Let's talk 9mm hand guns

[Sysop]

I only carry the large mag as an extra mag. With the large mag, it makes it catch my shirt more when wearing IWB at 4 o'clock. I also like keeping my reload count even. If ever in some sort of worst case scenario, I know I have 7 in the gun (one piped and 6 in the small mag) and 7 more on my hip in the spare large mag.

 

[RoyJackson]

If you are not a pro and are going to carry it loaded with one in the tube it's probably better , safer ect to get something double action only. It won't be a target shooter but that's but it's not that sort of guns primary purpose.

My preference for a carry gun is a single stack gun with a long slightly hard trigger pull and no safety. Just like the good old friendly revolver just draw and squeeze. Unlike the double stackers they only carry 8 to 10 rounds but are much lighter and more importantly 1" or less wide and that width is important in CC.

Your entire post was very good, and I commend you for it!

I'd like to focus on the trigger pull points...
A light trigger (single action) can be a detriment in a stressful situation....too easy to have an accidental discharge. That long stiff pull of a Glock, Kahr and some Rugers is an advantage. It's unlikely one will be taking careful aim...most likely you'll be point shooting. Point shooting takes practice. Otherwise, if you're like me, you'll be shooting low.

 

[dieselcrawler]

+1 for Glock, G26 is easily concealed on my smaller body frame, and in an Uncle Mike's kydex paddle holster, easily drawn, and we'll protected with one in the chamber. However, at the risk of loosing a few rounds, I'm considering trading it for the new single stack G43.

Find something you are comfortable with and like to carry, and then you will carry it more often.

 

[JRobyn]

Between wife and I, we have Ruger LC9S (previously had LC9), CZ 75D PCR Compact, and Beretta 92FS all in 9mm. In order, that's small single-stack pocket gun, compact double-stack IWB or purse gun, and full-sized double-stack OWB/range/target gun. We both love them all for their intended purposes. They are all super reliable. The only one that's really considered for daily carry is the Ruger due to its small size and light weight. IMHO, the best "hand feel" is the CZ. The most accurate shooter is the Beretta. I like the totally functional yet inexpensive DeSantis Nemesis pocket holsters for the Ruger.

 

[teejk]

One thing you might want to consider is that many do not have a traditional external safety like your long guns. While I bought the proper holster that covers the trigger, I am still hesitant to carry with a round in the chamber. Other than that I really like the H&K VP9. It's a double stack so not really good for concealed carry but it has a rather unique trigger system that is hard to explain. And it comes with different grips to customize to your hand.

 

[WM75Guy]

To me the key is to get what feels good to you or you won't carry it. Any of the major manufacturers are a good choice. I have a S&W 908 single stack 8 round 9mm that I carried off duty, on duty was a Glock 22 40 cal full size. The 908 is alloy frame and very lightweight. First shot was DA, from then on SA. It also has a magazine safety so if the magazine was out the weapon would not fire even with a round in the chamber. I also have a Glock 32 .357 Sig which is a compact. I still prefer the S&W as it feels better to me and carries more comfortable.

 

[k0ua]

As the prices have come down a bunch on the S&W Shield's and with the rebate... A guy would have to look pretty hard at one of those right now. And they are a good shooter.

 

[teejk]

To me the key is to get what feels good to you or you won't carry it. Any of the major manufacturers are a good choice. I have a S&W 908 single stack 8 round 9mm that I carried off duty, on duty was a Glock 22 40 cal full size. The 908 is alloy frame and very lightweight. First shot was DA, from then on SA. It also has a magazine safety so if the magazine was out the weapon would not fire even with a round in the chamber. I also have a Glock 32 .357 Sig which is a compact. I still prefer the S&W as it feels better to me and carries more comfortable.

Agree on your point about no sense having one if you don't feel comfortable with it. Related to that is from what I read that also explains the current popularity of the 9mm. No sense carrying if you fear the pain from shooting it. The 9mm recoil is not bad.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have tried a lot of guns for CCW but finally bought a Glock 33 (.357 Sig caliber) with extended grip magazine. It fits my hand perfectly, is small enough to conceal easily and shoots well. It is a bit expensive to fire in .357 but the ballistics for this round is way above the 9mm and even the .40 caliber. It is basically a .40 caliber necked down to a 9mm so it pushes the bullet up to the 1600-1700 FPS.
I like the Glock because it doesn't have or need another safety bar to have to push before firing, just pull the trigger which is best in a free fire situation. You don't need to be fumbling with a safety at that point and I wouldn't carry a pistol that has an external safety without it being on safe. I cant find anything wrong with a Glock trigger, it works every time and doesn't take 10 pounds of pull to fire like some other guns without a safety. I just hate the S&W M&P trigger and would never buy one of those.

I also like the Glock guns because you can make them into just about any caliber with a change of barrel and magazine. As for the G33, it can become a .40 with only a barrel since the magazine is same as a .40 caliber or you can get a 9mm mag and barrel to make it into a 9mm for range practice.

 

[Beltzington]

Additionally the FBI currently recommends the 9mm as modern loads and low recoil equate with better performance from folks who do not shoot much which applies to 95% of civilian and LE personnel. I have several semi-auto handguns and while I do not like the full size or sub compact Glock's the G19 is the most naturally pointing handgun I own, beating out the 1911 Colt because it is so much lighter. Buy one and at worse you loose a few bucks if you go another direction.

I don't recall the OP was considering concealed carry but if we are factoring that into mix I agree an old-school double action is hard to beat, my pocket gun is a S&W J-frame AirLite. Nice safe long trigger pull and it will go bang every time. Even with a laser grip and 5 rounds it is so light you can forget you have it with you. Not designed for target shooting but within 10-yards you will hit what you are pointing at, anything further out you most likely have a better option than shooting.

Good Luck