What would YOU carry, and why?

[Cousin Mike]

So, the name of the thread says it all...

Here's the story. The girlfriend and I are looking at several different guns for carry. I've been carrying full sized guns, and would like to try something small for a change. She's been buying compact guns, but she now wants something other than a 9mm. We've decided that we'll both get the exact same gun - compatible mags and ammo sounds like a good idea.

She likes to shoot .45ACP and .357Sig the best of everything she's tried so far, and that's great. Those are my 2 favorite calibers for autoloaders. So, of the guns listed above - if it were your money to spend - which would you go with, and why? Remember, before you tell me:

"Let her choose,"

These are HER 5 choices... I'm just along for the ride. Thankfully, she's got good taste.

Thanks all!

 

[cslinger]

Personally I would go with a Model 60 Smith in .357 Magnum. Why go with the .357 wannabe when you can have the real thing in a much more concealable package but I digress.

That being said I say Glock 30. Reasonably concealable, good caliber, good capacity with 11 rounds, very reliable, abuse resistent, not stupid expensive., cheap magazines. Seems like a good all around choice.

I still think the J Frame sized revolver is the the best answer to the question and has been for going on 40 years or so but that is just me.

Normally I am a SIG guy through and through but feel the P239 is better in .40. To be completely honest I feel if you want to go .357 SIG you are better off with Hot 9mm. You get more capacity and 99% of the capability.

Chris

 

[Geronimo45]

Edited to be relevant to thread.

I'd go for a Para - think they have higher capacity. Springfield would be a close second. I think everything you listed is a pretty good gun, but I consider HKs and Sigs to be awfully bland for the price you shell out.

 

[pax]

I'd cross off the Sig and the Warthog, both too big for my hands.

As a longtime Glock fan, I'd probably end up with the G30, but wouldn't have any heartburn if my honey voted to go with either of the others instead. My preference for the G30 would be a simple matter of simple matters -- one type of trigger pulls, no levers or switches anywhere, just pure shooting goodness.

I'd also favor the .45 over the .357 sig just because of ammunition availability. I'd hate to get stuck out of town on a long weekend, have a chance to visit a range unexpectedly, and be unable to pick up ammunition on my way through town.

pax

 

[cslinger]

Ohh and since this is a "What would I carry?" here is what I would carry.....

 

[Geronimo45]

cslinger: what? No NV goggles?

 

[cslinger]

Keep those in the car with the laser designator and satellite phone.

 

[Cousin Mike]

To be completely honest I feel if you want to go .357 SIG you are better off with Hot 9mm.

LOL... I just watched one of those Red Stripe commercials, and read your post, and I thought...

"Booooooooooooo 9 millimeter!!

Hoooooorraaaaaaay .357 Sig!!"



I love the .357 Sig... I also love the .357 Magnum, and originally that's what she wanted to carry... until she shot mine. She had her Ladysmith all picked out - then she fired mine and it kicked her butt.

And besides, I've seen the .357Sig do some pretty crazy sh*t in ballistic gel tests... I don't buy the "hot 9mm is just as good" argument, the very best and hottest 9mm still falls short of practice loads for .357 Sig. When I see a 9mm load break the plywood holding plates, I'll start packing my Beretta again.

And probably the most relevant point I'll make all day:

She's been packing 9mm's for a long time. She wants a .357 Sig or a .45, so that's what we're going with - this one's her choice. I just like having a good excuse to buy new guns.

FWIW, I'm also a Sig guy, but the G30 is also my favorite on the list. We seem to be deadlocked, so that's why I started the poll... Maybe we'll just let the good folks of THR decide this one for us.

 

[Black Majik]

Hey Mike,

Take a look at a XD in subcompact flavor. While most polymer subcompacts are great, what sucks is the finger grooves with the pinky finger hanging off of most guns (Glock 26/27/33) or the P2000SK

The P2000 SK and Glocks both have finger grooves for two fingers, with an extended finger groove mag extension to fit three fingers. Once that happens, you might as well just get a compact size Glock (G19/23/32) or a P2000.

That's why I prefer the XD subcompacts. They're polymer without the funky fingergrooves that only fit 2 fingers on the grips. Of course YMMV.

Also, I personally don't trust any 1911 shorter than a 4.25" barrel. As much as I love 1911s, that would be the first to be tossed from the selection.

Good luck!

 

[Josh Aston]

I'd take the Springfield Micro. It's what I already carry. I don't like the grip on the warthog, too short. The Glock is way too chunky. Never been a big fan of Sigs or HKs. Plus the Springfield can actually be fitted to the individual shooter by changing grips, MSHs, triggers, etc. That way you can carry the same gun, be familiar with the operation of the others gun just in case, but still have something that fits your hand.

 

[Cousin Mike]

Also, I personally don't trust any 1911 shorter than a 4.25" barrel. As much as I love 1911s, that would be the first to be tossed from the selection.

OUCH!!!

You're breaking my heart, Rich! That Springer was definitely #2 on my list, with the Para being #3.

But, I value your opinions, as THE man who made me want a 1911 in the first place

Is it just barrel length, or is there something else I'm not aware of when it comes to the sub-micro-xxxtra compact 1911's? Does size affect reliability?

As for the compact Glocks rather than sub-compact, I thought about that myself. We'll have to check out the store tomorrow and see how they fit my girlfriend. She seems to think a compact might be a tad too large to conceal well given her body shape. I disagree, but what do I know?

One thing I think is odd though, I DO like the way the G30 fits in my hand better than any other Glock I've ever sampled. I have gorilla hands. My girlfriend loves it, she has small, thin hands w/short thumbs. My cousin owns a G27, he's got thick, chubby hands, and he loves it as well.. Those tiny little Glocks just seem to fit everyone's hands.

 

[C-grunt]

I chose the G30 for two reasons.

1. I think that tiny 1911s are more prone to malfunctions...this is my own personal experiences.

2. I dont care for the .357Sig for the reasons of price and availability. Most gun stores will carry it, but old Murphy will make sure that when you need more ammo, there wont be any around. In my experience, any place that sells bullets, has .45ACP.

 

[Cueball]

I would go with either the H&K or the SIG because of their absolute reliability. I'm a lefty so the H&K controls are better suited to me than the SIG, I'd go with the one out of the two that feels best in her hands.

 

[Cousin Mike]

C-grunt and pax, I am definitely starting to come to your way of thinking with the .357 Sig and ammo availability when travelling. I'll bring this up to the girlfriend and see what she thinks about it. I did promise to get whatever she wants though.. If it were up to me, we'd be getting a couple of solid commander length Para's, or Springer 1911's.

I'm a lefty so the H&K controls are better suited to me than the SIG

This is also a big reason my GF is looking at the H&Ks.. They're lefty-friendly - although the little 1911's have ambi-safeties, which is nice. That's also the reason that the H&K might ultimately win this contest, regardless of what the poll outcome is. She's been wanting a lefty-gun for a long time now.

 

[SAG0282]

P239......flawless reliability, elegant design with no-snag exterior, great punch in a package virtually any woman could find sized appropriately. Oh and tons of panache.

 

[pax]

Mike ~

Gun fit really matters on a carry gun, since if you ever need to use it you'll be using it under less-than-ideal conditions. Make sure that whatever you choose fits your girlfriend's hands rather than yours -- it is far easier to quickly and accurately shoot a gun that is too small than one that is too big.

pax

 

[Cousin Mike]

Hey pax! I'm just the messenger for this one. She's busy watching TV - so I'm trying to take the initiative and get some of these questions we still have answered... so we can settle this question once and for all, and go get our new guns!

This poll is strictly to give me a little idea of what other folks think... I'm having trouble coming up with reasons why any of these are better than the other, except for the old "capacity rules" argument. We keep going back and forth so much, it would be silly to even attempt the final decision without some help. I think we've come to all the conclusions we're likely to come to on our own, and she still has no idea what she wants.

She picked all these guns, and her choice will definitely be the last word. I do agree that what she likes is much more important for this deal - and you make a good point about it being easier for me to adjust to a smaller gun. Also, she's pretty picky about her guns...

Me? I'm easy. I just like everything!

 

[pax]

Mike ~

I think you may have heard me wrong. I didn't say "let her choose" -- I understood that the list was one you'd jointly agreed on, and that these are all guns she likes.

What I said was, make sure the gun actually fits her hand.

Not quite the same thing...

pax

 

[Cousin Mike]

Oh

Sorry 'bout that! We've got a trip to the gunstore planned for tomorrow for that expressed purpose... I've held Para's, and they fit my hands nicely, but she hasn't... and I think they might be a little wide for her. I also don't believe she's gotten her hands on an H&K yet either. The other guns she's held and knows she likes. I think the real list might be shorter tomorrow. I'll be sure to let you know if she acquires a new favorite. Right now she's got her mind set on one of those teeny little 1911's.

I guarantee it'll change tomorrow.

 

[Ala Dan]

Glock 30, cuz I'm a .45 ACP type person and Glocks are known too work~!

 

[denfoote]

Based on frame size and operating system, I would have to (gack, choke, Lordy Jesus, I hate to admit this) choose the Sig!!!! :banghead:

 

[possum]

I will reccomend the h&k p2000 or the sig but I personally would go with .40cal. but I love the .40 and never plan to buy another gun in any other caliber, just to keep reloading simple. For the price of ammo and valiablity like was stated before. You could look at the sig in .40 and get a .357sig barrel for little more, if you definetly want a .357sig and then you have two guns in one.

 

[TexasRifleman]

I carry the P239 in .357 Sig every day. Love it.

 

[rich52us]

G 30 for me

A while back I decided I wanted to move up from 9mm to .45 ACP as my primary cary. After renting and shooting a number of carry sized .45s, I opted for the G 30. I shoot well with it. I am partial to Glock and the consistant trigger, reliability, simplicity, durability, etc. For me the G 30 is a great combination of firepower v. concealability. It is riding comfortably right now in a Crossbreed IW holster on my strong side hip. It is accurate and controlable, even in rapid fire. The modern .45 ACP JHPs are effective SD rds. Enjoy whatever you choose.

 

[Manedwolf]

In .45, might want to take a look at the Taurus MilPro PT-745, too. I rec the 745SS in stainless. Tiny, thin, light, (20oz unloaded) hard to believe it's a .45. Also accurate as all hell, if you're not prone to a DAO flinch.