Looking for a new pistol, thoughts?

Perfect

I did a lot of research on the Ruger Sr9 and it has received great reviews from first time gun owners all the way up military and police. Check out the polymers like glock, m&p, Springfield XD, etc.

quote:

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My brother got an SR9 and absolutely hated it. It got stolen out of his car and he hated it so much he didn't even report it

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What he is going to hate worse is when the thief shoots someone with it in a couple years and he has to explain that he wasnt the shooter and why he didnt report it stolen.

Even if he doesnt want the gun back wouldnt he want the thief to get put in jail when he gets pulled over with a stolen gun?

Glock 19 or 23

Smith and Wesson Shield
Or
Springfield Armory XDs

Glock 19, I love mine.

I'm not sure if you're leaning 9mm or 40, but here's my suggestion list.

For single stacks:

Kahr CM9 (mine has been 100% for 3500ish rounds)
Kahr CM40
M&P Shield
Springfield XDs
Walther PPS

For double stack compacts:

S&W M&P40c
Ruger SR9c (although someone here already hates them, mine has been 100% for thousands of rounds and shoots like a dream)
Springfield XD compact (or XDm compact)
Beretta PX4 compact

Best full sized:

S&W M&P40
Ruger SR40
Walther PPQ
Springfield XD or XDm
any American 1911 (Springfield, S&W, Kimber, etc.)
CZ75
Stoeger Cougar
Sig P226 or P228 or P220
Beretta 92

Go to a store and hold a bunch. When that special one just feels right, the gun will choose you.

CajunFootball,
Congratulations on choosing something other than the Judge for concealed carry! :-0 If you can give a few more details on what you're looking for, more specific recommendations can be made. Nevertheless, I'll share some of my general recs.

Safety levers are fine, but I think it takes more training to handle such a gun well in a self-defense type situation. Consequently, I personally prefer my cc guns to not have an external safety lever. Guns w/ double stack mags (most Glocks, Springfield XD's, most Rugers and most S&W M&P's) are thicker than a single stack mag gun. Maybe a double stack mag gun will work well for you w/ concealed carry, but it didn't for me. My first cc gun was a full size SA XD 40 S&W. I didn't carry it long before I realized it wasn't going to work for me.

Best self defense rounds are 357 Mag, 357 Sig, 9mm, 40 S&W and 45 ACP. Unless you've trained a lot, I'd usually recommend a 9mm.

The Subcompact 9mm handguns are a very nice for concealed carry. In addition to being small and light, they are also very narrow as they have a single stack mag. I prefer single stack mag guns as they're much more comfortable to me when I carry inside the waistband (IWB). Guns from this category would include: Kahr CM9/CW9/P9, Ruger LC9, Walther PPQ, Beretta Nano, Bersa 9cc, Kimber Solo and S&W Shield. I've got a Kel-Tec PF9 and have been very pleased w/ it, but some folks have had quality control problems w/ it; likewise for the Taurus Slim and Diamondback 9mm.

There are a few single stack 40's. Kahr and the Shild come to mind.

If you feel comfortable w/ 45 ACP, there are also some nice single stack 45's: Kahr CW45/P4/CM45, SA XD-s 45 (like the Shield, this is a new gun) and Glock 36. Also, one can't leave off the 1911's.

A revolver (preferably DOA w/ shrouded hammer) in 38 Spec is always a nice choice, especially for a newer shooter.

How are you going to carry your gun: IWB, pocket, outside the waistband, etc. That might make a difference in what gun best suits you.