a look. Both the CW9 and the Ruger should be in your price range used.

 

[ET]

I started out with a $350 Taurus PT111 Mil Pro & a Sigma 40ve. I used these 2 guns for SD/HD for several years. I upgraded to a Glock 27 & a 21sf for sd/hd and a M&P 40 pro series for target/comp use. Now I need to start buying the 1911 type guns that every collection has to have. I wish I had spent a little more up front and started out with the Glocks & M&P and then added a 1911 or two later. The cost of ammo far exceeds the initial cost of the weapons. Spend a little more up front and you will thank yourself later... or you can start out cheap & wish you hadn't a few years from now.

 

[wristtwister]

Wow, everybody wants to carry the smallest little sissy pistol they can find, but expect to have firepower to keep the zombies off them. All those little 6 and 7 shot pistols are great as long as you don't get mugged by a gang, but then you're going to need to reload A LOT...

I like both the Ruger SR9C and the SR40C for concealed carry, because you can carry the "small magazine" in the gun and either 15 or 17 rounds in your back pocket for a refill. In a "one on one" confrontation, 5 or 6 rounds will suffice, but when you have 5 or 6 assailants (which has already happened to me) you want as much ammo available as possible.

I also like the Smith & Wesson M&P compacts, because you can feed them the full sized magazines if you find yourself in a "crowd" situation with multiple assailants. Smith doesn't have the grip adapters like the SR9's & 40's, but the mags still fit, even with the "rough grip" it creates.

Call me old fashioned, but I just want enough ammo to finish the fight rather than look stylish and hide my gun so it's invisible...

WT

 

[KenW.]

Fan of the Springfield XD9 subcompact here. 3" barrel and 13 round flush-fitting mags really rock.

Almost as nice as my XDm 3.8 40 compact.

 

[KenW.]

Doubled mistakenly

 

[DCB]

Another one for the S&W 3913.



Peace

 

[FruitCake]

LC9

 

[msparks]

I Chose the Glock 26 over the 19. Didn't see a reason to needing the 19. I've got a +2 baseplate on one magazine. I can choose either mag depending on my carry needs. I also carry a Glock 19 spare mag in a pouch on the weak side.

Not saying my choice is right or wrong. It's just what I chose to do.

 

[Alex23]

You might have to stretch the budget a bit but the S&W M&P 9 compact is a sweet CCW piece.

 

[darkfreedom]

USAF Vet, the C9 is much smaller then HP's .45 I can wear it with the 8 or 10 round mag and it still leaves no print through my shirt. I also have a dual mag pouch with 2 more 10 round mags so I can carry up to 30 rounds without having mags in my pockets if I choose to.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

I also agree with the Kahr CW9. It is comfortable and mechanically superior to anything else in the price range. I found one brand new in my area for, I think, $419. The Kahrs are also very simple, much like the Glocks.

I also highly recommend the Kel-Tec PF9, much improved (in my opinion) over the P-11 and for the same price--You can find both for $300 new. It is slightly heavier, but also slightly smaller than the P-11. The Ruger SR9c is also a great choice.

I believe the Glock 19 (compact 9mm) is a virtually flawless gun and the ONLY flawless gun for its price, but you'd be lucky to find one under $500. The Kahr is the next best, imo.

 

[Gunner442]

Walther P1 big pistol 8 rounds( great gun though) I'd look at Walther P99(full size and compact) and Walther PPS. Excellent pistols!

 

[HammerheadSSN663]

P250 subcompact....13 rounds of +P and sweet DAO trigger. forget the naysayers on the length of trigger pull. How fast do you think you need to shoot accurately anyway????

Fact is, I'm selling my 229 and keeping the subcompact 250.

 

[WinThePennant]

I'll chime in on the P250.

Probably the best value for the money today. GREAT gun.

 

[orionengnr]

Having owned two 469s over the years, it is my opinion that this is a great CCW 9mm... if you can shoot a TDA (DA/SA) well. I was never so good at it, so I gravitated away...after owning Glocks and others, my preference is a Kahr PM9.

But you have already expressed your opinion on very small, single stack 9mms.

For me, there is only one reason to own a 9mm, and that is size. My PM9 is the perfect balance of size and power for a pocket pistol. If I am going to carry something larger (and I do 99% of the time) it is a .45acp or .45LC.

 

[JERRY]

id say any 39XX series S&W 3rd gen for $350.00 is a good bet.

 

[two gun charlie]

At the risk of getting bashed for my effort I'm going to suggest you look at a Taurus PtT111. I have a PT145, which is essentially the same gun in .45 ACP and it is almost the perfect carry gun.
I have several much more expensive pistols and revolvers I could be carrying but I take the Taurus every time.

Another happy taurus customer , Jeff I just so happen to have the Taurus pt 111 , which I have been carrying concealed for the past 6 years , I wouldn't trade this little gun for any other , it is easy to carry , compact , durable and it doesn't complain about a little dirt. Only thing I can say negative about it is that you cant fire +p rounds through it , but all said , I havent seen any other pistol meant for day to day carry , that could make me wish I had bought it instead. and it never fails to go bang , the most important thing.