Time to start thinking about what I'm going to carry.

One handgun

  • Get the 1911 you have always wanted

    Votes: 38 43.2%

  • Get a practical subcompact you will be willing to carry

    Votes: 24 27.3%

  • Get something in between (glock,xd)

    Votes: 10 11.4%

  • Other suggestion

    Votes: 16 18.2%
  • Total voters
    88
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Z

zahc

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I turn the magical age in about six months, when I will be permitted by my benevolent government to posess and carry handguns. Of course, I will end up with a nice assortment of handguns. But I have a small toy budget and can only afford one in the short term.

I have always wanted a 1911, really badly. I could spring for a full size 1911, which I could then get a .22 conversion kit for, so I could shoot it a lot. It would be possible to carry.

I could get a small, concealable handgun for CCW, since I will probably not carry often with a large gun and any gun is better than no gun. Subcompact 9mm, 5 shot revolver, or smaller is going to be all I want to carry on this skinny frame. Which will not be fun to shoot at the range.

I could split the difference, and get a gun that is not comfortable to conceal OR shoot at the range, but usable for both.
 
I would get the hardest hitting, most comfortable to shoot, not the most expensive pistol in the world... because..

you want to have something that will do the job if need be.
you want something you can handle, and that it fits your hand good. and not the most expensive is because, of the wear the pistol will encounter once you start carrying it.

also if your involved in a shooting or perhaps using your weapon (maybe not shooting it but brandishing it and the mere pointing alleviates the situation..) be prepared to have it sit in police evidence for a while, which will mean it wont be getting cleaned, oiled, etc...

for me, I used to rotate, until I picked up a j frame revolver. It seems to become my primary carry piece.. lots of power .357, and very conceilable.
 
If you already know you aren't going to deal with any discomfort of carrying a full size pistol, then don't buy the 1911. I carry mine everyday (5") without trouble or bother. Good belt, good holster. If it's a worry then get something smaller like a sig 239 or a glock 19.
 
.44 special snubbie! Hits nearly as hard as a shortened .45 but doesn't grunt and snort as much. Small enough to pack and heavy enough to shoot! Plus you could always say you're taking the "Bulldog" out for a walk!
 
+1 on a G19 now.

Maybe save up and reward yourself with a nice 1911 down the road.
 
I voted other. It would depend on your budget. You can get reliable CCW pistols that are economical to feed for less than the majority of 1911 style pistols (before you start flaming, SA GI's, Armscor, and Norinco aren't the majority). They won't necessarily be chambered for .45ACP, but (shock, horror) other acceptable self defense calibers exist. The XD has a grip safety (same concept as 1911, probably different design), was more comfortable to me than the Glock, was a good shooter the one time I tried it. I felt it was too large for carry on my frame, and I didn't like shooting the subcompact version. I chose Makarovs initially because of the price, but now I have a Kahr K9. I prefer all metal construction. If you don't get a 1911, I'd suggest using some of your limited budget to rent a few sidearms and see what works best for you. It was money well spent for me.

jmm
 
Hi there Zahc,

I voted other.

The reason is that you and only you can decide what you feel comfortable carrying and need to find the best balance of caliber size, ammunition capacity, what you shoot the best with under stress, ergonomics and handling, and know what is "concealable" in your daily environment with respect to dress.

I would go to the local shooting range and shoot as many of the rental handguns as I can over the next couple of months and see what fufills the above criteria for your preferences. A handgun that you feel confident with concealing and shoot the best should be your consideration.

I won't recommend any calibres or brands, because my preferences will most likely not be the same as yours.

I have carried everything from sub compact "mouseguns" to full size SA semi-auto pistol and revolvers. I don't necessarily carry the same gun all of time, because the circumstances and enviroment changes.

When I took my SC CWP class and qualified, I did it with a handgun that was not my favorite, but one that fit the criteria of the above and wound up buying a completely different handgun from those I had previously owned.

Chris
 
Carolinaman has it right.......

buy for "best feel" when you hold it. If it's not comfortable, you won't use it.
DO NOT buy for caliber preference until you've shot that caliber.
Why would "John" buy a weapon for himself just because "Bill" preferred it?


I've carried a 1911-style with a 4" barrel for many, many years, but that doesn't mean it's the right one for you. Half the fun is the selection process.

Regards, Jay
 
Just my two cents, but if I were you I would get a handgun that's easy to carry and one you can afford to take to the range without the .22 conversion kit. The .22 conversion kit will not help you when shoot .45acp or 9mm.
carolinaman has some good advice trying out different rental guns.
Do some research on any future purchase you intend to make, a little time spent may save you some $$$ and grief later on.
 
"I have always wanted a 1911, really badly". You said it yourself! How BADLY do you want any other handgun?

None of us can make up YOUR mind when the cash hits the cash register! I've been in your predicament in the past, but I always decided on buying the #1 gun on my "wish list". The others would have to wait their turn.
 
I too voted "Other".

For carry I want the reliability of a revolver (S&W 686). I do, however, use a bottom feeder (S&W 4006) for my truck gun.

But that's what works for me. From your post I would suggest that you get the 1911 and go from there. :)

Good luck and be safe.
 
Another vote for "other"~!:uhoh:

As other's have said, "we can't decide whats best for you"; as only you
are the one that needs to decide that. There are a lot of valid points being
made. If your on a skinny frame, then IMHO the 1911 is not for you; right
now. More than likely, it would be left behind instead of being used as a
CCW. Good advice 'bout possibly renting as many as you can; then base
your decision on the out come~!:D
 
A compact 9MM would be a nice choice. CZ-75D PCR or Compact, Sig P239, Glock 19, XD-9 compact, HK P2000SK, are all good choices
 
Count me in for OTHER.

1st you will have to make the gun choice yourself based on feel and how well YOU shoot it but here are my personal observations.

You need a gun that is easy enough to grab and go whenever you leave the house, whether you are in shorts, just running to the store etc. This rules out lots of larger guns and their necessary anciallary gear such as leather, belts mag pouches etc. All that stuff is, quite frankly, a PITA to put on all the time.

You need a gun that has a sufficient, proven caliber. For me nothing less then .38 will do.

You need a gun that will be absolutely reliable if, GOD FORBID, you should ever need it.

You need a gun that will likely need to function at contact distance while being held at awkward angles. I doub't that by the time the assault is occuring you will be able to get in a textbook weaver or isosolese stance to engage.

Based on all of the above, MY PERSONAL choice is a J-Frame sized revolver. I personally think this is the best answer to the civillian CCW question ever given. Yes I would like to carry a larger gun with more ammo but the reality of MY PERSONAL situation is that 5 rounds plus a reload or two is way more then enough firepower for me. The most important thing about this type of gun is it is super easy for me to grab and always have with me. Always remember the first rule of a gunfight..........HAVE A GUN.

Now there are days I will carry a full size semi auto but I take the time to dress for it. Most of the time I carry something quick and easy to take along while still providing me with an ample caliber.

So that is my two cents. Now I am not a LEO, SWAT team member, SEAL TEAM 37.5 operator, or even all that bright. Heck I am about as high drag low speed as you can get. I just know what works for me. I hope my post just gives you more info to make your own personal choice.

Take care and shoot safe.

Chris

My most common carry gear.

080701.JPG


074606.JPG


Just to show that I am not a revolver snob......a little plastic fantastic. Also carried in a pocket when wearing loose shorts. Once again my primary thought is ease of carry to make sure I actually bring it with me.

076562.JPG
 
I say get the 1911 that you want. Plenty of carry options and a plethora of holsters available.

Jubei
 
Even though I'm not a "1911 guy" (...yet? :) ) I voted for you to get the 1911 you have always wanted.

It's just going to gnaw at you and take away some satisfaction from whatever you get if you get something else instead if the 1911 first.

This way, you'd have the 1911. And whatever you think now, you eventually will just need to give it a try for carry once you have it- because you can :D . But, once you have it, you may actually realize that it's perfectly fine for carry, and it's all good!

And if you find it too big instead, then after some time you'll eventually get something different- but a different gun that you'd appreciate more now that it's something you're actually actively looking for (due to experience), and since you'll have your 1911 craving already sated, you'll enjoy the new gun solely for what it is, and not pine for what it isn't- namely a 1911 (which you'd also have- ha, ha!).

.
 
Last edited:
Dear ZAHC

I have always wanted a 1911, really badly.
Click to expand...

If a 1911 is the gun of your dreams then - by all means - get one when you are of age. As to carrying a 1911 concealed it is not particularly difficult to carry one concealed if you will do what you have to do!:)

Now then, what you have to do is make those necessary adjustments to your dress to pull it off? First (and this is an absolute MUST) get a quality holster and gun belt to serve as your carry platform for a 1911 (or for any gun for that matter). Do not hesitate to buy quality here.

Do you plan on carrying IWB or OWB? If you carry IWB wear your pants a size larger (a little experimentation will help to get it just right). If OWB, what kind of overgarments will you be wearing? Jackets, untucked shirts, what?

If you are willing to think it out, plan it out, and make whatever concessions/decisions are necessary then you can effectively carry a 1911 (or nearly any gun) concealed. It is all up to you.
 
A Glock 27 or 29 is both easy to carry and easy to shoot and maintain. They carry a fair amount of rounds in nine or 40.
Hard to go wrong.
That 1911 would be fun at the range, but it does you no good for a ccw if you can't carry it.
Biker
 
I vote "other", buy you a Ruger SP101 in the 2 1/8" and losd it with 125 gr Remington Gold Sabre. It is concealable, carryable, enough weight to handle .357 mag recoil and the Remington are lower than normal recoil while producing solid performance. Pistol Toter
 
lots of good advice here

Much of it bought and paid for by bad choices made previously. My own journey--

--I had a P7 (loved it, but too big/heavy for 8 rounds of 9mm, plus it was worth way too much to ding it up)
--I had a G-23 (shoots great, dead reliable, but like carrying a small brick)
--I had a full size 1911 (like carrying a larger brick)
--I had an S&W 360PD Scandium (11 oz 357 mag, easy to carry, but the exposed hammer concerned me snag-wise and oh, did I mention it kicks "a bit"?)

Lately, Kahr PM-9. Just as small as the 360, nearly as light. 6+1 9mm+p, quick reload, dead reliable through the first 300 rounds. I like it enough that I may have to add a PM40 to the list--same size pistol, bigger bang.

9mm makes for cheap ammo and lots of practice.
38/357 can work almost as cheaply (especially if you reload)

'Course, you can do like a lot of us, and be a "serial owner" until you find the keeper. :rolleyes:

Good luck, enjoy, and be safe.
 
an sp101 in a 3 in config is reasonable enough to shoot at the range and still concealable. 38sp ammo is also very affordable. i got a bulk pack of ultramax (200 rounds) for like 40 dollars i think. if i were you, i would get a 22/45 from ruger, which go about 200 bucks, less if used, and maybe a used but not abused 38. i too want a full size 1911 for my first carry gun, but it just doesnt seem like its going to work out like that for me.
 
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