Looking for carry gun that . . .

P

Prof Young

New member
Shooters:

If I wanted a concealed carry gun that is:

1. compact
2. hammer fired
3. has a safety
4. is double action/single action

what should I look at?

Don't leave out any of the requested features.

Thanks.

Live well, be safe
Prof Young
 
Guess I'm more tired than I thought. The only one I can think of at the moment is a Beretta PX4 Storm Compact. There should be dozens, if not hundreds of guns that would fit your bill.

What caliber were you looking for?

Okay, I guess I was wrong; there's not a myriad of guns that cover all your bases. I did find one other though, I think: H&K P30SK V3 SC 9MM. About $600 on GB.

If you could do without the external safety, Sig's P series (P224/225, etc.) seem to have every feature you're looking for, except the safety. They all seem to have the decocker though.
 
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HK P30SK with safety
HK USP compact with safety
CZ. 75 compact
CZ Rami
Beretta 92 compact
Beretta PX4 compact
Beretta PX4 sub compact

Those are what come right to mind.
 
I was going to mention the CZ... The Rami is somewhere between typical sub-compact and compact in size. Compact meaning roughly g19 sized, and sub-compact meaning roughly g26 sized.

CZ has models close to the g19 size. Both metal framed and polymer... The P-07 or P-01 are examples.
 
Classic - CZ Compact. Steel frame, 14 round magazine, standard safety, DA/SA.

http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-75-compact-9mm-black-14-rd-mags/


Modern and cutting edge, (not yet delivered but en route), CZ P-01 Convertible,

http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-p-01-ω-convertible-omega/

Compact forged alloy frame with choice of decocker or standard safety, which can be changed by the user without tools. I carried a P-01 for years, fantastic sidearm.

Deeper concealment, CZ RAMI.

http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-2075-rami-9mm-black-alloy-14-rd-mags/

The RAMI comes with both 10 round and 14 round extended mags, and can use any of the CZ-75 series magazines...not the P-07/P-09 magazines.

I think that might fit your bill. Holsters are available all over, but I highly recommend High Noon Holsters - here is the wife's RAMI in a High Noon Double Jeopardy, as an example.



Now that I'm all done spouting for my favorite brand, do the right thing - go try out several guns yourself, hit a rental range, find what fits YOU, not me or my wife, and get what you like. ;) You might be surprised.
 
The safety requirement really cuts down the list. I can think of only a few that meet all your criteria:

CZ has a bunch in various configurations: 75B Compact (steel mid-sized), P-01 Omega (alloy mid-sized), P-07 (polymer mid-sized), and 2075 RAMI B (alloy subcompact). Plus the clones from IWI or EAA.

Bersa Thunder Pro Ultra Compact

Grand Power P11

A decocker lets you bring in more guns like the Sig 224, 225, and 229; Beretta PX4 compact and 92 compact. Then there's the Walther P99AS, which is a striker-based DA/SA with a decocker. I love the P99 series - it's definitely worth a look if you can live with a decocker.
 
Depends on your definition of compact. CZ lists the P-07 as a compact (that's what I consider it, it's like a hammer fired G19) and it's a fantastic gun. It's SA/DA w/decocker but can be converted to a safety via the Omega trigger system. Only takes a few minutes. Another choice would be the PX4 Compact. Lionheart as well maybe? That's a bit of a different trigger setup though.

If you want smaller... the PX4 Subcompact (it's really not much smaller than the P-07) or Rami.
 
I should note that while the P-07 can be converted to a safety I really, really don't like it in this configuration. I've been having some issues with arthritis in my hands and a couple Saturdays ago decided to switch out the decocker for the safety just to see if it would be an option if my hands don't improve (starting to have trouble with the DA on bad days).

The location of the decocker/safety is a little too forward on the frame for me. Added to that with the point where it pivots and the fact that it's pretty flush with the gun (not pronounced ledge) and it's very awkward to manipulate with my smaller hands. If you have bigger paws maybe it's not an issue. It's unworkable for me though.
 
1. compact - check
2. hammer fired - check
3. has a safety - check
4. is double action/single action - check

Good call, Stormy, on the S&W 3913. I'd add the S&W 908/908s to the mix. Same basic package of single stack goodness in their "value" line.

I have the 908s. 8 rounds, aluminum frame, decent accuracy, without having the right side ambi safety and very easy to carry.

Everything you need. Nuthin ya don't.
 
Grand Power P11

I use the P11 and have been shockingly happy with it. I recently had an outing where we were shooting steel and my timed splits were dead even with that of a full size 9mm 1911 and still got both hits. It is a VERY good shooting gun. There aren't many that have your requirements and the only ones I would even consider have already been listed.
Bersa UC 9
Beretta Compact PX4
CZ RAMI
HK P30SK

and the Grand Power P11.
 
Detonics Pocket 9mm. It is heavy; all stainless. Some people complain about their reliability (mine is completely reliable). And, they aren't made anymore. But, you can generally find one selling between $350 - $500, depending on condition.

Since manufactures have gone away from DA/SA, I don't know of another DA/SA gun that is as compact as the Pocket 9. I checked out the Beretta PX4 sub compact - that seems to be a good modern choice.
 
I have an HK P30 with the "V3" DA/SA trigger variant, and it is very reliable & accurate. The grip on this P30 fits my large hands better than any other gun I own, which for me makes a big difference in being able to shoot it accurately & precisely.

You can get the thumb safety ("S" suffix) if you think you need it, I don't want it with this V3 trigger variant.
 
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