Which 9mm Auto Would You Consider The Best All Around Concealed Carry Gun?
- Thread starter Tim Croley
- Start date
brandon_h3
Moderator
Isn't there no "one perfect gun"?
Last time I checked, everybody is unique. That would mean everybody's idea of "the perfect gun" should also be unique. So, as many people have previously stated, the perfect gun is the one you like the most, shoot the best and conceal the easiest. That's at least for a concealed carry gun. My two cents is now on the table.
Last time I checked, everybody is unique. That would mean everybody's idea of "the perfect gun" should also be unique. So, as many people have previously stated, the perfect gun is the one you like the most, shoot the best and conceal the easiest. That's at least for a concealed carry gun. My two cents is now on the table.
Browning HiPower
I did a quick scan and I can't believe that I am the first one to mention this (sorry if I overlooked it).
To me its thin slide is easy to conceal, and I have no trouble carrying a full size gun all day long.
Of all the guns I have shot, I did better with my HiPower from the start than any other. I could drive tacks with my HiPower from day one. It seemed to naturally seek the target.
My HiPower has been as reliable as my Glocks and Sigs so what more can I ask for?
If it has to be a 9mm, it has to be a HiPower.
My second vote is for the Kahr K9 and MK9 in Elite 98 format.
I did a quick scan and I can't believe that I am the first one to mention this (sorry if I overlooked it).
To me its thin slide is easy to conceal, and I have no trouble carrying a full size gun all day long.
Of all the guns I have shot, I did better with my HiPower from the start than any other. I could drive tacks with my HiPower from day one. It seemed to naturally seek the target.
My HiPower has been as reliable as my Glocks and Sigs so what more can I ask for?
If it has to be a 9mm, it has to be a HiPower.
My second vote is for the Kahr K9 and MK9 in Elite 98 format.
Tim, you and you alone will answer this question for yourself. Your search maybe long or short but worth the journey. Professionals I know carry a primary 9mm large enough to conceal allday and still use the same weapon for idpa. Best to carry what you will compete with. What works for me will not in all likelyhood work for you. I idpa with an HK P7-M13, and use a P7-M8 for ccw.
Johnny Rad
New member
Glock 26: it's relatively small size and 10-round capacity makes it a winner in my world. Don't own one, but would if I could start all over with my pistol collection!
However, the Kimber Ultra Carry / Colt Defender 1911 is "essentially" the same size as Glock's 26 and may become my CCW.
However, the Kimber Ultra Carry / Colt Defender 1911 is "essentially" the same size as Glock's 26 and may become my CCW.
Eric Larsen
New member
I like capacity in a 9mm. I carry my CZ Compact and has 16 rnds in it.....another 15 in my pocket. If I were worried about size a Kahr K9, or other Kahr. For a revolver...the Taurus CIA 357 or S&W 360-340 Sc would do nicely, for a pocket gun. Full tilt 357's though......Shoot well
Hmmm.
I'll go for what used to be "compact", but are now "midsize" guns as "all-around" choices.
They all have pros and cons.
Glock 19
A really good "all-arounder"; capacity like a full size duty gun, nearly indestructible, reliable, small enough to tote, big enough to have a decent sight radius and comfortable grip for range work, light, accurate enough. Trigger could be better (and is awfully proprietary), a little chunky, homely, and the grip angle doesn't fit everybody.
SIG P-228
Same as above, but more accurate and better (as well as more conventional) trigger. Just as reliable, but a little more fragile (especially the finish). Most find them to have top-drawer ergonomics. Hard to find and tend to be a little steep. The SIG P-229 is a top-heavy P-228 that won't rust. P-225 has slimmer grip but gives up a few rounds.
HK P7M8
Super accurate and reliable, but down on capacity compared to the other two. Very flat and snag-free. Heavy for its' size. Extremely proprietary manual of arms is both blessing and curse. Nicest trigger this side of a 1911. Costs Big Union Dollars. Holsters are scarce and tend to be expensive.
3913/3913LS
Heavy, trigger is okay but nothing to write home about, down on capacity compared to G19/P-228, very flat. Quite feed reliable with ammo it likes, but not on par with SIG/Glock/HK in my experience; may have one or two brands/bullet shapes/bullet weights that it doesn't like. Cheesy-feeling *&* third-gen auto plastic grips. Smooth and snag-free.
(Other good CCW 9mm's that didn't make my "all-around" cut for one reason or another: Kahrs/G26/CS9/P-11/P-239 are all decent-to-great quality guns, but too really too small for extended range fun and tend to have limited ammo capacity. These are more of the dedicated CCW/hideout type guns. USP-9c/P-99/XD-9 are all tote-able, but tend to bulk more/be more snag-prone/or be longer in the grip than the "head of the class" CCW guns.)
I'll go for what used to be "compact", but are now "midsize" guns as "all-around" choices.
They all have pros and cons.
Glock 19
A really good "all-arounder"; capacity like a full size duty gun, nearly indestructible, reliable, small enough to tote, big enough to have a decent sight radius and comfortable grip for range work, light, accurate enough. Trigger could be better (and is awfully proprietary), a little chunky, homely, and the grip angle doesn't fit everybody.
SIG P-228
Same as above, but more accurate and better (as well as more conventional) trigger. Just as reliable, but a little more fragile (especially the finish). Most find them to have top-drawer ergonomics. Hard to find and tend to be a little steep. The SIG P-229 is a top-heavy P-228 that won't rust. P-225 has slimmer grip but gives up a few rounds.
HK P7M8
Super accurate and reliable, but down on capacity compared to the other two. Very flat and snag-free. Heavy for its' size. Extremely proprietary manual of arms is both blessing and curse. Nicest trigger this side of a 1911. Costs Big Union Dollars. Holsters are scarce and tend to be expensive.
3913/3913LS
Heavy, trigger is okay but nothing to write home about, down on capacity compared to G19/P-228, very flat. Quite feed reliable with ammo it likes, but not on par with SIG/Glock/HK in my experience; may have one or two brands/bullet shapes/bullet weights that it doesn't like. Cheesy-feeling *&* third-gen auto plastic grips. Smooth and snag-free.
(Other good CCW 9mm's that didn't make my "all-around" cut for one reason or another: Kahrs/G26/CS9/P-11/P-239 are all decent-to-great quality guns, but too really too small for extended range fun and tend to have limited ammo capacity. These are more of the dedicated CCW/hideout type guns. USP-9c/P-99/XD-9 are all tote-able, but tend to bulk more/be more snag-prone/or be longer in the grip than the "head of the class" CCW guns.)
donglock26
New member
another vote for the G-26. I have one with trijicon nightsights. I like the Glock toughness in a small CCW gun.
bad_dad_brad
New member
When you can dress around it, I prefer the G19.
When things have to go in pocket, I like my MK9.
On occasion I consider getting a G26, because I like Glocks, but when you compare the MK9 to the G26 size wise you can really see and feel the deference when concealing.
My wish list would be if Glock would come out with a slimmer G26 like pistol, shorter barrel, single stack 7 or 8 round mag. That I would add to my collection PDQ.
When things have to go in pocket, I like my MK9.
On occasion I consider getting a G26, because I like Glocks, but when you compare the MK9 to the G26 size wise you can really see and feel the deference when concealing.
My wish list would be if Glock would come out with a slimmer G26 like pistol, shorter barrel, single stack 7 or 8 round mag. That I would add to my collection PDQ.
SELFDEFENSE
New member
The one I CCW and home defend with all the time -
Glock 17L -
in a Sparks MMX at 2:30.
Use it over my G19 (relegated to x-draw backup role), G26 (relegated to safe), G21 (just to have a .45), Colt 1991-A1 (just to have a 1911 to shoot .45 Super with), Beretta 950, and Dan Wesson 15 .357.
Glock 17L -
in a Sparks MMX at 2:30.
Use it over my G19 (relegated to x-draw backup role), G26 (relegated to safe), G21 (just to have a .45), Colt 1991-A1 (just to have a 1911 to shoot .45 Super with), Beretta 950, and Dan Wesson 15 .357.