pistol suggestions please

Personally I would recommend a Sig. If you have the money they sell a system now that converts between fullsize, midsize, and compact and as others have suggested some models can be reconfigured for several calibers.

That being said you need to find something that fits your hand, that you can shoot, that you can conceal with your body type and usual clothing, and will do the job you need it to do.

I'm 6'0 (some say I'm taller but I only claim 6' even) and weigh 430 pounds. IWB doesn't work for me but I can hide a Sig 229 or Beretta 96D Brigadeer behind my hip and no one is the wiser. I can also drop a Taurus 605 in a cargo pocket in a pocket holster with the same effect. YMW(will)V.
 
Im a beretta nut...certified nut... But im not a big fan of ccw'n a beretta. Here is what I carry: springfield EMP.40 and a keltec p3at.. The keltec was a gift and I hate tupperware guns but this little gun is quite nice. All my pants I have sewen in a little "coin" pocket inside the regular pocket that I carry the keltec in makes a nice little holster inside the pocket. Just remember when buying gear that you rely on to save your life with one day... Dont shop in the bargin section, and 2 is 1 and 1 is none... Have a backup!!! Also train alot. Have a friend load your mags and tell him to sneek in a snap cap or 2 for failure drills like tap rack roll or ditch and go to backup. I can not stress the importance of muscle memory and training.

Sorry for the diatribe.

Beretta,sig( use loctite on grip screws), glock,springfeild, keltec,HK and S&W are all great choices... Im not a huge ruger fan I think they need to stick with wheel guns ( their revolvers are nice I carry a old vaquero sheriff on sundays)
 
maxamisprime said:
So I'm going for my pistol permit and was hoping for suggestions on what to buy I want some thing compact enough to conceled carry but still fun to shoot I want some thing for home and self defence that isn't going to break the bank but will still be reliable
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Recommed the Glock 19 or 26
 
Try the Glock 19 or 26. Both 9mm, the 26 is a little smaller. I have had both and keep coming back to the Glock 19.
 
Of my Glock 19, Ruger SP-101 and Ruger LCP, if I could only have ONE for use as you describe for "all purpose", it would be the Glock 19 (for what it's worth).

The LCP is the easiest to carry (by far), but limited rounds, power, and not fun to shoot at the range. The SP-101 is bigger power that carrys fairly well but heavy with limited rounds, and it isn't great at the range either (especially with .357 mags). The Glock carrys fairly well, lots of capacity, and it's a blast to shoot at the range.

If I could only own just ONE, I'd keep my Glock 19.
 
I have several pistols/revolvers. It’s really hard to give a recommendation as many here have said that you really need to get them in hand and a few rounds down range.

I’ll start with a concealable revolver which is one of the criteria you wanted in a gun. Most revolvers are a joy to shoot at the range, but not always the most concealable for their size. When you get to the more compact J-Frames, they are tremendous self-defense guns; simple, compact and .38/.357 have some potent loads. However, putting several rounds through one on the range can be pretty punishing…just my experience.

When it comes to autoloaders, figure out what your budget is and start getting your hands on several. For serious self defense and enjoyable range practice, I would recommend 9mm and .40S&W. I would add .45ACP as well, but those often push the size bigger or smaller for more of a handful for concealment. There will always be exceptions, but just my two-cents.

There are several decent autoloaders (both 9mm/.40S&W) that are potential options:

Glock
Springfield XD
S&W M&P
CZ
BHP
Kahr
Beretta
Sig
FN
H&K
A few others I can’t think of…

I’m leaving out a whole listing of 1911 copies, but that’s another option if that platform will both conceal and handle well for you.

Best advice is to hit a range that offers rentals and try a few that feel comfortable in your hands. You may have to adjust your clothing a little for conceal carry, but it will require some change in behavior. Get something that is comfortable and one that is a natural pointer for you…and practice as much as you can afford.

One aspect to carrying concealed is to not forget a good holster (and gun belt for that matter). I’ve found a couple holster systems that work for me (UGB holsters and Comp-Tac Minotaur). A quality holster will make wearing comfortable and integral to your clothing options. I’ve never liked J-Frame pocket carry…just not comfortable for me (I don’t like anything but a folder in my pocket), but I do like a nice cross-draw holster when driving long distances.

I don't know you're location, but if you're anywhere in the Augusta, GA area, I've got about 30 different handguns you could try out and shoot (CZ's, Glocks, 1911's, Steyr, XD, BHP, Kahr, Sig's, S&W's, etc.)...

ROCK6
 
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if this is your first gun and im just asumming it is take a good look at glock they are budget friendly,easy to care for, reliable. personnally i dont care for them
but they are great firearms. for ccw i carry a kahr cw40 wth winchester rangers from what i hear these are FBI practice rounds they are to me pretty hot loads but are not the ranger talons but a close range they will get the job done for home defense i use a H&K usp 45 with the real ranger talons only bonded ! great gun great ammo.

frank
 
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I'll be the umpteenth person to suggest a glock. I put thousands of rounds thru a 19 years ago and loved it. Just got a 36 (single-stack .45) and I now feel naked without it.
 
I'd suggest a G19/G23 or a S&W M&P. Both are great guns. Try to stop by a gun store and at least handle them for comparison.
 
One more vote for the G19. The sub compact Glock is just a little too small to be comfortable at the range for extended time.
 
What the heck, I'll chime in with more love for the G19. I think it's capable of meeting your criteria with flying colors.

It's small enough to CCW easily, it's large enough to function as a "duty weapon" and in 9mm it's not terribly expensive to feed. Magazines are fairly inexpensive too. In addition, there's a ton of after-market support for Glocks. Best of all they won't make your wallet cry to buy one.

I carried a G19 (Gen2 for the pedantic) as a department-issued duty weapon (I also used it as an off-duty weapon exclusively) from 1990-1993.

I think it's the best pistol in the Glock lineup.

That said - try some different pistols before you buy. See what suits you best before you plunk down $ for a pistol.

Then, after you do buy - seek out training.
 
Just a little hint when it comes to aiming a Glock (or any other hand gun for that matter) and in my opinion, this is QUITE IMPORTANT.

WHile at the gun shop, the first time you handle each gun, pick a target across the room that you will aim at (doesn't have to be far away, even across the display counter at the wall of guns will work fine) then pick up the Glock (or whatever) and get a good, natural grip on it (but do NOT point it and aim with it yet!).

BEFORE POINTING/AIMING THE GUN, CLOSE YOUR EYES, and THEN point the gun at the target with your eyes closed. Without moving, while still pointing it, open your eyes and look down the sights at where the gun is actually pointing. Obviously, you won't be on target (left or tright), but look to see if you are aiming much too high, or much to low (don't worry if you are aiming to the right or left of the target, just concern yourself with either being too high or low across the sights).

Try the above exercise 4 or 5 times in a row with each gun you are looking at BEFORE you aim it with your eyes open... First time you handle a new model, close eyes, point, then check your natural point of aim with it. You WILL find that your hand WILL naturally point different guns a bit higher or lower than others.

Glocks (for some people) seem to have a strange angled grip which causes them to naturally hold the gun at an angle which puts the point of aim naturally too high, or low. For comparison, a 1911 might not naturally cause this problem because it's grip angle is a bit different.

This isn't a deal breaker for purchase if the natural point of aim is a little high, or low, (because you can train at the range to help correct that) but if you consistently find that you are pointing that model gun 4 inches high every time you open your eyes, the grip on it may just not be a good match for your "natural grip" hand.

Try it. You'll see what I mean. For me, my glock 19 is right on target height every time. My SP-101 is always slightly low, and my LCP is alway too high... almost unacceptably high, but since it is a close quarters CCW, I've learned to compensate for it.

As I've mentioned, I'd love to replace my LCP with something in a 9mm without the DAO long, long, long trigger pull and unnatural grip "feel"... My own hunt continues.

PS. What ever you decide to buy, I highly recommend some sort of aiming laser (laser grips etc.) because they are great for developing a good sight picture while unloaded, unloaded, UNLOADED (don't forget to unload the gun)... Make sure it is UNLOADED and sitting in your living room when you can't get to the range. Pick a door knob (or the picture of Granny, or the wifes prize crystal vase or whatever) across the room that you WILL aim at, take aim, and push the laser button to see where you were actually aiming. It's like practice at the range but instead of "firing" a bullet, you are aiming and then "firing" a beam of light instead (this is NOT an alternative to actual range practice!!!). Don't do this practice on the cat though... the wife will get ugly at you when she sees you putting the beam on tabby!:D

Did I forget to mention that you need to MAKE SURE to UNLOAD the gun before doing this laser "dry fire" exercise? UNLOAD THE GUN FIRST!!! REMOVE THE MAGAZINE AND, AND, AND CHECK THAT THE BORE IS EMPTY! (you think the wife will get testy if you just aim at the cat? You ain't seen nuthin' yet if you actually shoot tabby dead!)
 
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Slidetechnik said:
One more vote for the G19. The sub compact Glock is just a little too small to be comfortable at the range for extended time.
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Most people won't put 'extended' range time in like you or I might; my intent was to suggest a gun that wouldn't be too heavy/large to discourage daily carry.
 
I would suggest that YOU go into the shooting range and find what feels comfortable to YOU. Make sure to spend time going through the popular calibers and just see what works for YOU.

I myself carry a Springfield XD (usually a .45 ACP service but sometimes a subcompact 9mm). Just because this setup fits ME doesn't mean it will fit YOU.

Whatever you decide, make sure its from a reputable brand, and that you take some necessary classes such as basic gun safety, defensive shooting etc (My state does not require any classes, but I took it so I had a better understanding of things).

Also, DO NOT skip on a decent holster or belt. I HIGHLY suggest Blade-techBlade-tech holsters in particular the (eclipse if you want concealed out of the waist band or the NANO if you want inside the waist band). They also are now selling kydex lined leather belts which are awesome!!

Good luck and make sure you don't try to save a few bucks here and there on something that can cost you your life. Finally remember to PRACTICE with what you carry on a regular basis. :thumbup:
 
CZ 75 compact

CZ_75_COMPACT_pl.sized.jpg
 
Try the Heckler and Koch P7 M8 in 9mm. Compact, squeeze cocker, inherently safe and ideal for small/medium hands. Only 8 round mag but if you find yourself doing mag changes methinks wrong time, wrong place and wrong weapon of choice!!!
 
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