Affordable Conceal Carry Options?

Yeah, so I was putting around the internet last night, my Taurus on the old crate I use as a nightstand, when I came across the Bersa Thunder UC series. That made me FINALLY get an idea through my thick skull.

"Hey, doofus, That Taurus is like a big girl. Fun to be with, but do you want to deal with the staring and the laughter if you're seen in public with her?" That little devil on my shoulder said.

I looked at The Bersa a bit harder. I like the lines, and the capacity in .40 S&W was rather good for a compact, and I'd rather stick to that round to keep from wasting more money on ammo.

Now I sit online yet again, with that little horned freak on my shoulder. I want to know, what else is out there that's an affordable .40 good for conceal carry? I don't want a giant hunk of iron hanging off my hip for the whole world to see(Kinda defeats the CONCEAL part of concealed carry), and my budget is rather tight. This is going to be an investment gun, with...say, $500 max budget. I'm want to get me a nice compact for my birthday, a bit of a treat for myself, so both me and my dad can get our CHLs together.

Anyone shoot the Bersa Thunder UC in .40? Is there any other compacts in .40 in my price range? I'm kinda wanting something new, but if the price is right I won't complain about used(how'd you think I got my Taurus in the first place?)

I got about three months to shop around, both online and in-person, to give me enough time to build up my "gun fund". So, feel free to help me pick out a new buddy for the rest of my pistols!

Huh...well, there goes my excuse for wanting another gun. It was a pain in my rear to find a holster that fit my 840, and with it, even with my longest shirts when I carry it around my property, the bottom still sticks out about an inch. Does anyone make a better holster other than "universal fit"?

I just get tired of all the people I've seen and heard that badmouth Taurus and the ones that carry them.

And I still want another gun(can you blame me?), So I guess this thread is still relevant. The $500 budget is in-fact pushing it, since I don't have much room to spare between paychecks, but I still wanna expand my arsenal a bit.

...Zombies, you say?

I could say something about the people I see at my work, but that would be in bad taste. Meh, why not.

If you want to see Zombies, go to your local Wal-Mart at three in the morning.

...And honestly...If it weren't for my girlfriend's paranoid brother that thinks all gun-owners are wife-murdering, store-robbing psychopaths, and the fact she isn't on the Cal DOJ- Legal list, I'd never sell my PT840. Sadly, neither are the case and someday I must part ways with this gun. I love the ergos, the takedown is so simple a caveman can do it, and other than having to endure breaking in the extractor and picking brass shavings out of the firing pin channel, she's served me well.

Maybe I should just take that money and invest in what I have? Better holster, more mags, maybe some night sights or a Tac Light? I keep getting pulled from my slumber by Coyotes hassling my landlord's cattle, and carrying the pistol and a flashlight gets a tad bit annoying at times. But if I go tac-light, I can say bye-bye to any decent holster...or do I? I don't know. Haven't seen too many holsters built for stuff on your front rail.

And I will be so happy the day SOMEONE comes out with a higher-cap magazine for this thing....Just for fun, of course.

Well, I suppose you guys talked me out of my next purchase for the time being...But there will always be some poor little semi-auto sitting in a used case somewhere that'll urge me to buy it.

Talking my girlfriend into trusting us RESPONSIBLE gun owners is one thing. Her brother....he's a bit high strung. When I overhear him yelling at her during our nightly phone chats, I can't help but laugh.

"DON'T UNDERCOOK VEGETABLES, YOU'LL GET E.COLI AND DIE!!! DO YOU WANT THAT?!"

...methinks he has a few screws loose.

And yes, The California DOJ has a website that outlines which guns are legal to sell in California. Guess what? Not a single Taurus 800 series pistol there. Can't blame Taurus on that one. Gun laws like that are just asinine.

...and really, I'm just passing time right now until my photobucket finishes loading the pictures I have of the meager family arsenal, good for Coyote, Stray, Zombie, and Ninja.

Best one of the bunch.



From Left to right: My Taurus PT840, My dad's Franz Stock .32, and the little French Pistol that I have ammo backordered for.