For next week's gunshow, CCW

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Steelers252006

New member
I'm asking a lot of questions for my CCW because I want buy a quality gun that will last me many years but yet get the best bang (there's that pun again) for my buck. At this moment right now (this seems to change DAILY), the Glock 27 is still in the lead but not by much now. The Ruger LCR .357 has collected my interest quite a bit. The Ruger LC9 remains high on the list. The Ruger SR9c has REALLY intrigued me. The Springfield XD subcompact remains a viable candidate. Basically, these are the main contenders right now. Any other ones I should take a good hard look at, for example, this new little Beretta that seems to have caught many on the forum's attention? Don't know much about Beretta, but I assume it has a good name.

My budget is $1,000, but I want to spend wisely. I will spend more for topnotch quality if the gun warrants it, just collecting all the info I can. I have gone to the gun shops and handled all of these guns but have not been able to shoot any of them, which is a shame, but that option just does not exist. I have shot the Glock 22.

Thanks again!!
 
none of the ones you mentioned should have a $1k price tag, if they do you should find another dealer;)

It all depends on what you want.

I usually try to keep price point in mind for my carry weapons, but in a different manner than the "what is your life worth!" crowd.

Figuring if I ever have to use it to defend myself, I will likely not be getting it back.

I carry a $400 Rock Island Armory 1911A1, I trust it and it is solid.

Prior to that I carried a $350 Bersa 45.

If I am never forced to use it, I won't be worried about holster wear:) Plus, i can always swap out higher end parts, on the 1911, anyways
 
I would recommend looking at the Sig P239 SAS in .357 Sig...like this one

P239.jpg


As reliable as they come, and with CTC or Hogue rubber grips, a nice fit in the hand. I like the +1 extended mags as they let me get a perfect grip.
 
I chose a Ruger SR9c. I am thoroughly satisfied with it. It is compact and easily concealed, but heavy enough so recoil is very manageable. I have only about 1100 rounds thru it, mostly handloads in practice, but have never had a failure of any kind. And it is accurate! I can't think of a better choice for CCW.
(Your mileage may vary)
 
If you like the polymer framed handguns, you might want to check out the Sig SP2022, it comes in either 9mm or 40 S&W and can be had with night sights at a fairly reasonable price, I would also recommend the S&W M&P Series of pistols, they come in both full size and compact versions in 9mm, 40 S&W and 45 ACP, the PRO Series of the M&P, comes in 9mm and 40 S&W that I know of and supposedly has a better trigger and night sights. Just food for thought.
 
Of the ones you mentioned, I'd probably go with the G27. But of course, it's a little thick. If it fits your hand, then you cannot go wrong with it. The Ruger 357 would be quite a handful in that light package - ouch! I held a Ruger LC9 and I loved it but it was so thin as to be almost too thin for me... and I happen to like thin guns. Still if it fits your hand well, I would think you couldn't go wrong with it. The SR9 compact would probably be a great choice, but it's considerably bigger than the G27 or the LC9 and might affect your plans to conceal it. The XD has a relatively high bore axis, but would be a lot like the G27 otherwise.

My $.02
 
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I have a M&P9c that I CCW from time to time but my keltec Pf9 just makes it feel like a brick.

I'd go for the Lc9 or similar(pf9).
 
I would look at 9 mm's because of the price difference in ammo prices. G-26 is a nice shooting pistol and conceals quite well. I also have a G36 45 acp and with regular pants I can pocket carry both pistols and for holster wear the G 26 and G 36 will fit the same holster. Your money, your choice and what feels right, good, comfortable in YOUR hand.
 
depending on how you are going to carry i think for me out of your list it would be between the g27 and the lcr.....and id be leaning more towards the G
 
My CCW is a Walther PPK, PPK/S, or PP. When it comes to self defense, the simple .32 ACP or .380 ACP is more than enough. The guns are as dependable as the sunset, accurate out of the box, can be found used in the $400 to $500 range, and will last a lifetime. They can be worn in a holster under a T-shirt, carried in a pocket, and can't be hurt.

I would lean towards a German made, French made (Manurhin), or an Interarms version. S&W may have the bugs worked out, but the extended tang isn't nearly as pretty.
 
Steelers,
You know my opinions on this from our past conversations. I'd just like to reiterate that I think you should take a more logical approach.

Step 1: Revolver or Semi-automatic. There are lots of threads about this, you must decide. If capacity is not a major concern, I vote revolver, but I do find semi-autos easier to conceal IWB, and I personally want more than 5 rounds on tap. I plan on being unable to efficiently reload a revolver under stress.

Step 2: Caliber. Decide on a caliber and then find guns that fire it, not the other way around. Are you going to reload? If not, 9mm will afford you a lot more practice. .40 is a good compromise but has a lot of recoil, I don't like it myself.

Step 3: The gun. Look at features, manufacturers, capacities, and don't forget to consider things like what aftermarket parts you may want (holsters, sights, lights, etc), warranty support, reputation, and price. I don't have a clear picture on how you want to carry, but if it isn't IWB you should stop looking at the Glock and SR9c. The LC9 and LCR can be pocket carried, I wouldn't recommend it with anything else. Do you want to shoot it, or just carry it? Bigger guns are more fun to shoot, you won't like the LCR or LC9 as much as the Glock, Ruger, or XD. Do you feel comfortable without a manual safety? Do you like a constant trigger pull or DA/SA? How heavy is too heavy? I even look at things like ease of takedown now.

For $1000 I don't see why you couldn't EASILY walk away with an SR9c and an LCR, and enough money for 100 rounds for both. Nothing on your list should be more than $500, even at a gun show. Reference online prices, they will hate it, but its a good floor for the negotiations. LCR and SR9c are both $398 on Buds IIRC.

Right now you've got a lot of ideas and I'm afraid if you walk into a gun show with money, you'll walk out with a gun that isn't the best choice for you. Walk through these steps and narrow down the list a little and you'll have a better "shot" at getting the best "bang" for your buck.
 
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If you have never fired a small 357 revolver, you might want to before you spend your money - the recoil is, bluntly, fierce and not something I would want in my hand in a dangerous scenario - JMO, YMMV
 
You are putting apples, oranges and some pears in your basket. Narrow it down at gun shops or if possible rentals at the range. Personally I would narrow it down to alloy frame metal semis in 9pm and go from there but that's based on MY tastes not yours.
 
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