New CCW holder, need advice.

[Smurfslayer]

M,

I didn't notice if you said this would be your first carry gun, or your first handgun period. In either case, I suggest getting 2 guns.

1: A decent .22 plinker in whatever flavor you like - wheel or semi.
2: A decent .357 magnum revolver.

I believe that you could still make your budget, and accomplish what you need. You would be able to use the dirt cheapest .38 spcl. ammo, through hot personal protection magnums.

The .22 will help make you a better shooter...

check out www.gunbroker.com.

A buddy just bought a 4" S&W model 19 .357 for $240 at the dealer, and it had a darn good trigger, and shot great.

Nothing against semis, I have several and carry one, but the wheel gun will get you on your way less expensively, and they're just as effective.

Ruger, Browning, S&W & Beretta (at least) make good .22 semis, and Taurus, S&W & ruger make good quality .357 magnums.

Good luck,
HTH

 

[j_a_espo]

Welcome to the Fourm. You'll find a wealth of information here and much good advice.

I agree the 9mm is a good round - it's inexpensive and of sufficient caliber. Again, as someone wrote earlier you can someday buy a larger caliber pistol if you want to. It's much better that you can aford to practice often.

What's best for you is something that will change over time - as you get more experienced with ccw you will eventually settle on a few different gun/holster arrangements that change depending upon how you must dress, jeans/shorts/suit, etc. Buy only good quality stuff that fits your body type and mode of carry. Keep the gun on you and avoid any off-body carry systems like day-planners, etc.

Get yourself a good quality IWB holster worn on the strong side. The mouth of the holster must be reinforced so that you can reholster the gun without removing the holster. Do not get a holster that forces you to use the muzzle of the gun to "dig" the holster open. That is dangerous.

A stong-side, IWB holster will work will with an un-tucked shirt. Even just a dark-color T-shirt is usually enough.

When you can't go with an untucked shirt you'll need a small revolver for front pocket carry. There are small autos but IMO nothing beats the reliability of a good revolver. If you can't afford a revolver right away then get a good ankle holster for the pistol and save your money for a while. Ankle carry is slow but at least you still have a gun. I did this for a year while I saved money for an airweight revolver.

The hard part of hiding a pistol is not the length of the barrel. It's very easy for most folks to hide a 4-inch barrel or longer. The width of the grip is what prints through your shirt and gives you away. A pistol with a single stack magazine is thinner and easier to hide. The Kahr is thin (I carry the K-9), you might also consider many of the Smith-Wesson 9mm autos like the 908.

I consider the Glock a professional's weapon and do not recommend them for the new ccw, ever. I love the Glock but the trigger is not forgiving. This is not license to be careless - keep your finger out of the trigger-guard and you'll be fine, true. But, in my opinion I would avoid the Glock for a while. get something that has a long, hard trigger for at least the first shot or go with the DAO piece like the Kahr.

Do not get in the habit of carrying with a round sometimes in the chamber and sometimes without one in the chamber - that is too confusing and might contribute to a dangerous situation.

Buy the way, get a set of good snap caps so that you can safely practice. You can even use them at the range: have someone load your magazines for you and occasionally insert a snap-cap. Keeps you on your toes.

Enjoy, have fun and stay safe.

J.

 

[MrMurphy]

A good way of remembering to keep your finger off the trigger is to have someone break your finger the next time you do it. I guarantee you'll never forget again!


The Kahr and G26 are small BECAUSE they're carry guns. My Glock 30 isn't tiny, but it's hideable with a good holster and proper dressing. And I can do it with a tucked in shirt (if it's patterned). www.comp-tac.com, the C-tac.

A carry gun is not going to be big, you're trying to hide it!

 

[wintermute76]

I carry a Kimber ProCarry HD in .45 ACP or a Taurus M85 .38 Spl.

In 9mm I would go with a HK P7M8 or P7PSP. You should be able to find some for around $600-650. I've fired a couple now and I find they fit my hand well, and don't seem to have as much muzzle rise as some pistols. My next handgun will probably be one.
One drawback, is they tend to be butt heavy and will need a good holster and belt.

 

[dairycreek]

Dear Masione!

Hmm, I never even bothered looking at the CZ cause it's Czech, but after looking at it and the specs/reviews, I must say I am sintrigued by it.

I have owned and shot all manner of Glocks and Beretta's and will not say bad things about them at all. But I would urge you to research the CZ line of pistols. They are exceedingly well made, highly reliable, and reasonably priced. I think that you will be pleased with what you find. Good shooting

 

[jercamp45]

Welcome!

Though 95% of the time I carry some form of 1911 in .45 acp(a Colt CCO is my current on and off duty piece), I have experimented with alot of the Nines over the years. Here's some of what I learned.
The Kahr...very sweet, small, thin pistol. Not the easiest for a beginner to manipulate the DAO trigger.....but a PM9 is one of the smallest Nines and it can be concealed in many ways! My girlfriend packs one, but she had alot of challenges learning the trigger.
The CZ's ARE Excellant. I have not played with the more compact versions that are out now. But the CZ 75 is a sweet pistol, inexpensive, reliable, and accurate. It can be combined with a Kadet .22 conversion unit too, but I have no idea if the kit will work on the midsized pistols.
Glocks work. The are chunky and do not fit my had well,but they are quite servicable pistol's, durable, reliable, and accurate enough.
Sigs are awesome! But most are a bit chunky for CCW.
Beretta? Far too large for the performance it delivers.
P7? Expensive, complicated, heavy. Unique manual of arms, thin, reliable and pretty accurate.
Keltec and Taurus compacts are OK, if that is all you can afford, but I'd get a CZ for the same general price.
No experience with Walther P99.
The S&W 3913 and 6906 were OK, but nothing to get excited about.
If I had to get a Nine to carry, I'd pick a CZ compact, but would later add a Kahr PM9 for deep concealment.
Jercamp45

 

[Rickstir]

I am a fairly large guy and I love my 92FS. I carry it IWB at 4:00 just behind my love handle. I usually weat a t-shirt tucked in and an over garment like a baseball jersey or a denim shirt open and out. Nobody has ever "made" me in this get up. I carry an extra mag on the opposite side. At 4:00 I can sit and not "clunk" on the chair arms. My holster is an Undercover by Orca Software. Love it.
I sometimes carry a Taurus 650 CIA in .357 also in the same brand of Orca holster styled for the snubby.

Welcome and good luck on your CCW.

 

[pittspilot]

My vote goes for my carry gun,

XD-9 subcompact. 11 rounds, (13 when the standard cap mags show up) of 9mm, has a grip safety to help with the Glock problem, cheaper, and is great to shoot.

 

[sigman69]

Any of the small glocks or a SIG P239 in 9mm....slim and accurate...