Ideas on a Compact Polymer CC Gun

[AutoFan]

Kahr P-9; accurate, reliable, light, flat, recoil is nothing bad, aside from the price being a little high, what's not to like?

Only had one experience with a Kel-tec and it was bad. Might just have been one bad example, but still.

Not fond of the Glocks or XD's, they are just to chunky for CCW (though I prefer the XD's on the whole). Like the ergonomics of the H&K USPc, but still too big for CCW.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Bud White]

The xd's Sub compacts are nice i have one in 9mm the compact glock are ok if the fingergrooves fit you hand the 9 and 40 wont mine but the 10mm and 45 will.

Then ya got the Hk whihc reall isnt that all compact the p2000 hk is better

Then the line of Kahr's then seem to be the smallest on the market right now besides keltecj which i havent hear a lot of good things about..


Basically ya need to go out and foendel and see what you like

[Anubis]

I have 2 Glock 21s that have proven totally reliable. I went Glock because I really like the simplicity of the "safe action system": no external safety, and 2 internal safeties (functioning to prevent discharge if the pistol is dropped) that are released by pulling the trigger.

The smallest subcompact versions are the G26 9mm (capacity 12+1), the G27 .40 (11+1), and the G33 .357 (11+1). These have slide length of 160mm, compared to the 193mm of the full size G21 .45ACP. Pretty good capacity for minis.

There are compacts too, available in the USA in all calibers except .380. These are 172mm or 174mm in slide length.

[Gideon]

Another vote for the Kahr line, and in particular, the P9. I have one and simply love it. Trigger is smooth and long on purpose becasue it's for self defense, not target shooting. Theres no external controls except a mag release and a slide release. It's has to be about the thinnest gun out there; less than an inch wide, which makes it easier to conceal than anything I own. I got the one with a blackened stainless slide and night sights. It was pricey but shoots anything I put in it and has never failed, ever. The ergonomics are the best I've every felt. It's a perfect three finger grip for me. Many like the higher capacity pistols but I find their grip a bit fat for my hand and the bulk heavy and more difficult to conceal.

If you want a shorter grip so the gun will fit in a large pants pocket, the PM models fit the bill.

My P9 is super accurate, cutting a single ragged hole at 10 yards.

I'd put them up against glocks any day from what I've read and shot for my self. I like glocks on the whole but they're thick and I don't care of the angle of the grip.

Anyway, enjoy whatever you end up purchasing!

Gideon

[rachilders]

Hivoltage--
It sounds like you have issues with Kel Tec. Did you have a generation 1or 2? I've read there were a number of problems with the original gun that seem to have been corrected in the new models. Most of the posts I've seen concerning first generation 3AT's said a quick trip back to the factory (usually returned in a week or so) cured the problems. As for price, don't make the mistake of equating price with quality. Got to any forum on Glock, Springer, Kimber, S&W or other upper end gun maker and you'll see they all have their share of problems, often more than their less expensive cousins. Good example, Walther's PPK and the Bersa 380. Walther is usually known for it's craftsmanship (and cost), but in every newsgroup, forum or chat room where they’re discussed, there is a constant complaint about feeding problems, FTF an other issues. Check out the Bersa and they are universally praised for their value and reliability. The two gun's are almost clones, visually at least, and the Bersa sells for about 1/3 the price of the Walther. Anyway, to paraphrase an old saying, you DON'T always get what you pay for.

[Hivoltage]

I have a Bersa 380 and it is a heck of a deal on a gun...I love mine. The Kel-Tec just seemed cheap to me, and having to pick up the magazine every time I fired it made me trade it in real fast. As a matter of fact.....I traded it in for the Bersa!!!!

[rachilders]

Bersa's are an excellent value for the money, I have four of them! As for the Kel Tec, I've only had mine for about a month and put a little over a hundred rounds thru it. So far, so good though. No problems other than figuring out the most comfortable way to hold it. As a side note, I even did a bit of cross breeding between my Bersa 380 and the KT. I have four mags for the Bersa and two for the Kel Tec. I took the base plate off a Bersa mag (the ones with the pinky extension) and put it on a KT mag. The Bersa plate fits like it was made for the KT and gives me a better grip on the KT. :fing02: The only drawback is the KT plate won't work on the Bersa, so I'm using it for parts, at least for now or until I get another base plate.

[Frogman]

rachilders is correct. There is a big difference between the 1st gen and 2nd gen P3ATs. The 2nd gen has a beefier slide, better sights, and a much improved extractor. My 2nd gen has been 100% reliable. It is so accurate i can make head shots on an IDPA target from 10 yds, no problem! Try the extra round mag extension available from Kel-Tec. It gives your pinkie something to wrap around and adds one round! Or just order a spare mag with the extension already installed!

[Otis]

I have a Kahr P-40, and love it.

[mtcraigco]

A Taurus PT145, I have found it to be very reliable, very controllable (the .45acp has more of a "push-shove" recoil vs a "snap") and more accurate than one would expect. The lockup on this gun is very tight which contributes to the accuracy, yes the sight radius is a bit short, but with practice 1.75"-2" groups at 15 yds are easy with slow fire. Head shots at 20yds (IPSC target) with deliberate aiming are very doo-able. Rapid fire at 7yds or so gives douple taps and triple taps in the 3"-5" range.

One reason I went with the PT145 is that I can get all of my fingers on the grip and don't have a pinky without a place to go.

In addition the newer models have a light rail and will accept the new shorty lights intended for such pistols.

Be sure and get a "Millenium Pro" if you go the Taurus route as the older "milleniums" were reported to have some problems.

One thing to be aware of is the mag springs are HEAVY when new and mayl cause some misfeeds at first. Leave them loaded for a week or so and they'll be fine. I have not had a misfeed since about the 100th round thru mine. (450ish rounds thru it now)

The links will show my rig with an IWB and an SOB which I make.

http://crossbreedholsters.com/files/PICT0084.JPG

http://crossbreedholsters.com/files/PICT0098.JPG

thanks

Mark
http://www.crossbreedholsters.com

A friend asked me why I carry a .45, .....
I replied "'cuz I can't fit a .50 in my pants."

[QKShooter]

Check out the GLOCK 36 in 45acp. It's a really compact special carry firearm.
You'll either love it or...you'll hate it depending on if it fits your hand or not.

[pierced456]

If your budget can handle it take a look at a H&K P2000sk. The best ,IMO, compact polymier handgun money can buy.

[Highplainsman]

I would go with a Glock Compact or Mini or even the The KT P3AT. I have one of the earlier ones that had to be shot a little to polish up the parts before it became 100% reliable. I carry Winchester Silvertips and it has always worked with these!

[Bud White]

Also as a late addition ya might want to check out the New Kahr 45 its fairly small and just came out

[Kevin]

I love the G27 (in .40) or the G26 (9mm) and the Kahr MK9! But you did mention the light rail - neither has that. The leaves you with the XD sub or the HK 2000 I believe. Good luck