Hello :) A question about 9mm CCW

[Monkeybear]

I have decided to flex my second amendment mussle and own a handgun. I will start off with a 9mm and because I do not typically have money to spare (college) I need to get the right gun the first time. I am 6' and just shy of 200lb, not all of it extra fat. I want something that I can take to the range, that I can trust with my life and something that I can conseal while wearing a T-shirt. I have gone to a gun show, some stores to see what they felt like and I have noticed that the SA XD felt good in my hands. Anything that feels similar would be nice to hear about.

I have narrowed it down to these and would like anyone who owns one or more of these just to let me know how you feel about these guns and keep in mind I am trying to get the most gun for my money.

SA XD 9mm w/nitesights http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_24/products_id/13369
CZ 75 P DCR http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_82/products_id/21636
Kahr Arms K-9 http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_51/products_id/27370
CZ RAMI http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_82/products_id/11849

 

[RiverwinoIA]

im also in college, and wanted a concealable 9mm.
I went with the kahr k9, and am very happy with it. It conceals nicely on my frame (5'9" 155lb), so it should disappear on yours.
the simple DAO trigger /no safety is a big plus for a concealable defensive handgun. Just grab, point, click.

bought mine used over www.auctionarms.com and it totaled $450 after everything.
I feel very happy with my purchase.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

All four of those models are well-liked by many folks on this board. Just type the model name into the Search engine (on the green bar at the top of the screen), and there's plenty of threads to read on each of those models.

At your size, any of those should be easy to carry with a good holster.

Solid call on the 9mm for affordability and utility. If the superiority of other cartridges was so clear-cut, folks wouldn't argue about it for years on boards like this.

Have you actually shot many of these pistols? Before buying, it'd be a good idea to find a shooting range to rent a model first. If you can't try them out locally, you'll just have to buy it yourself. But if you can find a range with a good rental selection, that'll really help to make sure that you like a pistol before buying.

Welcome aboard THR, good luck buying your first gun,

-MV

 

[Monkeybear]

There is one range that I can find that will rent out guns but they dont carry any CZs and from what Ive heard wont rent to inexpierenced shooters, though Ive yet to call them.

I am really interested in the P DCR, but something about those Factory XD nightsights at that price just makes the decision hard to make, plus I like the feel of springfields. On the other hand Ive yet to hear or read a single bad thing about the CZ 75, and it seems to generally be reguarded as a higher quality pistol than the SA XD. Hard to say.

 

[OSS]

I just bought a 9mm sub-compact XD last weekend. It sure does feel great in the hands. I am also about 6' 1" and 200lbs... (also a poor college student!) Unfortuantely I haven't recieved my holster yet, nor have I had a chance to go to the range with my new gun (that's what tomorrow is for).

I don't think you can go wrong with the XDs. Check out www.hs2000talk.com - that is the "primary" forum for XD / HS2000 owners. You'll probably see some users complaining abour "rust" problems - but don't let that scare you off. I think it was a quality control issue with the first runs of XDs, but Springfield seems to have corrected the problem. I left mine in the car for four days after I bought it when it was rainy and humid, and there was not a speck of rust to be seen.

I'll be sure to post a range report tomorrow after I go shooting! Let me know if you have any specific questions about the gun.

 

[armoredman]

CZ PCR or PO1. Fantastic guns. BUT, pick up and hold all your choices before you buy, and make sure they fit you. Just because my PO1 fits me like a custom made glove doesn't mean it will fit you that way. I will say I have never ownde or shot a better pistol, and I used to work at a rental range.

 

[Jiml3]

I own the CZ PCR and I also can tell you it is an excellent choice. It is an alloy frame and comes with a de-cocker. I prefer it over the P01 because it does not have the light rail which I have no need for. The Kahr is also an excellent choice. The CZ-PCR sells in the $400. range which is a great price for a great gun. The springfield feels nice but is too bulky for my tastes.
Before making a decision, see how each one feels in your hand and go to the company's web site to see and compare the specs.

 

[middy]

All of those choices are fine handguns. Pick the one you shoot best if you can rent some examples.

Try a Glock 19 or 26 as well, you might like it.

 

[Monkeybear]

only place that rents dosnt have CZs and dosnt seem to rent to inexpierenced shooters, havnt really found a store that has some CZs and the Kahr I listed but I have only been to a few hunting stores that carry mostly long guns.

 

[Pilot]

+4 on the CZ-75D "PCR" or P-01. I've owned a PCR for years and love it.

 

[Falconeer]

Well people have mentioned Glock (outside of your original list) so I have to go and mention Sig. Seriously, the CPO (certified preowned) Sigs are probably in your price range and great all around guns. Find someplace you can give them a handle and see what you think.

But +1000 on what people have mentioned regarding finding something you're comfortable with. Saving $50 or spending an extra $100 on a gun you'll never shoot is just not a good idea.

 

[Nitrogen]

If you are really worried about concealibility, you might want to look at a single-stack.

Having said that, I've got the XD-9 sub and love it. I'm reasonably accurate with it, and I can conceal it with whatever I happen to be wearing. The more important question to be asking, IMHO, would be, "What kind of holster should I get?"

 

[Black Majik]

If you are really worried about concealibility, you might want to look at a single-stack.

Ditto that.

For me the ideal single stack 9mm would be, The SIG P225 and/or P239

 

[Northslope Nimrod]

PCR!

Great choices!

The Kahr is great for strictly CCW. But for a great weapon for all purposes is the PCR.

I own a RAMI and highly recommend it. It gives you the option of Cocked & Locked. I REALLY wish the PCR had a manual safety. It is on my short list to buy.

I think you will enjoy the PCR over the RAMI for shooting.

 

[f4t9r]

any one would be a good choice
Want a great choice look at SIG , your frame will cover it

check them out and get what feels right !!!!!!

 

[Monkeybear]

I went to another gun store today and finally, finally I have found a decent one. I went to Collectors Firearms off of Fondren on the SW side of Houston TX and I was very impressed. I had heard some negitive comments about this stores prices and customer service and let me tell you they were wrong, best service Ive had so far, out of 4 stores and a gun show finally someone treated me with respect and took me seriously. Good prices too, a bit higher than I could get online but Im still gonna support them, gotta have a good local gun shop, you know.

I digress, I held a few guns and asked to dry fire them and I like the DAO trigger for some reason, maybe I just have strong hands but its not hard at all and SA dry firing was too easy for comfort. I finally held a CZ and I liked it and I liked the placement of the slide release. The gun that felt the best was wather 9mm autoloader. The only problem was the trigger was just in between the tip of my finger and the first joint, most of the others rest right where the first joint is so it felt a bit odd, and the slide release was just a bit too far away from where my thumb was, but then how often will I need the slide release? It just felt too great in my hand to dismiss, Ill be looking more into wrather.

I worry that a single slide will feel too thin, the PCR felt just a little too thin to me, but all in all I need to go back, its just too hard to tell with only holding them for a few minutes each. When I felt how good the walther was I decided that it was time to do my homework and start reading about other brands before I could make an educated decision so I left. After some more reading and searching for a gun rental range. I started this looking for about a 300$ 9mm and now Im looking at guns that can cost as much as twice that, oy

 

[ezypikns]

Honest, I don't work for these folks......

but check out the great prices on CZ and EAA 9mm pistols.


www.cdnnsports.com

 

[albanian]

All good guns. The K-9 would be the easiest to pack. The SA XD-9 is a great choice as well and holds a lot more shots. Another good one is the S&W 3913.