Questions For First Handgun Purchase

B

BigMikey76

New member
I find myself on the verge of becoming a small business owner, and there are many issues that come along with that. The issue I am bringing here today is one of personal safety and defense. The business I am starting up is a food truck, and I plan to cover late night/bar closing times in a downtown area in order to maximize my sales volume. Because of that, I have decided it is a good idea to take a CCW class and carry a concealed handgun as a means of protecting myself and my wife, who will also be working on the truck from time to time.

With that defensive scenario in mind, I now come to you for advice. This forum was an integral part of the process when I purchased my first rifle a few years ago, and I am hoping to benefit from your collective wisdom and experience once again, so here it goes: which handgun should I buy?

I know there is no absolute right answer to this question, and a lot will depend on my needs and preferences, so let me first narrow the range by answering a few questions that are likely to come up.

Primary use: Concealed Carry

Preferred conceal position: right hip IWB holster

Preferred platform: semi-auto SA/DA or DAO

Preferred calibers: 9mm or 380ACP

There are some specific limitations, as well. Cost is a big factor, especially cost of ammo, since I will want to practice often to make sure I am proficient with my weapon of choice. Size is also a concern, as I have rather large meaty hands. The last handgun I shot was a Springfield EMP, if I am remembering correctly (it belonged to Jimbob86, so he could either confirm or correct that if he comes across this thread), and it was way to small for me to get a good grip, which gave me very little control. Therefore, I will need to walk the line between small enough to conceal and large enough to grip well.

There is one last wrinkle to add - my wife may need to use this gun, as well. Her hands are smaller than mine, and she is far more recoil sensitive than I am when shooting my 7-08 deer rifle, so I imagine she will be more sensitive in this case, too, which is why I have listed 9mm or 380ACP as preferred calibers. One possibility is getting a small one for her and a midsized one for me, which would also allow for getting her a smaller caliber with lighter recoil and a larger caliber for me. Of course, that makes the whole thing more expensive.

So, there you have my thought process thus far. It's time to let me have it!

Thanks in advance for taking the time to put in your $.02.
 
It's not very original but a glock 19 works for me in basically that role.
I tried a lot of more exciting options before I settled on it, but it's probably the most utilitarian handgun I've ever owned.
Or, if you prefer having a manual safety, the ruger sr9c is also nice.

I'd definitely go with 9mm over .380. Unless you are extremely recoil sensitive, the 9mm is pretty easy to handle, and it costs a whole lot less than .380 for practice ammo.

edited to add:
one nice thing about having such a common gun is that it's extremely easy to find holsters, etc. There's not a lot of stuff that isn't made for the G19.
 
Your wife should also get a CCW.
You both need to try to shoot as many guns as you can to make an informed decision. If your wife is recoil sensitive, you might look at the Keltec P32 for her.
 
Caution

I don't know how large for food truck is or if you are required to have a CDL to operate it BUT if the truck is considered a commercial vehicle, the rules for CCW or carrying any kind of firearm change.

Federal Law prohibits the carrying of a firearm in a commercial vehicle. My brother is an OTR driver and a MO CCW holder. Unfortunately he can't carry any type of firearm in his vehicle. I know its a ridiculous restriction but nonetheless, it is the law.
 
The Ruger SR9c is reasonably light and compact, but with an extended mag can hold plenty of rounds or with the standard mag will be a nice small package. Shoots well and mine has been totally reliable. Also, look at the SIG 232. Find a range that has a variety of guns to rent and try several to see what works best for you and your wife. Good luck.
 
http://Handgunlaw.us/documents/FAQ.pdf

"# 14 Q# 14 Question: Can a commercial truck driver carry a firearm in his/her rig?


Answer: There is no federal law concerning commercial truck drivers and firearms. If you have the proper Permits/License and can legally carry in the state you are driving in or that state allows the carrying of firearms without a permit you are legal. Click Here to read letter from Office of Hazardous Materials Standards that firearms do not fall under hazardous materials in commercial vehicles. Similar letter at PHMSA website.
Go Here for answers to questions by the US Dept of Transportation that states carrying firearms in commercial vehicles answer is: “Carrying concealed weapons is a matter of state law.”
A company can have a Rule that states you cannot carry in their vehicles. That is just a company rule and all they can do if you do carry and are caught by them is fire you. You are not breaking a law just a company rule. I have talked to many truck drivers about this and I have not heard of one trucking company that allows their drivers to carry a firearm while working.uestion: Can a commercial truck driver carry a firearm in his/her rig?
Answer: There is no federal law concerning commercial truck drivers and firearms. If you have the proper Permits/License and can legally carry in the state you are driving in or that state allows the carrying of firearms without a permit you are legal. Click Here to read letter from Office of Hazardous Materials Standards that firearms do not fall under hazardous materials in commercial vehicles. Similar letter at PHMSA website.
Go Here for answers to questions by the US Dept of Transportation that states carrying firearms in commercial vehicles answer is: “Carrying concealed weapons is a matter of state law.”
A company can have a Rule that states you cannot carry in their vehicles. That is just a company rule and all they can do if you do carry and are caught by them is fire you. You are not breaking a law just a company rule. I have talked to many truck drivers about this and I have not heard of one trucking company that allows their drivers to carry a firearm while working."

I have a Ruger SR9c and agree it would be a good choice for you. Ruger also makes a compact pistol that may be a good choice for your wife - the LC380.
 
Last edited:
Cowboy_MO - Thank you for the caution. It does not require a CDL, but I will have to look into the commercial vehicle issue. That may very well decide the whole thing for me.
 
Wow, it looks like lefteye did some research already. Thanks. I'm still going to check into it to see if there are any state or local laws that might apply, though - it pays to be careful, after all.
 
Ruger LC9. A bit larger than my Kahr CM9 that I consider borderline for pocket carry, but very concealable, and comfortable for IWB. I too have fairly large hands, but I adjust. The Ruger does have a bit more grip than the Kahr, is a DOA with a bobbed, almost hidden, hammer, and is also available in the milder 380acp as the LC380 if your wife is extremely recoil sensitive. There is also a striker fo
ired version, the LC9s which has a very nice feeling trigger.
 
The Sig 290 RS sounds like it may be a option to fit your criteria. It's a single stack DAO hammer gun. The trigger pull is long and deliberate, yet smooth and consistent. I have XL hands and grip length is an important factor for me. With the 8 round extended magazine it provides enough length to be comfortable. Being a single stack, it's thin enough for most women to be able to hold well. They also have interchangeable grip panels.

I know a few guys with these and they all like them. They as well as the couple that I've shot myself (9mm) have been pretty accurate shooting guns with good recoil control for such a small gun.

They come in .380 and 9mm and usually run for around $450.00 or less.
 
If you could come up with the funds, I might go with two handguns. You both should be carrying. I just don't like Glocks very much for CC when carrying with one down the pipe. Since funds are a big factor in your purchase, I think SIG's would probably be out as well.

If you were going to go with two handguns, I might suggest buying a used XDm9 for you, and a Kahr CM9 for your wife. I have both handguns (although the XDm is a .45), after a TON of research, and I have been extremely pleased. If you can only buy one, I would suggest just the XDm 9. You have all the adjustable backstraps, and she might carry it with the smaller mag, while you can carry it with the large magazine that makes it feel like a full-size weapon. Plus it has the grip safety which makes it much more safe to carry.

If she prefers, there are several 380 options, that can be had relatively cheaply if buying used. The Kahr, Ruger, and S&W are but a few.
 
TfflHndn mentioned the Sig p232, and when I looked it up, I couldn't help thinking of the Walther PPK - which takes me right down memory lane. The Walther is a bit pricey, but what about its various clones, like the Sig 232 or the Bersa Thunder? Do they have the same good reputation as the Walther, or are the similarities purely cosmetic?
 
The SIG P232 is undoubtedly one of the finest looking handguns ever made. If there is a "sexiest" handgun poll/list that comes out, it will be on it at or near the top everytime. As for comparisons to the Walther, it is on par with, and some may say better than the PPK. Very fine, very elegant guns.
The Bersa Thunder may be one of the best "bang for your buck" handguns out there. It has a sterling reputation for its price range. Both of these firearms are fairly large for their caliber and because of their blowback design may kick a little more with the stouter personal defense loads.

I stick by my earlier suggestion for you to look into the Springfield Armory XDm 3.8" Compact 9. It has the grip feel of a 1911, holds far more ammo, has a similar but better feeling trigger system as a Glock, has a grip safety so you can feel much more confident carrying it concealed, has inter - changeable back straps, and you can have the shorter magazine in, or the longer higher capacity which gives it the feel of a full size handgun. If you are going with two handguns, I think the cost would be prohibitive for the SIG, but you could find Bersa Thunder used at a very reasonable price.
 
Last edited:
Primary use: Concealed Carry

Preferred conceal position: right hip IWB holster

Preferred platform: semi-auto SA/DA or DAO

Preferred calibers: 9mm or 380ACP

There are some specific limitations, as well. Cost is a big factor, especially cost of ammo, since I will want to practice often to make sure I am proficient with my weapon of choice. Size is also a concern, as I have rather large meaty hands. The last handgun I shot was a Springfield EMP, if I am remembering correctly (it belonged to Jimbob86, so he could either confirm or correct that if he comes across this thread), and it was way to small for me to get a good grip, which gave me very little control. Therefore, I will need to walk the line between small enough to conceal and large enough to grip well.
Click to expand...

Excepting only the hand size, I'd say "get a Glock 19 and be done with it".

I have a Gen3 Glock 19, and my hands are big enough that the G19's finger grooves sit right on the meat of my fingers. I ended up sanding them down to almost flush.

Gen 4 I think puts the grooves in a bit different place (from what I see).

9mm is cheapest to shoot, and really has minimal recoil.

the line between small enough to conceal and large enough to grip well.
Click to expand...

One thing which I, and many others have found, is that no-one notices. Everyone is oblivious. Don't worry about it.
 
Here are my thoughts on the topic, though perhaps a bit more generically as you have already figured a lot out: http://everydayloadout.com/choosing-your-first-handgun.html

I carry a Glock 19, that may be worth considering for you, it really depends. Handle and shoot as much as you can.

Also, factor into your budget the cost of some classes. Shooting at paper in a static range is great, but the class(es) will be worth the money.
 
Kahr CW9... Single stack, thin, light, reliable, accurate, good size for most hands, reasonable price.
Click to expand...

This would be my recommendation. This gun can be had for $325 - $375 just about anywhere in the country. Do not pay more than $400 out the door.

Bud's can ship one for free to your FFL for $322 and transfer should be about $20 a gun or less.

7+1 capacity and a nice smooth DAO trigger pull. It is a bit long but very shootable. Mine has been 100% since day 1. It large enough that you should be able to get your hands on it and not dangle off it too much in the grip. Your wife will be able to shoot it much better than a smaller 9mm or 380 auto.

Too many people buy small 380 autos for women who are new to guns and this is a big mistake. IMHO. 380 autos typically are blow back designs in smaller packages so the felt recoil is much higher than 9mm of the same size.

The other nice part about this route is that both of you will have the same gun and will be working with the exact same manual of arms should one of you have to use the others gun.

Whatever you do make sure you take your wife with you and let her actively participate in the choice of guns. Do not make the mistake of choosing and buying her gun for her. Both of you should hit the stores hold a lot of guns and shoot as many of them as you can before you make your choice.

The other option in order to save $$$ would be to buy a full sized auto like a Glock 17 and secure it in the truck where it would be easily accessible by both of you.
 
Sig 229 is probably the perfect ccw for most people. I also think some of the mid size CZs should be at the top of yoyr list. A CZ-75D , PCR will be the next handgun I purchase, and will be my CCW
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top