best new/used warm-weather CCW for $400 or less

T

tackdriver

New member
I'm looking for something compact for warm-weather/summer carry new or used for under $400. I'd prefer something in 9mm, but will do .25 or .32 acp, .38 spl. No .380, no .40 s&w, no .45, etc. I have no preference between revolvers or semiautos, nor do I want to engage in caliber debate. My primary criteria are RELIABILITY and ACCURACY.

The model has to be available for $400 or less new or used.

Shoot!
 
Polish P64 chambered in 9mm Makarov. Reliable, small enough to pocket carry. D/A S/A, double action is very heavy, after single action is very light. Accurate enough at 21 feet I fired 50 rounds none outside of the 8 on a B27 target.
Price is very attractive. I got mine less than a month ago at a gunshow for $200 out the door with 400 rounds of FMJ wolf steel case military classic. Defensive hollow points are available from Hornady. Ammo is plentiful online for less than $250 per 1k. Price on the pistol ranges in the $160 to $200 range. So you could buy one and 1k rounds of ammo and stay in the $400 price range.:cool:
I carry mine as BUG for my .45. I would not hesitate to primarily carry it in hot weather as my primary.
 
Smith and Wesson 442 I bought mine new for $439.00 so finding one used for under $400 should be very easy. As far as reliability goes you can't get much better, its a revolver there's not many things that can go wrong. Its got a 1 7/8" barrel so you have to be realistic when it comes to the accuracy its capable of. But certainly from 10 yards and closer its absolutely great, which makes it great for ccw.

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You will do .25 or .32 but not .380? This doesn't make sense to me, there are a lot of good choices in .380. I am not bashing your choices but I am just wondering if you can explain them to me.
 
Tim I think he is avoiding .380 due to ammo availability. I know from my dad and stepmom both having Ruger LCPs that .380 is elusive in finding it at a reasonable price. There was plenty of it at the gunshow marked up to prices beyond rediculous :barf:. The gunstores here have it at near what the gunshow scalpers were selling it for (double :barf::barf:).
I used to reccomend .380 to many for its ease of concealment in the Central Texas summers. That was till ammo became not only scarce, but expensive where you can find it.
 
I would suggest a S&W Model 60:

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It's all stainless construction so you don't have to worry about the finish, especially when it's going to be worn during the hot summer months where it will be exposed to lots of sweat. You also have the added benefit over today's airweight models of a little extra weight to help absorb some of the recoil; even shooting regular .38spl's out of an airweight snubby is quite uncomfortable, without even getting into the .38spl +p or .357 Magnum versions. It can also be had in varying barrel lengths to suite your concealment requirements from 1, 7/8" all the way up to 3". Depending on the year it was made, you can also get the Model 60 in .38spl or .357 Magnum. :)
 
Tim I think he is avoiding .380 due to ammo availability. I know from my dad and stepmom both having Ruger LCPs that .380 is elusive in finding it at a reasonable price. There was plenty of it at the gunshow marked up to prices beyond rediculous . The gunstores here have it at near what the gunshow scalpers were selling it for (double ).
I used to reccomend .380 to many for its ease of concealment in the Central Texas summers. That was till ammo became not only scarce, but expensive where you can find it.
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BINGO!

I'm selling my LCP tonight and looking for a replacement. I think it's going to be a revolver. I used to have a humpback that I very much regret selling now. Is there any difference between the 4-- series and 6-- series S&W other than one's blued and the other is stainless?
 
I'm selling my LCP tonight and looking for a replacement.
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Don't sell the LCP. Ammo will be available shortly. If you really need .380 ammo PM me as it is available in my area. If you want to go with a gun you can actually find ammo for, go with a 642/442. If you are selling the LCP to fund the new carry gun, I would recommend pinching pennies for a month, and just buy a new gun.

I used to have a humpback that I very much regret selling now.
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I never condone selling firearms, as you will more than likely regret it. I have only parted with 3 firearms in my life (2 sold and one fathers day gift) and all 3 were shotguns that sat in the safe , and would have no problem replacing. The good carry guns are getting more and more expensive, so I would think take this into consideration.
 
You should be able to find several nice guns for $400, among them I'd recommend...

Kahr CW9, CW40, maybe even a CW45, all very nice CCWs :D

S&W 908... good quality for the money. ;)

A larger framed Daewoo DP51 is an outstanding 9mm for around $325. :cool:

CDNN sometimes sells the fabled HK P7 for a bit over $400...keep your eyes open. :eek:
 
After looking at your sig i see your no noob to the gun scene and have owned many guns already that fit the requirments your asking about now.

Personally id visit as many fun stores with alot of used guns and see what sticks.You will know its the gun when you see it,and if you have to think it over its not the one.

Buying used is my preference,and i hope i don't buy someones jambomatic one day,but ive been lucky so far.Also buying used you want loose so much if your not completely happy as i do see you do get rid of guns at times.

I know its out of your budget a tad,but last week i picked up a Walther PPS 9mm for $499 used but looked new.That gun would be a perfect addition for you and is amazing as a ccw.I use mine as a bug in my back pocket,but dont expect to do that as it is a tad too big for most peoples back pocket.
Also a Kahr CW9 would be a nice gun for what you want also,finding one used my be hard tho.
 
Yeah, I'm just using this as a brainstorming session since I tend to supply all the used guns to the market :cool: I don't know much about what they go for used.

I've narrowed my choices to a S&W 638/649, Taurus 651 stainless, 856, or 709 Slim or a Kahr CW9. I think it will probably come down to the Taurus Slim v. Kahr CW9.
 
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Any of the SMith airweight .38 J frames make good pocket guns. I prefer the 37. For an IWB auto, the PA63 in 9x18 with updated springs is a good sub $200 carry gun
 
Id take a bet you go CW9 over 709.
i was just in that boat with about 2 other guns included,and the CW9 made it further in my decision process over the 709.
I own 2 Tauri's but the 709 just wouldn't grow on me,but i also had no experience with Kahr like you do so that may play a role.

Just so you know the other 2 guns in my list were the 2 you are looking at and the Walther PPS 9 which i bought and also the Sig P238.Those 2 i couldn't choose between so i bought both,one being a .380 and smaller allowed me to rationalize it as another category of gun so i wasn't buying 2 of the same type guns.
 
Howdy,


I live in the Tidewater area of Virginia and I have found .380 ammo here. Its not plentiful but it is around and there will be more. I bought an LCP recently and was able to get a box of 50 Augilla JHP for $25 at a local gun shop. If you have an LCR, keep it. They are still not easy to find for decent prices. Otherwise, a used Glock 26/27 would be good for such use. Not too heavy and compact and powerful. Plus, the summers in Va. can be very humid and I sweat a lot. The Glock's finish stands up to sweat and the salty sea air here. A Sigma is a good choice also...
 
+1 for Makarov. I carry one in the summer on occasion and love it. The 9mm Mak is still very available and quite reasonable. The power is slightly better than a .380. You can usually find these for mid $200's these days.
 
Is there any difference between the 4-- series and 6-- series S&W other than one's blued and the other is stainless?
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I believe the 6-- series snubs are aluminum framed, while the 4-- series snubs are scandium/aluminum alloy framed to save just a skosh more weight.

I've got a 642 that is a cozy little carry piece, when an IWB holster and larger gun just isn't practical. There are a lot of different variants of the 642... conventional hammered, bobbed hammer, shrouded hammer, hammerless. Recoil is brisk, but certainly not unusable.

I favor a heavier gun though, unless I can't carry it in a OWB/IWB holster. What's your intended carry technique?
 
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