Need some suggestions...

So I bought my Glock 26 about a year ago for concealed carry. I like the Glock and I think it is one of the most reliable and simple handguns on the market. I know many of you own a Glock and carry a Glock, but after a year I just can’t bring myself to carry the Glock with a round in the chamber. I know the Glock has three safeties and all of that stuff, but I have decided to either sell or trade my Glock and get something else for concealed carry. That’s why I came here, to get some suggestions on what I should look at. Here is what I am wanting:

It has to be 9mm.
Minimum of 8-10 rounds in the mag, preferably 10 or more but still concealable.
Compact or sub-compact size. Nothing full size.
External manual safety.
Hammer fired. (I like hammer fired pistols)
I would like to keep it around the $300-$400 range.

I have looked at Bersa, Beretta, Sig, and Taurus and have a few ideas. But I would just like to get some suggestions from anyone on what I can look at that meets the criteria above. Thanks for any help or suggestions.

Stay safe out there.

Do you have a preference on a double action semi auto vs. single action semi auto (example: 1911 style)?

The xd's have a beaver tall grip safety. What about them?

2 guns that meet all of your criteria, except for the hammer fired, are the Ruger SR9c and the Ruger LC9. Actually, the LC9 would probably be the closest match. Smaller and slimmer than the Glock 26 and has safeties running out its ears. Nice little carry gun that will almost fit in a pocket, though, and I think they sell for around $360 or so. The nice thing about the SR9c is that it comes with a compact mag and a full size mag with a sleeve, so you almost have two guns in one. It also has a full complement of safeties and a very nice trigger. I think they sell for around $450 or so. Also, they're not much different in size to your glock. Actually fit in the same holsters.

The first gun that pops into my mind that meets "most" of your requirements is the Benetta Type M. However, they generally prove difficult to find and prices may vary out of your range, though not by a lot.

The 300 to 400 dollar range is limiting you if you want new guns. The best in that price range is probably gonna be a bersa, which I would recommend over the taurus.

Also, do you really need 8 to 10rounds? If you think you could get by with 7 your options will also open up because then you can get into single stacks which are more concealable.

Browning Hi-Power....if you can find a used one. May be a little bigger than you want but they hide easy with a good inside the pant rig.

kel-tec PF-9. 8 shots. small, reliable

savageshooter wrote:kel-tec PF-9. 8 shots. small, reliable

This. Love mine.

How much do you want for the G26? I've been wanting a baby glock.

I like all the guns that have been mentioned, but he seemed to want a manual safety and under $400. That eliminates just about all of them, other than the Rugers and the Bersa, and possibly the Taurus, however out of those three brands, the Rugers are the better values for the dollars spent, especially if you factor in resale value. Plastic framed Rugers sell quickly at almost retail prices. Bersas and Tauruses don't. They'll sell, but at a deep discount.

Beanfield Bandit wrote:Browning Hi-Power....if you can find a used one. May be a little bigger than you want but they hide easy with a good inside the pant rig.

Plenty of used BHPs around but even used they run in the $600+ range....when you can buy a brand new one from CDNN for $700.

Besides he seems set on fairly compact guns, and while I don't mind toting a BHP, a lot of folks don't like full size guns for carry.

As far as a compact 9mm......the g26 is about as good as it gets though....just gotta butch up and carry it in condition 1 like everyone else!

If I were looking at a compact hammer fired 9mm I'd take a look at the subcompact Beretta px4 storm. DA/SA pull. The single action pull is aaaaahhhhhhmazing on the one a buddy of mine has. It's bulkier than the glock, but shorter, and has higher capacity

But my first choice in a subcompact 9mm(outside of the g26 since I just made that choice a few weeks ago and haven't looked back) would be the Ruger LC9

What you want for that 26? I guess I'm 2nd in line to EagleinChains.
Never seen nor heard of a glock going off without a finger on the trigger. But if you don't trust a gun, you are wise to get rid of it, a split second of hesitation may be the difference in life or death.

your price range is something to maybe reconsider. Look at it this way. i'm trusting my life and possibly others to this tool. If it fails me I could die and make no more money. So why not save another month or 2 and get something a little better. Or sell your Glock and use the proceedes to offset the cost. Glocks have a high resale value anyway. I exclusively carry Glock, but use to carry a Ruger P90.

I have a Ruger P89 DC that I find easy to conceal. I guess you could call it full sized, but to me it is real concealable.

It’s a gen 3 Glock 26 I bought brand new about a year ago. Only 50 or so rounds through it. When I bought it I paid around $450 for it. I went to a local gunshop and they said they could only give me around $250 for it. I thought I was getting ripped off and walked out. I would like to get around $300-$350 for it.

The more I think about it I keep thinking my fear of no manual safety is ridiculous. I keep telling myself “the Glock is one of the safest pistols there is”, however I just have a fear of being in public and shooting a round through my leg. However I like the idea that IF I ever need it that when I pull it from the holster that it is ready to go right then in there, no safeties to flick or switch.

I am going to do some more research and maybe visit a few more gunshops before I make my final decision. Thanks for all of your suggestions…

And btw, 1911 models are WAY out of the question. Having to carry a pistol with the hammer constantly back makes me more nervous than no safety.

Kevin346 wrote:
And btw, 1911 models are WAY out of the question. Having to carry a pistol with the hammer constantly back makes me more nervous than no safety.

most here, and many experts will argue that Condition 1 is the ONLY way to carry anything. as long as you're using a proper holster that covers the trigger then you're perfectly safe! assuming your holster is in good shape(most of us have seen the Glock ND that resulted from a worn out CHEAP holster).

it does take some getting used to, but I will NOT carry without one in the chamber....its a waste of time and energy when it could be the most valuable. You can't carry a gun if you have that big of a fear of them IMO...but again thats just me

and by the way, 300-350 is LOOOOOOWWWWWW! IMO thats all I'd pay for a used Glock, but I got my g26 for the same price you did, and i've had several tell me they often pay more than that for a used one. $400 is fair-ish, $450 is stretching it but someone will pay it and it wont take long to find that person

A couple of years ago I started looking for a CCW in .40 cal. I looked long and hard at the glocks and the reason I didn't buy one is because it did not have a external thumb safety. I finally bought a Taursus PT-140. I know a lot of people put them down but I'll tell you one thing. Every single time I've pulled the trigger it has fired. No hang ups or failure to feed problems what so ever. It may break the next time I pull the trigger but so far it has been rock solid realible. Every once in a while I'll look around to see if there is anything I want to replace it with but so far I still carry it darn near every day. I would like a 1911 compact 40 cal but haven't stumbled on the right one at the right price yet. I'd really like to find a Colt Defender in 40 but they only made a few and I haven't ever seen one in person.

I really like carrying my M&P9 with a thumb safety (17+1). They also have a compact size with a thumb safety (12+1). Looks like it starts about $430 online.

The G26 is one of the best CCW guns out there. Carry it without a round in the chamber for a while. Get comfortable with the fact that it wont fire unless you pull the trigger. Then start carrying with it loaded.

All of this assumes you are using a good holster that protects the trigger.

If you still can't get used to it, then save your money and by an HK P2000SK V3. Safety and decocker. Costs considerably more, but has everything you are wanting.