Recommend CCW guns (roster irrelevant)

[drifter2be]

Looking for suggestions on decent, easily concealed guns. The roster is irrelevant here because they will be my first two purchases when I get out to AZ in August or September. Right now I have a full size 1911 and a HK USPc, neither of which I feel comfortable with when practicing carrying at home. The 1911 is just too dang big for me to conceal, and the USPc is too thick of a gun for IWB carry for me, although I could easily use it for OWB with a jacket if the weather permits. My only real prerequisites on the guns are that they are not much thicker than 1" at their widest point and have an external safety of some kind. I am already settled on the S&W bodyguard as one of the two I will buy, because I want something that I can just throw in my pocket if I am running to the store/quick errand, but the other I am looking for something slightly larger. Really considering the LC9, but would like recommendations from people that currently carry on something that will be comfortable for IWB carry. My friend pointed out the M&P shield to me the other day. Anyone with real world input I would truly appreciate your insight and advice. Thanks.

ETA: I am not opposed to carrying a revolver, although almost all my handgun experience is with semi-auto and I feel more comfortable shooting semi-auto.

[MiddleKingdom]

The Kahrs are thin, but do not have external safeties. But with their DAO triggers it's just like having a revolver that you are open to, right? That is a very thin semi-auto.

[drifter2be]

^I'm taking a buddy to a few gun shops in a bit to help him shop around for his first handgun, I'll see if they have a CW-9 in the cabinet and see how I like the feel of it. Maybe something for me to rent on my next trip to the indoor range.

[jimsu]

You might look at the Ruger SR9c. That is what I carry. External safety and not too
thick.

[paul0660]

I'll see if they have a CW-9 in the cabinet and see how I like the feel of it.

They feel fine. Reholstering gives me the willies.

[akoba]

Since i wear tactical pants in my work, The LC9 is easy for me to pocket carry everyday (in a remora pocket holster) . Its thin and light. I just keep the safety off all the time. Since it has Looooooong trigger full, i consider it as a safety.

[Whatisthis?]

Walther PPS. I don't believe there are too many in CA, so I don't know if anyone will really be chiming in saying they are awesome, but I really haven't heard too many bad things about them. I think they are roughly the same size as the M&P Shield but without an external safety, iirc.

[TNP'R]

XD .40 subcompact.

[ASD1]

Ruger LCP .380
Kahr CW9 9mm
Kimber CDP Ultra II .45

[anothergunnut]

Interesting that you include in your requirements that the firearm has a safety. I assume you mean a lever since modern firearms have passive safeties even if they do not have a lever. I prefer guns that do not have a safety lever such as a Glock or a Sig P22X pistol. If I was not concerned about the roster, I'd get a Kahr CM9 (not the larger CW9) mentioned above) as I am too cheap for the Kahr PM9.

[EBR Works]

Have a look at the Springfield XDS. It has Glock style trigger safety along with a grip safety. I have carried a Bodyguard .380 for 2 years now and the XDS is going to be my new daily carry gun now that it is available.

http://www.xdspistol.com/

[Clinton]

I sport a CW9 almost every day. Light, thin, and affordable.

[Sam]

This doesn't answer your question, but what holsters and belt are you trying out now with your current guns?

[Tiberius]

Some of the Kahrs do have safeties - you'd likely have to special order tho.

The M&P9c can be ordered with a safety.

Bersa Thunder .380 is a PPK clone and is DA/SA with a safety.

Sig P238 is a great little gun - SA only, with a safety. It's a .380, but the P938, which is a 9mm, is either out or coming out soon. So you have to be comfortable with the SA.

Kimber Solo

Springfield EMP

S&W 3913 or 3914 - DA/SA with safety. Metal, think, on the heavy side compared to subcompacts available today.

CZ Rami

There's also an after-market safety for Glocks - Commonelli or something - that doesn't void the warranty. I've seen a Glock for sale with it.

The M&P Shield gets great reviews.

[emptybottle151]

Kel-Tec PF-9 seemed to have worked for Zimmerman.