I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned a Bersa handgun,,,
Bersa Thunder Ultra Compact Pro series.
I have one and it's a very nice handgun,,,
I've heard people call it a poor man's RAMI.
I have two friends who own RAMIs and to tell the truth,,,
I think the Bersa is a much nicer handgun.
Mine is the 13 round 9mm version,,,
One can also buy 10 round mags if needed.
The gun is not skinny so to speak,,,
But it is very ergonomic and nestles very well into my palm.
For you lefties out there,,,
The controls are fully ambidextrous.
I'm not saying it's the finest 9mm out there,,,
But you would be doing yourself a favor to at least handle one.
Aarond
1.45 inch is still pretty dang thick......I was going to also say look at a Bersa. I have the Thunder UC, 9mm as well (10 round version, since I'm in CT).
They recently discontinued the Thunder Pro Ultra Compact series and came out with an updated version. The new compact series is the TPRC and has a better trigger (I thought the Thunder Pro UC9 had a nice trigger as it was,so this would be even better). They also changed the grip geometry a bit (got rid of the finger grooves). The also updated the slide.
Here is the older Thunder Pro Ultra Compact series:
https://bersa.eagleimportsinc.com/bersa/firearms/thunder-ultra-compact-pro-series
Here is the new TPRC series:
https://bersa.eagleimportsinc.com/bersa/firearms/tprc-series
I think they are worth a look. I did the same thing when shopping for a DA/SA 9mm for carry and the Bersa won out over the RAMI for me. I had the money for either and the shop had both.. I walked out with the Bersa. Much easier to rack the slide, break down is the easiest of any pistol I've owned and it has been reliable.
That's a totally legit option right there...Why not carry a DAO J frame then?
- A specifically DA/SA trigger action because you prefer THAT action (rules out every slim 9mm except XDE)
- Ability to holster the gun while immobilizing the trigger for safety (rules in Glock Gadget, XDS grip safety)
- Greatest possible discretion when carrying (may necessitate .380 or something especially small like Kahr CM9)
- Other priorities?
So here's my priority list exactly:
1. I live in NY, which is a concealed carry state. Bad news if your pistol prints and the wrong person sees it. So yes, discretion is huge.
2. Being able to immobilize the trigger while holstering is my second priority. I do a lot of timed drills involving drawing from the holster while practicing. I get nervous blindly holstering my firearm without some way of blocking the trigger. I know a safety would potentially solve this, but I'm not a big fan of safeties since I never practice with them. I guess I could change this if I had to.
3. Having a decocking DA/SA trigger is my preference. As mentioned previously, I don't really like safeties so the longer first trigger pull serves as somewhat of a "do I really want to pull the trigger right now" safety.
4. And I also really prefer a frame-mounted decocker, ala CZ, instead of the slide mounted type on the older Gen 3 Smiths. I have short, stubby thumbs... what else can I say.
Thanks everyone for the feedback. Looks like I'm going to have to compromise somewhere... which I guess is what life is all about haha.
Keltec P11. No hammer but DAO with a 28lb trigger and three inches of travel
The width you quoted for the Bersa TPR9c includes the ambidextrous frame mounted decocker and slide stop levers. This gives a distorted picture of this 23 ounce handgun.I did mention it....... I tried to get the UC40 to be a comfortable carry
IMHO..... (for me)...... 1.45 inch thick is too thick for comfortable IWB, CCW
I also found the recoil out of the UC40 to be higher than I thought it would
I shoot M&P40C and Shield in 40, P229, P226 (40's) as well as a K40....... The UC40 seemd to have much higher felt recoil.... My wife wouldnt shoot it
Now in a slimmer version with a better DA and SA trigger action.I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned a Bersa handgun,,,
Bersa Thunder Ultra Compact Pro series.
I have one and it's a very nice handgun,,,
I've heard people call it a poor man's RAMI.
I have two friends who own RAMIs and to tell the truth,,,
I think the Bersa is a much nicer handgun.
Mine is the 13 round 9mm version,,,
One can also buy 10 round mags if needed.
The gun is not skinny so to speak,,,
But it is very ergonomic and nestles very well into my palm.
For you lefties out there,,,
The controls are fully ambidextrous.
I'm not saying it's the finest 9mm out there,,,
But you would be doing yourself a favor to at least handle one.
Aarond
.