Hi everyone. Newbie seeking advice....

Ok, here is where I am. I have owned the following:

Bersa .380 - Loved the gun, shot it great, and felt comfortable. I would bank my life on the gun, but weary about the caliber. No longer own it.

Ruger p94 - Absolutely loved the gun. Looked tough, shot tough, and was a "Mans Gun". Shot it good, never carried it. Loved the grip, but kinda bulky.

I have handled a glock (most models) and the grip is too wide/bulky. I have smaller hands. The ruger sr9 grip feels good as it is slimmer. I love the walther p22 grips. The Kahr 40 had an awesome grip. XD's are a bit bulky, M&P's are ok'ish, held a CZ sp and it was awesome. Looked at the new CZ p07 duty, fell in love, then read the cz forum. All bad on quality/safety. Love the taurus pt111, it fits perfect, but has no decocker. I prefer the chambered carry with gun decocked and safety off or no safety.

I am wanting to find the perfect gun for carry and home. Here are my wants/requirements:

I rather a decocker over a safety but a safety decocker is good and essentailly the same
I would prefer a hammer over a striker
I would prefer 7" or less on length, 26 oz or less on weight, and 5.25 or less on height. And, I like a gun that has interchangable backstraps.

If anyone has any suggestions that I can check out, please let me know so I can go try one out. I found a Bersa 9mm ultra compact that is close to the size of the bersa .380. Anyone handled this gun?

I really appreciate your help and expertise!

There aren't too many gun that fit that criteria. Here a some that come close.

Beretta PX4, 90two.

Sig P250 Compact, Sigpro 2022

Magnum Research Baby Eagle (polymer frame)

STI GP6

S&W M&P with thumb safety (no decocker)

H&K P30

Thanks. I do appreciate the feedback and will look at those.

What are your purposes for this handgun? We can give you some better insight and or suggestions if we know the purpose/reason. Self defense/CCW, target practice/plinking, etc.

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Originally Posted by tekhead1219

What are your purposes for this handgun? We can give you some better insight and or suggestions if we know the purpose/reason. Self defense/CCW, target practice/plinking, etc.

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The OP states: "I am wanting to find the perfect gun for carry and home."

"Carry" is self-evident. "Home" probably means home defense, since one does not normally plink or shoot targets at home, unless of course one is lucky enough to have the space. Of course I could be wrong, since "home" can mean many things....

To the OP: if you can forgive 1/2" and a few ounces, the Sig 2022 fits your requirements.

Sounds like a Sig would fit your needs, except for the backstraps. But I think Blammo's Sig suggestions have interchangeable backstraps, not sure though. For carry, you might look at a P239 or P6/P225. I have a P6 and really love it. It's not too large for carry, and it's slim so it's pretty comfortable. It's DA/SA with a decocker.

I also had a Baby Eagle, but I had the full-size, steel version. It was a very nice gun, definitely reliable and a tack driver, but didn't fit my needs. I haven't held a CZ P07, but the Baby Eagle's frame is similar to a CZ-75B. Not sure about the polymer BEagles though.

P6 makes a great carry weapon. If I was to get another 9mm it would be what I'd want. The 229 makes for a good carry too. I have one in 40 that has been a fantastic weapon. You might want to check out one of the FNPs They have a changeable back strap, decock. BBl length is 4" . I don't have one but do have the Browning Bro 40 and have been very happy with it. I am not the biggest fan of poly frame weapons but it has a hammer which is a huge plus for me. I hadn't seen it mentioned yet and thought I'd toss that idea out there too.

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Originally Posted by DevilsJohnson

The 229 makes for a good carry too. I have one in 40 that has been a fantastic weapon.

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I'll second that. I have a SAS Gen2 in 9mm that is my EDC. Sold two XDs to fund it and still do not refret the decision. I have fairly small hands and the gun fits me like a glove. It doesn't have multiple back straps, but since the gun fits as is, I don't miss the option. In terms of size for carry I find it's a happy medium between a full-size gun and a sub-compact; both of which are sizes I have carried in the past.

Thanks for the replys. Home meant home defense also and plinking. I have 30 acres so I will shoot it often. I mostly use a 12g for home defense, but a hanfgun is nice too.

Smith & Wesson makes several that have a decocker and Smiths are good auto's - I've carried 2 as duty weapons a 9Mm and a .45.

Go see here:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...category=15708


Hope this helps.

:smt1099

Thanks don. I am in love if I can get an answer on the Walther forum. I really hope this PK380 comes out.

I will second the FNP-9 recomendation! I have had mine since Oct 08 and have had no problems with the pistol. Just a little over your minimum length, meets the weight requirements, and changable backstrap. the USG model has both the decocker and saftey. usually comes with 3 mags, and some kind of promo (read free stuff).

this was my first handgun, and i think i made a great choice.

YMMV
JOhn

jps37033 - You mentioned the Walther and you said "I prefer the chambered carry with gun decocked and safety off or no safety." and you said you "weary about the caliber" -

All that being said -

I will not try to switch you back to the .380, but it's a 9mm short as you probably know and is very similar to the .38 cal. and if you know how to shot it accurately it is very deadly as is the .38 (cops carried them for a hundred years).

So why all that?

Amoung my current weapons I have & carry a Walther P230S and a Walther P232S (both .380) and they meet everything you want except 9mm. They are deadly accurate - small - easy to carry - about as well made as you can get for a factory direct gun.

I also carry a Kimber 1911 (.45 cal.) and love the gun and the workmanship, but it is much harder to carry & conceal during warm months here is Texas, which means I carry the Walthers 60% to 70% of the year.

You'll notice that I still own and love both my S&W duty guns, but I do not carry either (and one is a 9mm).

Both Walthers are stainless and rarely need cleaning (outside), show no evidence of wear after 15 years.

I hope this helps.

:smt1099

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Originally Posted by dondavis3

Amoung my current weapons I have & carry a Walther P230S and a Walther P232S (both .380) and they meet everything you want except 9mm. They are deadly accurate - small - easy to carry - about as well made as you can get for a factory direct gun.

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That's weird, because Walther does not make any pistols with those designations. Sig does, but Walther does not....

Oops :oops: Good catch PhilR.

Your so right my Walther is a PPK/S .

and the P230 & P232 are both Sig's - but all 3 are great guns though, and have very sinmilar characteristics . :anim_lol:

:smt1099

Thanks Don. I would take a .380 as I have come to find it to be enough when needed. Might not knock them a flip like a .50, but i'd stop coming after you when hit with .38ish of hot lead.

Just wish I could find more on that walther pk380

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Originally Posted by dondavis3

and the P230 & P232 are both Sig's - but all 3 are great guns though, and have very sinmilar characteristics

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The 230 and 232 might not be the classic that the PPK is, but they are the best .380's you can buy...

Just Google Walther PPK and there are tons of reviews - comments etc.

It's a popular weapon and can handle +P ammo if you want it to.

+1 PhilR - I like the fact that the Sig P230 & P232 do not have a safety to mess with.

Good luck with your search.

:smt1099