Carry Gun?

[steve4102]

I just finished the MN Permit to Carry class and now I need a semi-auto handgun to go with it.

I know very little about semi-auto pistols and I thought you guys could help me with a few suggestions before I go out a purchase one. You know, brand, caliber, trigger SA,DA, SA/DA all that good stuff.

Thanks

 

[franconialocal]

Sig P220

Any variant of the SIG P220. I carry one every day for work and I absolutely love it. I wrote more about it in a similar post just yesterday so keep an eye out for it.

I've trained hard with it and it NEVER fails me. I've shot all sorts of weapons over the course of many years and I'm VERY impressed with this .45

Ok....I found it so I'll just paste it here.....

I carry a SIG P220 .45 auto every day for work and I absolutely love it.

I've trained with it till I was blue in the face, carried it, deployed it, rolled around in the dirt with it, done tactical reloads and excercises with it getting loaded with sand/dirt/mud, I've had it caked with snow and ice, in the baking sun, soaking wet, bone dry, and EVERYTHING in between. I've put countless rounds of all makes and qualities down the pipe on my professional and private time, and I can say with confidence that I would highly recommend it to ANYONE. The thing NEVER EVER fails me. I have relatively small hands, and for a full size .45 this sidearm is extremely comfortable and smooth as silk. Very manageable recoil and sight re-acquisition. Tritium night sights with an accessory rail as well. In fact, my Chief even said during the last round of qualifications...."What are you doing, drawing smiley faces over there?" Spot on.

The only drawback being the mag. size (8+1).

I just can't say enough good things about this sidearm, say nothing of the fact that they are built right here in NH!!! Good luck with your decision.

 

[Marcus L.]

I tend to prefer something that is in the subcompact range for concealed carry which for me is in an off-duty capacity. You'll find that the smaller and lighter your carry pistol the more comfortable you'll be. Komfort is King, and a pistol that conceals real well and is not a thorn in your side will be the pistol you have will you much more often......you never know when you might need it. So, pistols you should consider looking at are the Glock 26/27, H&K USP Compact, Sig P239/P232, S&W M&P Compact. Generally, 9mm will be a better caliber for a subcompact pistol. As your pistol gets smaller recoil forces are much harder on the pistol and on you and the 9mm is better handling.

I carry a Sig P229 .40S&W on duty, but I prefer the Sig P239 9mm for concealed carry:

 

[threefeathers]

Steve, we can certainly halp but you must add a bit of information. Price Range?
Large or small hands?
Work environment?
Are you willing to train?

 

[Gun Slinger]

The 9mm is a wonderful caliber to begin CCW-ing with since it offers gentle recoil and an excellent availability of high quality self defense and training ammunition within reasonable economy while still remaining an effective SD caliber.

I often advise those just starting out to select a quality mid-size semi-auto pistol that can be properly and reasonably equipped with a few extra magazines (how many is up to you) plenty of pratice ammunition and possesses comfortable handling attributes. One of the best, but certanly not the only option, is the 9mm Glock 19.

I would highly recommend that you go to a range that allows you to rent guns and try firing several different calibers and designs so that you can decide for yourself which one is most suitable for you and your particular needs. This will give you the opportunity to see for yourself which brand, caliber, trigger function and price point fit your needs.

After you acquire your pistol and a few extra magazines, research and carry the best SD ammunition you can afford and get out and practice as regularly as you can.

Welcome to the world of concealed carry!

 

[steve4102]

Steve, we can certainly halp but you must add a bit of information. Price Range?
Large or small hands?
Work environment?
Are you willing to train?

Price Range is not a problem, I would like to keep it under $800 though.
My hands are not large, but they are certainly not small. My leather work gloves are XL, X will work , but they are pretty tight.
Yes, I am willing to train. The instructor I had yesterday has a nice set up for pistol shooting at his home. He has invited me to his range(home) for some hands on training.

 

[DFW1911]

Steve,

Congrats and welcome to the CHL family. This section of your question caught my eye:

I know very little about semi-auto pistols and I thought you guys could help me with a few suggestions before I go out a purchase one. You know, brand, caliber, trigger SA,DA, SA/DA all that good stuff.

My first recommendation is that you learn as much as you can by hands-on practice before you decide on what you're going to carry. Maybe you have a local range that will rent various weapons by the hour or a friend willing to show you the ropes. It's pretty important you get a good idea of what works well with you and what you work well with before you decide on what you'll stake you're life one.

Also, and here's the rub, just because you shoot something well doesn't mean it will "carry well" for you. A buddy of mine has a 1911 that he can drive tacks with, but do to his size and other reasons he carries a compact. He's still good with it and is just more comfortable (physically) in carrying it.

Hope that helps. Take your time in your selection of a good carry weapon and a nice holster and belt combo - don't skimp on the latter.

Thanks,
DFW1911

 

[pogo2]

Sig P239

I'd second the previous suggestion for a Sig P239. It is a good compromise carry gun - not too small and not too large - absolutely reliable and conceals easily. I've tried a number of other guns and like this one best for carry.

 

[Guitargod1985]

This is what I usually carry:

That's a Sig P232 (.380 ACP). Yes, the picture is flip-flopped.


Oddly enough though, I plan on getting a Sig P239 as well. I had no idea it was so popular for carry.

 

[mongo4567]

I found myself carrying smaller and lighter guns over time; less likely to leave them at home or in the car. My recommendation would be a Keltec P3AT, it is a .380 and very concealable. For larger guns I favor subcompacts like the Kahr PM9/40 or Glock 26/27, or small Kimber 1911s.

 

[geronimo509]

Here is my fav carry gun, para ord gun rights model, double stacked. Its this or the kimber ultra carry II, sometimes the colt but its such a pretty gun i only carry it when I dress really nice lol

 

[Graymutt]

Simple advice , do some research. find a good gun that you WILL carry. I know lots of people that own guns that they will never carry because they are not right for them.

 

[Deanimator]

Any variant of the SIG P220.

A good gun... and a BIG one in the grip. Not the best choice for people with hands my size, anyway.

 

[Deanimator]

If you know other people who shoot, try their guns to see if you like any of them. Otherwise, try to find a range which rents guns.

DON'T buy a gun that you can't shoot reasonably well one handed. That includes guns that have grips that are too big or a trigger reach that's too long. Don't assume that you'll either have two good hands when you need to shoot, or that one of them won't be occupied trying to keep somebody away from you.

 

[Pilot]

CZ-75D PCR. 14+1 capacity in a nicely sized package.

 

[brett30030]

I am a pistol guy myself, but if you are in MN, you may want to consider a revolver so that you can shoot from inside a jacket/coat. Just a thought. Good Luck.

 

[Isher]

CZ P-01 for me, 14 round mags, High Noon shoulder rig.

Isher

 

[msb45]

Best advice I ever got was to rent some guns and shoot them. Pick the one that feels right that you hit with. Carrying a small comfy gun is useless if you can't hit with it. I carry 1911s, small revolvers, large revolvers, and glocks based on need and climate. It's like a suit, it has to fit you and your situation.

 

[The_Shootist]

Honestly?

Glock 19 - compact but good capacity - good grip and sight radius. If i had to choose an all round semi for CCW work, this would be it (and I usually carry a revolver). carrying concealed requires some compromises, but the G19 is pretty close to an all round handgun as you will get.

Just don't Mexican carry like certain big name athletes have recently (and unfortunately) been prone to do

 

[tank mechanic]

Yet another vote for the Glock 19.

Small enough to conceal yet big enough to shoot accurately. And you cannot go wrong with 15+1 of 9mm.

 

[CZ223]

I prefer the 40 S&W over the 9mm

So I carry a Glock 23, which is the same size as the 19. I also carry a Glock 32 in 357 Sig, again the same size as the 23 or the 19. I find that the compacts are as easy to conceal as the subcompacts with more firepower. The full size 17, 22 and 31 are just too big for me. Neither of these guns have ever failed to fire with factory ammo and I have well over 3000 rounds through each. I won't make fun of you if you choose the 9mm, they are much cheaper to shoot.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

A g19 would be good. If you need something smaller, a g26, and if you want something larger, a g17. 9mm is a good caliber if you are new to handguns, it has adequate stopping power and not too much over-penetration with hollowpoints, and is still somewhat cheap to shoot and doesn't have too much recoil.

 

[kashton]

H&K P2000SK .40 LEM in a Tucker Leather "The Answer" IWB





I have also recently ordered a Comp-tac 2'clock for it as well for appendix carry. 10 rounds of .40 S&W Gold Hot Hollow Points in this small and sleek of a pistol is sweet.

 

[johnchamp]

id go for the s&w 908s its a single stack 9mm 8+1 and they have them in stock new in the box at cdnn there number is#1800-588-9500 and you get a lifetime warranty. plus it fits perfect in your hand and its easy to conceal and its single action and double action and it has a decocker lever just my 2 cents you dont need to spend alot of money for personal defence.

 

[Mad Magyar]

The only drawback being the mag. size (8+1).

I don't feel that's a bad thing. The Sig sounds fine....