Need gun advice on concealable 9mm.

4-19-09 | Self

[Blood of Tyrants]

Okay, I am looking for an easily concealable 9mm handgun for my wife. Main qualities (not necessarily in order), 1) Reliability, 2)min. size/weight 3) Preferably under $400, used is okay if with a lifetime warranty. 4) approx. 10 round mag. 5)Double action only trigger so that there are no safeties to fumble with

Disqualifiers: cheap junk, Taurus semi auto. I had almost talked myself into believing that Taurus had improved their semi-autos, and today I looked at a brand new Taurus PT-111 that was inoperable.

Thanks. BoT

[ChocChipCookie]

I love, love, love our Sig.

[tumblindice]

I got a CZ P-01 9mm a couple years ago, barely used for $380. DA/SA, decocker—good pistol but might be tough finding one now. I can’t find a CZ SP-01, or even a response from CZ.
Stay away from the Walther PK .380, since the DA is trigger is hard for some women to pull (I read in `Guns’) even if you can find one for under $400.
I’d look at the Ruger LCP in .380 for my spouse, then get some of that Hornady PD ammo, but again, believe there’s a wait for the gun.

[Spktyr]

The XD9 Subcompact has 10+1 in the pictured config, and there is a factory 15 round mag with grip extension for the reload. This takes the grip up to the size of the regular XD9, if so fitted. Here is an XD9SC with the 15 round mag in:

I carry the bigger sibling, the XD45 Compact. 10+1 in the short mag, 13 in the reload. All XDs come in a kit with at least two and up to five magazines, a cleaning brush, a lock, a belt slide holster, a dual magazine holster, and a magazine loader.

[Spktyr]

A friend of mine bought a P01 last year. Decent gun, but man is that slide effort heavy. The slide itself is also difficult to get purchase on at times.

[mountainlion]

Who wants a pea shooter like that? What, do you live in a city or something. Get a 45 Auto to buy you some time to get to something with some power. 45-70 will handle up to a small bear but for ultimate protection use a .458 magnum or bigger. Just don’t shoot a bear in the house. It is such a mess and so loud. Shoot the buglers in the house because of liability. If they survive they can sue and take your house.

[randomhero97]

Sorry, lol.

[papertyger]

I absolutely agree with MrPiper.

The ONLY suggestion on this thread that actually fits your qualifications is the PF9.

Everything else is a conceit.

[voteNRA]

This is my smallest carry gun:

SIG SAUER P250

I think I paid about $650 for mine new but they have a certified pre-owned program for used gov. models that have a warranty and I would think that you could probably get one closer to $400

[mylife]

No worrys

[wagglebee]

The certified pre-owned Sigs are a great buy when you can find them, must of them don’t have more than a couple hundred rounds through them.

[papertyger]

My apologies. The P11 also fits all your qualifications excepting the minimal size/weight.

The P11 and PF9 are the same gun other than the 9 is single stack while the 11 is double.

[tumblindice]

Good point about the slide.
Another point worth mentioning, with a DA hammer you can give a bad/hard primer another hit w/ the pin (if you want) before having to rack the slide, something you can’t do with a striker.

[Mad Dawg]

AND you can get the 239 with the DAK trigger, which is a true double action. It does cost more than BOT wants to pay and might be a little on the heavy side. But wow, mine are great.

[Secret Agent Man]

I have also seen some S&W M&P compacts (M&P 9c) for around what you are asking for in 9mm, and double action.

[oldenuff2no]

The first comment I would like to make is that you really need to take a look at any rule that puts a price limit on a weapon that will be used to save your wife's life. I take it that her life is worth $400 but not worth $600.
I'm a long time CCW holder, comp shooter, gunsmith, and firearms safety instructor.
My best advice is to find a handgun that fits her hands, not yours, that is reliable and easy to use in a stressful situation. Take classes from certified instructors on how and when to use the handgun, and then set up a practice schedule and stick with it. There are many great handguns on the market. The selection of an individual protection firearm is personal, serious and important. Take her to a range that teaches and rents handguns. Have her shoot as many different models as she can get her hands on. One of them will jump up as the "Best" one for her situation. You won't break the bank by making this decision in this manner. It is likely that it will cost you more than $400 but I think you can get the job done for under $700. Just please do not put a firm price tag on her life.

[Spktyr]

The other school of thought is that if your primer didn’t fire the first time, the second strike probably isn’t going to fire it either, so you might as well save time, eject the defective round and move on.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

Do you have a source for 9 mm ammunition? It is in short supply in many places.

A simple, short-barrel revolver in .38 Special is usually a cheaper, smaller and lighter alternative. You don't have to cycle a slide to put the weapon into battery which can be a physically demanding challenge for many women.

[Tunehead54]

Folks around here don’t care much for guns. That’s what I’ve noticed.

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Well they used to but they seem to all have lost their guns in mysterious boating accidents ...

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I used to have both a Glock 17 and an SA XD9 Subcompact .40 - they (used to be) still 2lbs on your hip and the little lady really didn't like hugging both of us ... its been a while but there are smaller guns out there - just the stopping power argument. I've decided for my next purchase - even though I'll probably lose it on my next canoe outing to get a lighter piece. I figure if you're shooting back they won't be saying "Oh that's only a .32!"

[VeniVidiVici]

Best gun for your price point. Can shoot a gnat off a fly's ass at 15yds.

9x18 Makarov

[Tunehead54]

Good advice. Pay attention! ;-)