First Concealed Weapon

M

MoBSix

Inactive
Hello everyone, I am looking to buy a pistol for my wife and I for concealed carry. After searching the net a little bit, I came across the Kimber Ultra Carry II and Glock 23. I am leaning more towards the Kimber because of the .45, and I like the way it looks, and it seems to be thinner and therefor more comfortable while in the holster. Also, I would like to have some fun with it at the shooting range. Does anyone have any advice on which one I should pick, or do you have a better suggestion?

If it matters, I have medium sized hands and my wife has small hands. I am interested in having an inside waistband holster and my wife will probably carry it in her purse along with the million other items whose purpose I have yet to figure out.

Any input would be much appreciated, thanks!
 
Well, let me ask. How much experience with guns/shooting do the two of you have? Both guns are good, but on different ends of the sapectrum, sort of. I'd actually suggest something like a 357 or .38 revolver.
 
My wife is pretty new, she has been to the range once with me. I am fairly experienced, I have been to the range a fair amount of times and fired a .357 Magnum (I liked that one, but I don't want a revolver.), a CZ .45, an M9 (in basic training) and some crappy little .22.

I just want something with enough stopping power to stop an attacker for both of us, with high quality and reliability. Preferably not a revolver.
 
I would go to a bunch of gun shops and put some guns in hand and see what feels best. then see if you can find a gun range that rents guns and see if you can fire some of the guns you like.
 
I am interested in having an inside waistband holster and my wife will probably carry it in her purse
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You are both going to carry identical weapons - or are you going to have one weapon and have to try and remember who has it should a situation arise??

On a more serious note (an IMHO) - love the 1911 pistols. But they are a little heavy and can be difficult to dress around. If you have no experience with them, maybe renting one first so you understand the safetys, clearing drills, etc. Glocks? Well, Glocks go bang everytime and are simple mechanically to operate. Concealability - eh, depends on the Glock.

Doesn't matter what you buy for your first weapon or the system (holster, murse, bellyband, whatever), you will buy a different weapon (probably several) and have a drawer full of carry options before too long. After many years of carrying I have finally settled on a J frame Smith (Airlite) and usually in a crossdraw DM Bullard or a pocket holster. Small, light, powerful, comfortable, and I never leave it home because I don't want to deal with getting dressed around it.
 
I am inclined to agree with those who recommend going to a range where rentals are possible. You can try a myriad of different firearms without having to buy right there on the spot. Small semi-automatics can sometimes be difficult for those without a great deal of hand strength. Going to a range where rentals are possible will allow you to gain some experience with different configurations. Whatever the solution, it needs to "feel right" and allow you to get hits on the target. This was the method that I used, and I wound up with a full sized 1911. Later, I gravitated towards Glocks.

Good luck.
 
Personally I wouldn't recommend a 1911 as a 'first' carry gun simply because you may or may not remember to swipe off that safety if someone is coming at you with a bat.

All my carry guns are either DAO or DA/SA with decocker. I made the mistake of buying one with a safety and several times forgot to click it off when doing drills. Now if the both of you plan to exclusively practice with a 1911 and develop 'muscle memory' with it, I suppose it could be done.

DA/SA also has it's issues. I've been carrying for a few years, but my GF and I recently took up IDPA. She had a horrible time with my Sig 220 trying to figure out all the controls...hammer, slide, decocker, slide lock, mag release. As they start with hammer down, her first DA shot was wild into the grass and took a couple tries in SA before she could get it back on paper.

I realized this could translate to a problem in a self defense situation and bought a Glock 21 SF. Very simple to operate, literally two controls that don't even come into play until the rounds are expended. She's already claimed it as her own.:eek:

Just something to chew on. Rent various calibers and DA/SA, SAO and DAO guns and let her decide on her own.
 
MoBSix, sorry if this seems personal, but what is your body type? Are you like me, tall and skinny? If you are, carrying a 1911 is going to be hard. I know cuz I do it. I carry in a shoulder holster because my profile would cause my 1911 to print really bad. It is also pretty heavy (and I'm carrying the lightweight version). If you're a bigger guy this shouldn't be an issue. But now that I have carried a 1911 I shouldn't have said no to a smaller and lighter 9mm.
 
What type of gun does your wife prefer? Choosing a self-defense handgun is a very personal thing and, unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all. While both a Glock and a 1911 are fine guns, niether is for everyone. You really need to find out what your wife likes as well before you make a decision.
 
This web site is a valuable resource http://www.corneredcat.com/TOC.aspx

Of the two guns you mention I would choose the Kimber But that might not be the best choice for you or your wife. The best choice for you might not be the best choice for your wife.

Try on a bunch of guns for size. Rent as many guns as you can. Take some classes such as a basic firearms safety class. Then pick out the gun you like the best.

How you carry is a matter of personal comfort as well. I used a no name shoulder holster that wouldn't look out of place on Joe Friday. A full sized 1911 fit without printing in the pocket of a couple of my over coats. Once again what worked for me might not work for you.

and some crappy little .22.
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Oddly enough a .22 is a very valuable gun. Because of how relatively inexpensive ammo is the more you can afford to practice. I prefer that people get a .22 as a first handgun. You learn the basics of gun handling, spend more time at the range, and can apply that knowledge to picking out a centerfire handgun.
 
Thank you all for replying, I will definately find a place that will rent some guns.

@Sefner
-I am about 5'9" athletic build.
@Webleymkv
-My wife will like anything that is pink..lol. But I prefer she has something that is reliable.
@Buzzcook
-I only said the .22 was crappy because the whole front-end of it fell off while I was firing it, I tried tightening it but that did nothing. lol. I have a .22 rimfire rifle that I enjoy firing every now and then.
 
first concealed handgun, choices..

Depending on your budget, skill level and other factors, I'd suggest a simple DA only compact pistol or maybe a .357magnum snub. ;)
If you can safely fire/handle DA only pistols, the Glock 36 .45acp, the SIG Sauer P239 DAK/SASII in .40S&W/9x19mm/.357sig, the HK P2000/P2000sk(LEM), or the S&W MP40 or MP357(compacts with ambi-safeties, no mag safety).
These pistols are good for armed protection. The new Ruger LCR .357magnum 5 shot or maybe a SP101 in .327Federal could work great. Custom work from www.Geminicustoms.com & maybe a www.CrimsonTrace.com lasergrip are worth it too.

It's important to choose a handgun you can both safely load, operate and fire. Holsters, ammunition and other related gear should be considered too.
Think of it as a system not just a handgun, ;).
 
Ffirst carry gun

I've had 10 or 12 Kimbers and the only one that wasn't at all reliable was the 3 inch ultra carry In every other magazine it would stovepipe at least once. I switched to Wilson mags(the best there is) and it didn't help.. My belief is that a 1911 is dsigned to be 5 inch. Just my opinion. I hope I've helped you.
Mickey
 
There are many different points of view regarding concealed carry. I, personally, carry a Charter Arms (original company, 2nd generation snubbie) .38 special undercover. My first purchase was a FM Hi-Power that I have recently stopped carrying due to my own worries with either condition 1 carry and remembering to disengage the safety, or condition 3 Israeli carry without a round in the chamber, and a feed issue I had last time I went to the gun range.

Issues you may want to look into include but are not limited to: Caliber, safety features, size, DAO v DA/SA v SAO, autoloader v revolver, clothing used to conceal, holsters, hand size and finger size, etc.

Specifically, I love my revolver because I know when I point it, I just pull the trigger, no safety, no feeding issues, and it fits my hand perfectly. I have small hands though, if you have hands that could crush a lobster without realizing it, you may want a larger pistol.
 
Since your not interested in going the revolver route. I would recomend that you go with the glock. I'm more of a 1911 guy. But the glock is very simple to operate and I recall reading in a gun magazine. The author teached classes to introduce people to a variety of handguns and the Glock was the one that most people were able to shoot and operate the best.


What I like about the G23 is that while it is chambered in .40S&W you can get a 9mm & .357 sig barrel and shoot those rounds through it as well. Just in case the wife finds the .40 to be a little too much.


Good luck with your search and let us know what you decide to go with.
 
No offense, but going to the range a handful of time does NOT equate to experienced, IMO. You say for you and your wife? You will get two of the same gun? Your wife may not want/feel comfortable with the same gun as you-keep that in mind. Normally, for rather "new" shooters, especially if will be CCing i would NOT recommend a GLOCK nor a 1911 (i have both).

I agree with the .357/.38 revolver it is ALWAYS what myself and many others recommend initially (for good reason), but since you arent interested, maybe a Ruger P395 or something of the like. A Heavy first pull DA and manual safeties (several). There are MANY great choices out there, i suggest renting many before making a solid decision.
 
Thank you all for your input, I will definately look into this for my concealed carry weapon.

Earlier today, my wifes father caught wind that I wanted to buy a handgun. Now I have a Colt .45 revolver. It is definately too big for concealed carry, but it would be great for home defense.

IMG_0197.jpg

I took this thing to the range and loved it. There is nowhere that I can rent guns to test fire in Alaska, so I am looking around for friends that have different models for me to try out.
 
Damm!! I need a father in law like that. Does she have a sister? JK

Your right about that for home defense. Anyone see that cannon pointed at them is going to get the heck out of there and quick!!
 
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