Most blanced semi-auto for CCW

[mcneillax50]

I am coming up on my 21th birthday and I am tossing around a few ideas for a first handgun. Naturally I'm going to S&W for the reliability, but my question is this:

Which gun is the most balanced for personal defense and concealed carry based on stopping power, reliability, ease of use, size and weight, and carrying capacity?

I am drawn towards the compact 3rd gens because I am a fan of metal-framed DA/SA, as well as their size. Right now I think a happy median is the 4013tws (no rail), I've heard it's more powerful than the 9mm (6906/3906), and holds more than the 45 (4566). However I would like a full spurred hammer, but goodness are they tough to come by lately. I'm assuming they are discontinued and people are holding on to theirs? (good signal of it's popularity?)

What are your thoughts?

 

[squidsix]

Just buy one with the bobbed hammer, and then post a "want to trade" ad here. Plenty of us (me) will trade one for the other.

 

[mcneillax50]

thanks for the good advice squidsix

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

Last November I picked up a 4013TSW from a forum member for the same reasons. It came with a factory bobbed hammer, which isn't my first preference. When I took my CC class using a 4006 I had to make the first shot without cocking the hammer. That's a good practice to get accustomed to. The bobbed hammer doesn't have the spur to catch on anything during a draw. For CC the bobbed hammer makes sense. Just my thinkin' on the subject.

 

[APS]

Second that if you are interested in a Smith. I had a 3953 (DAO version of the 3913) that would feed empty cases from the magazine. Very accurate too.

 

[photoman]

Glock 19. If not that, then one of the S&W third gen DAO 9mm's with the lightweight frame.

 

[Timber Wolf]

I have personally carried a 3913 and 4040PD and liked them both a lot and would not hesitate to recommend either one or similar sized S&W pistols. I prefer the single stack because of my short fingers and beefy palms. I also briefly carried a 457 and liked it too (and shot it very well) but it was getting up there in size. I have to confess that my current carry is a Springfield XDsc .40 to go with my nightstand gun, an XDm. Previously I carried a Glock 27 and had a G22 RTF2 in the nightstand. I did not like the Glock grip although I shot them well enough so swapped to the Springfields and am happier. I am somewhat ashamed to say I have never had an S&W M&P of any kind in my hands but plan on rectifying that someday and may change carry HD pistols yet again. I went the Glock/XD route solely to get more mag capacity in my carry gun and to get a light rail on my nightstand gun. I am a big believer in having a light on your house gun. I still keep a flashlight next to the bed but still want a light on the gun. BTW, I still have the 3913, 4040PD, & 457 and don't plan on them going anywhere.

 

[Pioneer461]

The problem with asking that kind of question, is that you will get lots of opinions of what people carry and sometimes why, but in the end it will come down to what works best for you.

There is no one gun that works for everyone, regardless of brand name, or model number. We are all different and our sidearms are a very personal choice. May I recommend you get your hands on as many as you can, to check weight and balance. Try them out, point them and feel the weight. Gun shows are great places to do that, as well as a well stocked gun store. When you find one that fits, see if you can shoot one to see how well it works for you. Some ranges have loaners or rentals.

Then there is the issue of what you want to use it for. Concealed carry, home defense, range shooting, hunting, collecting? If it's to be a carry gun, you then have the holster issue to go through. That is an even more personal decision, based on body size and type, wardrobe, weather, etc. Every gunner I know has at least one box filled with holsters that didn't quite work out.

Once you figure that out, then there is the ammo question. What is "best?" There is no such thing. One-shot-stops, again no such thing.

Quality guns are expensive, and a good one will last several generations. Take your time and do your research.

Good luck and welcome to the wonderful world of handguns.

 

[Condition Yellow]

A modern 9mm gives up almost nothing to a .40 these days. Ammunition has come a l-o-n-g way. I've owned a couple of .40's (Glock, XD), and sold both. I've also owned a couple of 1911's, and prefer shooting the .45 to the .40. Of course this is an age-old argument, but 9mm and .40/.45 are much closer in effectiveness than most would think.

Having said all this, I carry a Glock 19 and a 3913, but carry the 3913 much more often. Even HIGHLY respected 1911 demi-diety Larry Vickers has said modern 9mm ammo has severly narrrowed the gap, and suggests just carrying a G19. Heck, even Rob Pincus, from Personal Defense TV, carries a J-frame .38 in a pocket holster.

 

[ab4ka]

Personally, I stick with a 9mm because it seems like no matter what gun it is, I shoot 9mm better than I do .40S&W. I love my 6906 and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. But I think you can't go wrong with any S&W 3rd gen pistol. Plastic guns are great, but give me a metal frame any day.

 

[Rule 303]

Which gun is the most balanced for personal defense and concealed carry based on stopping power, reliability, ease of use, size and weight, and carrying capacity?

You want a good story or the truth?

Glock 19 with +P+ ammo.

Rule 303

 

[Reggie Dunlop]

A modern 9mm gives up almost nothing to a .40 these days. Ammunition has come a l-o-n-g way.

This just is not true. Spoken often, never proven.
The .40 is simply a superior round in every aspect.
The .40 is the most used law enforcement cartridge in the United States.

 

[Condition Yellow]

This just is not true. Spoken often, never proven.
The .40 is simply a superior round in every aspect.
The .40 is the most used law enforcement cartridge in the United States.

Reggie,

You have called me on it, which is fair. The following link is quite informative, and the author is an expert in terminal ballistics: Service Pistol Duty and Self-Defense Loads - M4Carbine.net Forums

Again, the differences are quite minimal with today's ammunition. However, lest I appear to be anti .4x caliber, my favorite handgun happens to be this:

 

[williamlayton]

STI in .45, .38super, 9x23
Colt in .45, .38super
Any .45, .38super, 9x23.
Brown, Baer, Wilson, Knighthawk, SVI, Kahr, Kimber,Springfield, Norinco (worked up)(tanks) .
Sig Sauer---out of the box, the best in the world.
I have carried for 45years---All without a holster---comfortably and concealed.
Blessings

 

[Reggie Dunlop]

Reggie,

You have called me on it, which is fair. The following link is quite informative, and the author is an expert in terminal ballistics: Service Pistol Duty and Self-Defense Loads - M4Carbine.net Forums

Again, the differences are quite minimal with today's ammunition. However, lest I appear to be anti .4x caliber, my favorite handgun happens to be this:

Interesting article and often refered to data when the caliber wars start.
You have a make a valid point, but I think the article proves the .40 superior.
What we really need is reliable data on the use of each in real self defense situations, which seems to be very hard to find.
I do think the fact that most agencies that require a person to carry a duty weapon pick the .40 over the 9 is significant when making the choice.
No offense intended.

 

[Rule 303]

I believe and advocate this:

"Shot Placement is the King, Caliber is the Queen, Capacity is the Prince, the Number of rounds you
put into the Target is the Princess and the quality of the Gun is the Joker."

Rule 303

 

[CelticSire]

I do think the fact that most agencies that require a person to carry a duty weapon pick the .40 over the 9 is significant when making the choice.

Having been involved in the process on more than one occasion, the effectiveness of a particular calibre has little to do with the choice by the majority of police agencies. Cost and availability far outweigh effectiveness in choosing everything from uniforms to vehicles to weapons and ammo. Many agencies, including the one I then worked for, switched from 9mm to .40 caliber due to Glock offering HUGE discounts in order to get the trade-ins to be sold overseas. Had absolutely nothing to do with how effective the round was.