Need advise on first CCW holster and handgun

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Rockrivr1

Rockrivr1

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Dec 25, 2002
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Massachusetts
I finally got my CCW permit earlier this week and I'm now faced with the exciting task of finding my first CCW holster and handgun. (Damn, I have to go buy a new handgun :rolleyes: ) Since my last permit was only for Target and Practice my collection of handguns runs on the large size with my smallest being a Sig 229.

I'm looking for a pocket or IWB setup so I'm assuming the handgun will need to be a compact auto or revolver. I only have money right now for one setup so I'm looking for something that will work through the rest of the summer into the fall.

I have to keep a tucked in polo or dress shirt for work, so if your advise if for an IWB holster, I'd like to know how it works with a tucked in shirt.

I appreciate the help!
 
If you get an IWB holster, I suggest looking for one with a "tuckable" feature. These are designed so that your shirt can be tucked in on the outer side of the gun. Hard to describe, but they work pretty well. Match the material of the holster to the material of your belt (eg, if you have a brown leather holster plan to wear a leather belt in the same shade of brown). If you get kydex, hang some kind of techie gear off your belt next to the kydex loop and no one will ever ask about it.

pax
 
I was looking at trying Khar's PM9 for pocket carry, but I haven't had a chance to try it out -- I got a little sidetracked, and ended up out here. It seemed to be a good size and weight for pocket carry, especially in slacks with strong pockets (Dockers are what I've got at home, I know there are super-tatical pants out there, too, but I hate to spend that much on clothes ;)

I've heard good stuff about Kramer (sp?) and a couple other brands for rigs.

Revolvers never seemed to fit right for me, but I've got a friend that carried a S&W 38 for quite a while with no complaints.

Good luck, search this site for past threads and see if you can't find some more suggestions.
 
What kind of guns do you currently have & like? What do you like about the guns you have shot?

Which features are "have to have" features and which are negotiable?

Do you have a preference for Single-Action, Double-Action, Double-Action Only? Do you prefer to shoot revolvers or semi-autos?

Which types of firearms do you shoot the best?

How big are your hands? Small, medium, average? Are they very meaty, with short fingers? Or long and lean and flexible? Strong or weak?

Without the answers to questions like these, any recommendation for a carry gun is just a shot in the dark.

pax
 
First, buy a box.

Second, understand that all methodologies, all platforms have pros and cons.

Third, understand that carrying is subjective and dependent on what one does and does not do.

Fourth, experiment with different rigs, put holsters in box.

Fifth, seek training, software trumps hardware and mindset overrides all.
 
When I wear Polo or button up shirts I carry a Springfield Ultra Compact 1911 in a Tucker Texas Heritage IWB. It works the best of any tuckable holster I have tried. If you go IWB then do not forget to get a good GUN Belt.
 
wdlsguy - Yep, I have to choose a handgun that is on that list. I know, I know. It sure limits the choices.

Pax - I currently have a good selection of both semi auto's and revolvers of which I like both and shoot equally well. I wouldn't mind doing a 5 shot J-Frame, but do also like the idea of having additional capacity in the autoloader. I'm pretty sure I'd like something in double action or double action only as I don't think I'm ready to CCW cocked and locked yet. I currently dress out at 225 with large hands and long fingers. I'd have to say there strong fingers as I've never had a problem pulling any trigger.

Thanks for the responces already
 
Rockrivr ~

Lots of possibilities there. I forgot to ask for a caliber preference, and I'm not sure what's on the list in MA, but for semi-autos, you might want to look at the following.

Kahr P9 or PM9 (9mm) -- small, thin guns. P9 somewhat lighter than PM9 and commensurately more recoil though still not bad. Long DA trigger pull, reasonable to excellent accuracy, plenty of holster availability. Very concealable. Drawback is that it might be too small for your hands, causing a little trouble with the long pull (if so, use a little less finger on the trigger and the trouble will go away).

Glock 26 or 27 -- the 26 is a 9mm, 27 is a .40 S&W. They're Glocks, with Glockish triggers (love 'em or hate 'em, they are what they are). Small, lightweight, but thick. Extreme reliability, extreme durability, very resistant humidity, sweat, and other ickies associated with constant carry. Lots of holster designs out there; don't ever carry one of these without a trigger-covering holster.

KelTec P3AT (.380) -- very, very, very concealable. Not necessarily fun to shoot (they bite me pretty bad, though I'm told they don't bite everyone), and the recoil can be surprisingly unpleasant. The sights are rudimentary but can be upgraded to merely bad. Not inaccurate, but difficult to shoot accurately. Not necessarily reliable out of the box, but easy to tune and KT's customer service is legendary. Might be too small for your hands. Super lightweight. Did I mention concealable?

CZ RAMI (9mm or .40) -- small, thick, heavy enough to absorb recoil but not too heavy to carry. DA/SA, no decocker, heavy trigger (15 lbs in DA, 9 or 10 in SA). Can be carried hammer down in DA, but it also has an external safety, so can be carried cocked & locked if you prefer. Fairly accurate for the size. There was a polymer-framed version at SHOT Show, but I'm not sure when that will be on the market. Definitely worth a look when it does, and until then the metal version is nifty. Ask Eric at HBE Leatherworks about a holster for this one.

HK P2000SK (9mm or .40) -- this is the smaller version of the P2000. Two great features: it's completely and totally ambidextrous, and though polymer framed, it allows you to alter the grip size to suit your hands by adding different panels to the grip. Excellent trigger in a DAO. Might be hard to find a holster since it's still fairly new on the market.

pax
 
without a doubt get the Kahr PM9 if you are looking for a carry/pocket gun. I carry mine in a FIST holster. I do have a pocket holster for my PM9 but I have never carried that way yet.
I have two PM9's and have yet to have either of them malfunction. I have medium to large size hands. ( I am 6'6" 260lbs) and it took a couple times shooting it to get used to it. Every now and then I would hit the mag release while shooting. I don't have this problem anymore.
 
Might I suggest the Sig P245. At least for me (YMMV) it fits my hand better than any pistol I've ever tried/fondled/drooled on. It's a 6+1 single stack .45ACP, but it can also take the 8 round P220 mags (this would usually be carried as a re-load since it does protrude from the bottom of the grip). It's a DA/SA with a de-cocker but no manual safety.
 
I currently have a good selection of both semi auto's and revolvers of which I like both and shoot equally well.
Click to expand...
Why not use one of the handguns you already have instead of buying a new one and having to get familar with that?
 
Light and small

I'm going to suggest what works for me. I carry IWB H&K USP .40 compact ( it is DAO, like the P2000) and a J-frame 340 pd .357mag. I alternate depending on the occasion. Rearly I carry both. For the H&K I have a Milt Spark versa max holster that allows you to carry with shirt tucked in or un-tucked. It only works with over sizes shirts. When I were t-shirts or polo shirts I carry the j frame. I can tuck the t-shirt or polo shirt with the j-frame but not wiht the H&K. Some times for tactical purpose I put the j-frame inside a pocket (using the uncle mikes pocket holster). There is no two ways about it, you're going to have to buy two guns, unless you alter the way you dress for ever, if you want to always carry only one gun. The other option is to carry a j-frame or pocket auto all the time and dress as you like. Hope this helps.

Double O
 
the Seecamp LWS-32ACP
Click to expand...
GAH! Go with the Kel-Tek .32 or .380. I've seen multiple jamming problems with two different Seecamp .32s. The bloody thing wouldn't even accept hardball into the magazine. I don't know if it was that magazine, the lot of ammo, or the pistol just being trash, but it really put me off them.
 
Over the past two days now I've visited 4 different gun shops and to be honest there isn't a whole lot out there to buy in regards to CCW. My choices are pretty limited here in Mass. The Kahrs, Springfields, H&Ks are not on the approved list, Kel-Tec you can pretty much forget as well. I found an older K40 Kahr that was in state prior to the state ban. It's small but damn heavy. I found a few Seacamps, but for the price they go for I'd be waiting a while before I could afford it. My choices so far is the 642, which I'm leaning towards, or a .380 cal Walther, Sig or Beretta. I did find nice PPK for around three bills.

Is a .380 cal a good enough round for self defense? Never shot one so I'm not sure.
 
I chose a 642 and a K9. The 642 fits nicely in a pocket and can be easily found in Mass. For the K9 I use a Comp-Tac tuckable. The steel Kahrs are heavy for their size but it's fine with a good belt and the Comp-Tac.

Another option that's easy to find in Mass is S&W's new scandium 1911s. I know a couple of very happy owners but I haven't tried one myself yet. It's a little heavier than the Kahrs and just as thin.

It sounds like you have a good excuse to organize another Mass shoot. Ask that people bring their carry rigs so you can try them out. :)

Personally, I wouldn't go below .38 for a carry pistol.
 
.380 is, of course, better than nothing. However, most people consider it rather weak compared to most other pistol calibers typically carried. Think of it as a 9mm short/light. Personally I think you'd be better off with .38spl, particularly if it can take +p loadings. Even better would be 9mm, and even better yet would be .357mag, .40S&W and .45ACP.

If you can afford it, the Sig P239 makes a great carry gun and is available in 9mm and .40. The Sig P245 is about the same size as the 239 (though they have a very different feel) and fires the manly .45ACP.

Berreta makes the Mini-Cougar in .45 and I'm sure Walther makes some compact 9mm and .40 pistols.

EDIT: For holsters, a lot of people like the Milt Sparks Versa Max II, and our own Eric Larsen (aka PCRCCW) runs www.hbeleatherworks.com . I have a nice holster from him for my .44mag Redhawk.
 
S&W List

Pax...

I believe enfield's comment about the list looking like it was sponsored by S&W was *not* in reference to your well-described list of recommendations...

but rather to the Massachusettes list of approved handguns...http://www.mass.gov/chsb/pdfs/frb/f...roster_2002.pdf

Aren't we lucky we live in states that don't limit our choices based on some ridiculous list?

By the way....I think we're about to buy a pistol for Shauna.


ciao.
 
That link for the list of MA. approved guns is bad. I would love to see that list, as I also live in MA. I know I can not buy any 1911 except for the S&W, and only LEO's can buy Kahr's. I would like to know what I can buy, before I get drooling over something, then find out, I can't get it here.
 
My opinions are if you want to carry in a front pants pocket...

If a Kahr PM-9 is on the list, then consider that, if you want a semi-auto. (Even with a 3" barrel I think it's a little more powerful than a .38 special out of a 2" barrel. Plus it holds more rounds than, say, a S&W 642.)

If a S&W 637 (exposed hammer), 638 (shrouded hammer), or 642 (no exposed hammer) is on the list, then consider one of those if you want a revolver. Of course any of the above revolvers in blue steel would be fine too. For a revolver I recommend a Mika pocket holster because I carry a snub .38 with an exposed hammer in one, and I like it.
 
since it seems like you need to dress formally, how about a vest or sports jacket? then you don't have to compromise on size, by using a shoulder holster.

~TMM
 
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