help picking a pistol for ccw

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hangovur

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I have recently submitted my application for my CCW (been meaning to do it for years, just finally got off my arse and did it) and I have roughly 2 months (90 day wait here is FLA) to pick my CCW gun.

Currently I own several great guns, but none really suitable for concealment in the hot Florida weather. I am looking for something fairly compact and that meets certain requirements.

- Pistol. Dont like revolvers for carry
- needs to be compact. Jeans and t-shirt, IWB holster.
- I prefer 45 though I would consider another caliber 9mm or above
- has to be hammer fired w/ double action. I cant stand SA pistols
- has to be very, very reliable
- no more expensive than a USP compact
- no larger than USP compact

Considered a Kimber pro carry, but the SA really bothers me. Dont want to compromise on that expensive of a gun.

Also considered the XD compact, but again I dont like only having SA for self defense.

The gun that I really like for this application is the HK USP compact 45. The drawback to this is only 8 rounds. I will NOT be carrying extra mags (Just too much stuff to carry on a regular basis) and this capacity has me a little worried. Also, this is really maxing out my budget for another pistol, already have a bunch so justifying this is a bit hard w/ all the other bills.

1st, Is there another similar style pistol that costs a bit less than the USP?

2nd, should I really be considering the 9mm due to 13 rounds instead of 8? Again, I will NOT be carrying extra mags on a regular basis. Maybe in the truck, but not on myself unless I have reason to believe something would happen.


I really prefer 45, but for this application I am thinking maybe a 40 or 9mm.

Thanks for any suggestions.
 
First of all, is the USP actually small enough to carry comfortably in hot summer days like you said? A USP Compact isn't very compact imho. What's wrong with striker fired pistols? Is it that you want a heavy pull? I'm sure your trigger discipline is good and plus you'll be carrying it in a holster I presume so I can't imagine trigger pull being your reasoning.
 
I bought and tried many handguns before I found the right one for me. Yes, it was a good excuse to buy a bunch of handguns and my wife believed it. I found that the XD40 sub compact met my needs, felt good, is reliable, accurate, concealable and controlable by me.
 
SHOOT BEFORE YOU BUY


Best advice anyone ever gave me.

Of course, I didn't listen and went through three CCW's before I found my current one which you don't want to carry. Tha's cooool.
 
well, the reason I really like the double action is I can leave the hammer down which can serve as another type of safety (for myself and my lawyer if I have to use it) but if the opportunity presents itself I can cock the hammer and have a nice crisp trigger. I just like having both options. That being said I may reconsider the XDc.


as for size, yes the USP is at the upper limit of a carry piece for me. I would like something smaller.
 
I have the xd40sc. The double action only doesn't bother me at all because the trigger is smooth. Might want to check out the Smith M&P as well.

Let us know what you choose. As always, get something comfortable that you will always carry.
 
:what: The reason your passing up the sa triggers is safety?? I have da/sa, sa, and the "safe action"/striker fired pistols. My Kimber is by far the hardest to accidentally shoot.

Just need a good holster and trigger disipline.:D

I needed two pistols for Florida, depending on where I was going. A Keltec PF9 and a Glock 23 in Mtac holsters served me well.
 
*EDIT* Safety isn't THE reason..... its one of a few. I like having the option of DA or SA in the same pistol. I have never been in a life or death situation with my adrenaline going and the idea of DA in that scenario (at least as an option) is appealing to me both in a safety and legal aspect. I may warm up to the idea of carrying a "safe action" pistol as time goes by, but having a DA, hammer fired gun does give me a nice feeling. Again, maybe after I get a lot more time behind the trigger and more time carrying I will feel more comfortable, but for now I prefer having a hammer and DA.

I am definitely going to reconsider the xd 9 SC so I may go with the safe action at the end of the day.





I'm going to take my time and really reconsider the xd. I have an XD 45 tactical for my fun gun/night stand gun and I absolutely love it. Got a buddy that keeps trying to trade me his Springfield Mil spec and I just cant do it.

I'm thinking I just might have to get over the DA thing.

Heading to a gun show in a couple of weeks and have a list of guns to look at

-USP compact (9 and 45)

-Kimber pro carry

-XD 9 sc

-Smith M&P 9 compact (I have generally gotten the feeling these get bad reviews though???)

-ruger LCP (not a fan of .380 but I have to consider this one)

- CZ-75 D? whatever the most compact is. Is there a compact version of the sp-01?

-SIG p250 compact (size is a concern)
 
Sounds like your getting a Sig.......

Don't forget to check out the Ruger sr9, Glock 19,23, Walther PPS.

I loved shooting the xd .45, but it was larger/heavier than it's Glock counterpart in .40
 
I picked up a P345 for conceal/home defense. its a 45, its hammer fired, its reliable as all hell, I been carrying it with jeans/shorts and tank tops IWB and nothing else, haven't been made yet. I go everywhere like parks, movies, restaurants, even in people's houses. I picked mine up for 500 out the door(YMMV on that) and I am not sure if its bigger or smaller than what you said, but I love to carry this thing.
Again like the other people said, SHOOT IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT
 
Too many choices, so little time...

Check out the Smith M&P series (compact, probably), available in .45 or 9. Excellent ergos and service record is short, but good. It and the Springfield XD are a toss-up as to which is better.

Of course, there are Glocks

Taurus PT145 is a DA, striker-fired semi that is pretty slim and still has decent capacity. 10 rounds, I think.

Kel Tec has its P-11 and PF9 in 9mm, the -11 being slim and the PF9 slimmer, yet. Capacity is 11 and 9, respectively. Both have a hammer.

Kahr has several smaller sized pistols in 9 and 40...not sure about .45. Not sure about hammer/striker.

Ruger's SR9 and P345 are good, relatively thin and very reliable.

Have fun...shop hard...shoot a bunch...

Q
 
IDK.. For a auto CCW I carry the XD40 SUB, but im more of a Revolver guy and for that Application I carry the Ruger SP101 .357.... As far as the P345 I own one I absolutely love it and wouldn't sell it but I would never consider it for a CCW.... maybe as a "ride along weapon"...
 
- Pistol. Dont like revolvers for carry
- needs to be compact. Jeans and t-shirt, IWB holster.
- I prefer 45 though I would consider another caliber 9mm or above
- has to be hammer fired w/ double action. I cant stand SA pistols
- has to be very, very reliable
- no more expensive than a USP compact
- no larger than USP compact
Click to expand...

HK USPc
HK P2000SK
Sig P239
 
There's your pistol. Have over 40 handguns, many are Colt's, S&W, Sig Sauer, and Wilson Combat, but I have carrying the SIG P-239 over ten years.

I have two separate barrels my SIG Pistols, one in .40 S&W and the other in 357 sig. Because of tolerances of fit with the SIGS, and the barrels are drop in.

This this tolerances fit on the 226.

357sigBARL01.jpg ​

When held up to four - 48" inch florescent bulbs.

Notice how the barrel hood and chamber does not have any light leaks.

357sigBARL02.jpg ​

The lock work is second to the none with the SIGS.

SIGTRIGGER.jpg

PACKING.gif

​
239WoodN1.jpg

000_0001_0002.jpg ​
 
You mentioned the LCP as a option: "-ruger LCP (not a fan of .380 but I have to consider this one)"


I don't live in FL, but MN summers get pretty hot and I carry the LCP in a pocket holster. Keep in mind that LCP is DOUBLE-ACTION ONLY before buying one.

During winter months I carry a 1911 45acp or a CZ-82 9X18 depending on where I'm going and what clothing I wear.

Btw, the wife and I just picked up a pair of Bersa .380 conceal carry's with Fobus paddle holsters to carry during summer when wearing appropriate clothing.

Bersa380CC001.jpg
[/IMG]
 
How about a Beretta PX4 sub-compact. It's hammer fired DA/SA and available in 9mm and .40
 
CCW search

I too just went through an exhaustive search for a suitable CCW - I live in Tennessee so I too needed something concealable with warm weather clothing. I started with the CZ Rami but found it too heavy and thick for comfortable carry, then went to the pf9 - loved the size and feel but after a few jams and light primer strikes decided against it. I just purchased a Walther PPS in 9mm and so far I think I've hit pay dirt. Very concealable - leaves no imprint in an IWB holster. Only 50 rds through it so far but accuracy and shootability were VERY good for such a small and lightweight gun. The final verdict will be in after 500 trouble free rounds but I'm very impressed so far.
 
Kel-tec PF9 or Walther PPS.
I live in Florida were as most know is hot. I started carrying a 92FS, then to a Kel-tec P-11 and now I carry a KT P32. Hot weather makes the pistol get smaller and smaller.
 
I have three concealed carry guns, choice to wear depending on the occasion: Russian Makarov (10-round Mag) in 9mm Mak, with Gold Dot or XTP ammo; Herter's double-derringer in .357-Mag; S&W Model 632 Airweight shrouded-hammer, double action only .38 Spl+P with Crimson Trace Laser Grips.

The S&W is first choice for evening or night...the laser scares the bad guys, and wherever that red dot is is where the bullet will hit...forget about how you hold the gun or sighting!

Whichever pistol you choose, I recommend you seriously consider laser grips...but they are worthless in daytime.
 
Check out a Para with the LDA (light double action) trigger. They come in 9mm or .45. My wife has the 9mm PDA and it's a sweet pistol. Every trigger pull is exactly the same and at about 5.5 lbs. The Carry 9 and Carry 45 are very similar to hers and being 1911 based, they are very thin and easily concealed. The hammer is spurless.

DSC_0019-1.jpg
 
Just a side comment on magazine capacity: Don't go for the big capacity. CCW is for self defense...you are likely to fire only one or two shots against a bad guy who will "scat" as soon as he discovers his "easy mark" is armed. It is unlikely that you will get in a protracted gun battle. If you think you might...carry an extra mag.

I've never had to fire a shot the three times my guns have saved me from an unprovoked assault...one of them by four young toughs. In each case the bad guys backed off and departed VERY rapidly.:D
 
kahr PM9 or PM45

not hammer fired but why does it matter if your looking for a double action. Striker fired IMO is just even better. The kahrs are super liteweight guns nothing smaller in their caliber class either. The PM45 by some is pocketable. The PM9 for sure is pocketable. I carry one 24/7 in mty front pocket of my jeans every day.

the smoothest of any triggers out there. It is a true doub le action trigger so much like every revolver you have owned.

Allthe others mentioned are great guns and if your goona waist band carryt hen you hve alot of options, but if you thinkingof pocket carry , no sig, hk, usp will do what the kahrs can do..

look up the specs, compare, and like one poster stated SHOOT BEFORE YOU BUY if possable.
 
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