First Pistol Purchase

Shake,

First, thank you very much for the assessment of my intelligence, but I have found my statement to be true.

Second I was not discriminating against people based on geography, but instead on climate.

Getting carry advice from someone living in the frozen tundra is not particularly useful to someone living in 105 degree, 100% humidity.

The type of gun one can conceal is entirely different in different climates, I believe, and unless the person living in another climate has actually carried in the hot humid weather, his advice should be taken with a grain of salt.

All the guns you list are adequate. But after you have walked around a bit in the sun, and are covered in sweat, and your clothes are sticky, they are going to at least print, and the next time you will probably leave them at home.

I know there are people out there who disagree with this, and you will find people down here who will try to convince you they carry a full size gun all the time concealed. Maybe they do, maybe they dont. I know I am not going to do that.

Edsel was asking for advice, and I gave mine, and I admit its not based on anything but opinion, but neither is any body elses.

No offense intended here, not trying to pick a fight, and as I noted at the beginning of this, it doesnt bother me that you think I am an idiot.
 
lonegunman,

Geography. . . climate, aren't the two interelated?

You may disagree, but I really wasn't assessing your intelligence (I didn't say YOU are stupid, I said the act of accepting/denying advice based on geography of the poster is stupid). I stand by my words. It is foolhardy to accept or deny advice based on where a poster lives. Who's to say what their experience is, or is not? I have several friends and family members who live nearby, but spent most of their lives in the south or in otherwise humid climates. Their advice is as relevant as the next person's. Is it not?

We do have the sun in other parts of the country, and it doesn't take high humidity to make a person sweat.

I totally agree that the smaller the gun is, the more likely one is to carry it ALL the time and have an easier time concealing it. I have stated many times that (this is a generality and not absolute) people start out with a big gun (carrying) and progress to a smaller and smaller package. When I say that, I am referring to people that carry ALL the time, not just those who carry when it is convenient.

I believe that physique has a lot more to do with what a person can effectively conceal than a few eighths of an inch of barrel length or a quarter of an inch in height. And no, I don't believe the bigger you are, the bigger gun you can carry. I think, to an extent, it is the opposite. I have a friend that is as skinny as a rail who can make a full size 1911 disappear in the small of his back under a t-shirt and shorts. The same 1911 on me (6'4", 220) sticks out like a sore thumb under a t-shirt. Of course, there are limitations to everything. People who are broad-shouldered, broad-chested, with narrow waists seem to have an easier time concealing than people who are somewhat out of shape (i.e. round). More incentive to spend some time in the gym for those of us who carry.

I really fail to see where I labeled you an idiot. I make stupid mistakes all the time, but don't consider myself stupid. I happen to disagree with you on a particular statement you made, but I'm NOT going to call anyone an idiot.

IMHO, IMO, and all that. . .

Shake
 
I can carry my Para C6 just fine with sweatpants or shorts/stretch waist and untucked t shirt. I simply strap on my gunbelt right over what I am wearing. The gun is thin profile and the weight is ideal for carry as well as comfort in shooting and quick return to battery. With the Galco Slide Holster a large percentage of the gun is carried above the belt and in forward tilted possition.

It's not a $600 gun but it's money well spent.

Here is a picture that I posted back in March I think.
paracarry_galco.jpg
 
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OK shake...

I think people who have lived in this type of climate may be able to provide helpful info, but I did stipulate this before...

allow me to quote myself (something I am fond of doing):

"unless the person living in another climate has actually carried in the hot humid weather, his advice should be taken with a grain of salt"


Perhaps I was too dogmatic in my original recommendation... but unless someone has some basis for making the recommendation (and I dont see how they would if they dont spend a lot of time outside in hot humid weather), then their opinion is not so helpful to me. It would kind of be like asking an eskimos advice on how to waterski.

My point is, it is easy to get a gun to big to be able to conceal well, especially in hot weather, and so people end up not carrying at all.
 
Another vote for the Glock 26. A small pistol that shoots and has the accuracy of a much larger firearm. People who own them swear by them.

With Winchester 9mm whitebox at $10.96/100rds, it fits your affordability criteria. Check out Galco holsters also. Their Royal Guard is a quality, moderately priced IWB holster that works well with the G26.

BTW, I live in the DFW area. Not quite as humid as Orlando, but every bit as hot.
 
Hey gang, Really appriciate all the input. A warm welcome is felt.
Denfoote: Nothing at all against Glocks,just haven't been able to try much else from lack of variety at ranges.
Redlg55: Regarding daughter, wasn'nt sure if safeties, lock boxes, internal locking systems were something essential with children in house.
Wise words from everyone! I wanted an education from experience and I'm getting it. Head is still spinning, but the rotation is slowing. Cool to be in the ring ! Edsel
 
As another new shooter, I just ask this very same question about a year ago. The first thing I learned is that brand loyalty with guns is a lot like brand loyalty to cars. Every one hates that darn Chevy/Ford/Dodge/Honda/Toyota/etc. In other words, you get a different story from every one you ask. I suggest you take them with a grain of salt. In my case, I used the same technique I use in buying cars, I did a bit of research and bought what test drove the best. In short, I would suggest that you take other experienced shooters’ opinions as a starting point and go and try them out for yourself.
For example, from listening to others, I decided that reliability and simplicity of use is most important. In addition, I want a small 9mm. This helped me to narrow it down to a Sig P225, a Glock 19, and a Walther P99. After test shooting all 3, I decided the P99 is beautiful and amazing. Ok, I admit that I really like the look and feel of the P99 the best. My only complaint is the single/double action trigger coupled with lots of levers and gizmos makes the gun a bit much for the beginner. However, the Walther is now available DAO (Double Action Only).
The Sig is amazing, accurate, and Navy endorsed. The primary thing that turned me off about the Sig is that it is a bit heavy, has a lot of intricate parts, and really requires a certain degree of expertise to own. In addition, the model I looked at has the Single/Double action trigger again which brings along more levers and controls. Here again I just did not feel this is the best gun for a beginner.
Finally, the Glock 19 is kind of ugly compared to the other guns (IMHO). However, the G19 has a straightforward trigger DAO (Double action only) that is always the same from first shot to last. In addition, the G19 has 3 built in safety devices that don’t require external controls, yet they ensure the gun won’t fire unless you want it to. Most importantly, the Glock is used by more U.S. law enforcement officers then all the other top makers all added together. If a majority of police agencies independently test available options yet synonymously arrive at the Glock, that endorsement sure speaks volumes.
With all this reasoning, I was all set to buy the P99 any way (I like it that much). However, the pivotal consideration was that my girl expressed an interest in learning to shoot as well. In addition, I knew that if a rapist was coming through my door, I probably would not remember decocking levers, external safeties, and double/single action trigger pulls. Thus, in the end, I swallowed my boyish desire for the “James Bond” sexy P99 and went with the ugly, reliable, and simple Glock.
Any way, I wish you the best of luck with your decision making process!
 
I guess I would have to give the nod towards the Glock 19. Even though I live in S.E. PA, we do have hot, humid summers, and I have always been able to conceal my G19. If the G26 fits your hand and feels good to you, all the better. I'd even be comfortable carrying a Ruger SP101 or J-framed S&W in stainless steel.
 
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