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I'm moving to Florida in a couple of months and intend to carry. I want a DA/SA small 9mm and am looking at the new CZ P-01. Any comments? Anything else I should consider? Price is no object.

Before the P-01 there was the 75 compact which I liked a lot more than the P-01. I wish I could come across on of those again AND have the cash when I do come across it!

S&W 642. Absolutely foolproof.

How much experience do you have with firearms and CCW? A simple DA revolver is TOUGH to beat for CCW.

The little Kel-Tecs (the P32, P3AT, and P9) are about as easy to conceal as anything else on the market.

The smallest 9 right now is the Rohrbaugh, so if price is no object, take a look at that one.

But, again, it goes to your experience. How much do you have and with what?

Without a friggin' doubt VA nailed this one ... and I was gonna comment on it, but you were set on a 9mm. I use the S&W 642 for nearly 95-99% of my concealed carry. About the only time I step it up to my XD9 are road trips (& then the 642 comes along for carry during the visit). But for some darn reason (& one that probably doesn't make any sense) I feel a lot more comfortable with the 9mm while on a road trip.

Forgot to add, if you go with the 642, get the one with the softer style Crimson Trace grips. A combination that goes together like apple pie and vanilla ice cream.

Stoke that puppy with the Speer GoldDot 135 GDHP Short Barrel loads, and you're set for CCW and any bad nasties.

Keep it small and lite, it is hard to conceal comfortably down here. And you need something very rust & Corrosion resistant due to the humidity and plain ols sweat.

A Kel-Tec HARD CHROME FINISH $368.00 would be my first choice using your criteria.

Second would be: The Rohrbaugh R-9 version is non-sighted (Pricing 945 $ US). R-9a version is sighted.

I carry a S&W 431 6 shot .32 H&R Magnum myself using aBarami hip grip anf Tyler T-Grip adapter, the C-T Soft grips are also great but require a holster for carry.

Welcome to Hurricane Alley Sir.

Doc:

I live in Florida, too. Most of the year, you will be dressing very lightly, and even then, perspiration is not an option. You will sweat. Corrosion-resistance is a useful quality in a carry piece. Law enforcement officers who carry concealed in my part of the state tend to favor stainless S&W J-frames for ankles and pockets and small Glocks for belt wear. Both choices are superb.

Keep the heat and humidity in mind when you're choosing a holster, too. Not only is the climate tough on leather, but depending on your body type, you might have to get creative to keep your piece truly concealed. If you are moving here for the climate, I assume there will be days when you WANT to wear shorts and a t-shirt. Consider fanny packs and pocket-carry as options.

- TJM

I'll add another vote for the 642 as I carry one myself, and it is my only practical carry weapon. The alloy/stainless holds up pretty well in humid environments. Some have had good luck with the
9mm in DA snubs as well - there are some Rugers and S&Ws
out there (not new) and also a couple Taurus 905 models that
use the 9mm in a J-frame size package. Semi-autos are OK, but for some reason I am more confident in revolvers - not sure why, but I do love them...

Doc,

Small frame DA pistol in 9mm - look no further than anything from Kahr Arms. Do yourself a favor and go fondle a K-series...

I gotta throw in with the 642 it slips in my back pocket and I don't even notice it. On the times that I want a little more fire power the S&W 3913 and the old S&W 6906 are as good as it gets. the 3913 is a single stack and the 6906 is a double stack but both fairly compact. I've had them for years and they have NEVER bobbled either FTF or FTE.

+1!

I still haven't found anything I like better than my ol' K9. But if I lived in Florida, I'd be giving the TP9 a real close look. Heck - if I could justify it without giving up my K9, I'd try a TP9 anyway. But then I'd also have to have an MK9.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

I hear ya, FreeMe - one for each pocket...with cargo pants.

Doc:

If price truly is no object, then there's nothing to prevent you from buying six or seven of the handguns recommended here. Take them all to the range and blast away for an afternoon. Rank them. Take them all out on another day, and rank them again. Eventually, your best choice will make itself known to you. Sell off or trade the ones you've culled.

tjm;

You just earned a triple gold star. That is just brilliant gun loonie thinking on your part, and I'm ashamed to have not thought of it myself.

Doc, take tjm's advice, and then you can fire-sale the culls here. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

"...fire-sale the culls here."

Doc,

Kahrs suck - PM me the details when you have the fire-sale.

Me first! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Re: Price is no object.

Wow! Wish I was You. Do yourself (and me) a favor- You'll be getting a really great handgun- (and I won't feel so foolish for have already getting one). You can even order from Earl's Repair Service (I know that name doesn't sound very good- but they ARE):

A 9mm Walther P 88 C for (only) $1495.00
Or A Walther P 88 for (only) the same price.

(I found mine [P 88 C] "mint but used" for a lot less.)

The Walther p 88, and P 88 C (Compact) have not been manufactured for some years, but some are still available "new" through Earl's Repair Service (an exclusive Distributor for Walther). The "collector" value on these hanguns also increases significantly yearly.

Wiley Clapp, in a Gun's & Ammo article, evaluated these pistols as (regarding all the "Wonder-nines"): ..."I am prepared to shorten the handgunner's search for the best of the breed. ...I believe that the Walther P 88 is the best 9mm service pistol ...available." He also found it: ..."easily the most accurate of the modern service pistols on the market."

I long wanted a full size Walther P 88- but settled for, and am now happy to have secured a P 88 C.

Another writer, David W. Arnold noted: "As far as looks go, the P 88 Compact, is in my opinion, a far nicer looking pistol, than the full size model, which has a blocky angular appearence.

I have noticed that many other's also have found the "Compact" more esthetically attractive and porportionaly pleasing than it's "big brother".

And of course, also the "Compact" is more suitable for carry.

Carry on.-
------------ Walther Weed


P S- These handguns were not commercialy successful, (therefore now RARER),- because of high cost of manufacture and high price tag- ...but ARE unquestionably of superior quality and craftsmanship and design and function and...

...you need one.

Re: CZ PO1

Well here I go again. I just noticed you started your "post" mentioning your ..."considering a CZ PO1". Good instincts!

I have a CZ 40p- which is a .40 S&W Cal.- CZ 40Z slide mounted on a CZ PO1 frame. (A Frankin-Z) This is my favorite and "go-everywhere" pistol. Great ergonomics, accurate, dependable, quality- and only cost $300. A friend saw mine (never even heard of CZ before) and went and bought two.

I love CZ's and strongly reccomend the PO1 as I own and shoot a half-PO1. Again: Good Instincts- Follow through.

Walther's and CZ's... ...It just doesn't get any better.

----- CZeed

Hey Weed!



Mr Clapp also recently referred to a 7-shot revolver (picture showing the chambers on an open cylinder) as an eight-shot - several times in the same article.<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> So don't listen to him!<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />




PS: Just yankin' your chain! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> But it's the truth. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Re: FreeMee (couldn't resist the extra "e")

Regarding your criticism of Wiley Clapp's trifle error in over-counting cylinder hole's: Your response to his word's were:
..."So don't listen to him." And later proclaim: "But it's the truth."

Alright, Mr. FreeMe- since were telling the "truth" here- about Wiley Clapp... Maybe I also made a "trifle" mistake myself when I so liberally quoted him as writing:

"I believe that the Walther P 88 is the best 9mm service
pistol ...available."

The "full" quote should have read:

"I believe that the Walther P 88 is the best service pistol
CURRENTLY available."

Those three little dot's can be "temptingly" convenient. (...)

Another "truth", (Just a trifle ommision- I should admit to.):
I tried to save valuable "Post" space by not bothering to mention that Wiley Clapp's article was published in "Gun's & Ammo" in December, 1988. This minor "fact" could cause some to consider these "recomendation's" in a somewhat different light. (Only 17 years later.)

1988, I believe, was the "year" this pistol was introduced.
Hence it's "name": P 88.

Thank you FreeMe for your response and for your words and good example:
--------------- "But it's the truth.' ---------------

..And that is something that should never be "trifled" with.

--Weed

P S- Regardless of my shortcomings and use of outdated quotation's- (which I am sorry for); The Walther P 88 should stand on it's own reputation and be worthy of any gun purchaser's consideration. ... and thanks for the "yankin' the chain".