Budget CCW guns.

[syoungs]

With the world going the way its going, I am going to up my carry game. As it is now, when I do carry, I carry a 4" xd 9mm.
I would like to get something smaller for daily carry.

Right now, I am strongly leaning to picking up a Taurus g3c, I had a g2c that shot amazing for the price, and was proven reliable. With that said, I'm out of touch on these smaller guns, I haven't been in the market for years now, and don't know what I don't know.

So for a sub 500$ carry gun, what's your recommendation's, and why?
 I want to stick with 9mm as I keep that stockpiled pretty well for training purposes, and I have a ton of 9mm self defense ammo on the shelf.

[Iveexcaped3]

I have a p365. Haven’t shot others but man I love my sig. it’s cycled everything I’ve thrown at it.

My advice would be go to a range and rent some and see what fits best for you.

 Also one thing to help your choice is holster availability. I use an aliengear shapeshifter in left handed. They unfortunately don’t make the same holster for my cz.

[pianoman9701]

I carry a Ruger LC-9 with a trigger mod (reduces pull and tension), and TruGlo sights. Slides into my pocket.

[Dan-o]

I carry a Ruger LC-9 with a trigger mod (reduces pull and tension), and TruGlo sights. Slides into my pocket.

I got Ruger LC9S for my wife, one son, one daughter and myself.
They also cycle everything very reliably.

My wife has normal woman sized hands.
I have XL mens hands.

Standard they come 7+1 capacity, but you can get mags that are 8+1, 9+1, and 10+1.

My wife carries 8+1, with a 9+1 spare mag in her carry purse.   The 10+1 fits my hand.

No complaints with them.

I bought a SigP365XL for myself, but haven't shot it enough to carry.

That's about the summation of my experience with small frame pistols.

* Also a +1 for hitting a range that has rentals.   I did this, and discovered that the P365 did not fit my hand well, but the P365XL did.  Also ruled out the Springfield Hellcat due to not fitting my hand.    Cheap and effective way to see what you like.

[jrebel]

Here would be my top choices....in no particular order. 

1.  Ruger LCR 9mm revolver (I carry the .357 and also own a .22 wmr for shooting....a lot)
2.  Glock 43 or 43x....I've shot them and actually really like the feel.  I don't own or carry, though they would make great carry pieces.
3.  P365....I like the feel and it shoots great.  Another great choice. 
4.  Kimber Mako....never shot one, but the reviews are great and boy oh boy did it feel good in my hands.


There are lots of choices out there but this would be my short list if I was in your market.  I also carry a ruger sr40c and it really is not "c" compact compared to the ones listed above.  Good luck in your search....I'm in the mindset that everyday carry is a must now days.   

[thinkingman]

I carried for years and loved a Kahr PM9...Thin, light, decent trigger and amazingly soft shooter.
I got the urge for more capacity...Kahr was 7+1.
Checked out the Sig P365 and really liked the feel.
I ended up buying a Sig P365X, which has the larger grip of the 365XL and the barrel length of the standard 365.
Great shooter...Shot amazingly small groups with it, love the sights, decent recoil, grip fits me perfectly(size medium gloves).
I do notice the additional bulk and weight compared the to the Kahr.
I'm sure the 5 extra rounds makes some difference but there are times I wish I was carrying the Kahr.

Edit...Sig P365 is not what I would call a 'budget' carry.
If I was looking to save a bit of coin, I would look at the SW Shield EZ...They market it to women because of less effort to manipulate the slide and magazine but honestly, the EZ would be my choice over the standard Shield in 9mm.

[wadu1]

My carry was always a 1911, then a 1911 compact. I now carry a Ruger LC9S, like stated above they cycle everything. I have found that the "ProMag" brand of magazines work a little better that factory Ruger's.

[HUNTIN4SIX]

I like my Taurus g3c.  Amazing to shoot.  Great gun for the money. 

[Iveexcaped3]

I’d also want to give my opinion that “budget” and “ccw” shouldn’t be in the same sentence. If it’s for personal safety, price point should be the last check box

[bustedoldman]

I’d also want to give my opinion that “budget” and “ccw” shouldn’t be in the same sentence. If it’s for personal safety, price point should be the last check box

I agree....

[Dan-o]

I’d also want to give my opinion that “budget” and “ccw” shouldn’t be in the same sentence. If it’s for personal safety, price point should be the last check box

I agree....

Everybody has a budget.

He asked for a $500 price point, and there are plenty of pistols that are very reliable in that price range.....  a bunch of them listed here.

[Mtnwalker]

I’d also want to give my opinion that “budget” and “ccw” shouldn’t be in the same sentence. If it’s for personal safety, price point should be the last check box

I agree....

Everybody has a budget.

He asked for a $500 price point, and there are plenty of pistols that are very reliable in that price range.....  a bunch of them listed here.

  The most expensive compact handgun I own is the least reliable and no longer gets carried.

[Tenkara]

Not a 9mm, but s&w 642 is my go to.

[pianoman9701]

Something to consider is whether you'll end up carrying it. I won an XD .45 at a RMEF dinner one year. It was my only handgun. I got my CPL and started carrying it. Concealed, it was like carrying a baby around stuffed inside the side of my pants. You could easily see the bulge and it was heavy. I got a shoulder holster. But then the weather got nicer. So that was out. I specifically got the Ruger because I could have concealed protection every time I went out the door with something I could shoot accurately at close range. If it's hard to carry it, you won't. Get something that's Light, comfortable, and easy to shoot well.

[HntnFsh]

Something to consider is whether you'll end up carrying it. I won an XD .45 at a RMEF dinner one year. It was my only handgun. I got my CPL and started carrying it. Concealed, it was like carrying a baby around stuffed inside the side of my pants. You could easily see the bulge and it was heavy. I got a shoulder holster. But then the weather got nicer. So that was out. I specifically got the Ruger because I could have concealed protection every time I went out the door with something I could shoot accurately at close range. If it's hard to carry it, you won't. Get something that's Light, comfortable, and easy to shoot well.

Very true words. Been the same route.  Love my Sig 365.  Easy to conceal and carry. But the wife's LC9S is even easier