Getting my CCW... What should I carry???

harkamus said:
If you look around you can find an LCP for 260ish.
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I think the problem with an LCP though is that they are not fun to shoot. At all. If you are a new shooter you should get something that you are going to want to spend some time with and get comfortable with. Something you are going to want to put a lot of rounds through. I hardly ever shoot my LCP.
 
bobbystoney said:
I think the problem with an LCP though is that they are not fun to shoot. At all. If you are a new shooter you should get something that you are going to want to spend some time with and get comfortable with. Something you are going to want to put a lot of rounds through. I hardly ever shoot my LCP.
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I totally agree. I was just saying. I'm with you on not starting a new shooter on a compact or subcompact. Recoil on a smaller frame is going to be that much more compared to a full size. Also, the trigger pull is gonna play a bigger key on small frames. Even a 4 pound trigger pull, while light, is gonna be much more difficult to pull smoothly on a gun that weighs 16 ounces. That means the shooter has to pull a trigger that's 4x the weight of the gun itself, which makes jerking the trigger that much easier, throwing the shot off, which could mean serious trouble if it happens during a situation.

Small is good but not if you suck at shooting it or don't want to shoot it because it hurts your wrist. Personally, if size were a concern for me, I'd pick a shorter barreled hand gun that still has a full size grip. I think XDs have a few models like that.

Then again, I'm of the type that will just bear the burden in order to have a full size.
 
bobbystoney said:
I think the problem with an LCP though is that they are not fun to shoot. At all. If you are a new shooter you should get something that you are going to want to spend some time with and get comfortable with. Something you are going to want to put a lot of rounds through. I hardly ever shoot my LCP.
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Yep, they are pretty awful. "Get a LCP" is almost as popular to say as "Get a Glock".

harkamus said:
I totally agree. I was just saying. I'm with you on not starting a new shooter on a compact or subcompact. Recoil on a smaller frame is going to be that much more compared to a full size. Also, the trigger pull is gonna play a bigger key on small frames. Even a 4 pound trigger pull, while light, is gonna be much more difficult to pull smoothly on a gun that weighs 16 ounces. That means the shooter has to pull a trigger that's 4x the weight of the gun itself, which makes jerking the trigger that much easier, throwing the shot off, which could mean serious trouble if it happens during a situation.

Small is good but not if you suck at shooting it or don't want to shoot it because it hurts your wrist. Personally, if size were a concern for me, I'd pick a shorter barreled hand gun that still has a full size grip. I think XDs have a few models like that.

Then again, I'm of the type that will just bear the burden in order to have a full size.
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Not all subcompacts have a long trigger pull.
 
I think the Lcp is a good gun for an experienced shooter. Don't think I would recommend it for a novice shooter. In my opinion it has a pretty good SNAP to it when it goes off. Just my opinion. No disrespect to the Lcp fans out there.

Garth
 
Yep. No argument. The LCP and similar do require more range time and experience. Better for the new shooter who wants a pocket pistol to go with something a little heavier to soak up the recoil. I've tried and like very much, but don't own a Sig P238 and Kahr P380. Both solid, well built, accurate, fun, but a little larger and much more pricey. I still prefer 9 mm for CC, but those smaller 380's are just about invisible and open up a lot of opportunity to carry when something larger is out of the question. Guns are like Busses. You can never have enough!

bobbystoney said:
I think the problem with an LCP though is that they are not fun to shoot. At all. If you are a new shooter you should get something that you are going to want to spend some time with and get comfortable with. Something you are going to want to put a lot of rounds through. I hardly ever shoot my LCP.
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Pokey1 said:
LOL Wow, Thanks for the offer!! That is entirely too generous of you:D
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No really, not too much at all, being the Original INFI Hog, I've learned to be "Way" Generous over the years ;)

Pokey, if you come to Indy this weekend I'll bring you some excellent guns to check out and we can go shopping to see whats out there.

You'll need a carry piece when we go out to visit Skunk and go rafting later this year, maybe we can talk him into going out for breakfast again at the Hunting Lodge. :)
 
I'm a revolver fan for a less experienced shooter for alot of reasons. I'd buy 2 of the same gun in the same frame/grip in a short and longer barrel lengths. 357/38 or just 38 to save a couple ounces. You'll have a nice practice/target/woods gun and a concealable version that you'll be real familiar with. Just my two cents.
jody
DUM VIVAMUS VIVAMUS
 
Garth Reckner said:
Try everything you can get your hands on. What feels good to me may be horrible for you. After shooting as many different firearms as you can base you choice off what feels good in your hand and what you feel safe and comfortable with. Choose a caliber that you trust to defend yourself with, but also something that you enjoy shooting. If you choose something that is uncomfortable for you to shoot then you will not want to shoot it often enough to stay proficient.

You have an open invitation to shoot anything I have to see if something feels right to you. The most important thing is that it works for you.

Garth
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You can't get better advice than that. Listen to Garth.
 
Hi Pokey1,

I have a Kimber Ultra Carry II and a ruger LCP that work well. I also carried a Springfield Champion, but as mentioned here, in the summer, it was just too big to conceal for me.

Please also pay attention to Ira's and others comments about being trained and confident in your skills and judgement. To become a new gun owner and concealed carry permit holder at the same time means you have a profoundly steep learning curve.
 
I have a KelTec P3AT in my pocket right now. Anuything bigger would have stayed at home. A 1911 is nice (I have a Kimber Ultracarry in the safe), but the best one to have is the one you'll have with you.
 
Jerry Busse said:
As your boss, I can only recommend either a Super Soaker or a Paintball gun . . . .

The ones with bullets make me nervous. . . .

Jerry
.
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Don't listen to him. You need some real firepower. You need the Oozinator!


[video=youtube;YdAIt4MgnHc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdAIt4MgnHc[/video]
 
LOL well thanks for at least giving me the next level up from a squirt gun!!!:thumbup:!
 
One thing that has'nt been said is that if your shooting skills need to be developed from the position of being a novice then is it sensible to get a "first gun" which is difficult to shoot ... or get a "first gun" which is going to enable you to learn how to shoot ... because many of the suggested pistols such as short snub nosed revolvers or compact 9mm's are some of the hardest guns to shoot ... accurately ... and if you don't have confidence ... or pick up "fears" of recoil and muzzle flash ... not to mention "noise" because you won't have ear defenders on when carrying a pistol for real ... and some element of shooting the pistol without "pods" on needs to be part of any sensible CCW "practise" ... the liklihood of getting off on the wrong foot is high.

On the other hand ... you have a far better chance of defending yourself with a pistol you have confidence in that you can shoot ... because it is only "hits" that ultimately work in your favour ...

Mention has been made of crimson trace grips ... or laser sights ... and these are an excellent aid to working out where your "starting point" would be ... not by way of "aiming" with them but by way of watching how the dot moved on the target whilst you were shooting. It would show you how you controlled recoil ... how steadily you held the gun ... and from a defensive and learning point of view will give an indication of what is working for you.

Some may say that a self defence situation is likely to be 4-6 feet away from you ... and if you practise at this distance any large calibre gun is likely to give you "some" good solid "hits" ...

If however you start to learn by going to a range and a lot of shooting is at 20 to 25 yards and you cannot hit the paper well ... what is that going to do to your confidence and are you likely to want to carry that gun if you feel "I can't shoot it well"...

The good advice about try before you buy is excellent here ... and if you can try them and see how well the gun points and can be controlled ... then go from there and don't be afraid you might be making the wrong choice if a light weight .22 is the gun you can shoot best to start with. "Hits" are what count ... and developing skill ... I have used and still would use a .22 ...

picgfsruger22.jpg


Granted as a soldier I used it in more of an "offensive" role than "defensive" ... and the fact it is silent and I could carry a lot of rounds for a light weight penalty was why I liked it ... but it does work ! And it is a small compact package ...

In the States moderated weapons carry a $200 fee which needs paying for the privilidge (as a one off payment) but they are legal in Ohio ... and they do eliminate noise and recoil ... and for a first gun make a lot of sense.
 
Pokey1 said:
Hey guys!!

I am sure that everyone here knows a lot more about guns than I do :D

I am getting my CCW here within the next couple months, and I don't know what kind of gun to start out with...

Please let me know what you guys think!


Any and all suggestions will be appreciated!!!!:thumbup:
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That's easy, go with a nickle plated 6" Colt python.

You'll never regret purchasing it.
 
get a .22 - it's a cheap way to learn how to shoot without developing any bad habits like flinching.
on top of that, I agree with all the folks who are suggesting time trying out as many different handguns as you can get your hands on.
For a revolver, check out the surplus K-frame S&W police turn-ins. they can be had for a song and can be found in .357 or .38. (model 10, 19, original M&P, 64, 65, etc...)
 
Hey Pokey1,

Try all the smaller guns and pull those triggers. If you buy a smaller gun you are more likely to CARRY it with you. Go with a .380 or bigger. Auto's are nice and with a little practice there will be no difference in whatever gun you shoot. There's a bunch of guns out there similar in size but all with trigger pulls that are different. See what works for you. The 1911's have sweet triggers that pull when you whisper "Bad Guy" and there are some guns that require both hands to trip the trigger. Figure out then where you're gonna carry it so you can practice(empty gun- no mag) pulling it out and dry firing at an imaginary target. That CCW license means a whole new set of skills and responsibilities. Good Luck!
 
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