I love the cz75 series, but they are heavy. I just bought the sr9c and I really like it. I'm partial to having a safety (personal preference). 1911's are nice and more concealable than you think. My sig 938 is the most concealable even with the 7rd mag. Sp101 3" 357 also works well. Lots of choices out there.
What are your "Must-Try" guns for a new guy looking for ccw gun?
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rswartsell
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Colt Detective Special, Charter Arms .44 spl Bulldog.
+1. Kahr makes superb pistols. They were way ahead of the CCW market boom of the last few years.
giggitygiggity
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Ruger LCP and S&W 360PD.
cpt-t
Member
KHAR CW9 My Wife and I both carry one of these every day. Also a S&W 640-1 is a great CCW.
ken
ken
The HK P30 (and HK45c) are available with a LEM trigger that is basically a DAO trigger with a pull between 4-8lbs depending on the model type. Both those pistols are about the same size as a Glock 19 and are exceptionally nice to shoot. They also come in DA/SA styles.
Kel-Tec, Kel-Tec, Kel-Tec
I carry a Kel-Tec P3AT (.380) and my wife carries a Kel-Tec P-32. They both weigh under 8-ounces loaded and easily carry in your pocket.
The Ruger LCP is also a good pocket carry (although heavier than the Kel-Tec). Its internals are all Kel-Tec knock-off. Comparing cutaway drawings of the two, they are practically identical, internally.
I carry a Kel-Tec P3AT (.380) and my wife carries a Kel-Tec P-32. They both weigh under 8-ounces loaded and easily carry in your pocket.
The Ruger LCP is also a good pocket carry (although heavier than the Kel-Tec). Its internals are all Kel-Tec knock-off. Comparing cutaway drawings of the two, they are practically identical, internally.
Corpral_Agarn
Member
I like to try and carry the fullest size auto i can conceal/carry and i really like the safety of a DA/SA style pistol. It has no manual safety, so less to worry about when drawing and is still safe enough to carry. Also, there is no Accidental pulling of the trigger for that first shot. At 10lbs, you have to COMMIT to shooting something.
I carried a Sig p226 for a while but picked up a Sig 239 just for carry.
I like it a lot. Give one a try!
if you want tiny and DAO, then Kahr might be the way to go. You should certainly try one. stick with 9mm on those, though, because .40 and .45 cal have stiffer recoil.
I carried a Sig p226 for a while but picked up a Sig 239 just for carry.
I like it a lot. Give one a try!
if you want tiny and DAO, then Kahr might be the way to go. You should certainly try one. stick with 9mm on those, though, because .40 and .45 cal have stiffer recoil.
Carry the largest that you can conceal. My first CCW was a S&W Model 27, 6" N-frame .357. Favorite back then was a S&W 66 2.5". Moved on to 1911s, and carried them for 25-30 years.
Two years ago, I decided to learn to shoot Glocks. Tried the G19, and couldn't shoot it well. At the rangemaster's suggestion, I tried a G30 - and shot it very well. Bought one and never looked back.
After figuring out how to shoot a 9mm Glock (G34, in my case) I tried the same G19 out and can now shoot it to my standards for a CCW piece. It's not a 1911, so I had to develop a different grip to shoot it well.
If you decide on a G19, you might want to go with a G23 instead. It's the 40S&W version, but I bought a LW conversion barrel for 9mm.
My CCW is limited to three guns, and my choices are currently G30, G26, and G36. The G36 is getting dropped in favor of a Shield 9, as it conceals better. I shoot the G26 the best (very accurate and very fast), so if I were only going to have one, it would be the 26.
Shoot everything you can get your hands on. One will speak to you.
Two years ago, I decided to learn to shoot Glocks. Tried the G19, and couldn't shoot it well. At the rangemaster's suggestion, I tried a G30 - and shot it very well. Bought one and never looked back.
After figuring out how to shoot a 9mm Glock (G34, in my case) I tried the same G19 out and can now shoot it to my standards for a CCW piece. It's not a 1911, so I had to develop a different grip to shoot it well.
If you decide on a G19, you might want to go with a G23 instead. It's the 40S&W version, but I bought a LW conversion barrel for 9mm.
My CCW is limited to three guns, and my choices are currently G30, G26, and G36. The G36 is getting dropped in favor of a Shield 9, as it conceals better. I shoot the G26 the best (very accurate and very fast), so if I were only going to have one, it would be the 26.
Shoot everything you can get your hands on. One will speak to you.
mljdeckard
Member
I am hoping that the VLTOR Bren Ten actually comes to pass. I doubt I will buy one, but I've wanted to shoot one for, what, almost 30 years?
(I googled it for poops and giggles, looks like it's dead. The guy who was pushing it has left VLTOR.)
(I googled it for poops and giggles, looks like it's dead. The guy who was pushing it has left VLTOR.)
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MathurinKerbouchard
Member
CZ75 P-01 9mm
Thompson9494
Member
I'd look at the CZ 75B with the Kadet .22 conversion kit. The CZ 75B is completely solid and I have heard good things about the Kadet kit, though I do not own the Kadet kit, I do own the CZ 75 BD which replaces the thumb safety with a decocker.
My preference is Ruger's LCR (.38+p aluminum frame, 13oz wt) or KLCR (.357, stainless frame, 17oz wt) equipped with the Crimson Trace grip and loaded with good defensive .38+p ammo. I went with the KLCR just in case I ever want to use .357 for woods carry.
Unless you're really dedicated to CCW carrying a larger gun may get tiresome with having to consciously dress for concealed carry, where the small & very easy to carry LCR requires nothing more than a reasonable size pocket for concealment and is very easy to carry at all times. The simplicity of a DAO revolver can also be a great advantage in high stress situations. The ultimate "point & click" solution IMHO.
Though small snubbies aren't the easiest guns to shoot well I find the LCR far easier to shoot well than any small semi auto or any other small snubby I've tried. It's very good trigger helps enormously in shooting it well and the CT grip aids greatly in accurate shooting besides giving a tremendous edge in low light and a great means for training & practice without expending ammunition.
That's my pick & reasons why, as always, YMMV.
Unless you're really dedicated to CCW carrying a larger gun may get tiresome with having to consciously dress for concealed carry, where the small & very easy to carry LCR requires nothing more than a reasonable size pocket for concealment and is very easy to carry at all times. The simplicity of a DAO revolver can also be a great advantage in high stress situations. The ultimate "point & click" solution IMHO.
Though small snubbies aren't the easiest guns to shoot well I find the LCR far easier to shoot well than any small semi auto or any other small snubby I've tried. It's very good trigger helps enormously in shooting it well and the CT grip aids greatly in accurate shooting besides giving a tremendous edge in low light and a great means for training & practice without expending ammunition.
That's my pick & reasons why, as always, YMMV.
Doc7
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(Deleted post to avoid derailing thread after I realized it was controversial)
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They're just another tool in the toolbox, and those with less than perfect eyes appreciate the option. They also appear to increase performance the smaller the gun (for example, the Ruger LCP's pitiful sights).
That being said, I wouldn't even consider one until you've mastered plain old iron sights, with some point shooting to boot.
If im in your shoes looking for both a 22lr practice piece and a ccw, my search would begin and end with the ruger lcr. I'd pick one up in 22 and 357 and call it done. Its a perfect combo as you would be practcing on the same platform as your carry.
I agree with the above. Try full sized first.
Decide revolver vs. semi-auto first. Start w/a 4" DA revolver (e.g. S&W Model 10). Don't try a 2" snub nose first. They are much less pleasant to shoot and may prematurely turn you off of revolvers. I have seen this happen before. A 4" revolver is one of my favorite guns to shoot, but a 2" snub nose is quite different. There are also 3" options that split the difference. If possible, you can get a .357 mag so that you have the option of shooting both .38 spl and .357 mag if you so choose.
For semi-autos, decide if you like steel, alloy (aluminum), or polymer frames and striker fired (Glock, XD, etc.) or hammer fired (e.g. 1911, CZ 75). Steel frames (e.g. CZ 75) absorb recoil, but are heavier. Alloy frames are lighter (e.g. CZ P-01 or PCR). Polymer frames are light, as well (e.g. XD, Glock 17).
Once you try full sized, you can try some of the compacts (e.g. Glock 19, CZ PCR), sub-compacts (e.g. Glock 26, CZ 2075 RAMI), and mouse guns (e.g. Kel-Tec P3AT, Ruger LCR, etc.). Of the small guns, I would definitely try the Kahr PM9 or CM9. They are single stack, small, and light. They are easy to carry, but more powerful and easy to shoot than the .380 mouse guns (P3AT and LCR, for example).
Another gun I would take a hard look at if you can find one is the H&K P7. The PSP (not the M8) version is cheaper, and it has no controls to snag. It's a smooth, snag free carry gun with a great safety mechanism (squeeze grip safety). It's a bit on the heavy side, but it's very accurate as it has a fixed barrel (not locked breech like a lot of modern semi-autos over .380 ACP). The fixed barrel design allows a good amount of barrel length for the size of the gun, and the design also makes for a very small slide profile, which is good for carry. It's very easy to field strip, as well. With a good holster, the P7 is a great option. It also satisfies most crazy gun control law capacity limits as it's 8+1 capacity single stack.
Decide if you like manual safeties (i.e. something you have to remember to flip off when the SHTF, so you have to practice until it's instinctive) or whether you like decockers or no external safeties (i.e. nothing to worry about but squeezing the trigger if the SHTF).
A lot depends on what kind of clothing you'll be wearing, the temperature, what style of carry you plan on using (pocket, IWB, OWB, shoulder holster, etc.). You will likely eventually get more than one carry gun as a result. It depends on a lot of the factors above.
Caliber is a whole other debate, but I generally suggest 9 mm as a starter b/c ammo is cheaper and usually more plentiful (though not now, obviously). From there you can branch out in calibers.
Great suggestion. Then you use the same frame, grip, and trigger to practice. Both are deadly accurate, great guns. Probably hard to use as your first carry gun until you get used to how to conceal a full sized gun, though. You could go the CZ PCR route (shorter barrel & slide, lighter frame). Realistically, I don't think a carry gun needs a rail. That's why I say PCR over P-01. Smoother, narrower contour and no rail to snag your clothing.
The first time you carry, you will feel very awkward and think everyone notices your gun, but they don't. As you get more used to it, it becomes incredibly easy. Definitely invest in a good holster, though. Worth its weight in gold.
Resist Evil
Member
I went through a thunder bucket full of handguns before concluding, after roughly thirty years (slow learner) of shooting and carrying different ones, that the 1911-style platform is the best for me. That epiphany occurred about fifteen years ago. I've been fortunate to have owned 5", 4.25", and 3" barreled models in steel and aluminum frames, full-size and compact frames, and all but one in .45acp at prices that have run from $600-$3000.
Since then, the only time I thought about straying was with a Springfield XDs as she seemed to fill out a sweater very nicely, but the sudden advent of unemployment made me throw away her number before I asked her out.
All of that to say, I hope you'll try to shoot a 1911, if you can, before you decide what to carry.
Since then, the only time I thought about straying was with a Springfield XDs as she seemed to fill out a sweater very nicely, but the sudden advent of unemployment made me throw away her number before I asked her out.
All of that to say, I hope you'll try to shoot a 1911, if you can, before you decide what to carry.
JustinJ
Member
The first thing to do is be pragmatic as to how big of a gun you are actually willing to carry. The smaller the gun, the less of a hassle. Determine how you plan to carry, IWB, OWB, pocket, etc. This can be a major factor as well in how likely you are to continue carrying. Can you carry at work or will you have to arm after you leave each day? If so, a pocket gun maybe ideal. My primary gun is an HK P2000sk which i believe is the finest subcompact on the market although it is a double stack so too wide for pocket carry. I prefer OWB. In reality though, i carry a Ruger LC9 more often because I can't carry at work so after i get off the LC9 slips easily into my front pocket as i wear khakis to work. At the end of the day, caliber, fancy sights and a crisp trigger mean nothing if the gun isn't on you so ease of carry should be a top concern.
gunnerh
Member
The M&P compacts are a super. My cool weather carry now is compact in .45 Yes , it is too much gun, I carry it anyway. Hot weather, an old .38 Colt Agent I have carry since early 70's. The M&P's are in good supply at good prices in my part of Texas.
See if you can rent a M&Pc in .45 and the M&P 22. try them out. The M&P seem to be soft shooters.
See if you can rent a M&Pc in .45 and the M&P 22. try them out. The M&P seem to be soft shooters.
JohnBiltz
Member
I've been carrying a Glock G26 for the last 4 years. I always recommend the same 3 things; Ruger, Glock, M&P. Since you asking for CCW the subcompact versions. Pesonally, I can't shoot the small .380 accurately and certainly don't enjoy practicing with them. I think the subcompacts just get it right in terms of handling and carry size and weight. The 1911 I don't believe is a good gun for a beginner, more of an experts gun.
toivo
Member
Besides the ones already mentioned, you can get the SIG P232 (.380) in DAO as an option. You might have to order it, though -- you don't see many of those on the market.
Look, Ma! No decocker!
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Archaic Weapon
member
I like the Taurus .357 Magnum or .38 Special lines. I own a 6" Model 66 and a 5 shot 2". The full size kicks like a .22 Magnum shooting 158gr factory loads. The 2" is manageable in .357, but not altogether pleasant(a point I am fine with; if it hurts me, it hurts them). In .38 Special, the snubbie is pleasant, and exceptionally hard to beat for the price.
peacemaker45
Member
I generally suggest that people learn to shoot on a .22 target pistol, like a Ruger MKIII or 22/45, or Browning Buckmark. Once they've got a solid grounding in the fundamentals, to rent and try a full sized example of each of the major platforms.
To my mind those are, in no particular order:
In doing so, they are bound to find one that they particularly like. Ideally, they'd then buy that gun as range gun, training gun, and game gun, and its little brother (as in Commander or Officers for 1911, G19 or G26 for the Glock, etc) as carry gun.
That way there's a smooth progression from .22, to big, relatively easy to shoot center fire, to eventually arrive at a more portable gun with the same manual of arms they've been learning on.
People actually do this far less often than I'd like. The end result is that they buy a small, hard to shoot carry special first, learn to shoot it somewhat, but plateau in their skill development, and finally have to train away all their bad habits on the other platforms. This means they have to work about nine times as hard to build the same skill set as a person who built in an orderly, reasonable way.
To my mind those are, in no particular order:
- A modern 1911
- A Glock 17
- An S+W M+P9
- Springfield XD9
- A CZ 75b
- S+W K- frame
- Ruger GP100
- The full size Sig, whatever model that is.
In doing so, they are bound to find one that they particularly like. Ideally, they'd then buy that gun as range gun, training gun, and game gun, and its little brother (as in Commander or Officers for 1911, G19 or G26 for the Glock, etc) as carry gun.
That way there's a smooth progression from .22, to big, relatively easy to shoot center fire, to eventually arrive at a more portable gun with the same manual of arms they've been learning on.
People actually do this far less often than I'd like. The end result is that they buy a small, hard to shoot carry special first, learn to shoot it somewhat, but plateau in their skill development, and finally have to train away all their bad habits on the other platforms. This means they have to work about nine times as hard to build the same skill set as a person who built in an orderly, reasonable way.
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