Primary carry broken, need replacement advice

[xdcolorado]

Ok, get the laughing out of the way now . I know, carrying a 1971 P64 9x18 (PPK clone), maybe wasn't the most reliable and I'm glad I found out now . My other pistol that I am carrying today, since I discovered my primary carry (which I love the size), is the Cougar 8000 9mm with beautiful Beretta wood grips. I need to replace my smaller, highly concealable P64. Damn....trying to pay off debt too...but only having one gun is asking for trouble. I can conceal the Cougar, just not as easily.

My requirements:

1) Concealable (easier than my Cougar double stack 9mm, 15 rnd)
2) Single stack preferred
3) Thin is more important to me than length
4) I really prefer a hammer fired vs. striker fired. (had an XD and never felt comfortable with the striker)
5) Prefer 9mm vs finding ammo for another platform. I do have some quality 9x18, but I don't think I want to go that route again for carry.

Basically, if there was a Beretta that fired 9mm in a concealable single stack, I'd go that route. I've been thrilled with my Stoeger Cougar. Love it!

Any advice or words of wisdom would be appreciated!
Thanks!

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[sickz284u]

Good luck with your search. Have you ever tried the G-26? It is not single stack but is pretty small and easy to conceal. I carry its larger caliber sister the G-27 .40 in my front pocket easily without it even being noticed.

[Majorlk]

Have you looked at the Walther PPS?

While it's striker-fired, it's very compact - .91" thick - and it comes in 9mm and .40 S&W.

[GWRedDragon]

Kel-tec PF9

It is:
-9mm, +P capable (but recommended that you don't fire +P all day)
-Extremely thin, IIRC the manufacturer claims it is the thinnest 9mm ever
-Single stack 7+1
-Modern models are reliable (the old ones had problems that were fixed)
-Cheap, $250-$400
-DAO, not striker fired
-No extraneous 'safeties' that do nothing but get in the way, like the 'backstrap disconnect' on the PPS

[retsupt99]

I would also go with the Glock-26 mentioned above...very easy to conceal and in 9mm...

[GWRedDragon]

I would also go with the Glock-26 mentioned above...very easy to conceal and in 9mm...

I would have said G26 but it really sounds like he wants something thinner

[kazzaerexys]

SIG P239 in 9mm meets your needs, and a used SIG P225/P6 might be even better. I carry one in .40S&W and love it.

I might also look at some of the compact CZs for this double stacks,

[gdm320]

SIG P239 in 9mm meets your needs, and a used SIG P225/P6 might be even better. I carry one in .40S&W and love it.

+1, the P239 in .40 is what I'm about to purchase. My needs were similar to the OP's.

[paul45]

I have changed over to a PPS in 9mm - It is thinner than my G26/G27 (I love them) and also thinner than my J-Frames

[buckeye .45]

If you are willing to go for a .380, check out the Bersa thunder in .380, pretty similar in dimensions and whatnot to your P-64. Not too expensive either, but pretty reliable weapons.

[rhinokrk]

Kel-tec PF9

It is:
-9mm, +P capable (but recommended that you don't fire +P all day)
-Extremely thin, IIRC the manufacturer claims it is the thinnest 9mm ever
-Single stack 7+1
-Modern models are reliable (the old ones had problems that were fixed)
-Cheap, $250-$400
-DAO, not striker fired
-No extraneous 'safeties' that do nothing but get in the way, like the 'backstrap disconnect' on the PPS

+1
You used to carrying the P64, try the KT. It's smaller, lighter, and close to your budget. Forget about Glock, I sold my G27 for a lighter, thinner, and meaner KT P-40

[dukalmighty]

The P11 is double stack 12 rounds 9mm and DAO

[vn6869]

Still have not understood why people recommend the Glocks for CC.

They are excellent, reliable guns. Love shooting them. But they are so FAT!

I was just looking at the Beretta Storm, sub compact. Would almost have made a good CCW. But for reasons I - not being an engineer will not understand - they decided to widen the slide - below the Barrel. Making it FAT also.

I like the KelTec's size. They do seem to have potential reliability / durability problems. But the Bersa, and Sigs, etc. seem to put out nice sleek pistols.

The PA64 should have held up well. I like the Makarov also, except the 9x18 SD ammo is getting difficult to find.

[xdcolorado]

I agree, the P64 should have held up better, but it didn't. That's the chance you take with an older gun. Oh, well.

Glocks are out. They are striker fired, too fat and essentially like my former XD that I got rid of for the Cougar. One thing I love about the Cougar is the DA/SA. DA only would drive me nuts unless it was really smooth. I do not subscribe to the theory of carry a lot and shoot a little for a carry gun. I want to know it and know it well. That means you shoot it a lot.

I'll have to take a peek at some of the Sigs and the Bersa's. Yes, the new Beretta is a chunk. I think its ugly too vs. the old Cougar or the 92's. Just a personal opinion on that.

[ASSA9]

Well ,if your trying to pay off debt and are not going to shoot a
lot of rounds I would go with the Kel tec PF9.
It seems to fit you at this time .
When you get your debt paid down then you can look at more
expenive gun .
This was the very market the Kel tec was made for.
I bought mine then I had to send a new Springfield in for repair.
Its been 100% reliable and thats more than I can said for the
Springfield.