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Getting my CCW... What should I carry???
- Thread starter Pokey1
- Start date
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- May 23, 2011
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- 1,640
First thing is : Have you ever shot any handgun?
If so, what did you like or dislike about that experience? As far as fit and feel in your hand no one can tell you except yourself. While most of the suggestions here are good, if I were new to ccw I would go to the gun store closest to you with the most handguns in stock. Ask to look at whatever you have in mind, be it from this thread or your friends and family. Hold them in your hand and ask as many questions as possible. Maybe even write some down before you go to be prepared.Good luck and if you are ever over my way you can try some of mine at the range.
SEMPER-FI TIL I DIE
If so, what did you like or dislike about that experience? As far as fit and feel in your hand no one can tell you except yourself. While most of the suggestions here are good, if I were new to ccw I would go to the gun store closest to you with the most handguns in stock. Ask to look at whatever you have in mind, be it from this thread or your friends and family. Hold them in your hand and ask as many questions as possible. Maybe even write some down before you go to be prepared.Good luck and if you are ever over my way you can try some of mine at the range.
SEMPER-FI TIL I DIE
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2005
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- 154
One more thing. If you are going to carry in a belt holster, spend the money and get a "gun" belt. 1 1/2" is perfect. The beltman makes some high quality belts with lightning fast turnaround, but there are other good makers out there as well. If a good leather belt is out of your price range, then a reinforced wilderness belt is the next best thing. I promise you this will be money well spent.
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 ...
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.
He makes good sense.
Step 1) Learn to shoot
Step 2) Pick firearm
Step 3) Figure out how to carry it, if needed go back to step 2
Step 4) Repeat step 1 as much as possible
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Wow, you're the first I've seen to buy that Wilson Combat Spec Ops-9.
That gun is great, but for the price of it, there're other things I'd consider before plopping that much on a poly framed hand gun. I just can't do it. It does get very, very good reviews though.
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- Dec 6, 2005
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- 154
I had a $200 gift certificate, and I wanted it. There are other options like the HK, or STI, but the Wilson is well executed and performs great. I don't worry about it getting scratched up, and it is light weight. I like steel framed 1911's, but they can't do what the Wilson can do as a carry piece. I have a glock as well, can't be beat for the money, but it does not come close to having a trigger of a tuned 1911.
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Wasn't knocking you. It is a really fine piece. All of the Wilson Combats that I've handled were absolutely stellar. It's more of a mental block for me for the price of admission of the Spec Ops 9 and also because I prefer the heft of a steel framed despite currently owning a polymer framed handgun. I bet you get looks at the range all the time and people begging to try it. It's also a cool feeling to be the only one at the range with that firearm.
And you need no other reason to own something other than you want it.
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Can you tell me about this? Never seen one.
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- Dec 6, 2005
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- 154
Sure it is a Wilson Combat Spec Ops 9. M1911.org has some good reviews on it. The engraving on the side is "Elvish".
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2005
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- 154
It shoots great! Great trigger, positive reset. Fast to reload due to the large mag well. It has more muzzle flip than a steel gun. But it isn't bad. Sights work well. I haven't competed with it, but I will be taking a 4 day class in the spring which should test me and the pistol. It carries well. I can wear a dark t-shirt in the summer with no printing issues. Reassembly Is a bear the first time due to the spring, but once you know how it isn't a problem.
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- Jan 23, 2009
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Get a Commander or full size framed 1911 and some Busse grips
Busse makes 1911 grips?!?! Where can I get those? I have some simonich gunner grips now and I love them but I have to check out Busse grips
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+100
Personally I like an HKP7M8 (discussed merits in another post) or a 1911A1..
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Yup. They pop up occasionally during shows. You may want to call the shop and see if anything is available.
Tigerhide:
Snakeskin:
Tan:
Getting some great advice. Peter and Garth nailed it.
I carry a Kimber 1911cdp II in commander size frame. When I can't carry that, I throw a kahr pm9 in kydex in my shorts pocket. These are comfortable in my hand and comfortable to shoot ( the Kimber anyways, kahr not so much)
I use a ruger mark 2 to practice mainly. If you can, get a 22 variant of what you will carry. E.g. Get a 1911 with a 22 conversion, etc. This lets you get lots of shots down range with your weapon set-up.
There is no absolute wrong answer. There are some great revolver options and loads of autos.
The key to carrying is you have to carry. If you try to carry a full size pistol every day with 60 rounds and you hate it, then you won't carry it. A single shot 22 you have on you is more effective than the 45 on your dresser. As you look at options, ask yourself if this is practical and will I actually carry this?
You will find carry guns multiply. I have 5 potential carry guns and have narrowed it down to the 2 above based on my preferences.
Please don't carry a single shot 22
I carry a Kimber 1911cdp II in commander size frame. When I can't carry that, I throw a kahr pm9 in kydex in my shorts pocket. These are comfortable in my hand and comfortable to shoot ( the Kimber anyways, kahr not so much)
I use a ruger mark 2 to practice mainly. If you can, get a 22 variant of what you will carry. E.g. Get a 1911 with a 22 conversion, etc. This lets you get lots of shots down range with your weapon set-up.
There is no absolute wrong answer. There are some great revolver options and loads of autos.
The key to carrying is you have to carry. If you try to carry a full size pistol every day with 60 rounds and you hate it, then you won't carry it. A single shot 22 you have on you is more effective than the 45 on your dresser. As you look at options, ask yourself if this is practical and will I actually carry this?
You will find carry guns multiply. I have 5 potential carry guns and have narrowed it down to the 2 above based on my preferences.
Please don't carry a single shot 22