Gun Suggestions

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SupaShaD

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I live in California and am applying for a CCW.. This would be my first handgun purchase, and I'm looking for opinions on a few I'm about to list. My father has his Level III license (former law enforcement) and lives in Texas so he has quite an armament... I myself just want a pistol I can carry around for safety and, of course, a fun time at the range!

I was looking at several models that I enjoyed (two of which I've fired), let me know what you guys think:
1.) Walther P99QA [or P99C for Concealed Carry]
2.) Glock/Glock Mini [my dad has one, but they've got quite a bit of recoil, which I don't like]
3.) Smith and Wesson 357 Magnum/.38 Special (The one I'm considering can fire either round)

I've fired the .38 special, my father owns one that used to belong to my grandfather and I quite enjoyed it. A reliable, beefy weapon with manageable recoil. The only thing I don't like is the 5/6 round capacity. Overall I really enjoyed it though.

I've also fired the Glock and Glock Mini (my father and brother own them), but their recoil is pretty intense. I like the overall feel, but the style and recoil just didn't please me enough to really consider it, the only reason I put it up is because I know it's a reliable and easy to use weapon.

The P99 I've not had the chance to fire, but I do have a replica [Pellet Gun, Walther authorized]. From what I've read it's got some great features and if it's at all weighted like my replica I like the way it holds. It also fits very comfortably in my hand and is small enough to be hidden (they have some great interior waist holsters).

What do you guys think?
 
2 things to consider:

- how much gun experence have you had?
(How comfortable are you with them.)

-You live in a Commie state, so you have magazine 'limitations'
Bigger bullets are better.

I carry a 1911 AND a S&W .357 every day...
(Which S&W are you looking at?)
 
I'm very comfortable, having firing experience with Class I, II and III weapons. I'm also fairly confident with weaponry in general (and respectful, of course). And I'll have to pass a course on safety and usage regardless.

Commie state, nice.. Yet true :\ Anyways, I was looking at this particular S&W:
66 F Comp - .357 Magnum®/.38 S&W Special +P

3" full lug ported barrel, 6 round capacity at either .357 magnum or .38 Special round size.
 
The 3" 13/66/65 size S&W is my most loved S&W.

I cannot fault that choice.

I WILL encourage you NOT to get a ported gun however. If you find yourself needing to shoot with the gun near your body you will hurt yourself and the 'porting flash' will put you at a tactical disadvantage.

Also in low light (Where most happen) you will be at a disadvantage.

You might also want to add a smaller pistol for when you cannot carry your main pistol/BUG. I like the 649 myself.

Look into Bianchi speed strips.
 
Oh you're right, I had forgotten about the spray back (which I experienced with the .38 special I fired).. Good point.

Crown royal, thanks for the suggestion, I'll look into kel-tec's P3AT (which is nearly identical to the 32 except it fires .380 rounds) and see if I can't find a place to give it a test fire.

Nomad, 2nd, thank you as well for your suggestions.. I'll look into both the guns you've suggested and give them a test fire to see which I enjoy the most (and will provide for the most security).

Thanks for your help fellas :) I'm always open to suggestions too so chime in - I'd love to hear what you're all carrying and how well it can be concealed (as I'll want something I can have on me at all times).
 
PF9

You might consider Kel-tec's recent 9mm offering, the PF9.

It's described here.
The PF-9 is a semi-automatic, locked breech pistol, chambered for the 9 mm Luger cartridge. It has been developed from our highly successful P-11 and P-3AT pistols with maximum concealability in mind. The PF-9 has a single stack magazine holding 7 rounds. It is the lightest and flattest 9 mm ever made. Firing mechanism is Double-Action Only with an automatic hammer block safety. The PF-9 will be available in blued, parkerized, and hard chrome finishes. Grips will be in black, grey, and olive drab.

The PF-9 accessory rail will accept the latest compact weapon lights and lasers.
Click to expand...
Looks like this:
pf9_pic01.gif
There's a large hi-res picture here.

It incorporates all the lessons they've learned over the last few years with their P-11 (9mm) and P3AT (.380) pistols.

I've not shot one, and I imagine the recoil will be pretty brisk (very light gun firing standard 9mm ammo).

I suggest it, however, because of the concealability aspect.

My dentist in Las Vegas bought one for his son, who loves that pistol.

Of course, Kel-tec also does a .32 cal pistol as mentioned above. It will be gentler on the shooter but, as we all know, it will also be gentler on the target.

The trade-off with any carry pistol is going to be some combination of 1) carry comfort, 2) concealability, 3) capacity, 4) power, 5) recoil.

Since you're betting your life on it, you will have to determine what sacrifices you're willing to make in one or more of those points to get more of the other point(s).

You'll notice I didn't include "reliability" in the compromise list.

Whatever you choose, it needs to go BANG every time.
 
Well, after due consideration

I finally got to put my hands on a Kel-tec PF9.

I found the following:

The grip is too short for my hand; there is nothing for my little finger to grab. For a normal guy, this is not usually an issue, but my third finger has some minor knuckle damage coupled with a bit of arthritis, so I need that last finger.

The grip is quite narrow -- shocker there -- since it's designed to be a narrow, flat gun. This means that, in my hand, I'm gonna feel more recoil than I need.

So, you have a very compact pistol firing a standard 9mm Luger round, applying full recoil to a narrow grip, while being held by a hand that already doesn't have as firm a hold as it should.

Sadly, I don't think I can use it.

In all other respects, it seems to be just fine.

Things are a little tight (especially seating the mag), so I imagine there's a break-in mileage you'll have to drive before things smooth out. It looks like a little rouge on the loading ramp would also be a good thing.

For the right hand, it's a fine gun.

I'm going to have to go up a size.
 
get a .357 revolver with no hammer to catch on your clothes. If it's for CCW, this is a great solution for a single-gun kinda guy.
 
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