Apologies about previous thread

P

Profiler

Inactive
My apologies,

I got distracted and you are right I didn't return to clarify.

I'm looking for a CCW that's CA legal. I like the Beretta 8000 and it's is on the list but it;s not de by Beretta anymore, Stoeger is not on the list. Is an older 8000 worth the search?

I'm also looking at the Sig p239.

I'm partial to the aluminum, don't like the plasticky feeling of polymer.

I have a Beretta 92 FS Brig, but it's too big for me for CCW.

So I'm looking for your thoughts about searching the older Beretta vs the p239.

thanks, and again my apologies!


Profiler
 
No apology necessary, Profiler. It looks like you prefer 1911 style handguns and the Sig P238 is a good choice if you also want 380ACP. It is pricy though.

I wouldn't be in a hurry to dismiss polymer frames, especially since you're excluding many fine CCW options in 380 and 9mm.

Handle as many guns as you can. A lot of us prefer 9mm but it can have sharp recoil in a small 16 oz pistol which is why some prefer the 380, even though it's weaker, more expensive and harder to find than 9mm.

Humor me and look hard at the Ruger LC9s 9mm. It is pretty easy to rack the slide, even for people with weaker hands. The trigger is very nice, too. And it can be found around $350, though maybe not in CA. There is a Pro version for the same price that does not have a thumb safety or magazine release as does the standard LC9s, but the Pro may not be available in safety conscious, nanny state CA.
 
Bersa Firestorm 380 is on the CA list, and is aluminum frame. Nice Glock style sights too. Should be priced very low compared to others.

I carry a Thunder/Firestorm hybrid, since I prefer the Firestorm sights to the ones on the Thunder line.
 
Oops, you said P239, the larger 9mm model. Again a fine pistol. I prefer a 9mm but of course as the pistol gets larger it's harder to conceal. Only you can determine how big to go.

I don't have much experience with smaller Berettas but plenty here do.
 
The Sig P239 is a nice, nice gun with a great DA/SA trigger. Between the 92 and P239, Sig will be easier to conceal. I love mine.
 
Profiler said:
Is an older 8000 worth the search?
Click to expand...
If you're after a compact all-metal DA/SA 9mm pistol with 12-13rd capacity, and you'll accept a slide-mounted decocker/safety, I suggest looking for a S&W 6904 or 6906. These are comparable to the Beretta 8000, albeit minus one round of capacity, but they're marginally smaller and a good deal more commonplace. They will accept higher-capacity 59-series mags if you can lawfully get your hands on some. Additionally, the 6906 has very durable stainless finish on the slide. (The frame is anodized aluminum alloy, and tends to show high-edge wear, but at least the raw spots are approximately color-matching. :))

The pistol was also offered in DAO form as the 6944/6946 and also in a SIG-like frame-decocker variant called the 6926. The DAO models are not well-liked but are generally very cheap as a consequence. OTOH the 6926 is quite uncommon and has become somewhat of a Grail Gun to some Smith 9mm fans, so they're generally quite expensive if the seller knows what he/she has, but not all sellers do.
 
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The Beretta Vertec also has a 1911 grip and it's one of my favorites. I like the Sig 228 more than 239 and if you can find a S&W 908 or 3913 - all good choices.

Laura
 
Yeah, don't be too quick to dismiss poly pistols. You will miss out on many great options for easy carry pistols.


For carry poly is great. Tough and lightweight. A CCW pistol is a tool first and foremost. Leave your aesthetic preferences for your range guns, as its always nice to have a good looking and well made pistol, and at the range, size and weight are less of a concern.

Its nice when you can find a pistol that fits into your prefered carry style, and looks good to boot, but it might not always work out like that.


As was mentioned, as size and weight goes down, felt recoil goes up.

I prefer 9mm, but 380 has less recoil from the same size/weight pistol.


I don't recommend SA pistols, like the Sig 239, for new shooters when it comes to CCW, as they require more training and dedication to safety mindedness than other pistols.


If the M&P shield is available, it is a fine choice. There are other options in the thin single stack pistol category... Like the Ruger LC9... but if the striker version is not available, the heavy DAO trigger may be a turn off.

The Bersa thunder CC version is a good all metal pistol in 380, its bigger/heavier than many of the CCW focused single stack 9mm out right now, but it shoots pretty soft because of it, and isn't hard to conceal. You can get a double stack version but it adds a good bit of bulk.


The Glock 26 is a fine double stack 9mm that conceals well, there are other options in that size range as well... like the M&P compact.

The great thing about the sub compact double stack 9's is that they tend to be pretty good shooters, that will not have as much felt recoil as the single stacks.


As far as the thread is concerned... poking your head in and leaving a comment once a day goes a long way in keeping people engaged and wanting to help. Responding to questions asked and thanking for the help... it helps these things move along. Sometimes people feel like the thread has been abandoned by the OP when they take a long time to respond, and they feel less inclined to take the time to help if they think no one will see it.

I know how you can be a little long between your replies, from your other past threads, and most of us understand that not everyone has the time or desire to spend any long periods of time on gun forums. So don't worry over it too much, just let us know you are listening on occasion. :cool:
 
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Just curious, but does CA require that a gun be on the approved for sale list in order to be legal to carry? I know that in some other states the two are not connected, so a carry permit can be issued even though the gun to be carried is not authorized for new sale.

Jim
 
Lots to think about...

You have given me some god suggestions I promise I will take a look at the Ruger and again at a few of the polymers...

I thought the Sig p239 was a sub compact so I'm a bit confused about the feedback on its size regarding carry... The fact that it's a bit more complicated make me give pause..., but not entirely. I really liked the way it felt, now if I can only find a place to shoot one!

More when I get a bit more handling of these new choices...

Profiler
 
Profiler said:
I thought the Sig p239 was a sub compact so I'm a bit confused about the feedback on its size regarding carry...
Click to expand...
The P239 actually has almost the same height, width, and weight (loaded) as a Glock 19, although it's ~3/4" shorter end to end.

As with the Beretta 92FS Compact (which is even bigger), it's only "compact" relative to its full-size stablemates, but this is simultaneously the reason why many shooters give it glowing reviews for how it shoots - it's large enough to have a hand-filling grip, it's long enough to have good sight radius, and it's heavy enough to absorb recoil and to make it easy to hold steady. IOW it's easier to shoot than most compacts because it really isn't one. ;)
 
OOPS my bad... I got the models confused.

The p239 is not SA only. It is DA/SA

I was thinking the p238, which is a SA only pistol.


The p239 would be a good option... But as was mentioned, the Glock 19 is almost the same size, it is only about 3/4 inches longer, as it has a longer barrel. The Glock also weighs less.

I have a Glock 19, and I find it shoots very well.

My fiance liked shooting the Glock 26, which is the sub-compact 9mm Glock, and she is a little recoil sensitive.
 
I just started pocket carrying a p238 and I love it. They are pricy, as somebody mentioned, but the gun is, well, bulletproof. No failures of any kind with about 300 rounds through it, recoil is minimal and it fits perfectly in the front pocket of my cargo shorts.

Two thumbs up ...
 
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