Recommendations for carry weapon

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WayneinMaine

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I'm planning on buying a carry handgun, perhaps one for the wife as well. Please give some references as to caliber and weapon model. I and my wife are not novices, we both qualified for the national park service the last year they had S&W .357 magnums. I like the trigger pull of a revolver. The wife currently carries a 4" barrel .357 Taurus. It gets left behind sometimes because it's too big. I'm more concerned about size and carryability, a gun you have is better than one you left behind because it was too big, etc. I'm leaning towards para ordinance carry in .45 ACP. I sincerely wish there was a way to try out a gun/caliber combination before committing to a purchase, but in rural Maine it's not an option ("a para what?"). I would prefer something with a good ammo capacity, ease of reloading etc., but prefer accuracy and carryability above all else. If the wife and I had identical items we could swap mags, ammo, be better familiar with operation etc., I have little concern for recoil in a handgun, she has more but likes her .357. I had a .357 Taurus snubbie that I wish I hadn't gotten rid of, but the grip shape pounded the inside of my hand too much for regular practice, which is something that is great to do with a carry weapon.
 
S&W J frame and Glock 19 EDC,

sometimes its just the Glock 19 and Glock 26 on the ankle. I bought a LC9 I suck at shooting it, its like basket ball groupings, I can't control it well. The Glock 26 can out shoot the LC9 for me because of the trigger pull. I can keep a baseball group at 7-10 yards with the G26.;)


but prefer accuracy and carryability above all else
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Sounds like a Glock 26 for you.

I would prefer something with a good ammo capacity
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Holds 10 and carry Glock 19 magazine spares for 15.
 
There are lots of good choices out there. But I agree with 9mm. The Glock 26 gives you accuracy, reliability and is easy to carry. The 9mm cartridge is an excellent round and recoil won't be a problem.
 
As an alternative to the already recommended Glock 26, I'd look at the S&W M&P9c. Very similar, but with additional capacity, 13 rds vs 10. I have one, but consider it too bulky, because I pocket carry. Very handy for a vehicle weapon, though. My 9mm carry is a KelTec PF-9 which is nice and compact but sacrifices some capacity as it carries 8 rounds. Fits real well in my right front pocket.
 
I also live in rural Maine, and I've never felt under armed with a 9mm. It should handle most anything other than a moose, and I don't think there's anything I'd want to carry on a regular basis that would work on an angry moose.
If you like the Glock the interchangeability is very nice. Personally I carry a PPQ, but if you're okay with 9mm there are a ton of great options out there.
I don't know what part of the state you're in but Van Raymond's in Brewer has a pretty good selection in stock, and has always done very well by me in terms of both advise and prices.
 
Para's are heavy guns. You could look at a Glock 30 in 45 acp and your wife maybe a SW M340 pd. Very light .357.
 
prefer accuracy and carryability above all else
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45's are great but not for carryability.

I don't own one but if you want to own the same model gun for both of you I would consider Ruger's SR9c compact. When using the shortened grip the gun is very concealable. Or you can use the longer high capacity grip and have what amounts to a full size handgun.
 
I can highly reccomend my new carry pistol. I have always carried a Smith & Wesson 642 snubbie and I love it and still carry it more and think it is the best for pocket carry along with a few other modes of carry but I have been carrying a Smith & Wesson Shield 9mm lately alkot and it is very comfortable, well made, has a very nice trigger, accurate and very soft shooting in such a small gun even with heavy +p rounds. Its a good choice.
 
45's are great but not for carryability.
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I disagree with that it's going to vary from person to person. My Kimber Pro CDP is just as easy for me to carry as my S&W M36 except that I can't put it in my pocket. Full size alloy frame with a 4" bbl is easy to carry for me but then again I'm 6'3" and 250 lbs. Your wife might have trouble carrying a .45 all day depending on how she plans on carrying it.

Stu
 
Avoid Para's products. Their guns need too much work to get running.

There are a variety of single stack semi-autos available that are very concealable. The Glock 26 is just one. The Kahr K9, Walther PPS and similar may be what you're looking for.
 
My two favorites for carry is a Glock G27 .40 and a S&W Shield 9mm.

When I sighted in my G27, G23, and G22 after adding night sights, the G27 surprised me with a significantly tighter group. For carrying I like how it is radiused with no sharp edges or points.
 
What's that about, Walklightly?

Wayne, like the first responder to your post, I recommend an SP101. Specifically, a 3-inch-barrel model will give you most of the velocity advantage of the .357 and remain concealable and easy to carry.

If you really want to get the fullest from it, search around the internet for Speer Gold Dot 135-grain Short Barrel ammunition, which is designed specifically to give the .357 proper velocity in 2 to 3 inch barrels.

It's at MidwayUSA if you're willing to pay a bit for shipping.
 
Glock 26. If I thought something else would serve me better, I'd get it. Likewise, the ones that I bought for my daughter and one of my sons.
 
My small concealed carry preferences have settled into the Glock 26/27. I use either after using a few of my other smaller framed semi-autos like my Kimber Ultra, Ruger LC9, Walther PPKS, PK380 etc ... The Ruger LCP is a great little "everywhere" carry solution. I use the "Zach" concealed carry holster made by Dale Fricke. You have got to check out this excellent carry option for your polymer frames
 
Let me jump on the bandwagon and say the two best have already been mentioned to you...

Glock 26 - has it all. Carryable, reliable, firepower, ease of shooting/accurate, easy shooting (so fun to practice with), capability of using full capacity 17rd mags for a reload, durable.
S&W 642 Centennial- Great pocket/sleeping bag gun, lightweight, reliable, adequate power, shootability. If you're a glutton for punishing recoil, the Scandiums can be had in 357.

Having gone through the process over a number of years trying other firearms, these are the two I've found that best suit my primary CCW concerns. And you really hit the nail on the head. If a gun is too large or uncomfortable, it gets left behind. Most of the Para and 45 caliber guns I've seen would get left behind. The smaller Keltec, etc., guns have not been as reliable. Maybe there are some I'm unaware of, though. Even so, the two above are "Best of Breeds".

As a third choice, I also like the Ruger SP101, and if you really want a shootable, carryable 357, this one might be your best option.

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Training, budget, styles...

If you and/or your wife have the training & budget, I'd suggest a simple, factory stock Glock 30 or 30SF Glock .45acp with 3 dot night sights. You can use the regular pistol magazines or the extended Glock 21 .45acp mags for spares-reloads.
The .45acp is great & the Glocks are robust and well made for year round carry(field, cold weather, gloves, etc).

A factory stock Glock 36 slimline could be a good back-up/2nd gun.
For carry-protection rounds, see the Ranger T DPX Remington Golden Saber or TAP or Speer Gold Dot 230gr JHPs.
The .357sig caliber is a good carry round too. You can each buy a M&P or a SIG P229R DAK with night sights for carry/defense.
The .357sig is in use with the FAMS, VA state police, NM state troopers, and the US Secret Service among many other sworn LE agencies.

Some gunners & pistol owners like the .45acp for cold weather.

CF
www.shopcorbon.com www.gunsamerica.com www.natchezss.com www.sgammo.com
 
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