Choice of Handguns?

K

keller

New member
Just wanted to solicit advice from the experts here. I am new to the forum and new to carrying a handgun. I am taking the Concealed Weapons class for my license on 11-16-08. Not sure how long it takes for the paperwork to run thru the system here in Texas.....I have heard more than 90 days!

At any rate I am asking for advice on brand and caliber that is best suited for carrying. I have been to the range and shot Glocks 22 and 27. Also shot the Taurus Millenium Pro .40! I like the Glock line, especially the 27, and like the reliability, dependability, and ease of maintenance of the Glocks.
I want either a 9 mm, a .40 or the .38. I want to be able to easily conceal it and still be comfortable. Another question: Do you recommend stainless steel or not?

Thanks for your time and input.
 
Keller,
Main thing is which gun/caliber combo do you feel comfortable and competent with? Note a Legal Rule in TX :
- If you qualify with a revolver, you may ONLY carry a revolver for CHL.
- If you qualify with a semi-automatic, you may carry EITHER a revolver or a semi-automatic for CHL. For that reason, most of us choose to qualify with a semi-automatic.
 
Keller,

Welcome to the forum.

When I took the mandatory training to qualify for my CC permit, I used a small frame (5 shot) .357. We were required to fire 50 rounds through it, so I opted for a box of .38 Spl +P.

I have many handguns, including a hi-cap 9mm (Ruger SR9) and a small, light 9mm auto (Kel-Tec PF-9), but my go to CCW is still that small frame .357 loaded with .38Spl +P ammo.

Small, light, simple and reliable.

That is what I would recommend for your first one. Personally, I like blued steel revolvers.
 
One important consideration for CCW is the thickness of the pistol. It's a lot easier and more comfortable to carry a slim pistol in an IWB (inside waist band) holster. For this reason, you may want to consider something with a single-stack magazine, i.e. the cartridges stack vertically in a straight line rather than being staggered side-to-side like in most polymer pistols such as Glocks. (IIRC only one pistol in Glock's lineup has a single-stack magazine, but I forgot which one.)

The drawback is that such pistols generally have lower ammo capacity than double-stack guns, usually less than 10 rounds, but most real-world gunfights don't involve more than 4-5 shots fired, and many shooters are confortable with those odds. Besides, that's what spare magazines are for. :)

Popular single-stack pistols include most of the 1911 family, the SIG P220 and P232, the Walther PPK and PPK/S ("Bond... James Bond" ;) ), and the Smith & Wesson 39xx series, most often the compact alloy-frame variants such as the 3913.

OTOH one of the most popular carry methods is pocket carry, and the definitive pocket handgun is the S&W J frame revolver series. My most frequent carry gun is a S&W Model 638. :)
 
One who was there recently

I went through the same search recently for a CC 9mm. I found lots of good choices, but my favorites were the Glock 26, and the Kahr PM-9. The Kahr is the smaller, the Glock is small, but not as small. I chose the Glock 26, and Am very impressed. Very concealable, reliable, and you can buy extra length mags for a reload, up to 33 rounders. Not good for concealment, but great if you have to reload, or for the range.

But...absolute best way yo find a gun you like is to demo them.

Enjoy.
 
Welcome to TFL!

I think you will different advice from each member since everyone has their favorites.

The most important factor is what are you comfortable with. If this is going to be your daily CCW then you need to make a judgment as per which weapon you are comfortable concealing, and comfortable shooting.

Most modern handguns are pretty damn reliable. However, I am disappointed to say it does not include a handful brands: other folks her can tell you more about them.

That said, SS or polymore, it is again your choice.

I carry G21 mostly, and sometime G26 as well. I am not excluding the possibility of a SS if I find one here in PK.
 
Some important questions for you to answer in your search:
Can I shoot this pistol well?
Is this pistol a good size for me to conceal?
Is this pistol a good weight for me to carry?
Is this pistol chambered in an "effective" caliber? (most would recommend at least .380ACP or .38spl, but opinions do vary)
Is this pistol reliable?

Would I trust my life to my skills and this pistol?

Those may not be ALL of the questions or even the right ones for you, but they should make a good start.
 
I live in South Texas myself, and I won't carry anything unless it's either stainless, alloy, or finished in a protective finish such as satin nickel.
When carrying IWB in the summer, my carry pistol is always wet with sweat when I take it off at the end of the day.

As far as caliber, revolver or auto, there are too many personal decisions you have to make that others can't help you with.
How "deep" do you want to conceal?
How fast do you demand that you be able to access the weapon if needed?
What's your personal philosophy on "stopping power"?

There's lots more questions you need to answer for yourself, and what's likely going to happen is that you end up with more than one carry piece for different situations.

My primary carry piece is a stainless Colt Commander in a VM2 holster (IWB), but in the winter when I can wear a jacket, I'll carry it OWB in an Axiom holster.
In really hot weather, it depends on how I dress, but I vary my choices between a German made PPK .380 (plated in satin nickel), a 642, and in about a week, my Rohrbaugh (micro 9mm) will be here.

I don't think there's just one answer for carry for all of the time, but you will probably end up with a choice for carry that works for you most of the time and that's what you're looking for your first choice to be.

The best that anyone else might be able to suggest is a few pistols where "you can't go wrong", and some of those pistols might be along the line of a J-frame Smith such as the 642, or the more concealable P3AT Kel-Tec that has a "decent" reputation for reliability if you want an autoloader.

If you are comfortable carrying more mass, there's always the small frame .45's like the Colt Defender and other's similar to it made by Kimber etc., and staying in the 1911 category, you might like the Springfield EMP which is one of my favorites (but it's too darn pretty to add wear to it by carrying it excessively). The EMP is a single stack 9mm that is very easily hidden in the right holster. (Probably more relevant advice you should consider is that the holster you choose may be as, or more, important than the pistol you choose.)

Be careful with choosing one of the high-cap polymers such as the Glocks and Springfield XD's. While they all have great reputations for reliability, they are so darn FAT that they do not conceal as easily as would a Commander size pistol that's much thinner.
I have an XD9Sub-Compact, and while it's also one of my highly favored pistols, I find that I'm only comfortable wearing it if I can wear it under a really thick sweater or jacket in the winter months.

So the only thing I will advise without reservation is to stay with stainless or plated or polymers in order to avoid corrosion and rust.
All the rest of what you should consider; you're on your own. :o
 
Keller,

None of us can say what will be best for you.

Your carry weapon will be a decision of firepower, accuracy, ease of concealment, reliability, and ergonomics in your hand. I'd rate these in this order:

1. Reliability - it MUST go bang EVERY time you pull the trigger.
2. Firepower - lots of argument here on what's enough - for me, that's anything 9mm or larger, although ANY gun is better than none.
3. Accuracy - I believe with any quality weapon, the accuracy is more in the shooter than the gun. Practice, practice, practice.
4. Ergonomics - it must fit my hand well enough so I don't have trouble finding or maintaining my grip. For example, my wife has a Colt Defender and a Springfield V10 and she loves both. Good concealed weapons, but I don't really like either because they just don't fit my hand.
5. Concealment - I'll pick the gun that's best for me and learn to dress around it. The holster/belt is everything. I do NOT like generic holsters that "fit X, Y, Z, and maybe F" types of guns. I prefer a specific holster for my weapon. It must hold the weapon snugly and tight against my body without flopping around.

Many times, these criteria will be compromised somewhat. A gun that holds 15 rounds may be to large for concealed carry for you. One that's small enough for concealed carry may be too little on firepower. And on and on...

When you pick up a gun that feels like you were born with it in your hand, and you can hit what you aim at with it, and you can conceal it - THAT'S your carry gun.

If you can rent several guns and try them out, that will be great. Don't buy a gun just based on the name or the reputation, although those may figure into your decision.

FWIW - my carry weapon is a Steyr S40. My preferred method of carry is OWB belt slide, yaqui, or paddle.
 
About the stainless....

I took out a few of my handguns one night to see how aim-able (new word?) they were in the dark. My nickeled K-frame Smith reflected enough of the little light available (street light filtering through curtains) to make it much easier getting on target. That little glint of a reflection let me know where it was whereas the blued stuff was lost in the dark. So, for that reason and for the corrosion resistance, I recommend the stainless.
 
LHb1, playboy, DNZX, Carguychris, golfnut, firepower, raimius, CDH, Keltyke:

I want to thank all of you for your excellent responses.

By the way, my Concealed Carry class went extremely well today. Not that I was naive before but the class really opened my eyes to how totally dangerous it is out there. A lot of crazy people are on the loose out there. We went thru a lot of scenarios, did a lot of role playing, and I asked a ton of questions. It was a very interesting and successful day.

Again, I want to thank all of you for your responses!

Now to get the paperwork submitted!!!
 
DMZX,

No, I have not completely decided on a CCW yet. Today on the range I shot a Taurus Mellenium Pro .40 and it was so so. In the Taurus thread on this forum it seems many of the posters here do not think highly of Taurus...that's enough probably to turn me against Taurus. From what I have learned it seems Glock is a good, dependable choice and easy to clean and maintain. As I said before, I do like the Glock 27...have been to the range several times with one I borrowed. I have some time to decide as I won't be able to get my paperwork submitted for at least a few days....then wait 60 to 90 days!

On another note and not to change the subject but I bought 2 AR-15's this week. I got such a good deal I could not refuse. One goes to my son as a graduation present...he gets his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering on 12-13-08.
 
On another note and not to change the subject but I bought 2 AR-15's this week. I got such a good deal I could not refuse. One goes to my son as a graduation present...he gets his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering on 12-13-08.
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My son is in his Jr year and is hankering for a short barrel, collapsible stock AR (he liked his M-4). You just gave me a good idea for a grad' gift for him.

Though, I should probably purchase one now for obvious reasons.:D
 
Yes, and to me those "reasons" are obvious.

Not to get political DMZX, but in my opinion we, as a country, are in BIG trouble! Is a revolution coming? What is Obama going to do about weapons in the hands of the masses? Martial Law? Ya never know!
 
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Here in WV i believe in carrying by the seasons,mid spring to mid fall i carry snubbie .357 and in the mid fall to mid spring i carry full size .40 cal.I do prefer stainless but if you clean your gun enough then don't worry about blue/stainless.The Rossi was $125.00 lnib,the S&W 4046 .40 cal was $300.00 lnib with 3 hi-cap mags thrown in for free.

Rossi snubnose .357 t shirt shorts
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S&W 4046 .40 cal long sleeves and jeans
Picture030.jpg
 
We went thru a lot of scenarios, did a lot of role playing, and I asked a ton of questions. It was a very interesting and successful day.
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That sounds like a good class. Unless I missed something, my class had a LOT of the "where and when you can and cannot carry" - the legal stuff. That stuff will blow your mind and can be VERY confusing.

Let us know what you decide for your CW.
 
I'm surprised I didn't chime in on this yet.

Glocks are good, but you can do much better from an ergonomic standpoint. There are other designs that are similar mechanically, but superior ergonomically. The first one that springs to mind is the Walther PPS, which is available in 9mm or 40. It too, is striker fired and very reliable. It is also only 1.04" thick.

WAP10001.jpg



There's also the Walther P99, which is a tad bigger and more comfortable to hold, but not quite as slim.

WAP80000.jpg



If I were going with a Glock, I'd get the 36, which is a single stack 45.
 
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