Good ccw pistols? under $500 dollars [used or new], reliable, ergonomic for a lefty

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Brockak47

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I know I know, it's been beaten to death.

My question is though what is a good handgun for concealed carry? This is my first consideration into carrying a handgun
I am not really set on 1 caliber. I would most likely carry it with an IWB holster as that seems to me the best. I would prefer a decocker as I don't know how comfortable I'd be carrying it cocked and locked. Does this limit me to Sigs?If so overlook this detail for the time being, as I'd like my options open.

this is my criteria:
under $500 dollars [used or new]
reliable
ergonomic for a LEFT HAND shooter
Good sights
not too bulky or heavy
 
A decocker does not limit you to Sigs, but it does limit you to DA/SA handguns.

Are you ok with striker fired guns like Glocks, M&Ps, etc.? Or DAO guns that have no decocker? That'll open up your choices a lot.

As for "ergonomic" for a left handed shooter, I'm not sure if you mean ambidextrous. If that's the case... That may or may not be possible.

If you can find one, the S&W 3913 is a great choice. Ambidextrous decocker, but right handed slide stop and mag release.
 
Last edited:
Ruger SR9c or SR40c. Wife and I are currently rather pleased with the three SR series guns she's bought and they all have right and left side safety and magazine release. None are decocker models but after firing all three several hunders times we have no safety concerns.
 
If you would be open to the idea of a revolver for pocket-carry, I'd suggest a Smith & Wesson 637 or 642 with Buffalo Bore 158 grain lead semi-wadcutter hollow-points.
 
under $500 dollars [used or new]
reliable
ergonomic for a LEFT HAND shooter
Good sights
not too bulky or heavy
Click to expand...

I will strongly suggest that you look at the Kahr CW9 or smaller CM9 pistols.

I own a CM9 that I bought on sale last year for $327 out-the-door. It has been 100% reliable with a wide variety of ammo, is incredibly easy to conceal, and, unlike many small CCW guns, comes equipped from the factory with pretty decent sights.

I will also strongly recommend the Walther PPS, but they generally run closer to $550.
 
Bersa UC 45...fully ambidextrous. Mine has been fired tens of thousands of times and never a single issue.

They also come in 9 and 40 of course...
 
SD40/9 VE (not the sigma) is worth a look.

everything the glock is with a price tag 200$ cheaper.
 
S&W Shield great for carry, flat design, in your price range, very managable recoil, reliable, backed by great CS. How can you go wrong?
 
What ambi-controls are you interested in? As a lefty, I find it easier to hit a mag release with my middle finger, and I don't find ambi slide releases all that useful either. I can hit the slide release on most guns with my finger, but I prefer to slingshot. I carry pretty much anything that doesn't have a righty only safety. Even if it de-cocks, I don't want the safety to accidentally get flipped on while holstered.

Here are the types of guns i like to carry that you can find in your budget:

Any CZ with a decocker, or ambi safety --- PCR, P-01, P-07 Duty, SP-01 Phantom
Sig with decockers P229/P239/P6
S&W J frames (the 642 is my current favorite. I pocket carry it, weak side), 2.5" K/L frames

I like to carry OWB with one size bigger t-shirt, sometimes with an open button up shirt over the t-shirt. IWB carry made my pants look funny.

I like guns with all of the buttons on the left hand side of the gun, away from my body, and out of the way of my ands while I'm shooting.
 
There are many options for you, and I'll give you one more.

The Beretta 84F / 84FS can sometimes be found at or under $500 used, is utterly reliable, and uses 13-round mags where legal. It's a big .380, but has good, usable sights, a long enough sight radius to be useful, and it's all metal except for the grips. The 1911-style safety is ambidextrous, and the mag release can be switched side-to-side like on the bigger 90 series. The F and FS are DA/SA with the safety also functioning as a decocker. The DA trigger is heavy but smooth, and the SA is better than any striker-fired pistol's trigger I've tried. Recoil is quick but easily controllable, allowing hundreds of rounds' worth of practice in a session with no discomfort.
 
I have a full size 1911 but i been in the market for something the size of my Walters P22 to carry, i thought about the Kel Tec PF 9 but i hear bad things so the gun i have in mind is the SCCY CPX-1 Gen 2 which holds 10+1 9mm with the safety on both sides, but it DA only and local price is $299 which is great for a U.S. made gun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47K_Dm9ffww
 
I shoot pistols lefty and I have 3 that I shoot without trouble.
The LCP is very small and concealable.
The SR9c is a great gun, large enough for range shooting, but pretty easy to carry.
 
XD.

If you REALLY want a decocker, look at the Ruger P-series, decock only. No longer made AFAIK, but still around.
 
It may be a little large for concealed carry,but the Stoeger Cougar I just picked up has ambi controls and a reversible mag release. I also love my M&P. Good luck finding one you like!
 
I changed my mind after putting the Kahr CW9 in my hands and it's almost the size of my P22 ..
 
Consider Kel-Tec PF9.

Light, very small / slender, inexpensive, powerful, accurate, mine are totally reliable. Nearly 800 rds. no problems of any kind.

Overall by far the best gun to carry I know of, I've tried most. Using their belt clip I can carry it on running shorts. With the Kel-Tec you'll have it with you when you'd have left others at home.

The only negative I know of is that the mag release protrudes out too far, and there is some molding flash that is annoying. Both are easily cured by sandpaper, a file, and 15 minutes. See also the 'fluff & buff' at teh KTOG site.

When only the very lightest and most concealable will do, try the P32.
 
I have a Kahr CW9, that Is DAO.
Put around 3,000 rounds in a year.
Out the door it was 460.

It was the second gun I bought.

First two hundred rounds had a couple AMMO related issues. Never gun issues.

I love it.
 
+1 for any Bersa


Unless you need extreme concealement then I would go the Kel-Tec route.
 
TurkeyOak said:
I shoot pistols lefty and I have 3 that I shoot without trouble.
The LCP is very small and concealable.
The SR9c is a great gun, large enough for range shooting, but pretty easy to carry.
Click to expand...

I forgot to list what i have...all Rugers...

P-89 decock model ($300 gently used)
22/45 slabside ($250 new)
LCP ($275 new)

None broke the bank, all shoot lefty without a problem.
 
I'll add a + to the Ruger SR compact series. Both my SR9c and SR40c are reliable, accurate and extremely easy to carry under fairly minimal clothing. I can't wait for the inevitable SR45c in a few years.
 
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