CCW Pistol advice

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I strongly recomend a p3at or lcp. These little .380 are great guns that I have found are very easy to keep on you at all times. With a large gun you are going to need certain holster and clothing to conceal. I had a XD40 and found it spent more time in the night stand then on me and when I need feel a need for me it was never close. My p3at I always have it near. For example in the summer I can slip it in my front pocket of shorts, during colder weather a leather pancake holster holds it tight and the light weight doesn't pull down my pants. In the evening when I may be walking around the house in just louge pants or a robe its light enough that its rides good in a light weight pocket of a robe or louge pants and if no pockets its not too hard to carry just in a waist band thanks to its light weight. As the 1st person to reply said you get use to it and you end up having it on you at all times, even tend to forget about it sometimes.
 
Soo...I didn't want to say this at first because I've seen other people get flamed on another forums for it, but I guess I'll take my chances... :eek: I was originally looking at getting the Walther PPK:

WaltherPPK.jpg

I've always loved this gun. I know it's a .380, but I figure using 95 gr Winchester PDX-1 rounds would help. I personally wouldn't want to get shot with a .22 short, let alone a .380 PDX-1. PDX-1 test Then when I'm used to carrying this, I can step up if I feel the need like lobo9er suggests.

What do you think?

Thanks again everyone!

Dave
 
Honestly there is nothing wrong with a .380, I like revolvers but tend to rather carry a small semi over a snub due to the shorter sight radius of a snub revolver. Autos just always have longer sight radius over a revolver of the same size.

Though I would personally go with a Bersa over the Walther just due to cost of the pistol. A lot of people swear by Bersa and they seem almost the same.
 
check out bg 380 by smith and wesson. that was my choice i luv it.http://funreviews.net/uploads/1/BG380_thumb.jpg
BG380_thumb.jpg

came down in price too.
 
Davers: said:
Oh yea..almost forgot, I've heard a lot of bad things about 1911 pistols. FTF, FTE, etc etc.
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I wish that I had come to this site and asked the same questions as you. Then I might have resisted the urge to buy my first 2 guns, my Sigma 40ve & Taurus Mil Pro, and instead used that $700+ to buy a handgun that would have held it's value as well as protected my family. The Mil Pro has been flawless but the Sigma has been to the factory twice for a broken striker. S&W won't send me a new striker, they want the gun back. Both guns lost half their value before I cleared the parking lot of my LGS.

1000 bucks will get you one fine defensive handgun. H&K, Sig, Kimber, Springfield, Colt, to name a few, are fine choices in a 1911. I'd stick with a full size in that platform, since that is the original design. Tiger McGee, owner of Shootrite, says to go to another platform if you want a smaller carry gun because the 1911 design gets finnicky when shrunken down to accomodate smaller calibers and shorter slides. S&W, Glock, FN, Sig, H&K, among others, make fine smaller guns that $1000 would more than cover. Just remember, if it doesn't carry well for you, nor feel right in your hand, then find one that does. Don't compromise at this price range. $1000 will allow you to find that perfect gun. Hey it might be a revolver. You just have to search.

I own a Springfield 1911 Range Officer, which is built for competition more so than self defense, & it has been flawless the short time I've had it, but I protect myself with a Glock 27 as a concealed carry gun & a Glock 20, 21 or M&P 40 Pro at home or for open carry. The Judge & the Mil Pro don't get out much, I cuss my Taurus TCP & keep sending off my Sigma. Oh how I wish I was just starting out with $1000 in my pocket. I swear I wouldn't make the same mistakes. Oh, last but not least...don't blindly follow the salesmans suggestions. He just wants to sell you a gun. That's how I acquired the Sigma, Mil Pro, Judge & TCP... $1500 in guns that I don't particularly need & are now worth no more than half that.
 
Get the heaviest .380 you can find.....

That way when the bullets don't stop the BG at least when you hit them with it, they might stop...:what:

I know, but I am just not a fan of the .380. Get the slimmest, lightest, and not cheapest largest caliber pistol you can shoot well. Even a .22 is the best if that is what you can shoot the best. I personally recommend a minimum of 9MM when training someone new. But I have had ladies that shot the heck out of a 1911 and loved the .45. Best thing to do is go to a range and borrow or rent the closest thing they have to the gun you think you want and try it. Having said that, I would stay away from double stack guns for everyday for deep conceal and stick with a single stack. I personally carry a 1911 but love the Ruger LCR 9.

Jess
 
Thanks again for the good advice everyone! I appreciate it!

Jess, what holster do you use for your 1911? Is it IWB?

I do shoot the 45 well...at least I think so.. :D My concern is that I don't want to print when I finally get my CPL. I also don't want my pants falling down all the time :p I would prefer to have 45 acp, but I'm concerned about other posts I've read about problems with the shorty 45's. I do like the Springfield EMP and GI with 4in barrel, the Colt Defender, not so much a fan of the trench sites on the Colt New Agent. I guess my confusion and concern comes from never carrying concealed. The other day, just to get an idea of what it would look like, I stuffed my Beretta in my belt and looked in a mirror just to see how big it is. It looked like I had a brick under my shirt at the 4 o'clock position. :eek: My 40 in waist doesn't help I guess... :uhoh: I've always wanted a 1911, and the smaller ones really seem to call out to me. Doesn't seem to matter what manufacturer, I just reallly want one! :rolleyes:

Dave
 
If you like .45acp i would look at smith&wesson 1911 commander. Scandium frame so its a little lighter plus i have heard & read that they dodn't have ftfs or fte. I carry my sig carry commander in a don hume owb holster & just let my shirt or coat cover it. My sig is great but being all stainles steel it is a bit heavy. The only thing i did to the sig is replace the recoil spring with a wilson combat spring wich was much better. .45 is exspensive but since you reload this shouldnt' be a problem for you.
 
I am quite content with my inexpensive CZ-82. I've put many rounds thru her, with no failures. Has enough weight to it, to make it pleasurable to shoot.
2011-05-15105909.jpg
 
I personally like the 1911 because of the ergonomics and how thin it is when compared to other autos of comparable caliber.

Having said that, I'd opt for one of the "major" brands like Springfield, Colt, Baer, etc. Especially Springfield. Did I mention Springfield?

The only exception to this "rule" is Charles Daly and Rock Island Armory, both are Armscorp. Nick-named Philipino Beer Cans, I've had a couple over the years and they have chewed through massive amounts of ammunition (one I currently own has well over 25,000 rounds through it), several classes and years of CCW and been as reliable as a $2,000 custom Springfield I usually carry.

Just be aware that it does require care and maintenance. You can't carry it every day and never clean it, or shoot it and not clean it for a week. Well, you can, but then you'll be on the boards here complaining about how unreliable your 1911 is.

Oh, and change the recoil spring every 1,500 to 2,000 rounds. My carry gun gets a new one every 1,000.
 
1911 guy said:
Just be aware that it does require care and maintenance. You can't carry it every day and never clean it, or shoot it and not clean it for a week. Well, you can, but then you'll be on the boards here complaining about how unreliable your 1911 is.
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I think thats the issue most of the time when people complain about their weapons being unreliable... not always but a big part of it.
 
Now I'm starting to find things I like!! :D I was thinking Kimber Ultra Carry, but I don't like that they need a tool to break them down. Does anyone have experience with the SA Fully Loaded?

SA_Loaded.gif

Dave
 
Any pistol with a full-length guide rod will need a tool (ie Allen wrench), right?

I replaced the full-length guide rod on my SA Loaded with a standard guide rod -- no more tool needed!
 
...Taurus PT145. Very accurate, holds 10 rounds in a space that looks like it holds 6, a double stack mag in a grip thinner than many single stack grips, lifetime warranty, great price, amazing reliability, shoots any ammo you want to feed it, very light, can hide it in your hand if you have big hands, fits easily in a pocket but is still great to hold onto meaning it isn't too small to hold and the trigger guard is actually made for adult men, has a rail for mounting a laser, can change sights if you get the 3rd generation model (absolutely get that model - the first 2 generations had some problems), grip is not too long or too short, etc., etc
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These are my thoughts about my PT145. I am frankly amazed that they can get 10+1 rounds of .45 in that small and ergonomic a package. However, my best friend who bought a consecutively numbered PT145 to mine has had huge problems with his. They seem to be a bit hit-or-miss on quality control. If you go with a Taurus, you'll spend a lot less, but you need to be ready to test it extensively first.

If I were in your shoes I would look seriously at a Kahr 45, specifically the PM45. I will soon be buying one myself. I just bought a PM9 because I, again, am amazed by the compactness and ergos of the pistol.

ETA: I can understand your love for the PPK, it is one beautiful and classic pistol. But, you can get more powerful defensive pistols in packages as small or smaller and lighter.
 
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I've carried both PPK/S in 380 and a PPK in 32. Both are Smith & Wesson made, and neither has ever given me a problem. If you're still interested in a PPK, you will hear a lot of flak about the S&W models (and there have been plenty of lemons, don't get me wrong), but at least for me, I've never had a problem. Personally, I find the PPK in 32 to be easier to shoot, and less prone to jams, failure to feed, etc. In 380, I always found both Hornady XTP and Remington Golden Saber to feed reliably every time (fired probably around 100 rounds of both). I carry my PPK in my front pocket while working, and while it's comfortable to do so, be warned that the PPK is somewhat of a heavy gun. My previous job was a shirt and tie job, and I found that an IWB holster, with a sweater vest pulled down over it, was both comfortable and easy to access.

I love the PPK, it's a beautiful gun that I shoot very well, but there are definitely other options out there. I would suggest, no matter what model you choose, to think about getting it in stainless as opposed to blued. Good Luck!
 
Even before I got "into" guns I've always been fond of the PPk. Maybe it's the whole James Bond thing, I don't know, but I've always liked the way they looked. And no, a Bersa isn't the same. A reproduction/kit AC Cobra is probably a better car than the original but I would still prefer the original.

With that said, a guy in my concealed weapons permit class had a PPk in .32. He held up the whole group while he and the instructor cleared jam after jam. He never got 5 shots in a row off without a jam. What should have taken 45 minutes to complete took nearly 90 minutes. I dang near got sunburned that day because I didn't wear a hat or put on sunscreen thinking the range session would be easy and short.

Still, the Walther is on my buy list. Way down past a bunch of other stuff but nonetheless, it's still there.
 
M&P 45c is a good gun. However, I agree that with a good belt and holster and some slight commitment to carrying you can carry your Storm easily.
 
The Sig 239 in 9mm and/or 357 Sig (interchangeable bbls.)or 40cal. This is a reliable shooter that can be carried easily. All metal, will reach out accurately to 25yds easily, can be carried comfortably at almost any method/position is preferred.

Nothing breaks down simpler or faster. Likes most any type ammo. I don't work for Sig. I play with CZ.

I was born in Detroit, raised in Trenton. I would feel as secure with my Sig 239 as any pistol could make me feel in Detroit. That's an intentionally cautious statement.
 
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davers said:
Now I'm starting to find things I like!! :D I was thinking Kimber Ultra Carry, but I don't like that they need a tool to break them down. Does anyone have experience with the SA Fully Loaded?

SA_Loaded.gif

Dave
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Dude he said Detroit Michigan not Jackson Hole Wyoming. Safety grip and slide lock safety.....:eek: please keep up with us.
 
As was posted earlier, don't count out the 3rd Gen S&W, great guns. I carry the S&W6906 quite a bit in the warm months. It is a 9mm, double stack 12 rnds. The 3913 model is a single stack in 9mm and these guns shoot great, and these can be had for about $350.00.

In the winter months I carry my FNX .40 S&W, great gun also,

I just picked up a S&W 4566 TSW the other day and it's a great shooter too, a little heavy for CCW at 39 oz, but similar to a 1911 in weight.

Make sure that you shoot what ever you decide to get, to get a feel for it, IMO the smaller guns are harder to handle with the increased recoil and bullets on target are much more important than caliber. Good Luck in your search
 
gordy said:
Sig 220.
Best pistol ever. And under 1,000 bucks
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6125854694_6e7ff19ed1_z.jpg

Indeed :D

I'm a pretty big fan of the P220 compact, I carry mine in a MTAC when I can. It's a bit heavy but enjoyable to shoot and conceals well IWB:

6176534261_2884bdf879_z.jpg

Stuff I like:
-No tools to take down
-No fussing with manual safety
-Can carry with the hammer down
-Pretty big fan the Sig decocker system
-Modern safety(firing pin block, and hammer block)
-All metal construction
-More accurate than I am
-Can use 8 round mags w/ 3rd party adapter.

Gripes:
-Wish I they made thinner grips or CT grips
-Can be a bit heavy to carry for a while
 
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