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

[420Stainless]

You should follow your head and your heart. I am only posting what would tempt me if I were suddenly starting from scratch today.

If I were new to the market, I would be very tempted to get something easy to carry. My needs in this area are already served well by a PPKS and Taurus 85 all-steel. The new breeds: PM9, PM40, P11, P3AT, G26, G27, lightweight snubnoses, etc., all offer more power with less weight. Probably not good choices if you are also a novice shooter as well as a new owner. But suitable for most defensive purposes if you are an experienced shooter.

 

[cz75bdneos22]

looks like you've eliminated revolvers..so i won't go there.
if set on auto, i'd go for reliability test. if you can run 500 rnd nonstop without a hiccup out of a gun out-of-the box stock. i say you got a winner. having said that i would go with a glock. i know, i was a glock hater once, but i learned my lesson. once is all it takes with me. i'd rather learn from other's mistakes, than my own..especially when it concerns your life. YMMV no excuses about, it was the mag, grip, limp wristed, ammo,polish this... whatever. .excuses are like,... well you know the rest of the quote...shame on y'all..

 

[AStone]

Hi there,

I wanted to add that this is what is with me "always" 24/7:

<followed by a pic of a SW Airweight>

If that's a 642, then +2. I'll have mine in 2 or 3 days.

If it's a 640, then +1. Still, a great ccw gun, but more weight than i want to carry, and more recoil than i want to deal with.

Repeat after me: shot placement, shot placement, shot placement.

Nem

 

[Mad Chemist]

.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!

I love mine but I would not recomend this caliber to a new shooter on a tight budget. The ammo is very expensive($20/box)and unless you roll your own, the cost of practicing is prohibitive.

Go with a 9. It's the cheapest centerfire pistol ammo and available everywhere.
The most important thing for a new pistolero is practice and training.

.357/.38 is also another good option if wheelguns are more appealing to you.

 

[AStone]

Go with a 9.

+3.

Remember this <mantra>: shot placement, shot placement, shot placement.

Nem

 

[MrChicken]

Since you have lots of time to look, look for a 1911 in 9mm. Springfield still makes them and Colt made some really nice ones some years ago. 9mm ammo is cheap, and is a good defensive caliber with the proper ammo selection. It's also a real easy shooter in a 1911.

It's not hard to conceal a 1911, with a good IWB like Milt Sparks VM-II almost anybody can conceal a 1811. Nobody has ever spotted my wife's ProCarry and she's about 5 foot nuthin tall.