Trying to Decide on a CCW Weapon

[Tamren]

I just moved to Colorado from Iowa to attend the Colorado School of Trades and plan on getting a concealed carry permit. I'd like an automatic that carries 11+1 in either 9mm, .40, or .45, and costs less then $600.

I'm leaning towards 9mm because once I start attending classes on September 8th, I'm not going to have a tremendous amount of money to spend on practice ammo.

[nwilliams]

You have many options to meet you criteria.

If you are looking for a 9mm for under $600 I would check out some of these and see what fits you best...

CZ-75
Springfield XD
Glock 19 or 26
S&W M&P9
Beretta PX4
Ruger SR9

[Orange_Magnum]

Don't under estimate the concealability of a single stack 9mm with a barrel less than 4". Accuracy should be your main concern, not how many rounds it holds.

[lloveless]

Older S&W models 5906(9 mm), 4506(.45acp) etc.
Keltec P-11, I have one, runs great.
Check out pawn shops, and gun shops for used equipment, online.
ll

[tinygnat219]

Your main concern should be: reliability. All else falls in behind this. I state this because if you are carrying a gun, why trust anything that doesn't fit this category. Second should be size, followed closely by fit. If you find a good compact pistol, these can even be interchanged. Also, get the gun with the biggest caliber you can control, but don't go below .380 ACP as a defensive cartridge. Also, don't listen to those who poo-poo the 9MM round. It's the world's most popular centerfire caliber for several reasons: It's controllable to shoot, reliable, and with the proper bullet deadly.

Some recommendations:
S&W 3913
S&W M&P Compact
Glock 19
Glock 26
Springfield XD 9 Compact
Kel-Tec PF-9
Kahr compact series.
CZ P-01
Sig P226
Walther PPS.

The choices here are pretty much whatever floats your boat under the sun. I like the feel of a TDA pistol, so I went with the 3913, which feels like an extension of my hand. It's also the most reliable gun I own, moreso than my Glock 19.

[bestseller92]

G19.

[XDShooter07]

Echoing the posts above; you can pretty much have your pick of any double stack 9mm subcompact polymer pistol; which one do you like?

[Tamren]

I don't have any trouble controlling my .45 XD Tactical with my giant ogre hands, my only concern with .45 is being able to afford practicing regularly :(.

If I got a 9mm polymer pistol I'd get another XD.

I do have a CZ-75B on layaway at The Gun Room, from what I understand, that would have the reliability I'm looking for, correct? How hard would that be to carry concealed?

The also had a CZ-40 available for $499

[ByAnyMeans]

consider the Glock 26. When on person you can switch from a ten round flush fitting magazine to a 15 rd glock 19 mag with the additional grip that goes with it. You canj also leave use that G19 mag for nightstand duty as needed. It's a Glock so reliability is to be excpected and a used one can be found for a little over 400 dollars.

The same can be done with a Springfield XD and it has a grip safety if that's your thing. I have heard nothing but good things regarding this but I can't attest to it myself.

[basicblur]

Not going to echo some of the previous recommendations, but you might consider the Taurus Concealed Carry Line (http://www.taurususa.com/products/gunselector-results.cfm?series=CC1)?
All of my guns are "quality" models (the usual suspects), but I took a chance on the Taurus Millenium Pro (http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=18&category=Pistol) (I'm still leery of Taurus quality?).
I like all the features of this gun (why I took a chance on it) as well as the way it feels in my hand. It also has a manual safety if that's important to you.

BTW...since you already have an XD you may want to consider an XD sub-compact? Got a 40 myself, and many folks are impressed with how accurate it is for a "small" gun!

EDIT: Forgot to mention if you're interested in a Taurus Millenium PRO etc, if you want a rail I assume they still come with 'em although 'bout every picture I see on the web site does not show a rail. Original one I ordered came sans rail and gun shop had to reorder one with the rail.

[DWARREN123]

I would suggest a Glock 23 in 40 S&W. Cost more to shoot than 9mm but I believe it is worth it.:D

[coldblackwind]

Personally, I just picked up a glock 30, 10+1 of .45, no more recoil than my 9mm 17, and the same size as my snubnose .38. You can pick them up for under $600 too, mine was $394 out the door with a box of ammo (although the salesman messed up, should have been closer to $500).

[Tamren]

I just got a used CZ-75B for $410. After experimenting with a cheap IWB, I could see trying it out as my carry gun, it seems to conceal ok on my stocky 195 LB 5'10 self underneath a not particularly baggy T-Shirt and jeans. A wardrobe update and a decent holster should take care of printing.

Not to mention I like the idea of being able to carry 16+1 rounds of 9mm goodness Cocked and Locked in an accurate and reliable platform. :D

Thank you all for your input. I'm going to save this post on my computer for future reference in case the CZ doesn't work out. My next choice would be a subcompact XD, or possible a small .38 Revolver.

[Kind of Blued]

First of all, WELCOME!

There are lots of "us" out here. Let me know if you want to go to the range with me and other THR'ers sometime.

Second of all, if you haven't decided on a CWP course yet, give this guy a call. He's one of six people in the US that was given special commendation by the late great Col. Jeff Cooper and his class is a great experience.

http://www.gunsmokeguns.com/

And as far as the snubnose .38, just go ahead and get one. It'll be the gun you carry when you don't feel like carrying a gun. They're wonderful.

[ArchAngelCD]

There are many good suggestions and advice in this thread but I will restate one very good piece of advice. "Accuracy should be your main concern, not how many rounds it holds."

What good does 12 rounds do you if you can't hit anything with them. The FBI statics state most gun fights result in a total of 3 shots being fired. I carry a 5 shot J frame revolver and I have done a lot of practice to be sure I hit what I aim at. Pick a handgun that feels good in your hand, something that's comfortable. Pick something you can shoot well. It only takes 1 or possibly 2 well placed rounds to stop an attack.

Good luck in finding something you like and good luck with your education.

[earlthegoat2]

Springfield XD in service size. Excellent for the money spent.

[CalebJns]

I have a great little XD-9sc...
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=387179
Selling to fund another project...great gun, close to 200-250 round count...compact, yet controllable; comfortable, yet concealable...c...that is all I can think of...

[SwampWolf]

Almost any "Third Generation" Smith. I particularly prefer the 6906 for a ccw.

[357wheelgunner]

You can conceal a full sized weapon with minimal effort. My first carry gun was a Glock 31 in a Blade-Tech IWB.

Make sure you buy a quality holster, every Blade-Tech IWB I've owned has been durable, comfortable, and reasonably priced. Also, you need a good belt. I like Wilderness Products 1.75" belt.

I'd recommend a CZ-75. They point like a Browning Hi-Power, and are every bit as accurate in my experience. Even though they're full sized, you'll be able to carry one if you want to. For the last 3 years a 4" barreled .357 has been my IWB gun, I've never been "made" and it's very comfortable.

[Rascaduanok]

Some recommendations:
Springfield XD 9 Compact

Mmmm, sexy! :)

[Arrogant Bastard]

And as far as the snubnose .38, just go ahead and get one. It'll be the gun you carry when you don't feel like carrying a gun. They're wonderful.

+1

I have a S&W 640 w/ Crimson Trace grips, and my defensive ammo is Buffalo Bore 158-gr LSWCHP +P -- I buy it at MidwayUSA. Anybody here will tell you it's one of the best (if not the best) .38 spl+p round.

I pocket carry it in a DeSantis SuperFly holster.

I also have a Glock 30 -- but I don't carry it as frequently as the 640.

[rocinante]

I like my Taurus PT145. very concealable although it rides around mostly in my mustang glove box which is tiny. 11 rounds of 45 in a 22 ounce pistol is hard to argue against in a ccw. I haven't put a lot of round through it yet to deem it rock solid but first range trip it operated without a hitch. I put williams fire sights on it.

[azhunter122]

I second G23 or G27

[kurts_armory]

i would recommend a cz RAMI. ok, they only hold 8+1 rounds in 40 s&w, but they are compact, pack a punch, and cz makes REALLY nice firearms. they also come in 9mm.

[kurts_armory]

....

[Loomis]

Used guns are a great buy. It takes a little more work to find the best deal though.

If you are going for new, then probably the best deals out there are S&W sigma or FN FNP.

[coyotehitman]

Some recommendations:
S&W 3913
S&W M&P Compact
Glock 19
Glock 26
Springfield XD 9 Compact
Kel-Tec PF-9
Kahr compact series.
CZ P-01
Sig P226
Walther PPS.

I'll add:

Sig P225 Sig P6's are similar and cheap right now
Sig P228
Browning HP
Beretta Compact

You cannot go wrong with any of these guns. Best thing to do is handle each one and find out which one fits you best. Do not look at the price until you select a few that feel right.

Post what you get.

[chupacabrah]

I held a CZ75 once....it was awesome (just to hold it)


I would go with 9mm, cheaper ammo means more practice.
lots of other good gun suggestions in this thread.

my personal faves:
S&W M&P
XD9sc
Glock
and the CZ

I've got an M&P (fullsize), it conceals but I kind of wish the butt was a little smaller