Help me decide on a carry gun!!

[Erik Jensen]

I'm taking my CCW class in the first week of february, and I'm going to be getting a carry gun soon. I'm having a devil of a time making up my mind, though. here's what I'm looking at. feedback would be most appreciated.

1. Kahr MK40 or P40 Covert.

2. Springfield Mil-spec Ultra compact. I like 1911's, but I'm not really used to the manual of arms. I'd rather get the simplest gun possible.

3.Beretta 92 compact L type M. very familiar with the gun, but might still be a little big for CCW.

4. Glock 36. I've put down Glocks for a while now, but truth is, I've never shot one. I handled one today, and it wasn't that bad. price is a little cheaper than the others.

so, I'm mainly looking at .45ACP, and I'm looking for something small enough to conceal IWB under a t shirt and an unbuttoned work shirt, for the most part. I'm also looking at less than $600, preferably. if there's any others I haven't thought of, feel free to point them out.

 

[tobeat1]

Glock 19. Small enough to conceal. Large enought to hit with. Ammo is cheaper so you can practice more.

 

[Erik Jensen]

is that a double stack or single stack? I'm leaning toward single stack for thinness of the grips. (thinner=less printing)

 

[sm]

May I suggest you not buy until you try.
Reason is in assisting withCHL students ,many times a gun does not fit student. We for instance have a variety of guns-wheels, semi's, calibers and platforms, students can shoot different ones to see which best fits shooter and needs. One student her husband insisted the gun HE bought her according an article was THE gun for her(a da/sa). We discovered she was left eye dominant, she admitted being ambi-dextri.handed- but hubby insisted she use that gun right handed. NOT a good choice for her.Now shooting a gun that fits-- Left eye /left hand with a Glock this lady can outshoot hubby...he is stuck with gun she really cant shoot, she bought her own used glock,belt , holster and practices a lot.

HTH

 

[Erik Jensen]

good advice.. I've shot a Kahr K40 before, just not the MK40. the Beretta I would assume wouldn't be too different from my 92F. I'll shoot the Glock and a ultra compact 1911 next time I go to the range..

 

[riddleofsteel]

I have an MK40. Love it. It is possibly the smallest major power handgun you can hit anything with. It is a snap dragon and not for the recoil sensitive. MK40's are stainless steel but will rust with continous exposure to sweat or mosture. I carry mine often under a T-shirt in the summer but you have to wipe it down with an oil rag before storage at night. Frequent removal of the grips and wiping underneath is also require or it will RUST.

I have a G36. Love it also. The next step up in bore diameter and power while remaining the smallest/lightest shootable option in .45. It is also a snap dragon and with the 230 grain ammo it is almost uncomfortable in the wrong hands. I shoot 200 grain +P Federal EFMJ ammo in mine and I find it accurate, reliable and a lot of fun to shoot. Like any Glock it requires no extra care to speak of and unless you use it to drive nails or dip it in acid it will be just fine. The G36 is my current carry weapon and my favorite all around CCW pistol.

 

[Diesle]

Look at the mouse guns thread...

Diesle

 

[P12]

Look into Para Ord.

Their Para Companion LDA is really cool. Single stack, 3.5 inch barrel and double action on a 1911 frame.

 

[tlhelmer]

G-36

For concealment! Not terribly pleasant to shoot long term.

 

[Wildalaska]

Do you live, work, or travel in a high crime area?

 

[Erik Jensen]

well, I live just outside of Detroit, and spend a fair amount of time in the City. I live in the suburbs, currently, though. it's fairly safe in the burbs, but excrement occurs, after all. I think we're something like number 2 or 3 in violent crime right now.

 

[Wildalaska]

OK, now my next questions are...how much training are you gonna do? How much shooting? Do you have any special needs or circumstances that would justify one type of gun over another? Are you recoil shy? How do you normally dress? Do you want to always be wearing a jacket?

I got more but that should start it off...

 

[riddleofsteel]

Good point.

Small, compact but high recoil handguns require good technique and a lot of practice to shoot them well. A larger weapon will be more forgiving if you do not intend to shoot as much. I find my G22 or .45 Colt Mountain Gun MUCH easier to shoot rapid fire than thier smaller cousins. Every convience has its price.

 

[Butch]

Driving to a range that rents guns & trying the ones you like is the best way to pick.
200 miles is better than years of a gun you don't like.

 

[sonoranjack]

If this is your first handgun get a revolver until ya can put into practice the safety rules. CCW permit training will teach ya everything ya need to know about CCW except how to shoot a handgun. Get a used .38 w/ 4" barrel. S&W M10 w/ a 4" heavy barrel would be a good choice. If your experenced w/ handguns & can practice the safety rules. Then get a pistol. I carry a Glock 17. I casually conceal. Legal open carry w/ holster partly visible from under cover garment. If concealment is priority. I would give a hard look to A Kahr T9 Novak. It's Kahrs new full sized pistol. 6.5" over all legnth. Full sized grip w/ single stack 8 rnd 9mm mag. I think I fondled 1 at gun show. Mag well was below the bottom of my hand so mag changes would be easy. I would consider choosing the Kahr T9 Novak over a Glock 26. Because the Kahr would be thinner though slightly longer than the Glock 26. The Kahr single stack mags woud be easyer to conceal then the double stack Glock 26. In fact the Kahr T9 Novak is the only Kahr pistol I would consider. Did I mention the Kahr comes w/ Novak night sights? I like full sized pistols the best & this is the smallest full sized pistol I've seen. Now me I live in the Sonoran desert w/ summer temp of around 100 degrees. If I got a CCW pemit I would conceal my full sized Glock 17 under 1 of those long photographers vests. As long as the bottom of the vest covers the bottom of the holster. I know a shooter who wears jean shorts & a tee shirt & conceals a full sized goverment model 1911 in a IWB holster w/ 2 mags off side carried OWB. So ya don't need a snub nose pistol. Ya can conceal a full sized pistol if ya pick the right cocealments. garments.

 

[Kahr carrier]

Kahr-K40 nice and small,but a 40Cal.

 

[WonderNine]

I like my Browning BDM

That or the Hi-Power.

 

[okeydoke]

PM Kahr 9mm compact, Polymer, 16 ozs,

7 rds, 6" long. You can always have that with you, in a front pants pocket holster. The best 9mm loads beat the 180 gr .40 gr load, all to hell, when both are fired from 3" barrels. 90 grs at 1450 fps= real expansion and 400 ft lbs. That's a lot better than 180 grs, 800 ftlbs, no expansion, and only 260 ft lbs, and the 9mm load has less recoil, too.

 

[WonderNine]

9mm rules!

 

[denfoote]

You already handled the best of the lot!!
Two words: Glock 36!!!

 

[riddleofsteel]

The best 9mm loads beat the 180 gr .40 gr load, all to hell, when both are fired from 3" barrels. 90 grs at 1450 fps= real expansion and 400 ft lbs. That's a lot better than 180 grs, 800 ftlbs, no expansion, and only 260 ft lbs, and the 9mm load has less recoil, too.

Who say the only 40 load is the 180? Were are you getting these numbers they do not seem to make any sense. Having said that there is really not much difference between the BEST 9mm loads and the average .40 loads in the real world. Unless, of course, the bullet fails to expand then the bigger bullet cuts the bigger hole.

 

[braindead0]

I'd suggest a .357 snubby or even full size.. More ammo choices, and plenty of power. Takes some work to get reload speed down, but with practice a wheelie will serve you well.

And forget about the Glocks, all those glock owners just want to bring everyone down to their tupperware level

 

[Tamara]

Let's see...

Given the following:

...I like 1911's, but I'm not really used to the manual of arms. I'd rather get the simplest gun possible. ...but might still be a little big for CCW. ...I'm mainly looking at .45ACP, and I'm looking for something small enough to conceal IWB under a t shirt and an unbuttoned work shirt, for the most part. I'm also looking at less than $600, preferably.

It sounds like the G36 might not be a bad choice. If you're willing to drop the .45 ACP requirement, the Kahrs would fill the bill nicely, too.

 

[Ala Dan]

Considering A .45 ACP?

Take a look at the finest DA/SA .45 ACP ever made;
the SIG-Sauer P220A! The major selling point
can be sumed up in one word: RELIABILITY

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

 

[10-Ring]

Strictly sticking w/ the options you've provided, I'd go w/ the Glock 36. Mine has been a pleasure to use.