I apologize if it has already been suggested multiple times but I am to lazy to read through 40+ pages of replies. I will recommend only what I use. With in your budget you would be EXTREAMLY hard pressed to do better than a S&W M&P Shield or M&P 9mm compact. I have own the Shield and absolutely love it. Have carried it in a Alien gear IWB holster (forget the exact model it's there newest one model III something) and its quite comfortable. I also carry it often in a Desantis pocket holster, not the best put works well for what it's design intends. I did order a Pierce grip extender for it and it didn't increase it's printing area at all but I dress to carry though.
I have had the opportunity to shoot a M&P 9mm compact often enough to know it is also a CC pistol option well worth your consideration again IMHO. I know the M&P series of HG's triggers have received less than stellar reviews and from what I know they early ones deserved such criticisms, but the M&P's made like my Shield as well as all other M&P's supposedly had improvements done to their triggers. I don't know if that is true or not, but my Shield and the M&P 9c and the two full sized M&P pros I've shot all had decent for factory triggers, but I am of the school of train to your weapon.
If I were you, I would do as many side by comparisons as I could before I bought. If there is any way you can shoot any pistol you are considering that's the best test of all IMHO, but at least around me few indoor gun ranges rent many HGs and most are Glocks, M&Ps, and Sigs and per the answer to my question as to why these three all the time I was told, because they are the best buys because of police dept sell offs.
I have had the opportunity to shoot a M&P 9mm compact often enough to know it is also a CC pistol option well worth your consideration again IMHO. I know the M&P series of HG's triggers have received less than stellar reviews and from what I know they early ones deserved such criticisms, but the M&P's made like my Shield as well as all other M&P's supposedly had improvements done to their triggers. I don't know if that is true or not, but my Shield and the M&P 9c and the two full sized M&P pros I've shot all had decent for factory triggers, but I am of the school of train to your weapon.
If I were you, I would do as many side by comparisons as I could before I bought. If there is any way you can shoot any pistol you are considering that's the best test of all IMHO, but at least around me few indoor gun ranges rent many HGs and most are Glocks, M&Ps, and Sigs and per the answer to my question as to why these three all the time I was told, because they are the best buys because of police dept sell offs.
