Looking for a new CCW

[Guitargod1985]

Here's the deal: I'm growing quite tired of carrying either the USPc or the Taurus 605. The problem is that the USP compact is a bit bulky for a carry gun, but the 605 is a weapon with which I am not very proficient just yet.

Thus, I am in the market for a new carry gun. I'll list a few of the ones that I've been considering, as well as any perceived pros/cons. I'm beginning to consider a single stack design to be a postive aspect, the only tradeoff being magazine capacity. Also, night sights are a MUST for me, and stainless is pretty important, but not absolutely essential. I am very fond of manual safeties, as I prefer to keep a round chambered while carrying. Each of the following guns has a barrel length around 3.5". Any feedback on these guns, or suggestions on others which, from your own experiene, may be more suitable would be greatly appreciated.

Anyway, here's my list in no particular order:

-Sig Sauer P232 (.380 ACP) in stainless steel w/ night sights
MSRP: $800
Pros: Single stack, stainless, short, good-looking gun, fixed barrel, DA/SA
with decocker
Cons: no manual safety, limited power, low mag capacity, heavy 10# DA
trigger pull

-Smith & Wesson M&P compact (.357 Sig) w/ night sights
MSRP: $640(?)
Pros: Lightweight, 10 round mag, consistent DA trigger pull, very powerful
round
Cons: No stainless slide available, known mag release issues, no manual
safety

-Glock 33 (.357 Sig) w/ night sights
MSRP: ~$650
Pros: Consistent DA trigger pull, lightweight, reliable, very small
dimensions, shortest grip (a plus for CC), very powerful round
Cons: No manual safety, no stainless slide available

-Springfield Loaded 1911 Ultra Compact (.45 ACP) w/ night sights
MSRP: ~$1000
Pros: Manual safety, can carry C&L, single stack, Springfield's great cust
service, BEAUTIFUL gun, stainless, beavertail grip, grip safety, time
proven design, powerful round
Cons: Heavier than polymer, high cost, low mag capacity

 

[VincentWhytt]

You've probably heard this everytime you've ever asked about which gun to purchase, but which one feels best in your hand? If it were me, I'd go with the S&W for economics, ergonomics, and power. I'm not trying to start a debate over .357 SIG versus .45 ACP, I'm just saying that the M&P is the best power (and feel) for the money. I dont like compact 1911s, but if you can afford it and it means that much to you, the Springfield may be the best for the job.

 

[Guitargod1985]

The only one I've ever held is the Springfield. It feels very nice in the hand. I've also fired a Walther PPK, which is very similar in design to the P232 from what I can tell. As far as the Glocks go, I find them appalingly ugly - but I'm not getting a carry gun just for the looks. The M&P I've been wanting for some time now, but until the issues are all worked out, I'm not sure it's the gun to be staking my life on.

 

[Guitargod1985]

Oops I double posted

 

[crebralfix]

I'd go with Glock 23. It's the most efficient of the ones listed. It has an excellent carry profile, a full sized grip, a decent length barrel, and is light.

HOWEVER

Based upon the description of the problem, changing gear won't solve your problem. You'd be better served by buying 2,000 rounds of ammunition and level 1 and level 2 gun fighting courses. These courses will change your attitudes on what is fast and accurate shooting.

 

[3 gun]

Me? I'd say don't buy any of these. You have a good CCW pistol in the 605. Get a set of CT grips, a case of ammo and practice. You'll have a solid CCW pistol, more skill and money left over going that route. Of course it is your money to spend as you like.

As a side note, a 605 with CT grips is my everyday carry pistol.

 

[glockman19]

I'd choose the Glock or the S&W. Toss a coin. If you really wanted a .45 in the 1911 style I'd personally get a Kimber Ultra Carry, CDP, or Raptor.

 

[10 Ring Tao]

I got to try out a friend's MP the other day. Between the trigger and other features, I was impressed.

 

[peacemaker45]

.45 ACP isn't really a powerhouse out of the short barrel guns. My dad's Commander sized Kimber gives up a bit over 180 fps to my Springer, which has the slowest barrel of all my 5" guns. I'd really really really want to know what my ammo was gonna do out of a gun that small.

Really, though, I think that a full sized 1911 is one of the most carryable guns around. The only real issue most folks have is the weight, which is fixable, since both S&W and springfield offer lightweight 5" guns. If the weight bothered me that's what I'd pick. As it doesn't, I carry a steel GM.

~~~Mat

 

[DevilDog0402]

Glock 33 - had one since 2001. Great carry weapon.

 

[Dean407]

What about the P2000/P2000SK? Or you just want something totally different?

 

[goings_51]

Being in an area where shorts and tee shirts are the norm 11 months out of the year, Kel-Tec is the only way to go. It doesn't meet all of your requirements, but I would have saved a lot of money if I had started with the smallest instead of having to work my way down.

 

[Guitargod1985]

A Kel-tec P11 in 9mm was actually my very first gun. I will never purchase another Keltec product. After less than 150 rounds, the ejector broke off. It took the folks at KelTec ten days to send me the replacement, even though I live less than 50 miles away from their HQ. Then I noticed when I was replacing the ejector, the ejector retention pin was missing, so I ordered one of those. After I fixed that, the extractor began working its way loose, and after 50 or so more rounds, the trigger wouldn't reset after every trigger pull. I finally traded the POS in for next to nothing. Maybe I just got a lemon, because I've never heard anyone else complain about them, but there's NO WAY I would let my life depend on that gun.

 

[Geronimo45]

-Sig Sauer P232 (.380 ACP) in stainless steel w/ night sights
MSRP: $800

The MSRP is, IME, utter baloney. I spotted one (blued, though) in Gander Mtn for about $500... a few dollars cheaper than the PPK they had. Does have a similarity to the Mauser HSc - one of the most stylish mediumish sized pocket autos ever made.

I'd go with the 232 of those listed. Everybody and their grandmother's got a Glock or a 1911. The M&P... not impressed with 'em personally. The Sig: nobody much's got one. Stylish little beastie, and a nice size. Never really liked the idea of midget guns with full-sized power levels. Mouseguns should be in mousy calibers...

 

[RyanM]

I would definitely go with .40 S&W over .357 SIG, any day of the week. 180 grains at 980 fps is just about the perfect compromise between stopping power and recoil, for me. .357 SIG only gives you 125 gr at 1350 fps for factory ammo. And if you absolutely must have light and fast, there are several .40 loads with a 10 gr heavier bullet at the same speed.

Also, why do you want a stainless slide? Glock's Tenifer finish is physically and chemically impossible to rust. Iron nitride is technically a ceramic. Do you just want the gun to be shiny?

 

[yongxingfreesty]

glock 26/27/33

 

[karz10]

Why stainless? Worried about rust or appearance? Don't know about the others, but the glock tennifer is resistant to whatever, the black may come off w/ extended carry/friction, but it shouldn't rust coz of the tennifer, from what they tell me...

I'm carrying a G19 right now, and am considering a 26 for the smaller handle, so of course I think the 9MM is a good round for more compact guns and cheaper to practice with, and have enjoyed using the 19 in IDPA practices, but that's just me, I'm sure the other round variations are fine too.

As far as safeties go, I'm a new handgun owner as of this year, and thought a lot about this before buying my Glock. It's all about what you're into, and if you're into manual safeties that's cool, but if it helps, here's how I approaced the Glock. I handled it w/out one in the chamber for a few months, then, once I felt comfortable w/ the way I was handling the gun, I keep one in the chamber almost all the time, and all the time if I'm carrying it, or relying on it for SD/HD at the time. I feel very confident in the fact that I know it's ready to go, and I treat it accordingly, keep the finger out of the trigger guard unless wanting to shoot something, and the holster I have is good for keeping it in place and the trigger guard clear, and when I move it from holster to console or safe box, I have another holster waiting for it in there (if I want to keep my other holster on my person to be used later, etc).

I like the S&W M&P Compact, I really do. I went w/ the glock for various reasons (33rd mags and other easy to obtain accessories), but I'm sure the M&P is a nice carry gun, although the Glock is a little smaller.

Personally, I don't understand wanting to go w/ a .380 for SD, unless you're trying to pocket carry a keltec or something, which you've already said you don't like their products, so nothing against sig, but for something you're not carrying in a pocket, why not go for a larger round?

As for the 1911 option, I know the least about that option, so can't help you, although reading your post, it seems like you are more in love w/ that option, despite what you say the cons are...

Good luck whatever you do... As long as you carry something right?

Karz

 

[Guitargod1985]

Karz, thanks for the input. I decided a couple of hours ago to go with the Glock, but I'm going to get the G26 because DAMN those .357 Sig rounds are expensive. I miss going to the range and shooting off a couple hundred rounds for less than fifty bucks. That 9mm ammo looks real nice right about now. Plus, as far as SD goes, 9mm is "good enough."

As far as stainless goes, it's just a regional thing. I find that with the Florida humidity it is much easier to notice a tiny bit of rust on stainless before it becomes a real problem. On the very dark finishes, I can have a pretty hard time noticing a little rust spot. It just KILLS me when I notice one of my babies has a splotch. My HK has some very slight surface rust starting to go on and it could very easily turn bad if neglected. I just recently started using a gun "oil." I used to apply BreakFree CLP to everything, but I'm now using an oil specifically designed for guard against humidity etc. once I'm done cleaning.

 

[zeroskillz]

I'd toss in the Sig 220 compact (.45) as a possible choice. Very nice little gun. I just sold 2 of them and can say I liked them, and the purchasers like them as well. It's a single stack so the grip frame is a bit narrower than sigs double stacks.

Also, pay no mind to MSRP's-- guns online sell for so far below MSRP, that it's almost pointless. As example, the 220's have an MSRP of $920, and the ones I had sold for $750.

 

[Guitargod1985]

guns online sell for so far below MSRP, that it's almost pointless.

Yeah, I was wondering about that. I've seen some on gun broker for up to a few hundred dollars less and most said "new in box." I was thinkin, sure this is some kind of scam, but then I got to thinkin about how good a track record gunbroker has with many owners, and decided it was probably legit. I've never purchased a gun except through an FFL in store or at a gun show, so I'm a bit leery. It almost seems worth paying the extra $$$ just for the convenience of going to the shop, picking it out and taking it home that day. Online I'd have to go through my FFL anyway and pay them for handling the transaction, and then I'd have to wait a week or so. Oh well. It will be a few weeks before I have the cash to buy my new toy anyway.

 

[karz10]

Karz, thanks for the input. I decided a couple of hours ago to go with the Glock, but I'm going to get the G26 because DAMN those .357 Sig rounds are expensive. I miss going to the range and shooting off a couple hundred rounds for less than fifty bucks. That 9mm ammo looks real nice right about now. Plus, as far as SD goes, 9mm is "good enough."

As far as stainless goes, it's just a regional thing. I find that with the Florida humidity it is much easier to notice a tiny bit of rust on stainless before it becomes a real problem. On the very dark finishes, I can have a pretty hard time noticing a little rust spot. It just KILLS me when I notice one of my babies has a splotch. My HK has some very slight surface rust starting to go on and it could very easily turn bad if neglected. I just recently started using a gun "oil." I used to apply BreakFree CLP to everything, but I'm now using an oil specifically designed for guard against humidity etc. once I'm done cleaning.

I'd say that's a good choice. The cost of ammo was one reason I chose the Glock in 9mm. Also, Glocks are quality reliable products as it is, but even people that don't like Glocks agree that the Glock in 9mm is hard to beat. Also, for fun or SHTF scenarios, your new 26 can handle the larger 15rd mags of the G19, 17 or so round mags of the G17, and the G18 mags that have 31-33 round capacity. You can get Crimson Trace grips for it from many places for around $175, and there are a lot of other accessories for it.

Like I said, I shoot the G19 right now, and practice IDPA. A buddy over there let me use his G26 one day, and I did just as well with it in a staged defensive scenario as I did w/ my 19, despite the shorter barrel and chopped grip, granted it was w/ the pinky extension, but the butt of the gun grip is still cut at an angle more condusive to concealed carry. It is thicker than a single stack, but the over all size and functionality, and round capacity, makes it a great carry piece in my opinion.

My plan is to have the 19 around the house most of the time after I get a 26, then carry the 26 most of the time, and get a pocket pistol for whenever carry of the 26 just isnt possible/practical for some reason, but I think I'd cary the 26 most of the time. I'm doing pretty good carrying the 19 now, so it could only be better w/ the 26.

Well, good luck w/ it, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. If not already, I'd highly recommend looking into some kind of competitive shooting w/ it. I like IDPA because you can use stock guns like the Glock carry options, draw from concealment, and rapid fire into multiple targets, and practice things you can't in most public ranges. It's a lot more fun and practical than shooting at paper downrange....

I noticed you were commenting w/ others about buying online vs local shops. FWIW, I bought my G19 (first HG btw) online from Impact Guns. Some people have had trouble w/ their habit of posting out of stock items, and I almost had that problem too, but it turned out ok. I wanted the 19 Homeland Defender which came w/ Trijicon Night Sights, 4 15rd mags, a Glock Tac light, extended slide and mag release, and some other stuff for a nice price ($603 + Shipping at the time, w/ my $20 FFL transfer, it was $640 out the door) They also had a sale at the time for $25 33rd mags, which I got a couple of those. Anyway, I know you said you wanted night sights, I see they have the 26 now for $557 w/ Glock Night Sights + Shipping http://www.impactguns.com/store/glock26.html

Decent deal, but sometimes they'll throw in free shipping, which would make that deal a little better. I'd call in an order to see when the next shipment was expected, they're phone people are pretty good, but their email response is a little lacking IMO.

If you shop around, not just gun stores, but maybe pawn shops, or other brokers in your area (maybe search some gun sites for ffl's in your area), you should be able to get a transfer for $20-$25, as a reference point.

Other places you could try are summitgunbroker.com he gets good reviews on here, topglock.com installs night sights and has ok prices. I'm sure others have some suggestions.

Anyway, have fun and post pics and targets when you get it

Karz

 

[zeroskillz]

+1 for Crimson Trace grips and
+1 for IDPA

Also, if you're interested in knowing what an online deal will cost you, drop me an email with which models you're most interested in, and I'll price them out for you. Consider it for information purposes, I wouldn't be at all hurt if you didn't buy from me. I understand the preference to be able to fondle the purchase before making it.


Gunbroker sales typically go for a little bit more than in a forum like this. GB charges a percentage of the sale, and sellers have to figure that into the price of the gun. That's also why almost all GB sales require additional charges for shipping and CC purchases--they would be figured into that percentage.

-Ted
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