? MOST-RELIABLE CARRY SEMI UNDER $800.

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eddbrowne

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I'm tired of fussing with guns we use for life safety.
I'm leaning toward a Glock 19c, but I want to get this one right.

I've seen a lot of the standard replies to such a question, so:
just 22mag, 32, 380, or 9x19; no revolvers; no guns that
are "full-size" or over 30oz loaded.
The effectiveness of the bullet is secondary to certain delivery
of a bullet (I've heard all the 32/380 critiques).

(The Sig 232 and 238 are not as reliable as the Sig 230,
and Sig has been going downhill in recent years.)
 
Any of the "baby Glocks" in 9x19 sound like what you're looking for. I've yet to see any evidence to refute the fact that Glocks are very near, if not at, the top of the list for reliably going bang every time.
 
I would skip anything in 22mag or 32. Even .380 is a bit weak IMHO. Not sure what you have against revolvers but whatever floats your boat. The G19 is a nice gun if you like Glocks. If you want something smaller check out the Kahr PM9.

I know you said you don't want a revolver, but when I hear "cheap, reliable, concealed carry gun" I think S&W J frame.....
 
I Forgot Something.

I would like to share my defense guns with my wife,
who has the strength of an average girl of 13 years.

Racking force is important, but not a deal killer, since that can be addressed.
And with the center of gravity in light pistols being a bit high, she will
limp-wrist when she is trying not to. (thus the ported model, gen4)

BTW, the 9x19 is often underrated. Barrel length, the shape of its FMJ/TMJ
bullet, and the smaller diameter, help its penetration.
The FBI and ATF need more sometimes, but risk-benefit always applies.
Maybe they should use 9x19 +p with a hard core.
 
eddbrowne said:
I would like to share my defense guns with my wife,
who has the strength of an average girl of 13 years.

Racking force is important, but not a deal killer, since that can be addressed.
And with the center of gravity in light pistols being a bit high, she will
limp-wrist when she is trying not to. (thus the ported model, gen4)

BTW, the 9x19 is often underrated. Barrel length, the shape of its FMJ/TMJ
bullet, and the smaller diameter, help its penetration.
The FBI and ATF need more sometimes, but risk-benefit always applies.
Maybe they should use 9x19 +p with a hard core.
Click to expand...

If racking force is important....pocket pistols are NOT a good idea. My Glock 22's recoil spring is probably half the poundage as my Kahr K40c, which is half the size of the Glock. Even I have trouble with the Kahr sometimes, but the full-size Glock is easy as can be.

ETA: Blow-back operation often couples with low slide weight in some of the smaller caliber pistols to increase recoil spring weight even further.
 
Last edited:
you can not really share a carry gun. A S&W hammerless revolver in .38 is about what fits your bill. for small size,caliper and price. One with lazer grips can be had for less than 800.00
Be sure if you do go with a blowback design it has a extrator. I have a beretta pocket 22 semi and if you get a jam your screwed.
If she really does not have the strength to cycle a slide she needs 2 things 1. do not get a semi 2. Needs to practice handleing the gun often until she does.

The hammerless airweight revolver by S&W is a easy to conceal and carry gun with little to go wrong.

PS I have a S&W 4013 and a 9mm ladie smith both have never failed to feed fire and eject. My most reliable semi's
 
My vote is for a SW 642 - I know its not a semi but it fits all the other criteria of the purchase.
 
Skip the porting. The Glock 19 is fine as it is, provided your wife's hands are large enough for its relatively large grip circumference.
 
eddbrowne said:
....who has the strength of an average girl of 13 years.
Click to expand...


Sorry, I some how missed this part. [rolleyes]

You're really only going to know by taking her to the range and letting her try various types of guns. Proper grip size will make a big difference with her ability to operate the firearm.

I know you want to share - but you will probably find that she will have needs/likes/dislikes of her own that she'll want her own. But you never know [wink]

I know that the G26 is popular with women (sorry guys!). If you really want to her to try an semi, that's a good one to try for starters. Relatively small grip, slide is a little lighter/easier than the 19.

You haven't mentioned if she has any experience with any firearms...?
 
Amazon said:
I know that the G26 is popular with women (sorry guys!). If you really want to her to try an semi, that's a good one to try for starters. Relatively small grip, slide is a little lighter/easier than the 19.
Click to expand...
Um, no. The grip circumference of the Glock 26 is identical to that of the Glock 19. As a result, the Glock 26 is no easier to handle with small hands than the Glock 19. The shortness of the grip, in particular, makes it harder to handle.
 
I didn't say anything about circumference. Generally speaking in a woman's hand it is easier - the short grip. Held in a smaller palm, the bottom of the grip rests in a different place than it would in a mans. Trigger reach is the same.

It's all very subjective and a "YMMV" to the user.
 
Amazon said:
I didn't say anything about circumference. Generally speaking in a woman's hand it is easier - the short grip. Held in a smaller palm, the bottom of the grip rests in a different place than it would in a mans.
Click to expand...
Sorry, but as an NRA certified firearms instructor who has taught many women, I disagree completely. For someone with smaller hands, the 26 is harder to use than the 19, not easier.
 
M1911 said:
Sorry, but as an NRA certified firearms instructor who has taught many women, I disagree completely. For someone with smaller hands, the 26 is harder to use than the 19, not easier.
Click to expand...

I'm a NRA certified firearms instructor as well, and a woman shooter with smaller hands who owns and shoots a 19 and a 26.

I'm just speaking from my experience - as are you.
 
Checklist for: "Most-Reliable Carry Semi Under $____"
Required ...
__ Either 22mag, any 32, 380, or 9x19.
__ 6 shots nonstop (revolvers are best, but humor me)
__ No "full-size" or over 30oz loaded.
__ Sufficient barrel length (secondary to reliable bullet delivery).
(22mag/32acp need 3.8" barrel; 380 needs 3.4"; 9x19 needs 2.5")
__ No Sig 232 or 238; no Kel-Tecs; no PK380.
__ $800 could be 950 if all else is great. (Rohrbaugh pricey/short)

Desired ...
__ Common access and use for weaking wife.
__ Moderate forces in racking & DA; or hammer spur.
__ Moderate barrel flip.

It's beginning to look like Glock 19gen4.
 
Walther PPS

SPECIFICATIONS:

* Walther PPS Pistol
* Manufacturer Number: WAP10001
* Length: 6.3 Inches
* Overall Width (w/o Slidestop Lever):1.04 Inches
* Barrel Length: 3.2 Inches
* Sight Radius: 5.4 Inches
* Weight (w/o Magazine):19.4 Ounces
* Standard Magazine Weight: 1.9 Ounces
* Caliber: 9mm
* Height: 4.4 Inches
* Action: Striker Fire Action, Pre-Cocked
* Trigger Pull: 6.1 Pounds
* Frame: Polymer Anthracite Finish
* Capacity: 6,7,8 Rounds
Click to expand...

pps_gross_prod.gif
 
The PPS looks good, on paper/screen.

But I just got burned by the "Walther" PK380,
so it's personal.

And what about the kind folks who smacked their screen to debug your post ?
 
The "ESC" key is an effective debugger for Tim's signature!

I'll pipe up here with a vote for a Kahr K-9. The PM9 is a GREAT pocket gun, but it is VERY hard to rack the slide for someone with a weak grip. The K-9 is all metal, so it's heavier, and the slide is 1/2" longer, so it doesn't use the doubled recoil spring that is in the PM9. Because it's a bit heavier, the felt recoil is perceived to be lighter. My wife loves it; we have his-n-hers Kahrs!
 
Have her try the slide on a Kahr PM-9. I picked up a PM-9 during the tax-free weekend because I wanted a tiny semi. I am not a huge fan of 9mm, preferring the .45 ACP instead, but sometimes size does matter. I've got a few hundred rounds down that little sucker already and I find it to be 100 percent reliable, shoots tight groups and easy to handle.
 
eddbrowne said:
Checklist for: "Most-Reliable Carry Semi Under $____"
Required ...
__ Either 22mag, any 32, 380, or 9x19.
__ 6 shots nonstop (revolvers are best, but humor me)
__ No "full-size" or over 30oz loaded.
__ Sufficient barrel length (secondary to reliable bullet delivery).
(22mag/32acp need 3.8" barrel; 380 needs 3.4"; 9x19 needs 2.5")
__ No Sig 232 or 238; no Kel-Tecs; no PK380.
__ $800 could be 950 if all else is great. (Rohrbaugh pricey/short)

Desired ...
__ Common access and use for weaking wife.
__ Moderate forces in racking & DA; or hammer spur.
__ Moderate barrel flip.

It's beginning to look like Glock 19gen4.
Click to expand...

I have a Glock 23 now, (same frame size as the 19) and I wanted a 9mm carry gun in this size, so I did exactly what you're leaning twords. I just ordered a Glock 19 Gen4 last week. I have a PM9 that is a great summer/pocket gun, but for all the specifics you list for you and your wife, the Glock 19 Gen4 will be great. Just think next about how you plan on carrying this gun... The Glock 19 is not "big", but it is NOT a PM9, or similar smaller carry gun.
 
atmay said:
If racking force is important....pocket pistols are NOT a good idea. My Glock 22's recoil spring is probably half the poundage as my Kahr K40c, which is half the size of the Glock. Even I have trouble with the Kahr sometimes, but the full-size Glock is easy as can be.

ETA: Blow-back operation often couples with low slide weight in some of the smaller caliber pistols to increase recoil spring weight even further.
Click to expand...

You're right but just for clarity's sake, Kahrs are not blowback operated. They're a standard recoil design.
 

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