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Posted: 9/5/2023 12:20:10 PM EDT
I recall when guns like these were considered adequate for self-defense. It was before the advent of smart-phones and social media. They all shared similar features. Single stack 9mm guns with a capacity of 8rds or 9rds in the magazine. They were short and light enough to easily conceal carry but still large and heavy enough to be put through a heavy day at the range. Today, they're all horrible considered antiquated and obsolete except for a range oddity.
But I recall when guns like these were viewed as being the crème de la crème in the conceal carry world. The only thing that beat it was the GLOCK 19 or the GLOCK 26. But that was combat tupperware. Real folks wanted steel or aluminum. Oh well.... enjoy your micro-compact RDS equipped polymer framed removable FCG 9mm pistols with über magazine capacities. Here are some of the pistols of long, long ago. Before the big boom boom of the Tiktok and the Tide Pods. SIG P239  S&W Model 3913  Astra A-75  Star Firestar M43  Kahr K9  Walther P5  HK P7M8  Would you carry such a pistol today? |
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Posted: 9/5/2023 12:22:04 PM EDT
[#1]
Overly-large 9s that held single digit numbers in their mags were never good enough. They were just accepted because that's what was available if you didn't want a Beretta 92 or similar-size gun
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Posted: 9/5/2023 12:22:27 PM EDT
[#2]
I still sometimes carry my P239 but I sold the P6 I used to carry a long time ago. It is mostly the G43 anymore though, I appreciate the weight savings.
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Posted: 9/5/2023 12:23:13 PM EDT
[#3]
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Posted: 9/5/2023 12:26:47 PM EDT
[#4]
In every gunfight I've been in on my way to walmart in the last 30 years, a single stack 9 has been plenty of firepower.
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Posted: 9/5/2023 12:27:08 PM EDT
[#5]
I’d still carry one but I also carry revolvers from time to time. I am Not old at all just enjoy guns. As others have said its weight and capacity are the draw backs.
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Posted: 9/5/2023 12:27:47 PM EDT
[#6]
Elegant Weapons for a More Civilized Age
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Posted: 9/5/2023 12:32:43 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Overly-large 9s that held single digit numbers in their mags were never good enough. They were just accepted because that's what was available if you didn't want a Beretta 92 or similar-size gun Says the owner of a S&W Model 1026 and who has qualed and carried a N-Frame on duty in the 2010s.  
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Posted: 9/5/2023 12:34:50 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Says the owner of a S&W Model 1026 and who has qualed and carried a N-Frame on duty in the 2010s. If I'm traipsing the woods where big piggies are known to reside, I'd prefer my carry gun for the day be a Model 29 with LSWCs. Very different than when I'm going to Tallahassee-stan |
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Posted: 9/5/2023 12:35:45 PM EDT
[#9]
I think the 39xx series of pistols were some of the finest ever made.
I have a 3914NL and a 3914DAO. They both shoot great |
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Posted: 9/5/2023 12:37:03 PM EDT
[#10]
I was an early adopter of the "wonder 9s", the double stack pistols.
My first was a S&W 5904. I haven't carried it in forever.  |
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Posted: 9/5/2023 12:37:41 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Overly-large 9s that held single digit numbers in their mags were never good enough. They were just accepted because that's what was available if you didn't want a Beretta 92 or similar-size gun My retired Uncle survived his entire law enforcement career, carrying just a revolver. |
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Posted: 9/5/2023 12:39:39 PM EDT
[#12]
I still carry single stack 9's... along with 10mm and .45's.
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Posted: 9/5/2023 12:39:47 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted: My retired Uncle survived his entire law enforcement career, carrying just a revolver. Look at my avatar. I am a hard core revolver guy. I love them. But I also love being prepared for the threats that I'm likely to face. |
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Posted: 9/5/2023 12:43:16 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted: My retired Uncle survived his entire law enforcement career, carrying just a revolver. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Overly-large 9s that held single digit numbers in their mags were never good enough. They were just accepted because that's what was available if you didn't want a Beretta 92 or similar-size gun My retired Uncle survived his entire law enforcement career, carrying just a revolver. |
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Posted: 9/5/2023 12:45:34 PM EDT
[#15]
I own an Astra A-70 in 9mm. I carried one like it for awhile during the AWB. These days, though, this one resides in my safe as a bit of nostalgia. I'd much rather carry my Glock 43X with RMRcc and TLR6.
 Attached File |
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Posted: 9/5/2023 12:46:05 PM EDT
[#16]
I'd still take the Sig and HK over most of what's out there now. Unfortunately the Sig's of that generation always bit my thumb knuckle with the corner of the tang. Just how they fit me, and it drove me nuts because I really like them, from the full sized stuff to the compacts.
My EDC continues to be an officer's size 1911 with a 7rd Wilson mag. Every time I shoot the modern stuff I'm reminded of why I don't particularly like them. A G19, maybe, my P80 build with a 1911 grip angle, better, ditto my Shadow Systems DR920 with the right grip piece installed. I even like the P320 grip. But most of the stuff out there just feels weird and like they forgot that these are rough use tools. Then I wake up and remember that 90% of their sales are to people that barely use them, maybe take them to the range once a year and are consider them social media props not tools. |
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Posted: 9/5/2023 12:47:51 PM EDT
[#17]
I just carried a Kel-Tec PF9 for 2 weeks in Florida. It got sand fom the beach. It rusted . I unloaded and blew.it out with air.
I survived. It weighs 18oz with 9 rounds and holster. I had 1extra 8 round mag and one 7 round that I used with a pocket holster I had a special clip on the belt holster that I could clip onto the tie string of swimming trunks. Holster stays put on draw. (Lucky Gunner mentioned it in a video) Take off my shirt and unclip it . I could do it.on the beach with no one the wiser. I am going to add a lock box to the beach wagon so I can swim without worrying about the person I asked to watch the wagon Not worried about stealing much as a kid finding it. All in a) though the P365X an 2 extra 12 rounders was carried when going out to eat in good clothes. The LCP in a pocket holster never came out of the gun bag. |
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Posted: 9/5/2023 12:51:53 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I carry this thing every so often. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/350579/20230804_143427_jpg-2943630.JPG It still works well, but why carry it when better options exist? |
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Posted: 9/5/2023 12:55:04 PM EDT
[#19]
Combat Tupperware came to market 41yrs ago.
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Posted: 9/5/2023 12:56:26 PM EDT
[#20]
That HK though
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Posted: 9/5/2023 12:56:46 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I just carried a Kel-Tec PF9 for 2 weeks in Florida. It got sand fom the beach. It rusted . I unloaded and blew.it out with air. I survived. It weighs 18oz with 9 rounds and holster. I had 1extra 8 round mag and one 7 round that I used with a pocket holster I had a special clip on the belt holster that I could clip onto the tie string of swimming trunks. Holster stays put on draw. (Lucky Gunner mentioned it in a video) Take off my shirt and unclip it . I could do it.on the beach with no one the wiser. I am going to add a lock box to the beach wagon so I can swim without worrying about the person I asked to watch the wagon Not worried about stealing much as a kid finding it. All in a) though the P365X an 2 extra 12 rounders was carried when going out to eat in good clothes. The LCP in a pocket holster never came out of the gun bag. I spent a week on Clearwater Beach in June. My carry choice was a simple Glock 43 with a Raven Vanguard holster. Empty, it weighs 18 1/2 ounces. Even loaded, it is fairly lightweight and isn't difficult to carry, even in swim trunks. The A70 I showed above weighs 11 ounces more. In addition to the added weight and bulk (it's larger in every dimension than the 43), I have a thumb safety to deal with. I'd also brought my 43X MOS and a 45 MOS, but they never even left the condo. |
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Posted: 9/5/2023 12:59:41 PM EDT
[#22]
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Posted: 9/5/2023 1:01:17 PM EDT
[#23]
I remember when a six shot 38 revolver was considered adequate.
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Posted: 9/5/2023 1:11:58 PM EDT
[#24]
I’d say it falls into the same thing as 45acp and revolvers being super popular carry guns. If you’re limited to <11 rounds like in 94-04 unless you can find/afford $100+ carry mags. They were more than adequate, they still are. Why limit yourself though to the biggest caliber or skinniest single stack possible when you can get 1.5 or double stack guns for nearly the same size?
I do miss the awesome oddball carry rounds from that era. I especially miss my .400 Corbon. |
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Posted: 9/5/2023 1:20:13 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I'd say it falls into the same thing as 45acp and revolvers being super popular carry guns. If you're limited to <11 rounds like in 94-04 unless you can find/afford $100+ carry mags. They were more than adequate, they still are. Why limit yourself though to the biggest caliber or skinniest single stack possible when you can get 1.5 or double stack guns for nearly the same size? I do miss the awesome oddball carry rounds from that era. I especially miss my .400 Corbon. .356 TSW on the left, 9x19mm on the right. |
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Posted: 9/5/2023 1:56:30 PM EDT
[#26]
Love the Smith 3900 series. My wife has a pristine 3953 I bought for her years ago- unfortunately she won't give it to me no matter what I offer to buy her. Love that gun.
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Posted: 9/5/2023 1:58:13 PM EDT
[#27]
I remember when they were the only option because of the fucking AWB Ban.
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Posted: 9/5/2023 1:59:52 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I remember when they were the only option because the fucking AWB Ban. |
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Posted: 9/5/2023 2:04:11 PM EDT
[#29]
Every one of those guns is trash.
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Posted: 9/5/2023 2:05:26 PM EDT
[#30]
I will admit that I've pretty much replaced my carry of a 3 inch S&W 64 for general use, a PP in .32 for when I was in shirt and tie dress, for a S&W Shield Plus. But that said, I spent over a decade carrying a S&W 3953 when off, and still own the thing and wouldn't hesitate to carry it at need.
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Posted: 9/5/2023 2:07:42 PM EDT
[#31]
9mm, that's cute.
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Posted: 9/5/2023 2:08:20 PM EDT
[#32]
"If you can't get it done in 8 rounds, you're goner anyway"
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Posted: 9/5/2023 2:08:56 PM EDT
[#33]
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Posted: 9/5/2023 2:10:55 PM EDT
[#34]
I wouldn't because I don't have to. I have better guns for carrying. I would carry one without worry if it was the best I had.
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Posted: 9/5/2023 2:12:28 PM EDT
[#35]
Every once in a while i carry a p64 radom. It fits nice in my dress pants. Usually though i just carry a g29
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Posted: 9/5/2023 2:17:59 PM EDT
[#36]
Sig 225 comes to mind.
ETA: My buddy had one back in the day and I never understood a large single stack 9. I opted for a 1911. |
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Posted: 9/5/2023 2:18:09 PM EDT
[#37]
Quoted: I recall when guns like these were considered adequate for self-defense. It was before the advent of smart-phones and social media. They all shared similar features. Single stack 9mm guns with a capacity of 8rds or 9rds in the magazine. They were short and light enough to easily conceal carry but still large and heavy enough to be put through a heavy day at the range. Today, they're all horrible considered antiquated and obsolete except for a range oddity. But I recall when guns like these were viewed as being the crème de la crème in the conceal carry world. The only thing that beat it was the GLOCK 19 or the GLOCK 26. But that was combat tupperware. Real folks wanted steel or aluminum. Oh well.... enjoy your micro-compact RDS equipped polymer framed removable FCG 9mm pistols with über magazine capacities. Here are some of the pistols of long, long ago. Before the big boom boom of the Tiktok and the Tide Pods. SIG P239 https://images.guns.com/prod/2020/06/08/5ede66bdf170fb9936dd70fdaa0984f7faab555509934.jpg S&W Model 3913 https://images.guns.com/prod/2019/08/29/58-MODEL%203913-VAL1541-3.jpg Astra A-75 https://images.guns.com/prod/2021/09/20/58-A-75-15626-96A-1.jpg Star Firestar M43 https://images.guns.com/prod/2019/08/30/58-M43%20FIRESTAR-2012719-3.jpg Kahr K9 https://images.guns.com/prod/2020/09/06/58-K9%20ELITE-BF1567-3.jpg Walther P5 https://images.guns.com/prod/2020/11/25/58-P5-101187-1.jpg HK P7M8 https://images.guns.com/prod/2020/12/04/58-P7M8-16-130861-1.jpg Would you carry such a pistol today? I miss my minty 3913. I was a young poor and sold it to fund a Glock 27. Both were great guns, but I didn't know what I had with the 3913. Always wanted a P225 also. |
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Posted: 9/5/2023 2:19:58 PM EDT
[#38]
Not even 9mm. Oh well.
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Posted: 9/5/2023 2:20:23 PM EDT
[#39]
Okay, now I hate you @Miami_JBT for reminding me of the 3913 I bought my now ex-GF in 1995 that I never got back
 . She was a redheaded nurse so no fucking way I was going to go back there and ask for it back .
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Posted: 9/5/2023 2:22:04 PM EDT
[#40]
"Adequate"
I was a cop in 1992 - they still issued revolvers but I carried a personally owned (dept approved) Glock 17 then 21. I was not content with "adequate" then or now. Some consider a snub "adequate" in a "good area" - I am not one of those people. |
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Posted: 9/5/2023 2:22:18 PM EDT
[#41]
I carried a 3913 in a Galco Ankle Glove as a BUG back in the day.
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Posted: 9/5/2023 2:22:25 PM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Sig 225 comes to mind. |
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Posted: 9/5/2023 2:23:10 PM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Okay, now I hate you @Miami_JBT for reminding me of the 3913 I bought my now ex-GF in 1995 that I never got back . She was a redheaded nurse so no fucking way I was going to go back there and ask for it back .Phone number? |
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Posted: 9/5/2023 2:24:09 PM EDT
[#44]
I'm pretty sure I had a S&W 469 for about 5 years before the Glock 19 was released. Think the Glock was physically larger, though by 1988 the only Glock I owned was a 17L I shot in matches every now and then.
https://www.genitron.com/Handgun/Smith-Wesson/Pistol/469/9-mm/Variant-1#:~:text=Gun%20Specifications%2C%20Type:%2C%20Produced:%2C%20Caliber:%2C%20Action:%2C%20%2C,%2D%201988%2C%209%20mm%2C%20recoil%20operated%20semi%2Dautomatic%2C Not mine  Attached File |
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Posted: 9/5/2023 2:24:30 PM EDT
[#45]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Phone number? Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Okay, now I hate you @Miami_JBT for reminding me of the 3913 I bought my now ex-GF in 1995 that I never got back . She was a redheaded nurse so no fucking way I was going to go back there and ask for it back .Phone number? 867-5309 Ask for Jenny. |
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Posted: 9/5/2023 2:32:20 PM EDT
[#46]
No, I wouldn't.
That was before leftist riots, millions of violent cartel shit stains streaming across the border and deposited in every city in the country, prosecutors letting violent criminals off the hook, the promotion of the hating of white people, violent middle east imports, and hurricane Katrina spreading new Orleans thugs into my city. That was back when my governor was my friend and not the guy encouraging and allowing the violent destruction of my state. |
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Posted: 9/5/2023 2:33:53 PM EDT
[#47]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Phone number? Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Okay, now I hate you @Miami_JBT for reminding me of the 3913 I bought my now ex-GF in 1995 that I never got back . She was a redheaded nurse so no fucking way I was going to go back there and ask for it back .Phone number? No horses so she's not your type 
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Posted: 9/5/2023 2:36:34 PM EDT
[#48]
My first autoloader was a 9mm Colt Commander with 9+1 capacity. I have in the past had a P239 and Kahrs.
Now my little S&W Shield Plus holds 13 and 15 round OEM mags and is equipped with a light/laser. The only single stack I still own is a W. German P220, and it isn't in the ccw rotation. |
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Posted: 9/5/2023 2:39:16 PM EDT
[#49]
I lusted after a 3913 back in the day....but now pocket carry a Kahr PM9....so small and thin I forget I'm carrying it.
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Posted: 9/5/2023 2:55:00 PM EDT
[#50]
They still make 9mm 1911's for a reason and Springfield makes the Ronin EMP probably to be carried. I like my polymer 9's, but I (a millennial *gasp*) can't fault someone for enjoying a metal-framed single stack 9mm.
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