Suggestions for a good HD gun with the possibility of CCW?
- Thread starter random2001
- Start date
Your knowledge of firearms and your desire to train is much more important regarding making a suggestion.
If this is your first gun, and, you know, in your heart, you are going to go shoot it once a year or so, get a revolver. A police trade in K Frame 3" 64 in .38 Special is likely as much gun as anyone will ever need to defend themselves. Alternate would be a Ruger SP-101.
If you plan on shooting hundreds or thousands of rounds a month/year and maybe get some serious firearms training, there are more good autos out there than you will ever know what to do with. And, you won't know what a good one is until you have some skill level developed so you actually know what you need. And, like many others, you may find that a good revolver is really all you really do need.
If this is your first gun, and, you know, in your heart, you are going to go shoot it once a year or so, get a revolver. A police trade in K Frame 3" 64 in .38 Special is likely as much gun as anyone will ever need to defend themselves. Alternate would be a Ruger SP-101.
If you plan on shooting hundreds or thousands of rounds a month/year and maybe get some serious firearms training, there are more good autos out there than you will ever know what to do with. And, you won't know what a good one is until you have some skill level developed so you actually know what you need. And, like many others, you may find that a good revolver is really all you really do need.
If you have no clue what you want, then I suggest you get down to your local gunstore and get your hands on every pistol you can. Try both revolvers and semi-autos. Ask the salesman to explain the differences between the different types of actions, and see if there is one you like best.
Figure out what guns feel the best in your hands and which ones point naturally for you when you aim them. Once you narrow it down a little you can do a search of the forums here for information regarding which guns you are interested in.
Figure out what guns feel the best in your hands and which ones point naturally for you when you aim them. Once you narrow it down a little you can do a search of the forums here for information regarding which guns you are interested in.
Evyl Robot
New member
If you have a $1000 budget for a gun for home defense and CCW, then you have $1000 budget for two guns.
The King of Home Defense - Get a good 12-gauge pump-action shotgun. The only reason we don't CCW them is because they aren't portable. Buy it with a shorter barrel for indoor maneuverability, or have a gunsmith cut the barrel off just over the legal length for your area. New or used, these can be had from $200 on up.
CCW - S&W Model 640. You mentioned that you might be interested in a J-frame, that you don't mind carrying a little extra weight, and that you want stopping power. The 640 is the double action only .357 Magnum in stainless steel. It's heavy enough to comfortably shoot full-house Magnums all day long, and it is a very small, easily concealable structure that has no pointy edges to get caught on clothing. The standard model usually sells for around $650 new, or the Pro Series up to around $800, which comes with night sights and can be very quickly reloaded with moon clips. The pricing that I've put here is based on the fact that I've never seen their guns sell for MSRP at the local gun shops, YMMV.
Anyway, that puts you under budget with two guns that will completely fill the role that you've just described. That's my advice, FWIW.
The King of Home Defense - Get a good 12-gauge pump-action shotgun. The only reason we don't CCW them is because they aren't portable. Buy it with a shorter barrel for indoor maneuverability, or have a gunsmith cut the barrel off just over the legal length for your area. New or used, these can be had from $200 on up.
CCW - S&W Model 640. You mentioned that you might be interested in a J-frame, that you don't mind carrying a little extra weight, and that you want stopping power. The 640 is the double action only .357 Magnum in stainless steel. It's heavy enough to comfortably shoot full-house Magnums all day long, and it is a very small, easily concealable structure that has no pointy edges to get caught on clothing. The standard model usually sells for around $650 new, or the Pro Series up to around $800, which comes with night sights and can be very quickly reloaded with moon clips. The pricing that I've put here is based on the fact that I've never seen their guns sell for MSRP at the local gun shops, YMMV.
Anyway, that puts you under budget with two guns that will completely fill the role that you've just described. That's my advice, FWIW.
I'll second what Evyl_Robot suggested. You can get a good quality, reliable pump-action shotgun for under $400.00. We got a Mossberg 500. You can also get a good new steel revolver from Ruger for under $600, and a good used steel revolver from S&W, Ruger, or Colt for well under $600. I got my S&W Model 60-10 revolver (J-frame, .357 magnum, 3" stretch snubby barrel, concealable but still large enough that it's fun to shoot) for $550 during the height of the Obama gun rush in spring 2009, when prices were inflated. You could probably find the same thing for $450 to $500 nowadays. Or you could get the Ruger SP101, a close cousin to the M60, for even less used.
Eye-vision dominance....
I'd add to the topic that if you are right eye dominant, Id learn or carry sidearms right handed. It's a strong arguement to carry a pistol with ambi controls too; SIG P250, S&W military & police line, HK P2000, HK45 compact, HK P-30.
Learning weak hand or injured shooting methods can be a benefit too. Remember in a real critical event you may be reacting to a violent attack.
Tactics & skill training are worth the $$$ for these reasons.
I'd add to the topic that if you are right eye dominant, Id learn or carry sidearms right handed. It's a strong arguement to carry a pistol with ambi controls too; SIG P250, S&W military & police line, HK P2000, HK45 compact, HK P-30.
Learning weak hand or injured shooting methods can be a benefit too. Remember in a real critical event you may be reacting to a violent attack.
Tactics & skill training are worth the $$$ for these reasons.
Coltman 77
New member
I'd suggest you find a gunshop/range that rents an assortment of revolvers and pistols.
Check them out and see what you like. What fits your hand and what you shoot well.
Find a beginner's handgun course, the NRA provides some and so do many local gunshops.
BTW, I'd avoid Taurus products.
Check them out and see what you like. What fits your hand and what you shoot well.
Find a beginner's handgun course, the NRA provides some and so do many local gunshops.
BTW, I'd avoid Taurus products.
HD/CCW
I am relatively new to handguns. My wife and I have purchased 3 Smith & Wessons in the past 6 months. We both have MP 340 as our CCW guns. They are 357s. My wife loads her with 38 specials. I load mine with 357 mags. These are small light weights. When shooting the 357 you get a good snap. I figure in the heat of a battle I won't feel it. Please correct me if I am wrong to think that way. I am pretty big guy.
We also got a Smith & Wesson model 686 with 4 in barrel. It is also a 357. This is my HD - range gun. This is a nice heavy wt. I love this one and shoot every week. A freind told me a newbie should start with a revolver. He also told me S & W was the best buy for the money.
Good Luck & enjoy
I am relatively new to handguns. My wife and I have purchased 3 Smith & Wessons in the past 6 months. We both have MP 340 as our CCW guns. They are 357s. My wife loads her with 38 specials. I load mine with 357 mags. These are small light weights. When shooting the 357 you get a good snap. I figure in the heat of a battle I won't feel it. Please correct me if I am wrong to think that way. I am pretty big guy.
We also got a Smith & Wesson model 686 with 4 in barrel. It is also a 357. This is my HD - range gun. This is a nice heavy wt. I love this one and shoot every week. A freind told me a newbie should start with a revolver. He also told me S & W was the best buy for the money.
Good Luck & enjoy
Don't sell the 9mm too short. With a quality JHP it is a very capable man stopper and will typically allow you to carry more ammo in the same sized platform. It is also cheaper to practice with. I would not feel comfortable going with anything smaller for every day use.
Rent or borrow as many different handguns as possible - no one but you can tell you which gun is the best fit for you and what you can shoot the best.
What do I use for HD & carry? A commander size 1911 with night sights. Why? Because that is what I feel I shoot best and I am very comfortable with its manual of arms (and all of those safeties that so many people hate).
No matter what you settle on, you'll probably change your mind somewhere down the road anyway.
Rent or borrow as many different handguns as possible - no one but you can tell you which gun is the best fit for you and what you can shoot the best.
What do I use for HD & carry? A commander size 1911 with night sights. Why? Because that is what I feel I shoot best and I am very comfortable with its manual of arms (and all of those safeties that so many people hate).
No matter what you settle on, you'll probably change your mind somewhere down the road anyway.
lcr .357
http://www.ruger.com/products/lcr/models.html
i guess the revolvers at the above link are real.
if so, the lcr .357 mag looks to be a versatile weapon for revolve-anados.
especially if the price is equal or lower than some other makers and there is a history of quality to back it.
17 ounce heft for the .357 mag loads in a smooth-and-compact CC revolver with i guess the functionality of putting various (cheaper?) .38 spl rounds as well for practice and carry situation.
http://www.ruger.com/products/lcr/models.html
i guess the revolvers at the above link are real.
if so, the lcr .357 mag looks to be a versatile weapon for revolve-anados.
especially if the price is equal or lower than some other makers and there is a history of quality to back it.
17 ounce heft for the .357 mag loads in a smooth-and-compact CC revolver with i guess the functionality of putting various (cheaper?) .38 spl rounds as well for practice and carry situation.
2cooltoolz
New member
Kahr CW40. Good for HD/CCW and good to learn on. Trigger like a good double action revolver, as accurate as anything out there in it's size. $400.
Shoot it for a year, then decide what's next.
Shoot it for a year, then decide what's next.
inSight-NEO
New member
After trying several calibers and sizes (9mm, .45ACP, 357 Mag and the like), I finally decided on the XD40 Sub Compact. To me, this offers more "insurance" vs the 9mm and has a higher capacity/less weight than many sub compact .45s. In addition, most of the time, I tend to lean toward the semi-auto platform vs the revolver....but, not always.
Regardless, for my needs, the XD40 SC more than does the job.
If I decided to go with a revolver, my choice would probably be a Ruger GP100 .357 Magnum, stainless w/3" barrel (for CC anyway).
But, these are only my opinions. What works for me may not work for you. After all, there are many "good" CC type handguns out there.
When looking for a CCW, I would begin with a semi-auto/revolver comparison, as both have positives and negatives. Once this has been decided, caliber choice, weapon size and of course, manufacture, come in to play. Take your time, fire/handle what you can and then decide.
Good luck!
Regardless, for my needs, the XD40 SC more than does the job.
If I decided to go with a revolver, my choice would probably be a Ruger GP100 .357 Magnum, stainless w/3" barrel (for CC anyway).
But, these are only my opinions. What works for me may not work for you. After all, there are many "good" CC type handguns out there.
When looking for a CCW, I would begin with a semi-auto/revolver comparison, as both have positives and negatives. Once this has been decided, caliber choice, weapon size and of course, manufacture, come in to play. Take your time, fire/handle what you can and then decide.
Good luck!
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I think you need to use different tools for different jobs.
For HD, I think you should get a shotgun.
I would suggest a Mossberg 12 gauge pump with an extended magazine, that's what I have.
Nothing can beat a 12 gauge for stopping power. And a long gun makes it a lot easier to hit the target than a handgun. That's about $300.
Then for a CPL gun, I suggest a Glock 19. You can also have fun with it in the range. It's compact, but not a subcompact or standard. That's about $500.
Use the $300 difference for ammo, training, CPL license, etc, or just send it to me
For HD, I think you should get a shotgun.
I would suggest a Mossberg 12 gauge pump with an extended magazine, that's what I have.
Nothing can beat a 12 gauge for stopping power. And a long gun makes it a lot easier to hit the target than a handgun. That's about $300.
Then for a CPL gun, I suggest a Glock 19. You can also have fun with it in the range. It's compact, but not a subcompact or standard. That's about $500.
Use the $300 difference for ammo, training, CPL license, etc, or just send it to me
zombieslayer
New member
With that kind of cash you should have no problem finding a good gun that fits. Try a Walther PPS in 40. Or for a revolver a j-frame Smith in 357. Just my 2cents.
Bulldawg55
New member
Revolver: Ruger SP101 - 3" or S&W J frame, either in 357
Pistol: Glock 32 or 33, both 357SIG which can be converted to 9mm, 40s&w,or 22lr with a simple barrel change or conversion unit.
With $1000.00 you could get a revolver and a pistol!
Pistol: Glock 32 or 33, both 357SIG which can be converted to 9mm, 40s&w,or 22lr with a simple barrel change or conversion unit.
With $1000.00 you could get a revolver and a pistol!
inSight-NEO
New member
Not necessarily. Of course, it would be wise to find a weapon that is considered "ambidextrous" in nature, in terms of mag release, safety, etc.
Now, back to the cross dominance issue. I myself am right handed but left eye dominant. While I do practice shooting left handed, I still mainly shoot right handed...I simply turn my head to my right shoulder, thus aligning my left eye with the sights. It takes a bit of practice, but is a relatively easy habit to acquire. I would imagine things would be the same in your case; just mirrored, of course. From what I gather, this technique is easiest with an "isosceles" stance. But, I have also experienced great success using the "modified Weaver" stance (or Chapman, to be specific). This is my favorite.
Also, you could simply close your non-dominant eye, but I generally think it is best to train with both eyes open...particularly for HD. Now, a half-squint (of the non-dominant eye) may help, all while still somewhat maintaining your peripheral vision, but I generally think this technique is best saved for a long gun (I have used this technique with success, for my shotgun, over a year now). So, to reiterate, unless you do not mind the struggle with switching your strong side, I would suggest starting out with a simple tilting of the head.
But, again, given that you are left handed, pay attention to the layout of your next gun. This can either make things easier or a bit more difficult. Frankly, this is one reason why I like the XD platform....ambidextrous mag release and no reliance on a thumb safety (unless you specifically buy one with such a configuration).
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