CCW Pistol Recommendations

[Storz]

I am going to be submitting my CCW paperwork next week and shortly there after recieving my permit for concealed carry :wings:

My search has begun for a pistol. I'll have a budget of about 350 max, so I am somewhat limited. I would prefer to go with 9mm, but may go with .380 as there are quite a few to choose from. My list so far

Kahr CW9 - fits me great, but a little over budget
Kel Tec PF9 - fits the budget, def small and compact.
S&W .380 Bodyguard - not too crazy on the 380, but its small and from a good manufactorer.

Any other recommendations?

 

[Corey]

I am picking up a Glock 21SF soon for the home, and I too have had my eye on the 380 Bodyguard.
Reviews favor it over the Kel Tec.

 

[Storz]

I am picking up a Glock 21SF soon for the home, and I too have had my eye on the 380 Bodyguard.
Reviews favor it over the Kel Tec.

I know the Kel Tecs are supposed to be great, but man, it just feels so cheap. I've shot a P11 a few times and it was really particular on a stiff hold, loosen your wrist a little bit and it would FTF.

 

[Klierslc]

Kahr makes great weapons--the CW series is slim on features but is a great weapon for those of us who won't spring for the PM or MK series.

I have the Keltec PF-9 and really like it. The trigger is decent and concealability can't be beat in another 9mm pistol (the walther PPS comes close is harder to find under 400 dollars.

IMO, if you are only going to buy one gun, get the keltec. If you want to get several, get a higher capacity 9mm for winter time, the keltec for the summertime and a .380 for formal wear....

 

[Klierslc]

I know the Kel Tecs are supposed to be great, but man, it just feels so cheap. I've shot a P11 a few times and it was really particular on a stiff hold, loosen your wrist a little bit and it would FTF.

The Pf-9 is a significantly better weapon than the P-11. However, if you limp wrist it, it will not feed. (as with many autos...)

 

[Greggk]

I recommend you check out the Walther P99... just my .02 cents

 

[Storz]

The Pf-9 is a significantly better weapon than the P-11. However, if you limp wrist it, it will not feed. (as with many autos...)

Good to know, the price is certainly right on them and I like the pinky extension on the mag.

 

[alexrex20]

have you ever considered buying a used gun? you can get a 90% or better gun for a helluva bargain by shopping around on gunbroker.com or at the local pawn shop or gun store.

 

[Storz]

have you ever considered buying a used gun? you can get a 90% or better gun for a helluva bargain by shopping around on gunbroker.com or at the local pawn shop or gun store.

Absolutely. My old Mossberg I bought used and it shoots like a champ

 

[BIGdaddy]

bersa thunder .380.

Small price,
big for a .380,
but also VERY comforatable, and VERY accurate.

I owned one for 2 years before I horse-traded with my dad.

Blowback design is 2x4 and nails simple, and I highly, highly, highly doubt someone getting tagged with 7+1 rounds of .380acp (aka: 9mm short) is going to continue the fight. There's a great round (Corbon DPX, I think) that is very reliable, otherwise ball ammo works great in them.

 

[Storz]

I've actually shot and handled the Bersa 380 before and really, really liked it. Totally forgot to add it to my list.

 

[Riptide]

I know the Kel Tecs are supposed to be great, but man, it just feels so cheap. I've shot a P11 a few times and it was really particular on a stiff hold, loosen your wrist a little bit and it would FTF.

KT's ARE cheap, as in, inexpensive. Less than half of what a Kahr costs. Plus, the parts are inexpensive enough that you can have some fun with the gun, such as putting the guts of the PF9 into an olive drab housing, instead of the black, if you're interested in that.

I think KT's are a great value. Sure, there are better guns. But for what it is, and for what it costs, it's a great gun.

And most any semi-auto has issues with limp-wristing, which one should consider when picking a CCW gun. I don;t have limp-wristing issues, but my wife does, and that's why we have revolvers for the "house" guns.

Love gun shopping!!

 

[thebrassnuckles]

your budget is pretty low, but I can definitely understand the budget constraints. Luckily I had bought 3 handguns before we had the baby and money started getting tight.

I would not carry anything less than 9mm for a defensive handgun, but thats just me. I dont even own a 9mm..

I think you could get a RIA 1911 pistol for right around that price.

I have a RIA Tactical, and it is a champion.
I paid about 450 for it, and it is the upgraded model. I believe the GI model is around 350.

you can get em in 45acp, 9mm, and .38 super.

they have smaller models if you dont think you can conceal a fullsize pistol... but dont worry.. you can.

remember, you are betting your life on this gun....

I would highly recommend you save an extra 200 bucks and get a Glock or an XD.. they are both equally reliable. and you can get them in damn near any caliber and size. I LOVE my XD's. I have a 4" bbl and a 5" bbl model in 40S&W and 45 GAP.

I can conceal all of them with the right shirt and holster. (I just so happen to wear the right shirt every day) I am 6' and weigh 175-180 I'm no bean pole, but I'm definitely not a "big guy"

anyone can conceal a fullsize. and the added protection you get from a 45 is a nice feeling.

 

[Storz]

I think you could get a RIA 1911 pistol for right around that price.

I've looked at the RIA Officers sized 1911 up at the gun shop a few times, it fits my hand well, and is actually pretty small, its just that its heavy and in the summer when its 100* here I wear pretty light clothes and worry about the extra weight.

Do you carry your 1911 cocked and locked? Its something I go back and forth on about carrying a 1911

I should add on my comment about limp wristing the P11 that it only happened once, and when I was made aware of it I had no other issues.

 

[Scott B.]

I am going to be submitting my CCW paperwork next week and shortly there after recieving my permit for concealed carry :wings:

My search has begun for a pistol. I'll have a budget of about 350 max, so I am somewhat limited. I would prefer to go with 9mm, but may go with .380 as there are quite a few to choose from. My list so far

Kahr CW9 - fits me great, but a little over budget
Kel Tec PF9 - fits the budget, def small and compact.
S&W .380 Bodyguard - not too crazy on the 380, but its small and from a good manufactorer.

Any other recommendations?

First off, any gun you bring to a gun fight is better than not having one.

Other than that, one that you are comfortable with. How it feels in your hand, how you handle it, how you shoot it (accuracy.) Can you handle the recoil?

If you are going to carry a gun, you must have complete confidence in the gun, and your ability to use such. If you have any doubts about the gun or your ability with it, you should not carry that particular firearm.

That being said, I suggest you go to a range, and rent different guns, to get a feel for what you like. Or, shoot friend's guns. Either way, try as many different guns as you can. I think the answer will become obvious to you (remember, this is a very personal decision.)

Also, think about how you are going to carry the gun - holster, pocket, fanny pack, etc. That may dictate the overall size of the firearm. Again, a very personal decision.

If I've missed your question, and you were asking more about caliber, then bigger is better (OK, not always.)

Generally speaking, small .380s are not very comfortable shoot. In the 7 yards that most "interactions" occur, a .380 will be fine. Again, having one vs. not having one. A 9mm has more energy (is more powerful) so can be more effective on the target. (Remember, you have to be able to shoot it fairly accurately.)

Whichever you decide to get, remember to practice, practice, practice! Also, the practice will break in the gun in. The generally accepted practice is to not carry a gun for defensive purposes until after it has had 200 rounds fired through it.

Good luck in your search.

[/SOAPBOX]