Looking for new CC gun... any suggestions?

[telpinaro]

My current/first gun ever just decided to break (it's a revolver... from Italy), thus providing me with an excellent reason to go and get a second one. I'm basically a toothpick (very thin), so I was thinking a semiauto would be easier to conceal, especially since it's summer and I don't particularly want tons of layers. I don't really want to drive all over the state looking for ranges that rent the ones I'm interested in, and was hoping someone here would have some suggestions to help me narrow things down!

I'm thinking 9mm (I'll save the 45s for a full size I can take hiking with me!)... my revolver is .357mag and wow is that expensive to shoot nowadays. Something I could use to practice without going broke would be good. I'm not terribly fond of the idea of tiny pocket guns. I have tiny hands but very long fingers, and already they can get in the way. I'm rather interested in Springfield XDs or M&P Shield, possibly Kahr CM9 or Ruger LC9. Heck, anything around that size that I'll enjoy shooting is good. I'm definitely the type that would forget I have a safety when I needed it off, so something that either doesn't have a thumb safety or one I could leave off would be fine. I'm not a fan of stiff triggers... the Beretta the military used when I was in was so bad I couldn't finish the qualification without switching the finger I was using to shoot with. On the other hand, my DA revolver is fairly heavy, but very smooth, and I'm good with that.

So... any suggestions? Anything I haven't thought of yet, or are there some I could eliminate?

Thanks!

 

[devo-j]

Sig Saur p238

 

[ingeniir]

I enjoy carrying my CZ P-01 IWB. It won't ever be as light as the polymers but I don't find myself noticing it anymore. It's a joy to shoot and by far the most natural pointing firearm I have shot so far.

On a side note. If you enjoyed the .357 and have cost as the only reason to not buy another, you can always shoot 38 special for practice from a .357.

 

[draagonja]

I currently carry a full size S&W M&P 9mm that I love. However, I'll be switching to a S&W M&P .40c for conceal carry as it comes back (ordered last week). Shoots great, and is small enough to conceal.

 

[telpinaro]

I shot an M&P full size... loved it. However, I really am a bean pole... no idea how I'd conceal it. 5'9" and 120 lbs; hard enough to conceal the one I already have. I'm looking for something easier, so hoping to stay compact or sub-compact. Full-size will be my third gun... when I save enough!

Also, I got some 38 special to practice with... but the gun broke too soon. Stopped firing after 44 rounds! Too bad, so fun to shoot... Must be a manufacturer issue; at least it's still under warranty.

 

[CarryInNewYork]

XDs if you want a tiny 9mm. I got a Glock 26, but I'm much larger than you (same height, more round) and I'm happy with it.

 

[hestes]

The XDs is a great gun. I've only shot the 45, but it's very accurate. I carry an XD Subcompact 9 95% of the time. When it's not that one, it's my XD Compact 45.

 

[WingRider]

I currently carry a Ruger SR9C. I love it. Everyone I've had shoot it loves it. My 11 year old daughter shoots it, if that helps with hand size. It's accurate, recoil is very manageable, and the trigger is pretty nice. I've shot the XDS 45, a Taurus in .40, .380 S&W BodyGuard, Ruger LC9, and several others. For me, recoil matters. If I can't shoot 100 to 200 rounds at the range and feel great, it's too heavy. I have a 4" .44 Magnum that I love, but the recoil is a bit heavy to get back on target fast, and 100 rounds would be brutal.

Of those mentioned above, I really disliked the LC9 and the Taurus .40. The recoil and grip were uncomfortable for my hands. The .380 was small, and recoil was easy. And it was accurate. The XDS 45 is heavier recoil, and I wish it had a rubberized grip (that would help). That said, I'm in the process of looking for a smaller gun. I'm not sure I want to introduce anther caliber (.380) into my collection, so I'm considering the Kahr CM9 (9mm). I'm told many police carry those off duty or as BUGs. Sig makes a super nice .380 as well. Also considering a Kel-Tec PF9. The Kahr is really narrow, but the grip feels good in my hand. I dress 'tight', meaning tucked shirts. Width of gun matters more than length.

Other things to consider are if you want to add night sights, a laser, etc. My SR9C had to go to a Gunsmith to add night sights. It was really not trivial. But it has a Picatinny rail. On the other hand, my Ruger LCR has a night sight. I'm more accurate point shooting it vs. using the sight. I recommend people don't get the LCR with night sight now if a less expensive version is available. Hope some of that helps. - WingRider

 

[Cowbilly32]

I like my Glock 23 (compact) which is .40 S&W (not as cheap to shoot as a 9mm but knock-down power for personal defense is greater - sure to be debatable by some). No external safety, 13 +1, lower profile than a revolver and like a revolver...pull the trigger and it goes BANG.

Best advice...shoot'em before you buy'em! My brother bought a S&W M&P in .40, when I shot it the gun kept twisting in my hand so much that I had to re-grip it after every shot. I need a fatter gun that I can grip better. I was thinking about getting one because of all the hype (not saying they aren't good guns) but won't buy one because it doesn't work for me.

 

[N R A]

Not a fan of stiff triggers, and not a fan of safeties. Well, that should narrow down the field a bit.

 

[cluznar]

You need to look at conceal ability, how dependable and how accurate it is. If you want something easy to conceal IWB you might try a Bersa Thunder .380 or the 9mm BP9cc both conceal well. Don't discount the .380 they are good CCW guns loaded with some good defensive ammo.
Also check out the Ruger SR9c which is a very good concealable 9mm. Also the S&W MP9c there are so many nice CCW guns you just need to look at them on the web, go to gun shops and ranges and hold some of them. The important thing is you get one that feels comfortable in your hand and that you can shoot well.

 

[RxDoc]

I carry a Kahr CM9, alternating with a Ruger KLCR .357mag, depending on what, when , and where. Really like the Kahr CM9, lesser priced version of the renowned PM9, for all the reasons mentioned in other posts. IMHO, it is the best in its' class because of accuracy (near and far), smooth trigger (long pull for safety), weight, concealabilty, superb construction, highly recommended by "experts" (check out YouTube), and fairly priced. Good luck and be safe.

 

[draagonja]

I like my Glock 23 (compact) which is .40 S&W (not as cheap to shoot as a 9mm but knock-down power for personal defense is greater - sure to be debatable by some). No external safety, 13 +1, lower profile than a revolver and like a revolver...pull the trigger and it goes BANG.

Best advice...shoot'em before you buy'em! My brother bought a S&W M&P in .40, when I shot it the gun kept twisting in my hand so much that I had to re-grip it after every shot. I need a fatter gun that I can grip better. I was thinking about getting one because of all the hype (not saying they aren't good guns) but won't buy one because it doesn't work for me.

Did you try changing the back strap? That gun should have come with 3 interchangeable one's. I have big hands, but prefer the medium sized back strap on my M&P 9. I experienced the same twisting issue with the smaller back strap. Link Removed

 

[charlituna]

I'd recommend go to gunstore, look at Glocks, fullsize 9 or the smaller 9. I'm not a fan of really "subcompact" pistols, I like full and medium size. with a Glock, they have high capacity mags, light, and they shoot every time you pull the trigger - and generally don't have to "go to gunsmiths"...if you like them, you'll have more than one (we only have 7 between the two of us). Lot of people don't like the Glock that don't have external safety. Lot of wheel guns don't have safety. the safety "is" your finger(!)

 

[srkey]

I also really like the Ruger SR9c for a 9mm carry gun. It is accurate and has a really nice trigger. But it does have a thumb safety. If you don't ingrain the use of that safety in your memory through frequent reps, then I would recommend the XDs 9mm. I have the XDs .45. It is also a nice carry gun, narrower than the SR9c, and has a very nice trigger also. The .45 has manageable recoil; but as you mention your size, you would probably want to try the Xds 9mm.

 

[Glockinghouse]

My latest "favorite carry pistol" is the Kahr CW9. It' slim, I can get a full hand grip and it has 7 + 1 rounds of 9 mm and will shoot the +P ammo. I sometimes carry the XD 9SC that was my last "favorite pistol". :lol:

 

[arnetste]

This is the Million Dollar Question. Here is usually what I tell people when they ask me this question. There are a couple factors on what makes a CC gun a good choice. Before you start looking at guns you need to figure out how you plan to carry. If you are looking for a Pocket Gun then that limits your choices. If you prefer something you can wear inside the waistband the options open up. If you plan to carry in a Purse or Backpack or something like that then you have alot of options. Basically Pocket pistols are typically very small. They have relatively limited round capacity, "Single Stack or Revolver" and longer/stiffer trigger pulls. Since they are really light and small they tend to be less accurate because they are harder to shoot. Not to say one can't become proficient in shooting a belly gun but as a rule sub compact guns are more for shooting like 10yds or less. Benefit of them is most people would be more likely to carry a smaller gun because they are light and easy to conceal. Down side is unless you train alot with them you might not be able to effectively protect yourself with it unless you are up close and personal. Which opens you up to liability if you miss your target and shoot the wrong person.
The 2nd option would be a compact gun. Compact guns are slightly larger and usually have a little bit more round capacity when you look into Semi auto unless they are single stack magazines. My theory on a defensive gun is I want as many bullets as I can legally carry. Now that being said I am in California which means I can't technically carry more than 10 rds in a magazine if I had to choose between my Snub Nose Revolver with 5 rounds or my Compact Glock with 10 rounds I would rather have my Glock. I don't want to look like Barney Fife while trying to reload my revolver under pressure and be dropping my rounds all over the place while bullets are flying at me.
Compact guns offer a slightly larger sight radius and the capacity to keep you safe but in a smaller light weight package. You can conceal a compact gun pretty easily and they are small and light enough that you probably won't opt to leave it at home as much as a full size 1911.
Now if size and weight aren't an issue I would suggest getting a full size pistol. The Military and Police mostly carry full size handguns. Anywhere from a 1911, Full Size Glock, Sig p226, Beretta 92fs. The list can go on and on. The benefit of a Full size handgun is that they are going to have a larger sight radius which helps to make them more accurate. They typically have more round capacity unless you have a single stack like a 1911 or live in California or New York.. lol. They will usually be easier to shoot and worst case scenario you could always whack someone over the head with it if you run out of ammo and had no other choice.
I know people who are the types who carry a Full Size 1911 everyday and you would never know it.
So the long story short is . It doesn't matter what caliber you think is best or what model gun you think is best. They say the first rule of a gun fight is to bring a gun. Buy a gun that you can see yourself packing every day. Take into consideration what you wear on a daily basis and how you will plan to conceal your gun. Buy a gun you can shoot well, best way to try them out before you buy is go to a range that offers rentals. Or ask your friends if you can shoot their cc guns. Once you find a gun that fits your hands and you can shoot pretty well then get one and practice with it. There were 2 guys in my CCW class who got pocket pistols the day of the class and couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with them. Needless to say they couldn't even qualify with the gun much less defend themselves with it without practice. It doesn't matter how small the gun if or how well it's rated by consumers if you personally can't shoot it well.
As for which caliber... I say 45acp is the most common for knock down power but it is larger and most pistols you will lose capacity because of the size of the round. When you go with a smaller round like a .40 you get knock down power and a little more capacity. 9mm is a popular round because in some packages it has lighter recoil which make them easier to shoot. You also have the benefit to larger capacity because the rounds are smaller. And they are relatively cheap compared to the other options. .380 has become more popular due to the subcompact cc guns becoming more popular. Disadvantage to the .380 is that it is going to be more expensive than the 9mm and won't have as much power. Benefit is less recoil than the 9mm. .25 or .32 are even less common rounds and might be harder to find in these times of Ammo being harder to find. Some places don't allow 22lr as a cc. But in a pinch if that's all you got I would rather carry a .22 than nothing. You will need to really practice shot placement and make sure you have your running shoes on. lol I tell people who say you can't use a .22lr as a defensive round. I say would you want to be shot with one? They usually say no.

 

[telpinaro]

Not a fan of stiff triggers, and not a fan of safeties. Well, that should narrow down the field a bit.

Hahaha YES!! I am looking for the impossible gun!

Seriously though, everyone's been very helpful and I enjoy reading all the suggestions... especially when I get to look up some I hadn't heard of yet (yes, fairly new to this lovely world of guns)! I may not be able to rule any out completely, but at least I'm getting a better idea of my options and what I probably will and won't like. I do realize there will be compromises! It'll probably boil down to fun to shoot and easy to conceal. We'll see.

Next step... find a range that rents most of these and go shoot as many as possible!

 

[mojoman]

XDs if you want a tiny 9mm. I got a Glock 26, but I'm much larger than you (same height, more round) and I'm happy with it.

I been thinking about the 26 so how do you like it?

 

[WingRider]

Hahaha YES!! I am looking for the impossible gun!

Seriously though, everyone's been very helpful and I enjoy reading all the suggestions... especially when I get to look up some I hadn't heard of yet (yes, fairly new to this lovely world of guns)! I may not be able to rule any out completely, but at least I'm getting a better idea of my options and what I probably will and won't like. I do realize there will be compromises! It'll probably boil down to fun to shoot and easy to conceal. We'll see.

Yes! Compromises! That's the problem. There really is not 1 best gun. Daylight/Darkness. Wind/Rain/Sun/Snow. Sit/Stand/Prone. .380/9mm/.357/.38/.40/.45... Night Sights/Iron Sights/Laser Sights. Indoors/Outdoors. I still say carry what is: 1) Comfortable in your hand; 2) Points naturally; 3) Has recoil you can manage; 4) Can be easily concealed. The rest will become non-issues.