Compact for concealed carry help (Newb)

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dstoke

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hello all,
I am new to the forums, was referred to here by a friend and I am relatively new to the world of pistols as well. Let me first thank you in advance for any and all suggestions or tips you have for me. Here's a quick introduction about me: I am currently attending college at the University of Texas, my family owns a few revolvers (38 specials and a Sig Mosquito), I used to go shooting about once a month, not a whole lot but haven't shot any pistols in over a year now. I am committed recently to buy a pistol, or two, or three :) over the next year or so as well as obtaining my Concealed Weapons License. I've read a few forums as well as visited a few gun shops in search of a list of guns I'd like to try out before finalizing my purchase. I am aware that I need to go to the local range (which I will) and test out the guns that I am thinking of purchasing before deciding on the one.

So for my first purchase, I'd like to buy a compact pistol, 9mm, preferably DA/SA for under $500, it doesn't have to be new. I don't have the largest budget, but I do plan on getting a full sized pistol for the range some point in the future, 9mm is just the most economical for me. Of course, being new to all of this any and all suggestions are welcome. In fact, I'd love it if you guys posted links to threads that I should read as that will be of tremendous help to me. Thank yall for your help and for reading this long intro.
 
Kahr CW9 new for $430ish pops in my head. It is double action only but has a buttery smooth trigger.

Any sort of CZ-75 compact used should fit the bill too. It's DA/SA and is has a larger magazine capacity but will be harder to conceal. I don't know how much you want to have to dress around or work at concealing a pistol.

Also, Smith and Wesson 3913.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=494365

Above is the thread where I solicited advice for a similar purchase. Maybe some it will help you.
 
I second the S&W 3913 or for a slightly larger but higher capacity a S&W 6906. Great guns! Extremely reliable. And you can find a pretty good used example for less than $400 and you really don't have to worry much about them being worn out because they are very durable too.

No matter what you do though, get a gun that feels good in your hand and you think you can handle well because most modern pistols are getting pretty reliable as long as you don't try to go super cheap and get a hi point or something of that nature.

Most people on here are going to be slightly biased (I own almost exclusively S&W) but in almost all cases they are going to be correct. A shorter list would probably be what not to get.
 
I agree with Camero...most current quality ones would do you well. I would never ever buy a hi point. Maybe the best bargin right now, you can pick up Ruger P95 for $300 at Buds. Although I too would take a good look at a CZ.
 
Thought of something else you might consider. Whenever I go to the range I always run up on somebody that has something that I haven't shot and 99% of the time they haven't shot what I have either so we usually end up trading and shooting each others just to see how we like em. I don't own a .45 and until recently didn't own a .38 or a 10mm but just about everytime I go to the range I carry a box of each just in case I meet somebody with something I would like to shoot. I have to clean my guns when I get home anyway so I don't care who shoots em as long as they're safe with it. My suggestion is grab up a few boxes of different calibers and head to the range with anything you've got whether its a .22 single shot or a pellet gun and ask politely if you can fire off a few rounds of your own ammo through someone else's gun. Ask them how they like it and how much you can expect to pay for one. Worth a try. You might shoot one you can't live without.
 
thanks so much for your help so far. I have a few more questions based on what everyone said. Which guns should I definitely avoid? Hi point, what about llama? I've heard very mixed reviews on them and most of them seems bad. I was actually looking at a CZ at the local gun shop the other day and I liked it a lot for the price. Also, the prices that you guys mentioned, are they what local gun stores should charge? or are they online prices? Thanks
 
Which CZ did you look at? I love my CZ, but mine, SP-01, is a little large for ccw in my opinion.

S&W 3913, 3914, and 908 are supposed to be fantastic guns for ccw. Reliable, accurate, and slim.

I also wouldn't overlook guns chambered in 9x18 for ccw. A round that is a little hotter than .380 and the ammo is cheap. Makarov, CZ 82, P 64, and Pa 63 are a few.
 
The Kel-Tec PF-9 is worth a look. Its DOA, not DA/SA like you asked, but the trigger pull is pretty decent, and mine is pretty accurate. Its the smallest 9mm I've ever handled (about the size of many .32's and .380's), and the price is very reasonable... about $300 brand new.
 
thanks so much for your help so far. I have a few more questions based on what everyone said. Which guns should I definitely avoid? Hi point, what about llama? I've heard very mixed reviews on them and most of them seems bad. I was actually looking at a CZ at the local gun shop the other day and I liked it a lot for the price. Also, the prices that you guys mentioned, are they what local gun stores should charge? or are they online prices? Thanks
Local gun stores (the good ones anyway) in my area generally will sell at or below the online prices. If buying used I can usually get a better deal locally no problem with the added perk of inspecting the gun first.

Price example:

"Maybe the best bargin right now, you can pick up Ruger P95 for $300 at Buds"

P95's new in box are $269.99 15 minutes from my house. Don't be afraid to price shop and ask people to match prices.
 
My opinion...

For a first pistol, I'd personally recommend sticking with the big names in firearms...Smith and Wesson, Glock, Springfield Armory, Ruger, Cz, H&K (sure I missed some here)...nothing wrong with other brands (and I own plenty of them), but having something you know will be boringly reliable is something I try to get people to get first.

There seem to be so many issues with various other lines, both those considered 'above' or 'below' these standards...I personally believe they tend to be rare, but if your first pistol ends up making a few trips back to the factory for correcting, it leaves a sour taste in your mouth in general.
 
How small of concealed are you looking at?

Some people like a 1911, others a pocket mouse.
You probably should avoid a .40s&w in a very lite and small gun, I have one, and it's not pleasant.
How important is the price?

You can enter the market for about $250 for a Kel-Tec, and go up to the thousands for something like a Kimber Custom Carry (elite)?
 
Check out the Smith & Wesson M&P 9c. I have one and its become my new favorite smaller frame firearm. The interchangeable backstraps really make this one great. Its a great value, and can be had for under $500.

Bass
 
I just picked up a S&W CS9 - it is perfect for me :) Full metal construction, fits my hand like a glove and conceals real good. It is pricey though - you could get into Glocks and the M&P guns for about the same price.
 
thanks so much for everyone's help so far, I've learned more in these couple of days reading this forum that I could have doing research on my own for a month or more. Okay, so now to answer everyone's questions.
first, the Ruger P95 looks like a fantastic deal, I am going to ask my local dealers if they could match that price, or be in the ball park, if so it'll be my front runner. Of course I will test them out before I buy it.
secondly, I don't remembered the CZ I looked at, but it had one of the more comfortable grips I've tried.
The reason I like something in DA/SA is because I just like the fact of the extra safety precaution on the models. DA's trigger weight would make it tiring to shoot for a day as some people told me in the gun store, I don't know if that is true so feel free to tell me what you think.
As far as Glock goes, I've shot a few full sized from a friend that was in the special forces, I just don't like the fact that it is so bulky. And the smaller ones I"ve seen are two finger grips, I didn't feel comfortable using them so I'll avoid two finger grips.
As far as the size goes, I'm not that picky, not full sized and I don't want a pocket mouse. Price is very important, if I can get something for 300 I'm going for that instead of 500. Therefore the Ruger is my top choice right now. I have no knowledge whatsoever of Kel-tech, so I will definitely check that out as well. S&W was another gun that I looked at, it was a DA but I will check out other models.

Thanks for all of your help.
 
If you don't like the feel of the Glock, then I'm with the folks suggesting used 3rd gen S&Ws. You won't likely regret picking up a 3913. Or a 6906, although they are bulkier.
 
Dstoke,
First of all watch out for gun store advice!!! Give the S&W Sigma a chance if you can put your hands on one it runs $299. a full size gun is not hard to conceal in a IWB holster. the barrel length is not an issue with concealment, I carry a full size 1911 90% of the time. small guns are not good choices for a first gun, short sight radius, short and small grips make a gun hard to shoot and consequently not as much fun to shoot at the range all day. and one more thing a DA/SA trigger is hard to get use to if your worried about safety use a good holster that covers the trigger guard and keep your booger hook off the bang switch :D
 
Dstoke,
First of all watch out for gun store advice!!! Give the S&W Sigma a chance if you can put your hands on one it runs $299. a full size gun is not hard to conceal in a IWB holster. the barrel length is not an issue with concealment, I carry a full size 1911 90% of the time. small guns are not good choices for a first gun, short sight radius, short and small grips make a gun hard to shoot and consequently not as much fun to shoot at the range all day. and one more thing a DA/SA trigger is hard to get use to if your worried about safety use a good holster that covers the trigger guard and keep your booger hook off the bang switch :D
To piggy back off this post. In my area, I say this because I am not sure how S&W runs their promos, when you buy a Sigma you get either a $50 mail in rebate or 2 free additional magazines. Something to think about as a value proposition.
 
thanks gearjammer,
this is my question about the sigma, I looked it up online and it says it's a DA with a 9.2 lb trigger pull, not sure if I'd like that but I'll test it out, I thought more about the DA/SA issue and decided that it would be okay if it was DAO or SAO, I don't think I'll have that hard of a time once I shoot a few hundred rounds. My only concern is the heavy trigger pull weight and how that will affect firing rate and enjoyment of shooting. 299 is heck of a deal I gotta say. One more question I have for you is that as far as IWB holsters go, I understand barrel length wouldn't be an issue, and I was planning on using IWB holsters anyway, but would it be hard to conceal the butt of the gun without having to wear XL clothing? I am a size medium, but medium fits pretty snug so I doubt I can hide a gun without wearing a jacket.
So far, my choices for my first gun is either a CZ, Ruger, or S&W
 
some good advice so far. just to nitpick: you glock guys are hilarious. The OP originally wanted a da/sa pistol but you still have to suggest them. ive seen it numerous times through numerous threads. im suprised you guys dont suggest a glock when someone is looking for a shotgun.
 
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