Picking out a classic carry piece

[AAAOA]

Hey all,

I am looking at picking out my first CCW and after trying out many modern concealed carry pistols I've discovered that I dislike the vast majority of them. From glocks to Rugers to walthers to the sig p365 to some of those mini 380 1911s, I just don't like them or reliability of the rental I tried was poor. I found a remington r51 for a good price and it felt great in the hand, but that has gone like most r51 stories. Nice gun, not reliable, waiting on repairs. Given my general distaste for more modern options, I want to try and figure out what may be some reasonable options from decades past.

I am in a set of circumstances that means I need a fairly small and thin pistol, as I work customer service in Northern Virginia and I don't feel like having a soccer mom go off on me because she sees I have a gun. Something along the lines of a pocket pistol I suppose, as my work uniform is pretty strictly a tucked in polo with jeans or khakis. I'm comfortable with .32acp or .380acp, or 9mm so long as the barrel is around 3.5".

My short list so far is an old 380 model 51, an FN 1910, a CZ82 or CZ83, or a S&W 6904 as a larger 9mm option. These all of course have pros and cons and I'm not settled on any nor have I had the chance to handle any of them as of yet. With this virus going on, God know when I'll be able to go by a few gun shows to look for them.

Do any of you have experiences with these hand guns for better or worse, and are there any solid choices I'm blatantly missing? Any feedback or recommendations are greatly appreciated.

 

[Rdlningcltchdmpr]

Sphinx 2000 ! And the compact model also. Best- best.

 

[ToddKS]

For the scenario you are describing a SW Bodygaurd in a pocket holster would be a good choice. It is not a terribly pleasant gun to shoot. The trigger is long and heavy. In this case, however, we are talking about a pistol you are going to carry daily, not something that you are going to shoot at the range every day. It will be comfortable to carry and discreet which are the over arching criteria in this case.

 

[USMCDOC]

mine idea of one would be the S&W 39

 

[AAAOA]

Oh, before too many gourmet level recommendations roll in I'd like to keep the price around $500-$800. Less than is fine and there is some wiggle room up top, I'm sure as hell not buying any firearms in this market lol. Once things chill out in a month or two, and I should have a decent chunk of change by then.

 

[Rset]

My daily carry is an XDs. Conceals well, descent trigger, thousands of rounds through it with no malfunctions that I did not purposely produce (crimped empty cases, snap caps) No manual safety to get in the way. Couldn't be happier for what it is for.
A sig P320 is it's smaller forms may also be a good option. They run flawlessly.

 

[Straightshooter1]

You might take a look at the Bersa Thunder 380 ACP as this is really an nice small, thin, reliable piece. . .very comfortable to carry inside a pocket. It doesn't come in a striker fire configuration, which is one of the main criteria I looked for. Also, the trigger pull after it's been cocked/fired is really low and a great feel.

OH . . . . and though it's an inexpensive, the quality is quite good. VERY reliable. I've had mine for several years now and it's the one I prefer to carry. It's the one in the pic below and note that the sights are very short in this particular model and a bit hard to see, but at a defense distance, I tend point and shoot rather than aim and practice that skill. Even though the sights are small, the gun shoots surprisingly accurate.

The grip is a bit small, but with my large thin hands, it just fits and feels just right. If one has large somewhat chubby hands, this may not feel so good???

 

[AAAOA]

The grip is a bit small, but with my large thin hands, it just fits and feels just right. If one has large somewhat chubby hands, this may not feel so good???

For better or worse I am built like a stick so chubby hands aren't an issue haha. I've handled a bersa thunder a few times and rather liked the feel, never got the chance to fire one though. That may certainly worth another look as a more modern piece. I've come to like more of the single stack options on the market, most fit my hand well and would be a bit easier to conceal.

 

[JJMoody]

Glock 43, 42 with +2 mag extension
The sig 365 is winning me over
S&W j-frame pistols are pretty slick.
Ultimate boutique: HKP7 M8 or original p7
One thought: get something you like the trigger on. Aftermarket parts on a CCW pistol might not lose your court case, but they will add zeroes to your lawyer’s bill.

 

[sqrlgtr]

I know you said you dislike glocks but I carry one (glock 27) and I do not worry about it going bang when I want it to go bang and dont have to worry about any safeties just aim and shoot.When I want something smaller I carry a glock 42 but have to say its just about to big for my front pocket but works real well in a cargo pants type pocket.When I started to carry this is what I started with if I had started with something else thats probably what I would like.That being said if I had to choose something else it would probably be a springfield XD for all the same reasons I carry a Glock....

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

I have a tidy FN 9mm. The FNS (striker fire system) compact in 9mm. If you're a bit insecure, as I am, they also make them in 40 S&W. Beautiful pistols.

 

[dogdude]

Glock 42-43 with IWB holster, S&W Airweight with bobbed hammer, IWB. Just a few of what I carry.

 

[Medic505]

You can tell them your name is Bond, AAAOA Bond.

 

[Gman]

If you want THIN, small & lightweight then you want want a Kahr. Poly frame, Striker fired, double action only, semi-auto. The "P" series have all forged metal parts & come in different cartridges/calibers available. Excellent concealled carry pistols.

 

[msinc]

I have tried them all and based on what you are asking I would say new a Ruger LCP....retro/older model a Colt Pocket Hammerless. Either the 1903, which is a 32acp or the 1908 which is a 380acp. Both guns are identical in size and I am not a big fan of the 32 so I carry a 1908. They are very accurate guns, but I have to say that John Moses Browning must have had some awesome vision because the drawback to these guns is the little tiny micro sights.
The LCP is vey reliable, reasonably accurate and cheap enough that you aren't out much if you don't like it. It too has somewhat poor sights, but little tiny highly concealable "deep cover" carry guns are not long range weapons and I gotta wonder just how important sights are anyways.

Edit: if you really want accurate and don't mind going a little bigger Gman hit the nail on the head with a Kahr PM...

 

[Medic505]

The LCP is vey reliable

I agree. Not my favorite to shoot, I carry one in my pocket in the summer. Sig 365 when I don't mind wearing enough clothes to cover it up. I shoot that LCP and clean the lint out of it every couple of months. It has never failed to perform. Light, simple, cheap and it works. What more could you ask for.

 

[Mark W]

I agree. Not my favorite to shoot, I carry one in my pocket in the summer. Sig 365 when I don't mind wearing enough clothes to cover it up. I shoot that LCP and clean the lint out of it every couple of months. It has never failed to perform. Light, simple, cheap and it works. What more could you ask for.

An LCP in a pocket holster goes everywhere with me!!!

 

[Uthink Uknow]

I also like my Kahr but just as important is the garage (holster). Try a number of holsters on for size and position. Some options are inside waist band, outside belt, small of the back, cross draw. So see if you can handle a gun and also the holster before buying.

 

[C.E.Smith043]

If you want THIN, small & lightweight then you want want a Kahr. Poly frame, Striker fired, double action only, semi-auto. The "P" series have all forged metal parts & come in different cartridges/calibers available. Excellent concealled carry pistols.

I've carried a Khar for about 10 years now and absolutely love it. Next best thing to a 1911 in the grip category for me.

 

[Bojo]

Glock 23c shooter here and o ce in a great while a ruger sp101 2.5 inch hammer gun.

99.9 percent of the time it's the glock.
I carry it the same way winter or summer with the hope that my memory will be fluid and smooth enough to draw and put into action should the need ever arise.