DAO For Concealed Carry

T

Tim Croley

New member
I would like to hear from those of you who carry a DAO for concealed carry. I am thinking about getting a DAO for its simplicity and consistant trigger. I have been reading and I think that, being used to revolvers, I would be better suited to this type of pistol.

I am looking for a reliable, easy to conceal 9mm DAO pistol. I would prefer a non-polymer gun.

I would appreciate any and all suggestions.:)
 
I carry a Kahr P-9 all day, every day. I finally settled on a belly band type holster, and carry the gun almost totally below the belt line, strong side, just behind the hip bone.

The gun is well concealed there, and it is extremely comfortable. I hardly know its there.

The K-9 is the same size, but metal and heavier.
 
I carry two Double-actions.....

I either tote a Kel-Tec P32 or a Smith mod 638 J-frame, both D/A.
Your parameters for a DAO non-polymer 9mm leave a limited range of choices. One of the betters ones, I've heard, is the Kahr MK9, which is a very small DAO semi-auto, albeit somewhat heavy (24oz?) If you give in to a polymer frame, Kel-Tec's P11 is a good choice for self-defense and it is reasonably priced. You are making a good choice for going with a D/A handgun; Whether revolver or semi-auto, in an emergency situation it is less stressful to simply point and shoot, not worrying about anything else other than "do I have one in the pipe?"
 
I decided on a 9mm DAO. I use a Taurus PT-111. It is accurate and has NEVER malfunctioned during use with about 600-700 rounds. However, I won't recommend it because of problems of pin shearing, etc. others have reported here on TFL.

One day I may need to pull the weapon. When I do, I MAY have a small window of time where I give the BG a chance to "freeze". Should he comply, I may not need to fire. There is a chance that under pressure my hand may shake or I may "touch" the trigger not meaning to fire. DAO pretty well eliminates that. During practice, my first shot seems plenty accurate - whether I shoot from the draw or quickly fire after having acquired the target for a few seconds.

Having said that, I have recently been reconsidering this idea. I STILL like the idea of a long pull on the first shot, but I am warming up to the idea of SA pulls after the first shot.

Recently I accidentally ended up in a VERY BAD area when I was out of town. I was seriously thinking I might end up in a "Cincinatti-style" mini-riot. I still wanted a DA first shot but after that I was thinking that SA afterward might allow me slightly faster and more accurate shots. - I'd still run a slightly greater risk of AD though.

In practice, I can fire 2 or 3 shots rapidly and accurately from the Taurus with no problems. After that, the long trigger pull tends to slow me down for some reason.

I have nothing against SA semis though. Just don't trust myself under pressure with a light trigger pull. Also have a "mental" thing about having the hammer back on a round - even with it locked.

FWIW

Logistar
 
There is a chance that under pressure my hand may shake or I may "touch" the trigger not meaning to fire. DAO pretty well eliminates that.
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Finger off the trigger and along side of the frame of the weapon until you are abosultely ready to fire eliminates that "problem". Defensive shooting, recreational, or hunting, you don't touch the trigger until you are ready to send a round downrange.

Back to the subject...
An all steel DAO? You must be thinking of the Kahr K9 or MK9. My Mk9 has been utterly reliable since day one. A joy to shoot and remarkably accurate.


Good SHooting
RED
 
Good thread....I carry DOA guns...for an auto you cant beat the K" series from Kahr. The triggers are light and smooth...but long enough to rule AD's. You cant go wrong with the little Kahrs.
For a DAO wheel gun...the 640 is an excellent choice. I saw one yesterday in WY that had the wood boot grips and a gold colored trigger, cylinder release and ejection rod...GORGEOUS! They wanted $569.00 for it....ALOT. Take a look at the Taurus CIA 650-850...pretty much just like the 640 but slightly smaller and very similar in quality...trigger etc...
Shoot well
 
I've been carrying a Kahr K9 ever since one followed me home 4 or 5 years ago. I still cannot imagine a better DAO auto for carry.
 
I have been contemplating a DAO as well. My thinking is that if I'm comfortable carrying a revolver, I should be comfortable carrying a compact DAO...on the other hand, I'm thinking that if I ever need my pistol, I don't mind the 1st shot being DA, but I'd like follow up shots to be faster, shorter & theoretically more precise.
 
Finger off the trigger and along side of the frame of the weapon until you are abosultely ready to fire eliminates that "problem". Defensive shooting, recreational, or hunting, you don't touch the trigger until you are ready to send a round downrange.
Click to expand...

I am in agreement with you Redlg155. I hope I did not give anyone the impression that I would intentionally touch the trigger before the decision to fire the round.

My point (actually opinion) is that I feel safer knowing that it takes a more deliberate action to pull the trigger. If I thought I would never get nervous and shake, never be bumping into stuff trying to take cover, in short.... if I KNEW that I would be able to stand still and have NO force that could possibly get my finger (or any other object) to come in contact with the trigger, then I'd be SA all the way. I realize that as long as you keep your finger outside the trigger guard you SHOULD be ok. - Just a firm believer in Murphy's law.

Maybe it's a mental thing. - Just like Cocked and Locked "bothers me" personally even though I know logically that it is safe.

BTW - I really like the Taurus 650. Works great with .38+P loads. Magnum loads are fine but there is LOT of recoil for me. Second shots are gonna take a little more time to reaquire the target.

Logistar
 
Some of the 1911 guys sware by single action ...they carry cond 1
They have a good point..a s/a first shot is a great option.
DAO is just a trade off. I carry my K40 and my snubbies..all can be drawn and fired with the same technique (spelling?)..thats what I like about it. I carried cond 1 with my CZ for a while...but
never could get used to it....it could also be carried hammer down and thats how I chose to carry after a while.
There is no right or wrong way. Just use what works best for you.
Shoot well
 
That's about right for one with tax included. They have an MK9 Elite model for $553.00 over at Gunbroker.com. By the time you paid for FFL fee and shipping you would be close to $600, so $550 for the standard Mk9 seems to be correct.

I personally would check around for a used Mk9 over in the firearms listings over here. You can save a lot on a used one. I got one for $400 shipped in excellent condition a while back. Or just post a WTB add here. You most likely will be getting some responses.


Good SHooting
RED
 
I am in agreement with you Redlg155. I hope I did not give anyone the impression that I would intentionally touch the trigger before the decision to fire the round.
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Logistar,

No prob. I understand what you are saying. Hopefully I didn't come across in a condescending manner. I used to be very leery of SA type weapons for carry but I've learned to be comfortable with a cocked in locked 1911 lately.

Good Shooting
RED
 
Is the time difference in shots between a DAO and DA/SA enough to be a liability?
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For 2, 3, maybe 4 shots I seem to be about as fast and accurate with DAO as when shooting SA. I always considered this to be just fine. Recently, when I thought about defending myself against a mob (not likely but possible) I might need to empty a magazine or two.

When I "practiced" emptying my magazines rapidly, I seem to have trouble before I get half way through the first magazine. I seem to have more trouble pulling the trigger smoothly and my accuracy suffers. I do not know if that is just me or if it is typical. I have the same problem with revolvers too so I don't think it is the gun.

Anyone else have this problem?

(That's why I am reconsidering a DA/SA now.)

Logistar
 
another Kahr vote

I have the Kahr K9, it is the only gun I have any experience with as far as DAO. Kahr's DAO is great for the reasons you describe it as fitting you and its trigger is better than a small revolver's. I think that the DA/SA has an edge in follow-up shot accuracy but I'm not sure it is a worthwhile advantage for everyone at the close ranges associated with self-defense shootings. I don't know that you could measure the difference in time, it would be too dependent on the shooter's skill, not the weapon. The problem is that it requires more time and effort to learn the trigger manipulation/transition.
As far as what gun, the MK version seems to get the attention here due to the smaller size. I think this is right if you are talking pocket/ankle carry. I carry on the belt, so the bit of extra grip length and barrel length of the K9 is no bother and in fact makes the gun easier for me to shoot. You might consider that when making a choice if you get down to K9 vs. MK9.
 
I have a S&W 4586... DAO

I carried for a couple years as a duty gun. I like the concept: same trigger pull every time, no safety, no fiddling to make it safe to reholster.

Drawbacks are twofold: Shooting it one handed stinks. No other way to put it. It's S L O W for subsequent shots.

I like DA revolvers and have neither problem with a good revolver. I have neither problem with a SA pistol. Just the DAO autopistol.
 
The wisdom of the double action trigger:

"DAO triggers are consistent from shot to shot"


Translate that to mean "DAO triggers are consistently bad from shot to shot"!


An un-cockable gun is a decided disadvantage.
 
"DAO triggers are consistent from shot to shot"
Click to expand...
Translate that to mean "DAO triggers are consistently bad from shot to shot"!
Click to expand...
Obviously you have never fired a Kahr Elite 98.
I am a 1911 single action man to the core, and when I reach for a full-size gun, I start and stop with a 1911 single action. But for a compact autoloader, you can't beat the Kahr Elite DAO trigger. It is light, smooth, short, and sweet. It rivals a S&W double action revolver with a trigger job. I have a Kahr K9 and MK9...both Elite 98...and can shoot either almost as fast and accurately as my Kimber .45.
 
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