Looking for a Concealed and Carry gun

[Sepia]

I just got my Concealed and Carry permit, because I don't know how much longer I will be able to get one after tuesday... and now I'm looking for a good handgun to go with it

I currently own a Ruger P-95, a 1946 Mosin Nagant, an old Remmington 10 guage from the early 1900's, and two small .22 cal revolvers that are no longer functional. I would carry the P-95 if it wasn't for its tendency to jam. It it a little large, but not totally out of question due to size alone. I definitely don't want anything under a 9mm, but also don't want a gun that the ammo becomes to costly to take it out shooting once in a while. I'm pretty new when it comes to guns, I just know enough to know that I don't know... if that makes sense.

Anyways, I'm open to any suggestions, aside from Taurus... I can't stand them...

Thanks in advance for the input!

 

[Clyde from Carolina]

Sounds like you already have a good handle on one thing: You don't feel comfortable with the P-95 because it jams.

You have to have something that works all the time, everytime, and that's the first requirement.

I would put reliability first, caliber second.

There are many, many good candidates to choose from. If you like wheelguns, or revolvers, something like a Smith & Wesson 642 .38 special is a good choice. Small and light enough that you can carry it everywhere, it is very reliable with a good power level that can be managed even by a beginner. I carry one on my ankle as a back up in my cop duties because of its strong attributes.

Autos? I like Sigs and H&Ks and 1911s, and many more! There are some really good choices out there, you just need to train with them and be familiar with their manual of arms and malfunction clearance drills, etc. A good auto is VERY reliable.

I would pick something that is made by a name manufacturer that stands behind its product. Go with something that is small enough to actually carry, but not too small to shoot effectively. (Eschew the tiny mini guns) Ask yourself: Would I trust my life to this gun? That will usually make the teeny tiny guns look less appealing.

I'm sure you will get plenty of advice here, these were just the first things to pop into my head in response to your question.

With my feet held to the fire, I'd recommend a Smith 642. I know they work.

Oh, and Smith is making a run of no trigger lock 642s, and they just did a run of the 442s(blued instead of stainless) That would be worth looking for. The trigger locks are not needed in my opinion, and were just added for liability reasons.

Here's my old 642-1, pre- trigger lock Smith.

I like a revolver for beginners because the manual of arms is so simple. A Bianchi speed strip of five or six spare rounds fits nicely in the watch pocket of your jeans.

 

[Sepia]

Thanks for the reply Clyde. My only negatives to revolvers are the number of rounds they carry, and the reload time. I like the way they handle and, that short of a squib round, its not failing. I guess its going to come down to me going to the next gun show when it comes to town and gettin a grip on what else is out there. Do you have any opinions on Walthers? They seem to carry quite a few CC handguns in larger calibers, and they have quite the reputation, just dont know if they are worth the extra money.

Thanks again.

 

[Clyde from Carolina]

I haven't tried any of the newer Walthers, like the P99, but I have heard good things about them.

One of those would probably do the trick nicely.

 

[wtfd661]

Depending on how much you want to spend, you may want to think about a Glock 19, very good CCW. Great price, light weight, dependable, accurate, good conceal carry size (but yet large enough to have a good sight radius & grip length), holds 15 9mm rounds in magazine & low maintenance.

A little higher up on the price ladder is Kimber 1911 models. Some models come in either 9mm or .45 cal.. My Kimber Tactical Ultra II is a .45 cal and has been dependable out of the box. Again great CCW. size, weight, dependable, very accurate, the Tactical has the mag well on it which extends the grip length 1/4" (which makes it fit my large hands easily). Can carry cocked & locked with thumb safety engaged (along with grip safety makes for a very safe carry gun).

Those are just 2 examples of CC guns that I have had experience with that I trust. Believe me there are A LOT of great guns out there, if you stick with reputable manufactures and go to the local gun store/range and try out as many as you can and see what fits you the best, you won't go wrong. Good luck.

 

[deadhawg]

Don't ignore Glocks in your search. Some people hate them, some hate everything that's not a glock, but few will try to fault their reliability. Certainly not pretty, but they always go bang when you pull the trigger.
(Now somebody will bring up the dreaded kaboom! stories).

Check out the Kahr pistols too, good quality in a very thin, light package.

In the end though, it should come down to what fits YOUR hand, and that YOU can shoot well.

 

[Rossshady120]

cheap and i bet my life on it and yes i'm putting those 2 words in the same sentence. Bersa/Firestorm 9mm,.40,.45 compact

 

[Lookn4Brass]

I have tried alot of different handuns over the years, and it seems that the simpler the better for most folks. I'll have to agree on the Glock 19, or my preference, one of the Springfield XD pistols. The 9mm will be the least expensive to shoot. My XD pistol has proven to be easy for almost any shooter to hit with, even those with very little handgun experience. The bonus of the grip safety is a good idea too. You don't really notice it when the gun is gripped properly or is being fired. The Kahr arms pistols are easy to use too, but I feel that they are a bit expensive for what you get. A used Sig P229 or P228 is a good gun too, and easy to hit with. I like the decocker lever on them also.

 

[Floppy_D]

If you like Sigs but not the price, check out the P6 (P225). They can be had close to $300, and feel very similar... though slimmer and lighter. I think they're great carry guns.

 

[Majic]

Why not first find out why the Ruger you have jams? Get that pistol fixed as it will be cheaper than buying another pistol. Plus buying another pistol is no guarantee that it won't have problems.

 

[Ala Dan]

Another S&W model 642 recommendation~!



MCain-Palin Tomorrow Nov. 4th~!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have 4 different handguns I like to carry and all are S&W J frame revolvers. Lately I've been carrying a M642 but I usually switch to my M640 in .357 Magnum for the Winter. I stopped carrying my M36 because it's a 1975 vintage revolver and I don't want to ruin it by carrying it all the time.

As for you worrying about the number of rounds, if you're not in Law Enforcement I wouldn't worry too much. The FBI says in most gun fights only 2 to 3 rounds are fired from both sides combined. Even if you have to reload, Speedloaders are faster than you think with a little practice.

 

[Defense Minister]

deadhawg, don't worry, the Glock kabooms are mainly a problem in the calibers other than the 9mm. So, I won't bring them up.

Desiring a caliber that is at least 9mm, the price of ammo being a large consideration, and leaning strongly toward an autoloader, I'd say that you've at least narrowed it down to one caliber (9mm, maybe?). There are lots of good autoloaders out there chambered for the 9, but, as anyone whose read my other posts knows, I lean strongly toward Smith & Wesson's M&P line of pistols for a down-and-dirty, affordable, defensive pistol that gets the job done. See my post here http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=403673 that compares the M&P to the Glock, which, by the way, is a great weapon also, just not for me anymore.

 

[SsevenN]

RAMI

 

[zx12rider]

Tons of options

Walther P99C 9mm
S&W SW99c
S&W 3913
S&W CS9
Walther PPS
Glock 19 & 26
S&W MP 9C
Sig 239
Sig 225
Kahr K9 and P9
CZ Rami

These are what I think is best on the market now, I currently own half of them.

 

[kejam]

New carry

Get out and shoot as many as possible, find what YOU like not just whats fasionable or in style. Remember just because its costly doesnt make it right for you. In my mind handguns are like trucks, most run just as good as the other (Ford, Chevy, Dodge ) But you always have your die hard fans. Ive shot alot of brands and own quite a few. My Taurus PT111 Millenium pro around $300 is just as reliable as my Browning Hi-power, or my XD, or my S&Ws. I would trust my life with any of them.

P.S. -Get an XD45 Compact you cant go wrong.

 

[BlindJustice]

Sepia,

It would help to narrow down your options if you'd
list a Budget of $??? Minimum/Maximum

What is your preference
Revovler or Semi-Auto?
If Semi-AUto
Polymer/Striker fired.
Steel or Alloy frame
DAO - Double Action Only
DA/SA - Double action first shot
and Single Action for subsequent shots.
SA - The 1911 is the prime example of
this Carrying it Condition ONe, I.E. "Cocked & Locked"
In other Words, Round chambered, Hammer cocked
with thumb safety on.

ALso what is your preference for how you will carry it,
Ankle, Pocket, Belt, or Shoulder rig. Your climate might
limit options.

Well...?

Randall

 

[skwab]

There are so many great options out there it's daunting. If you are really unsure, go find a range with rentals and take a few for a test drive - do you like polymer or hate it? Do you like the Glock grip or hate it? Do you like strikers or prefer a DA/SA?

But I'll second the Glock 19 - it's a really good all arounder and the reliability is great. If you want a more dedicated CCW, something in a sub-compact, the Glock 26 is a smaller version of the 19, there's the S&W M&P 9 compact which I have and is a great shooter, there's the XD sub comp which personally I don't like the way it feels in my hand, but there are a lot out there who love the XD - and any of these can be had for 500 give or take. All are reliable and have a good availability of spare mags and accessories.

If you can't try them at a range at least go to a shop and hold them, see which feels best in your hands.
Good Luck!

 

[goon]

I've always had good luck with anything CZ and Glock. I'n not necessarily compatible with them, but I can't fault their reliability.
I've also had pretty good luck with S&W revolvers and I still miss the Model 60 that I sold a few years back.
And I second the SIG P-6 as a decent, inexpensive option for a concealable 9mm.
I wouldn't rule out revolvers. They do hold less ammo but if your guns have to do double duty, a .357 revolver is about as versatile as a handgun gets. It can do anything from small game hunting up through defense against black bears well - all you have to do is switch ammo. I've also had fewer reliability problems with revolvers as well. They're more complex than an auto but from what I've seen, they either work or they don't.
Also, they don't require the break-in of an automatic. If your revolver goes through half a box of expensive ammo with no problems you can be pretty sure it will work - no need to invest another $200 proving to yourself that your gun will work with premium hollowpoints.
My advice is
1. call Ruger. They have good customer service and would probably work on the P-95 for free if you send it in. If they can make the P-95 run well and you like it, why not?
2. Try every handgun you can lay hands on. Go the range with friends or shoot strangers' guns if they offer (happens a lot if you hang out at ranges and let people shoot your guns too). Go to gun stores and see what kinds of guns will fit in your pocket or would carry well for you. Borrow a J-frame from your dad and carry it for a day. Basically, do whatever you can to get experience with different guns before you decide what to spend your money on.

 

[Sepia]

Thanks for all the posts! I've got quite a few more pieces of eye candy to look out for now!

As for my P-95, the 5 inch barrel on it is my primary reason why I don't want to carry it. And towards the jamming, I know what the problem is. The feeder ramp was a little out of place when it came from the factory so the round would catch at the base of the ramp and go ass up when the slide came back forward. I've since had it re-positioned for free from the gunsmith at the store I purchased it from. It's just down to me going over it with some flitz after it jams to remove the scuffs, and keep smoothing it and honing it until its where it wants to be. Its a good gun, when I first got it it was jamming in 1 out of 50 rounds, I've gotten it down to 1 in 300, I just don't want that 300th round to be when I need it.

I've shot a Smith and Wesson 9mm, I don't remember the model, that my brother in law owns, it just has a lot of drift to it that I'm not a big fan of but I'm sure with a few hundred rounds that too I would get use to. One of my local ranges allows you to rent different handguns for about $10 a day so that may be what it comes down to. I'll just go down there and rent about 4 or 5 or.... 3000 different guns and see what I think... I wonder if that AK-47 would be a good C/C?

 

[Keoni]

Kahr P9

Small, flat, light, accurate, dependable, easily concealed and comfortable to carry IWB. Over 650rds., several different brand hollowpoint's zero malfunction's.
Have carried one for last four years.

 

[jabara572]

My P-95 did not become reliable untill around the 500th round or so, now it hasnt skipped a beat.

 

[shooter 7]

Try many at yoour local range, decide which works best for you. Revolvers are far less complex, auto loaders are more complex, require different skills to master. Seek skilled training & practice. Best of luck with your decision. I own both, favor Ruger revolvers, CZ auto loaders , & 1911 types.