Conceal and carry recommendations

Rangore

Inactive
I've been on the fence for a while about getting a conceal and carry. With the things that's happened near where we live I feel it's time. I'm not a gun expert, but not completely new to weapons (USMC in early to mid 90's). I'm sure I'll still ask dumb questions.

My problem is in selecting a proper pistol for c&c. I want a 9mm. I want a good handle to hold...not just a couple of fingers. Obviously the conceal part is crucial (I wear shorts and t-shirt in summer). :) I'm not a small guy...round is a shape...265lbs. I also am wanting to stay under 500 for a budget...preferably 400.

I'm thinking these, but thought I'd ask a community like this for input.

CZ 75b
Sig Sauer Pro SP2022


Ps I tried to search but got a permission error for some reason.







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i bought a kahr cm9 and love it!!! only 15 oz unloaded and a GREAT trigger....the grip is a little small only 2 fingers but if you buy a peirce grip (bout $8) you will fix that..my hands dont handle small grips very well but the cm9 really doesnt feel too small in my hand.

for your price range id say its the best youll get imho....its about 350-400$
 
I recommend going to a few gun stores and seeing what 9mm's feel good in your hand. If you can rent a few to shoot, do that as well. If at all possible, don't let your $4-500 ceiling stop you from buying what feels best to you.
Look at the Ruger SR9, CZ 75, Glock 17 and 19, Smith & Wesson M&P, Springfield XDm, and plenty of others.

Full size grip, 9mm, and you want to conceal. For me personally 3 pistols come immediately to mind (my preferences)
1.Commander sized 1911 in 9mm (Dan Wesson Guardian, STI Spartan IV, and others
2. Browning Hi-Power
3. CZ 75 comact D PCR

USMC in early 90's?? Me too...Semper Fi!
I was in HMLA-369 out of Camp Pendleton 1991-95
 
I've been plotting and saving and am ready to buy my main CCW and back up tomorrow. I've been reading for the last month and a half and have chosen the Ruger SR9c as my main and LC9 as a smaller secondary. The SR9c seems to have a good reputation and if there are any issues Ruger customer service is said to be top notch.

I picked the SR9c for a few reasons. I wanted 9mm and manual safety. The SR9c is a double stack that comes with 2 magazines so capacity is good. Both Rugers have a magazine disconnect safety so they can't be fired without the mag in. Some people hate this. It's a plus for me since I have young kids around. I can take the magazine out while and home and leave it somewhere accessible to me, like my pocket, and not have to worry about one of my kids making the gun go off if they were to get ahold of it.
 
For grip size it depends on the size of your paws. Also the grip is the part that tends to show when concealing if it is a larger gun.

For the price range I would suggest adding a few dollars at Acadmey, and most gun stores you can get a Glock for under $550 new. A model 19 is a 9mm compact that works well for quite a few. I prefer the model 26. I carry one so I am biased. Now the grip is a bit on the short side. Though they make a grip extension that has a pinky rest if it is too small for your hand. It will hold 10 in the magazine, and one in the chamber.

I also pocket carry a P-64 chambered in 9mm Makarov. It is on the large side for pocket carry though with your size it should fit in the pocket of anything you wear. I use an Uncle Mike's pocket holster for mine. The holster cost under $18, and the gun runs for under $200. (Typical price is $179 with an extra magazine, and a leather duty holster.) It is dead reliable, and is comperable to .380 acp.

If pocket is the way you are going to go also look into a Ruger LCP it is small light, will fit in a pocket. It will more than likely be on you more often than not. Provided you have a pocket on what you are wearing it will be with you.
 
Thanks for all the advice. I really appreciate it. I'll take the models down and go try them on. :)




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Pandora's box on selection. As was said, see what fits your hand and shoot all that you can. I started with the Kahr CW9, liked it being thin but failure drills with the heavy spring really slowed me down. Wifes hands could not operate it. Changed to a Glock 26 which is a couple of tenths wider but not really as much of an issue as I expected. IWB nobody sees anything. Just bought the M&P9 Shield for my wife and it is a fantastic gun. She loves it and having carried and liked the CW9 I would pick the Shield.

The smaller grip with your finger hanging off is a matter of personal preference. I expected it to be an issue but it's not a problem with either the G26 or the Shield.

Happy hunting and shoot what you can to help make up your mind. They all look good on paper.
 
It is hard to beat the CZ-75D PCR for an all around 9MM that you can comfortably carry, and conceal. It is a great mid size, semi-compact that can be used for range, home defense and carry.
 
Another one to try is the Springfield Armory XD Sub-Compact. In addition to the 13 round standard magazine it comes with a 16 round mag that includes a sleeve that matches the grip making it longer. No manual safety, but in addition to the Glock style trigger safety it also has a 1911 style grip safety.
 
Concealed carry isn't just about convenience, its about what you can defend your life with. If you don't carry yet, keep your mind open to different calibers and gun types. I know its said a lot and sounds like a pain in the butt, but with experience comes knowledge, and you will find the gun that works best for you through trial and error. Everyone is different. I have tried quite a few guns from all calibers and manufacturers, revolvers and semi's, and I swear by my Glock 26 9mm and my Glock 23 40, and a Smith and Wesson 37 j frame for backup/ summer carry. There are other great guns for carry too, but I will only reccomend something I have carried for months and shot the snot out of. If I was you, I would be looking for a nice used Glock 19 or 26.
 
I really like the Glock 19 and Glock 30 for IWB carry and the S&W 642 for pocket carry. Seems to be the most comfortable of all the pistols I ever carried.
 
In the winter I carry a full size FNP 9mm owb. Purchased for about 450 at cabela's. In the summer a Walther PPS 9mm. Purchased off consignment for $250 with only 20 rnds through it! Wear the Walther IWB, You sacrifice capacity with the Walther as it's only 7+1 but it is very comfortable and conceals with only a tee shirt.
 
I carry a g-32 (iwb) which is the same size as the g-19 and g-23 and have zero problems in regular or cargo kakis shorts, and anything from a regular t-shirt to a polo in super hot humid weather. I don't like wearing undershirts so a good body shield/sweatguard seems to be what matters most to me to be able to carry it perfectly comfortably all day long. My build is around 160lbs and 5'11" at the moment although I've always been a good 15-20 lbs heavier until a bunch of back surgery last year. I was dead set on getting a smaller pocket sized pistol for summer carry at times and I'm sure I still will. However.... I was plesantly surprised at how easily the G-32 concealed even in my lightest summer gear and realized it will work fine for me at least for now.
 
In the $500 price range I'd seriously consider the Ruger SR9C or maybe the LC9. I don't own either and am very happy with my 1911, but I've always had good luck with Ruger firearms and they have an excellent reputation for customer service. I doubt you could go wrong with either as long as you like the way it fits your hand.

Stu
 
What size? I have no clue how big your hands are.

Go try out some guns at the store, Glocks 19/17/26 models see which one fits you.

Do you want single or double stack magazine gun?

LC9 fits great in my pockets,S&W442/642 fits good too.

Ruger makes great guns, can't go wrong with a LC9/LCR357
Glocks too,
 
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