Jack142

Hey Gang,

my first gun for carry was a Taurus 6 shot 357 snubbie, which I carried 38 +p.
I carried a 45 cal para p12 3 1/2 barrel.
Then I went to a 40 cal sigma 40sv.
Then I carried a Kahr cw9 9mm.
Then I went to a para ordinance p12 45 cal 3 1/2 in barrel
Then I went to a springfield xd 9mm sc
Then I went to a para carry 9
And now I am back to the springfield xd 9mm sc.

I also have a bug gun for those "ultra conceal times.
its a kel tec 380 3pat

I have my reasons for going to a 9mm, and thats what I think the point of my thread is.
You have to find a gun you are comfortable carrying, a gun you can shoot well, and conceal well.
If this is a self defense gun, you need to worry about caliber. I think a 9mm is the smallest safe caliber.
It might just have to be trial and error for you.
All the guns mentioned by everybody here are fine guns, all capable of being a SD gun
Do a lot of reading, comparing, etc.
These threads, on forums like this, are a great place to get information ,but then you have to do the research to see how well the gun will fit you and your needs.
I have spent hours in the gun store looking at different guns.
I am in that constant search for the perfect gun,
I got a funny feeling there is no such thing as a perfect gun.
Good luck in your search
Jack

Rob87

Thanks for all of the advice, guys. :)

Unfortunately, I am currently a MA resident and am in no position to move out of state, so certain models of handguns are unavailable:

- Springfields (all)
- Kahrs (all)
- Sig (some trigger models)

Even though Kahr lists many dealers in MA, none of them can sell them, which sucks, because I think a Kahr P9 would have been perfect for me.

Are there any other 9mm pistols that have a full grip that might be worthwhile? I really like the idea of a relatively-short barreled, single-stack 9mm pistol that has a full grip.

What do you mean by the .380 being a "marginal defense cartridge"?
I lived in a good town when I applied. :)
How do the Hogue grips change the grip size?

ppkheat

To me, it means it doesn't have quite enough "UUMPH", so not quite enough power to be a reliable man-stopper. Most people don't care for their primary CCW to be anything less than .38 or 9mm, and if they are already committed to carry a decent sized gun they bump it on up to .40 or .45, which definitely has "UUMPH"

Certainly a .22, .25, .32 or .380 can stop an attacker, and I sure don't want to be shot at by any of them. However a drug-induced "zombie" or someone maniacal and angry may not even know he was shot with a lesser caliber. The .380 is like 9mm's little brother.....a "9mm short", to me it sort of falls in a gray area, it makes a fine choice for pocket or BUG, I have one in my pocket right now. For primary carry there are better choices than .380.

You've done good research on picking out a handgun, it might be a good idea to do some searches on information on the .380. Beware of "caliber wars". I hope this helps......good luck, and by all means carry a gun/caliber you are comfortable with.

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pogo2

Since you can't get Kahrs in Massachusetts I won't recommend one for you, although I think you might like them.

On your original list of candidates I own 3 of the 5 - Sig P239, Walther PPK and S&W 642. They each have their place, but for your main carry I would go with the P239. You seem inclined toward it anyway, but it gives you 8+1 rounds of 9mm in a very compact package weighing 27.5 ounces empty. It is reliable and the trigger is very good, lending itself to accurate shooting. I like mine very much and carry it in a DeSantis Speed Scabbard holster. Here is a photo of the gun:

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Metro 40

Walther PPS is a single stack 9mm, very thin, and you can get a 3-finger grip with the extended mag. Ugly little pistol, though....if that matters to ya.



Nothing wrong with a good revolver. Here's my SP-101. Note the awesome Zebrawood grip panels and tacticool XS night sight. I've also got the Wolff 10 lb. mainspring, which makes for a super nice trigger. My camera, unfortunately, is not as awesome.

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Rob87

I'm really leaning towards it at the moment, even though the grip doesn't quite fit my hand. Someone mentioned buying a Hogue grip for it; would that change how my hand fits the grip?

Edit: Aside from the P239 and P9, are there any other decent 9mm single-stack pistols I should look at?

Wasabi

Kahr PM9 (or MK9). My first purchase after getting my CWP was a PM9 and I don't regret it. If you're not going to pocket carry, you may want to consider the MK9 instead.

Oh, and don't get frustrated. Buying guns should be fun. It's definitely addictive. You can always sell what you don't want later. Get yourself a big drawer for holsters also.

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pogo2

The first time I picked up a P239 I didn't think it fit my hand either. But after owning one for awhile I discovered that it grows on you a bit. Now I think it fits me well.

The Hogue grip mentioned is a large rubber grip with finger grooves. It makes the grip area larger and some people with large hands prefer this. I have one of these grips but don't use it, preferring the Hogue aluminum grips shown in my photo.

As for other single stack 9mm options, the S&W 3913 is a good one, shown in the photo below. It is about the same size as the P239. Since it is made in Massachusetts I presume it is available there. You might have to find a used one if it is out of production.

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Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the Peoples' Liberty's Teeth." - George Washington

Redneck Repairs

I own most on your list . My always carry is either a Kahr p9 or pm9. That is me however after years of playing the " what gun game " . I strongly suggest that you visit a " rental range " or if there is not one in your area then spend some time hanging out at your local range visiting . Many if not most shooters will let you shoot anything they brought for the day if you simply pay the ammo, and take the time to visit about guns with them . This way you can slightly try before you buy and make a more informed decision . You did not mention some things about your life ( which i understand for an online forum , but none the less need to be taken into consideration ) such as what do you do for a living ( bending over to pick up boxes can flash a gun in the waistband ) , What is your dress code ( a suit can conceal a larger gun than " dockers and a polo shirt " and a t shirt and shorts where you may " skin out of " the shirt is different yet ) . Is there any " policy " not law but fire your butt if your found to be carrying policy in effect that would limit you ( i advocate get another job then but that morality is another thread(s) that can be found on search lol ) ?
As you are starting to see carry can be complex and the best i can do for you now is to say shoot everything you can , buy when you are " pretty sure " as there is not the info available to even take a stab at it . Oh and btw the .380 can work if you are cool enough to perfectly place your shot . I have a friend who was killed by a .380 in a bar fight , the problem is that it took 9 years and was due to " complications " rather than the gunshot which among other things mix mastered his liver . He was 6-5 and about 330# when shot and dropped in his tracks . The guy who shot him was out of prison before he died , and in fact shook his hand apologizing for shooting him , as well as attended his funeral . oO( rail roaders and local drunks should never mix in a bar imho lol ) . Imho the .380 will " do it " for defense on an average sane and sober person . However i suspect ill get that drugged up fella who took multiple shotgun hits before going down so i almost wont carry a .380 , and i absolutely wont carry any less . My personal standards are 9mm or .38spec+p out of a short barrel . I carry 9mm as a rule and as a rule i carry +p ammo in them . I dont like .40 , and have not shot .357 sig enough to know if i like it or not , but i dont like the ammo expense . the small guns i like to carry come in 9mm and under and 9mm is fine with me as any more i dont even have to cuff them , i just need to get me and mine to hell out of there .

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ontarget1911

If my suggestion is worth anything here are the guns that I recommend if anyone asks:
S&W Scandium Commander in .45. Then let me bob it :)
S&W M&P. Awesome plastic gun and I can also do the trigger and stippling to make it totally awesome
Any quality 1911. Springer, Smith, Colt. Any of the semi-customs, Ed Brown, Rock River.
A full custom 1911. Built on Caspian.
Any of the CZs in .40 S&W or bigger.

What it really depends on is how much you want to spend and which type of gun appeals to you. My current two favorites based on my preferences and working on guns is the M&P or S&W 1911 or any quality 1911.

Jess

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