Compact auto?

[HoldenDapenor]

For a long time I've been a rifle guy and never really bothered with pistols larger than .22lr, but I think now is the time to change that. The only real requirements I have are that it be 9mm or 380, available in compact size (for my small hands), around $400 new or used, and available with 10rd mags (NY denizen). This will primarily be a range toy, but also serve in the HD capacity.

I'd like to stay away from the multitude of 380 and 9mm striker-fired pocket pistols like kel-tecs, ruger lcp, taurus tcp, etc; I won't be CCing, and the long hard triggers of these pistols don't really appeal to me. Other than that I have some preferences but these are by no means mandatory: major bonus points for polymer construction and DA/SA, some bonus points for accessory rail.

Some guns I've been considering are the bersa 380, sig p250, and taurus 24/7, though I'm sure I haven't waded through a fraction of the auto-pistol world so any and all suggestions are welcome.

 

[hardluk1]

Just go to some gun shops and handle some different brands. When you find a few that you like then research them. Also shop around for a 10% over cost dealer if you buy new. Where i am at a glock is 500 dollars new on a 600 retail. Bersa makes a couple 9mm that should also fit your price range.

 

[gearhead]

I have the 24/7 DS Pro Compact in .45, it's a decent pistol at a good price. The trigger is a little mushy in DA but it's not too heavy or gritty and IMO better than most DA/SA hammer fired pistols. The same pistol is available in 9mm and .40 and they sell Cali/NY 10 round magazines for all the models. I own an FNP-9, it's a good hammer fired pistol with all your requirements and can often be found for just under $400 now.

 

[potmetal]

We've had a Bersa .380 for a couple years and have had very good luck with it. Bersa also makes compact handguns in 9mm, .40S&W and .45 that come close to the $400 price range, around here at least. They are very nice pistols too. Check out S&W's Sigma line too.
As hardluk said, check out some shops see what they have.

 

[Snowdog]

The Bersa UC9 is indeed a great choice if one can be found for a fair price. I've noticed the prices of the 9mm and .40 S&W Thunder series (including the UC models) have been creeping up for a while. I suppose it's because they have developed a sterling reputation among actual owners.

The UC9 is about as small as the CZ-82, though a bit thicker in grip.

Bersa Thunder 9s (as I'm sure the .40S&W and .45acp models as well) have a lot going for them. They're packed with usable features for an agreeable sum of coin.

 

[Shadow 7D]

The lighter the gun, the more it will kick compared to a larger gun in the same caliber

I find the CZ82 very pleasant and accurate to shoot, but while it's narrow in the snout, the grip is large due to the double stack mag.

If you want small, I would consider a .32 in the same or smaller package, like a P32 instead of a P3AT or Rugar LCP, but if you go up a little you can get a taurus, sig 238, and similar sized .380 like the Kahrs, that have a bit more mass and handle (grip) to hold on to and control recoil. But then you go a bit larger and you can carry a 9mm like the KT PF9, and Kahrs etc.

Really need to get out and shoot the guns cause only you know how sensitive to recoil and size you are.

Check out the pocket guns chart
or go to the website and read the article

MOUSEGUNS.com


BTW is the bersa a knock off of a sig?

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

A used Glock 17 or 19, S&W 5906 (also used), S&W SD9 or Sigma or Ruger P95 (new) all come to mind.

 

[Jaywalker]

HoldenDapenor: I'd like to stay away from the multitude of 380 and 9mm striker-fired pocket pistols like kel-tecs, ruger lcp, taurus tcp, etc; I won't be CCing, and the long hard triggers of these pistols don't really appeal to me.

Just to ensure we're talking apples/apples, let me mention that the striker-fired pistols generally are not the "long hard" trigger pulls of the traditional double action/first pull of a DA/SA trigger. In fact, the striker-fired pistols tend to be "assist" triggers, in which the striker is partially cocked (safer than it sounds) so that the trigger pull is lighter than a DA would be.

Look for a Kahr K9, a single-column magazine, 9mm handgun made for short fingers. The "K" indicates steel frame, and thus more recoil absorption than their "P" series plastic frames. Take your money when you go to see one, though; you won't want to give it back.

 

[Shadow 7D]

and there is no change in striker fired guns (DA/SA)

but some, and this happens in hammer guns too, stack multiple springs
so you have a trigger, sear spring and striker spring, which is considered a less than optimal, many can and do have a good or better triggers as hammer fired guns.

 

[Mike J]

If you aren't going to carry it I would not see how compact size will benefit you. If you want a DA/SA polymer framed gun check out the Ruger P95. They can be found new for beween $300 & $350.

 

[Snowdog]

BTW is the bersa a knock off of a sig?

Mechanically, it's actually a near clone of the Walther P88. From a aesthetics standpoint, it does appear to share some Sig lines in there somewhere, so I can see where you're coming from.

 

[HoldenDapenor]

Just to ensure we're talking apples/apples, let me mention that the striker-fired pistols generally are not the "long hard" trigger pulls of the traditional double action/first pull of a DA/SA trigger. In fact, the striker-fired pistols tend to be "assist" triggers, in which the striker is partially cocked (safer than it sounds) so that the trigger pull is lighter than a DA would be.

I did not know this. I was looking at the keltec p32/p3at before, but I kept reading that the long trigger pull made it unsuitable for a range gun (not to mention the fixed sights). In any case, I'd probably be shooting the gun mostly in single-action mode, and my reasoning was no sense pulling that extra weight of a dao at the range all the time. I'll take a look at the kahr 9 though.

If you aren't going to carry it I would not see how compact size will benefit you.

Small hands. I've had the opportunity to fire a few full sized pistols, and while the recoil was not un-manageable, the frames were simply too tall, felt like shooting a broom.

 

[Jaywalker]

Also, traditional single action autos are very suitable for medium and small hands. Think 1911 and Browning Hi-Power, my personal favorite. As I read here recently, Browning invented the Hi-Power before "ergonomics" was a word. It's simple and robust, and feels like it was made for your hand; figure $50 or so to have a gunsmith fix the trigger, which tends to be a little heavy out of the box. They've been around for 75 years and have aged well.

If you don't plan to carry, even the DA/SA firearms would work; at the range, just cock it and fire single action, so test hold those, too, in your search. The Walther P99AS also allows SA fire and feels good in the hold. Many people also find the Smith&Wesson M&P9 (striker/assisted) trigger is reachable with short fingers. Other good firearms, such as Glock, have a bit excessive trigger reach for short fingers.

 

[Jotobo]

Not only should you go and put some of these in your hand, but see if they will allow you take some of the different pocket/IWB holsters and test them out too.

 

[vtecrkp]

Guess I feel the need for my first post here to be about the Taurus 24/7.

I had purchased a 24/7 Pro SS in .45 acp to use at the range and for winter carrry. I used the pistol for a month or so, probably 500 rounds or so through it. The firing mechanism was so weak that it wouldn't fire Winchester ammo. The pin would strike the casing but never ignite the round. This happened with about 15% of the rounds I put through it. Not sure if this has any similarities to a 9mm version, but I ended up trading it towards a Glock 30SF.

Also, slightly off topic, I still own a TCP738, and it is not a reliable pistol by any means. The trigger pin has broken twice, and the firing mechanism also broke and would not strike the round. I had it repaired both times(by Taurus) and so far only have 500 rounds or so through it. I do not trust this pistol with my life and carry my XD SC instead. Waiting to sell the TCP.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Oh, please don't compare a CCW pistol like the Kel Tec, that has a designed 'long action' trigger, to duplicate a DAO revolver type trigger pull, which is considered a safety feature, and rightly so.

With a standard striker fired pistol, which BTW, the KT is not, the KT is a hammer fired pistol, and stacks three springs before you actually fire it.

 

[Shadow 7D]

If you want a range fun gun that you can carry, I would suggest you look at a CZ 82, which has cheap ammo, and many feature found on guns 3 times as expensive, yet is small enough and packs enough power to be carried if you so desire.

 

[Dean1818]

+2 on the Bersa

 

[jeepguy]

if you have small hands try a 1911 in 9mm you can get 10rd. mags for them. a friend i know doesn't like handguns with double stack magwells becuse his hands are small too. he loves the single stack magwells of the 1911. you can get a commander size 4"or4.25" so it would be a little smaller, but still a good shooter at the range. if it is for hd i would make sure it has night sights. a sig 239 or 225/p6 might be worth looking at also. a few guys at work bought the ruger p95 as their first handgun & they are very happy with it and its a good deal.

 

[rellascout]

I'd like to stay away from the multitude of 380 and 9mm striker-fired pocket pistols like kel-tecs, ruger lcp, taurus tcp, etc; I won't be CCing, and the long hard triggers of these pistols don't really appeal to me. Other than that I have some preferences but these are by no means mandatory: major bonus points for polymer construction and DA/SA, some bonus points for accessory rail.

Some guns I've been considering are the bersa 380, sig p250, and taurus 24/7, though I'm sure I haven't waded through a fraction of the auto-pistol world so any and all suggestions are welcome.

Based on the bolded points I would look into the Sig Pro 2022. They can be had for under $400. They have a long DA pull but it is very smooth and much shorter than the P250. It is a DA/SA and has a great SA trigger. The P250 trigger is garbage IMHO.

It is bigger but since you are not CCing that is not an issue.

 

[Shadow 7D]

kel-tecs, ruger lcp, taurus tcp,

Wait, were is a striker fired pistol, you just failed to name one
All three are HAMMER FIRED
with a designed long trigger pull to simulate a DA pull, as a SAFETY FEATURE