Underrated EDC handguns?

[Mr. Mosin]

Big ole fat bullets at moderate velocity and low pressure.. gets it done ... and the Charter puts it in a compact package

Bout a 200-250grn bullet, in a caliber starting with a "4", at just under 1k fps has been proven time and again to be an excellent man stopper.

 

[George P]

HK P7; single stack, somewhat heavy compared to polymer guns but is it OH so accurate..............

 

[Gary A]

I have always believed the now discontinued Sig P290rs to be a very under-rated carry gun. With its six round magazine (which I don’t like particularly) it’s very small. With its eight round magazine, you get a full grip and lose little concealability. It’s very thin and quite accurate at self defense ranges. The DAO trigger is heavy but feels much like a decent double action revolver. It is reliable and as safe to carry as a double action revolver. I admit I rely on a j-frame or a P238 more often because they are even smaller and lighter but if I want a bit more punch, my P290rs with 8+1 works very well and gets my vote for under-rated EDC.

 

[JR24]

Ok, I've had it long enough to add it to the list, since prior to looking for the specific package I was largely unaware it even existed.

That being the HK45c. With the low profile baseplate it is almost exactly the dimensions of the Glock 19, but the slightly more rounded/tapered slide and grips conceal better (I find the Glock 19 my ideal carry size). 8+1 .45 ACP with 10 rounds back-up mag in a package that shoots, in my hands, almost as well as a 9mm in various rapid drills and is just as, if not more so, accurate out to 25 yards as my beloved 1911s. I find recoil considerably softer than the Glock 30/36 and more pleasant than even my steel 1911s. I like it so much I'm considering picking up a second, backup/dry fire, gun and possibly a P2000sk for deep concealment. Probably need to sell off another 1911 or Glock to fund em

Everything I need, except if I happen to want more than 9 rounds in the gun, then I guess the Glock 19 can come back out.

 

[Kleanbore]

And these late nominees are underrated by whom, and for what reasons?

 

[Slamfire]

Make mine a Taurus Snubbie:



I am only aiming right, because my flinch was pushing the pistol to the left. Which accounts for the real wide shots. This pistol is more accurate then me.



This one fits right into vintage J frame holsters.



And this one fits right into vintage Colt Detective Special Holsters

 

[Gary A]

And these late nominees are underrated by whom, and for what reasons?

I considered the P290rs under-rated because the original P290 had some issues and was priced quite high and the pistol was often criticized for its heavy DAO hammer-fired design and because its sales languished and it was replaced by the immensely popular striker-fired P365. It’s not the trend but, IMO, it fills its role well. Hence, under-rated.

 

[JR24]

And these late nominees are underrated by whom, and for what reasons?

Considering today's market for CCW, the lightweight, small, .45 is getting increasingly frowned upon, high recoil and low capacity in a world where a CCW 9mm offers a smaller package, less recoil, higher capacity and a round that is just as effective, or at least very nearly so.

Add in the HK is DA/SA, phasing out for striker fired guns, has the notoriously heavier HK trigger (noticable compared to my Sig DA/SA triggers) and a larger package than many folks would want for a CCW, the stock baseplates are not good for concealment either.

It's little wonder many/most folks would disregard it as a carry option in today's world, and, frankly, I didn't even know the model existed until recently and I'm on gun boards and CCW discussion quite a bit.

So in short. Big for many to consider CCW, a non-1911 .45 in DA/SA is often overlooked or disregarded in today's ever shrinking CCW market.

 

[Terry G]

The Polish Radom P-64 is PPK sized, and fires the very respectable Makarov 9MM X18MM round. At a fraction of the PPK price. (if you can find one.)

NOT the P-64! I had two brand new, UGH! Trigger was heavier than a Nagant revolver if you can believe that, and didn't recoil, more like kicked like Hell. Sights were impossible. Sent both back for a refund. It's noteworthy that AIM sent my money back with no questions asked. The Makarov's are great with the same 9X18MM round, and the CZ 82's are the, well, the CZ's of the 9x18MM Family. I'd carry, and have carried both the Makarov's (German, Bulgarian and Russian) and the CZ 82's for CCW.

 

[Kleanbore]

Considering today's market for CCW, the lightweight, small, .45 is getting increasingly frowned upon, high recoil and low capacity in a world where a CCW 9mm offers a smaller package, less recoil, higher capacity and a round that is just as effective, or at least very nearly so

So that one is not highly rated.

Is it rated lower than it should be?

It would not be my choice, for the reasons you have cited.

 

[JR24]

So that one is not highly rated.

Is it rated lower than it should be?

It would not be my choice, for the reasons you have cited.

I think so, indeed. It carries and shoots as well (or near enough) to a highly rated CCW, Glock 19 (or equivalent sized 9mm CCW). I'm a big fan of the Glock and shoot it as well or better than much "better" guns so a .45 putting out similar hits and times as my favored 9mm is good performance. Size looks too big but concealment, again for me, is easy.

Just in my own experience I went from summarily dismissing it's similarly sized USP45 compact brother for the various reasons I listed to carrying one over a more highly rated Glock 19, so I absolutely undervalued the option. Relative lack of popularity leads me to to believe most others have as well.

 

[Old Dog]

That being the HK45c.

I'm a fan of this pistol too, but I'm not sure anything that's become somewhat of a darling in certain SOCOM circles can be considered "underrated." Granted, it's sort of a secret stamp of approval, but one that carries some weight...

 

[JR24]

I'm a fan of this pistol too, but I'm not sure anything that's become somewhat of a darling in certain SOCOM circles can be considered "underrated." Granted, it's sort of a secret stamp of approval, but one that carries some weight...

I guess if you run in those circles, I didn't learn about any of that till after I bought one.

It was kinda neat to learn after though.

 

[sparkyfender]

I have seen several used Beretta Cougars in .40 for sale as well as a couple of Sig 239s in .40.

Not cutting edge or a preferred caliber, but would defend a person admirably.

 

[Average Joe]

Ruger LCP and LC9s are my go to EDC guns.

 

[pairof44sp]

Here are two:

Repro SA revolver.

There is a “felon carry” channel on Youtube that goes into this. Surprising amount of firepower for a “felon-legal” mail order gun.

Beretta 81 surplus

Shoots like a duty pistol. A pair of them cost only $400 during the panic. All rounds hit the target, even if you are a terrible shot

 

[Jim NE]

Putting emphasis on the "underrated" part of the discussion (as opposed to "not currently popular"), I'd say revolvers are gradually becoming more and more underrated as time goes on. Narrowing the revolver category down to underrated calibers, .38 Special would probably be the most obvious choice. There's a wide range of loads and bullets available in that cartridge. The .44 Special is also a potent defensive round that's overlooked.

Among brands of small CCW or snub nose revolvers, older Interarms era Rossi's may be among the most underrated. The model 68 and it's stainless cousin the model 88 - both five shots in .38 Spec. - are my personal favorites. The best in my collection are as functionally good as any of my Smith and Wessons .38's and better than some. But Rossi hasn't had consistent quality through the years. Even in the Interarms era there was some variance, but most Interarms era guns are going to be plenty good enough to get the job done.

 

[Pudge]

I think the S&W K frame is underrated for concealed carry. The J frame and its clones get so much love, but I can conceal a 3" K no sweat, and I shoot it better than the 5 shooters. If people talk about a CCW 6 shot .357 it is always a Colt or Kimber, almost never a K frame S&W. Make mine an M65 3"RB.

 

[browneu]

Browning BDM, it is the thinnest double stack 9mm I've ever held.

 

[LeftyRed]

I wouldn’t feel underfunded with any of the small single stacks that were all the rage just three and four years ago. Gen 1 Shields, G43/42, LC9 & LC9s, 709, or the like. They are still worthy choices and often overlooked for newer higher capacity models.

Just because it’s the newest, doesn’t means it’s the only thing. Plenty of old Ruger P Series and Gen 3 SW autos that served well and will still do the job today.

Lefty

 

[daniel craig]

The Yugo m57. Very thin, not as heavy as you’d think.

 

[Anchorite]

The Yugo m57. Very thin, not as heavy as you’d think.

I keep searching for one to experiment with.

 

[tarosean]

I like it so much I'm considering picking up a second, backup/dry fire, gun and possibly a P2000sk for deep concealment. Probably need to sell off another 1911 or Glock to fund em

Fixed for ya..

 

[Legionnaire]

Guns in my carry rotation that others might look down on:
Ruger LCP
Charter Arms Bulldog
Ruger SP101

 

[mrmike7189]

One is proven and sold by the millions.......the other gets looked down upon. S&W Shield 9 and Bodyguard 380.