Dilemma - College Student Budget - Need Pistol

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xanderzuk

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Ok, I'm facing kind of a dilemma here. I'm a college student, with a reasonable but limited budget. Currently the only gun that I own is a Benelli Nova 12 gauge. However, I have shot many different pistols, in many different calibers, as my dad owns several.

(Things are about to unfold so prepare)

1) I handled a Ruger MK III .22lr in stainless with 5.5" bull barrel the other day and really fell in love with it. Not that expensive initial cost, and cheap as heck to shoot. Whats not to love.

2) I want to stat CCing, and would prefer as close to a full size pistol as possible, preferably from metal construction (not a huge polymer fan, yes I know it has its advantages). I would prefer either a 9mm or .45acp, as I would assume that the .22lr probably isn't the best choice for SD, although I am a pretty wicked shot, but lets just be subjective. That pistol would need to be around $600ish but preferably a little less, and it MUST have an external safety.

3) I am getting freaked out about CCing. Not about carrying a gun, but making sure its concealed. I have what I would call an athletic build, about 5' 10" - 160ish lbs. I dress well, khakis and a polo or button down but sometimes more casually. I see alot of these bigger guys who wear hawaiian shirts not having a problem concealing, but thats not me. I guess I'm not sure how I would pull if off without having to wear a silly tactical vest or sweatpants/shirt.

So real quick recap:
-.22lr or 9mm or .45acp - and if 9mm or .45acp which pistol??
- How to start CCing??

First post guys, if you need more info, let me know. Hope I didn't leave anything out. Great Site!!
 
My suggestion is to get a lightly-used Colt (Commander size) 1911 in .45ACP.

While the full-size (5") is often reputed to be better, it isn't better at comfort when you're sitting, especially if worn in an IWB holster. The approx. 1" difference in barrel length between full-size and Commander is important.

The Commander length is as reliable, and almost as easy to cycle. It is considered less problematic than the compacts. (Not that 3" 1911's aren't good -- they just require more careful tuning and aren't as tolerant of things getting "slightly out", IMO.)

You don't have to wear Hawaiian shirts, but you are probably going to have to wear something "tails out" if you can't wear a jacket.

If it is really hot, you can always opt for some kind of daypack carry. This isn't as good as "on your person", but it is better than not having a gun. You have to be disciplined about setting the daypack down. It has to be part of you. (Ladies that purse carry know about this...)

If possible, go to a range and rent full-size, 4" and 3" 1911's. Try each and decide which you like best.

Some people manage to conceal a full-size, while others swear by the compacts. Good luck! :)
 
Welcome to THR

I got my ccw permit not too long ago and i was a bit nervous about being noticed at first too. One thing you realize quickly is that most people are oblivious. What i did to get an idea of how difficult it is to conceal a pistol was just carrying at a friend's house (hes a gun nut too) I'd drop by and talk, shoot pool, whatever for a little while then ask "hey man, have you noticed this?" and pull up my shirt.

You really just have to find where you can carry comfortably and still be concealed. For me thats IWB at about 4 o'clock.

As far as pistols go, Im partial to the 1911 platform. Springfield Mil-Specs are pretty good less expensive 1911s.

I typically wear jeans and a tshirt. sometimes a button up shirt over that if its cold. I have no problem carrying a full size 1911 with a mag well.
 
As a college student with $600 to spend on a handgun you have zero problems right out of the gate. :) If it is to be a single gun for CC I'd recommend a S&W J-frame, or a Bersa Thunder .380 or a Makarov for pocket carry. Any of these would be light enough, comfortable and concealable in a pocket. 9mm or .45 may be a tad more difficult to conceal in your choice of attire. If your first choice doesn't work out for you then burn through some more of that money and start a collection. Good luck.
 
AIM Surplus still has the Sig P6 for the excellent price of $270. It is a well made, single stack 9mm pistol that should conceal fairly well. I don't know if the decocker counts as an external safety in your book though. AIM surplus also has a new S&W 637 airweight in .38 spl for $420. Although this is neither equppied with an external safety nor is it chambered in your chosen calibers.

There is also the CZ RAMI for just a bit over $500 and the CZ 75 compacts for just under $500 from Impact Guns. If you aren't dead set on only 9mm or .45, you can have the CZ40B for under $400 from the same place. Its about the same size as the CZ75 compact.

Other choices would include the well built Witness compacts floating just under the $400 mark or the Taurus Millenium Pro line in both .45 or 9mm well under your price range.

I would personally skip the 1911 route.
 
Go with the SIG p225/p6. Great gun, SIG is like the BMW of guns, so youll have something you can be proud of, its a 9mm, so its cheap to shoot, and its low in price at less than 300 bucks. You cant go wrong, and if you dont like it, youre not out much.
 
I picked up my M&P9 my Junior year of College, and my first 1911 my Senior. It's all about priorities... :)
 
Where are you located? In Minnesota you can open carry so I don't have to worry about accidentally "brandishing." With that said I can conceal my HK P2000 IWB under a t-shirt just fine. If I was in a state where I had to worry about brandishing I may not trust just a t-shirt but still no one has ever noticed. I'm roughly the same size as you, (just under 6 foot/180 lbs) a little bigger but you should be able to pull it off with a little practice. I like the 1911 option, especially if you have to have an external safety.

One other thing I feel I should note. I reccomend buying what you want, rather than going the cheapest route. I'm definitely not saying cheaper guns are inferior, because there are some great guns for very reasonable prices out there. I just say this because you should buy what you want. If you really want something more expensive you should save up and buy that because you may not be happy in the long run. I'm also a college student who is on a budget so I know where you're coming from, but I work hard and save up my money and get what I really want, whether it's a $400 XD or a $850 P2000.
 
As a fellow college student, I understand.

To be honest, I would suggest trying some of the small autos. They'll be completely concealable and decently fun to shoot.

I'm talking:
Glock 26
Kahr PM9
Other small Kahrs
Kel-Tec PF9
Kel-Tec P11

Guns like these are the only decently-sized autoloaders that you'll be able to carry right off the bat without thinking everybody is noticing your gun. In situations where you can ABSOLUTELY not afford to be made, that's a highly-desirable attribute.

A S&W J-frame tops them all, but they're not that fun to plink with.

You could get one of those little Kel-Tecs AND a good .22 plinker for around $600, though.

As much as I'd like to help you find a steel gun with an external safety, I'm guessing that you wouldn't be very comfortable carrying it (that's my opinion).
 
Another option is the High Power or p35. It has a safety, magazines are cheap.

You might be able to find a used HK USP for the price and it would be an excellent choice.

With a 1911 you will never have trouble finding a holster or parts.

I would look at used sigs. but they only have a decocker.
 
I don't care what the others say, if you want to conceal a weapon, you don't want a full-size. You don't even want a compact. You want a sub-compact or a pocket gun. Since you also want to shoot it regularly, I'd go with a Glock 26 at the largest. You'll look like a doofus with ill-fitting pants if you try to conceal a full-size gun with your body type. A 1911 at six o'clock makes you look like you just pooped a brick into your pants. Also, that Glock 26 is not a "pocket gun" no matter what others may say. The only real pocket guns are the Kel-tecs and that Ruger clone. Everything else is only a pocket gun if you shop at big and tall stores. For IWB, single stack guns are the most comfortable. Single-stack and compact (this is the only one I'd break my rule for), you are looking at the Walther PPS (which is like a single stack G19) and the PPK (though, for hundreds less you could get a P64 which is a PPK clone in 9x18 makarov). Kahrs are nice too. In addition to barrel length, grip length is also a concern, because the grip can jam into your rib cage when you sit down. Sig-Sauer makes a 9mm single stack as well, but it is still a little on the large side. They have a really nice .380 too, but I think the grip is too thick and the slide a little too long for comfortable carry.

So, on the "large" side, you'd be looking at a Glock 26 and on the small end a Kel-Tec or Ruger LCP.

I am similar in body size to you and dress in a very similar manner, so I know exactly what you mean concerning being able to dress well and CCW at the same time.
 
With $600 you have your choice of pretty much any polymer frame you want wether that be an M&P, XD, or Glock; you could go with the Sig like many have mentioned. I will echo the suggestions to get what you want first though, so if you want something a little more expensive then I would recommend just saving for a while longer and getting what you really want. It sounds like you don't really want a compact but are afraid you won't conceal well. I would imagine you could still conceal an SA EMP in 9mm, but if that grip is too long then look at maybe a PPS in 9mm you could get that for less than 700. Personally I just bought a J-Frame and couldn't be happier; pretty good firepower, versatile carry options from pocket to IWB to ankle, and they are reliable and long lasting; you really have a lot of choices here. And don't listen to the .45 is the only thing that will stop someone mantra; get something you're comfortable with carrying and can place the bullet where you need it quickly with. The first step to protecting yourself is having the gun with you, followed closely by being very confident in your skills of using it.
 
Buy a used S&W M19 2&1/2". Best of both worlds. Full size performance in a compact package. And then you'd have $250 or so to spend on ammo.
 
Bersa thunder 380 and smart carry it. The Bersa should only cost 220-280 dollars

http://http://www.gunblast.com/Bersa_Thunder380.htm


http://http://www.smartcarry.com/

smart carry doesnt give you the fastest access to your gun but it will hide it very well

I have no experience with the bersa so this isnt very personal advice its just what I would do if I was in your situation but I dont really know. Just remember I'm some guy on the internet
 
I'm not seeing where the OP set the $600 budget :confused:
Does your dad have any guns you like? Let you borrow? IMO the best way is to walk into a gun store and look and feel. Then go research what you like. Glocks and 1911s are pretty popular. Look into a .22 conversion kit like here
http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0034431215917a.shtml
I wouldn't worry about concealment, it's fairly easy. You don't need to be a giant and dress like an Eskimo. I'm 21, a student, and was in your shoes not long ago at all ......except the gun thing :evil: I found the best (and cheapest) holsters were the ones I made. Lot of work, but worth it IMO





that is a 5" 1911. I'm 6" 180, so we aren't that far off. As you can tell, with a polo or additional shirt no one is the wiser. If they are looking at me close enough to see a quick print, it could be mistaken for a phone or something else.


regardless, the biggest mistake you can make is not getting a GOOD HOLSTER. Check this company out, the confidence in carrying is in a good holster. A flimsy 1 metal clip and cheap loose leather is going to make you really stand out and not want to continue carrying
http://www.comp-tac.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=102
 
Well... hopefully I will be of some help. I am pretty much your exact body build, and I was too a poor college kid a couple years ago with only a few hundred to spend on a pistol.

I bought the xd 45 Compact when it first came out. With the extended magazine in it, it becomes a fullsize pistol, and the compact one still gives me 11 rounds, hopefully enough to end any situation that may find me.

I don't wear baggy clothes, and I can conceal it wearing shorts and a T-shirt. I do carry it up front, next to the twig and berries... but the grip safety in all honesty puts my mind at ease (not that a safety should be any kind of substitute for the 4 rules and common sense (I know)).

Oh well.. I hope this helps, PM me if you have any questions man.

lates.
 
good news is that for $600 you have a lot of options.

$300 would be a lot tougher!

Are you opposed to a revolver?

BHP, CZ-75, 1911s, CZ remi, Makarovs, ect all meet your requirements. Best might be going and handling a number of guns to see which one fits your hand. I though I was going to get a CZ-75 till I put on in my hand, and went with a BHP instead.

(And now I am buying revolvers...)
 
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