Future First Time Buyer

B

bangandblow

Inactive
Without money being an object, what gun/ammo/holster would you recommend for CCW? This will be my first, and maybe even last gun I ever buy depending how much much I love the one I end up with. Any and all suggestions would be great!
 
You need to provide more info. Have you shot pistols before? What caliber do you prefer? Where on your body do you want to carry? Do you prefer revolvers or semi autos?

If you haven't shot much and don't know what caliber you like, go rent some guns and practice. See what caliber you like. See what guns feel good in your hand. It varies from person to person. No one can tell you the ideal gun for you.
 
^+1. First you need to at least narrow your options down to general platform, i.e. revolver or semi-auto and preferably even caliber. Then others can recommend a few good options for you to try and you can see which one fits you best. What's best for us may not work for you, so narrow the field a bit with some research and preferably shooting or at least handling a few different types of handguns to see which general type/style you like best.

I would suggest trying at least several of the following: small frame revolver 38 and 357, medium frame revolver 38/357, sub-compact 9mm and 380 semi-autos, compact 9mm, compact 45acp and/or .40S&W, and full size 9/40/45. Go to a store/range and look at/handle a wide range of these options to see what feels good in your hand and what you could conceal relatively easily, then rent a few from that shortened list to see how you shoot with them.

Doing this may even find you the perfect handgun for you without outside input, but at the very least will give you a specific type that you want, say a sub-compact 9mm for example, and TFL members can lead you towards some specific models to look into.

Sorry for the seemingly long process, but if you don't already have it narrowed down at least a little, this would be a great way to start in my opinion.
 
also, uncle mikes has a good holster for in-the-pocket carry if the weapon is a smaller barrel(one example: 2") // one for exclusive use at home(if you aren't interesting in carrying a concealed weapon) might be more suitable with the holster I recommended and you could get a 5 or 6 inch barrel.

yes, my advice is the best: get a 357
 
For pocket carry---S&W Bodyguard 380 with Uncle Mike's pocket holster. For IWB--Glock 26 with Crossbreed Supertuck or Galco Kingtuk. Can't go wrong either way.

I would add---if it'll be your only gun I'd go for the G26 since it's a better home defense gun.
 
It sort of varies depending on how big a gun you want to conceal. The most common easy-to-conceal class of pistols is the "pocket pistol." These are usually chambered in 380acp, which is often considered the minimum for an effective defensive caliber. These guns vary in weight and construction, but they will generally all work with a "pocket holster." These holsters are designed to cover the trigger and keep the gun in an accessible orientation while preventing the shape of the gun from being visible in your pocket. My favorite pocket gun is the one I carry, a Sig P238 HD. It's like a minature stainless steel 1911. Easy to shoot, mild recoil, great sights, 6+1 capacity, carry cocked and locked.

However, because it is solid steel and easy shooting, the P238 is heavier than other options. There are other guns of similar size (maybe a smidgen smaller) that are made of special plastics which are considerably lighter. Because they are lighter weight, the recoil is much stronger. However, the polymer will not rust and keeps prices lower. The most notable in this category are the Keltec P3AT and the Ruger LCP.

Since you said that price isn't an issue (the P238 goes for $600ish in my neck of the woods) and I feel that the light recoil greatly helps the usability in a defense situation, I recommend the Sig.
 
I would buy a CZ 75 P-01. It is designed to be a NATO sidearm. It has passed rigorous testing to become an official NATO sanctioned sidearm. The minimum service life should be 15,000 rounds of +p ammo. Plus it went four times longer between malfunctions than was required by the testing. In other words it is built like a tank and will serve you for a life time.

Plus it is a 9mm. So, you will have an easier time becoming proficient with the gun.

As far as holsters go, that is personal. For concealment the best route is inside the waist band if you can do it. A small number of people just find it too uncomfortable. You will have to try it out and see what you like.

For ammo I carry 147gr Winchester Ranger Bonded. I would also feel fine carrying 147gr Winchester T series, Federal HST, Remington Golden Saber, Federal Tactical Hydra Shok, Speer Gold Dot or Hornady TAP CQ.

Starting out I would probably recomend 124gr Hornady TAP CQ, Speer Gold Dot, or Remington Golden Saber. 124gr rounds are usually the easiest to shoot accurately in my experience. So, until you get some experience 124gr would probably serve you best because shot placement is the most important aspect of actually stopping an attack.
 
First, memorize and ALWAYS respect the Four Rules.
http://thefiringline.com/library/safetyrules.html

Second, find someone knowledgeable in shooting to help you. This may be an instructor at a local range or simply a friend who is experienced in firearms and mature enough to give good advice.

After that, try to handle (and preferably shoot) several different firearms. This will give you a better idea of what you want/like. Personally, if I was going to buy one firearm for range shooting, home defense, and concealed carry, I would look at "compact" semi-autos or medium-to-small framed revolvers. They offer the best compromise, IMO. While larger guns tend to be easier to shoot accurately, they are harder to conceal. Small guns are easy to carry, but harder to accurately shoot.

For any defensive firearm, I like 9mm and above for semi-autos and .38 and above for revolvers. Now, .380ACP can be a good round, but there are many 9mm handguns which are as small or nearly so.
 
We can't answer this question for you, but many of us have a whole safe full of "first and only carry guns" and a closet full of "first and only" holsters that we moved on from for whatever reason.
 
bangandblow

Future First Time Buyer
Click to expand...
You must consider what your level of knowledge and skill is now, and how much effort in time and money you are willing to invest in learning to gain more knowledge and skill in the future.

If you are a novice you should seek training and seek to gain experience in shooting various platforms and calibers to see what appeals to you now. As you gain experience and skill, you should be able to shoot better and handle more recoil.

Your choice is entirely a matter of your honest self-assessment of your skill set. Your skill set is subject to change if you choose to change it.

When I attended my first Gunsite class API 250, I did not know what I did not know. I actually thought I knew how to shoot. I was soooo wrong. In those five and a half days of training my level of tactical knowledge and shooting skill at least tripled (maybe increased 10 times, I knew so little).

bangandblow, if you are as inexperienced now as I was before I got training you may be unable to realistically assess your level of knowledge and skill. Remember that a handgun is merely a compromise tool. If you lack the skill and knowledge of how and when to competently use that tool, it will be of little utility.
 
I love questions like this!

I didn't read all the posts yet but people probably wrote "Take classes", "Rent some guns to test fire." and all that...

All that aside, if money weren't an object the gun that I would get for CCW would be the Rohrbaugh R9. But not only would I get the R9 - I would then pay to have the whole thing done internally and externally with Robar NP3+

Rohrbaugh R9
Caliber:9mm
Barrel:2.9in
Length:5.2in
Height:3.7in
Weight:13.5oz
Magazine Capacity:6 Rounds

attachment.php
 
The thing about the R9 though is that it doesn't shoot +P ammo, and it tends to like 124gr Gold Dots.

124gr Gold Dots are pretty good SD rounds so I'm not worried about that. And for what I'm going to use a CCW for - I wouldn't want to try to blast away with +P ammo anyway.

Laws of Physics still apply, I want that small lightweight package, the recoil and manageability is bad enough with standard 9mm rounds. I don't want to go and fire +P ammo out of it anyway. IMO...
 
I carry Glock 26. The 9mm is cheap to buy and packs a punch. I have also carried a Ruger sp101 in 357. Neither gun have a safety, just pull aim and fire.
glock004.jpg
 
Let's start with what I wouldn't recommend for a first-time gun buyer:

Glock
Rohrbaugh
Any caliber smaller than 9mm
Any caliber snappier than 40 or .357

My recommendation would be something like a Smith & Wesson 5 Round Stainless 357 Mag revolver with 2" barrel and fixed sights. It can be carried concealed; capable of shooting .38 special or 38 +P as well as 357. Easy to use. Won't rust. Reliable. Durable.
 
Glocks are fine, just be aware of the differences in size and caliber, and what they do.

STRICT adherence to the Four Rules is required with any firearm.
 
everyone else in the world bought a glock. you could drink the koolaid.

i would recommend the hk p7m8 for carry tho. make sure you get a seriously stable holster tho. it will want to pull your pants down. i went this route.
 
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