[tirod]

Taurus 856 Ultra Lite 38 Spl. First, people trash talk Taurus a lot but over 95% + never give anyone a problem. It's light with an alloy frame - but gets trash talked for recoil while alloy Colts or Smiths are given a pass. It holds 5 - which gets trash talked compared to the new standard of ten in a short auto pistol. The factory rubber boot grip is a functional copy of the most popular duty grip known for snub noses - but, oh well Im repeating myself. They could have left the bull off.

It shoots junk ammo without FTE or last round failure to lock back, right? Sights are no worse than an LCP, the most popular auto in .380 in the last decade. There's very little to snag on the draw, and it's DA/SA. If you have time to cock it then the pull is fairly light and unremarkable in a good way.

It didn't hurt I picked mine up NIB off GB a few years back for $200. Ugly black finish? It sits in a vertical Brauer Bros shoulder holster under a camp shirt in the summer, it's not a barbecue gun. And last but not least, .38? Ok, I'd swap it even for a stainless version in 9mm, but that's mostly a power increase that is subject to another factor - at 7 to 21 feet, any hit will slow or stop an aggressor.

X2 on the Kahr C series, the public is unaware that it's the most popular backup gun for LEO's nationwide - others have commented in their research most carry lists include it. They have been around since the 90s and were the first 9mm's on the market specifically made for CCW. Even patented features to reduce bulk and weight. The CW models with button rifled barrels are affordable, too, I have a CW380 and it's a far better auto than the LCP. I like Smith 3Gens but if a Kahr 9 popped up it would be tempting - and likely less expensive.

 

[CZSIG-Vinny]

+1 ^ ^ ^ I always wanted a PM9 for CC/pocket pistol but ended up with a SIG290rs that served me well for several years until I upgraded to P365.

My LGS recently had a special deal on new Kahr CM380's for $249. I was seriously interested in getting one until I went to rack the slide and it was so incredibly stiff that my hand slipped off and the gun almost cracked the showcase glass. Yikes!
I mean, I have no problem racking any slide but I just wasn't expecting the 380 to be way stiffer than the 9mm unless there was something wrong with that gun! Maybe someone put in the wrong RSA, no wonder they were selling off so cheap.

 

[29124]

I read through the entire thread and came up with the same thoughts as you! The only opinion I have directly related to the original question is this....Bersa Thunder Pro Ultra Compact 9! Very well-built, very accurate, very reliable, reasonable capacity. Manufactured in Argentina for police and military, usually in 40 caliber full size for their use but not for export.( maybe that has changed I don't know). I picked one up several years ago used at a pawn shop for the wife, she didn't like it, didn't fit her hand,and thought it had too many levers and buttons! She then proceeded to confiscate my 357 J frame, I sold the Bersa because I will not carry or own anything smaller than. 357sig! (.22 plinkers not counting). I strongly feel that that little Bersa Fits the original question very accurately! Underrated overlooked and unappreciated!

That is perfect. I've never fired a Bersa Thunder, but I've heard virtually nothing but great things about them. It basically shows how a scaled up & modified version of the PPKS is very shootable, reliable and accurate.

 

[29124]

Taurus 856 Ultra Lite 38 Spl. First, people trash talk Taurus a lot but over 95% + never give anyone a problem.

I am sure that's true about their revolvers. In fact, I've heard it said many times that "Their revolvers are good, but..."

I owned a Taurus PT 24/7 when they first came out not all that long before I had to qualify for my CCW back in 2005 (when the most recent wave of concealed carry laws went into effect in my state). It was my first and only pistol at the time and it was a jam-o-matic. It jammed so much during qualification that I asked the range officer what he thought might be wrong and he just gave me a look ("it's a Taurus"). He was too polite to say it, but the look said it all.

Back then, the Taurus semi-auto really was a POS. For example, the guide rod WAS NOT REPLACEABLE! The whole frame—including the guide rod—was one injection-molded part. I remember disassembling it for the first time and bending the guide rod which was frayed and affixed to the frame. Moreover, their customer service was awful (and I still hear that it can be today). I went on to watch many videos with plenty of unhappy campers owning Taurus semi-autos. Nutnfancy tested one quite a few years ago now (6-7?), and although he liked the pistol, the trigger snapped in half out in the cold desert while shooting at night.

That said, Taurus semi-auto pistols appear to have gotten better, and in the last few years, the reports have been much much better than towards the beginning of the century.

That said, you have to ask yourself, How often are these pistols being shot? My guess is not a lot in most cases.

I also imagine that if you were to put a Taurus semi-auto through the "rough handling" testing the military uses to pick their firearms, a Taurus wouldn't come close to passing the 2000-round MRBS test (mean rounds before stopage). The P320 didn't make it, but it came very close and the majority of the failures were with the slide failing to lock back (there were also double feeds et al. and the drop safety issue the military uncovered). The original 1911 was reported to have fired 5,000 rounds in its MRBS testing, and the Glock made it in phase one testing of MHS. According to the DOD, the compact P320 failed with hollow points in phase one and then the full-size P320 failed with FMJ rounds in phase two. The P320 pistol faired much better in its MRBF test (mean rounds between failure). I mention this because even guns that are built for the military can fail the reliability tests (even the one the army selected), so while the Taurus handguns might be perfect for some people, I would hazard that even their revolvers are not service grade weapons.

But like I said, Taurus revolvers have a much better track record, and I imagine your Taurus 856 is a great choice for this post. But the negative press surrounding Taurus in the past was not bunk, but it was largely directed at their semi-autos and their customer service which, from my personal experience owning one and reading about Tauruses later, was well deserved. And like I said, the newer designs are much improved. But the truth is that you usually get what you pay for. While they can be exceptional values in this day and age, especially if they're not going to get fired a ton, I don't believe—at least their semi-autos—they are the right choice for many people who plan to put a high volume of rounds down range.

 

[mrerick]

Wish I still had mine; liked the Starvel finish.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I have both a Blued M43 and a Starvel M45. They are great precision compact pistols.

 

[bjmusico]

Echo the other S&W 3rd Gen aficionados. I've got two stainless 3913s. Been tempted to buy other versions, but could never really justify it.

My original was purchased to have something to carry IWB, with metal frame and same action and controls as my larger Berettas (DA/SA, slide-mounted safety/decocker). I think it's a used California DOC gun, based on the markings. A couple years ago, my only 3913 was temporarily "stranded" in my dad's safe in a non-gun friendly state after I rode my motorcycle there and had to fly back. As such, I figured I needed another one. Found an excellent very early version (1989?), with claimed pedigree as being used for Shooting Times first review of the 3913 and then owned by Ed Brown. No way to really verify the claims, but it's in perfect condition with all the little things I preferred on this model, like narrower safety and slide release levers.

More recently, I've favored the frame mounted safeties on my Sigs and 1911s. As such, I don't really carry or shoot the 3913s as much as I should anymore. When I do carry them (and my Berettas), I just leave the safety off and rely on the heavier DA first trigger pull.

 

[LEEEAGLE]

I am sure that's true about their revolvers. In fact, I've heard it said many times that "Their revolvers are good, but..."

I owned a Taurus PT 24/7 when they first came out not all that long before I had to qualify for my CCW back in 2005 (when the most recent wave of concealed carry laws went into effect in my state). It was my first and only pistol at the time and it was a jam-o-matic. It jammed so much during qualification that I asked the range officer what he thought might be wrong and he just gave me a look ("it's a Taurus"). He was too polite to say it, but the look said it all.

Back then, the Taurus semi-auto really was a POS. For example, the guide rod WAS NOT REPLACEABLE! The whole frame—including the guide rod—was one injection-molded part. I remember disassembling it for the first time and bending the guide rod which was frayed and affixed to the frame. Moreover, their customer service was awful (and I still hear that it can be today). I went on to watch many videos with plenty of unhappy campers owning Taurus semi-autos. Nutnfancy tested one quite a few years ago now (6-7?), and although he liked the pistol, the trigger snapped in half out in the cold desert while shooting at night.

That said, Taurus semi-auto pistols appear to have gotten better, and in the last few years, the reports have been much much better than towards the beginning of the century.

That said, you have to ask yourself, How often are these pistols being shot? My guess is not a lot in most cases.

I also imagine that if you were to put a Taurus semi-auto through the "rough handling" testing the military uses to pick their firearms, a Taurus wouldn't come close to passing the 2000-round MRBS test (mean rounds before stopage). The P320 didn't make it, but it came very close and the majority of the failures were with the slide failing to lock back (there were also double feeds et al. and the drop safety issue the military uncovered). The original 1911 was reported to have fired 5,000 rounds in its MRBS testing, and the Glock made it in phase one testing of MHS. According to the DOD, the compact P320 failed with hollow points in phase one and then the full-size P320 failed with FMJ rounds in phase two. The P320 pistol faired much better in its MRBF test (mean rounds between failure). I mention this because even guns that are built for the military can fail the reliability tests (even the one the army selected), so while the Taurus handguns might be perfect for some people, I would hazard that even their revolvers are not service grade weapons.

But like I said, Taurus revolvers have a much better track record, and I imagine your Taurus 856 is a great choice for this post. But the negative press surrounding Taurus in the past was not bunk, but it was largely directed at their semi-autos and their customer service which, from my personal experience owning one and reading about Tauruses later, was well deserved. And like I said, the newer designs are much improved. But the truth is that you usually get what you pay for. While they can be exceptional values in this day and age, especially if they're not going to get fired a ton, I don't believe—at least their semi-autos—they are the right choice for many people who plan to put a high volume of rounds down range.

Never owned any Taurus semi-autos, have several Taurus revolvers, one tracker six and a half inch 44 one tracker six and a half inch 22 Mag 1 605 J frame 357( yes the one my wife confiscated) nothing personal on the autos except around 30 years ago friend of mine had one of those Beretta 92 Style and did nothing but complain. The only recent thing I've seen is neighbor kid has PT111 G2 we go out desert plinking, the thing runs great until he tries to run Steel or aluminum casings. Then it's an absolute choke machine! Seriously can't get more than two or three rounds in a row! I warned him early on that is a problem with many different firearms, but he felt the price couldn't be beat for cheap ammo. But the FNG finally Learned something from the OG😪

 

[Jodiah5]

Walther PPS M2! That’s what I carried until they 365 came out. And I about to swap that out for a P365X!!!

 

[lumpermsn]

Beretta px4 I carry this gun alot very accurate and reliable

 

[CZSIG-Vinny]

Spawned during the 10 round limits of the 90's; the CZ RAMI is a downsized CZ-75 DA/SA at only 1-1/4" thick. This all-metal hammer-fired sub-compact was available as 9mm or 40 and only recently discontinued from the CZ line so they're still out there. The RAMI BD variant was a 9mm double-stack decocker . Not exactly svelt as a single-stack, but a very capable CC. And the longer CZ-75 mags can be used for bu's. I've equipped mine with an RMR milled by Cajun Gun Works.

 

[dmoran71086]

I haven't personally tested but the Mossberg MC2sc seems like a great pistol to rival the P365 but you never see them.

I love mine. For $399, it runs great, everything that I've put through it.

 

[AFammo]

Carried almost pristine SW 6906 with night sights. Like another poster stated, the 6906 is all metal, high cap, and only 2oz. heavier then a Glock 17

 

[mcamwv]

Sig P938 and Walther PPS. Two guns I miss and part of me wishes I wouldn't have sold - even though I sold the P938 to buy my P365 and the PPS to buy what eventually became the P365X, and I wouldn't want to be without my P365.

 

[Hammer]

I guess it's debatable whether its really "under-rated" or not, and depends on what circles you move in, but for the average Joe out there, this is a gun that is probably not on their radar - the CZ PCR. Thinner and lighter than a P229 with the same capacity (or better, depending on which flush fit mag you choose), and a heckuva shooter:

 

[SpongeRockNW]

I have to agree with czsig-vinny with a slight variation in model: The CZ 75D PCR (Police Czech Republic) no longer in production but used in several countries by LE is in my edc rotation lately. 9MM Compact DA/SA with Decocker and a respectable 15 round capacity. It’s 4 ounces lighter than the non-PCR variants due to the use of an Aluminum frame with steel slide. It shoots like my Sig P229. Definitely underrated!

 

[Hammer]

I have to agree with czsig-vinny with a slight variation in model: The CZ 75D PCR (Police Czech Republic) no longer in production but used in several countries by LE is in my edc rotation lately. 9MM Compact DA/SA with Decocker and a respectable 15 round capacity. It’s 4 ounces lighter than the non-PCR variants due to the use of an Aluminum frame with steel slide. It shoots like my Sig P229. Definitely underrated!

Ha - looks like we posted at the same time.

However, I don't believe the PCR is discontinued - it's still listed as a current model on the CZ USA website. I certainly hope they don't have plans to discontinue it - it's one of the best, if not the best, carry pistol they make.

 

[CZSIG-Vinny]

+1 ^ ^ ^ ^ on the PCR. If you like the hammer-fired SIG's, you'll probably like CZ's.
I have it's near identical cousin the CZ 75 P-01 with light rail and 16 round extended mag; milled for Red Dot by CZ Custom. In retrospect maybe I should have waited for a PCR without the rail which CZ seems to only run in 'batches'. Feast or famine.

 

[tinkersdam]

I'll vote for the Ruger LC9s. Has 7-8 round mag capacities in 9mm and is a sweet little pistol to shoot with a short light trigger pull...and accuracy is excellent for a short-barrel pistol Being a bit of a 'hippy' mature woman where 3 or 5 o'clock carry is uncomfortable and more difficult to draw, I conceal best and most comfortably in either the 11 or 1 o'clock positions and can draw easily from under a blouse or sweater without flashing my lingerie. Carries incredibly well concealed IWB in a small kydex holster from Badger State Holsters. Being an older woman with some hand stiffness, I did put a Hogue sleeve on the grip for a more secure grab. The pistol is very smooth along the edges and not prone to snagging anything on the draw. I carry with one in the chamber and the safety 'on'. The safety is very easy to flip off (or back on) with the side of the thumb, no need to look or fumble around trying to feel it. I've yet to have a FTF or jam and am confident it will cycle thru the mag as may be necessary. Unfortunately, though, Ruger discontinued this model a few years ago. I believe they still have the EC9s which has no safety and is stripped down a little from the LC9s, however, I wouldn't advise trying to carry this pistol w/o the safety given the very light and short single action trigger. For me... this is just a perfect little 9mm carry pistol that feels good, shoots great, doesn't require wearing bulky clothing, and isn't a pain to wear throughout the day. I think Ruger D/C'd this model way too soon.

 

[Eamerritt]

Yep. J-Frame 38 Special. Small, easy to carry, but can be difficult around North Florida right now in finding ammo unless at a gun show.

 

[Montana]

Like the title says, name one or more underrated concealed carry guns...

938. I just like hammer fired CCW.