Carry Gun Recommendations

[ZigZagZeke]

Received my Utah CHL in the mail today. Time to get serious about a new daily carry weapon. I'll be buying within the next week or so. All your suggestions and comments here will be a big help. I'm now concentrating on a double stack, 9 mm, 3.5 to 4 inch barrel, under 25 oz pistol. You've mentioned several of those, and now it's time to go hold a few in my hand and pick one out. Thanks for all the help.

 

[tar3]

I'm planning to get a lot more serious about using my Oregon CHL. Currently I have a full size stainless 1911, a Colt 1903 in .32, and a .357 Mag revolver with a 4" barrel. The only one that's easy to carry is the Colt and it's too valuable to carry daily. So I'm looking for a serious concealed carry weapon. I'm leaning toward a Glock 43, despite the fact that I hate polymer firearms. I'm thinking a light, compact, double stack 9mm. Price isn't really a consideration. Any suggestions I haven't thought about?

Take a look at the Walther PPS in single stack 9 and the SA XDS in 9 or 45. I carry each of them depending on which one my family members are borrowing. They are both the same size and with a crossbreed IWB holster you will forget it is on you. Stay safe.

 

[Raidingtime]

Received my Utah CHL in the mail today. Time to get serious about a new daily carry weapon. I'll be buying within the next week or so. All your suggestions and comments here will be a big help. I'm now concentrating on a double stack, 9 mm, 3.5 to 4 inch barrel, under 25 oz pistol. You've mentioned several of those, and now it's time to go hold a few in my hand and pick one out. Thanks for all the help.

And you just basically described a Glock 19/26. A SCCY CPX might be right up your ally too. Smith, Springfield, and Sig make good products for what you've described as well. However, the Glock 19 is the most popular carry piece in the parameters you described which makes aftermarket support very extensive.

If you're able to check out Orygun holsters. There based near Hillsboro and make a mean bubblegum holster.

 

[teflon6string]

My sweetheart (a pretty good shot) is weighing (both literally and figuratively) what kind of concealable pistol she wants to get. Right before Christmas, imagine that... So I'm helping her begin to analyze her specific needs within an almost overwhelming slew of options.

She's not real comfy with my airweight snub but certainly gets the tiny size/weight, simple design/function, and the shrouded hammer. I believe a few more sessions with that piece will allow her to build some confidence and proficiency with it - or most small pistols from .380 on up.

If she goes semi-auto, she wants an actual safety. My smallest in that category is a 1911 - fun to shoot but not to carry all the time. So in a compact (highly concealable) size, what do you guys recommend?

 

[Raidingtime]

My sweetheart (a pretty good shot) is weighing (both literally and figuratively) what kind of concealable pistol she wants to get. Right before Christmas, imagine that... So I'm helping her begin to analyze her specific needs within an almost overwhelming slew of options.

She's not real comfy with my airweight snub but certainly gets the tiny size/weight, simple design/function, and the shrouded hammer. I believe a few more sessions with that piece will allow her to build some confidence and proficiency with it - or most small pistols from .380 on up.

If she goes semi-auto, she wants an actual safety. My smallest in that category is a 1911 - fun to shoot but not to carry all the time. So in a compact (highly concealable) size, what do you guys recommend?

Smith and Wesson Shield 9mm with manual safety, night nights, and a crimson trace.

 

[salmonriverjohn]

My sweetheart (a pretty good shot) is weighing (both literally and figuratively) what kind of concealable pistol she wants to get. Right before Christmas, imagine that... So I'm helping her begin to analyze her specific needs within an almost overwhelming slew of options.

She's not real comfy with my airweight snub but certainly gets the tiny size/weight, simple design/function, and the shrouded hammer. I believe a few more sessions with that piece will allow her to build some confidence and proficiency with it - or most small pistols from .380 on up.

If she goes semi-auto, she wants an actual safety. My smallest in that category is a 1911 - fun to shoot but not to carry all the time. So in a compact (highly concealable) size, what do you guys recommend?

I'm going to go with the bersa thunder single stack or the thunder pro double stack in .380 as a recommendation. Both have auto decock, external hammer, safety and adjustable sights.
The prices are great and they are rock solid little hand guns Teflon

 

[teflon6string]

Thanks guys, we'll ogle and grope those, and hopefully many more, at the gun show this weekend.

Her best friend is getting a pink Ruger .380 that we're both curious to shoot. She's fine with my big guns, but I'll tune her up first with a jumpy little revolver so she can impress the hell out of her friends at the farm - chicks who can shoot are hot.

Playing aside, I want her to be smooth and competent with whatever she carries.

 

[teflon6string]

What a great name!

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/flashbang-holster?a=1162315&pm2d=CSE-SPG-15-PLA&utm_medium=PLA&utm_source=Google&utm_campaign=CI&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=WX2*02816360008T4&gclid=CIPgmI6VnskCFQpBfgodtOMOCQ

Douchewagon: "Give me your money."

Innocent victim: "Please don't hurt me, I'll give you whatever you want... Oh wait! What's this?"

 

[ZigZagZeke]

And you just basically described a Glock 19/26. A SCCY CPX might be right up your ally too. Smith, Springfield, and Sig make good products for what you've described as well. However, the Glock 19 is the most popular carry piece in the parameters you described which makes aftermarket support very extensive.

If you're able to check out Orygun holsters. There based near Hillsboro and make a mean bubblegum holster.

A Glock 19 will be the first one I look at.

 

[SoberPoster]

I've been carrying for about 30 years: TZ-75, Colt Mustang, S&W 3904, Firestar, Astra A-70, Glock 20 and now XD and XD Sub-Compact both 40 and 9mm.

The TZ, Firestar and Astra all steel framed guns were tooooo heavy for all day carry.
The S&W 3904 was okay BUT I couldn't hit anything with it;
With extra money I got a Glock 20: big mistake, i.e. toooo big to carry and current FBI/downloaded 10mm shoots just the same as the 40 S&W barrel in that 20.

My son and friend recommended Springfield XD guns; in fact one was on sale here; a used Stainless 40 Tactical: looked great and shot great (for a while). I used it in my Armed Officer qualifications. However the 5" Tactical was a bit big so I got a 40 Sub-Compact and a N8Squared XD 4" IWB holster (that fit the Tactical also). Carried that Sub for years; I shot my son's XDs 45: really a blast, i.e. it really shot like a CANNON and was rougher on me than the wider grip on my 40-Sub. Unlike that 3904 the XD grips helped me actually hit something.

Time marches on and I realized many Armed jobs prefer a 9mm so I got an XD duty (4") 9mm: BIG surprise, much easier to hit with and I could group better than with my 40's.
Back on NWFF I found a XD Sub 9mm and got it: as expected much easier to shoot and HIT with that than the 40 versions..... in a gun fight, only hits count. The 9mm Sub carries almost as easily as that slim XDs.

My other son got his gun rights back and I gave him those 2 40's' his strong grip can handle them easily..... then the kicker: my used Tactical has an occasional tendency to DOUBLE-TAP on it's own: I had forgotten that and mentioned it to my son who discovered the trigger bar had been tampered with. A former owner had tried to make a RACE GUN themselves and apparently botched the job; a week later my son jacked the slide and that gun ADed (ACCIDENTAL not NEGLIGENT) since there was a mechanical failure in the safety system due to that BOTCHED TRIGGER JOB.

In several Magazine articles and Books a CARRY GUN's trigger must remain unaltered to prevent any hint of negligence: any USED GUN with ANY UNUSUAL trigger issues should be retired and investigated ASAP. The repair costs about $150; upping the used guns' cost past what a brand-new one would have been. BUYER BEWARE!!!!!

Since his AD was using an expensive $2 defense round with limited penetration there was minor damage; with his safe gun handling practices he had it pointed in a safe direction as always and no one was hurt... those handling drills and expensive ammo really work and saved the day. (Justifiably he was quit shaken afterwards and retired that gun until repaired.)

Any brand used gun could develop safety issues with an amateur whacking on it; not just my poor XD Tactical. Again BUYER BEWARE!!!!!

 

[mjbskwim]

If she goes semi-auto, she wants an actual safety. My smallest in that category is a 1911 - fun to shoot but not to carry all the time. So in a compact (highly concealable) size, what do you guys recommend?

I wouldn't worry too much what your smallest is,but what fits your wife best.
And I have heard about quite a few ladies that bought little light weight guns and traded them back in cause of the severe recoil
I think if you live anywhere close to a indoor range you should go shoot as many guns as possible.When it comes to the 'wifey' don't say anything just let her pick the gun. It has to fit her not what you think fits her.[And make sure she can actually kill someone if she's gunna carry]

 

[teflon6string]

I wouldn't worry too much what your smallest is,but what fits your wife best.
And I have heard about quite a few ladies that bought little light weight guns and traded them back in cause of the severe recoil
I think if you live anywhere close to a indoor range you should go shoot as many guns as possible.When it comes to the 'wifey' don't say anything just let her pick the gun. It has to fit her not what you think fits her.[And make sure she can actually kill someone if she's gunna carry]

Like I said above, she's got to be comfortable and competent with what she decides to carry. Not gonna happen with something I like but she doesn't.

I can shoot anything, but there are adorable little pocket guns I don't like at all. A tiny .32 bit the web of my bare hand on a sub-freezing day. I might've thrown it in the river but it was frozen.

She's very handy with the 1911, the S&W686 (6" barrel) and others, but wants something she can conceal. My role is to get as many compact guns into her hands as I can (and shoot them) while she deliberates over her choices. As much as we despise crowds, we're on our way to the gun show this morning to grope some grips and sweep strangers.

 

[nammac]

Like I said above, she's got to be comfortable and competent with what she decides to carry.

I can shoot anything, but there are adorable little pocket guns I don't like at all. A tiny .32 bit the web of my bare hand on a sub-freezing day. I might've thrown it in the river but it was frozen.

She's very handy with the 1911, the S&W686 (6" barrel) and others, but wants something she can conceal. My role is to get as many compact guns into her hands as I can (and shoot them) while she deliberates over her choices. As much as we despise crowds, we're on our way to the gun show this morning to grope some grips and sweep strangers.

For concealment, assuming your wife is of average build, I would think the XDs 3.3 in .45 or 9mm would be a good choice as well as the Glock 43. Or even the S&W 9mm Shield.

The thinner the sidearm, the easier it is to conceal. The key is it needs to not only fit comfortably, but point naturally as well, with decent sights. But you already know all that

Enjoy the gun show!

 

[teflon6string]

Okay... Gun show was interesting. Groped a lot of small pistols with my GF who wants a compact semi-auto purse/carry piece with a safety - or a revolver with a 12 lb DA trigger.

She experienced a bit of overload given the array of calibers, frame sizes, options, prices, colors and "expert" advice from behind the tables. While many of them are really tiny and cute (in a Barbie's sports car sort of way), I anticipate the biggest wakeup call will come with felt recoil, control-ability and grip/trigger comfort.

In a perfect world, the next logical step would be for her to fire, back to back in one day:
- LCP
- LC9 (both flavors)
- LC380
- S&W M&P Shield 9mm with safety
- my own compact revolver with shrouded hammer
- and a least a few with lasers just to get a feel for those.

Am I dreaming? Or is there a range near Portland/Vantucky/Salem where we can do something like that economically? We'll go where we must to get the best bang for our buck.

 

[defending fathers 1787]

A Glock 19 will be the first one I look at.

If you are looking at G19 then you should also consider a PPQ or VP9 as well. small diff. in size. I switched from a G19 to PPQ.

 

[nammac]

Okay... Gun show was interesting. Groped a lot of small pistols with my GF who wants a compact semi-auto purse/carry piece with a safety - or a revolver with a 12 lb DA trigger.

She experienced a bit of overload given the array of calibers, frame sizes, options, prices, colors and "expert" advice from behind the tables. While many of them are really tiny and cute (in a Barbie's sports car sort of way), I anticipate the biggest wakeup call will come with felt recoil, control-ability and grip/trigger comfort.

In a perfect world, the next logical step would be for her to fire, back to back in one day:
- LCP
- LC9 (both flavors)
- LC380
- S&W M&P Shield 9mm with safety
- my own compact revolver with shrouded hammer
- and a least a few with lasers just to get a feel for those.

Am I dreaming? Or is there a range near Portland/Vantucky/Salem where we can do something like that economically? We'll go where we must to get the best bang for our buck.

There's Beavercreek Armory in Hillsboro, right off 26. Not sure they would have everything your looking for but might have a reasonable selection...

It's cheaper to try than to purchase and sell at a loss...

 

[Kid@Heart]

Okay... Gun show was interesting. Groped a lot of small pistols with my GF who wants a compact semi-auto purse/carry piece with a safety - or a revolver with a 12 lb DA trigger.

She experienced a bit of overload given the array of calibers, frame sizes, options, prices, colors and "expert" advice from behind the tables. While many of them are really tiny and cute (in a Barbie's sports car sort of way), I anticipate the biggest wakeup call will come with felt recoil, control-ability and grip/trigger comfort.

In a perfect world, the next logical step would be for her to fire, back to back in one day:
- LCP
- LC9 (both flavors)
- LC380
- S&W M&P Shield 9mm with safety
- my own compact revolver with shrouded hammer
- and a least a few with lasers just to get a feel for those.

Am I dreaming? Or is there a range near Portland/Vantucky/Salem where we can do something like that economically? We'll go where we must to get the best bang for our buck.

Did you try out the Sig 238 in .380 or the Sig 938 in 9mm?

Ask her if she has ever set her purse down in public or what she believes most criminals will take from a woman. She might want to reconsider the purse carry idea.

 

[teflon6string]

We both liked the Sigs, and they're in the race. Only saw one Bersa. Kimber? Just too damn much. Thinking a lot about a laser, and those seem more prevalent as package deals on the more "common" brands.

She's very conscientious, sensibly paranoid, about her purse and I'm comfy watching it when she powders her nose (but only if it goes with my shoes). Whatever she buys will also be carried at times in a holster, glove box, coat pocket, fanny pack, dry bag and camelback.

 

[Kid@Heart]

What a great name!

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/flashbang-holster?a=1162315&pm2d=CSE-SPG-15-PLA&utm_medium=PLA&utm_source=Google&utm_campaign=CI&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=WX2*02816360008T4&gclid=CIPgmI6VnskCFQpBfgodtOMOCQ

Douchewagon: "Give me your money."

Innocent victim: "Please don't hurt me, I'll give you whatever you want... Oh wait! What's this?"

My wife was convinced this was "Just the ticket" for concealed carry. So I purchased one.

Now, before I get into too much trouble here, I would like to establish that I have been married to the love of my life for over 40 years and wouldn't change anything about her for any reason...

I would like to point out to anyone who might not have noticed that the model in the advertisement was a fairly buxom young woman with a reinforced, armor plated, steel gusseted brassiere.

Did I point out that I love my wife? By the way, (not that it makes any difference), she reads my posts. I can assure you- That isn't her in the picture.

So, I ordered one of the Flashbang Holsters for a Smith and Wesson Airweight she wanted to carry. When the package arrived, we went into the Master Suite to fit the holster and try out the concealment properties. It didn't end up like the picture in the advertisement.

Several problems-
1. The weight of the holster and unloaded handgun combined to pull her brassiere down to just below her navel.

2. When she tried to pull the gun out of the holster it didn't release and the brassiere came with it.

3. I found myself in a room with my topless 60 year old wife holding a holstered handgun wrapped in a bra. I'm lucky it was unloaded because she wasn't real happy about her husband rolling around on the bed laughing his a$$ off.

4. Once she reassembled the holster to a more substantial support garment we tried having her wear it around the house with various blouses and sweaters to see how well it concealed. It was amazing. You really couldn't tell she was carrying a handgun. Of course it looked like she had a third breast with lots of sharp corners.

I got her a shoulder holster and a nice sweater.

I have taught a lot of mature housewife types how to safely handle and shoot a handgun over the past couple of years. Invariably, I get questions about the Flashbang holster. I hand them the holster with the unloaded smith in it and escort them to the restroom. Not a one of them has asked to purchase one. I would recommend anyone who is considering purchasing one of these to try one out first. If you can't borrow one, just take a large padlock and attach it to the center of the brassiere. See what happens when you hang the weight there.
Then give it a tug...

 

[teflon6string]

Totally agree. Of course I liked the pic in the ad, but my GF and I both noticed they failed to disclose that some settling may occur in the package.