Looking for a compact 9mm for Mom

[Yehosha]

My Mom and step dad are looking to get a 9mm semi-auto handgun. My step dad wants it for a CCW while he is out on the job, and my mom will be using the same gun as a home defense weapon that will be left loaded and in a small safe next to the bed.

They want to spend as little as possible. They are a bit out of touch and told me they only want to spend $200, but I told them that's probably not going to happen.

I know Hi-Points run that low, but they wouldn't work for CCW due to their bulk would they?

I was thinking a Ruger LC9 or a Taurus 709 Slim.

Also my Mom has pretty bad arthritis so a lighter trigger would be best.

What do you all suggest?

[49erlife]

Personally I would not recomend a high point pistol. I have owned the 9mm & 40 cal. Yes very bulky. & both would randomly jam.

$200 is not very realistic for a reliable 9mm.

I recomend the SR9c Ruger. Very reliable/compact. & it's a good looking pistol. If you do some research you can find em for $399 at some places.

[DannyInSoCal]

Go to a range and shoot -

Let them decide...

[Yehosha]

Go to a range and shoot -

Let them decide...

That's what I suggested to them, but they don't want to do that, they want me to tell them what to buy.

[whlgun]

Let her try before you buy. Do it right and don't limit your self to a cheap firearm

[Bask]

Just find them a nice simple to use striker fired dao, polymer handgun.

Glock, xd, m&p, ect.
You can't go wrong with them, you can find them all around, for reasonable prices. If they really want you to pick the gun for them the xd is a great choice for the price. My mom loves hers in 9mm. She has a ccw permit.

[RobertSmith]

I am a 40 cal Glock guy, but ventured out and tried an LC9. I have to say....

I LOVE MY LC9 !

[S.A.]

Your mom would also need hand strength to rack the slide.

[scootle]

Go to a range and shoot -

Let them decide...

That's what I suggested to them, but they don't want to do that, they want me to tell them what to buy.

I think that is a huge problem already... they don't want to go to the range, and yet they want to have a loaded firearm on hand? I don't want to preach too much, but I think you might get the drift here...

For a more direct answer, subcompact pistols are notoriously difficult for inexperienced shooters to handle due to numerous different issues. For the use case you describe, look at the .38 wheelgun options perhaps (likely they will be more spendy though)... but I'd strongly reconsider a firearm option if they aren't willing to at least take some basic training first?

[Yehosha]

I think that is a huge problem already... they don't want to go to the range, and yet they want to have a loaded firearm on hand? I don't want to preach too much, but I think you might get the drift here...

For a more direct answer, subcompact pistols are notoriously difficult for inexperienced shooters to handle due to numerous different issues. For the use case you describe, look at the .38 wheelgun options perhaps (likely they will be more spendy though)... but I'd strongly reconsider a firearm option if they aren't willing to at least take some basic training first?

They have a few guns already, including a beretta handgun, just nothing new. My step dad was n the military for 30+ years, so he has plenty of firearms experience. They are just looking for a new one like described above, and will both putting in range time with whatever they end up buying.

Now that all that's covered, back to what I actually need help on, and that is some suggestions for a gun that fits what they want for preferably under $350.

[Tiberius]

Maybe a used S&W 3914 (or 3913) if you can find one. They can be had for $350ish depending. It's fairly concealable, as a single stack 9mm, and is DA/SA.

Or a Sig SP2022. Bigger, but used ones seem to be in the $375ish range.

Trade-in glocks or M&Ps might work, if you could find one.

The Bersa Thunder is about $300 new - but is a .380.

The LC9 supposedly has a long trigger so that might not be a good fit.

[viet4lifeOC]

M&P Shield?

[ClarenceBoddicker]

If your mom is comfortable with it, including her shooting at a range if you can find one that rents them, a Glock G-26 is the way to go for CCW 9mm firepower. Well worth the extra money. It takes a 10rd mag + one in the chamber. It will also accept the G-19 15rd, G-17 17rd & G-18 33rd mags. If the G-26 is too small, the G-19 should work great. The important thing is to make sure that your mom is OK with the ergonomics & handling of a Glock or whatever pistol they decide on.

[jyo]

Kahr CW9---both my wife have these pistols---super smooth DAO trigger---ours have been reliable---thin, smaller grip---my wife loves hers.

[Red Devil]

M$P SHIELD if they have the "Cha-Ching"...

...Police Trade-In Glock G19 if they don't.