looking for first ccw pistol, suggestions (i know, i know)

[shrewd]

so, as you can probably guess, i'm new to ccw and am looking for a good weapon. i'm sorta set on a single stack 9mm (single stack because ill be paranoid about printing, 9mm because i already own a 9) and have read all about the PPS (current fav), kahrs (still waiting to try one) and some others. i don't much like the LC9 and such.

Anywho i stumbled across a post a few days ago reviewing a mini eagle or some such and it looks pretty interesting. then another thread about the 3rd gen S&Ws in single stack. it made me think that i've only been reading about the big guys such as walther and sig and so forth.

what other guns are out there for me to while away the long hours at work reading about?

 

[Zerodefect]

What pistols do you currently own?

Kahr is a safe bet. Just don't expect it to perform as well as a Glock or 1911 when it has a slower DAO trigger. Most of the smaller 9mm's give up some shootability, leaning more towards concealment, less towards performance.

My Kahrs work well, but for CCW I'm sure to use hotter ammo. Like +p 9mm or even +p+.

Look at:
Kahr PM9, Mk9, P9, K9.

Dan Wesson Guardian (if you can find one in 9mm) or CCO if you don't mind upgrading to .45

HK P7 USP

 

[shrewd]

i have a cz75bd police in 9, and a ruger blackhawk .357, my only two handguns.

i've heard plenty good about the kahrs, and i mean to try one, and i really really enjoyed the pps, my question is just to see if theres any other lesser known guns out there that i need to check out that get lost amidst the lc9,glock,kahr,walther,keltec hubbub

 

[Zerodefect]

Not really. Kahr has the tiny CCW market locked down pretty well lately. Allthough Compact Midsize is wide open to all kinds of options.

The Kahr trigger is a bit stiffer, requires less travel than the DAO Walther I shot. I don't remember if it was a PPS. I think it was a midsize instead. That Walthers trigger was less like a Glocks and more DAO feeling.

If the trigger requires proper trigger finger placement, I generally don't like it. The Keltec PF9, P11, S&W J frame etc. need proper trigger finger placement, otherwise I can't get the gun to go off (run out of finger travel if I stick my finger too far in), or my shots are way left. The Kahrs are a bit more forgiving.

Kahr gets a bonus point because Dawson offers custom sights for them.

 

[Lonestar49]

Springfield Armory EMP 1911 9mm will last

...

They're a bit of an - investment



But SA EMP 1911 SAO single stack mag 9mm, 9+1 w/ low profile 3-dot night sights, 3 mags, nice grips, factory wood or otherwise in a 3" Bull barrel is an ongoing tack driver.



Sig P225n/r single stack 8+1 9mm vs SA EMP 1911 9+1 single stack








Small, balanced, light weight for any ccw needs, and thin

OMMV, but not many..



Ls

 

[hardluk1]

Don't forget the Kt pf-9. I own several smaller pistols for carry. My everday go to is a pf-9. Great CS if needed great web site support. Can be bought now for 245 at a good dealer. Not fun to shoot at the range but that goes with any truely lite weights and does it job well and carries in pockets of most jeans or casual pants. I have run around 2000+ rounds with NO problems.

I also own a kahr cw-9. Nice pistol to carry in a holster and shoot well for a lite pistol at just under 19oz. Conceals well as it is also a very flat pistol and 3 fingers fit on it in most cases. price can be closer to 400 or less. I have a glock 27 too. Great shooter with the 9mm convesion barrel in for practice an a side view is about the same size as the KT and kahr BUT it is one darn thick pistols. Got a good deal used but wish it now was the G26. Not as easy to really hide if you only wear t-shirts and jeans. I know there are now a couple pistol smaller in size than the KT pf-9 butm not lighter. Anyless grip area would not be easily controlled and thats my problem with the baby sig and baby eagle + price. Want something I can grab guickly and still control. To small could be trouble. Good luck with your choice. Maybe depending where you are members would like you try there 9mm's.

 

[mljdeckard]

I would have no problem carrying the CZ.

 

[vaherder]

Walther PPS for single stack. Also take a look at Walther P99C. Significantly better options then the Kahr, CZ, Sig or PF9

 

[InkEd]

Go with the Kahr. The Walther is okay too. I just can't stand it's mag release.

 

[wow6599]

Kahr PM9 or CM9

 

[Smaug]

Stick with your gut, and get the PPS. I haven't read of many (any?) one who owned one not liking it.

Kahrs are kind of mixed. From comments I've read here, they can be finnicky. But the owners are very vocal about how great they are.

IMO, .380 ACP is a great CCW cartridge. Bersa Thunder 380, Walther PPK, PPK/S, Beretta 84 or 85, Sig Sauer P230 or P232 come to mind.

9mm is more potent, but 380 is actually fun to shoot in this size gun, while 9mm gets old pretty quickly. The fixed barrel designs are inherently more accurate than the floating barrel designs, although the floaters are admittedly accurate enough for self defense.

Here's my old Bersa 83:








and fresh from the range:

 

[rellascout]

When you are looking at a new CCW it is all about feel in the hand IMHO. You want to hold the gun. You want to draw the gun from your holster or at least type of holster which you will be using. IWB or OWB. For me feel in the hand and pointablity help more guns choose me than I choose guns. There is no universal right choice. The Walther PPS in 9mm is a great gun if it fits your hand and points well then go for it.

Take your time and shoot the guns you are interested in if at all possible. I have made my fair share of purchases without properly handing the gun and even others that felt good until I actually shot them. The CZ75B, HK45, HK USP come to mind. Nothing wrong with them just not for me.

I would stick with 9mm because not only is it a higher power round than the 380 auto it is cheaper to shoot by about 50%. I can get 9mm all day long for about $10 a box it is hard to find 380 auto under $15.

What is the budget for this purchase?

For value it is hard to beat the value line Kahrs.

CW9 is about $370
CM9 is about $440

IF you are going hi $$$ it is hard to beat the EMP but you also have to be comfortable with C&L.

 

[shrewd]

unsure of budget yet. I guess "normal handgun price" of around 500 or so, but willing to drop more if I really like the gun (ie walther)

 

[G.barnes]

I carry a sig p220 full size everyday in shorts and loose t shirt. No one ever sees it. If your carrying iwb don't worry as much about printing as getting something you can shoot enough to get very comfortable with. If your looking for pocket carry then that's different. Remember grip length is more critical than barrel length

 

[Frozen North]

Don't totally rule out double stacks unless you have really given them a chance. Some of the compact and subcompact plastic guns are excellent concealed carry choices.

Unless you have special circumstances, it is pretty easy for anyone to hide a gun like a Glock 26. You can get 12+1 rounds of 9mm is a really small package. Sure they are a little chunky, but they are not nearly as thick as people make them out to be. The trigger ain't great, but it is far better than a DAO. I have not met a DAO trigger I could live with yet.

If you just can't drink the Glock cool aid yet, try the M&P 9c. They are a great second option.

+1 on the Bersa 380. I have a Bersa Thunder 380 CC. It was the best $200 I have ever spent on a gun. It is flat, light, and the trigger will surprise the heck out of you. If you can live with 380 and have to keep an eye on the budget, these are hard to beat.

 

[jfrey]

I had a kahr CW9 and it was a good pistol. Just didn't inspire 100% confidence with anything but factory loads. Factory ammo is expensive and I reload so I expect anything I shoot to run my loads too. Had problems with OAL and had to load seperately for the Kahr.

Long story short: I recently traded for a Glock 19. Conceals almost as well with t-shirt and shorts. Eats all ammo I feed it without being picky. There isn't much you can do to a Kahr, except shoot it, to polish it internally. Glock has all kinds of after market parts and gizmo's to make it shoot the way you want it to. I tried the Sigs, Ruger's, and others. The Glock just felt the best to me.

Handle them all and see which one suits YOU the best.

 

[wow6599]

There isn't much you can do to a Kahr, except shoot it, to polish it internally. Glock has all kinds of after market parts and gizmo's to make it shoot the way you want it to.

I don't understand........what gizmos are we talking about?

 

[jfrey]

You can get almost all the internals except the frame as a replacement part. There are even other frame configurations from other companies if you want to go that far. You can get tube type sight mounts, stock extensions, fancy compensated barrels, and red dot sights to fit. Companies like Lonewolf Dist. and Glockmeister sell all kinds of stuff for Glocks. Most of it you can install yourself or by a competent gunsmith.

Not bashing Kahr at all but if you need some internal part replaced, you send it back to the factory and they replace it for you. You can get the parts but no one I know has the special tools needed to do the work.

 

[straightshooter9]

I dunno....don't like GOCKS.

I've been mulling over the same dilemma as you, a CC and HD....
went from a SIG SP2022 to XDm9 compact and next I'm either going to a P99c (AS) but probably a PM9 or a CM9.

These are VERY popular guns with dedicated owners (like Glock),
so there is obviously a reason they sell TONS of these!

 

[dcarch]

I would wait to see how they shake out quality-wise, but the new SIG P290 looks nice. That could work very well. I would also check out the Kimber Solo, the LC9, and of course the CZ.

 

[helitack32f1]

If you like the PPS, I don't think you would go wrong with it. There aren't many thinner 9's out there. If you want something a little smaller and just as expensive you could try the new Kimber Solo 9mm. Very nice little gun. I would also recommend the Ruger SR9c if you get a chance but that PPS is an awfully nice gun!

 

[Remllez]

Except for a tad bit more weight it's very hard to beat a Makarov. They are not too heavy for comfortable EDC and that little extra junk in the trunk makes em fun shooting at the range. They are dependable and durable and the 9mm MAK cartridge is not hard to find in decent SD loadings.

Mil-surp prices are still reasonable making them a good alternative for concealed carry. I have one I carry from time to time and am still surprised by their accuracy. Not many people carry them anymore though. Mine is Russian and has the red Bakelite grips and adjustable sights. I have shot close to 2,000 rounds through mine with nary a hiccup.

 

[gbelleh]

I'd stick with a Kahr PM9 or CM9, or a Kel-Tec PF-9 or Walther PPS. Single stack 9mm is a great choice for CCW. Especially if you're new to carrying and worried about printing. Anything bigger and you might be uncomfortable and paranoid, and possibly even leave it at home.

I can't carry anything bigger under a t-shirt without worrying about printing, and I've been carrying for over 7 years now.

 

[Vigilantis]

I was looking at a German police surplus SIG P6 at the gun shop the other day, they wanted about $400 for it. It was in good shape, and seemed like a nice enough gun, you might want to give one like it a serious look. I ended up leaving with a S&W 5906, but I didn't care about single vs. double stack magazines.

The 3rd generation Smiths are also really nice, obviously.

Oh, and since you already have a CZ, you might want to look at a P-01 or 75B Compact. They're double stack, but I don't think they'd really be that difficult to conceal.