Help picking a concealed carry

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sinduda2

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Hello I am looking into concealed carry pistol that is concealable on my body. I am a skinny guy so it's hard to find a great gun. Looking for a
Semi auto pistol with 7+ rounds (plus one or two mags. But I I need more than that or even that I probably shouldnt be in the area to begin with) prefer .40 or.45 but 9mm would do just gotta make sure placement is right. Looking to carry right side hip or front apex carry. Just looking for opinions so I can narrow the search down.
 
I owned a Taurus Slim for my CCW. It was very concealable and had a 7 rd mag. It was very accurate for a small auto. But too many FTE's.(failure to eject). I even sent it back to Taurus for a couple of months and was told it was fixed. It was not. In frustration I traded it for what was my second choice in CCW 9's and that was a Bersa Thunder UC 9. I love that gun! This is the second Bersa I've owned, the first being the .380. I've not had a single hickup from either Bersa. The Bersa is double stack with a 9 and a 13 rd mag and isn't as slim or small as the Taurus but is a great, great handgun for under $400.00 bucks. I highly recomend one. For a $100 bucks more you could get a CZ Rami or compact CZ 75. Either of which would be outstanding as all CZ's are.
 
I would recommend the walther PPS, fits your criteria. Also Kahr makes very slim pistols but I do not have practical experience with Kahr firearms. On the other hand I do with the walthers and they are very reliable firearms. With semi-autos there are many variable that could cause FTE as mentioned sometimes just the wrong kind of ammo to limp wrists, to actual quality control issues in manufacturing. You can never go wrong with a 1911 for a slim gun.

http://www.waltherpistols.com/category/594-Walther_PPS_Handguns.aspx
 
I carry a CZ PCR, which is a bit thick. No problems hiding it or Glocks or much else, and bookwork and Oreos just recently conspired to break me over 130. You just have to dress for it.

I can second these other guys' recommendations, but I will say the best way to go about it is to go hold everything you can, fire what catches your eye, then check if you can hide it.
 
Though it has only a five-round single-stack magazine, the new Springfield XDS in .45 looks promising. It was due out in March, so should be making its rounds, so to speak, shortly. As was mentioned, Bersa makes an excellent 9mm pistol; I have the .380 one and can swear by it's construction.
I carry the Kel-Tec PF-9, and have done so for right about two years now, having carried the bersa before that. It's worn strong-side hip (which is left side for me.) At 12.7 ounces empty, it's about as small and light as I'd want to go in a 9mm handgun, but the Diamondback DB9 is even smaller. The Ruger LC9 is a tick heavier and bigger, so it might feel a little more solid to you as well.
A lot is also gonna depend on what you actually like and do well with in a handgun, such as whether or not you like 'em heavy (all-steel), polymer-framed, double-action, DAO, or single-action (1911-style opens up a lot of choices, and can be quite easy to carry.) Happy hunting..!
 
light weight single stack 9mm i have used/owned are the kel tec pf9 and kahr pm9. i like both guns and both guns have given me problems. just say they don't run like a glock 19/26. if you don't have a lot of money the pf9 is the way to go. if you got a boat load of money then the pm9 and/or the cheaper cm9 is the way to go. both guns will need a good break in with over 300 rounds. both gun are funny on what type of ammo they will shoot the best.
 
I have a similar build and slimness is key. Hip carry is out, it will show easily. I've found 4:00 to work the best. My current carry is a Sig P239 is .40. That, a Kahr CM9/40, PM9/40, PPS, 1911 would all be good choices. When it comes to concealing the big thing is thinness and grip length. For the most part barrel length isn't an issue. I also consider 9mm to be the minimum carry round. Whether it's 9, 40, or 45 shot placement is key. The chances of one being more effective than another while using quality ammo in a typical self defense scenario is slim at best. Bring barriers into the equation and things change. Also a quality holster and gun belt are key to comfortable carry.
 
sinduda2 said:
Hello I am looking into concealed carry pistol that is concealable on my body. I am a skinny guy so it's hard to find a great gun. Looking for a
Semi auto pistol with 7+ rounds (plus one or two mags. But I I need more than that or even that I probably shouldnt be in the area to begin with) prefer .40 or.45 but 9mm would do just gotta make sure placement is right. Looking to carry right side hip or front apex carry. Just looking for opinions so I can narrow the search down.
Click to expand...
You didn't mention a budget, so in your specified calibers I would recommend the Ruger LC9, SR9C, or some of the smaller Springfield Armory selections. In the sub-compact 9, .380, reliable feeding is a common problem, so do your research!

LD
 
CC

I've had several small handguns ie Walther, Keltec PF9's & PF11, Kahr etc. etc. I'm back to Glock 19 & 23 most of the time. The Glock 19 & 23 is very little bigger, higher capacity, reliable, accurate, inexpensive. And magazines are a huge plus. They are available anywhere, cheap, can keep them loaded forever and they work forever. The 19/23 will also accept several different capacity mags up to 30 or so rounds. They both are simply great carry pieces.
 
Thanks everyone for the quick replies. Like I said the reason was to slim down the choices which you all helped with. I will have to now find gun shops that carry them so I can get a good feel in the hand, carry, and at the range with a test fire if possible. I appreciate the help also gonna add to the list is the new glock 27 (if there are no recalls on it like I found out on the 23) and the ruger sr40c. Hopefully will get back to you all in a month or with what I went with and info on what I liked and disliked about the above suggestions. Stay safe everyone
 
I have had a 3913 S&W(never left), M&P9 and 9c (both sold), Glock 26 & 19 (sold both and bought them again), PF9 twice (sold twice), CM9(sold) the list goes on. I recently repurchased a Glock26 and have since carried daily. I like the 3913 and fits your criteria. I carry the 26 because I while I like the 19 in the appendix position the shorter barrel makes a great difference in comfort while still giving me 10 rounds and will accept the higher capacity mags. I find I shoot the 26 better than the smaller PF9,CM9 guns. I dont fault those guns they are great. I just found them both too large for pocket carry and find the 26 easier for me to shoot and just as easy to carry.
 
So many pistols fit the criteria you've listed that it would be hard to narrow the list of possibilities. I would recommend that you go to a range that rents handguns, or that you invite a number of friends who own handguns to a range -- or both. Then bring along an ample supply of ammo and test-drive the candidates. Before long, one or two will feel better than the rest; then test-drive those until you find the one pistol that best fits your hand ane eye.

That having been said, I'd recommend that you look at either the PPS or the P99C by Walther. Both are excellent concealed carry pieces.

Good luck in your search.
 
I prefer my Glock 19 over any of the single stacks I've tried. Put a mag of RA9TA in it and no worries. Conceals as well as any of them as well. I prefer a shoulder holster under my shirt, YMWV.
 
We have a P9 & PM9 also 2 P380s. I now carry the P.380 instead of the P9 most of the time when it is hot. Depends somewhat on how safe I feel at where I'm to be. Greater the perceived threat, bigger the gun.

The P series Kahrs are kind of pricy and are built to be shot a lot. Takes 4-5 boxes of 50 just to get them started on the breakin.

I have a Bersa thunder .380 that fits well in my pocket. It is S/D action and has never missed a beat, takes all comers (ammo), even when dirty.
 
I've had great luck with subcompact Glock....either G26 or G27.
with a good holster and belt, and sensible clothing....conceals easily and is a true "fighting" gun......unlike some of the tiny pocket pistols.

I also drop a j-frame into the pocket for back up in .357 magnum!

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Before you make any decisions...check out the new XD-s .45 Auto....

I just got an email yesterday from Springfield:
The XD-S will ship with two back straps (one on the gun and one extra), a holster, a double magazine pouch, padded case, two five round mags, a cleaning brush, and cable lock. As for the ship date, we are hoping to see them start shipping in the next couple of weeks.
Click to expand...

Have a great day!
Dawn Oleson
Range Program Coordinator/
Dealer Assistance & Response Team
Springfield, Inc.

I am already waiting on one....these are going to be awesome (my opinion) for CCW

Buds has it listed for $509.00

http://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/springfield-armory-xds/
 
I have a Ruger SR40c and its a nice little gun. I did my first extensive carry today on a 3 mile walk on a trail near the house and had no issues with it or my new IWB.
 
If you reallly want .45 then a Ruger P345 sounds like it will fit the bill.
 
I love my Glock 36 .45 and my wife's Kahr CW9.
20120401100155.jpg
Have fun picking out one. Lots of great ccws on the market. Lots of people looking to buy too. I noticed there were 2 lines of people 3 to 4 people deep waiting in Sportsman's Warehouse last weekend to look at a handgun. Could be the time of year but nobody was looking at the long guns.
Thanks,:)
Rod
 
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There are about as many choices in a CCW as there are opinions. Pick the one that fits you and works for you. I like the Ruger LCP, LC9 and the Bersa Thunder, these are just three of the many guns that are out there. Find the one you like and practice with it.
 
Well I think I am going to go with the glock 27 gen 4 with the mag extension for grip and an extra round added. Also will upgrade sights and trigger.

Now anyone have a good COMFORTABLE appendix carry holster they would recommend?
 
a slim, light, simple to use, easy to shoot, and releiable gun are the S&W 39XX series guns. 3953 is DAO or the 3913 if you prefer a manual safety. each can be had for about $350.00
 
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