Looking For a Carry Gun

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HisStigness

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I am about to take the class to get my permit to carry. Depending on how long it takes to get my permit back, I should be carrying within a couple months from now. I got a Crossbreed Supertuck holster for my Sig P226, and have been trying it around the house. I can carry it at the 4 o'clock position in a t-shirt without printing, except when I bend over to pick something up or reach above my head. This shouldn't be a problem, as I will be wearing winter clothing for the next couple months and sweatshirts for two more after that. Looking forward to the summer months, I don't think I'm going to want to lug around the Sig and risk exposure if I'm wearing only a t-shirt.

This brings me to ask what I should get instead. The problem is that my requirements are very specific, and I don't know if there is a gun that fits the bill. I love the operation of my 226, where I can carry with no safety, but have a heavy trigger pull followed by a nice clean single action pull.

What I want:
-DA/SA operation: I know I'm in the minority, but I actually like this type of operation.
-9mm, 357 Sig, 40 S&W
-A gun that will hold its value: I look at guns as an investment, so I want something that will last and hold its value (that's why I bought a Sig).
-Something just a bit smaller than my 226, which has a length of 7.7" and height of 5.5". I think I'm right in thinking that a reduction in height will help concealability more than reduction in length (so the 229 isn't much better since it's almost the exact same height)

What I don't want:
-Striker fired
-Revolver
-Manual Safety: What's the point if the double action trigger is 8-10 pounds?
-A knockoff brand: Taurus, EAA, Turkish anything
-Something I can only get two fingers on: I want a gun with some substance to it, and some decent mag capacity.

There it is; I've laid out the impossible criteria.
 
I'd suggest going to a well stocked LGS (or three) and see what's available that fits your acceptance criteria. Maybe even fondle a few.
 
You might see if you can try out an HK P2000sk V2 LEM. It's available in 9mm, .40 S&W and .357 Sig (although that one is hard to find you can easily get a drop in barrel from HK).
 
Maybe another SIG? A SIG M11-A1, P239, or P2022 would all meet your requirements. I thought about the P224 but the grip may be a bit too short.
 
We have the same criteria in a carry gun! I love my P6, but not exactly the trimmest package to be carrying. My solution was to go to a S&W 3914. And it checks all your boxes.
Although it does have a slide mounted safety, I ignore that function and use it solely as a de-cocker as needed. I have medium hands and can get a full grip - with no room to spare.
If you want more than single stack capacity, check out model 6906. I think the other option is the already mentioned 239.
 
Have you looked at the CZ Rami? I don't own a CZ but have heard nothing but good things about them. I know they have a decocker, but don't know about the safety.
 
Thanks for the replies. I'm definitely interested in the P239 (how did I not know about it?) and the CZ Rami. The CZ 75 compact might be concealable as well, but is a bit bigger. I think the P229/M11A1 will be too big to carry. I like the idea of the S&Ws but they would require me to find them on the used market (never encountered one before), parts/accessories will be less common than a current gun, and I don't know if I can carry a gun called the Ladysmith...
Any fans of the HK USP compact out there?
 
IMO a Sig P226 is a bit on the big side for a CCW piece.

There are a plethora of firearms made that were specifically designed for CCW. It is the opinion of MANY CCW instructors that a DAO pistol with no safety is a really good choice. Many instructors state that a fairly heavy trigger with as few external controls as possible are preferrable.

Firearms that are made for CCW roles.
Ruger LCP
Walther PPS
S&W Bodyguard
Kahr PM9/PM40
Glock 26, 27, 42
Ruger SR9c, SR40c
There are MANY others.

FYI, Taurus is not a knock-off brand of firearm. While many don't consider Taurus a great gun, they are not bad guns. The Turkish Canik brand is actually a well build gun.

My personal carry piece is a Ruger LCP.

It kills me that people are so worried about having a great trigger when it comes to a CCW piece. When you are under stress in a life or death situation, are you going to be thinking, "gee I wish this gun had a more pleasant trigger".
 
stchman said:
IMO a Sig P226 is a bit on the big side for a CCW piece.

There are a plethora of firearms made that were specifically designed for CCW. It is the opinion of MANY CCW instructors that a DAO pistol with no safety is a really good choice. Many instructors state that a fairly heavy trigger with as few external controls as possible are preferrable.

Firearms that are made for CCW roles.
Ruger LCP
Walther PPS
S&W Bodyguard
Kahr PM9/PM40
Glock 26, 27, 42
Ruger SR9c, SR40c
There are MANY others.

FYI, Taurus is not a knock-off brand of firearm. While many don't consider Taurus a great gun, they are not bad guns. The Turkish Canik brand is actually a well build gun.

My personal carry piece is a Ruger LCP.

It kills me that people are so worried about having a great trigger when it comes to a CCW piece. When you are under stress in a life or death situation, are you going to be thinking, "gee I wish this gun had a more pleasant trigger".
Click to expand...

The reason I am not interested in a Taurus is that they are on the the lower end of mid range quality (their most popular gun, the PT-92 is a Beretta clone). The reason I don't want a Canik isn't because it's badly built, it's because it's not as well built as my Sig. The reason I instantly look to Sig and H&K when choosing a carry gun is that nobody argues that they are of high quality, and they don't have product recalls.

Everyone always talks about how über safe striker guns are, but I just don't buy it. People also like how simple they are to operate, and a DA/SA gun is no different. There are exactly three controls on my 226: mag release, slide stop, and decocker. The difference is I trust the long and heavy (but smooth) double action pull, more than a short and stiff double action pull :eek: . Of course, after the double action pull comes a nice, crisp 4 pound trigger pull. That being said, if I had to carry and shoot a pistol that incorporated the long mushy trigger from a mosin-nagant I could do, and shoot it fairly accurately, but the great part about a saturated gun market is I don't have to!

I know there are plenty of excellent and reliable striker fired handguns on the market, but I don't want them. I have an FN FNS that I like a lot, but I just don't desire to shoot it as much as my Sig. All the striker fired guns I tried have, what I would consider to be, a lackluster trigger. I have no doubt that I can shoot my FNS about as accurately as my Sig, but the desire to practice with it isn't as strong. As we all know: practice makes perfect.

Another thing to consider is that I want a gun of some substance, not something that looks like a toy, for the reasons shown in the thread "Have you ever needed your carry gun?" http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=767811 . This thread proves that you are more likely to draw and scare away a would-be threat than actually have to shoot him. Don't take this the wrong way, but an attacker is going to be more intimidated by my P226 than your LCP.

I'm not trying to discredit any striker gun or anybody's carry preference with this post. If I'm not mistaken, the Ruger LCP is the best selling pistol in the world right now. However, as a free man, I can choose to not to do what everyone else does, because I found a system that works better for me.
 
HisStigness said:
How's the trigger on the P2000? I think V3 would be the one I'm looking for.
Click to expand...


The one I shot had a good trigger for a striker fired pistol. Trigger was superior to a stock Glock trigger. But felt slower, with more travel than a modified Glock. No safety on his P2000. Was an odd shaped gun for sure. Worked well,but may take time to get used to.

OP: Your stuck with the Sig of HK's. Good luck. But if you're worried about safety, also look at the Smith and Wesson M&P pistols. Sure they're striker fired, but they also have a manual safety on some models.

Striker fired is perfectly safe in it's holster. Re-holstering is the tricky part. The plus is you get a thinner, lighter, pistol that outperforms a DA/SA quite handily IMO.

I started off my CCW with a DA/SA as well. I got over it.

Just don't ever forget to decock a DA/SA pistol, Or this happens:
http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=475482
 
The CZ compact line might be worth checking into. DA/SA, hammer fired, and most of them measure out at about 5" in height, which is about the same as a Glock 19 (my ideal CCW size, YMMV).

Triggers probably won't be as nice as your Sig but the ones I've shot were still pretty good, IMO.

I'm also not sure why people keep recommending the Sig 2022, far as I recall its the same height, if not taller, than the 226 the OP already has...
 
Here is your problem: the DA/SA guns tend to be tall. I find the height of the Glock 19 with mag to be very concealable, so I use that as my rule of thumb. All the the 9mm+ P-Series SIGs are over 5" tall (though I think they measure from the bottom of the mag to the top of the sights rather than the slide).

Mitigating the height to prevent printing requires a holster with forward cant. Milt Sparks offers The Criterion with lots of forward rake. The DeSantis Cozy Partner has tons of cant and hides well.

I think the best gun for you based upon your criteria is a SIG P229 in 9mm with flat baseplate, night sights and a trigger job. You will be most happy with this gun. Discounting plastic removes the excellent Glock 26 and various HK guns.

-A gun that will hold its value: I look at guns as an investment,
Click to expand...

Then don't carry and keep the gun in the safe. Carry guns will get dinged up. You had better be training and not suck. Training *guarantees* dings, scratches and high round counts. If your gun is NOT dinged up after training, you're doing it wrong. Keep your "investments" in the safe and your fighting guns in your holster.
 
Zerodefect said:
The one I shot had a good trigger for a striker fired pistol. Trigger was superior to a stock Glock trigger. But felt slower, with more travel than a modified Glock. No safety on his P2000. Was an odd shaped gun for sure. Worked well,but may take time to get used to.

OP: Your stuck with the Sig of HK's. Good luck. But if you're worried about safety, also look at the Smith and Wesson M&P pistols. Sure they're striker fired, but they also have a manual safety on some models.

Striker fired is perfectly safe in it's holster. Re-holstering is the tricky part. The plus is you get a thinner, lighter, pistol that outperforms a DA/SA quite handily IMO.

I started off my CCW with a DA/SA as well. I got over it.

Just don't ever forget to decock a DA/SA pistol, Or this happens:
http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=475482
Click to expand...
Isn't the P2000 hammer fired?

I don't dislike striker fired guns because I think they're unsafe, I just don't buy the claim that a trigger safety makes them that much safer. My FNS has a safety, but as stchman said, it's just another thing to worry about in a high stress situation. I have shot the full size M&P quite a bit and it is a solid performer all around, just not my cup of tea.

The Sig p239 looks like a winner if I had to choose one right now. But since I have some time until summer I'll definitely check out some of the offerings from CZ and HK (if my wallet can handle it).
 
A lightweight, alloy framed CZ-75D PCR would be a great choice. It is about the size of a G19. My PCR is easy to carry, accurate, and ultra reliable.
 
The Hk P2000SK is about the same height as the Glock 26. Install a flat base on the mag, add night sights and you are in business.

The P2000 SK appears to have a hammer. Several youtube reviews show it.
 
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I carry my P226 all the time, it isn't too big at all. For a smaller companion, a P239 or P225 is a great choice. Right now, I'm actually looking to sell/trade my Kahr K9 for a used P239 or P225 to standardize on the DA/SA trigger. I'm prone to short-stroke the Kahr with its long reset and that is no bueno.
 
If only Smith made the Shield with a hammer and decocker. My dream would come true...


Or CZ would make a p-05 (single stack shield sized)
 
I carry a FNH FNP-9 DA/SA 17 rnds with guid rod laser and I really like it but I don't know if they are still making them with a hammer, and sometimes carry a IWI jericho its a sub compact DA/SA with hammer and 16rnds great shooting gun but magnum research own the company now and have made some changes im sure.the CZ Compact would come close to it..But here in oklahoma we have open carry law so my guns do show a little espeacially in the summer time. Before the law changed to open carry I carried a sig 238 in my front pocket. Browning is making a nice sized compact 1911 called the Black Label 1911. 380 9 rnds looks like a nice pistol.
 
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FWIW all 3913 /14s are not Lady Smiths. If you are interested in the RAMI, you will definitely want to get your hands on one to check out the size, as I found it akin to handling a brick. Not anything like the grip of a 75 compact or PCR. I owned a 9mm USP Compact variant 1. Other than the typical H&K build quality, I didn't find it to be anything special. Same size as my P6, and holding 2 more rounds, but I prefer the P6 hands down. YMMV
 
+1 Sig 239
CZ 75 Compact D (PCR)
CZ Rami D
Old school Smith...3913 or CS


Of these, I think the Sig is the only one in .357.


I carry the PCR and 239 very comfortably. I like the CZ a bit better due to ergos and capacity.
 
Consider a good used P228 if you can find one at a fair price
 
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