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Do you agree with my top picks? Check the ones you agree with

  • Best 380 Pocket Gun: Smith and Wesson Bodyguard 380

    Votes: 9 12.3%
  • Best 380 CC Gun: Walther PPK 380 Stainless Steel

    Votes: 3 4.1%
  • Best 9mm Pocket Gun: Kahr PM9/CM9

    Votes: 11 15.1%
  • Best 9mm CC Gun: Cz 2075 RAMI P

    Votes: 4 5.5%
  • Best 9mm Range/House Gun: FNX-9

    Votes: 3 4.1%
  • None of the Above

    Votes: 49 67.1%

My Top 6 Lists by AUTO Handgun category for 380Auto and 9mm handguns

27K views 33 replies 18 participants last post by  cluznar 
#1 ·
I have been considering the purchase of more handguns and decided to put them in a spreadsheet so I could rank them. This is the result of my research. Revolvers don't interest me so I don't research them.

This is a personal opinion and based on my preferences for DA/SA and DA Only, although Strikers are included. I admit to a prejudice against SAO auto firearms, and although I considered and ranked some of them, none made it into the top six lists. I have not shot all these guns, but have picked them up at the gun shows and inspected them and read a lot of comments on forums and talked to people at the ranges.

The primary selection criteria were gun weight and length, but other criteria were included based on my own experience and reports from those who have shot these firearms and research I have done. For instance, sometimes accuracy and handling would overrule the weight and size, when the margins are close. Those with *asterisks* are guns I own. Cost was considered, but not a primary factor. Those with #Poundsigns# are ones I have shot by rental or friends letting me try them.

I don't want to upset any manufacturer reps, so take this as just my own personal assessment and not very scientific, and somewhat biased.

380 Pocket Pistols
S&W Bodyguard 380*
Ruger LCP (380)#
Kel-Tec P3-AT
Kahr P380
Seecamp LWS 380
Micro Desert Eagle#

380 Concealed Carry Pistols
Walther PPK 380#
Bersa Thunder380CC*
Taurus Millenium Pro
Walther PK380
Glock 28 (380)#
SigSauer P232

9mm Pocket Carry
Kahr PM9*/CM9
SigSauer P290
Kel-Tec PF-11#
SCCY Gen-2 9mm
Kimber Solo
(No sixth place)

9mm Concealed Carry
Cz 2075 RAMI P 9mm#
Ruger LC9
Walther PPS#
Kel-Tec PF-9
SigSauer P250 SubCompact#
Beretta PX4 Subcompact

9mm Range and Home Pistol
FN Hernstal FNX-9*
Walther P99Full
Beretta PX4 Compact#
Cz SP01 Phantom
Cz P07 9mm#
SigSauer P20229
 
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#27 ·
Faith (non-religious faith) comes into play here too. I have never had a revolver fail to fire. Ever.
Actually, a revolver failing to fire is more common than you think. Me and my brother were at a range together...I was trying out his .38 special revolver and he was trying out my 9mm auto.

I fired the second round and the tumbler would not turn. The recoil of the previous dishcharges had caused the remaining bullets to separate from the casing slightly and protruded beyond the end of the tumbler and into the frame of the gun, thus preventing the tumbler from turning to the next round. In fact, the gun was totally disabled until we found a rangemaster to force the bullet back into the casing with a small hammer....then the other three bullets had to be repaired in the same manner.

And, it turns out for some types of calibers this is more common...especially the higher pressured rounds because they cause more recoil.

I am not saying auto's are any more reliable....but I can recover from a failed round much more easily with an auto.

Handguns are mechanical devices and rely on the quality of ammo being fired in them and will fail from time to time....that is a fact.

I put the choice of revolver or auto into the personal preference column. I prefer auto's because they are thinner for IWB carry and I can carry more bullets.

Be safe.
 
#28 ·
Diamondback 9mm pocket carry

Steve,
Do you know of any small, lightweight triggered DAO guns?
I like the Kahr PM9 trigger...long but relatively light.
Any DAO that get down below 5 pounds?
I compared many of the smallest cc and settled on the db9
I really like the trigger pull and its so small
I have a deposit on the kimber solo stainless but I could not wait.
 
#30 ·
I am starting to regret how I put this poll together.

Sonja,
I think you have an excellent list, and based on more experience with handguns, I think your list is just as good if not better.
But, the triggers on those guns look like they would be quite different, especially the Glock vs. Sig. How do you train so that you instinctively know which trigger you are pulling?

Also, why not the Glock 26 for carry...smaller, lighter weight, same Glock trigger?

The Sig 238 has a safety and the glock 19/17 doesn't. How do you train so you know whether to release the safety or not?

Just asking because I face the same questions for my guns.

Thanks,
 
#31 ·
Just a new guy to the this, and find that alot of you love the glock and sig. Glock is a fine firearm, just not for me (not comfortable grip), own several sigs, 220, 225, 226, 229, 23 and 239. But the best I have for conceled cary is my detonics, great carry weapon. And if you carry and dont practice with what you carry there can be confustion with saftys ect. But at the range days i practice with a about 5-6 firearms, including my S&W 41 just for starters. Just remember to practice both strong and weak hand, and any other carry leather you might use. just a thought

just a new kid on the block
Shoot safe JT
 
#33 ·
I'm a fan of all quality pistols, I'm not a fan of junk pistols. The more pistols I own,The happier I get.

You all know how it is.Start at buying one pistol,The next step is,You say just one more. And then you see the new type you won't now.And you say,Well just one more. And then a new color comes out.And you say,Well just one more.One more turns in to 5 Then 20 then 50.

Just can't say no to LOVE.:heart:
 
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