My favorite handgun is the Beretta PX4 Storm Subcompact: It pocket carries very nicely when I wear jeans (I use a Sticky Holster MD 2 for pocket carry); It holds 14 rounds (13+1); It is DA/SA.
I can load it fully, including one in the pipe, then decock it, making the first shot double action. I feel it is safe carrying it this way, without the safety engaged -- DA makes it safe to carry, and it is always ready to fire without having to fiddle with the safety.
I had to do three things to make this my favorite gun: (1) I cleaned the barrel thoroughly of the goo that Beretta coats the barrel with (to prevent it from rusting while sitting on the shelf waiting to be sold). (2) I began lubricating my slide with a good-quality gun grease rather than oil (Wilson Combat UltimaLube II Grease). When I used oil not grease, cheap ammo would often fail to feed. (3) I replaced the stock recoil spring and plastic guide rod with an aftermarket recoil spring and stainless steel guide rod (
https://ssguiderods.com/shop/beretta/beretta-px-4-storm-subcompact-guide-rod/). (The stock plastic one had begun to bend slightly.) It's a shame that Beretta would include a plastic guide rod in an otherwise superb handgun.
Because the Beretta has a thumb safety, I felt comfortable carrying it while getting used to the idea of concealed carry - it was my first real carry gun. Now that I am comfortable carrying, I no longer need the safety on due to the added safety of double action mode.
My second favorite handgun is the Ruger EC9S. I paid less than $300, tax included, for this gun, and it is accurate, easy to shoot, and always reliable. It holds 8 rounds (7+1). When my pants pocket isn't quite big enough for the Beretta PX4 SC, I pocket carry the Ruger EC9S (I use a Sticky Holster MD 1 for pocket carry).
Since there is no decocker on the Ruger (it is striker fired), I keep the thumb safety on while I carry. It is easy to turn the safety off when I draw the gun - simply rest my thumb on it, and pull down.
I had to do two things to this gun after purchasing it: (1) The sites are all black, so I put a spot of white paint on the front site; (2) the safety was too loose for my comfort, so I took it to a gunsmith - he installed a new retention spring, and now the safety is perfect.
The thinness (i.e. ease of carry) of the Ruger makes me lean toward it; but the high capacity and DA/SA action of the Beretta make it my favorite of the two.
, but the ones I do have, I really like. My favorite this week is the cheap AR I just bought.
