8MM Mauser
New member
Hello people of TFL. I have been a gun enthusiast for about 5 years now. Some of you may know that I work full-time, go to a state university full time and assist in the raising of a daughter. 
I have enjoyed hunting and shooting immensely for some time; but guns and their accompanying activities have been hobbies purely. I suppose I would have called my Mossy 500 to action if me or my family had been threatened in my home (in fact have a detailed plan of what to do in such an event) but for the most part guns have been about entertainment.
Now it is time to get serious. I have had the desire to acquire a CPL and a suitable weapon for concealed carry for a few years now. This year my wife and I's skillful financial management means that I have ben able to secure for myself about $580 (possibly up to $600) to pursue this objective despite my limited income and time.
A Michigan CPL is, I believe $100; and I have found a training class that meets the state requirements, taught by a county sheriff for $80. So basically, I have $400ish for a suitable gun and holster.
My initial plan before putting together the various costs was to get a Glock 19. I like Glocks fine and it is a utilitarian, sensible choice for someone on as tight a budget as I am. I have fired various G19s fairly extensively (in the area of 500 rounds.) Unfortunately though, the cost of even most used G19s is prohibitive here. I have looked at many different options and I just don't think I can make the Glock work so, with that in mind I have some other options that appeal to me, but that I have little or no experience with. Do not tell me to wait and save please, my budget is extremely tight and that would mean at least a year, possibly two more before I could go forward with purchasing a carry pistol. G19s aren't going anywhere and I have no emotional attachment to the idea of a Glock either, so I can buy one anyway in a few years if I am totally dissatisfied with something smaller.
S&W Shield 9MM: The cost of 9MM will make it my most likely choice and even on my tight budget being able to afford a S&W of any stripe would be great. This gun is concealable and feels good in the hand and the trigger is acceptable. I have handled but never fired this gun. I seem to be able to find these right around $390 - $400, and I know an FFL who could do the transfer for me.
S&W 642: .38 special would be great for the same reason as 9MM. The low round count worries me a little here, as does the supposed unpleasantness of shooting the gun, I want to be comfortable with what I carry. I am aware that some light loaded SWC could alleviate this some. However, I have never shot a gun this small, I am used to rifles, shotgun and my Ruger MKII target model pistol so the crappy sights and high recoil make me nervous that I might not like the gun. However, the concealablility would mean I would be more likely to carry when I could (no carry at work or on campus you know.) I believe I could even pocket carry this little guy with the right pants. The gun points naturally for me and the long trigger doesn't bother me much despite the lighter triggers I am used to. These seem to be priced right at the top of my budget, but I would consider used here too, especially since I would like to avoid the internal lock altogether.
Ruger LC9: Similar reasons this works to the Shield. I trust the brand; the gun feels good in my hand, but I hate the trigger. It just feels weird to me. I really can't put my finger on why but I like the Shield trigger better. The LC9 seems somewhat more concealable than the Shield too, but not quite as much as the 642. I am not sure if I could pocket this gun or not, but being a muscular 5'8 I feel like it would be a stretch, so the increased concelabilitey would have a negligible effect on how often I carried. Prices appear to be around $340, making this the cheapest option.
So what are your experiences with these guns and what guidance can you offer me? I don't expect this journey to be fast and I appreciate all the help along the way!
I have enjoyed hunting and shooting immensely for some time; but guns and their accompanying activities have been hobbies purely. I suppose I would have called my Mossy 500 to action if me or my family had been threatened in my home (in fact have a detailed plan of what to do in such an event) but for the most part guns have been about entertainment.
Now it is time to get serious. I have had the desire to acquire a CPL and a suitable weapon for concealed carry for a few years now. This year my wife and I's skillful financial management means that I have ben able to secure for myself about $580 (possibly up to $600) to pursue this objective despite my limited income and time.
A Michigan CPL is, I believe $100; and I have found a training class that meets the state requirements, taught by a county sheriff for $80. So basically, I have $400ish for a suitable gun and holster.
My initial plan before putting together the various costs was to get a Glock 19. I like Glocks fine and it is a utilitarian, sensible choice for someone on as tight a budget as I am. I have fired various G19s fairly extensively (in the area of 500 rounds.) Unfortunately though, the cost of even most used G19s is prohibitive here. I have looked at many different options and I just don't think I can make the Glock work so, with that in mind I have some other options that appeal to me, but that I have little or no experience with. Do not tell me to wait and save please, my budget is extremely tight and that would mean at least a year, possibly two more before I could go forward with purchasing a carry pistol. G19s aren't going anywhere and I have no emotional attachment to the idea of a Glock either, so I can buy one anyway in a few years if I am totally dissatisfied with something smaller.
S&W Shield 9MM: The cost of 9MM will make it my most likely choice and even on my tight budget being able to afford a S&W of any stripe would be great. This gun is concealable and feels good in the hand and the trigger is acceptable. I have handled but never fired this gun. I seem to be able to find these right around $390 - $400, and I know an FFL who could do the transfer for me.
S&W 642: .38 special would be great for the same reason as 9MM. The low round count worries me a little here, as does the supposed unpleasantness of shooting the gun, I want to be comfortable with what I carry. I am aware that some light loaded SWC could alleviate this some. However, I have never shot a gun this small, I am used to rifles, shotgun and my Ruger MKII target model pistol so the crappy sights and high recoil make me nervous that I might not like the gun. However, the concealablility would mean I would be more likely to carry when I could (no carry at work or on campus you know.) I believe I could even pocket carry this little guy with the right pants. The gun points naturally for me and the long trigger doesn't bother me much despite the lighter triggers I am used to. These seem to be priced right at the top of my budget, but I would consider used here too, especially since I would like to avoid the internal lock altogether.
Ruger LC9: Similar reasons this works to the Shield. I trust the brand; the gun feels good in my hand, but I hate the trigger. It just feels weird to me. I really can't put my finger on why but I like the Shield trigger better. The LC9 seems somewhat more concealable than the Shield too, but not quite as much as the 642. I am not sure if I could pocket this gun or not, but being a muscular 5'8 I feel like it would be a stretch, so the increased concelabilitey would have a negligible effect on how often I carried. Prices appear to be around $340, making this the cheapest option.
So what are your experiences with these guns and what guidance can you offer me? I don't expect this journey to be fast and I appreciate all the help along the way!
