Concealed Carry Pistol Recommendation

[jakk55]

Looking for a pistol that meets these qualifications:
1. 9mm
2. Thin, preferably single stack. Thick pistols print on me.
3. Compact but not micro. IE 4 fingers on the grip like a Glock 19, not just 2 like a Glock 26.
edit: 4. Single action with safety, or fairly smooth/light double action only without a safety.

Thanks in advance!

 

[moxie]

You've described a S&W Shield. (But you really only want 3 fingers on the grip!) The Shield is a very nice carry gun.

 

[righteoushoot]

Take a look at the Sig 938 with the extended mag.

 

[usfan]

My favorite carry 9: sccy
1. no safety
2. double stack but thin
3. 11+1
4. small & compact as most single 9s
5. perfectly reliable.
6. inexpensive.. in the $200s.
7. double action

The singles give up too many rounds, imo, when for just a bit thicker, you have double capacity. I have a kahr & keltec in single 9, & the sccy is more reliable than the keltec, & nearly as small as the kahr, with more capacity. You could do a lot worse, but not much better for twice the money.

 

[herrwalther]

My favorite carry 9: sccy
1. no safety

SCCY makes a CPX-1 model that has a thumb safety which would fit the OP's requirements as well.

 

[Spats McGee]

That sounds suspiciously like a 1911 in 9mm. With those qualifications, I'd be looking at something in Commander length.

 

[TomJ]

If your budget allows, take a look at the Springfield EMP. I'd also take a look at the Ruger LC9S if you're considering something striker fired.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Take a look at the Sig 938 with the extended mag.

+1 on the Sig 938.

It is pretty much the only piece that I can think of that is SA and single stack 9mm.

I like the 239 buts its a DA/SA single stack 9mm.
The S&W Shield has some pretty nice reviews and seems like a decent piece, but its striker.

 

[bumbazine]

You might want to look at the Bersa BP9CC also. It's DA but has a relatively light pull.

 

[Just Us]

Walther PPS is another good one to consider.

 

[TwinReverb]

Sig P938 (should be the microscopic 9mm they market). I would've said Glock 43 except you said external safety.

 

[Ernest T]

M&P Shield

 

[jeepnik]

Colt Lightweight Commander.

 

[Pilot]

Hk p7.

 

[jakk280rem]

S&w 39.

 

[C0untZer0]

The Kahr P9 is a single-stack that has a long enough grip for all of your fingers and it comes in a version with an external safety.

It isn't single-action though, it has a fairly smooth double action trigger pull.

 

[Ruger Redhawk]

Take a look at the Sig 938 with the extended mag.

I agree w/ righteoushoot
I have several carry guns but my favorite is the little Sig P938 with the 7 rnd magazine and grip extension. I have big hands and I'm still able to shoot that little Sig well. It's not a target or range gun and it's designed to be carried which mine gets it's fair share of that.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Lots of good choices listed above.

I was in the market for the same exact thing as you not long ago. My budget would not allow me to spend over $350-$400 so I narrowed it down to 2 choices.

Ruger LC9
Taurus 709 Slim

I handled both and went with the Taurus. The thing that it boiled down to with me was the trigger. It is much better on the 709 in my opinion. The Ruger had to be let all the way off to reset, making follow up shots more difficult and slower.

Now since I bought mine, Ruger has changed the triggers to reset much sooner so I don't know that I would make the same decision again.

I can't speak to the Sigs and Shields but if a man needed something in that price range I can recommend the Taurus 709. The only issue I've ever had with it was my fault. The trigger is very good IMO and it comes with adjustable sights. It also has the external safety you're looking for.

It meets your list of needs for a good price. I'd give it a look.

 

[jakk55]

Sorry if I was unclear in OP. I only want a safety with single action. I definitly do not want safety with Double action, and really want DAO if double action.

I've looked into compact 1911s before and always seem to be met with uncertainty as to their reliability. Is the Sig different? Also is it worth the cost? For that price I could get an HK P7.

 

[righteoushoot]

What do you think the cost is? MSRP is $838 on the SAS model. I got mine on Gunbroker from a Top Seller for less than the cost of an average Glock, signed sealed and delivered.

My understanding is that the very early models had some issues. My understanding is that that has all been fixed. It's similar in a sense to the 1911, but it is not a 1911.

 

[C0untZer0]

The Kahr P9 comes without a safety but it doesn't have second-strike capability if that is what you want in a DA trigger - the Kahr is striker fired and if the slide isn't cycled you have a dead trigger.

I've heard good things about the Springfield EMP from people who have them and they run around $950

I can't find a P7 for under a grand and I've looked

 

[SC Shooter]

The Sig P938 is a great carry weapon. It like a Mini 1911 which I am very comfortable with. It shoots well and is very comfortable.

 

[BSA1]

Try a Star Firestar. It has a thumb safety that is in the same location and operates the same as a 1911. It is single action with 3" barrel. Star offers a extended magazine which adds one round in the 9mm and lengthens the grip frame. Overall size wise it is about the same as a J-Frame revolver.

The gun is all steel which makes it on the heavy side. No pocket carry. However it carries very well it a Sparks EX IWB holster. The trigger guard is a bit on the small size. Three models are offered; M-43 9mm, M-40 in 40S&W, M-45 in 45 acp.

These guns are no longer manufactured so you will have to buy used. With careful shopping you should be able to pick one up for around $300.00 (I have seen them listed much cheaper).

I had one, sold it and instantly regretted it so I brought another one which I still have.