Need carry gun advice for a friend

[Grayfox]

A friend of mine just finished the process for his handgun permit. He's currently waiting for it to arrive.
He qualified with a Beretta 92, but wants something smaller for carry.
I've tried to make some suggestions, but the simple fact is that I'm mainly a wheelgunner. When I do turn to semi-autos, I'm pretty much a 1911 guy with little knowledge of anything else out there.

So I'd appreciate some suggestions to pass on to him. BTW: this is not limited to just Smiths. All brands are welcome.

He's a pretty big guy. Familar with handguns, can and does shoot well, but not really a gun guy. To him a gun is simply a tool.

Here's his criteria:
Small to compact size for easy carry and concealment. He's considering pocket carry or maybe IWB for the summer months.
Light weight a definate plus but not absolutely required.
.380 or 9mm caliber.
No polymers or plastics.
Must have an exposed hammer.
Must be of good quality.

Any and all suggestions are welcome.
Thanks.

 

[ChadW]

A Walther PPK

http://www.waltherpistols.com/...er_PPK_Handguns.aspx

 

[JoeS]

It is not available yet (to my knowledge) but I understand that Sig is about to introduce a pistol very similar to the Colt Mustang. That might be worth a look.
Otherwise he might look at a Kahr or the Springfield emp.
If willing to rethink polymer I currently am enamored of the ruger lcp, its sooooo light and easy to carry and has worked very well so far. Then again I'm also quite enamored of the Smith and Wesson M&P compact. Sometimes ya gotta get past those prejudices.

 

[cshoff]

Have him at least take a look at the Bersa Thunder .380. Same size and basic design as the Walther PPK, only quite a bit lighter and with a much better DA trigger pull. Can also be had with a double-stack magazine in the Thunder .380 Plus. Nice little pistols for the money.

http://www.bersafirearmsusa.com/

 

[TSQUARED]

For truly concealed pocket carry you cannot beat either a S&W 642 or Kahr PM-9. I used to carry a Glock 36 but it became difficult to truly conceal especially during the summer months. I opted for a S&W 642 for a while but more recently went for the Kahr PM-9, slim, reliable, surprisingly accurate, 7 rounds of 9mm (6 in mag and 1 in chamber) and slips into a pocket holster with me every day.

 

[lafayne]

IMHO, to have your best options, you may need to rethink the no polymer and exposed hammer rules.
I like the simplicity of stiker fired pistols - similar to a double action revolver - point, pull trigger, gun fires with the same pull every shot.

 

[James NM]

Light weight a definate plus but not absolutely required.
.380 or 9mm caliber.
No polymers or plastics.
Must have an exposed hammer.
Must be of good quality.

You just described the 3913.

 

[max]

Smith 669 or Sig P6.

 

[SharpshooterOPD]

A CS9 will fill the bill nicely.

 

[mississippi revolverman]

I gave shooting advise to a friend who bought a Taurus sub combact 9 MM.

Keep the muzzle pointed down range.
When actioning the slide watch the muzzle
Never place hand over the barrel when clearing a round
Only discharge the weapon with the gun vertical to ground no gangland shooting.

First time he fired he tried one of those Gang shot with the gun on its side. Well the slide eat the web of his hand between thumb and forefinger. Much pain later, trip to emergency,6 stiches he learned his leason

 

[Pioneer461]

Recommend to your friend that he go to a range that rents various kinds of guns and let him decide for himself. What works for me, or anyone else, won't necessarily work for him.

 

[Grayfox]

I already recommended the 3913/14. I had a 3914 and liked it alot. But he didn't care for the bobbed hammer. He's an older gentleman who is more accustomed to revolvers and 1911s. That's why he isn't comfortable with anything without a hammer spur. And no, he doesn't want a wheel gun. I already tried that too.
Right now the PPK seems to be the front runner.
I also suggested he hit the local shops and just look at what they had to see if he saw anything he liked. He's supposed to do that this weekend. Maybe he'll rethink his criteria after that.

Meanwhile, keep those suggestions coming.

 

[photocosmo]

How 'bout a S&W CS9, Bersa or Beretta 380, or HK P2000?

 

[d625]

Grayfox

No polymers or plastics.
Must have an exposed hammer.
Must be of good quality.

Just curious......did he establish these criteria, or are they based on advice from others? (Advice on guns usually reflect preferences of the advisor, not the needs of the advisee).

Some would say that the very best examples of concealable handguns are eliminated right up front by these exclusions. If your friend really feels that a carry gun is just a tool (like I do), then one wonders why he has excluded some high quality, high capacity, lightweight, reliable 9mm handguns in order to choose a heavier gun with a hammer that will snag on his clothing.

If he is serious about these restrictions, then I would recommend a S&W 3913, or better yet a 3953 if he can accept the flush hammer.

 

[Capt Steve]

Cshoff called it, the Bersa .380. Great gun at a reasonable price. It comes in several different models. My CC comes with an 8 round magazine and is a few ounces lighter as well as a little slimmer than the standard model. An excellent choice for CCW.

 

[MWB]

The 'bobbed' hammer on the 3913 is easily swapped for a spurred one. After he realizes that the 'bobbed' hammer draws more easily from concealment, he can easily switch back...

 

[scbackpacker]

I agree with the others on the 3913. I have several handguns that I've carried including a model 60 snubby, Ruger P95 and a Sigma. But my carry weapon is a 3913. Put the safety on chamber a round insert in IWB Lobo holster knock the safety off and I have 9 rounds of 124 gr.+p gold dots to protect myself and family with. AND no hammer to catch on my shirt. With my 3913 and 2 extra mags I trust it to save my life. The best $320.00 I ever spent on a handgun.

 

[G-ManBart]

The new Sig P238 should fit the bill...even though I wouldn't recommend .380acp as a primary carry gun for almost anybody. Especially for a bigger guy I'd suggest the P239 instead. My father has one in .40 and while it's not super accurate (relative) it's been reliable. Funny thing is my G27 is smaller and holds 3 more rounds. R,

 

[makaadict]

Originally posted by mississippi revolverman:
I gave shooting advise to a friend who bought a Taurus sub combact 9 MM.

Keep the muzzle pointed down range.
When actioning the slide watch the muzzle
Never place hand over the barrel when clearing a round
Only discharge the weapon with the gun vertical to ground no gangland shooting.

First time he fired he tried one of those Gang shot with the gun on its side. Well the slide eat the web of his hand between thumb and forefinger. Much pain later, trip to emergency,6 stiches he learned his leason

Never place hand over the barrel when clearing a round

I can speak 1st hand on this one! I was clearing my gun to put it in the safe. well I had my hand over the top of the slide instead of pulling it back from behind the slide when I was clearing it. My hand slipped and the gun slam fired and I got a 9mm in my palm.

 

[Pasifikawv]

Until I found a comfortable and fully concealable IWB for my SW40VE, I primarily carried a Bersa .380. Light, inexpensive, relatively accurate and reliable. Overall, a good concealable sidearm for the price.