getting a ccw autoloader what recomendations?

[jon1996]

hello,
i want to first thank everyone for the tremedous responce on the other thread i posted(how to pronounce sig sauer) i am not used to that, but anyways i have been into guns since i was about 11, been collecting them over the years, last year i got my ccw license, and now i am teying to decide on which auto i want to carry, i just bought a taurus raging bull 454 casull revolver but it is way to big, i just got it to hunt with, but i was looking at the sig p220, the ruger p90, ruger p95, i want a 45acp preferably but i will settle for a 40cal, i want to keep the price $600.00 and below(at least try,lol) but i have shot everything from .17 to 500s&w so if anyone has any suggestions let me know,
thanks,
jon

 

[Ala Dan]

Greetings jon1996 - And Welcome Aboard!

If you have read my numerous post's, you know
that I'm partial to the .45 caliber SIG-Sauer P220.
Craftsmanship at its finest; it offers RELIABILITY
second to none. At the same time, its proven to
be "combat accurate" in various law enforcement
circles.

I have relied on the "SIG P220" since July of 1988*,
for all my self defense needs. I continue to practice
extensively with this weapon; just in case the need
ever arises!

*FootNote- On and Off duty!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[El Tejon]

Nothing wrong with a Zeeg Zawr.

Do you have a rental range near you? Go there? Rent a bunch of guns and shoot them. Ask to go shooting with your buddies, try their pistols. See what works for you.

No magic swords. Trial and error just like everyone else here. I would recommend taking classes before making a committment. Let your software drive your hardware needs.

As people learn more, their hardware decisions often change.

Whatever you decide up, get a good holster AND a good belt. This will make all the difference in the world.

 

[E=MC^2]

I'm a 1911 shooter, but would easily recomend the P220 to a shooter looking for a DA auto. Excellent firearm. It's an easy choice, given your list.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I concur with the above. Handle your carry gun before you buy it and if at all possible get some range time with it. Carry guns are a very personal choice. Take me for example. Based on the recent poll on THR, at least a third our members like revolvers. I personally am not comfortable with revolvers at all. They are the wrong shape for me and I can't get a comfortable grip for pulling the trigger. I carry a Glock. There are plenty of people that don't like the trigger/grip/angle/etc of Glocks. I love my Glock. If I could carry any gun in the world, up to and including expensive guns like Wilson Combat .45s, I'd probably carry my $500 Glock 23. There is no one and only carry gun. Decide what caliber, size, style you are comfortable with. Then check out the guns that fit that profile and shoot them if possible. What works for you works for you.
My two cents, I carry the aforementioned Glock 23 in a Fobus paddle holster. I like the simplicity of the Glock and the power of .40S&W. Plus, the compact frame Glocks fit my hand perfectly. Fobus paddle holsters are along the same lines. Cheap, effective, no extra buttons. Injection-molded, so it's $15 out the door. Retains the gun by clicking around the trigger guard. Level three retention, yet it draws with one solid pull straight up.
Good luck...

 

[roo_ster]

CCW Autoloader

Alll these gentlemen have given you very sound advice (try before you buy, ask owners WHY they like their pistols, etc.)

One thing that happened to me, which is common, is to buy a service auto/revolver and then realize what a hunk of metal it is and desire something smaller. Caveat emptor.

Small .45s:
Glock 30 & 36
1911 Officer's ACP

Small 10mm:
Glock 29

Small .40's:
Glock 27
Khar P-something
1911 Officer's ACP

A Big .45 you might not think of first:
CZ97 ( I really like the feel of a CZ in the hand)

If your heart is set on a big, bad pistola, a Gov't model-sized 1911 is pretty flat and can be had with skinny grip panels.

 

[P95Carry]

If you don't mind a bit of ''chunky'' and a flavor of ''fugly'' .... well, guess what I'm gonna say?

Yep .. Ruger P series! depends tho whether you want all metal or don't mind a hint of Tupperware. I have the P97DC also and that is now my carry piece ... it is for me ideal .. but as others have said - it really is more than worthwhile to sample from the litter!! That way your choice will IMO be more definitive ..... for you.

 

[VG]

I really like my P220 and used it at the Sigarams Academy CCP course. But it's a little big to conceal all the time.

I have a Smith & Wesson Chief's Special 9, and a S&W 3913 - a little longer. Both excellent pistols, accurate, reliable, durable.

There is also a Chief's Special .45. The .40 has been discontinued (they've come out with a new replacement) but is still available at some shops. The run around $525 new, and as little as $325 used, since carry guns get beat up. Either can easily be carried ina an IWB holster. I even carry the CS9 in a jacket pocket - it's 20.8 ounces in 9mm.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

I'll take Beretta any day over S&W. Glocks are a nice option too especially in a 19 and 26.

 

[pogo2]

.45 for carry

I think you first have to decide whether you like 1911's or not, if you want to carry a .45. This is a personal decision, based on how you feel about single action vs. double action, and cocked and locked carry with a thumb safety.

If you happen to fall in the pro-1911 for carry camp, I'd recommend an aluminum-framed 1911 with 4-inch barrel and the ultrathin grip panels. Something like a Kimber Pro Carry would be good, weighing a reasonable 25 ounces or so and being thin enough for IWB carry if you like. Yet it has a long enough barrel to give good sight radius and reasonable velocity for the bullet so it can expand. I'd use the 185 grain ammo.

If you are not in the 1911 camp, I'd recommend the Sig P220 that Ala Dan likes, a compact H&K USP 45, or the Glock 30 or 36, depending on the magazine capacity you like. All of these are highly reliable guns.

 

[PCRCCW]

CZ 97 is well within your budget............

 

[PCRCCW]

Maybe just slightly over your budget.....

 

[obiwan1]

Check out a bunch of guns at the range, but it still boils down to how you intend to dress. Will you dress for the gun, or dress normally and chose a smaller gun. All of the above posts are fine for normal sized guns. I'm partial to my H&K USPcLEM .40, but that's a personal choice. Actuall, I find that you need 2 CCW guns. One for normal carry and one for those times that you just can't carry your full sized equalizer.

Take a look at the Kahr series. Also look at J frame Smiths and the Kel Tec line. They are excellent CCW guns.