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

[chongfa]

For that type of budget. I would recommend either a S&W or ruger revolvers. You can find new or slightly used good quality .38 sp or .357 mag revolvers.

If you really want a semiauto, I would recommend Walther P99, you can find a used one for around $375. I got mine for that much.

Just to beat on the dead horse, lose your 1 shot drop them mentality. Even if you fire a .500 S&W at a bad guy and miss or hit them in the finger, all that will do is just really pissing them off.

 

[tegemu]

Stopping someone in one shot is veritably a myth. It can be done but it requires a hit in very small precise areas. I carry 1911's which have the mistaken legend of being designed to stop a running, crazed man with one shot.

 

[AsianDragonPower]

a .500S magnum would do the one hit job

only problem is its so powerful the recoil will feel like a hunting rifle, and its extra heavy, put that thing on your waist and it will pull your pants down

 

[Troutman]

With the 500, it’s possible. But no guarantee (always believed in the one shot, one kill approach). I have a 500, 4inch. I look at it as an edge, a plus, than a guarantee... But there are always tradeoffs. Over-penetration using full loads. Have to watch what is behind, what you’re shooting at. Using reduce loads would be better for home protection and chl use. I know I’m going to contradict myself here. But when it comes to home protection, “at night”. You’re better (for me) with full loads. It’s not uncommon for guys that go around, robbing houses, at night, to be wearing vests. Type 2 or 2A, more common (cancelable) besides having a knife, gun or whatever other contraband they are using. These guys that do this, have…..how can I say in a polite way….a different mindset, than a guy who does it in the daytime, who rather wait when no one is in the home? These guys that do it at night are up to no good. Their bold, cleaver (until fate is not on their side) and daring, their fast talkers when fate is not on their side! They always consider the possibility of someone being home at night. Who knows what kind of training (experience) they had? When it comes to these encounters. The world has changed, as well as the guy that is up to no good. More educated? Have a lot of time on their hands (previous country club living).
The key before using any kind of firearm is to know your laws (state), using “deadly force”. Keep your distance with these encounters, and act before an action is taken against you. Don’t Hesitate! I’ll leave it at that. If using a 500, make sure you prepare and become familiar with it. And that’s with anything you use. If your use to a 38. Don’t go to a 500, without becoming familiar with it. Me….. The recoil is not as bad as claimed, and you always have those reduce loads (500 specials). You have choices here, as well as the firearm you decide to choose. As always, with any encounter, there are always exceptions.

 

[RustyShackelford]

A NIB firearm for under $300?...Good Luck!...

I doubt you could find a NIB pistol or revolver for under $300.00. If you buy a used weapon I'd go with a Ruger P-94 DAO or P-95 DAO for protection/CCW use.

RS

 

[Jimmy Newman]

Guys... the one shot stop thing isn't a myth. If you look at documented records of police shootings, i.e. occaisons in which officers shot perpetrators, you learn some interesting things. For shots in the torso, pretty much every caliber 9mm, .38SPL or better, with well designed hollowpoint defense ammunition, has a history of over 90% one shot stops. This is not to say one shot kills, but for instances in which only one shot was fired, it ended the situation at least 90% of the time. Handguns aren't magic, but they are very effective when used and targeted properly (i.e. when you do manage COM hits).

One source of this is a book called "Handgun Stopping Power" by Evan Marshall and Edwin Sanow.

 

[symr00]

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.

90% of practice/training doesn't even involve shooting. Practice drawing from concealment, dry-firing and then go to the range to see your results.

 

[ezypikns]

The Kel-Tec P-11

Compact
Lightweight
under 300.00
9mm

A little too large for pocket carry. Try a 'Crossbreed' IWB holster. The 50.50 price tag includes shipping. It's the ONLY IWB holster I've been able to wear comfortably. It's a Kydex holster attached to an oversized leather pad. It may not be as refined as a holster from Milt Sparks or Mitch Rosen, but it's VERY comfortable and it's for CONCEALED carry anyway.

Another plus for 9mm: It's generally cheaper and more readily available than any other type of ammo. A real consideration if you're shooting 3 boxes a week.

 

[islandphish]

I'm not a gun-nut (exactly) or a tech-head with all of the latest statistics stapled to the insides of my eyelids. However, I will pass on to you an excellent piece of advice given to me by a guy who spent 22 years in the Special Forces before moving on to Law Enforcement.

"The best weapon for any situation is the weapon you have with you." - Alex Busch

Sure, if I knew ahead of time I'm going to be in a gunfight why would I want anything less than an 18" Gun from an Iowa class battleship? The problem is, they don't exactly fit in your pocket. When choosing a weapon for consistent, everyday carry, be certain you get one that you will actually continue to carry once the shine wears off. A Desert Eagle will certainly finish a firefight, but only if you have it with you. The largest caliber you can carry comfortably and shoot effectively is the correct answer here, and you are the only one who can answer that question.

Having said that, the guys here have given me some great advice on which particular firearms/holsters I should take for a test drive in my search for my CCW of choice.

 

[John C]

Knicks;

I would advise against the g27. .40 caliber generates about 27% more energy than the 9mm at the same pressure. That's 27% harder to shoot, compounded by the small size of the pistol.

I would advise looking for a g26. It's much easier to shoot, and cheaper to practice with, as well. You'll also have ammo commonality with your other pistols.

You mention that you've been shooting alot the last few weeks. Have you thought about trying out some shooting games, like IPSC or IDPA? They are very useful training and alot more fun than just punching paper.

Welcome!

-John

 

[Zen21Tao]

I have a g27 and find it heighly concealable but being a double stack it is rather bulky. New to my CCW collection is a Kahr PM40. It is a single stack .40s&w that is ultra thin. Someone else here mentioned a Sig P239. I also have a P239 in 40 S&W and find that it is a great IWB carry weapon. If you can expand you price range these would make great carry options.

I have to agree with others that say a $300 price tag is rather low when purchasing a gun that your very life may depend on. If you do choose to stay under $300 you may be limited to something like a Keltec or a .38spl from Taurus or Ruger.

 

[akodo]

Why not carry the 5906?

seriously, why not?

Now, it seems to me that while the G27 is somewhat smaller and lighter, just having a short barrel and abbreviated grips don't make a huge difference in how concealable it is, and with a fully loaded mag, it is still going to be heavy.

I'd suggest carrying the 5906, it is what you have shot the most so far, so you are already familiar with it.

Now, the 5906 is a full sized gun, but again, while the G27 is smaller, it is not 'tiny' and it seems to me most of the times taht a 5906 will truely be too big, the G27 may well be too big too. I'd suggest carrying the 5906 and having a second gun for CCW that is MUCH smaller, say a .32 beretta or something to cover those few times 5906 is too big.

Yes, lighter is easier for carry, but really, what should be your top priority when yiou carry? what is easiest or what is most effective?

Guys... the one shot stop thing isn't a myth. If you look at documented records of police shootings, i.e. occaisons in which officers shot perpetrators, you learn some interesting things. For shots in the torso, pretty much every caliber 9mm, .38SPL or better, with well designed hollowpoint defense ammunition, has a history of over 90% one shot stops.

This is exactly what most people are taking about, shot placement is the key...here it is a standard size catridge hitting the torso, and even then, it is only 90% effective

The famed 357 magnum using 125gr hollowpoints has what, a 97% one shot stop rate, so NOTHING is perfectly guarenteed to give one shot stops.

Plus, one must define 'one shot stops' Exactly how much time passes between bullet hitting and guy being dead or totally incapacitated? A guy charging forward with a knife getting shot may well still be able to stab you once or twice before succumbing to his own wounds

 

[tegemu]

The laws of physics pretty well rule out one STOP shots. "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." Hence if there is enouugh force to stop a moving man, then the recoil of the shot would be virtually uncontrollable. One shot KILLS are common.