Time to buy a carry gun looking at a few right now...thoughts?

Remember that .45 is just as popular/available as 9mm. IIRC, .45 is easy to suppress as well.
 
Bill, if this is the first time you will be carrying, consider that many (most?) folks seem to want a hand cannon when starting out (1911, big Glock, etc.) and over the course of years begin to figure out that carrying something the size of a toaster oven on your hip gets tiresome.

This has been my experience. 15 years ago, I did the carry thing with 1911s, big Glocks, K-Frame revolvers, etc. Good stuff. But over time, the ease of a smaller yet reasonably potent carry gun (Kahr PM9 or J-frame revolver) tends to supplant the desire for a big caliber, high capacity pistol. I recall reading in one of the gun magazines (for what they are worth) that most of the old-timers on their staff who had carried for years had eventually followed the path of moving to smaller, lighter guns like the J-frame which are easy to carry every day.

This is not to say that you should not get a hand cannon or a 42 oz. whatever. But consider also the ease of carry factor, as this seems to become increasingly important over time. For my part, I have done only pocket carry for a few years now, and have a safe full of big guns that never get any love.

Now, if I lived in a high crime area, I would carry something like a Glock 21 and just deal with the size. But I don't.

:thumbup:
 
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My advice is try and rent or borrow as many of your top choices as you can. Shoot them in a SD/IDPA type environment and see which one you shoot best and you feel the most comfortable with.
Then you can at least make an informed choice based on your own real world preference.

Personally the gun I shoot best is the Glock 17/19
For local legal reasons I carry my G17 as my edc/cc
 
Bill86 said:
Looking at H&K pistols, the new P30 .40 cal specifically. Anyone shoot one yet? Where to get a holster made? The nastiest legal .40 rounds? It's that or a USP compact .40 cal. I decided on .40 over 9mm and .45 due to clip capacity and "splitting the difference".
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.40 is the choice for today. When the Nine mm was in the hands of law enforcement you could buy a box of nines for as cheap as five dollars for the most generic. For quality nine bullets they were still less expensive than the others, apples to apples.

Now the Law has the .40 and amo is rampid. Nine mms are higher and becoming harder to come by.

I second your choice. Things have been getting closer and closer to my little "out of town home". Chattanooga has grown and things if you know what I mean are happening much to close to where I live.

I am considering a forty cal. But I am on disability so I may have to do with something of a substandard caliber but with the right loads and the right person can still be very good. A .22 is even better than throwing a fork at someone. I am not thinking .22 but something in .380 maybe. And they have a bargin one out there that slips my mind but it has been tested for realibity against one of the "supposed and assumed best" 380s the PPK. Wished I could think of the name. Oh and it beat the PPK by far. There is nothing in a name for me but there is a lot in performance and realibility and this gun has proven quality and realibity beyond most of the high end names. Read the reviews of the Bersa and see if you do not come away impressed. I looked up the name that gun is better quality and much more reliable than a Walther PPK. Proven, tested, and the price is right. That would be my gun. Good luck with your forty. As far as I am concerned for a serious gun that is the only choice for those that can afford one.

I talk to much and you did not ask any of this.

Your choice in cal is right on your choice of gun I know little about. I do know a Sig is what I would get if I had that kind of money.

Daniel
 
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powernoodle said:
Bill, if this is the first time you will be carrying, consider that many (most?) folks seem to want a hand cannon when starting out (1911, big Glock, etc.) and over the course of years begin to figure out that carrying something the size of a toaster oven on your hip gets tiresome.

This has been my experience. 15 years ago, I did the carry thing with 1911s, big Glocks, K-Frame revolvers, etc. Good stuff. But over time, the ease of a smaller yet reasonably potent carry gun (Kahr PM9 or J-frame revolver) tends to supplant the desire for a big caliber, high capacity pistol. I recall reading in one of the gun magazines (for what they are worth) that most of the old-timers on their staff who had carried for years had eventually followed the path of moving to smaller, lighter guns like the J-frame which are easy to carry every day.

This is not to say that you should not get a hand cannon or a 42 oz. whatever. But consider also the ease of carry factor, as this seems to become increasingly important over time. For my part, I have done only pocket carry for a few years now, and have a safe full of big guns that never get any love.

Now, if I lived in a high crime area, I would carry something like a Glock 21 and just deal with the size. But I don't.

:thumbup:
Click to expand...


There is a lot of truth in this. My first carry gun was a short barreled 357 mag.

Then I moved on to the 1911's for a lot of reasons. For IWB I prefer a Commander size 1911. My favorite being a Colt LW Commander from the 60's. Its a beautiful pistol, has a shorter barrel than the full size 1911, and the LW stands for light weight because it has an alloy frame.

They are heavy, and for someone that is smaller in size, could be a little harder to carry. The biggest problem people have carrying 1911's IMHO, is they buy a cheap holster and a crappy belt. A quality belt makes a huge difference, especially when carrying a heavier pistol.

Re: the J- frame S&W, I know numerous people that have carried them for years. Heck, even Clint Smith from Thunder Ranch speaks highly of them.
I tried one for awhile, but with my big hands, it just wasn't comfortable, and I didn't shoot it well either
 
shaw11b said:
I carry either a springfield 1911 or a glock 19. the glock in an IWB c hook raven concealment and I carry the 1911 in a leather IWB holster. I would carry the 1911 in a raven but they are expensive and take a while to get. However, you won't find a better holster with more carry options then a raven concealment
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:thumbup::thumbup: those ravens can almost totally conceal a glock.. i want one just dont want to wait for it.
 
dallasdeadeye said:
20 plus man, im outa there, with the quickness. but your right ultimately its what you shoot best. also remember though, 5 shots in one hole, its still one hole.
Click to expand...

Ha Ha. I like your theory that a bit of inaccuracy is actually better...
 
powernoodle said:
Bill, if this is the first time you will be carrying, consider that many (most?) folks seem to want a hand cannon when starting out (1911, big Glock, etc.) and over the course of years begin to figure out that carrying something the size of a toaster oven on your hip gets tiresome.

This has been my experience. 15 years ago, I did the carry thing with 1911s, big Glocks, K-Frame revolvers, etc. Good stuff. But over time, the ease of a smaller yet reasonably potent carry gun (Kahr PM9 or J-frame revolver) tends to supplant the desire for a big caliber, high capacity pistol. I recall reading in one of the gun magazines (for what they are worth) that most of the old-timers on their staff who had carried for years had eventually followed the path of moving to smaller, lighter guns like the J-frame which are easy to carry every day.

This is not to say that you should not get a hand cannon or a 42 oz. whatever. But consider also the ease of carry factor, as this seems to become increasingly important over time. For my part, I have done only pocket carry for a few years now, and have a safe full of big guns that never get any love.

Now, if I lived in a high crime area, I would carry something like a Glock 21 and just deal with the size. But I don't.

:thumbup:
Click to expand...

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
Most everybody I know (*that carries on a regular basis )has gone through this. They end up settling on a J frame, or single stack, small auto.
 
powernoodle said:
Bill, if this is the first time you will be carrying, consider that many (most?) folks seem to want a hand cannon when starting out (1911, big Glock, etc.) and over the course of years begin to figure out that carrying something the size of a toaster oven on your hip gets tiresome.
Click to expand...

My first concealed carry gun was my Glock 20. I carried for years until I moved out of state. Under stress, I'll take a longer sight radius and reduced recoil from a heavier pistol any day. The full-size pistol lets me recover faster between shots if things ever get that bad.

I recently tossed the HK-45 and FNP-45 back and forth. If you like the HK P-30, take a look at the FN P-40. The FN pistols are very similar IMHO to the new generation HK's and they are a whole lot cheaper (last time I looked, a FNP-40/9 was 60% the cost of an HK P-30).
 
I like the Kahr P9.

.40 cal is slightly harder-hitting but 9mm is cheaper, so you can afford to practice more. To my mind more practice is more valuable than a little more stopping power if you ever need to use it.
 
9mm, .40, .45 will all do the job assuming the shooter does his. I'd reccomend going to a nice shooting range that allows gun rental and handling several handguns. Firing the ones that feel the best in your hand (point naturally/intuitively) and regardless of calibre (assuming a service calibre) picking the one you handle best.

That being said...you cant go wrong with any major modern firearm manufacturer. My personal experience has guided me to Glock/Kahr for my everyday firearm purposes. Reliability, durability, accuracy, and quality craftsmanship are their hallmarks. YMMV...

GL.

'Fuzz
 
CM, I have to disagree. I have had a heck of a time finding replacement .45. It may be just as "common" by the numbers, but it uses more materials than the 9mm, and appears to be harder to come by. I can easily find 50 round boxes of premium 9mm, and it has been easy to do. .45 on the other hand, 20 rds here or there, and has lead me to train more often with .22 just to work on fundamentals. When choosing a firearm, one needs to look at availability and cost of replacement and training ammo.
 
I would get whatever you like, but I too am one of those guys that tried several full sized guns and has settled into a light .38 snub.

I've been working on a holster for a slim steel framed 9mm, so that's what I have on me today. Ughhhh, I can't wait to slim my LCR back in my pocket. It holds 3 less rounds than the 9mm single stack, but it's a dream to carry around.

I won't be shooting anything resembling a group at 25 yards, but at 7 I can keep my shots center mass enough to feel protected.
 
The P30 is a great pistol, you made a wise choice. Shoot the heck out of it.
 
Charlie Mike said:
Remember that .45 is just as popular/available as 9mm. IIRC, .45 is easy to suppress as well.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah I've looked into the suppressor route, it's pricey man...For a H&K USP compact tactical .45 you're looking at $900. Then you got the gemtech which is $450 ISH + $200 to the government. Then taxes. You're looking at 1,600-1,800 when it's all said and done. With the concealed weapons permit included. That's too rich for my blood. That also doesn't include a holster or two.

So what I'm looking at now is $700 for the P30 and about $150-200 for the class + ammo. I should finish at about ~900-1000 with the ammo, permit, holster, and class.

atony said:
The P30 is a great pistol, you made a wise choice. Shoot the heck out of it.
Click to expand...

Thanks man, I did a bit of homework and it has gotten great reviews. So yeah it's been bought...on it's way within the next week.

I mean If I need to get a smaller gun I can always buy another one. I just figure for my first carry gun I'm NOT going REAL heavy...nothing metal or full size. A durable beater too, that I'm not going to care about it getting damaged.

I mean I live in a decent area but no doubt every now and then I'd prefer to have a gun on me. A knife is good, but you never know.

Getting the Concealed weapons permit won't be hard, my brother and dad have theirs and I shoot much better than both of them.
 
yes, powernoodle, 338375, and fishshooter are right, and all describe the similar mindset of "downgrade" over time.

i think it was natural for all of us to carry big bore stuff when we first started carrying. i had a 1911 before i got my CCW, and i did try carrying it. but weight, and conceal-ability was just a PITA. carrying a 1911 for the first time was fun though, especially into walmart or whatever.


but then eventually reality sets in and that big metal hunk is no fun. i went to a smaller, colt "defender" -- a scaled down 1911. and that was still heavy and no fun. so i "downgraded" to glock 19 9mm, for weight and no rust issues. i justified this b/c of the same size (controllability) and twice the bullets, why not?

and then more reality set in, and i also dress more fashionably these days (slimmer fitting clothes) and so now i carry a glock 26 9mm.

and even that was heavy, so i carry it with like a half-full magazine. 6 rounds of 9mm +P seems pretty reasonable, concealable, and light.




i mean, all things considered. how many days have i been in a firefight (in the united states)? zero.

how many days do i have to dress nice for the ladies? every day.







oh and also having a more convenient weapon also increases the LIKELYHOOD you'll actually carry, and this abides by the concept "the best _______ in the world is the one you have in your hand." this is important. when you choose an inconvenient weapon, you're more and more likely to leave it at home for just "quick trips" or whatever. you'll do it. we all do.

what's better, a full size 1911 and x7 .45ACP some of the time, or a tiny glock 26 with 6 crappy 9mm all of the time?




and also look good for the ladies
 
and smash05 and fishface5 are right too, cost is a big factor. .40 is expensive and it's imperative for you to get good training if you're going to carry for realsies. i shoot 9mm and shoot 9mm well, b/c i shoot it a lot.


my range buddy shoots .40 cal and hates life b/c he can afford to bring x100 rounds to the range when we go. so he burns 100 rounds and then just has to sit there while i shoot 2-300 rounds of 9mm, or even better my .38 reloads (which i reload myself).
 
If personal defense is the main issue, nothing stops a large mass of angry like a .45 ACP. The high velocity 9mm is a military round specifically designed to wound, not kill, whereas the .45 was designed specifically to stop and kill - NOW! It's genesis was the casualties caused by suicidal attacks on U.S. troopers by machete-wielding Filipinos during the suppression of their resistance to the U.S. occupation. The soldiers frequently filled these attackers full of lead from their sidearms but failed to halt the attack. When the purpose-made .45 arrived, bang bang = dead dead.

Several posts already have hit the key points: try as many pieces as you can; select the one (or two!) that you feel comfortable using, and do not let 'image' or hype influence your judgment as this could cost you your life; and practice practice practice, particularly in 'real' situation-simulations (abandoned house, etc., if possible) as well as at the firing range. Shooting well in a range environment does not prepare you for actual defense situations. If you can team up with a group, try to find a chunk of land where you can do fast-reaction exercises and snap shooting from different positions. No matter what skill you are trying to master, from shooting to butt-scratching, practice is the only way to get the muscle-memory that makes you proficient.

God created Man; Colonel Colt made them equal; and John Browning made his clients superior.
 
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