Pick my CCW

[whatever]

I'm pondering starting to carry and I'm looking for a decent auto to fit the bill.

Here are my requirements:
1. No more than a 9mm - I plan to shoot a lot and ammo isn't cheap.
2. A safety is a HUGE plus
3. Easily concealable
4. "Fun" to shoot - like I said, I plan to shoot quite a bit to hone my skills and I want to be able to stay at the range for extended sessions.
5. Ideally under the $300 mark, but $400 is do-able.
6. New or used

This will not be my home defense weapon, so that isn't a concern. It will mainly be my in-the-car and around-the-town weapon.

I really like the idea of the P3at, but I just can't see it being a fun gun to shoot for extended periods of time at the range.

 

[trueblue1776]

get a 9mm if you want to shoot a lot for cheap, it doesn't get any cheaper than 9mm (except for 7.62x25). Get a used Kahr or Glock. The Bersa Thunder makes a good carry gun on the cheap and you could afford a new one.

 

[ARTiger]

CZ 75D PCR is about the ideal CCW 9mm IMHO. If you need smaller, I like the Walther P99c.

 

[ugaarguy]

$300-400, 9mm, with a safety. A used metal frame S&W jumps to the forefront over the bulkier Berettas and Rugers. S&W made them in a variety of configurations, and there are tons of them on the used market. Most are in good shape, many will be police trade ins with typical holster wear, and all are still covered by S&W's lifetime warranty.

 

[Deer Hunter]

CZ Rami

 

[MICHAEL T]

9mm Bersa or a used S&W 3913 . The smith is a great pistol just a tad larger than a PPK/S and 9mm. My #1 choice in 9mm.

 

[skud_dusty]

From what I hear, you almost can't go wrong with a Bersa.

Another option is the Stoegar (sp) Cougar. Owned by Beretta, made on their old machinery, a very nice pistol.

You could get a decent Hi Power in that price range.

CZs are nice weapons as well.

It's too bad I'm not in the market for another 9mm, there are so many GREAT examples out there.

My advice, go to the gun store and fondle EVERYTHING, and I mean everything. The right weapon will hit you like a ton of bricks the second you touch it. It's really an amazing thing to watch, I helped a gentleman out the other day in finding his first pistol, which he wanted to CCW. He ended up with the Stoegar, and said as soon as he felt it he knew it was the one.

 

[glockman19]

I say a Glock 26. Glocks make the best 9mm. If you'r lookingfor any other caliber check out HK, Sig, and Kahr. The best gun for the money you want to spend and the most reliability and the easiest to conceal is S&W 642/442. if you don't mind a revolver.

It is the choice for many CCW holders

 

[chris in va]

2. A safety is a HUGE plus

Why? It would be a detriment to a new shooter/CCW.

Look at a CZ PCR or P01.

 

[Black Snowman]

One of the CZ compacts used (PCR, Compact, P-01, etc. . .). I like the Compact because it can be carried C&L. RAMI, even used, will probably run you more than $400. Used or police trade-in Glock 19 is very viable as well and can be had with night sights for under $400.

 

[tnieto2004]

Cz 75b

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The Taurus PT-111 Pro... You can buy one for ~ $300 NIB and it's a great pistol.
http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=18&category=Pistol
http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=24&category=Pistol

 

[jeepmor]

+1 on the Taurus PT111. I think I paid about ~$310 out the door for hers last christmas. It has run flawlessly, has a manual safety, long heavy DA trigger pull and has a firing pin block so the firing pin can only hit the primer on a chambered round if the trigger is pulled, otherwise there is a physical block in the way in case it is dropped.

And although lots of folks hate them, it has the key lock on the slide so you can make it non-functional when locked. I think this is a good option for those that don't want to invest in a car lock box, but want the option of leaving it in the car. I personally don't use this lock mechanism, but have checked it's function, and it works. This might be particularly good if you have children around the home.

 

[jeepmor]

+1 on the Taurus PT111. I think I paid about ~$310 out the door formy wife's for christmas last year. It has run flawlessly, has a manual safety, long heavy DA trigger pull and has a firing pin block so the firing pin can only hit the primer on a chambered round if the trigger is pulled, otherwise there is a physical block in the way in case it is dropped. Is this the safety features you elude to?

And although lots of folks hate them, it has the key lock on the slide so you can make it non-functional when locked. I think this is a good option for those that don't want to invest in a car lock box, but want the option of leaving it in the car. I personally don't use this lock mechanism, but have checked it's function, and it works. This might be particularly good if you have children around the home. But if CCW is the role you want, it should be on you, not in your glovebox. Unless your going to the post office or such.

Beyond Taurus, I would look into all those mentioned. Once in a while you can run across the old S&W Chiefs Special autos and revos for under your $400 price point.

 

[Soybomb]

For your requirements I'd say look for an older used s&w pistol, maybe a 6906

 

[swbinak]

Stoeger Model 8000 "Cougar" 9mm Parabellum...........

MSRP is approx $350, you can sometimes find them between $299 and $325.

 

[skud_dusty]

Seems like a lot of people like how the Stoeger handles as well. I know quite a few that have them

 

[Exmasonite]

+1 on the bersas...

i don't know what your definition of "safety" is. i love my springfield XD 9 SC. has a trigger and grip safety. might be on the high end of that price

also look at the taurus line (millenium, etc)

also... considering your budget, be sure to set aside some $$ for a good holster.

 

[pax]

Consider a used XD-9.

pax

 

[WinchesterAA]

Little bit over 400$, but a nice pistol AFAICT. (anyone have opinions on this one?)



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SPECIFICATIONS

* Type: Pistol
* Action: Double Action Only
* Caliber: 45 ACP
* Barrel Length: 3.5"
* Capacity: 7 + 1
* Safety: Thumb, Grip & Internal Firing Pin Block
* Grips: Black
* Sights: Three Dot Sight
* Weight: 32 oz
* Finish: Stainless Steel

Buds Item Number: 11454


Para PXT LDA Single Carry .45acp 3.5" 7 round Stainless **SPECIAL
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[CountGlockula]

Glock 26, nuff said.

 

[Juna]

CZ 75D PCR.

You might be able to get a used one for a good deal, but I can't imagine why any idiot would sell one. It's phenomenal, especially for the money.

 

[Northslope Nimrod]

I just bought the P-01.

Concealable and Pleasure to shoot:
P-01 or PCR ($469 +)
BHP (even more)
1911 in 4 inch 9mm (tons of $$)

Well, not too many inexpensive concealable guns come to mind that are a pleasure to shoot.

I would recommend Makarov....it is even under your price...but it is 9x18. But a Mak cannot compare to the above pistols in pleasure. I love my Mak, but its snappy. My BHP is nothing but smoooooothhh....

 

[BADUNAME13]

CZ

 

[Geronimo45]

Everybody makes a 9mm. Most folks seem to make good ones.
There's CZs - the P01 and PCR models.
There's used Sigs... which can run for low prices.
Beretta 92s - going around 400-ish.
FN's FNP9.
Taurus PT92s, and several other models.
One of the EAA 9mms. Very cheap, and folks seem to like the 10mm models.
Then there's Rugers, Smith & Wessons, and others - but I don't know a thing about them, or their prices.