Looking to start CCW. Having trouble choosing Handgun.

[PackinSack]

I've decided to start CCW shortly. But I am having a hard time settling on a handgun. So I thought i'd run a few handguns and my scenario by you guys, and get some opinions. I realize that everyone is different, and handguns are a very personal choice. But any opinion right now would be valued as I am at a roadblock. I plan to order a crossbreed supertuck or similar for this handgun and carry at 4:30 or so. I am tall and skinny, and live in a hot environment. So i am usually in shorts and a t-shirt. I've looked at the various "mouseguns", but i am not comfortable with something smaller than a 9mm so .380 and smaller is not being considered. As much as I like a higher capacity, double stacks are too chunky for me, I need something thin and smaller. Also, anything over 25oz unloaded is going to be too heavy. I would not buy a kel-tek (personal choice). Cost for something like this is of no concern to me. These are a few handguns i am considering, would love to hear some opinions and insight on these models, or perhaps others i may have overlooked. Thanks for looking!

Walther PPS .40

Walther PPS 9mm

Some kind of kimber ultra (though i am worried about reliability issues with a 3" 1911)

Glock 36

Kahr PM9

Kahr PM45

 

[HK-Freak]

All good choices, I'd be happy with any of those. You might also consider an HK P7. You can get B-grades for under $500.

Also, don't put too much stock into the whole weight thing. Youtube people like Nutnfancy put wayyy too much stock into that. If you get a good holster (like a Crossbreed) you won't notice 10 more ounces.

 

[DasFriek]

The PM9 is a great ccw gun, The PM45 is even better imo if your used to shooting pistols which it sounds like you are.

Id pass on the PPS's as they just didn't suit me well. I disliked the trigger the most and it made me very inaccurate.

Glock is always good, But thick and many people choose them.

For a small 1911 in the 3"-3.5" ive found three guns that tend to be the most reliable so far from all my research.
1. Colt New Agent
2. Colt Defender
3. RIA 3.5" CS officer - I own one and been very impressed at $425 priced micro 1911 that actually works.

Those are the .45's as thats what i prefer, But the Springfield EMP is a very well known gun for reliability in 9mm.
You need to be very picky in picking a small 1911, Reliability for these guns can be very hit or miss so its best to go with one with a good track record.

As a side note i have a Kahr MK9 wich is just a PM9 with a steel frame on order as my Christmas present.
Kahr's seem to only get better with time and refinement.

 

[AK103K]

What gun do you shoot the best with? Thats the one I'd start with, and go from there.

 

[gearjammer711]

Don't forget about a good gun belt, stay away from plastic inserts :banghead: (IMO).
with a good gun belt you will never notice 10 or 15 more ozs.
but you can't go wrong with a glock 36, I'm a sucker for a 45.

 

[shootingthebreeze]

Glock 36.
I'm partial t0 .45s. Light weight, excellent weapon, reliable.

 

[Shadow 7D]

haha, don't worry, in the end you will end up with a few.

 

[benderx4]

HK P7
Kahr PM9
Walther PPS

 

[JohnBiltz]

Looking at your choices one thing stands out, its not that you can't decide on a gun, you can't decide on a caliber. Make that choice first then; make a list of what traits do you want. Single stack for slenderness, capacity, size, sights. Once you decide that stuff you can narrow it down and start deciding.

 

[red rick]

You have 2 that are on my list, G36 and PPS 9. If I sell my P9 and 340 I am going to get both.

 

[DasFriek]

Looking at your choices one thing stands out, its not that you can't decide on a gun, you can't decide on a caliber. Make that choice first then; make a list of what traits do you want. Single stack for slenderness, capacity, size, sights. Once you decide that stuff you can narrow it down and start deciding.

I gotta agree with this, Even tho its not so important which one you choose effectiveness wise, But it does dictate what gun you can get in the size you need.

9mm is easiest to get small ccw guns in.
.40 is a little harder as makers like to make these service weapons, But still many options.
.45 slim pickings for small ccw guns and you may have to compromise and choose lower capacity for size.

Ammo price has alot to do with picking a caliber for me if its the only gun you will own as you need to practice and will want to shoot as its fun. But if you cant afford $20 a box of 50 .45acp it may be a bad choice.

One thing not mentioned is looking at used guns, Most gun shops will guarantee a used gun to work or you can return it. Mine does anyway. And that way if you dont like the gun you wont loose much on resale to try another.
Usually if you buy a new gun and trade it in and not sell it FTF to another gun owner which gets you more money. The trade in usually only nets you 40%-50% of the original selling price.

IMO despite my first post is you try the smallest 9mm you can find thats quality and reliable. As odds are you will carry that gun more.

 

[JTH]

Time to Carry yet?

I'm also considering getting my CCW/SD. I think where you live, you job and life styles has a lot to do in making that decision. If you live in a huge metroplex, the answer is yes. If you drive a very expensive car and just flaunt look at me, your asking for it. If you're a businessman, where you have to make large bank deposits often, definitley YES.

Now if you live in a rural area and are pretty down to earth person, you probably don't need to carry but you probably always have some type of weapon in your truck.

Probably a very good idea on long trips just in case you break down and stay in motels often. As our economy worsens an it will. It may come to the point of carrying all the time, wherever you live.
JT

 

[PabloJ]

The S&W 3913 'Laddie Smith" is world class pistol that is hard to beat for this role.

 

[jfrey]

Forget all the above and get a kahr CW9. Right price, weight, grip length,carry capacity. The PM9 is too little and so is the Walther. If you want 'big bullets' get the CW45. Can't go wrong with either choice.

 

[harmon rabb]

If cost is truly no object, why not get a custom officer's frame 1911? I'd love to carry a Baer, Nighthawk, or STI. With one of those, you don't need to worry about reliability, because if there is a problem, they WILL fix it right.

I'd want a commander slide on an officer's frame, bobbed grip, some kind of carry melt, checkering on the front strap and mainspring housing, cocking serrations on the slide, etc.

 

[jjboogie]

Kahr PM9 is the way to go bro!



It's much smaller than the G26 and thinner which makes a HUGE difference in concealability!

 

[Strahley]

I used to think weight was super important, but it's really not as important as other factors. I have just a decent holster/belt, and it negates weight easily. I can carry any of my metal guns (for example, my SIG P229 SAS which is ~32oz unloaded) and I don't even notice the weight

I used to have a G36, it was alright. With the factory magazine baseplate it would pinch my pinky. I installed extended baseplates which fixed that issue, but then the gun was almost as big as a G17. So for me, the size/capacity ratio just wasn't there, so I had no use for it

I don't trust the small 1911s, so I wouldn't recommend one

PPS seems to be a good gun, but it's also low on capacity. There are other guns that I'd rather have (that are smaller and have equal/greater capacity)

No experience on Kahrs, but people seem to like them

 

[harmon rabb]

I used to think weight was super important, but it's really not as important as other factors. I have just a decent holster/belt, and it negates weight easily. I can carry any of my metal guns (for example, my SIG P229 SAS which is ~32oz unloaded) and I don't even notice the weight

I used to have a G36, it was alright. With the factory magazine baseplate it would pinch my pinky. I installed extended baseplates which fixed that issue, but then the gun was almost as big as a G17. So for me, the size/capacity ratio just wasn't there, so I had no use for it

I don't trust the small 1911s, so I wouldn't recommend one

PPS seems to be a good gun, but it's also low on capacity. There are other guns that I'd rather have (that are smaller and have equal/greater capacity)

No experience on Kahrs, but people seem to like them

omghi2u.

if you belt carry, weight is a non-issue provided you have a real gun belt. i used to think weight mattered, until i got my beltman belt. i don't even notice the weight of my sp101 when i use that belt, and the sp101 is a big heavy bitch.

 

[FatPants]

I love my Glock 19! Its my main carry piece.

 

[Superpsy]

Out of your choices I would go with the KahrPM9. Great piece.

 

[AustinTX]

I cannot recommend the Walther PPS more highly. It's an outstanding pistol. Terrific build quality, total reliability, and unbelievable accuracy. You can't go wrong with one in either 9mm or .40. I carry a 9mm PPS every day with Gold Dot 124-grain +P JHPs. I've been able to get five-shot one-hole groups at 15 yards out of this gun with the Gold Dots.

The Glock 36 is a very good choice, but it is bulkier and heavier than the PPS.

I, too, would be concerned about reliability with the Kimber. I also think that Kahrs have way too many quality control issues for guns at that price. I don't care for the Kahrs' long trigger reset compared to the PPS, either.

 

[M1key]

No experience with those Walters.

Would never own a 3 inch 1911.

Kahr trigger LOP is too short, and I agree with the QC issues.

That leaves the Glock 36. The best choice, IMO.




M

 

[Hawaiian]

So i am usually in shorts and a t-shirt. As much as I like a higher capacity, double stacks are too chunky for me, I need something thin and smaller.

With this, I would look at the Kahr line.

 

[mustang_steve]

Get the thinnest gun you can fire effectively. It makes concealment SO much easier.

Actually, once you find thickness, get the shortest grip and then shortest barrel you can...seriously, the more compact the less fuss you have to make over dressing around it.

I've actually moved to what some would call less than optimal calibers after getting tired of hauling a 9mm everywhere....whatever you feel works for you, including reliable/accurate performance should suffice (pending on your view of defense...if lethal force is a means to give you the chance to safely leave the situation, or if you're going to stand your ground will make a huge difference on what you carry).

 

[joe_security]

Kahr PM9......Like you said, hot weather. Go for the most concealment. Another plus for Kahr, check out the optional sights they offer on the website. I would get the black slide finish and some of those upgraded sights. I would also obtain another of the flat bottom 6 round mags and carry it as a spare. I dont care for the 7 round with the block on the bottom unless it is going in a belt carrier, not always possible in deep concealment.