Best carry gun for a newbie?

[joey93turbo]

Hey guys, I'm new here and pretty new to the gun world. I'm moving back to where I grew up and it's definately not the nicest place on earth. I'm going to take a class soon and get my permit to carry. By chance I just sold an extra car and I have somewhere around $350 to spend on a handgun.

This is what I'm looking for in a gun:

- Compact and easy to conseal (shorts & tshirt).
- Reliable.
- Easy to use (I'm fairly new).
- Perferably a cheap round so I won't break the bank practicing.

Any feedback would be appreciated, thanks guys!

 

[SelfProclaimedExpert]

I would recommend simplicity (no safety) and a strong enough trigger pull that special carry methods aren't necessary.

So, a DA/SA pistol like a Makarov would be nice. Or a .380 bersa.

For a 9mm, the chopped CZ PCR.

 

[joey93turbo]

I really don't think I'd be comfortable carrying a gun without a safety.

I read that thread about the Bersa .380's and it seems that people like them, would one of those be a good choice? how spendy are .380 rounds compared to 9mm or .45? does the .380 have enough stopping power?

 

[Berg01]

Given your limited experience and budget, I'd go with a Revolver, which is how many of us got started, and frankly it is a tried and true approach for a beginner. Folks who start off with wheelguns can often evolve into pretty good shooters if they practice. The inherent accuracy of a good revolver is a very good confidence builder for a young shooter. A 4" bbl. Ruger GP-100 .357 Magnum (you can also shoot .38 Specials with it) would be perfect; the guns are solid, dependable, and plentiful at you price range. At $350.00, you might negotiate a NIB deal. or perhaps a used one for less than $300.00, which gives you money for a holster & ammo. The Basic Handgun Safety Course and carry permit are great ideas; check you local gun ranges, shooting clubs, and /or the NRA website for info.

Good Luck, shoot safely & legally, and have fun doing it!

 

[MJRW]

Berg, I slightly disagree with. GP-100, yes. 4", no. The 3" would be easier to conceal and draw and doesn't have adjustable sights to be mucked with. I love my 4" GP-100, and do carry it. But I really think the 3" would be better for his stated goals.

Joey, the Bersa .380 is a fine pistol. One of the best deals in handguns, imo. However, the .380 round isn't as powerful as any of its bigger brothers by nearly any stretch. It would ouch a person. I don't believe in "stopping power." I believe in holes. Width and depth of the hole. I also tend to look at muzzle energy to figure out which would ouch more. But stopping power is way too dependent upon these factors as well as the target. Too many variables to figure out.

The Bersa is a nice accurate, small, lightweight, ergonomic pistol. It does however have that .380 nip right at the web of your thumb. It won't be as comfortable to shoot as a non-lightweight revolver. .380 ammo tends to run about the same price as .38 ammo, give or take a dollar. It isn't as cheap as 9mm can be with those Wal-mart value packs. Those are priced all sorts of silly cheap. For me locally , .38 costs $10.50/50, .380 is $9.95/50, and 9mm is $10.97/100.

If you can't find a 9mm you are comfortable with if ammo costs is a concern, then I second the notion of a GP-100 but in a 3". Ruger SP-101s and some Smith & Wesson j-frame snub revolvers can be had for about $350 used. These are both 5-shot revolvers, although there are dozens of variations in the j-frame. Heck, looking at it, any of these are good options.

Edited to add: Bersa .380s can be found sub $200 used. Only problem is finding holsters can be taxing.

 

[SelfProclaimedExpert]

Joey,

A safety can be a liability if you forget to remove it. Also, no normal DA revolver has one. I was just suggesting you find an auto that carries like a revolver.

 

[joey93turbo]

Hey I appreciate the advice. I have owned and fired quite a few revolvers, I guess I should have stated that. I'm ready for an auto. So the .380 is too small, any recommendations for a 9mm or a .45 that fits my description of what I'd like? I have a couple friends with glock 30's and 36's. They seem to like them but I've heard mixed things about them.

 

[SelfProclaimedExpert]

You posted a $350 limit. The CZ handgun I mentioned is one of the few smallish 9mm arms that fall into that category. Glock, Sig, Beretta and others start at $500.

I just recalled the RAP 401 pistol. This all steel bargain is a relatively small, high quality DA/SA gun made in S. Africa. Probably, your best bet for a competent and potent carry gun on your budget.

 

[Deepdiver]

I'd second what Berg01 said - concealable revolver in a decent caliber (smallest would be a 38spc but .357mag preferred).

 

[usnavymasterchief]

What BERG 01 said, start out with a revolver. For your $350 you should be able to pick up a good S&W J frame or Ruger SP101 in .357 Magnum. Both are really great guns and with care will last a lifetime. You can shoot .38spl in them very cheaply using Wally Word Winchester White Box. Nice thing about revolvers is that they aren't finicky about what you feed them a lot of semi autos are very finicky about ammo.
Go to the revolver section of this forum, read and heed Jim March's "sticky" on buying a used revolver, really informative. You could buy a new Taurus for your money and they are OK but you would be far better off with a carefully selected used S&W J frame or Ruger SP101.
Resist the urge to buy a large revolver in a cannon caliber keep it light and simple, after you are comfortable with the revo you might want to look at a semi auto or two but please, start out simple and reliable, the revolver is the way to go.

 

[joey93turbo]

I just don't wanna carry a revolver

$150 isn't much more if I'm going to be carrying it daily. I'd rather pay a little more and get a decent gun. Say I did spend $500, what would you recommend then?

 

[usnavymasterchief]

OK, I tried. You don't want a revolver, go for a Glock in 9mm.

 

[cslinger]

..............COUGH.357REVOLVERSNUBBYJFRAMESP101COUGH..........

Sorry I had a revolver in my throat.

For 500 I would go SIG239 should be able to find one used or even a decent deal on a new one. .40 or .357 SIG.

SIG P225. Single Stack 9mm. Should be able to find a used one in that range.

Glock 26,27,36,30,............20021836 whatever there are a bunch of those little buggers. $485 new on average, cheap magazines, reliable to a fault, ugly enough to scare off an attacker.

CZ PCR, P01, Compact. Figure $400-$450ish. Great guns. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise.

Used Smith 3913 or 4013 or any of their small single stacks. I hear pretty good things about the Chiefs Special offerings but the first two are almost SIG quality........almost.

Used KAHR K40, K9 etc. Very small, good reputation........I have no practical experience so take this one at face value.

.......COUGHJFRAME.357........... Sorry I must be coming down with something.

Chris

 

[Rick Daniel]

I'd go with the Glock G26 9mm.

 

[joey93turbo]

I've heard good things about the Kahr's, what do you guys think?

 

[10-Ring]

Here's another recommendation for a revolver. Simple to use, reliable & a 357 magnum is a proven caliber. Get a nice used S&W 19, a nice leather holster, some practice ammo & range time and your set! Good luck

 

[MJRW]

Kahrs are good (not as good imo as a sp-101 or j-frame), but pricey (much more than a sp-101 or j-frame). I would say Sig P239 (unless they have a Sig SP-101) or Glock 19 (unless glock makes a j-frame). Glock 26 (think j-frame sized) isn't that much more concealable, its the same thickness, but its not as much fun at the range (not as much from as a snubby revolver).

 

[joey93turbo]

Hahaha, thanks for the info. How long did it take you to write that?

 

[gbelleh]

A Kahr would make a great carry gun. The polymer Kahrs are really small and light. My PM9 has performed very well and is amazingly accurate. I would trust it for CCW, but some people are still not convinced that Kahr has worked out the problems with their polymer frames. The all steel Kahrs are great, but heavy for their size. If you use a good holster, any Kahr (all steel or polymer frame) will conceal very well.

 

[MCNETT]

If I were in your shoes, I would go with either a Glock 26 or Glock 27. I have the G26 and it is a great little carry gun.
-mike

 

[joey93turbo]

Well it sounds like it's between one of the glock models, a kahr, and possibly a sig. At this time I'm leaning toward the Kahr because of the good things I've heard about them, and the fact that I haven't really heard any bad things. What are the different Kahr models out there and which would be best for me?

 

[Gary H]

Revolver every time in the lower price range. The reason for this is that semi-autos that feed perfectly cost money and should you find an inexpensive one that feed perfect, you must put through at least 200 rounds of carry ammo to find out that it works without any problems. Good defensive ammo is expensive. A good revolver goes bang every time. That said, you might be able to find a used Kahr K-9, or K-40 for your price. FYI: Ammoman.com now has a sale on Speer Gold Dot .40 x 1000 rounds at less than $200 shipped. Now, that is a great deal, but it does cut down on the budget.

If you can't be sure of reliability, then you are foolish to buy a semi-auto.

Next, you might consider doing what my dad has been doing prior to carrying. He has made consistent weekly trips to the range and shot from the holster each time. That is six-months worth of shooting, range fees and ammo.

I know.. TMI

can you say:

REVOLVER

 

[New_comer]

I would have to agree, a revolver is best for newbies, 38 spl +p or even in 357 magnum would be more than sufficient for SD/HD.

A lot of excellent platforms to choose from. Just don't stray from the known brands, either new or used, and you'll be okay.

 

[joey93turbo]

I don't want a revolver. If I have to spend more to get a decent auto I will, but glocks are under $500 and I hear of alot of people that carry them and seem happy with them.

 

[Mal H]

Kahr does make fine pistols and you won't go wrong with one. But please do yourself a favor and at least take a look at the SIG P239 as cslinger suggested. It is about as reliable a pistol as you'll find. I would suggest a 9mm since ammo cost is going to be a factor. Do a search here on P239 and see what others have to say about it.