Looking for carry gun that . . .

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.
Click to expand...

Bersa Thunder Ultra Carry meets your criteria.
 
Lots of good choices have been mentioned. I will just urge you to handle a PX4 compact before you buy, and if at all possible to shoot one. Very nice feel and extremely soft and accurate shooter.
 
TriStar C-100 in 9mm or .40 S&W. The 9 has an alloy frame the .40 is all steel. If you like a full dust cover and a rail there is the P-100.
 
+1 "Old school S&W 3913." I love mine and it is nice and flat and easy to carry 9mm. It is just what I was looking for for my carry gun. I also added a Beretta 84F and it is also easy and compact with more rounds than the S&W. I never feel underguned with 13+ rounds of 380. I guess it depends if you want a single stack or double stack.
 
You didn't specify current production so my vote also goes to the S&W 3913 but there are many S&W models that fit your bill. If you need a little more oomph, the 4013 is out there in both single and double stack variants.
 
Thanks to all . . .

Thanks to all for the suggestions. I will be looking into every one of them and expect to make a purchase in the next few months.

My current carry gun is a good gun (Sig p238) but I can't get use to carrying with one in the pipe, safety on and hammer cocked. (Yes, I know, it's designed to be very safe in that condition.) I'd rather have hammer down and shoot my first shot double action.

Live well, be safe
Prof Young
 
S&W 3923 or CS9 for single stack. 6906 for double stack.
If want current offerings, Beretta PX4 Storm Compact, but those are way bigger than the 3913.
 
Would have suggested the SIG P238, but of course it is SA only. Built very similarly to a scaled-down 1911. That is my carry pistol of choice, unless I am wearing enough clothing to accommodate my S&W Shield (which in no way meets your criteria, being a striker pistol).

Good luck, OP.
 
I won't recommend the CZ for what you want. I don't know of a model which has both a manual thumb safety and a decocker (either/or as far as I'm aware) which would mean manually decocking your first round before putting the safety on... not something I would be comfortable with
 
Some good choices listed.

+1 for the 3913 suggestion as well as a vote for the 6906, or earlier incarnations of the S&W 69 series such as the 469 or 669.

Also, since nobody else mentioned it, how about a Makarov? It definitely has all of the features listed. Makarov is a great little gun and they really grow on you. Full disclosure, I own eight of them. :D
 
In my opinion, the Jericho PSL Mid Size Poly would be a very good option.
Any modern CZ made pistol, compact or the full size version of it, is an amazing SD gun.
FN/Browning Hi Power is an outstanding full size pistol, can be easily carried concealed, but it is a single action, so... :(

From www. iwi.us:

Jericho PSL, Mid-Size Polymer

First introduced in the US in 1990, the Jericho 941 has enjoyed wide acceptance by American shooters over the last 25 years. Based on the highly regarded CZ-75 short recoil system, Jericho pistols combine proven design and function with IWI's exceptionally high standards for reliable performance, accuracy and quality construction.

The Jericho features a frame mounted safety enabling "condition one" cocked and locked carry and single action function or hammer down double action function. Additional features include an integral Picatinny rail for mounting accessories, adjustable dovetailed sights, a firing pin block and a loaded chamber indicator. Barrels are cold hammer forged of the finest Mil-Spec CrMoV steel.

Each Jericho 941 comes with two standard capacity magazines or two 10 round magazines for consumers who reside in states with magazine capacity restrictions. No models will be available for CA or MA.
Caliber 9mm Para (9x19mm) or .40 S&W
Action Semi-auto
Operating System Short Recoil
Magazine Type IWI, Steel
Magazine Capacity 2-16 round 9mm; 2-12 round .40S&W
Barrel Type Cold hammer forged, CrMoV
Barrel Length 3.8"
Overall Length 7.6"
Weight 1.6 lbs.
Rifling 9mm 1:10 RH; .40S&W 1:16 RH
Grip Color Black
Sights Adjustable Sights
Restricted States Not available in CA or MA. 2-10 round mags for capacity restricted states.
Optional Equipment N/A
MSRP - $559.00
Jericho-PSL.jpg
 
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Beretta 92 Compact, S&W MP9C (they do make a model with a thumb safety, I know its hammerless, but its worth a look IMO), or the HK 30SK.
 
I will second the recommendations for the:

Beretta PX4 compact (I have this one)
Bersa Thunder Pro Ultra Compact (I have this one)
CZ-P07 (I want this one)
 
Since you didn't limit the choices to 9mm (& most of those 9mm choices aren't especially small & light), how about the Walther PPK/S in .380acp? Not exactly a modern pistol, but it has its own iconic appeal.

Another I've been eyeing lately is the Stoeger Cougar compact - previously the Beretta Cougar & grandfather to the PX4 Storm. It's substantially cheaper than the Beretta but also heavier being metal framed.
 
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I carry a Smith Model 6906-it's not that much fatter than the fine Model 3913 and I like having the extra rounds on board. Not many pistols are more reliable or ruggedly made than "old school" Second/Third Generation Smith & Wesson pistols.
 
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