What's the best 9mm Carry Semi-Auto- Dept changed policies-help!

[JSR III]

I carry a model 59 with 14 in the mag and one in the pipe in my waist band or in a shoulder rig. As a back up to that, I carry a 9mm shield with the 8 round larger mag. Really like the idea of having 24 rounds of the same ammo at my disposal with out a mag change.

If you need more than that, bring a friend.

 

[18DAI]

I'll cast another vote for the 3913/3914. I carried one for years off duty and on court days. I have no regrets. If we hadn't gone to all 45's I'd still be carrying one.

Accurate, bet your life reliable, easily concealed and looked good doing all that.

The 39XX series are the finest single stack carry 9mm's made, by anyone, IMO. Sig 239 is a close second place. Good luck with your decision! Stay safe! Regards 18DAI

 

[tom-tom]

The CS9 may be hard to find and its short grip doesn't fit all hands. It's the same size as a 642, weighs a few more ounces than the revolver, and gives you a larger payload (8 versus 5) with much quicker reloads. As a civilian, the reload speed doesn't greatly concern me, but I'd much rather shoot the semi over the wheel gun. In fact, I haven't carried the .38 since acquiring the CS9. The 642's just taking up space in my safe and will probably be gone soon.
The 3913/908 is the next step up in size. If you do a search, you'll find some members here who consider it the perfect compact.
As for the SIG 225/P6, I consider it a full sized duty weapon. A close friend has a Browning BDA, which is a early import version. It's a good shooter and I'd like to find a P6 for my own.

 

[SMSgt]

You're right--brain fart here! Seems to happen more and more these days. Good catch.

 

[RedCardinal]

By "carry" in my post, I was referring to both duty and concealed personal defense. I carried the pre-rail 3913TSW in uniform duty and plain clothes. Qualifiction with this one is a breeze. However, for more serious situations, I have many other S&W brothers including the Performance Center 9 Recon and the IDPA 5906 for up to 15 rounds. I carried these in uniform duty and concealed. Now that I am retired LE, I like the lightweight and easily concealed 3913TSW.

 

[Lost Lake]

I'll also recommend the 3913.

Mine has constantly been drop-dead reliable. I just had the 3913 and the 6906 out seeing which would ride in my IWB today. With the thicker Cocobolo grips on my 3193 they are nearly identical guns.

I do not have the TSW version of the 3913, but I am constantly looking for one...

.

 

[Frank DeBello]

Third Gen 5906!!!

Back in the late 80s and early 90s, I could not keep the "all steel" 5906s on the shelf!! I NEVER had one on my repair bench, except for cleaning (some users just dont know what Hoppes #9 is). I own two to this day, one still unfired in the box. It is one heavy weapon, but built to run forever, and 100% reliable, and will eat any ammo you run. I do like the new M&Ps, my wife carries a 9C along with a 380 Bodyguard, depending on the purse she is carrying. My carry is the same, but the 5906 is in a shoulder holster in the colder months. The alloy versions are lighter in weight, but that solid steel is just old school and always goes bang!! I also used to carry the 5906 in a IWB and a loose shirt in the warmer months, you did know you were carrying, but what a fine pistol!! Good luck in your search!!

 

[losingle]

Anyone of these will do 5906, 6906, 3913nl, cs9.

 

[CALREB]

RED, If you have a 3913/tsw, a Recon 9, and a PC 5906, you have the best there is. I carry a shorty 9 daily, it will shoot as good (usually way better) than any/ANY 1911 and has alot more ammo.
If you shoot alot of + p, just make sure you keep a fresh recoil spring in it.
I always wished they had made a single stack Shorty 9, but over the years Ive gotten use to the double stack and I like the ammo. I took the hump out of the grips and I like it even better.
Nothing wrong with a 3913 though they are great guns. I wouldnt waste any money buying anything else.
The only issue Ive ever seen with these guns is over time, if not cleaned properly, over oiled, or LCP type lubricants left in them until they dry out, (what police officer would ever do that !!!!)the firing pin channel/pin/spring need to be cleaned, or you can have misfires. If thats checked every year or so, and a fresh recoil spring every so often they are super reliable guns. Congrats on retirement, Bob

 

[Badkarma 1]

You could do a lot worse than go with a 3913! I'll recommend only the HK P7 as a better piece, the SIG P225 and 239 are the 3913s equal yet the 3913 is stainless slide over an alloy frame, like the SIGs its easy to carry both in and off duty.
If you can live with 8+1 it don't get much better! A lot of my fellow posters nominated the grand 5906, I just found a like new a couple if months ago, 2,000 rounds thus far and not one burp!!
The 3rd Gen were just damned find pistols!
Dale

 

[smithscott]

I did handle a DA Only SW. Big problem for me. I am used to Sig DA/SA trigger pull, and when firing the DA Only SW, there is a distinct "click" reset after about 1/4 release of the trigger mechanism to reset. I tried it out and it became an issue immediately- meaning if you did not go ALL THE WAY BACK OUT to full "revolver mode" of rolling the trigger forward vs the "reset-prep" of a DA/SA you short stroked your trigger.

Not something I want to deal with in the least.
But thanks for asking.

The CS9 Looks pretty handy, what a nice gun. Don't know why they didn't sell, size of a Glock with a real trigger. Might be an interesting piece.
Thanks all for the info, keep it coming.

That is indicative of the new DAO guns as the hammer is not partially pre-cocked as on the original DAO guns. I strongly suggest trying one of the original 5946 guns (the older guns have the slide extended at the rear to partially shroud hammer) as the trigger pull is shorter and has a much better reset. If that works, you can search for a 3953.

 

[noshow]

How about a Kimber Solo:

Kimber America | Solo 9 mm Pistols

 

[daven59]

S&W forum? OP mentioned S&W options? Don't get me wrong I own Kimber, Glock, Beretta, Colt, but I go to other forums to learn about those.
I don't go to a Ford dealer to ask them what Chevy I should buy.
I looked at a 5906 today and it actually felt real nice in my hand. It was in good shape. Don't know what year it was but looks like they hold up real good. I like all metal.

 

[tom-tom]

Anyone of these will do 5906, 6906, 3913nl, cs9.

That's one nice bevy. Or is it a covey? Too small to be a herd. Let's just, with your permission, call it a gaggle.

 

[GKC]

Is the rail removable from the 3913 TSW? Or do you have to find one without it?

Several years ago, I found and bought a NIB 3913TSW with the rail...I don't like rails on my pistols, so I called S&W and they said they would remove the rail (I didn't ask how much.) I sold the gun in a moment of stupidity...in my defense, I did get more than I paid for it...but I still wish I had that gun. I've seen a few of them since in local shops, but they were used, not in pristine condition, and higher priced than mine.

So, if you have a railed TSW, call S&W and see if they will remove it. Or check with a local gun smith.

 

[snowman.45]

I've carried full-sized S&W .45 on duty in uniform, and I've carried the 659, 4516, and 3913 off-duty and in plain clothes a lot over the last 36 years. I now carry the Shield off-duty, but only because I can't seem to find another 3913. In my opinion, there is no other compact steel or alloy framed single stack semi auto that is in the same league, not even Sigs or H&Ks. As a range master for most of my career, I can also tell you I've rarely seen any of the S&W autos fail.

 

[candjhorses]

If its for a duty weapon and you want a single stack my choices would be 3906 or 3904 the full size 9mm single stack. If you're going to carry off duty my choices would be 3913 or 3914.

 

[Poohgyrr]

it has to be SA/DA, safety lever up top is not an issue. ::: I understand the 3913TSW was one of the last good ones? IS it that much better?

The 39XX series are great single stack 9mms, there are several versions.
One of the original versions had a short grip and seven round mags. I think all the other versions have standard grips and eight round mags.

The 908 is pretty good. I bought the blued version and had to hard chrome the slide to stop rust issues; the stainless 908 doesn't have the rust problem. There are more holsters for the 3913/3914.

An important question is how do they shoot for you? I definitely prefer the 3913/3914 to other brands like Sig and Beretta, but that's me.

Buy a good used 3913 or 3914, a supply of mags and recoil springs, new night sights, a holster or two from Lobo Holsters, and be happy.

 

[GaryS]

Anyone of these will do 5906, 6906, 3913nl, cs9.

Does it make me a hoarder that I have all of those except a 3913NL. Well, I do have a 3914NL, so that counts. Plus a 3904, 5904, 3913, 3913TSW, and a 457.

Yeah, I like third generation semi autos.

I really need a family portrait, don't I.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Been using the 3913/14 series as my primary cc since the early 90s...... could not recommend them more highly........ with Hogue checkered wood grips and Milt Sparks Summer Special holster......has worked for me for 20 years. Some Glock 26 toting buddies call me old fashioned!

As was mentioned a 6906/04 is almost exactly the same size as a 3913 with Hogue wood or rubber grips...... but 12 round mag and a 15rd mag with grip adaptor can be carried as a second mag.....28rds.

One that has not been mentioned is the 915..... "economy" version of the 5906...... nothing cheap about them!!!....... but often overlooked by buyers!