Huge confusion picking my first ccw handgun

[Deus Machina]

Like is often said, go to a shop, handle everything, and fire whatever you can rent.

I'm a fan of the new Ruger compacts, and would have one if I didn't prefer my hammer-fired guns. Also a fan of Bersa if you need cheap, but Ruger's higher on my list.

My CCW is a CZ 75D PCR (75 compact with a decocker instead of manual safety, and otherwise only visual differences) and, while it's not a thin gun (It's about as thick as a Glock) jeans, a T-shirt, and a Fist adjustable IWB holster hide it on my 5'8" 125-pound self.

Also, as my vote, check CZ. Absolutely the best grips and angle I've ever held. Your mileage may vary.

Remember that easier a gun hides, the less fun it's likely to be at the range. You can hide a Ruger LC9 in any pocket you have, but all the reports I've heard is that 9mm and thin grips don't make for a comfortable time in a gun barely more than a pound.

Look at the way you dress, your build, where the gun is comfortable, and so on. One friend of mine can't stand to carry anything heavier than a mini-revolver. I carry the CZ. My best friend of 14 years can carry a full-sized Beretta 92, but is usually carrying an all-steel 1911.

A CCW is a very personal thing.

 

[PabloJ]

I would buy Glock simply because it is commonly found in holsters of elite police and military units throughout the world. Second hand one in excellent condition can be had for well under $500 mark.

 

[9mmepiphany]

It is hard to tell what you'll be able to conceal without your body size and type, but being as you live in FL, I would think loose clothing would be the rule.

The Kahr CW9 is a great gun to carry concealed, easy to learn to shoot and able to stand up to constant use.

If looking for something a bit larger, as well as less spendy, that comes out of the box with a very good trigger and accuracy, I'd recommend that you take a look at the SigPro 2022. It is the hidden value of the Sig line and I normally see them of <$400

Top Gun is an excellent dealer to do business with and has them currently in stock

 

[Tallinar]

Main requirements: under 500, 9mm or another cheap but adequate caliber, easy to conceal.

Used Glock 19. Easy peasy.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

Get a used Glock 19.

 

[easyg]

Thanks fisherdave for all the help. I'm def going to keep the sr9c option open. The magazine disconnect doesn't seem like a problem to me since I probably won't be dry firing any of my guns without snap caps anyway.

Here's another recommendation for the Ruger SR9c.
It's an excellent pistol.
And don't worry about the magazine disconnect....you can remove it in less than two minutes if you like.
I removed the mag. disconnect from mine and it works 100%.

 

[sarduy]

what about a sigma 9mm, only 299 at budsgunshop.com and is about the same size of a g19 with a heavier trigger.

sigma
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_39_71/products_id/13283

taurus pt111
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/50_495/products_id/13493

 

[HankR]

Another possible con of a mag disconnect

In addition to FisherDaves excellent summary of the pros/cons of the magazine disconnect, I believe that some games/competitions require you to unload, remove the magazine and then drop the hammer to "show clear". This won't work with a mag disconnect

 

[USAF_Vet]

I picked up my CCW gun this month. My LGS got in a used Smith & Wesson 469, 2nd generation double stack wondernine, 12 round mag. Paid $250 for it.

Shop around, wait for bargains. I was in the process of buying a S&W 22a when the 469 came in. I jumped on the 469, since it filled a role other than cheap range plinker, which was all the 22a would ever be.

As a 2nd Gen auto, S&W has put out their 3rd gen, and of course the Sigma.

a lot of carry does depend on your body size. In another thread, a lot of folks said the Glock 19 wasn't a compact gun, but for someone of my size, I could conceal it relatively easily. As I'm not a fan of the micro-sub-compact-mouse-guns, a slightly smaller than full size works well for me. Your experiences may be different.

 

[searcher451]

Go to a range that rents pistols. Invite your friends who own guns to bring their weapons to the range that day as well. Stock up on ammo, and then have at it. It won't take you long before you'll find the one single pistol that best fits your hand and eye -- and that is the one to get. All you have to do after that is look for the best price that you can find, and you're done. What could be simpler?

While you are at it, be sure to check out the Walther P99C. You can get the QA trigger configuration for less than $450 at CDNN Sports.

 

[Jabr0ney]

If it makes any difference here's my body type. I'm 5' 10" and about 190 pounds, but I work out a lot so i have somewhat of a build. This is also why I'm not worried about a lot of weight on my hip. I think I could hip carry a heavy gun without much difficulty

 

[jta]

I like the Glock 26 or the XD9sc. I have both and normally carry the 26. I'm 5'8" 170 and have no problem hiding either. Both have been trouble free and are easy to shoot. With a good belt and holster the weight is is that big of a deal. I wouldn't stress to much about it. It's not like you can have to many guns. If you find a good deal on something you like get and try it. I started with XD and now have that, the Glock and a PM40 to carry.

 

[orionengnr]

To all those saying...

I would buy Glock simply because it is commonly found in holsters of elite police and military units throughout the world.

or similar, consider this:

"Elite" police or military do not carry concealed. Therefore, the size and concealability of the pistol is irrelevant to them.
Go back and read that again, and understand it's implications.

Then understand these facts (not opinions).
--a double stack is fatter and harder to conceal than a single stack.
--a J-frame is fatter than a double stack, but in one spot (cylinder) instead of mag.

--It is possible to conceal almost anything, if you are willing to make enough compromises. Most of us are not.

Then do your homework, and take it from there.

Emphasis on doing your homework, or end up like some of us have, and buy-and-sell 20 (or 50) handguns in 20 years before figuring out what is right for you.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Also a gun that I have to break down and sand and polish almost every piece as soon as I buy it new, doesn't seem like a quality firearm to me.

Where are you getting this information from I took mine from box oiled the slide rails then fired 50 rounds broke sown cleaned and fired another 100. I carry every day . Also where the 600 round wearing out come from. Many KelTec have passed 6000 rounds And so what if doesn't send it the will fix or replace. It will take you a while to fire 6000 rounds Bullets even 9mm are expensive . I have a kahr CW -9 and the kelTed wins for carry.

Buy what you want but you will find range time and ammo add up real quick You might do a 1000 rounds in a year.

I have more pistols than I care to count. Some fairly expensive and I carry the PF-9 most of time. Why mine has worked every time I pull the trigger and I am accurate with it Its light and disappears under a t shirt. By way this my 5th KelTec others 380 and 32 's I have never had a problem with any one of them I trust them My wife and 2 daughters carry 3 of the KelTec's . They could carry a Colt S&W Bersa or the Kahr but they want the KelTec.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I'm 5' 10" and about 190 pounds,

When I was younger, I was a hair taller and a few pounds lighter (5-11, 160) and I never had a problem carrying a Sig 220 (single stack) or a Beretta 92/96 (double stack) while off duty with a slightly long and oversized shirt...and that was carrying OWB...I finally settled on a Sig 228 for regular carry and a Kahr CW9 for something more discreet

 

[Ben86]

Main requirements: under 500, 9mm or another cheap but adequate caliber, easy to conceal.

I recommend a Glock 19. They can be had right at $500 or less new. They are 9mm, simple to operate and ready to go right out of the box. If you want something even more concealable than that get a Glock 26 subcompact. They aren't as fun to shoot, but conceal even better.

Whether or not you go with a Glock I do highly recommend going with a 9mm automatic of some kind. Best all around handgun in my opinion.

 

[4895]

Can't get much cheaper than a .22 LR. Easy to conceal as well. A well placed shot will muzzle most pests on 4 legs, other than your gators of course. In the unfortunate position of self defense, it should be sufficient and most likely will never be needed, as your two legs and quick wit will serve you better. It is great fun to shoot 500 rounds for $15. Did I mention it is cheap?


P.S. If anyone tells you .22LR is not a deterrent, ask them if they would like 10 rounds in the chest to test the theory.

P.P.S. Who decided that we all need to carry half a box of ammo around all day for ccw? I almost bought a glock sub compact with a 16 round mag. Wow. My .38 special is just fine for them pesky rattlers, no legs, 4 legs, and 2 legs. Sometimes more is just more.

 

[JohnBiltz]

or similar, consider this:

"Elite" police or military do not carry concealed. Therefore, the size and concealability of the pistol is irrelevant to them.
Go back and read that again, and understand it's implications.

Then understand these facts (not opinions).
--a double stack is fatter and harder to conceal than a single stack.
--a J-frame is fatter than a double stack, but in one spot (cylinder) instead of mag.

--It is possible to conceal almost anything, if you are willing to make enough compromises. Most of us are not.

Then do your homework, and take it from there.

Emphasis on doing your homework, or end up like some of us have, and buy-and-sell 20 (or 50) handguns in 20 years before figuring out what is right for you.

Consider this, a lot of us are carrying Glocks. So are a lot of plain clothes police.

 

[JohnBiltz]

Can't get much cheaper than a .22 LR. Easy to conceal as well. A well placed shot will muzzle most pests on 4 legs, other than your gators of course. In the unfortunate position of self defense, it should be sufficient and most likely will never be needed, as your two legs and quick wit will serve you better. It is great fun to shoot 500 rounds for $15. Did I mention it is cheap?


P.S. If anyone tells you .22LR is not a deterrent, ask them if they would like 10 rounds in the chest to test the theory.

P.P.S. Who decided that we all need to carry half a box of ammo around all day for ccw? I almost bought a glock sub compact with a 16 round mag. Wow. My .38 special is just fine for them pesky rattlers, no legs, 4 legs, and 2 legs. Sometimes more is just more.

First most people would not stand there and let someone snap them with a wet towel, personally I prefer to carry something more substantial.

A Glock Sub-compact with a 16 round magazine? Which one is that?

 

[MikeNice]

P.P.S. Who decided that we all need to carry half a box of ammo around all day for ccw? I almost bought a glock sub compact with a 16 round mag. Wow. My .38 special is just fine for them pesky rattlers, no legs, 4 legs, and 2 legs. Sometimes more is just more.

Some of us live in urban enviroments where multiple assailants are more common than 1 on 1 encounters.

It isn't the right choice for everybody. For me anything less than 9 rounds is too few. I know that there has been an uptick in gangs of three or four assaulting and robbing people in the city where I work and shop. I rather not gamble on needing only 5 shots.

Now, if I never left the rural town where I live a revolver would be all I carried. Different tools for different situations.

 

[Jonah71]

I suggest that you go to your local gun shop and look at their used weapons. Handle then and get the feel for it. Settling for a gun (or anything else) is a sure way to buyers' remorse. Don't be afraid to wait for what you what. Impatience is the enemy of smart decision making.

I agree. I went through a lot of guns (and$) trying to find what worked for me and I listened to a lot of people tell me what would. Don't be in a hurry.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

That XD9 subcompact will hold up to plenty of shooting, and it is a very soft shooter. The M&P9c or the Glock 26 are also good choices.

 

[easyg]

P.S. If anyone tells you .22LR is not a deterrent, ask them if they would like 10 rounds in the chest to test the theory.

Any weapon can be a "deterrent".
But if you should even need to shoot someone, you will want that person to immediately STOP whatever they are doing.
The .22LR, when fired from a handgun, has a dismal record for quickly stopping aggressive humans.
And sure, 10 rounds to your enemy's chest would be great.
Unfortunately, most predatory criminals will not have the decency to just stand there and let you shoot them 10 times.
Most attacks occur within less than 8 feet (it's very difficult to mug someone from 30+ feet away), and at that range you would be very lucky to get off even one or two shots before your shooting arm could be seized.

P.P.S. Who decided that we all need to carry half a box of ammo around all day for ccw? I almost bought a glock sub compact with a 16 round mag. Wow. My .38 special is just fine for them pesky rattlers, no legs, 4 legs, and 2 legs. Sometimes more is just more.

I don't think I need to carry half a box of ammo, but my Glock 26 (with a Pearce magazine extension) allows me to carry 12 9mm rounds within my pistol and it's still not much larger than a 5-shot J-frame snub-nose revolver.
And my Ruger SR9c allows for me to carry 11 9mm rounds, and it's only slightly larger than a J-frame snubbie.

 

[Alicia]

I agree with trying out whatever you can as a rental first. I wish i had. My head was spinning with all the choices out there. I ended up with the Ruger LC9. I'm new to shooting so I don't have much to compare it to. I bought it over the summer but with school out only got to fire it once until this week when school finally started again. I've been to the range twice this week, today having a friend go with me to give pointers to improve my shooting. I really like it overall, but just putting 50 rounds through it Tues and 50 more today my thumb is a tad sore and my only complaint is a really long trigger pull (which my friend tells me is my problem I'm anticipating the shot too much) I'm sure with time I'll get used to it, luckily our range has ladies day each Monday where I can shoot free so I figure every Monday that's where I'll be until I get used to it.

 

[Jabr0ney]

THanks for all the input guys!!

Ive looked into the sr9c and although it seems like a really great option, i dont know how comfortable i am with the safety since its my first gun, as in being able to hit it off on a draw. This lead me to look more towards dao without manual safetys.

I actually think for now im going to get a j frame .38. A guy gave me a website that has ammo prices that arent too terrible. Also i can get a way more reliable j frame for 300 than if i were to spend 300 on a semi auto. Later on though ill definitely get something like a glock 26 or a sr9c for those situations where you need a little more firepower

Being in florida also though means pocket carry will be more ideal in the hot months, which will be very simple with a j frame.

Once again thanks for all the help guys! This forum is great!