famous question

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youngun38

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Yes, I know... Ya'll are all probably tired of this question, but I'm new to the group so please over look me. Anyhow, my concealed permit is on the way and I'm willing to give up my 38 4" to get a more concealable piece. But, don't think I'm new at carrying, the only reason that I haven't lately is that I moved from one state to another and my old permit isn't valid here.

So with out the money to just outright by something to carry, I'm left on a budget that doesn't allow for much at all. I want some opinions on whether i should get a snubby in a 38 or 357 or if i should go auto. And before you all get wound up on me I want to let you know that I will only go with 38/357 in a revolver, and 9mm in semi-auto. No I don't dislike 40, 45, 380, 32, or any of the other billion options. I just like 9mm because it's more affordable for range and play purposes and you still get the decent knock down. I already have some in mind. If I take the pistol route, I'll more than likely go with the Kel-Tec PF-9. It's came a long way over the years and is the lightest, slimmest 9mm made right now. The revolver side I'm thinking Taurus with the inclosed hammer, titanium frame. Quantity means alot, but more parts on a pistol hinting to more that can tear up.

So semi-automatic pistol or double action only revolver?


THANKING YOU ALL IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR THOUGHTS
 
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You are not going to like my answer, and neither will some others.

I will never again buy or carry a Kel-Tec of any type, or a new Taurus. Period. And yes, I have owned both...four Kel-Tecs, one Taurus.

The four Kel-Tecs I owned (one P32, one each first and second-gen P3AT, one P11) were junk. No other way to say it.

The Taurus 441 was reliable, but heavy and crude compared to an S&W.

If you can afford a titanium Taurus, you are not talking bargain-basement handguns. You can do better.
 
thanks but in kel-tecs defence while those models are what built them they are also what give them abad name and the pf 9 is a totally redesigned piece of work and if you take a notion check some of their reviews
 
I've only been involved with guns for about 8 months and carrying for only about 4 months so my comments are not based on a lot of experience. I bought two guns for concealed carry -- S&W M&P 340CT (i.e. a 357 snubby) and a Walther P99C AS (semi-auto, 9mm, compact). I live in Texas and wear very lightweight clothing nearly all the year round. The snubby is a joy to carry. I put it in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster and slide the entire assembly into the front pocket of my jeans or slacks. It has never been too big to conceal -- doesn't depend on my shirt as it disappears into my pocket -- and I forget it is there. Thoroughly recommended. This particular model may be outside your budget but I think a snubby would be a great choice for you.

In order to have a carry option with more rounds in it, I also bought the above-mentioned Walther. The P99C is one of the most compact 9mm pistols amongst the bunch that have a reputation for reliability. I first tried it with an OWB holster covered by an untucked shirt -- that did not work at all, the bulge was huge even if not gun-shaped! I then bought a Crossbreed Super Tuck IWB holster -- this held the gun much closer to my body than the OWB holster and conceals the gun very well. However, I find it a bit fiddly to clip onto my belt and I have to get it positioned right before putting on my pants so dressing takes a few minutes longer. I find it's not something I can clip on and clip off whenever I want to whereas the snubby slips in and out of my pocket in a second. As a result, so far, I have been carrying the snubby 99% of the time. If you wanted a semi-auto that's as convenient as a snubby, the Ruger LCP seems to be the one to go for -- like a snubby, you can use it in a pocket holster and it has a reputation for being one of the most reliable of the mouse guns and it is cheap! However, my perception is that a snubby is more likely to go bang when required though the LCP would provide two more rounds -- it's a trade-off I think between capacity and reliability. The LCP is smaller and lighter than a snubby but since a snubby is so concealable and light anyway, I don't think that is a decisive factor.
 
youngun38 said:
But, don't think I'm new at carrying, the only reason that I haven't lately is that I moved from one state to another and my old permit isn't valid here.
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OK, what was it? And what's stopping you from trading what you have now for what you used back then?
 
Well, you're kind of asking the question of "revolver vs automatic", which is an age old debate that will never end, and really just boils down to preference. Each have their pros and cons.

The double action revolver has the simpest manual of arms of all handguns. You point the gun, you pull the trigger, the gun goes bang. This has its advantages when under stress or adrenaline.

Is that a knock against automatics (or even single action revolvers for that matter)? Not at all. All just comes down to training and what you're comfortable and proficient with.

Look into the Ruger SP101 snubby.
 
When I was on a tight budget I kept the 4" K-frame S&W I had, and bought a good inside-waistband holster and matched it with a pair of pants that was one size larger then usual. Cost a lot less then buying a new gun, and I didn't want to trade off an old favorite. ;)
 
Old Fuff said:
When I was on a tight budget I kept the 4" K-frame S&W I had, and bought a good inside-waistband holster and matched it with a pair of pants that was one size larger then usual. Cost a lot less then buying a new gun, and I didn't want to trade off an old favorite. ;)
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Very valid comment but he said he is already experienced in carrying that gun and would like something more concealable.
 
.357 best way to go.

I’m a dyed in the wool revolver guy who happens to think the .357 magnum platform is one of God’s gifts to mankind, so you know what I would recommend. When it came time to retire my 2 ½” M 66, after comparing the limited selection of S&W revolvers available to the Taurus S/S, 617 I bought the Taurus. So far I have fired close to 1,000 rounds of 38 special +P, +P+, and an assortment of .357 ammo with the Taurus and I have not had one malfunction of any sort, and it is as accurate as I am.

In doing my serious research after the fact, I have come to the conclusion Taurus revolvers come in two styles, either very good or very bad with little mid ground and Taurus customer service is spotty at best. So I will not buy another Taurus nor will I recommend a Taurus product to anyone.
 
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If you are just getting it for discrete concealed carry (plus testing and break-in) get the Pf9. Carries great, and it works fine.

But if you plan to practice and train much, get a Glock 26.

The Pf9 is just plain less fun to shoot.
 
I have carried a Kel Tec P11 for 14 years. The only descriptive I have for it is AWESOME. It's been 100 percent reliable for over 11K rounds and STILL shoots 3.5" at 25 yards from the bench. And, I find it fun to shoot at the range. Accuracy does that for me. Recoil isn't as bad as my Polish P64 in 9x18 Mak. It carries service gun firepower, accuracy, shootability, and +P 9 power. It's still my favorite pocket piece. I've also owned a Taurus M85SSUL and it's also been 100 percent reliable, though I've not fired NEAR the rounds out of it. It's got a few thousands of rounds through it, though. It is my choice for when I'm out on the water (stainless) and outdoors and for back up to my Taurus 3" M66 .357 mag carried on a belt. Taurus offers great quality for the money. I really prefer the 66s to any Smith and Wesson or Ruger and I've owned and do own those brands.

So sue me if you disagree, but I know what I know and know what I like..I really doubt I'll buy another Smith and Wesson unless it's an older one, no lock, that I can get for a bargain. The new ones are over-priced IMHO. I will look over ANY revolver I might by. I never buy sight unseen. I've not had a problem with my 3 Taurus revolvers, two were bought used, the .38 I bought new.
 
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Very valid comment but he said he is already experienced in carrying that gun and would like something more concealable.
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True, but I didn't know if he'd considered the particular option I suggested. If he isn't interested then it's his choice. ;)
 
For IWB carry, a 4 in .38 works well for me. I even carry a S&W Victory (with the hammer block) that a previous owner had refinished. Even with the square grips, a high ride holster that keeps the gun tight to the body works very well and is comfortable. Of course, I may just be biased to bigger carry guns as my other IWB gun is a 9mm hi-power. The key is a good belt. I have found that a good belt with a one-size-fits-all nylon holster works better than a good holster on a flimsy belt.

For the record, I'm 5'10" and 185 lbs. I usually wear business atire, or an untucked button up shirt or polo. I can even make a loose fitting tee-shirt work with these set ups.
 
Personally I found a Taurus snubby easier to shoot well than a pf-9. Mine was a Model 605 .357 and I found it comfortable to shoot even with .357 mag. In a titanium gun it would be more difficult, but .38 should be fine. Personally that would be my choice between the two.
 
Glock 19 (9mm)... Affordable, Glocks go for about $500-$550 new..used is like $400-$450. I've had used and new..the G19 and G23 (and a few others) are easy to carry and good for carry all around..
 
Might need some more information here. The .38 4" is a good HD weapon and you can carry it in a pinch. My policy is to keep all firearms purchased. If you already have an HD firearm in addition to the .38, then the .38 can be a truck gun or you can stash it in a secondary home location as a SHTF defense option.

A decent 9mm auto or .38/.357 snubbie can be found for around $400 easily and even cheaper used. Doesn't take long to save that up. Again, I just can't advocate ever letting a weapon go.
 
For 9mm semi auto's, I would recommend any of the Glock 19/26, Ruger SR9/ or compact, S&W M&P Compact, H&K P30 LEM, p2000 LEM, p2000sk LEM, SIG any model with the DAK trigger, particularly as a revolver guy. A gunsmith I use recommends the SIG 250 compact with the DAK trigger. (NOTE: in H&K it's LEM trigger is what I like) CZ makes some nice 9mm compact pistols too, though I am not as familiar with them.

If you like 1911 type designs, I would look at the Springfield EMP in 9mm.

As an old revolver guy, I always preferred to carry a 3" barrel "K" model as my favorite. My favorite of all time is a S&W model 13 heavy barrel, the old issue FBI model. I practiced with the Model 66 3" but carry the model 13. The old model 60 "J" frame with a 3" barrel was/is a beauty. Gave that to my last Ex Wife. That was a beauty, although not quite as nicely done today, it now is available in 357 too.

Good luck.

Fred
 
Come down to the Texas coast where it's 100 degrees and 70 percent humidity and you sweat just thinking about it and your baggy polo shirt sticks to your sweat like spandex. You'll learn the advantages of pocket carry REAL quick.
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Oh, we get those days here. Not a decent body of water around but it is as humid as Houston quite often in the summer. That's why I said 'IWB.' We are in the time of the year where it is not so practical.
 
I am a Florida boy from Melbourne Florida, on the ocean, and now live outside Phoenix Arizona. Did two tours in Vietnam.

For the record, even in the dry heat of Arizona, when it gets almost to 120, (yea I was here in 1992 for 122 degrees, Carrying a SIG 228) Carrying in your pocket or IWB, the humidity under your shirt next to your body is substantial. And that is where you weapon resides.

Now what were you going to tell me about humidity and hot weather, I haven't lived through, including Asian monsoons? :evil:

Never cared for pocket carry except for BUG. Good reason to use Kydex. I always preferred Horsehide vs cow leather for its ability to resist moisture better. Good coating/finishes can solve that for cowhide, but 20 years down the street, it is sure nice to have that denser material. I do maintain my holsters and belts, but not as well as I maintain my fighting guns (Former Marine DI too).

I use Milt sparks VM II horsehide for a bunch of guns, I have three just to cover my 1911's and presently have 4 on order. They are, and will be, all carried on a Wilderness Products 5 stitch belt. Been using that combo about 20 + years now. There are other very good combo's, but carrying a gun is more about the holster/belt than the weapon, with in reason. Started carrying guns for business in 1966, and it took me about 15 years to figure all that holster/belt thing out. I ain't to bright. :neener:

That is what works for me. This is a rather personal thing, and takes years for most of us to get there. :banghead:

Don't scrimp on the belt or the holster. The belt is at least as important as the design and quality of the holster, if not more so. Don't go cheap. Most of the Quality Holster makers also offer high quality gun belts too.

I just gave a young (34) shooting partner of mine a Milt Sparks VM II for his Glock 19 for his birthday, (and he shoots that 19 great in both IDPA, Steel, Bowling pins etc. He is an armed Security weapons instructor) He now wears that VM II exclusively for CCW. He stated that he didn't think there would be that much difference between holsters, until he tried it.

Milt Sparks and some of the other really good holster makers are expensive. There is a reason they no longer take orders, or have to ration them, and take forever to get. THEY ARE WORTH IT. :cuss:

To the OP, good luck.

Fred
 
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