Looking at getting a CCW gun

[kcshooter]

Another good point about j-frames or revolvers of any kind is that you can make them fit anyone by changing the grips. I hate the open backstrap boot grips, and I don't like grips that go further than the butt of the gun. Probably the least common setup is the full backstrap 2 finger grip. But they're out there, and they fit my needs perfectly.

Others have other needs. While you can't change a lot of the grips on automatics, you can make the revolver fit you just the way you want.

I can, and have to, correct the grip angle on Glocks, too, to make them fit me correctly. Guess which one is easier?

 

[spotch]

Well I have read a lot of problems with the Taurus 700 series. The Kahr I have read a hit and miss about reliability and how they fix their problems seems to draw a varied response. So for my both those are out. Smith makes the new Shield but it may be too hard to find right now.

I hear great things about the Glock 26 and one of the problems is that most hands cant get a good grip on it, but I think this can be fixed by adding the magazine extension that gives you an extra 2 rounds. I have also heard its a bit chunky compared to the other single stack guns. I have handled the Glock in the store and it does not seem overly thick to me. The Glock has a great customer service reputation from all I have read. I know every gun can get the odd disappointment but this seems to be very few for the Glocks. Reliability I have read that the Taurus and Kahrs have some hit and miss issues with jamming, some get guns that work flawless for years and others have problems out of the box. I don't see this much with Glocks from what I have been reading on the web.

I keep coming back to the Glock, I also don't like a single action like the Sig 238 or Colt Mustang for CCW. I have a TCP and love how small it is, it fits to my belt and no one knows I have not got a blackberry on. 380 is expensive to shoot and a pain to reload. 9mm for me is the smallest round I want to load. Reloading gives me the ability to shoot much more. I also have a Walther PPKs and PPK great guns but I wanted something in a 9. I am not a 40 smith fan, nothing wrong with it its probably great, but I am a 9 fan. I hear hit and miss with the Kaltec, and the price is impossible to beat. But it just leaves me flat. The Glock will also sell fast if I do not fall in love with it. I have shot the bigger Glocks but not the 26. I may jump off the deep end and buy one tomorrow.

For the longest time I was hung up on having a gun where my pinky could get a good purchase. I bought one where it was pretty much just grabbing what it could (my LCR) and I find it doesn't affect my shooting at all, and quickly stopped noticing it at all.

I think a glock 26 would be fine. Glock ergonomics are far from great IMHO, but that's not a 26 problem as much as it is an 'almost every glock' problem

Another possibility is the smith and wesson M&P9c. It comes with a pinky extension and better ergos IMHO.

 

[Teachu2]

I have carried a variety of weapons, from a .22WRM Hi Standard derringer to a 6" N frame revolver to a Govt Model 1911. Dress and circumstances determine what I carry.

Current selections:
1) Glock 30 - 11 rounds of .45acp and a joy to shoot
2) S&W M&P 9c
3) Ruger LC9 when I need a flat, thin gun. Very accurate, but not what I'd call fun to shoot.
4) S&W 637(?) Airweight 5-shot .38 snubbie.

 

[FMF Doc]

Try a Smith and Wesson M&P Shield in 9mm. It is just about the perfect size for CCW. Big enough to shoot, small enough to carry with almost no effot, and very accurate, thanks to the new trigger! It's what I carry 99% of the time now.

 

[dubya450]

I didn't read all the replies and I'm sure it's been said but the ONLY way to find the right pistol is to head to the range and handle a few you like, choose 2-4 of them to rent and shoot and narrow it down. After you narrow it by feeling/shooting them come back and ask opinions on the specific guns you're considering. There are just too many CC pistol's out there to ask such a general question.