Need advice/ recommendations - The Firearms Forum

Eddie N · 03-22-2012, 11:55 AM

Asking those with more experience than I. (Probably just about everybody

).
Looking for a small pistol, easily concealable, 9mm or .380. Price is a consideration, but not the major consideration. I've looked at Kel-Tec PF9 & P11, Bersa Thunder (.380) and a few others. Needs to be easy to maintain, etc. So far, I'm leaning toward either of these three. Can anybody give me some other suggestions? Would like to hear from somebody who has experience with these and others. Thanks.

Double D · 03-22-2012, 12:02 PM

All decent guns eddie, I like the PF9 over the p-11 and I really like the bersa 380 too. By the way, I have a new pf9 and a p-11 if your interested I will sell either one for $239.00 plus $13.00 shipping. I am sold out of the bersa.

Grapevinebill · 03-22-2012, 03:16 PM

I think the best way to decide is to find the one that meets your needs. Go to a range where you can shoot as many as you can find and the one that feels best in your hands, and the one you are comfortable with is the one you should buy. That said I will let you know I carry the Beratta Nano. It is a very concealable gun. Only .9 inches wide and fits very nicely inside a waist band. It is a well made gun and has very manageable recoil which in my mind is important. It is a 9mm and can hold 6 +1 rounds. It is sensitive to 115 grain ammo so be aware of that. I only carry high power rounds for self defense so I dont care about the few guns that have had a report of not liking 115 grain ammo. Good luck and you're doing the right thing by researching. Just make sure you listen to yourself though. It's may end up being your life you need to protect. I can't tell you whats right for you, only you can.

Good luck and be safe. Let us know what you decide..

Eddie N · 03-23-2012, 12:14 AM

Thanks, Bill. I know what I'm looking for. Just was looking for somebody who has experienced any of them. And I'll check out Beretta, also. I own a Neos from them that I like.
Dan, you drive a hard bargain. Even with transfer fee it's less than what I found at their site. And if it weren't for a large repair bill for the car, I'd buy both. Have to wait on that, though. I really like the look of the PF9, but the P11 holds more shots. Just out of curiosity, can you post a pic of one or both with your hand for scale?

ms6852 · 03-23-2012, 02:41 AM

I would consider the Walther PPK in .380 or the P99 in 9mm. Very reliable handguns and worth the money in my opinion.

http://www.waltherpistols.com/catego..._Handguns.aspx

Eddie N · 03-23-2012, 09:28 AM

Thought about Walther. A little out of my price range, right now. Believe me, if I could, I would.

Charles Christensen · 03-23-2012, 10:54 AM

Ruger LCP or LC9. Both are very concealable and low cost. I have them both.

I also have a S&W M&P 9c. I REALLY like this one. If you buy the M&P 9c I recommend you shoot it before you lay down your cash. Mine jammed on EVERY round and had to do some alterations to the bolt face. I think it is fixed now.

odentheviking · 03-23-2012, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ms6852

I would consider the Walther PPK in .380 or the P99 in 9mm. Very reliable handguns and worth the money in my opinion.

http://www.waltherpistols.com/catego..._Handguns.aspx

Could not agree more! I prefer the classics and the Walther PP or PPK can not be beat. If it were me I would wait until I could pick one up, why buy twice. But that is just me. Thanks for listening, Paul.

Double D · 03-23-2012, 04:12 PM

I just sold the pf9, sorry.

Old Guy · 03-23-2012, 06:24 PM

I looked and upgraded from 380 to 9 mm and bought a PF 9. It fits in my pocket and carries more punch than the 380. I still carry my LCP when I have smaller pockets, but prefer the 9.

Lee D · 03-23-2012, 11:32 PM

since you asked for other suggestions, .38 snubby.

3/2 STA SS · 03-25-2012, 07:54 AM

Smith and Wesson Model 642. You can't go wrong and I have seen them used for $350. My wife has one.

Lee D · 03-25-2012, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3/2 STA SS

Smith and Wesson Model 642. You can't go wrong and I have seen them used for $350.

heck, ive seen em new for not much more than 350. but yes, i will agree on the 642.
in my opinion S&W a far better choice than anything made by KT and Bersa

jstgsn · 03-29-2012, 09:08 PM

Imho I have owned the keltec .380 and opted to go with the Ruger LCP. It's lines are smoother and I've had zero problems with it. In the summer, I have it with me all the time. In the winter, when I can wear the bigger gun easier, I went with the Glock model 27 (which I bought the lone wolf kit for and changed it from.40 to 9mm.) I changed calibers as I've had medical problems and lost some wrist strenght. The lcp fits in my front pants pocket very comfortably.
good luck, let us know your choice.

CJ_56 · 03-29-2012, 11:59 PM

I would suggest the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 with the integrated laser which costs about $350 or maybe less. The laser on these is very bright and can be seen at SD ranges even in bright sunlight. For someone that isn't a practiced shooter this can make a huge difference. If you put that laser dot on something and pull the trigger chances are that something will have a hole in it soon. That's a very good price on a great weapon system IMO.

I haven't lived with any of these pistols so I'm not commenting on potential problems. My friend does have a Walther .380 and he's had some problems with it. His wife was using it as a carry piece but they went with a Bodyguard because of those problems. I generally carry a larger gun myself so I can't say for sure about smaller caliber guns. I know my Taurus has been absolutely flawless through about 6000 rounds or more. It has not failed to function perfectly even one time and that's using a wide variety of ammo when I was looking for the best ammo for it. It holds 10 rounds of .45 ACP ammo plus one in the pipe and it's only 1.25" thick. Most single stack pistols are that thick and that's 9mm pistols. For a double stack .45 to be that thin is just amazing. There's a lot that's amazing about that gun actually.

I also have a Sig P220, a SA XDM in .40, a S&W 629 revolver in .44 magnum and a piece of junk Raven P-25 that used to work fine but hasn't in a long time. I wouldn't be scared to carry any of the other guns for SD at any time. I currently carry the XDM because it holds so many rounds but I carried the Taurus for years and still do sometimes and I carried the Sig for even more years than the Taurus and it has been a great pistol. I do carry the Smith sometimes but that's usually more for protection against dangerous game instead of two legged skunks.

MSGT-R · 03-30-2012, 12:12 AM

I just bought a Bersa .380; its alot like my Sterling, but more locks and levers. I think I'm going to like it alot. I did notice that the Bersa magazine is much harder to load (stiffer spring).

Bud0505 · 04-01-2012, 05:19 PM

I would recommend the Ruger LC9. Eight rounds of 9mm that is easily concealable. Around $350 new.

mintaka · 04-01-2012, 06:43 PM

I've had alot of guns mentioned here, sold or traded some of them...at the moment I'm happiest with my ruger sr9c and my 380 bersa....for price and reliability I find them unbeatable...my lc9 had terrible long user unfriendly da trigger...I'm used to 1911s so triggers are a sensitive issue to me...hope that helps

03-22-2012, 11:55 AM	#1
Eddie N Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Colorado Contributor Posts: 1,192	Need advice/ recommendations Asking those with more experience than I. (Probably just about everybody). Looking for a small pistol, easily concealable, 9mm or .380. Price is a consideration, but not the major consideration. I've looked at Kel-Tec PF9 & P11, Bersa Thunder (.380) and a few others. Needs to be easy to maintain, etc. So far, I'm leaning toward either of these three. Can anybody give me some other suggestions? Would like to hear from somebody who has experience with these and others. Thanks. __________________ September 11, 2001 Hope and Change: I hope there's some change left in my paycheck! 2012: Saying good bye to my paycheck. -->

03-22-2012, 12:02 PM	#2
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,052	Re: Need advice/ recommendations All decent guns eddie, I like the PF9 over the p-11 and I really like the bersa 380 too. By the way, I have a new pf9 and a p-11 if your interested I will sell either one for $239.00 plus $13.00 shipping. I am sold out of the bersa. __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

03-22-2012, 03:16 PM	#3
Grapevinebill V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Dallas - Fort Worth Posts: 107	Re: Need advice/ recommendations I think the best way to decide is to find the one that meets your needs. Go to a range where you can shoot as many as you can find and the one that feels best in your hands, and the one you are comfortable with is the one you should buy. That said I will let you know I carry the Beratta Nano. It is a very concealable gun. Only .9 inches wide and fits very nicely inside a waist band. It is a well made gun and has very manageable recoil which in my mind is important. It is a 9mm and can hold 6 +1 rounds. It is sensitive to 115 grain ammo so be aware of that. I only carry high power rounds for self defense so I dont care about the few guns that have had a report of not liking 115 grain ammo. Good luck and you're doing the right thing by researching. Just make sure you listen to yourself though. It's may end up being your life you need to protect. I can't tell you whats right for you, only you can. Good luck and be safe. Let us know what you decide.. __________________ I have spent a lot of money on guns, bullets and holsters in my life... The rest I have just squandered.

03-23-2012, 12:14 AM	#4
Eddie N Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Colorado Contributor Posts: 1,192	Re: Need advice/ recommendations Thanks, Bill. I know what I'm looking for. Just was looking for somebody who has experienced any of them. And I'll check out Beretta, also. I own a Neos from them that I like. Dan, you drive a hard bargain. Even with transfer fee it's less than what I found at their site. And if it weren't for a large repair bill for the car, I'd buy both. Have to wait on that, though. I really like the look of the PF9, but the P11 holds more shots. Just out of curiosity, can you post a pic of one or both with your hand for scale? __________________ September 11, 2001 Hope and Change: I hope there's some change left in my paycheck! 2012: Saying good bye to my paycheck.

03-23-2012, 02:41 AM	#5
ms6852 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Antonio Texas Posts: 157	Re: Need advice/ recommendations I would consider the Walther PPK in .380 or the P99 in 9mm. Very reliable handguns and worth the money in my opinion. http://www.waltherpistols.com/catego..._Handguns.aspx __________________ ONLY TWO DEFINING FORCES HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR LIVES FOR YOU. ONE IS JESUS CHRIST, FOR YOUR SOUL, AND THE OTHER IS THE AMERICAN SOLDIER, FOR YOUR FREEDOM.

03-23-2012, 09:28 AM	#6
Eddie N Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Colorado Contributor Posts: 1,192	Re: Need advice/ recommendations Thought about Walther. A little out of my price range, right now. Believe me, if I could, I would. __________________ September 11, 2001 Hope and Change: I hope there's some change left in my paycheck! 2012: Saying good bye to my paycheck.

03-23-2012, 10:54 AM	#7
Charles Christensen V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 208	Re: Need advice/ recommendations Ruger LCP or LC9. Both are very concealable and low cost. I have them both. I also have a S&W M&P 9c. I REALLY like this one. If you buy the M&P 9c I recommend you shoot it before you lay down your cash. Mine jammed on EVERY round and had to do some alterations to the bolt face. I think it is fixed now.

03-23-2012, 04:12 PM	#9
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,052	Re: Need advice/ recommendations I just sold the pf9, sorry. __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

03-23-2012, 06:24 PM	#10
Old Guy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Beaufort County, NC Contributor Posts: 342	Re: Need advice/ recommendations I looked and upgraded from 380 to 9 mm and bought a PF 9. It fits in my pocket and carries more punch than the 380. I still carry my LCP when I have smaller pockets, but prefer the 9. __________________ Old Guy ___________ NRA Life Member GOA Life Member

03-23-2012, 11:32 PM	#11
Lee D V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: sw iowa Posts: 120	Re: Need advice/ recommendations since you asked for other suggestions, .38 snubby. __________________ “Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands.” Jeff Cooper

03-25-2012, 07:54 AM	#12
3/2 STA SS Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Area, FL Posts: 1,435	Re: Need advice/ recommendations Smith and Wesson Model 642. You can't go wrong and I have seen them used for $350. My wife has one. __________________ MORS DE CONTACTUS-DEATH ON CONTACT

03-29-2012, 09:08 PM	#14
jstgsn Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Milford, Delaware Contributor Posts: 1,270	Re: Need advice/ recommendations Imho I have owned the keltec .380 and opted to go with the Ruger LCP. It's lines are smoother and I've had zero problems with it. In the summer, I have it with me all the time. In the winter, when I can wear the bigger gun easier, I went with the Glock model 27 (which I bought the lone wolf kit for and changed it from.40 to 9mm.) I changed calibers as I've had medical problems and lost some wrist strenght. The lcp fits in my front pants pocket very comfortably. good luck, let us know your choice. __________________ Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he will just kill you.

03-29-2012, 11:59 PM	#15
CJ_56 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SE Ohio Posts: 391	Re: Need advice/ recommendations I would suggest the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 with the integrated laser which costs about $350 or maybe less. The laser on these is very bright and can be seen at SD ranges even in bright sunlight. For someone that isn't a practiced shooter this can make a huge difference. If you put that laser dot on something and pull the trigger chances are that something will have a hole in it soon. That's a very good price on a great weapon system IMO. I haven't lived with any of these pistols so I'm not commenting on potential problems. My friend does have a Walther .380 and he's had some problems with it. His wife was using it as a carry piece but they went with a Bodyguard because of those problems. I generally carry a larger gun myself so I can't say for sure about smaller caliber guns. I know my Taurus has been absolutely flawless through about 6000 rounds or more. It has not failed to function perfectly even one time and that's using a wide variety of ammo when I was looking for the best ammo for it. It holds 10 rounds of .45 ACP ammo plus one in the pipe and it's only 1.25" thick. Most single stack pistols are that thick and that's 9mm pistols. For a double stack .45 to be that thin is just amazing. There's a lot that's amazing about that gun actually. I also have a Sig P220, a SA XDM in .40, a S&W 629 revolver in .44 magnum and a piece of junk Raven P-25 that used to work fine but hasn't in a long time. I wouldn't be scared to carry any of the other guns for SD at any time. I currently carry the XDM because it holds so many rounds but I carried the Taurus for years and still do sometimes and I carried the Sig for even more years than the Taurus and it has been a great pistol. I do carry the Smith sometimes but that's usually more for protection against dangerous game instead of two legged skunks.

03-30-2012, 12:12 AM	#16
MSGT-R Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SoCal Posts: 898	Re: Need advice/ recommendations I just bought a Bersa .380; its alot like my Sterling, but more locks and levers. I think I'm going to like it alot. I did notice that the Bersa magazine is much harder to load (stiffer spring). __________________ If you suck, go back to the range. Last edited by MSGT-R; 03-30-2012 at 12:13 AM..

04-01-2012, 05:19 PM	#17
Bud0505 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 60	Re: Need advice/ recommendations I would recommend the Ruger LC9. Eight rounds of 9mm that is easily concealable. Around $350 new. __________________ R/Bud

04-01-2012, 06:43 PM	#18
mintaka V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 54	Re: Need advice/ recommendations I've had alot of guns mentioned here, sold or traded some of them...at the moment I'm happiest with my ruger sr9c and my 380 bersa....for price and reliability I find them unbeatable...my lc9 had terrible long user unfriendly da trigger...I'm used to 1911s so triggers are a sensitive issue to me...hope that helps