goldshellback

First off, Welcome Aboard!

Now as far as your choices are concerned, the Sig would be at the top of my list. The .380 is a small round but I believe it's a viable SD caliber. I'm of the mind-set that I'm gonna carry the largest gun/caliber I can comfortably conceal. For me (I'm 5'9", 185lbs.) the Glock 23 (.40) fits perfectly winter or summer. I'm looking at getting a 1911 and a SP101 here soon, but that's just me............
I don't know what other guns/calibers you've looked at but Kahr, Springfield XD series, and Glock have excellent options within your critera, but with what you've posted, I'd say go with the Sig. Ultimatly it's your choice and what your going to want to carry and trust. Have you been to a range that rents the guns you discussed?

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"Just getting a concealed carry permit means you haven't commited a crime yet........CCP holders commit crimes." Daniel Vice, senior attorney for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, as quoted on Fox & Friends, July 7th, 2008

ppkheat

Welcome to the forum and it looks like you've been doing your homework.

A few comments:

PPK/S- I have one and it has never failed in any manner, so far total reliability. IMHO the .380 is a marginal defense cartridge, though an appropriate caliber for a BUG/pocket pistol; and shot placement is always important regardless of caliber. My PPK is a nice gun, it is pretty thin, but it is pretty heavy for its size. I rarely CC mine, there are better choices out there. Right now I CC a G-27 or 1911, and sometimes my LCP, it just depends? I'd suggest you take a close look at Walther PPS, they are thin and come in 9mm or .40. Some may say they are a bit ugly, but I'm willing to buy one and carry it.

Sig P239- I think they are great CCW and I intend to get one in DAK SAS, I just haven't decided on 9 mm or .40? At least I'm using that excuse to delay parting with my $$$.

S&W 642- As you already know a great CCW revolver.

1911's- There are a lot of great one's to choose from and typically a favored choice by lot's of folks for a CCW. Personally I have a Colt Defender and it has functioned perfectly. If you choose a 1911, you'll need to thoroughly train and practice so you'll function instinctively with this platform. It is a big caliber, and as the saying goes no one has ever wished for a smaller gun during a gunfight.

I think that you have made some good choices, but you're at the point where it typically becomes a personal decision.

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Whatever hits the fan will not be distributed evenly.

imthduke

The real problem with this thread....is that I already have 16 handguns and with all the very good info and reports that you guys give.....it just makes me wanna buy another

You can't go wrong with any of the info given or the guns listed....just get what fits you. And remember, unless your very different from all these other guys here....this wont be the last gun you get.

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"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits."
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Ed Brown Kobra Carry/HK P7M8/HK P30/HK P2000SK/Sig P239SAS/Colt Defender/Colt Mustang Pocketlite/Colt 1911/Rohrbaugh R9/Kimber Covert Ultra II/S&W386/Walter PPK(1966)

Preacher Mick

Add this to your list. I carry a Kahr P9: lightweight, single stack 9mm, fits a medium size hand well, 3,000 rounds, NO malfunctions. I carry it IWB with a Bianchi #100 holster just under my right elbow; very comfortable. Easy to shoot.
Experience with PPK/S: recoil shock is hard on the hand; cleaning presents a problem with a tiny spring that pops out and gets lost easily; underpowered.

I recommend the P9 as an all around good carry choice.

jhfox462

Welcome to the forum!
What part of MA are you from? I'm impressed you got a LTC there. When I lived there the PD said I didnt need one and wouldnt give it to me. Now, no one gets to tell me what I do and do not need or can and cannot have. Kind of sucks that you have to choose off of an approved list of firearms in MA.

I have on occasion carried a .380. The ammo is pretty expensive and if you are not sure you can afford to practice with it then I would say don't get the ppk.
I would give a vote for the sig or a single stack 9mm 1911 if you are unsure about the .45. In all honesty, once you get used to recoil, the difference between shooting a .45 and 9mm isn't all that much.

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Benjamin Franklin once said, "he that would supplant a little liberty for a little safety deserves neither".

rstickle

First, welcome!

A lot of folks (me included) use the SIG 239, and one of the most popular modifications is a set of Hogue grips, if it still seems too short for your hand get a couple of 10 round mags for it.

It is up in weight, not much to say there.

9mm os good, you also might want to look at the 239 in 40 S&W, that is also popular.

All in all the 239 is a very reliable and accurate weapon!

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Rick

EOD - Initial success or total failure

chickdiver

It's not on your list, but since PPKHeat mentioned it...

You should look at the Walther PPS if you haven't already. I have one in 9MM (pcitured in my profile- it also comes all-black). They did a fair amount of engineering on the recoil spring- recoil is very light. It comes with 6 and 7 round mags- I can comfortably use either (but I have very small hands), as well as readily available 8 round mags. My Dad (who also has one and at 6'3" to my 5'2" has proportionally MUCH larger hands) finds the 8 round mag a perfect fit- so does my husband. I have heard that the PPS in .40 has a bit more kick to it, but can't say from experience, as I haven't shot it.

Guns and Ammo did a great review on the PPS about a year ago- you can find it online (sorry, I don't have a link handy).

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A girl can never have too much jewelry or too much weaponry.

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Bark'n

I find nothing much to add to ccw9mm's excellent post except, Welcome to the Forum!

I do hope you'll stay and become a member of our family. You won't be able to find a better place on the web of like minded people than right here at Defensive Carry.com

Good luck in your weapon quest and remember, it's always better to "try before you buy" if at all possible. Either rent or try a friends if you can. I know with firearms, that is not always possible, but it helps if you have the opportunity.

Short of that, ccw9mm seems to have a pretty good system outlined for you.

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-Bark'n
Semper Fi

"The gun is the great equalizer... For it is the gun, that allows the meek to repel the monsters; Whom are bigger, stronger and without conscience, will prey on those of us who without one, would surely perish."

Der Alte

Rob, welcome from North Carolina. The previous posts have offered some good advice and all I will add is to second that you try to handle and fire as many as possible before you make the jump.

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Its a shame that youth is wasted on the young.

Gideon

I'd second the Kahr P9; I have one, thousands of rounds and it's never failed. I got the blackened stainless slide with night sights. Carry's all day long and shoots well, lightweight, accurate, single stack and thin which makes it easy to conceal but it's still a full grip.

Then I'd also consider the K9, it's the stainless version of the P9, has the best feeling grip of any gun I've ever handled. It is heavy and would require a good gun belt and holster to carry it comfortably all day. I've never shot one but have to believe it'll have minimum recoil and be a dream to shoot. But it is heavy.

As for .45, I recently purchased a Colt New Agent 1911. I was worried about reliability, recoil and didn't like the trench sites; I've been to the range twice now and have almost 500 rounds through it and here's what I've learned:

-the recoil is way better than I expected; better than any .40 I've ever shot and it's as good as some 9mm's I've shot in lightweight guns.
-Mine has been very reliable. There are a few JHP ammo's it didn't care for but it eats most brands of JHP, all ball ammo and it likes Remington Golden Sabers alot!
-Trench Site; this was my biggest hangup with the gun; I liked the no snag, all business look of this gun but wasn't sure how I'd take to the trench sight. Well, I love it now. I can't group then as tight as a good blade in rear notch setup but just about. at 10-12 yards I can hold 2-3 inch groups. This gun is set up for exactly 1 thing, defensive situations. I'm 47 so the eyes aren't what they used to be so point shooting with the trench is actually easier for me than 3 dots.

The bad? .45's cost an arm and a leg over the 9mm.

Finally, I just love the Springfield EMP in 9mm and hope to have one someday. I like the fact that is so light, compact and yet you have 10 rounds on board and I believe it'll shoot great. Only thing I'd do is change the ambi safety to a one side tactical safety.

So there are a lot of choices out there but for a flat semi, I'd really consider the Kahrs; if money is an issue look at their CW line.

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God Bless
Gideon
Jer 33:3