Best small s&w auto for ccw

[m41]

I am looking to buy a S&W auto and I was wondering if someone could help with which one to buy. I am wanting a 9mm or 40 cal. in the smallest and lightest auto available. I have seen the CS9 and it looks like it may be close the what I want but I don't know what else S&W has offered in the past. It will be for CCW I now carry mainly the 340PD. Any help would be appreciated. The only auto I own is the model 41 and I have always had revolvers.

 

[Jim H]

Here are a few that I can think of offhand...
3913
3913NL
3953
457

All are about the same size as the CS9

 

[REVCHARLIE]

6904 and 6906

Best Pistols Ever Made

 

[FirebirdV8]

The 40's you might look at:
4013
4053
4040 - My personal favorite
CS40
For the 4013 the early models were single stack, later on the switched to a modified 69 series frame and it became double stack. Then shortly after that they added a tactical rail and a few other upgrades and it became the 4013TSW.

 

[jpwhel]

Depends on whether you want the metal or polymer frame. Look at the M&P9c which is the 3 1/2 inch barrel. This gun is light and conceal well and holds 12 rounds.

 

[max]

It might be a bit dated, but I like my 669.

 

[Firehouse]

Caliber wise, the aforementioned 3913, also a CS9 or M&P 9C for the 9mm cal.

Also, in .40 the M&P 40C is good, as the 4013 and CS40, if you can find a CS40.

In .45ACP a CS45, or M&P 45C.

 

[m41]

Thanks for the valuable information I will check out all these models you all have mentioned and see if I can get some of them in my hands and make a decision. Again thanks

 

[Babalooie]

I like the 4513 and 3913/14

 

[RedCardinal]

I use the Performance Center 9 Recon for concealed duty use. It is light, accurate and has a 12 round magazine. If needed, can use the 15 round 5906 magazine. It has a slide decocking leaver only and has front slide cocking serrations. An alternate is the Performance Center Shorty 9, almost the same except no front slide cocking serrations and has a slide decocking/safety lever and adjustable sights. They have superb fit and finish with an excellent trigger.

 

[purple95]

I'm partial to my 3953.

Although I've owned several over the years, I'm not a big fan of the SA/DA semi-autos.

But......it was love at first sight for me and my 3953. No do-dads hanging off the gun; rather like my Glocks. KISS.

dan

 

[rbert0005]

With the same question being asked almost weekly I get to post this quite often.

No contest...

Bob

 

[furyalecto]

I use the Performance Center 9 Recon for concealed duty use. It is light, accurate and has a 12 roung magazine. If needed, can use the 15 roung 5906 magazine. It has a slide decocking leaver only and has front slide cocking serrations. An alternate is the Performance Center Shorty 9, almost the same except no front slide cocking serrations and has a slide decocking/safety lever and adjustable sights. They have superb fit and finish with an excellent trigger.

Good luck finding one of those. I had been passively looking for a while. (I am not really looking too hard at the moment.) For some reason, no one is selling theirs!
I believe a 6906 is a viable lower cost alternative.

 

[BarbC]

Have you looked at the Walther PPS? I chose it because it is slim and easily concealable, and has no thumb safety. It field-strips and reassembles easily too.

 

[BUFF]

I find that the double column magazine guns (Models 669, 6906, etc.), with their corresponding bigger, fatter grip frames, are less easy to conceal than single column magazine guns (Models 3913, CS-9, etc.) with their smaller, thinner grip frames.

If a maker offers a .45 choice, it is usually built on a bigger frame than the frames used on 9mm and .40 pistols, and thus will be harder to hide, as well.

I find that the best concealment 9mm pistol of any make I have tried is the S&W Chiefs Special in 9mm (CS-9). I have one of those as well as Chiefs Specials in .40 S&W and .45 ACP. The two bigger guns are, well, BIGGER.

I have qualified my CS-9 for department use but haven't carried it much yet, except as a third handgun, in my tactical vest (body armor and other gear), and where it would actually end up a forth gun overall after my Colt 1911 Gov't Model or Commander in .45 ACP, S&W Model 642 .38 Special and Colt 5.56 mm M-16.

The sticky, large rubber Hogue stocks on the Chiefs Special pistols make the guns easier to shoot well, but harder to conceal due to their size, and harder to draw smoothly due to their 'tackiness.' Adding a hard plastic set of stocks from a Model 3913, cut down to fit the shorter CS-9 grip frame, would be the best way to set the gun up, in my mind.

I should declare my bias. I am afraid that the 9mm gets little use outside of the tac vest carry. For just plain CCW use, such as off-duty carry for a cop or primary carry as a citizen, I usually carry either a Colt lightweight stainless Commander in .45, or if it seems to be too big for the fashion of the occasion, a .38 Special S&W Model 642 revolver. I am a really dedicated 1911 carrier, preferring 'cocked-and-locked' single action preferable to either traditional double action/single action and double-action-only pistols.

I recognize that many handgun toters are not comfortable with cocked and locked carry. A CS-9 or similar gun, with SA/DA action or converted to a DAO action, is something many are more comfortable with and would be a great choice for that tactical and social niche.

Find and shoot a CS-9. I really think you will like it.

 

[unknownazimuth]

I'm new to the forum. I own a 3913TSW which I carry all day without any problems. My dad carries a 6906. The 6906 is a beautiful gun and extremely accurate, and it has 4 rounds more than the 3913. I shot a M&P FS 9mm in the range and it's a beautiful gun, very accurate out of the box. I am changing my 3913tsw for a compact M&P because it just feels so good and conceals well. I also like the glock 19 which shoots like a dream, but I am bias to a gun with an external safety.

 

[Loomis Guard]

I have a 6904 that has never failed me!!! Shoots what ever I give her and is as acurate as any small auto out there.. She carries well on my duty rig gun belt and is easy to conceal under work shirts.. In a shoulder holster its even better!! I'd be looking at the M+P 9C as a replacement cause its as small as the 6904 and all of the revues so far are positive!!! I'm partial towards Smith autos though.. I've seen toooo many Glocks CHOKE (failure to feed) at the range during qualifications to ever want one!!! Hope this helps.....

L.G.

 

[EOD Guy]

M&P40c....... mine has been 100% reliable and they have the benefit of interchangeable backstraps for comfort.

 

[Center Villian]

9mm

I really like my 6906. I can carry it all day, I holds 12rds, and it is very accurate for a shorty.

 

[JamesArthur60]

I like the old and true 3913. I've posted it before, but the photo may help you regarding the style and size. It's a single stack 8 round magazine. Unfortunately, it can be hard to find.