Im interested to see everyone’s opinion of their pick for the best CCW and Duty pistols each in 9mm, .40, and .45. Duty and CCW are separated because, IMO there are different considerations that go into each. I’ll go first, of course, mine are limited to only those I have experience with. (Disclaimer: Im a big fan of the M&P series ;)).
Duty
9mm - Glock 34/17
.40 - M&P40FS
.45 - M&P45FS
CCW
9mm - P7M8
.40 - M&P40c
.45- M&P45c
Duty: Glock 34
BUG: G26 (vest) S&W 442 (Pocket)
Off-duty/CCW: Glock 19
On a scale of one to ten, it’s a Glock 19 all ten times…
Springfield Armory Professional 1911 
I’m not a cop.
But I make no differentiation between duty and CCW pistols. My mode of dress is such that I can conceal a duty-size handgun as well as its compact or sub-compact version. Thus I see no need to carry a “CCW” size pistol except in very limited occasions.
So for the majority of the time, the “duty” gun and the CCW gun are one and the same.
Behold:
9mm duty/CCW
CZ 75D compact, aka PCR.
9mm - Sig 228 duty and CCW
.45 - 1911 duty and CCW
.40 S&W - hate the round
Below are what I would choose to carry:
Duty
9mm: G17
.40S&W: M&P40 w/ambi
.45ACP: customized 1911 w/rail
CCW
9mm: G19
.40S&W: M&P40 or M&P40c
.45ACP: customized LW1911
I’d also feel good to go with the HK P30, HK45, and M&P45.
CCW
9MM M&P 9c or HK P30
45ACP HK 45c
I don’t care for .40’s but if I did it would probably be an M&P 40c
Duty gun: Glock 22 carried IWB (I work full time plain clothes now), when in uniform (only for search warrants and buy bust operations) it has an X200 attached). Backed up by a S&W J frame M&P 340 in a Galco Ankle Glove.
Off duty: Glock 23 carried IWB in the same blade tech holster that I use for the on duty G22.
I know there are haters on the Glock .40 platform, but I have had nothing but good luck with mine. My G22 works with a light attached, and my G23 never has a light attached, so it’s a non issue. Plus, least we not forget, NYPD has "claimed"major issues with the G19 (type 3 malfunctions), so the 9mm platform is not without it’s “alleged” problems as well. My .40 glocks plain work, and the 400 plus agents that they are issued to at my current dept. have had no major issued either. My previous dept., guess what, .40 glocks worked there too.
Hk45c is the best compromise choice in my opinion. It combines most of the good of the Glock and the 1911–basically in a G19 sized package. Like the above poster, I am not on duty so I really don’t have a dog in that fight.
CCW:
9mm: Glock 17 or 19
(I do not carry a 9mm very often, and I am still trying to find the perfect mode of carry for a 9mm. Nevertheless, I have found that the 17 is just as easy to conceal as the 19. Neither the 19 nor the 17 are as easy to conceal as a 1911)
40 S&W: I do not and will not own a gun in this caliber.
45acp: 1911.
This except I also carry the G17 thanks to the Shaggy holster and cannot afford fancy 1911s that run
9mm: Glock 17, Glock 19
.40: FN Hi-Power MkIII
.45 ACP: Glock 21, Nighthawk Custom Talon II, SIG-Sauer GSR XO
All of these choices work well for me for either/both Duty and CCW; that they fulfull both niches is an integral part of my selection criteria.
Best, Jon
The top one sees 40% of my carry, OWB usually either a loose shirt over the top or open carried.
The bottom sees 60% of my carry, IWB frequently tucked.
For me, this is a toss-up on many models:
Duty:
9mm - HK P30
.40 - HK P30S or P2000
.45 - Hands down, HK45
Off Duty/CCW:
9mm - HK P30, P2000, P2000SK
.40 - HK P30, P2000, P2000SK
.45 - HK45c
See a pattern here?
On Duty: Sig 226 or S&W 4506 dependent on season
Off duty: Sig 239 with an extra mag
I feel well armed with any of the above
I do not work law enforcement so it is the same for me.
For concealed carry in 9mm most of the time Glock 26, some other times Glock 19 and for pocket carry Kahr PM9.
In 45 ACP Glock 36/30 SF Hybrid.
In 40 nothing, I just sold all my 40 caliber Glocks.
I take it the bears in your neighborhood are sick of dining out of trashcans and are mugging people for KFC money? That’s a lot of gun.
OP: I’m not an LE either so: S&W M&P9, S&W M&P40, and in .45 a Colt Defender.
(I know, I know, micro-1911’s are malfunctions with gun attachments. I hardly ever carry it but its the only .45 I have, it works so far, and I still like it).
9mm: M&P9, Kahr PM9 for light carry
.45: M&P .45 mid-size