Suggest a good DAO pistol for me...

[esquare]

Okay folks, I'm looking for a pistol that has the following qualities:

Double action only
Exposed hammer
Metal frame (preferably lightweight, aluminum)
Single stack
Smallish (3-4" barrel)
Caliber: >=9mm
No external safety (ie, a switch, I don't mind other safeties like grip, etc)

Most of the pistols I know of are either 1911 pattern, DAO striker fired, or polymer. Point me in the right direction please!

 

[jaysouth]

S&W 3d Gen DAO, 3953, 5343, etc.

Sig DAK

Unless you have the hands of a gorilla, stay away from Beretta 92D

 

[sidheshooter]

S&W 3953, indeed.

Got mine already...

 

[9mmepiphany]

Sig 239 DAK

 

[SpaceFrank]

DAO with an exposed hammer may limit your options. The only one coming to mind is the Sig P250, but it's double stack.

 

[1SOW]

Sig 239 = a 100% match to your list.

bbl=3.6"

 

[AZGlock13]

Yep, the P239 9mm DAK. Mine shoots and carries mighty fine. Some say the P239 9mm is a little heavy for a 8+1 single stack pistol, but with a good IWB holster and a good quality gun belt, you can comfortably carry it all day long if need be.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

This has S&W 3953 written all over it. The hammer is flush with the slide, however. I don't know of any DAO hammer-fired gun that has a full hammer spur, which is superfluous anyway.

 

[varoadking]

S&W 3d Gen DAO, 3953, 5343, etc.

What's a 5343, Jay?

 

[esquare]

I think the 3953 is what I'm looking for. I just want to exposed hammer so I can put a thumb on it while holstering. Also, it's a lot easier to show a new shooter how the gun works if there's an exposed hammer they can see working - it makes more sense to a lot of people that way. I know, it's a small thing, but why not.

 

[sidheshooter]

So, about that 3953. First off, if you went SIG, I'd be the last to complain. Both will do.

That said, my #1 go-to these days is the 3953-as others have mentioned, that little gun fits the bill to a T. I love mine-slim, great handling, and it has fed everything I've ever put in it. A bit of trivia about that hammer; it is flush with the slide when not "preloaded", which is to say, the racking of the slide presets the hammer slightly. It is not a pure DAO with second strike capability.

The side effect (the main effect being a sinfully smooth-and short-DAO pull) is that you can tell if you are GTG just by feeling the back of the slide. If you can feel the spur, you're ready to rock. If the hammer is flush, it's a good idea to overhand the slide before moving on to anything serious. I love this feature-once you are familiar with the gun, you can check for readiness in the dark with more ease than with any of the typical "loaded chamber" protuberances that modern guns seem to have. Plus, there is that "custom tuned" revolver-like pull...

At any rate, based on your OP, I'd eat a stainless OEM 8-round mag if the 3953 didn't satisfy. It's worth a look. Plus, the 239 holsters will generally fit.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The 3953's hammer is still visible. Also, when "cocked" it protrudes very slightly above the slide; when "at rest" it is slightly below the slide. If your trigger catches on something when reholstering and your thumb is on the hammer, you would be able to feel it rise. This action does not have "second strike" capability; if the hammer should fall on a dud round you have to cycle the slide to reset it.

 

[joe_security]

They used to call it a cone-head hammer. Those S&Ws are sweet pistols. You will not regret the purchase. It was also said that the DAO trigger pull was comparable to a custom tuned revolver.

 

[DarkSoldier]

Due to a torn shoulder, I can't reliably draw and fire my 1911 Colt .45 with my strong (right) hand. Till surgery and rehab gets me back up to speed, I'm using my S&W 3953 as my EDC primary with a Sig 238 as my bug. The Smith 3953 is light enough that I can draw and fire it with my right hand unsupported if I would have to and, since it's a slick slide, its left hand friendly as well.

My 3953 is one of the few auto loaders I've ever owned or used (of any caliber) that has yet to have a failure to feed or fire, and I bought it new almost twenty years ago. I'm sure someday it will have a hiccup but so far it has a 100% reliability track record. That and the ultra sweet trigger and spooky good accuracy make it self defense solid gold in my book even though I generally prefer a .45. (I have a S&W 4586 that I used on the job for years but, like My Colt, it's still to heavy until my shoulder is healed.)
As I said, I prefer a .45 but I'm very comfortable with the little Smith and good modern 9MM JHP ammo. I don't feel under gunned at all.

If you can find one, I think you will be well served by a 3953. There are a bunch of great nine's out there but the 3953 is certainly one of the best and it fits your criteria to a "T". Good luck with your search.

Respectfully,

DarkSoldier

 

[Gelgoog]

Kahr K9. IMHO they make one of the finest single stack steel pistols out there for CCW. DAO is also the best I have ever felt, and the gun just fits like a glove.