Chicks with guns

[handgunchick]

My birthday's coming up, and my family asked me what I wanted. Another gun, of course! I have an older Ruger 9mm P93 DC in fantastic shape which I love that is the main gun that I shoot at the range. However, I am about to get my concealed carry cert and that gun is a bit large. I would like to get a semiauto in a compact size of larger caliber (noise and recoil do not bother me) for $500 or less. I would prefer the ammo to be affordable, since I go shooting regularly, and I am a big Ruger fan, so that would be a plus, as well. Any advice from the wise Firing Line sages is welcomed!

[proxpilot]

ruger SR40? or the SR9 compact

[DiscoRacing]

I would prefer the ammo to be affordable

Yeah... wouldnt we all.

[bigghoss]

there is such a ridiculously large amount of choices that I can barely begin to make suggestions.

do you want to stick with a DA/SA like your ruger? something like a PX4 storm in .40 or .45 or a CZ rami might fit the bill nicely. or if you'd rather go to a stiker fired trigger than you have the obvious choices from glock, XD/XDm and M&P. or you can go to a single action officer's 1911. all depends on what you like.

[Vermonter]

Ruger is making a compact 9mm in a similar design to their LCP. The LC9 will be 9mm which you already shoot and will be easily concealable.

Vermonter

[tony pasley]

Go to a range that rents and find out what you like buy trying out what feels good in your hand. That way you will know that you can shoot it comfortbly

[Death from Afar]

I'd get a .22 pistol- like a Ruger or a Browning- cheap to shoot, low recoil and blast and a fine way to get your girlfriends into shooting.

Perhaps if you post some pictures we could suggest pointers. (Sorry Art, I couldnt resist) ;)

[jimbob86]

Any advice from the wise Firing Line sages is welcomed!

I am not one of those, but I have never been reticent on a gun forum......so here goes:

I would prefer the ammo to be affordable

....and me, I'd like it to be FREE! :)

Affordable to whom? Me, I reload, and even with plated bullets, .45 ACP is spendy (I have 5 kids and a gun collection to feed)......Affordable to me means either reloading with lead or plated bullets in a low velocity/pressure cartridge, or buying 9mm jacketed bullets in bulk. If you do not reload, that means buying 9mm factory ammo in bulk.

I would like to get a semiauto in a compact size of larger caliber (noise and recoil do not bother me) for $500 or less.

Larger caliber than what? 9mm? In small auto pistols, that pretty much leaves .40 S&W, .357 SIG, and .45 ACP. If you reload, the first two are tricky (high pressure cartridges with small case capacity- small errors can mean large increases in pressures), and the .45 is pretty forgiving. .45 bullets are not cheap, and the factory loaded ammo is flippin' outrageous!

If I were looking for a carry gun for less than 500 bucks, it would be a Ruger sr9c ..... about $400, and you'd have money left for a good holster, and a start on a good belt..... or a Lee hand press kit and components. They make a .40 version, but that ammo is spendier....

My brother has one, and really likes it. I shot it and the trigger is not bad at all - I'm a 1911 guy, so I'm predjuciced against DA and DA/SA triggers, and think a stock Glock trigger has a reset that is measured with a calender...... nothing wrong with it, other than I don't like it :D ........

[jimbob86]

or you can go to a single action officer's 1911.

For $500? That's not stolen? Where? I got a Charles Daly 10 years ago for $400, but they went broke selling them that cheap.........

[jimbob86]

CZ rami might fit the bill nicely.

These under $500?

[jimbob86]

I'd get a .22 pistol

Wait until you get a carry gun, and then get a .22 that is as similar in form and function to the carry gun, for low cost practice.

[ILLINI]

A lightly used Glock 23 or Glock 27 in 40 S&W should do nicely and be within your budget...Illini

[SauerGrapes]

I would look at the used guns. Tons out there that barely have shots through them and no holster wear if that bothers you.
The gun you have has a 3.9" barrel, how small do you want? Subcompact?
Kahr makes the CW9 which is nice. I think they also make it in .40 S&W. 500 bucks, not sure.
I'm not a big Taurus fan, but I carry a PT709 which is very easy to conceal and shoots great. The problem is, you might get a lemon and have to send it back for tweaking. Great carry piece though.
Go to some gunshops and look. Too much to choose from.
Cheap ammo?, let me know where you find it!

[SW40F]

Well, it's not exactly compact, but since you already have a Ruger, why not look at the Ruger P345? Bigger caliber, smaller gun.

[orionengnr]

I bought a (small) Kahr P45 and a (smaller) PM45. Also a (smaller yet) PM9 a while back. Each was $500 or less.

Yes, I like and carry the polymer single stack Kahrs.

[rugerfreak]

Ruger SR9c

[jmortimer]

Ruger SR40 or SR9c. If you like to shoot learn about reloading we need more "chicks with reloading equipment" Then you could lower you shooting costs.

[pilpens]

I think I would look at the Kahr pistols in 9mm first -- I like the all steel ones -- but I do not know current prices.
Maybe a DAO version of the S&W 3913?

[Bamashooter]

I bought my wife a CZ82 for Christmas for 199 and she loves it. I didnt know if she would at first becouse she always wants something light. Once she shot it and got used to it she really likes it. The ammo isnt much more than 9x19 and it holds 12 in the mag so I feel a little better knowing she isnt undergunned anymore. She carried a .32acp before which in my opinion is flirting with not enough firepower. Just my thoughts. Whatever you end up with...enjoy.

[ClydeFrog]

If you plan to carry the semi auto pistol for concealed carry and want a simple design that's safe to use, I would suggest the following;
The S&W Military and Police compact with a ambi safety & 3 dot night sights in .357sig. The MP357 compact has become a proven design and will hold up well. You can add a CT lasergrip to the MP357 w/o a safety.
A Springfield XD compact in .357sig. A CPO/pre-owned SIG Sauer P239 DAK in .357sig or .40S&W. A Crimsontrace laser aimer can be added too.

The new ambi-control mid-size Beretta PX4 Storm in .40S&W or a Ruger SR9c could work well also. I owned a Beretta PX4 C pistol in 2009.
The HK line in LEM(P2000, P30, USP compact, 2000sk) would do very well but are not in your $500 budget range.

CF

[Leejack]

Being a big Ruger fangirl, you might want to give the SR9c a look!;)

Rugers can be quite addicting!

[BerettaBuckeye]

Kahr CW9,40 or 45. Even if you buy 2 spare mags you should still be under or at $500 new

[Skans]

I think I would look at the Kahr pistols in 9mm first -- I like the all steel ones --

I'd have to concur with this - maybe you can find a good used one for around $500.

[Cemo]

If you are a Ruger fan, then I suggest a Ruger 5 shot snub nose revolver. They have three: SP101 .38/357, 25-26oz weight allows for moderate recoil in .38 and still bearable for most people in .357; LCR .38, light weight for CCW, great trigger; LCR .357, light weight for CCW. All three have great grips.

[MuzzleBlast]

For $500 you have a deluge of choices. I would concur with what a couple of the guys have said:

Ruger SR9c.

You already know Ruger makes good guns, you already have a ton of 9mm, which is the best compromise between effectiveness and cheapness, and you want a smaller, concealable piece.

[Falcon642]

Take a good look at a Springfield XD subcompact in 9mm or .40.

http://genitron.com/HandgunDB/DB-Compare-Selections.asp?ID1=1230&ID2=3017&ID3=0

[10mm4ever]

If you want striker fired, Steyr M9A1.....if you want conventional DA/SA, FNP/FNX9.

[markj]

or you can go to a single action officer's 1911.

For $500?

Armscor, Rock Island Armory has some real nice shooters in the 3.5in barrel 1911s. I have read very good reviews on these.

[jimbob86]

Armscor, Rock Island Armory has some real nice shooters in the 3.5in barrel 1911s.

I have heard that reliability suffers in micro length .45 1911s ...... not firsthand knoledge, mind you .......

[1goodshot]

I vote used glock or sig P6 and have new sights an a 20# main spring put in it.

[carprivershooter]

Sprindfield XD9 or XD40 subcompact.

[10Ringmagic]

jimbob86
Senior Member


Join Date: October 4, 2007
Location: All the way to NEBRASKA
Posts: 1,289 Quote:
Any advice from the wise Firing Line sages is welcomed!

I'm a 1911 guy, so I'm predjuciced against DA and DA/SA triggers, and think a stock Glock trigger has a reset that is measured with a calender...... nothing wrong with it, other than I don't like it ........



I don't understand your comment about the Glock reset. Glocks are well known for their extremely short trigger reset.

[cosmicdingo]

Probably not this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRgYtp3HfvY

[jimbob86]

I don't understand your comment about the Glock reset. Glocks are well known for their extremely short trigger reset.

Extremely short as compared to what, exactly? A Double Action Revolver? A Sigma?

Not a 1911, for sure. I have shot Glock or two..... both stock and modified ..... and none of them had a trigger resest as short as a 1911..... even a crappy 1911.

[Hal]

What every girl needs ;)..

http://air-ordnance.com/product_info.php?products_id=938&osCsid=4c0a74b469d5329ba3e9550fcdb95ff4


(Every boy too!)

600 fps.
12 rounds a second.

Affordable ammo?
Well,,kinda...the pellets are cheap but @ that rate of fire you could go through a bundle in a hurry.

[Jack Bauer]

You can get a Kahr CW-series for under $500...I just got a CW45 that's awesome...

Being a Ruger fan, the SR9c would be a good choice, too.

Maybe take a look at the Smith & Wesson SD9 or SD40...

[10Ringmagic]

Extremely short as compared to what, exactly? A Double Action Revolver? A Sigma?

Not a 1911, for sure. I have shot Glock or two..... both stock and modified ..... and none of them had a trigger resest as short as a 1911..... even a crappy 1911.
Excuse me, you are correct about the triggers on 1911's. They are the best SA trigger ever designed in 100 years.

[chasesparks]

ak 47.


no seroiusly. if you can handle a Taurus PT1911 .45 ACP.. its the best gun ever made in my opinion.

[Hawg]

ak 47.


no seroiusly. if you can handle a Taurus PT1911 .45 ACP.. its the best gun ever made in my opinion.

Yeah that's gonna be easy to conceal.:rolleyes:

[chasesparks]

it is actually. a 1911 is built to conceal.... skinny body.. i have a leather holster for it and tuck it in my pant's back. i can wear a t- shirt and stand right in front of you and you would have no idea im carrying.

[DoctorXring]

.

Kahr PM9 Black Rose Edition --

http://www.kahr.com/custom-shop.asp


It appeals to my feminine side

:)

good shooting, dxr



P.S. Happy Birthday !

.

[Pilot]

These are a few I'd recommend, but they are 9MM due to your desire to have cheaper ammo.

CZ-75D PCR
Glock 19
FN polymer 9MM (forget the model)
Used Sig P228

[Webleymkv]

The only gun that Ruger makes that would come even close to meeting your criteria would be the SR40, and it's not really all that small. The SR9c is quite small but it does not meet your criteria of larger caliber.

Now, looking outside of Ruger, you've got several options in .40 S&W, .357 Sig, and .45 ACP (I'm assuming you want a semi-automatic since you've posted this in the semi-auto forum). Good brands to look at include Glock, S&W, Springfield Armory, Beretta, Walther, CZ, and Sig though some may be above your $500 price limit.

I would kind of like to know if there's any particular reason that you want something bigger than a 9mm. As far as your cheap ammo requirement, you're not going to find much that's significantly cheaper than 9mm (9mm is probably the most affordable centerfire handgun ammo avaiable). With a modern premium JHP, 9mm really doesn't give up all that much to other common calibers in terms of effectiveness.

[FoxtrotRomeo]

Yeah that's gonna be easy to conceal.

It is for me. It's a single stack, thinner profile. I carry one when I don't carry my Kimber Pro Eclipse II.

IWB, cocked and locked, gone. I do it in the summer all the time.

[Squibb]

Based on what you are asking for, I would start looing at Kahrs. You can buy a new CW9, which is smaller than the Ruger SRs, with an extra mag at less than $500. I'd also check out some gently used PM9s, as well. You can find them for less than $500, if you look hard enough.

[old jeff]

Lots of suggestions have been made, all of them good.

Just like love, Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

If it feels right...

btw

costs ? All Factory ammo has costs which impacts your shooting pleasure. Bulk purchases will reduce those costs. Handloading will reduce it further. I believe that Sig's are the most difficult to reload.

Factory by the box from Cheaper Than Dirt is

9MM UMC 115 gr Ball 11.64
9MM Federal 115 gr HP 19.54

357 Sig BVAC JHP 125 Gr 27.79
357 Sig Win USA 125 Gr HP 30.08

40 S&W Speer Lawman 165 gr Ball 17.79
40 S&W Win 135 gr HP 19.79

45 ACP Rem 230 Gr HP 19.79
(25 Round Box Golden Saber)
45 ACP UMC JHP 230 Grain 18.79
45 ACP Rem 185 Gr HP 32.67

Your pleasure will vary.

Best of luck.

[ripnbst]

I'd look at anything from a major manufacturer in subcompact chambered in 9mm. From there its all personal preference on fit really as you can see from the variety of recommendations here.

Bigger caliber isn't really needed, its all shot placement. 9mm ammo is about the cheapest handgun ammo around.

That being said I carry a Para Ordnance 1911 CCO in .45. I prefer the .45 recoil characteristics over the 9mm, personal preference for me. You say you want bigger caliber. Have you ever shot anything bigger than 9mm? If so how much bigger? The best caliber for you to CCW is the one you shoot best.

[franco45]

Another vote for the Kahr CW series. I have both the CW9 and the CW45. They are light, thin and reliable. Very easy to conceal and accurate too.

[handgunchick]

I've noticed that several people have recommended that I buy a 9mm gun because of the cheap ammo preference I mentioned. That makes a lot of sense, however, if I get a 9mm I might as well save my $500, use my current Ruger 9mm as my conceal/carry, and just wear a baggy shirt :D

[CDW4ME]

Well, if you don't want another 9mm then consider a Glock 23 (40 S&W) or 36 (45 acp).
The grip on the 36 is thinner due to it's 6 + 1 capacity, 23 grip is exactly like a G19; slide thickness of the 23 & 36 is the same as the 9mm model 19.

[CWKahrFan]

"I've noticed that several people have recommended that I buy a 9mm gun because of the cheap ammo preference I mentioned. That makes a lot of sense, however, if I get a 9mm I might as well save my $500, use my current Ruger 9mm as my conceal/carry, and just wear a baggy shirt."

Yeah, but you KNOW you really want another gun... a smaller, lighter one. Sounds like you have a little Ruger brand loyalty. The new Ruger LC9 will probably be available at your local gunstore within a couple of months. Single stack 9's are GREAT for carry. The LC9 is in the same size/weight/cost ballpark as the Kahr CW9 and the Walther PPS in 9mm... but a bit lower in cost. I suggest considering/handling all three of those and see if one of 'em really speaks to ya'...

[Jim243]

Handgunchick

I would like to get a semiauto in a compact size of larger caliber (noise and recoil do not bother me) for $500 or less


Neat trick. A) first a larger caliber will necessarly be a larger frame. B) Larger calibers are more expensive ammo. C) Since compacts are in such demand their prices are up there.

The first gun that comes to mind is the SR9c. You already have the ammo for it, it has a better trigger than the SR9, and it is perfect for CCW.

For a larger caliber I would recommend a 45 ACP rather than a 40 S&W, less felt recoil, better terminal energy and in my opinion easyier to shoot.

A gun that meets those requirements is a Bersa Thunder 45

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=82855

or a Stoger Cougar 45

http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/stoeger_cougar.php

But your best bet is still the SR9c

Jim

[LICCW]

As others have noted, the Ruger SR9c or the new LC9 would be great choices. You can also look at the CW series from Kahr.