chose my first pistol with advice from this board now need more advice

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knicks118

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hey guys,
i recently posted a request for some advice for my first pistol and went with a s&w 5906(used).
i also recently picked up an arcus HP clone(new).

now i'm looking for a CCW and do not know what to get. i searched posts and saw recommendations for the ruger sp101 and glock 26/27. are there any other good choices?
requirements:
1. under $300
2. powerful enough to stop someone in 1 shot
3. small/lightweight
4. accurate/reliable

thanks
 
You can find many decent carry handguns under $300 (especially if you don't mind used). However, lose the "stop someone in 1 shot" thing. That is movies, myths and legends. You may be able to stop someone with one shot of mace, but it doesn't mean you should count on it. Carry something that has power, yes, but please don't overestimate the power of the gun or cartridge.

That being said, have you thought about a used 5 shot revolver? You could also look at a Keltec 9mm of various types.
 
Bersa's are pretty cheap. Makarovs are, too. Lots of used revolvers that you can get for low prices. CZ 83s run about 330, but you might find one for less. Beretta .32s are cheap (before you say it won't do the job, let me say that the .32 started the first world war, by blasting Archduke Ferdinand. Probably with the much derided FMJ ammo. too), and Taurus probably has some like it.
 
A lot of things to think about...

There are a ton of good choices out there for a carry weapon that fit all of your needs - well, except the one that's already been addressed. :D

My advice would be to think about what your priorities are in a carry weapon.. Capacity? "Power"? Power, I'm assuming = caliber... Give some thought to the caliber you're considering. The more bullet you use, the more capacity you tend to give up - except those rare cases like the Taurus Mil Pro's or the baby Glocks (It's like there's a magic shrinking beam in the mag or something... how do they cram all that .45 in such a small gun?!?!) that are tiny and still hold a lot of rounds.

Is weight going to be a big issue? Obviously size is, but to what extent? Is compact ok, or do you prefer a subcompact size? Pocket pistol, perhaps? A steel gun is going to be a lot heavier than a polymer gun - but weight affects recoil. Is recoil a big issue? Do you want a revolver or an auto?

And then, of course, you have to get your hands on one and see how it feels.

There's a lot to making a decision for a carry gun. It's not a choice you should make because person X in a gun forum told you to get Brand X, model X... A home defense gun or a range plinker, you can take those chances if you wish. A carry piece is much more personal. Good luck in your research! Let us know what you find!
 
Well, its kind of a personal choice, but I personally have always lusted after a stainless Kahr for my own use. Doesn't really fit your price requirement though, so I guess I would suggest a Makarov, although you would need to do some research to make sure you got a good one. Makarov.com would be a good place to go to learn more about these very well-liked guns.

That being said dude, you seriously need to learn to shoot before carry becomes a serious consideration for you. I certainly don't want to discourage you from buying a gun, and in fact I encourage you to buy as many guns as your heart desires, to include a CCW gun of some sort. However, before you actually carry, I advise that you put some (read: as much as humanly possible) trigger time in. One advantage of practicing shooting is that it's fun, so you have no excuse!

Also, pay close attention to Mark54g's statement about forgetting about one-stop kills. He is 100%, absolutely, completely, totally, no arguments allowed correct when he tells you to get that one stop shot nonsense out of your head. One shot stops have much more to do with marksmanship (and/or luck) than they do with caliber, although caliber logically does play a role in things. To be straight up honest with you, you would have to be one hell of a marksman, in addition to being very cool under extremely high stress, to even consider one-shot stops. Unless you are both already, then one-shot stops should not be a point of contention with you.
 
Depending on how you plan to carry & your personal stature, the guns you have might work...if not, the Glock 26 & the sp101 you have in mind would both be nice choices.
 
Don't be cheap when it comes to a gun carried to save your life. I can't think of too many guns under $300 that I would trust my life to except for a Kel-Tec P-11. I think if you go up another $100 you it'll open up you choices.
 
i get the impression you are new to hanguns. if so, my recommendation is to shoot the two guns you already have as much as possible before spending money on a gun for a specific purpose. as your experience increases your criteria for another gun is likely to change. many people carry full sized weapons concealed on a regular basis. i frequently carry a 5" 1911 iwb in a milt sparks vm2. with a good holster either of the guns you already have will be good ccw tools as long as they are reliable and you shoot them well. also, either one of those guns will make a good home defense weapon as well as a great plinker.

more guns are always better but after a couple thousand rounds thru your smith and hp clone you will likely have decided exactly what you want for your next purchase. for now, use your $300 to buy lots of ammo and have fun getting familiar with the guns you have.

steve
 
Colt Detective Special. Why buy a low-cap revolver (5 shot S&W) when you can have a full cap piece of history that fits in your pocket.

It'll kill people dead, too.
 
since purchasing the 5906, ive been to the range everyday for about 3-4 weeks minus weekends and 150 rounds each visit.

ive taken a basic shooting course, basic safety course(for permit), and instructed by a veteran shooter once a week at the range

the reason im setting a low budget for my ccw is because I believe that practice is very important as you can tell so I budget myself accordingly for rangetime/ammo.

i'm definately not one of those people who buys something without learning to efficiently use it.

i'm most likely going to go with the glock 27 due to the caliber, size, and weight.
i would prefer a polymer, semi, and very light.
it is out of the price range i was shooting for but you guys are right about getting what you pay for.
 
The Makarov and Bersa ideas are good ones.It seems Maks are hard to find right now.If not I'm missing something here.Went around the internet gun store sights and either they were backlogged or call because we might not have it.I know that internet gunstores sometimes have problems keeping updates current.Checked J&G,CDNN,KY Imports and 5 other sites and came up empty.There are very few at www.makarov.com. The CZ 83 or 82 seem to be all the rage right now.Most places on the internet for surplus handguns seem to have them.Own 2 Maks and have many reasons to like them.There are many other choices so I'll step aside and let someone give there ideas before I let this become long winded.
 
great, sounds like you have already worked out what you want.

as to 'you get what you pay for', here is my experience:

when i was younger and couldnt afford much i tried to purchase as many guns for as little money as possible. the results were autos that were jam-a-matics with loose sights and mags that fell apart and revolvers with atrocious trigger pulls that seemed to spray as much lead sidways thru the cylinder gap as they sent down range.

now i believe quality is more important than quantity. i have a habit of ignoring guns that are priced below $400ish so i dont have any good suggestions in your price range.

steve
 
2. powerful enough to stop someone in 1 shot
Click to expand...

cruise1.jpg :evil:

Seriously, I agree with those who say you should practice, practice, practice... Then, get clear about your needs regarding carry, and get a carry gun that is not on the cheap. Yes, there are plenty of used handguns that can be had for $300 that will serve you well at the range or for self defense, but first take your time...
 
Well, I beg to differ with the guys who don't think you can get a good pistol cheap...I have a Taurus MilPro PT-145 (stainless) that is lightweight, accurate, comfortable to shoot, holds 10+1 .45ACP and cost $320.00 new. I've never experienced a failure of any kind, either. The blued version is $298.00 locally. And just to stir up the 1911 guys, I sold my Kimber Ultra Carry in favor of the Taurus. Bought the gun and LOTS of ammo with the proceeds...
 
Hey Frandy, that's my bird!

I'm a TLAM shooter in the US Canoe Club, and I think you're right about one-shot stops.
My vote is the SP101 over the plastic pistol. .357 Mag will win almost every gunfight.
 
Here in Texas, concealment under shorts and a tee shirt can be a challenge. The Kel-Tec .380 is the only thing south of a $1000 Seacamp that is up to the challenge. The Kel-tec may be less refined than the Seacamp, but performs better from what I've read.

The Kel-Tec 9mm or any of the Taurus aluminum frame revolvers would also work if you don't mind dressing around the gun. Some of the Smith aluminum snubies can be found for $300ish if you forgo the exotic alloys. A Macarov is another excellent choice if you can find one.
 
Another vote here for the Kel-Tec P11 if you must stay below $300. It's a good gun for the money. That said, I'd look for a Kahr P9. You won't find one for $300, but it has a great trigger, is slimmer than the Kel-Tec, and the magazines don't rattle like the P11's are apt to do. I've owned a couple of P11s, a couple of Kahrs (both the steel and polymer versions), and a compact Glock (G27). For compact, lightweight CCW, the Kahr P9 or the PM9 are the cat's meow.

The new Kel-Tec PF-9 is (will be?) a single stack 9mm that ought to have a street price close to your target. It might be an option, especially if it's as reliable as the P11. (When they are finally available ...)
 
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Well I was out today, wearing a tee shirt and shorts, with a .40 Cal. Browning High power and 1 spare mag. I think the Arcus would be fine for concealed carry, get a good IWB holster and off you go.

My backup is a Bersa 380. Sometimes when I'm just staying in the 'burbs that's all I carry. I find it much more controllable than the smaller guns in
.380 or 9mm. I've tried a couple of them, and find some of them, particularly the smallest 9mm and .40's, to be almost uncontrollable for me. I do shoot my .25's (Browning and Beretta 21) pretty decent at 5 yards, but that's not a .380.

My personal opinion is that if you can't conceal either of the two you have, stick with a mid-sized pistol. You'll practice with it more and shoot it better.
 
Shoot a wide variety of handguns to see what you like best. If you're a novice you will probably find most CCW's bigger than a 9x19 kick you pretty good. It takes some time learning stances and practicing before you get used to it. The SP may be too much for a beginner, and learning to shoot a snub nose revolver accurately is no small task. You will probably find the semis easier to aim and handle. I would suggest a used Glock 23 or other medium frame Glock rather than the really compact ones. They conceal fine and most people find them easier to shoot.
 
Under $300 you are somewhat limited to used duty/service pistols, revolvers and some foreign stuff.

A used 9mm like a G26 / G19 / XDCompact / sig 239 / walther P99 / FNP9m would be be nice, but are probably more than $300

A ruger SP101 2-3", SW Snubby, in .38 or .357 would be good.

In the "foreign" category, a Makarov in 9x18, or Bersa in .380, can definitely be had for under $300.
 
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