Advice on CCW

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JeffDilla

JeffDilla

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I am wondering if I could have some of your thoughts. I am relatively new to handguns (began shooting about a month and a half ago). I am able to apply for my carry permit here in Maine since I comlpleted the NRA basic pistol course last month. I do not yet own a handgun which I would carry, I only have a .22 autoloader that I have been practicing with. In the next couple of months I plan on buying a handgun for home defense and to eventually carry. I will not plan to carry until I was very comfortable with my gun and feel that I know it inside and out and took a defensive course, so probably not for another year or so after purchasing my gun.
My question is, would it make sense to apply for my permit now, and just have it for when I do feel I am ready to carry, or just wait and apply for it after I feel ready to carry. I recall reading somewhere when I was researching Maine carry laws that you have to put the serial number of the gun you plan on carrying on your application, but I downloaded the application from the maine.gov site and there is nowhere on the application where you have to give them the serial number, and I don't feel it would make sense anyway because people tend to carry several different guns. I also want to add that I don't want to have a carry permit "just to have it", I intend on carrying responsibly for self defense should the situation ever arise.
I am also wondering if within the next year or two laws may be passed that would prevent people from applying for it or similar circumstances. Any suggestions/advice? Should I apply now, or wait? Thanks in advance.
 
I would go ahead and get it, because once you become comfortable with carrying your pistol, the last thing you are going to want to do is wait for approval. I would also recommend finding a range or friends that own a different variety of guns that you can practice with, find what suits you, and practice, practice, practice. It is vitally important to be completely comfortable with your self as well as your pistol, but remember, the last resort is to have to pull/use your weapon. Good Luck, shoot straight and welcome to the wonderful world of shooting!
 
Thanks calebJns,
I have been practicing as much as possible, but one what stinks is that I don't really have many friends that shoot, just one actually, and he doesn't have a variety of guns, just a couple, which I have shot. I am planning on joining a range here locally at some point and hope that some of the members might be nice enough to let me try some of their guns, but I won't count on it :) Also, none of the ranges around here rent guns either, which would be nice.
 
Start with a small gun. It would be nice to have a larger range gun and a carry gun but if you can only afford one now, get the one you will carry. A 9mm in an auto or a 38 in a revolver would be cheap to practice with and allow you to learn without developing a flinch. Guns I would reccommend are Kahr PM9 or P9 or a S&W J frame.

I prefer .40 but carry 9mm and .38 often. It's good to have options also. IWB, OWB, pocket and ankle holsters along with different size guns will assure you will always carry where and when legal.

EDIT: Sorry, I misread your question. Apply now! You will be proficient way before a year. You may be proficient before your permit shows up in the mail if you apply today. You'll always get better if you keep at it but you should be O.K. to defend yourself shortly. Good luck.
 
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Seven for Sure, thanks for the reply. While I don't doubt I may be proficient by the time my permit arrives, for me it's more of a comfort factor and being familiar with my gun. I guess I can't really say for sure how long it would take or when it would be, so I don't know, but I do feel it would take more than a few months for me personally with a new gun, being new to shooting. Also, I think another factor would be having the proper mindset before and while carrying. It's something totally new to me, so it might take some getting used to. But I do like the idea of already having the permit when the time comes that I do feel comfortable carrying and not having to wait for it. Thanks again!

Edit: The application states "expect 30 to 60 days for your application to be processed". I'm not sure how long the wait is after that to actually receive it.
 
You’re definitely going about the whole thing with the right attitude, I would advise to apply now and as you said carry when you are completely confident, ....my 2¢
 
Apply now. You might consider going to an IDPA or IPSC match and watching to get a feel for the different types of handguns and a chance to talk to some shooters about it.

I will save you some money on buying guns: most folks start out big and heavy and then quickly get smaller. The biggest gun you should probably consider is a Glock 26. Next step down in size is a snubbie in .38. Then a micro auto like the Kahr or Kel tec or Ruger LCP. The micro autos have uneven reliability records. Some seem to work, others don't. The Glock and the snubbie will work.
 
When do the Maine CCW permit expire?

Colorado CCW permits last for 5 years before they expire. If Maine is the same way (lasts 5 years) it’s worth getting it now. That way you can choose to carry sooner than later in your 1 year wait should you change your mind.

Now, If Maine permits expire each year. Just wait until your ready.

A good choice for both a daily carry gun AND a home protection gun is the PM9 in 9mm, or PM40 in 40 S&W. Their small and both IMO are easily controllable.

Dave
 
you are OK...you are OK...

You should carry immediately!

The "comfortable" feeling that you describe is one of trusting yourself more than the governmental requirement of competency.
With in a short period of time, you will realize that you are not the "bad guy" because you carry a big bad gun.
And that the criminal who also carries a gun for criminal purposes -is the bad guy.

Don't wait until you purchase a more suitable handgun. Carry what you have now. You will read many similar comments here on THR as to "better to have this pip squeak gun, than none."

You do not know, nor does any one of us, when death will show up in our face.

Be prepared. Carrying what you have now will also give you a better idea of what you need and want before you do make your purchase.
 
I agree with the comments above...jealous as well, Alabama's License expire each year, but here it only takes about 2 weeks to get a new one, 5 minutes to renew one. The first gun I purchased was a HS2000 (Springfield XD9 service). granted I purchased it during the winter so concealment wasn't to big of an issue. I do agree that a smaller gun is easier to carry, you wil have some tell you that your not a real "man" unless you are carrying a 1911, (I own one and carry it as my BBQ gun) but every day carry is a Taurus 905B (9mm revolver) in an ankle holster and/or Taurus PT140, or a Kel-Tec P32. It has a belt clip that slides inside the waiste band and makes it apear to be a knife.

Most importantly be comfortable when you carry, and be confident, each grow with experience, if it helps, the first couple of times i CC'd I did it around my family without their knowledge of it, and they never realized it...it takes time, but before long you feel lost without it!
 
I'm still not 100% sure what I want my first carry gun to be. I have a few ideas, but since there aren't any ranges around here that rent guns, nor do I have more than one friend that is a shooter, I don't have the opportunity to shoot or handle a multitude of guns.
 
JD,

I concur with others that "sooner is better" re: obtaining your CCW / CHL.

It has been my experience that how a pistol or revolver feels is *normally* magnified by firing it: if it's uncomfortable while gripping and dry-firing the chances of it feeling better while firing are remote at best...let ergonomics trump looks or sexiness.

A few points to consider when selecting your CCW (a decent shop should let you handle as many weapons as you like before you make your decision):

How comfortable is it to grip?
Is it easy to obtain a good sight picture?
What's the story with the trigger?
Can you really lug that particular firearm around all day (without feeling like you have a boat anchor attached to your hip)?
Will this firearm be a dual-duty gun required to provide HD and CCW?
How well does the particular firearm meet your / the state's concealment requirements?

Once you purchase, practice, practice, and practice some more. Ensure you're comfortable with the weapon prior to putting it in a holster and strapping it on.

One point: your first time carrying may feel a bit weird. For recommendations on how to overcome, I suggest doing a search on "Wal-Mart walk" or the like...there's even a diagram to aid you in navigation. Yes, nachos are required for the walk to count :D

I hope this helps. The forum is full of well-intentioned folks so please let us know if you have any additional questions, concerns, or need for clarification.

Take care,
DFW1911

PS: This may be a bit pre-mature, but welcome to the life of a CHL holder:)
 
DFW, I just did a quick search and came across the wal-mart tactical map and my first thought was, "other wal-marts have nacho stations?" I think I need to make a phone call to corporate and get this straightened out. If I'm going in to buy cat litter and skivies, theres no reason I shouldn't be able to get nachos as well.

P.S. Thanks for the advice and help, it's appreciated.
 
there's a lot to be said for a revolver, for a new shooter especially. not hard to get used to, all you have to do is pull the trigger. I've been shooting over 50 years, own more guns than i would ever admit to my wife, my every day ccw is a S&W 340, revolver.
 
swampshooter, from the guns I've been looking at and handled, both revolvers and autoloaders, I think I am leaning towards revolvers, I like the sp 101 I held. I haven't held a compact autoloader that fit my hand well yet. I have bear paw hands and the grips of the compact autoloaders I've handled just make my hand feel cramped and uncomfortable. I would like to handle the cz p-01, as I've heard it has an extremely comfortable grip.
 
My vote is to get your permit now and I agree that you are going into with a great attitude. I would recommend trying a glock19. Ammo is reasonable enough price wise to practice with and 9mm is a good self defense round (and 15 +1 capacity should be more than enough). Small enough to conceal but large enough to shoot comfortably.
 
Ill just say that the carry permit is similar to the spare tire in your vehicle , as is your choice on carry guns . The dounut spares they give us any more allow us to limp along for a time .. so is a pistol . Get it now Carry it when you will . If you have the permit you decide , if you dont then the .gov decides after you jump thro the hoops . You may not choose to carry now , however if you see the need to carry why would you want to wait weeks or months to do so when the need is now ?
 
wtfd661, I know the glock 19 is a popular choice, and was one of the first guns I handled in the store, but it just wasnt a good fit for me. So far, all compact models ive held have made my hand feel cramped due to the size/meatiness of my hands. I feel I may have to sacrifice carrying size for fit/comfort when I am ready to buy a defense gun. Any suggestions on compacts for people with bear paw hands?
 
My other CCW is a Kimber Tactical Ultra II and it has been a very reliable weapon for me, unlike all the other Ultra's in the Kimber line, it has a 5" grip height (the others are 4 3/4") so it fits my rather large hands. The Kimber pro size seems to be another popular option for others, has a 4" barrel (the ultra is a 3" barrel) with a 5 1/4" height, but Kimbers are a tad bit more expensive. I pocket carry a Glock 26 which leaves your pinky finger dangling but I have found that I got used to shooting it real quickly like that with no problems, but is not my first choice to go to the range with and shoot with (other than to stay proficient with it). I guess its a trade off for what best fits your needs, budget and circumstances. I have noticed that it truly does become an addiction, seems like I'm constantly finding new models that I would really like to have, LOL. Good luck trying to decide.

Forgot to add that you might want to look at some Sig Sauer models. I carry on duty a Sig P220 DA/SA and while that might be a little large for CCW it does have a larger grip. There are several other Sig models that are a little more compact (P229, P239).
 
wtfd661, you know, I never really considered a 1911, I just went on Buds to get an idea of prices and styles of Kimbers, I like what I see, although I couldn't get a good idea of prices, I do like the Kimber pro, it appears to be a little higher than my expected price range (it lists "MAP" price at $762, im guessing thats "manufacturer's advertised price?) but I'd like to check them out more, I'll see if they have any at the shops around. thanks for the suggestions
 
I agree with those that say get the permit now. Even if you don't actually own a centerfire caliber or intend to carry on you person yet, you can still legally carry your .22 under the seat of your car or other concealed location if you so desire. And, as others have said, you will be ready to start carrying sooner than you think.

As far as firearms go, I would highly recommend the Smith & Wesson M&P .40 compact. It has interchangeable palm swells that can be changed to accomodate small and large handed shooters alike. The full size M&P is also this way and is a very viable concealed carry pistol with a good IWB holster. Also, the .40 cartridge works well for defensive purposes and, with the right load, makes a decent woods defense round as well. Also, the Glock 30 in .45 Auto is an excellent compact defensive pistol that most people complain about because the grip is too big for their small hands.
 
I've decided to go ahead and apply. I've got the application ready to send out, I just need to go get some "passport" photos taken to send in with the application and it will be good to go. "Better to have and not need than need and not have" pretty much sums it up. Thanks for all of the responses.
 
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