What is similar in size/price/value as a SCCY but in a DA/SA configuration?

[dallssheep]

Is there such a thing? Have been loving the ergos of the SCCY but really like a DA/SA trigger pull. Am I searching for a unicorn? I dont mind the caliber being 9mm, .40, or .45. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[MedWheeler]

First thing that comes to my mind is Bersa Thunder 9... I know the .380 version is around that size. Maybe the nine isn't too much bigger.. It would be a bit heavier, though, as it is not polymer-framed.

 

[Fishbed77]

A CZ Rami might be what you are looking for.

 

[mikemx5]

You might be able to find a good used Smith and Wesson 6906. For about the price of a SCCY.

 

[bhhacker]

I found a Canik 55-c Stingray for 330$ shipped with adjustable sights and chrome barrel. I will write up a review and let you all know if its any good. The reviews DO seem to be positive from my research though.

 

[snooperman]

All the ones mentioned are not really close to your price nor size and weight of the SCCY. Why? Because they did not build any in that weight/ size before the polymer "craze" took over. They were made of metal and the weight will be much greater. My S&W 6906 weighs 26 oz and 3913 weighs 24 oz and a full 1.5 longer and 11oz heavier than your SCCY. In your price range and weight, I do not see one. Good Luck. Snoop

 

[snooperman]

That said, you can have a wide choice in DAO polymer guns.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

If the SCCY is like the Kel-Tec upon which it seems based, it doesn't have a polymer frame. It looks like a polymer frame, but it's an aluminum structure (kind of like a race car's frame) with a polymer covering.

Small guns are small for a reason -- and that design objective (keeping it small and non-complex) means that few gun makers make room for the extra parts needed to provide the DA/SA functionality (i.e., a safety mechanism or a decocker.) Add those extra parts or function, and the gun starts to grow.

You may find a DA/SA gun close to the Kel-Tec/SCCY, but I'll bet it'll be heavier and MUCH costlier. Some of the smaller S&W single stacks (3rd Gen?) are probably your best bet, but I don't think any will allow cocked and locked carry (probably just as well if you want a "pocket" gun.)

 

[jrdolall]

I don't really know of one in that price range. What I have seen tends to be more in the $5-600 range for a NIB DA/SA.
As mentioned above, the Canik may work but I have no personal experience with them.

 

[snooperman]

My S&W 3913 weighs 25 oz and is 6.8" long, as I just measured it, and fully loaded it weighs 28 oz . Hardly a "pocket gun". As for the Canik 55c , it is about the same weight and size as the 3913. Like I said before, if you want a light weight carry gun ,, Go Polymer and small . My 3913 and 6906 are fine guns but for carry I have the Kahr PM9 and love it. My 3rd gen guns and other clunkers stay in the safe where they belong, except for my truck gun and house gun.. Snoop

 

[snooperman]

For what it is worth, the Keltec pf9, that I have only has a small area in the slide portion of the frame that has a thin section of aluminum to give extra strength. The grip and trigger guard has no aluminum. The same is true for the SCCY..

 

[snooperman]

The idea that these guns have an inner shell of aluminum and covered with polymer is NOT true..Snoop

 

[MedWheeler]

^^ This is debatable, and depends on one's definition of "frame." The frame is sometimes described as what houses the trigger group and, in the case of the PF-9, it is indeed aluminum.

Others describe the frame as what "wraps" the shape of the lower section (essentially everything below the slide) together, and that is indeed polymer on the KT.

However, Kel-Tec refers to that latter portion as the "grip." On their site, the company does not specifically define the "frame."

 

[snooperman]

On page 9 of the pf9 manual there is a blown up picture of all the parts of the gun, with many different colors. The "GREEN" part is the small aluminum housing that fits down in the frame opening, from the back of it to the trigger. All firing mechanism parts and housing cross pins are attached to this aluminum section to give it strength for the trigger and firing components. That is the only part that is aluminum and you can see this type of structure in most polymer pistols. This part can easily be removed if you disassemble the pistol. It is only attached to the frame by cross pins.

 

[snooperman]

Walt said " the SCCY is like the keltec , it does not have a polymer frame. It looks like a polymer frame,, but it has an aluminum structure with a polymer covering." In my opinion this description is incorrect. It has , like most polymer pistols an aluminum housing that fits in the polymer frame for firing components to attach to only , and it can be removed.

 

[snooperman]

THE FRAME IS POLYMER, period.

 

[ugaarguy]

like most polymer pistols an aluminum housing that fits in the polymer frame for firing components to attach to only , and it can be removed.

And because that aluminum section is removable it's the serial numbered frame. If Kel-Tec put a permanently affixed serial numbered metal insert in the plastic grip shell that part would then become the serial numbered frame.

Anyway, this is all fun semantics that really isn't helping the OP. Back to the question, what are some smaller DA/SA pistols that aren't terribly expensive.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

Walt said, "IF the frame is like the Kel-Tec..." -- and it is, but I think terminology is the the real problem, here. Links to the respective manuals are shown below.

The SCCY is a very close copy of the PF9. Both guns have an aluminum assembly that rides within a polymer grip assembly. SCCY calls their polymer assembly the "FRAME " and calls the metal assembly to which all components are attached, the RECEIVER. Kel-Tec calls the metal assembly to which everything is attached, the "FRAME" and their polymer assembly the "GRIP." I have a PF9, and was using the Kel-Tec terminology.

The serial number for the K-T PF9 is on the PF9 "frame" at the rear, near the hammer and not covered by the polymer grip. Kel-Tec offers a number of differently colored grip units, and with the PF9 you can drive the pins out and the grip slips right off; it is easily changed or replaced. the SCCY seems to work the same way. I think this is true of the Ruger LC9, which is also a close copy of the KT design .I don't know how SCCY displays their serial number, and whether it is associated with the "frame" or the "receiver".

Here's a link to the K-T manual and images: http://www.keltecweapons.com/media/uploaded_files/resources/f_40e0390a11d369dfd1ab8071bc5c91efPF-9_Manual.pdf

Here's a link to the SCCY manual and images: http://www.sccy.com/sites/default/files/SCCY-Manual-December-2013.pdf

 

[ugaarguy]

Again,

This is all fun semantics that really isn't helping the OP. Back to the question, what are some smaller DA/SA pistols that aren't terribly expensive?

 

[aarondhgraham]

Bersa Thunder Pro 9 UC,,,

Bersa Thunder Pro 9 UC,,,
The UC stands for Ultra Compact.

It's exactly like the full-size Pro 9,,,
Just a shorter barrel, grip, and fewer rounds,,,
The UC has 13+1 capacity and the full size has 17+1.



10 or 13 round magazines in 9mm,,,
It also comes in .40 and .45.

It is DA/SA with a decocker,,,
Ambidextrous controls.

I purchased mine about two months ago,,,
It shoots like a dream and fits my smaller hands.

It's heavier than the SCCY but I actually like that,,,
I've fired a SCCY and it's a nice shooter,,,
But the Bersa has less recoil.

Put one in your hands,,,
You might like it.

Aarond

.

 

[snooperman]

Walt, thanks for the extra info on the "frames",,, Snoop

 

[Walt Sherrill]

Nobody has mentioned it, but I will: unless you're a very experienced shooter and willing to practice a lot, I wouldn't SEEK OUT a DA/SA gun for home defense or carry. The DA/SA transition (i.e., moving from the first to the second shot) is a problem from most shooters. The bullets never seem to go where they should.

With a small gun used for personal defense, that first couple of shots could be very important. If the DA/SA gun you select is capable of cocked & locked operation, that would be an option, and doing so lets you avoid the DA/SA issue. Many shooters are very uncomfortable with carrying the gun cocked and locked.

A small striker-fired gun makes more sense to me. Every trigger pull is the same. I've got a Ruger SR9 and it's a surprisingly impressive gun; the SR9c (compact version) may be even better, and is relatively small. Kahr P9 is also a good gun, with reasonable trigger and good recoil.

But, if you're convinced that DA/SA is the way to go, then 1) CZ RAMI (which also offers "cocked and locked" if you get the right model) mentioned earlier seems a good alternative, as is 2) the Bersa shown above --and less costly, too. I've read nothing but good feedback on the Bersa guns, and I might consider one myself, one of these days.

.

 

[dbp]

But, if you're convinced that DA/SA is the way to go, then 1) CZ RAMI (which also offers "cocked and locked" if you get the right model) mentioned earlier seems a good alternative

I just bought a Rami 9mm and like it a lot. Has an aluminum frame so is a little heavier than polymer, but that seems to help lessen the recoil. Also, the de-cocker feature actually holds the hammer at about a little more than a 1/4 cock position. For me this helps mediate that transition between fulll DA to SA.

 

[Tortuga12]

Daewoo DP-51 perhaps?

 

[Plan2Live]

unless you're a very experienced shooter and willing to practice a lot, I wouldn't SEEK OUT a DA/SA gun for home defense or carry. The DA/SA transition (i.e., moving from the first to the second shot) is a problem from most shooters.

This is an assumption. That everyone learns at the same pace and also assumes everyone needs to take the followup shot as quickly as possible or attempts to take the followup shot as quickly as the next guy. It's the equivalent of saying new drivers shouldn't drive stick shift vehicles because they might forget to change gears.

I could make the argument that carrying "cocked and locked" is difficult for inexperienced shooters because they have difficulty remembering to engage/disengage the safety. Or I could make the argument that an inexperienced shooter carrying a stryker fired pistol is more likely to experience an accidental discharge due to the always lighter trigger pull and cite Glock Leg as proof. All are debatable points with real world examples to back up those arguments. In the end, purchase/carry what suits you and gives you the most confidence then properly train with that weapon to maximize your performance with it. All guns require some form of compromise and all require consistent, proper training and practice to master.