What Should I get for CCW

[BlkGost]

I'm anticipating the arrival of my ccw in coming weeks and was trying to figure out which auto to get. I'm a fan of the 9mm cartridge despite what some naysayers say. My only requirements are

1. Reliable
2. Avg weight (markov is a nice weapon, but heavy as sin)
3. Under 400
4. Compact frame size
5. Non-Glock (nice for duty, not for ccw)

Thanks,

Gost

 

[Bravo11]

I have a Keltec P11 but I have handled the Bersa some lately and I really like them. Some say the .380 is not a good SD round but I think shot placement is the key. My keltec has a heavy trigger and a long pull.

 

[Akurat]

Ive got a FireStorm Mini 9 and love it, so given the choices thats what I'd say. PT 111 or 145 is a close second.

 

[Bainx]

For pure CCW close range point shooting the P11 fills the bill nicely in my opinion. Target gun with nice soft trigger, it ain't.

 

[Highland Ranger]

Smith K frame, HK USPc, Sig anything . . . .

 

[Ringer]

I've come to like my Mini 9 pretty well and carry it on occaision. One thing to be aware of is that high quality holsters are not easy to come by. I currently use a High Noon Hidden Impact for a Glock 30 that fits OK but it's just not my favorite style of holster. I tried the Houston paddle holster on the SGS website and after a week of carrying around the house it scratched the heck out of the slide. Anyways, just something to keep in mind while you decide.

I did have initial reliability issues but they were taken care of. My experience with SGS has been very good as far as customer service goes.

 

[Trebor]

Where are you in Michigan? I shoot at the CCRC range in Williamston and at "Target Sports" in Royal Oak. If you are local to me we can meet and I can let you try out some potential carry guns.

You can try:

Makarov
S&W Model 13 3" .357
S&W Model 65 3" .357
Sig 239 9mm


I also can let you try a CZ-75 and a Browning High Power. They are a little big for carry guns, but there are compact CZ's out there as well.

Btw, of the guns you listed, I voted for the Mak. The 9x18 is not as powerful as the 9x19, but the Mak is a good little gun. I've carried one every day for the last two years. I finally recently switched to a Smith Model 65 .357 loaded with hot .38 HP's. I still have confidence in the Mak, but I decided I prefered a revolver for every day carry. This way I don't have to worry about a safety or the condition of the chamber or various malfunction drills. It's just point and shoot. That, and I went to a more powerful round and will be upgrading again to a .357 load as soon as I settle on a new load.

 

[Nick96]

Of the choices given, I'd say the Kel-Tec P-11. Mostly because it's inexpensive, very light & compact and Kel-Tec has very good customer service (which many Kel-Tec owners have attested to !!!!!). I've never first hand observed any problems with Star products - but they just never did anything for me (seemed blocky & heavy). The Taurus' seem to be a mixed bag. I've heard about equal good & bad stories about them. I've never shot a Mak - and the only first hand observation of one in use I've seen was the thing breaking during CHL qualification shooting (fortunatally the person had a Beretta .32 in the bag that they finished the qualification with). So needless to say, I wasn't impressed.

If you're set on an auto, you may want to check out the S&W 908 (a less dressy version of the popular 3913) that's in the approximate price range you are talking about. Compact & about 25 ounces empty - single stack 9MM. A proven design that's made by a well respected & established U.S. manufacturer. CZ also makes a compact version of their M-75 in this price range. I've read good reviews of these - and I have a CZ clone myself that's proven to be quite good.

Of course though, I tend to favor the small frame revolver - and the S&W 642 .38 is about the best design going with a new price tag of around $350 in this area. Of just slightly larger size but heavier (24 oz compared to the 642's 15 oz) the Ruger SP101 is a .357 Mag that's durable & tolerable enough to shoot magnums out of - though it's a small frame gun. It too can be bought new most places for under $400.

 

[atek3]

none of the above ?

I'd try an xd-9 subcompact or a CZ rami.

atek3

 

[MICHAEL T]

Bersa carries good and very depenable Best buy for the money.

 

[denfoote]

Pistolet Makarova, Comrade!!

 

[cratz2]

For a pure CCW gun, of those on your list, I'd go with the P11.

Having said that, I paid $300 or $320 for my CZ PCR and that is what I daily carry.

 

[tbeb]

I did not vote, because I really don't like any of the choices. I would choose 9mm parabellum over 9mm Makarov and 9mm short (.380 ACP). Nick96 mentioned the Smith & Wesson Model 908. If I wanted a new pistol that size and wanted to spend $400, then I would consider it. I just saw a new one on gunbroker.com for $345.00 plus $20.00 shipping. (You would also have to pay a transfer fee to your dealer. Mine charges $20.00.) A used 908 in very good to excellent condition is worth $265 to $310.

I prefer 9mm, and my choice for pocket carry would be the Kahr PM9. I didn't want to spend that much. FWIW, I settled on a 5-shot, 2-inch barrel, 16-ounce, .38 special revolver.

 

[Black Snowman]

See if you can find a way to try the differant guns out and that will really help sway your decision.

I went with CZs. Now if my state will just get CCW already!

 

[Zeke Menuar]

Out of the choices I would go with a Bersa or a Makarov.
Having went through the same process a few months ago I stumbled on a CZ-83. It's heavier and a little bulkier.
It came with two 13rnd hi-caps. Hi-caps make the extra weight acceptable. Fit and finish is first rate. The trigger on mine is excellent.
If there are any in your area it might be worth a look. 13+1 is always better than 8+1.


ZM

 

[mmay1]

Given the choices, I would go with the Makarov, with the Bersa as my second choice. While the Mak is a little heavy I do not find it a problem to carry and prefer a little heft anyway. My Mak is very accurate at close range (as is the Bersa). Outside your choices, I like the Sig 239 in 40/357 Sig, which is what I carry, but you could have 2 Maks and $ left over for the price of the Sig!

 

[Ky Larry]

I didn't vote. IMHO, CZ makes a better gun than any you listed. If you want a .40 S&W, try the CZ RAMI. If you want a 9mm, check out the CZ PCR or CZ P-01. If you want a .380 ACP, try the CZ-83. YMMV. Good luck.

 

[justin2992]

Cheaper:
1) Seecamp 32
2) Keltec 32 or 3AT
3) Kahr PM9

Expensive:
1) Rohrbaugh R9s
2) Seecamp 380

 

[Ala Dan]

I voted for "Thunder On The Mountain"

with a new Bersa Duotone .380 ACP. For $199 OTD, you can't beat
it with a stick!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[one eyed fatman]

XD9 subcompact

 

[TK73]

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

After visiting excellent THR discussion forums as a visitor for a couple of months, I've decided to join just yesterday. I have learned a lot of things I didn't know before here.

Once again, a big "HI! HOW ARE YOU?" to everyone out there. Thanks for accepting me as a new member. I am looking forward to participate in many discussions in the future.

Dear BlkGost:

I've voted for the Makarov pistol as, because I think, from the pistols listed it's probably the toughest, most reliable and most "battle proven" weapon. The former Warsaw Pact forces would probably never have issued a firearm that didn't withstand an incredible amount of abuse and neglect in the field or a gun that suffers from frequent small parts breakage. It's my "you-probably-can't-go-wrong-with-this" choice.

The choice is up to you, of course, but when it comes to a 9 mm pistol for daily carry I have always thought, the sub-compact Glock 29 in 9 mm x 19 (or the Glock 27 in .40, for that matter) is one of the most useful, all-time carry pistols available.

For me, a second option would be either a S&W M3913 or the somewhat more inexpensive S&W M908.

(Another gun I thought highly of as a carry gun in the past is the Walther P5 Compact. It's out of production for a couple of years, so it's probably difficult to locate. In the U.S., this gun was very expensive, so it's not fair to include it as viable choice.)

Just my personal opinions. Thank you for allowing me to share them.

Stay safe!

 

[nwiniewicz]

Another Vote for CZ...

Fellow Michigander here....seconding the earlier CZ recommendations. I currently use the CZ P-01 for my CCW. It is a great shooter, and eats whatever I feed it. Accurate, reliable, and sized to carry makes a great combination. IMO, the CZ's rank up there with many of the other bigger names but can be found for less $$$$.

 

[David4516]

I'm a huge Makarov fan...

I started out like you, looking for a cheap gun for carry... I had intended to replace it latter with a nicer gun, when I had more $

But I ended up liking the Mak. And the more I shoot it, the more I like it. So now I have no plans to replace it... in fact I'm thinking about getting a second Makarov...

 

[Sistema1927]

I love the Maks (have 3 of them) but I wouldn't carry one every day due to weight. Of the weapons you list, the KT P-11 would be my top choice.

However, I can't recommend highly enough the Kahr PM9. It is light, powerful, reliable, and I carry mine either in a pocket holster or IWB and almost forget that it is there.

 

[DigMe]

Another write-in vote for the Springfield XD-9 subcompact. Great gun, reliable, inexpensive and there are already a lot of accessories, holsters etc already available for it out there.

brad cook