Weigh in on these CCW options

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hcker2000

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I'm looking for a 9mm DAO for concealed carry and have put together the following list. The reason I'm going with 9mm is that I already have a 9mm carbine and its nice to be able to use the ammo in either.

My max budget is $600.

Here is my list.

Kal-Tec - PF9 - $280
Diamondback - DB9 - $360
Beretta - BU9 - $450
Taurus - PT-111 - $340
Bersa - BP9 - $350
Sig Sauer - P250 - $390
Ruger SR9C - $450
Sig's P290 - $500
Kahr CW9 - $400

If you own one of these please let me know any ammo issues or other issues you have had with it.

If I have missed any that you think should be on there please let me know. Also if any one in central ohio has one of these firearms or knows places that have them in stock let me know as I really would like to test the feel before purchasing.

Thanks a bunch every one.
 
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I have added it to the list. I would like to try and keep to the 300-400 range and save the rest of my money but if it means the difference between an ammo picky gun and one thats not I will spend the cash.
 
Thats interesting that the Walther PPS also has a trigger safety are you sure its DAO?
 
One you might want to add to the list is a Kahr PM9. List price they are more than your budget but I have bought two used for under $600 and I absolutely love that gun.
 
They did have a kahr or two at my local gun shop last night when i stopped by. I will keep that one on the back burner for now.
 
I only have experience with the SR9c - and that experience was VERY positive.

I've heard good things about the Bersa, and even considered buying their 380 a little while ago. I love to buy American made, but the Bersas have made a decent name for themselves over the last several years.
 
If you like long very smooth DA trigger systems, move the KAHR Pm9/CM9 high up on your list.

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Kahr CM9 or CW9(slightly larger). Both very easy to conceal. Well within your price range. Excellent DAO trigger. I have both and so far have not found any ammo that causes them any problems.
 
The single stack, DAO Ruger is the LC9. It is extremely reliable, eats anything you feed it, and has a trigger pull that feels longer than the experience of sitting through the Twilight movies to get points with the girlfriend. I have owned the LC9 and PF9. I would trust the LC9 with my life, if I had to. Thankfully, I don't. That trigger is just too long for my liking. The PF9 was a nightmare for me. It failed to extract about 40% of what I fed it, across multiple types of ammunition. More than 200 FTEs in 500 rounds fired. There are people who will suggest that it may be due to limp wristing. I won't say that isn't a possibility, but... It is the only firearm that I have ever experienced a stop with. If anything, owning it was a positive experience. I became very fast at clearing stops.

I now carry an SR9c for my light clothing carry weapon, and I couldn't be happier with it. It is flawless through more than 2,000 rounds, and the trigger is great.
 
I would highly rate the Kahr PM9 as one of the best designed and truly compact DAO 9mm.s for CCW. In a slightly larger size gun I would go with the Ruger SR9c. The Taurus PT-111 is also a decent choice though I never really did get use to the grip angle or the sights as well.
 
How is the recoil on the Ruger LC9?

My father in law has the P95DC and I'm not a fan of how the recoil feels. Its some kind of two stage spring I'm guessing as it feels almost like two rounds have fired.
 
I was in the market for the same thing, and yesterday, I put down a payment to reserve a Ruger LC9. They're supposed to get one in this month and said they'd hold it for me.
I've not shot one, but have handled one and really like how they feel. They're a lot smaller than the SR9 series.
 
The Sig P238 has the laser, the Sig P290 doesn't, I carry the P238 strong side, and have a cross draw coming for the P290
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If your a Large person, the P250SC should be considered. you go from 6/8 rounds with the P290 to 12 rounds with the P250
 
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W/respect that the P11 wasn't on your list of consideration(s) I thought I'd include it anyway as it's been a solid performer for me.

My P11 was purchased used @ 325.00 from a local gun show. Got some Copper Only Projectiles 9mm 115 gr. +P JHP for 22.00. Box of 25. Pricey, but it's my carry round. Have since gotten a variety of FMJ rounds from different sources all at a fair rate of exchange. Have put over 200 rounds through so far. No problems at all. Nylon and cloth 'Miami style' SH for 15.00. Good for winter CC, but for fair weather not so much. A friend gave me a nylon clip-on holster, recently that I'll use when the weather breaks.

It's a little bigger in the grip as it's a double stack thereby making the imprint larger, but I'm glad I got it. If you do find one and decide yes make sure you include getting at least one extra mag as having just one is a PITA.
 
Hello hcker2000 ! I have a PF9,very light and concealable iwb about 1:30 position. It is totally reliable with any fmj bullets,not so much on hp's.Definitely a cq type pistol,that is snappy ,but controllable and has a good trigger.
I also carry a Sig p250. It's thicker than the PF9,but holds 12+1 vs the PF9's 7+1. It's more my heavy clothing pistol than a Summer rig, totally reliable with any brand and types of bullets I've tried.The trigger is smooth as an old target pistol and it's easy a 25 yard shooter.
The only issue I have with either is that the Sig P250 is a bit harder to carry in the Summer heat with just shorts and t-shirt. The PF9 is much more concealable as it's so thin and light.........Get your $ together then get both. No one single side arm has all the advantages that you can have with two similar,but slightly different carry pieces ! I've been carrying concealed legally since 1972,so I really believe my opinion should be of some help to you.
 
The first choice would be the PM9 if you can find a used one in your price range. After that it should be a LC9 or for a slightly bigger and better choice the SR9c, both of which are in your price range. And yes it is possible to get used to the loooooong pull of the LC9, besides the recoil is minimal. Good luck.
 
DB9 is self destructive. It literally is designed for only about 700 rounds. I had all sort of failures with it.

Look at the Kahr CW9. Incredible dao and only around $350. Mine has been perfect since day one.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
 
Kahr seems to be very popular so far. Thanks for mentioning the FMJ vs HP rounds as I need it to feed reliably with both.

I am a bit larger guy and normally ware pants + tshirt or shorts + tshirt. I don't think I will have to much problem concealing any but the larger guns.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned any thing about kal-tech yet from every thing I have read people like them.
 
If you're set on a double action trigger, there is the Kahr CM9 or CW9 ($400). I've done a decent amount of shooting with a friends CW9 and it's honestly the nicest DAO style gun I've shot. Most of the small DAO style guns are hard to shoot well and the Kahr is not. Its more like a revolver trigger.

There's also the Sig P250 ($450) sub compact. I don't know much about that one, but its in your price range.

But my favorite one on your list is the SR9c since that's what I own and carry. I have approximately 8500 rounds through mine, mostly reloads. The trigger on the SR9c is more like a light version of a Glock trigger. It's not anything like a double action if that's what you are looking for.

I have concerns about the quality of the Diamondback DB9 and the Kel-tec PF9. I would go for the Ruger LC9 if thats the style you want.
 
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Please also let me know what kind (FMJ or HP) or brand of ammo your using as well.
 
I understand the Springfield XDs is now (or very soon to be) available in 9mm.

The .45ACP version is fantastic.
 
I LOVE my CM9... I originally wanted a CW9 but since the smaller one was in stock it went home with me along with an extra 6 and extended 7rd magazine.

I've shot around 500 rounds of a mix of federal, wwb, aguila, and Remington 115gr ammo, and aguila 124gr as well all FMJ. Then I've shot federal, Remington, and speer JHP ammo through them all(about 200 JHPs total, mostly winchester).

The ONLY issue I had was the federal 115gr fmj in the 7rd magazine only. Would nosedive into the feed ramp every few shots. I measured all ammo and it was longer OAL than all others by about 0.012" IIRC. Not a single problem with hollow points which are most important IMO.

Trigger is awesome, I shoot this tiny gun better than my 1911 during slow concentrated fire.

Only gripe: front sight breaks off. Budget $50 for a trijicon front that you can install yourself with a screwdriver.
 
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