Opinions needed on handguns.

[Charles Christensen]

My firearms hobby took a detour several decades back but I am getting back into it. I am really interested by the current handgun technology and I want to get one or two or more. But, I am a bit confused by the sheer mass available. To cut down the research I have to do I come to you guys for some opinions.

I am interested is automatics in .380, 9mm or .45. They should be in the compact or sub-compact categories, normal DA - not DAO, have a thumb safety (preferably one that blocks the firing pin), hammer or striker, with or without magazine safety and cost under $700.

One gun I am looking at is the S&W M&P 9c. Do you have any other ideas on what I should look at?

[mjp28]

Originally Posted by Charles Christensen

My firearms hobby took a detour several decades back but I am getting back into it. I am really interested by the current handgun technology and I want to get one or two or more. But, I am a bit confused by the sheer mass available. To cut down the research I have to do I come to you guys for some opinions.

I'm kind of in the same boat, shot a lot years back but where I live now you can't just go out and blow off a few boxes.

I would read all you can, most here seem to know their business.
Also try these charts, they can be VERY helpful!

http://www.mouseguns.com/PocketAutoComparison.pdf

http://www.mouseguns.com/CompactCompare.pdf

And welcome, mjp.

[mjp28]

I've got (mainly older) rifles, shotguns, revolvers which I like and a very few semis.

I'm looking to upgrade with a few CCW guns and have pretty much narrowed the search -but- there are a LOT out there!!

[Grizz]

Originally Posted by Charles Christensen

I am interested is automatics in .380, 9mm or .45. They should be in the compact or sub-compact categories, normal DA - not DAO, have a thumb safety (preferably one that blocks the firing pin), hammer or striker, with or without magazine safety and cost under $700.

One gun I am looking at is the S&W M&P 9c. Do you have any other ideas on what I should look at?

For a 9mm or .45 you would be happy with a glock, I know you want the external saftey and they actually make one for the glock, it's about $50. The glock 19 is the compact 9mm. I personally carry the glock 23, the compact .40 cal and love it. More stopping power than the 9 and very comfortable to shoot.

[fuzebox40]

I can't make up my own mind. I'm looking to add another pistol but I keep bouncing from auto to revolver, auto, revolver......man it's tough!

[Inthewind1976]

CC - If you dont mind the "modified DAO" mechanism concept of the Glock, they are certainly very popular, and based on commentary from many contributors here, are serviceable reliable pistols. They are available in a complete cross section of calibers, including those you have mentioned and in models from 'full sized' to ultra compact. I have no personal experience with em, other than cursory experience with those owned by friends. If you are looking for the traditional DA/SA action, you may wish to consider one of the Smith and Wesson models, which are also available in both full sized and "compact." Often you can find police trade ins, just like the Glocks, that are in good condition, and very reasonable priced. Sig is also a very good choice, and are certainly worth a look. I would suggest that you find either an extremely large, high volume retail firearms store, or a very large gun show, say 500 or more tables at least, and look at, and handle as many different models as you can, to figure out what fits your hand, lifestyle, normal clothing options, etc. the best.

Fuze - I understand your predicament! My two most common carry guns are a S&W Airweight 38 spec and a 1911A1 45 auto. And I have other calibers and configurations of revolvers and autos too. Its a tough decision, and I dont know how to best decide if I "like" an auto or revolver better. My to primary choices are very different in nature; the auto is large and heavy and the revolver is sleek and light; so they serve two pretty different purposes, depending on clothing, and where I am going/what I am doing.

[reynolds357]

Originally Posted by Charles Christensen

My firearms hobby took a detour several decades back but I am getting back into it. I am really interested by the current handgun technology and I want to get one or two or more. But, I am a bit confused by the sheer mass available. To cut down the research I have to do I come to you guys for some opinions.

I am interested is automatics in .380, 9mm or .45. They should be in the compact or sub-compact categories, normal DA - not DAO, have a thumb safety (preferably one that blocks the firing pin), hammer or striker, with or without magazine safety and cost under $700.

One gun I am looking at is the S&W M&P 9c. Do you have any other ideas on what I should look at?

The thumb safety knocks out pretty much everything I would recommend.

[mjp28]

Originally Posted by fuzebox40

I can't make up my own mind. I'm looking to add another pistol but I keep bouncing from auto to revolver, auto, revolver......man it's tough!

I'm there with you plus I want to get one for me who's shot guns all my life and a "purse gun" for my wife who's never fired a gun but I think I've got her interested now.

I've always liked my .22LR, .22MAG, .38SP revolvers but none except my .22LR Snubby are realistic small carry guns and I want something over a .22.

I also have an el cheapo Italian semi .25 pocket gun I wouldn't trust unless you want to throw it at someone when it jams. Plus it has no punch at all.

With a $400+ price tag you can get an adequate gun, $700 a nice gun. The only hard thing is to pick just one!

[JohnnyFlake]

There is nothing wrong with the old standard .38spl Snub-Nose and there are many to choose from.

Personally, I carry a Sig P-238 .380 with Buffalo Bore Cast 105gr Bullets. It has become my 24/7 gun. I have it with me all the time. Right front pocket, with virtually no print. Also from time to time I'll carry my son's Glock 26 in 9mm which is Glocks true compact. They also have a Glock 27 which is .40 Cal, basically the same size as the 26 but a tad more powerful.

As you may have noticed, I carry it in Condition 1

[savage170]

take a look at the ruger SR seris they do have the thumb safety

[thomas44]

I really like the new DAO striker fired pistols like the M&P and XD series. Really high quality pistols in my estimation. Just picked up another XD in 9mm today as a matter of fact. You can pick these pistols up and know that they are ready to go and you don't have to worry about switching a safety off. I personally like that.

[gdmoody]

If you were to ask 50 people. you will probably get about 50 different answers or recommendations. I will go along with JohnnyFlake and recommend the P238. It is kind of like the American Express commercials, I don't leave home without it. Mine rides in the holster that Sig Sauer provides with some of them.

[American Leader]

Important it is comfortable and concealable. And of course you know how to use it. Be safe, I'm sure you will find something to your liking as long as you keep an open mind. George is correct about everyone liking something different so don't worry about it. Good luck Charles, whatever you choose you will enjoy and be right for you!

[76Highboy]

Johnny Flake, Nice pistol!!!

[JohnnyFlake]

Originally Posted by 76Highboy

Johnny Flake, Nice pistol!!!

Thank You!

I love that little thing. 6 + 1 in condition 1, Cocked & Locked. Shoots like a dream. I can hit head and/or center mass at will within 15'-20'. Felt recoil is negligible and accurate double-taps are easy. It's not an elephant gun but with proper shot placement, it will take care of business!

Spare mag in my cell phone pouch.

[wingspar]

The Ruger SR9 and SR9c have manual safeties, and a ton of other safety stuff. I’ve held them, but never shot one. Between a Glock and the SR9, the Glock had the better trigger.

If you can do without the manual safety, you can not do better than Glock. There are a lot of guns out there today that can measure up to a Glock, but to out perform a Glock, I’m not sure there’s one out there.

9mm - Full size = Glock 17, Compact = Glock 19, and Subcompact = Glock 26. I have shot all of these. I own two G17's, and we will be adding a Glock 19 soon. Didn’t care for the Glock 26 much, but it was worlds better than the M&P9c.

.45 ACP in Glock. Full size = Glock 21. (I’ve shot one. Big gun. Ended up buying a Sig P220) Subcompact = Glock 30, Slim line Subcompact = Glock 36.

I have recently shot an M&P9 and it was ok, but I liked the Glocks a lot better. I also shot an M&P9c and hated it with the first shot.

The ones I listed are just a tip of the iceberg. A lot of this comes down to personal preference. If there is anyway you can rent and try before you buy, anyone here would recommend that you do that.

[ozo]

I would opt for a [3rd gen] S&W 5906 9mm or
it's later model......
the Sig 238 is really nice and concealable, soft on
the wrist, but it's .380 [I carried a 70S Beretta in
my rear 501's pocket for years]. I personally am not
comfortable with a .380 for SD.
A P250 would be a great choice, and versatile........
as would my 3" Springfield, my Kimber, my Colt, etc.
and the list goes forever on.........
My conclusion [as many on TFF have heard my rant
endlessly] after well over half a century of experience
in this handgun world, is a revolver.
My current conclusion to 'the best carry gun' is based
on every aspect that I could imagine[carry,concealability,caliber,
speed,energy,expansion,safety-thru walls,dependability],
and every scenario I have read about everyday people who
found themselves in need of self defense [many reports daily
of this on NRA American Rifleman blog].
Although I carry quite an array [one of my absolute faves
is my S&W 67-5 Fcomp Performance Center], my sole belief
for the BEST is the S&W M632 in black matte,
hands down, all around, beats-em-all in every area.......
and yes, I load homegrowns so ammo price/choice is
not an issue.
One beautiful quality of this choice is the comfort of shooting it,
from my grandkids to my grandmother, from seriously macho men
needing magnum rounds to a frail spouse that has never been
around guns and just starting out. It shoots 4 different rounds,
from pansy to mags, surely a fit for anyone recoil-shy.

[north tex]

I believe the Bersa Thunder 380 would fit your specs. It is similar in size to a Walther PPK and has a thumb operated decocker /safety. It is a very reliable firearm too.

[pmeisel]

I happen to like Beretta. The Stoeger Cougar (a Beretta design) is nice, my son has one, and I can conceal a gun that size easily. But if you want smaller their 380s are very nice as well.

[surfzombie]

Take a look at some of the military surplus pistols available. They can be a real bargin I carry on a regular a Hungarian FEG R61 380auto, Polish P 64 and A Bulgarian Makarov. Here is a pic of my FEG R61 basically a PPK clone. You can get into any of these for anywhere from $200-400.

[Charles Christensen]

OK, interesting thinking. I guess my asking for a thumb safety does eliminate a lot of choices. I must say I have seen a couple of things I haven't considered before but it is still a bit confusing. So, let me say some things and ask for your opinions from a different angle.

The only problem I have with a Glock was something I read (maybe here) about someone having a part of his holster bending and snagging the trigger of his Glock and blowing a hole in his leg when he got into his car.

So, if you were carrying a small gun in your pocket, belt holster, fanny pack, purse or glove box; what auto pistols would you feel at ease with if it had a round chambered? Even wheel-gun people get a bit spooked with a fully loaded gun, hence the Ruger Security-six type action and the general habit of keeping the hammer down on an empty chamber.

[gundriller]

one of my favorite 9mms is a CZ75 Compact, there are other CZ models, but it's hard to beat a 75 Compact, being all steel, DA/SA with manual safety and very accurate

//www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-75-compact/

[sting75ray]

I carry my Colt Defender in a belt slide holster with the hammer back and thumb saftey on. Gun is drawn in one quick movement and the safety flicked off as it comes up. There are several people out there who are scared of carrying a 1911 in Condition One. I am not one of those. I also carry a little 22 Mag Derringer in my hip pocket in a nice little wallet holster.

[wingspar]

Originally Posted by Charles Christensen

The only problem I have with a Glock was something I read (maybe here) about someone having a part of his holster bending and snagging the trigger of his Glock and blowing a hole in his leg when he got into his car.

That sounds like forum hogwash to me. If such a thing could happen, it wouldn’t be confined to a glock. In fact, due to the safety in the Glock trigger, highly unlikely.

Carry one in the chamber or not is one of those questions you will get pages and pages of opinions on. I don’t. Many do. Your choice.

[Dirtypacman]

The Ruger SR9c is just awesome. I own and carry one for my ccw.
It has a great trigger on it, smooth and crisp. I enjoy shooting it. The sights are good out of the box but some may want the nite-site style. It is solid as hell and has the safeties that many want to see on a carry piece.

I highly recommend this gun.