Too many compacts.

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jestic

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Hello everyone:
Newbie here with some advise needed. I'm looking into getting a compact for the everyday carrying purpose but I read reviews through here ( awsome site ) and I'm getting overwelmed a bit. My budget is about $600 ( more or less ) and I would like to stay with a 40 or a 9. I will be buying two of these so a company with either a lifetime or good service history is a plus. I have a CWP for the state of Florida and I'm fully aware of the laws. I'm a big rifle guy but have nothing to carry personally, neither does my wife. Any help would be great. TIA.

Jestic

ps: Ive shot a colt defender, glock 27, sp armory ultra compact, but i'm open to suggestions.
 
Look into the Taurus Millenium Pro line. They have a PT111 = 9mm PT140 = 40s&w and the PT145 = 45acp, I know you said you want 9mm or 40 so disregard the PT145 I guess, They are small light and reliable, Taurus has a lifetime of the firearm warrenty, and they have been aorund for over 60 years, they are one of the most innovative firearms makers in the market today, My wife has a PT111 with over 8000 rounds through it and all have been flawless. I have a PT145 that has been perfect for a little over 800 rounds of various JHP.

The specs on the PT111 are

Mil Pro PT111

Capacity 12+1
Weight: 18.7 oz
Length: 6.125"
Width: 1.125"
Height: 5.125"
Barrel Length: 3.25"
Safety: Firing Pin Block,Manual Safety

compare that to the Glock 26 which you may be familiar with

Glock 26

Capacity: 10 + 1
Weight: 19.75 oz
Length: 6.29"
Width: 1.18"
Height: 4.17"
Barrel Length: 3.46"
Safety: Trigger/Firing Pin


Also the PT series cost less then the Glocks and Like pistols so you will have more left over from your $600 price range for lots of ammo and a good holster ;)

Good luck in your search and please keep us posted on what you finally decide to pick up and a good range report
 
I would suggest you check out the Springfield XD Sub Compact, in either 9 or 40. While not quite as easy to conceal as the Taurus models mentioned by MPanova, they are still an option well worth considering, and are not hard to conceal at all with a good holster. I have three of the XD 40s, and carry the sub compact frequently.
 
Is that $600 per gun? If so, I would suggest to look into a Kahr or a Para Ordnance LDA. Both make great carry guns. I find the Kahrs to be sleek and very easy to operate (no safeties to have to engage). As for the Para LDA, this just has a very nice trigger system worth checking out.
 
I have have a Kahr P9 that is very slim and light.

I was thinking of buying another 9mm auto, but I think I will just end up buying a light weight .38+P revolver.
 
+1 on the Kahr. I have an MK9 that fits front pocket or back pocket or IWB very easily and is a daily carry for me. The PM9 is lighter but some have had poor experiences with what I've read on the forums. The mk9 is very accurate and light recoiling even with the +p stuff. The trigger is kind of odd at first but after you get used to it it's very nice.
 
The Kel-Tec PF-9 is made right there in Florida, has a lifetime warranty, is the lightest, flattest 9mm you can buy, and $600.00 should buy two and leave some ammo money besides. Mine has been dead reliable since day one. It's accurate, and weighs loaded what most lightweight snubbies and compact autos weigh empty. Some think the recoil is a bit sharp, but I don't. However, slipping on a Hogue Handall will fix that.
 
I'll give you my recommendation, with two caveats. One, you should buy whatever you are most comfortable with. Anything by Colt, Kimber, Para-Ordnance, Glock, Springfield, S&W, SIG, H&K, CZ, Kahr or any other decent brand will serve you well. And two, you will probably have every brand that I mentioned (and several that I didn't) recommended to you. Which is why it's all the more important for you to pick what suits you best.

That said, in a compact frame I'm very fond of Glock pistols. My first pistol was a Glock 23 (compact .40) and it is still my carry gun and my go-to gun, even though I've purchased several more pistols. Glocks are cheap (esp if you are looking to buy two), simple to operate and maintain, and very easy to find accessories for. If you are new to pistols, I would also recommend going with 9mm (Glock 19). 9mm is significantly cheaper than anything else, to the tune of a couple dollars a box. You will be able to shoot your pistols a lot more for less if you go with 9mm. And using quality hollow points it's every bit as effective as larger calibers.
 
With 600 bucks, look at Kahr. I, personally, don't think Kahr is any better than Kel Tec and would save some money, but that's up to you. There are also a LOT of compact revolvers you could look at from Smith, Taurus, and Ruger. For pocket sized firepower, it's hard to beat a Kahr, Taurus Millenium, Kel Tec, or Rohrbaugh (need another 400 for that one) in a pocket. My P11 Kel Tec has 12 round mags available and fits in a pocket at only 14 ounces. Pretty awesome little gun, quite accurate and 100 percent reliable.
 
100_6832.jpg

Just another option:

Walther P99c/AS (pictured above the LWS32).

Less than $600, but absolute reliability and awesomely accurate.

Good Hunting!

J.Pomeroy
 
I have a PT-111 and never had any problems with it... like MPanova said with this you can save some money for ammo and a good holster. I like the gun and has been very good...Happy Hunting
 
As boring as it may seem, I would go w/ the Glock 19...I've seen them used at a good deal below $600 and the difference can go towards holster, ammo & range time ;)
 
take a look at the police trade in HK p7psp.I've fallen in love .
 
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Get a pair of Glock G19s for yourself and your wife. Simple to operate & maintain, relatively cheap mags & replacement parts, ,great weather resistance to humid FL conditions.

Kahrs in stainless would be my next suggestion.

Stay simple.
 
I carry a Kahr p9 about every day and have a pm9 also that i use for a bug or a primary when my dress makes the p9 seem a bit problematic . both are reliable and more accurate than i can shoot anymore ( i can still break clay pidgins on the berm at 25 yards tho ) . I also just picked up one of the police trade in HK p7s and really like it other than the weight , and the limited holster selection. I am waiting on a custom holster for it now . It wont replace my kahrs for everyday carry , but will supplement them for " dress up " use , my more or less bbq gun since in my area they are rare as hen's teeth . For the budget you set ( roughly $600) you could well get a p9 , or possibly 2 cw 9s , or one c9 and a bunch of ammo, leather , and extra mags , ect.. IMHO the great caliber debate is so much hot air , once you get to the .38 special/9mm threshold its STILL all about placement to be effective , you will be as well served with a 9mm and quality ammo as you will a 40 or a 45 .

If you can get to a " rental range " try shooting anything in your size limitations , and go from there . For myself i rule out any double stack handgun for ccw due to thickness , it may work for others , but does not for me .
 
Thank you all for your great advise. I'm still learning till this day from all different aspects of handguns. I think I should start a poll.
 
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