Sooo many choices

best suggestion is to hit the gun stores and pawn shops and start looking. see what fits you and your hand. the pistol that fits your hand well is the one you usually will shoot the most accurately.

set a budget of what you can afford to spend. don't worry about what others carry or shoot, as this is about what will work best for your needs. if you have a range near you that rents pistols, that is a good way to see what could be best for you.

your holster will make a huge difference in what you can carry effectively. don't cheap out in picking a holster. many people will try several types or brands before they finally settle on a particular one that works well for them.

 

Just about everything you listed shoots well.I am partial to Sig myself.Beretta makes a good pistol.Like what's already been said go get a hand full of everything and take into consideration how you're gonna carry and how much you're willing to shell out.In the end the one that fits you the best will be the one for you.

 

Single stack is what you need.

Taurus is what I'd look at were I you. Used market opens up a lot. Look for CZ and Star.

 

To keep things in perspective, my Star Firestar 9mm is 1.1" wide, my Firestar chambered in 45acp is 1.2". Both are single stack. My Glock 30 in 45acp which is double stack is 1.3" wide.

The Glock 30 feels huge, it's amazing how much a fraction of an inch can change the feel of a gun in the hand.

 

I agree with beyond the box taurus makes some decent guns that are afordable. The millenium pro series are very nice. My first handun was a pt145. They are small enough to conceal and will still pack a punch. Id stay away from a 9mm...but im biased and like the bigger calibers. Good luck in your gun hunt!

 

Tell us about your training/experience-

 

What about the Bersa BP CC? They call it the BP9CC. It's a thin polymer gun in 9mm that would probably be perfect for this person.

 

Sounds like you just need to shoot as many as you can to see what "fits"
If you like the 357 you can't go wrong with a S&W DA 6 shooter for a CCW-

 

Try shooting as many as you have the opportunity to shoot. If you have fired .357 magnums then I would say get a larger caliber like the .40. But get what suits you most importantly. You going to find man opinions here but the only one that truly matters is yours.

I like Ruger, but don't own any of their semi-auto pistols (other than a .22/45) but I can say that Ruger makes an excellent gun for the money. I am not too keen on Taurus. I have fired a some of them and don't care for them. I shoot any that are offered for me to try, but I wouldn't buy one myself.

 

Hoss is right. I have an S&W L-frame Mountain Light- fires seven shots and is scandium framed - weighs very little (.357 magnum does kick a bit, but for practice I use .38 Special). Bit pricey though.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/955342095/SMITH_WESSON_386_SC_MOUNTAIN_LITE_357_MAG.htm

 

I bought the Ruger Sr40 and I think it's a great gun, largish for carrying though and I'm 6' 260. I'm looking at the SR9c as I'm impressed with the platform. Agree that you should shoot as many as you can before pulling the trigger on your purchase (pun intended)

 

Check out kahr. They make great cc guns. And their line from cw to pm has about anything you could want up to .45 acp. Plus it's american made. Buy american!!!

 

Wise-
Narrow down the field & hollar back