Posted on 07/20/2006 4:24:49 PM PDT by Chasaway
I'm about to buy another handgun, primarily for concealed carry/personal protection. I live in Texas, have a concealed carry license and want a handgun I can keep on me pretty much all of the time, probably around my waist somewhere. There are some serious gun nuts that cruise these threads and I want to draw from your experience to make the best pick.
For a little help, I've used the Colt 1911 in .45 and .38 Super and loved the gun. I also really like my Baby Eagle in .45. The primary reason I like these two is the single-action trigger pull (well...I also really, really like the accuracy of my Baby Eagle). But they're both too big and too heavy for the carry weapon I'm looking for. I'm kind of leaning towards the Glock 27 (.40 cal) or its .45 caliber twin. My reservation is the trigger pull. I'd also be interested in a smaller version of the 1911 if I could find it in a smaller, easier-to-conceal size and was confident of its reliability.
Matter of fact, I wouldn't be opposed to a wheel gun, if it had the stopping power and concealability I'd like.
I know there's no way folks can know what I would like/feel comfortable with personally, but I'd really appreciate reading a discussion on it.
That is, if you don't mind giving your opinions about guns again.
And I know I prolly won't get any responses to this...'cause gun people don't really have any strongly held beliefs about their guns. And even if they do, they don't like talking about 'em.
I'm not a gun nut, but got my CCW permit last year. I carry a Keltec .380 all the time. May not be the biggest, baddest gun, but it slips in my pocket and is light enough I forget it's there.
Try some of the Sig offerings... IMHO, better than the Glock. Best out of box trigger pull. Alloy frames are still light weight and even more durable. Come in all the popular calibers (I like 9mm, with +P hollow points they are effective, the bad rap is really FMJ standard loads).
Google "Ohio State Trooper Handgun Trials", they tested 10 Sig P-226 with 12,000 rounds each and they out performed all other models tested including the Glocks. The Sigs finished the test with NO failures in 120,000 rounds that were not the ammo's fault.
Several vendors in Shot Gun News have been selling factory refurbs from police trade ins that are really reasonable.
You will get a lot of good advice here, but perhaps you should provide more details. How will you carry the weapon? Fixed-wing aircraft? Rotor? Ship? Vehicle? Tracked, or untracked?
I carry a Walther PPK in .380. I know it's just a pop gun, but it's small and tough and real easy to conceal.
Take a look at the real small Para Ordnance LDAO. It's a .45, has a double action trigger that's pretty light and lets you carry it cocked and locked. Fpr a revolver, look at the Ruger SP 101 5 shot .357 magnum with the 3" barrel.
I LOVE my hammerless S&W 38SP Airweight.
As for autos, try the CZ's. I qualified with one and fell in love with it. Out of 20+ CC students, I promise I was the least experienced shooter, but I had BY FAR the tightest pattern!
I purchased a Springfield Champion lightweight (28 ounces!) a year ago. Own two Springfield 1911-A1's and they are totally reliable. They DO need to be broken in, though. After 400-500 rounds, most teething problems go away. Other 1911-A1 is a Ultra Compact V-10 Hi-cap. Compared to the Champion, it feels like carrying a brick.
Whoo Hoo! Gun porn and it's not even Friday! My personal preference is a wheel gun for simplicity and reliability. I carry a ruger sp101. .357 magnum provides plenty of stopping power.
Glock 30 In A Comp Tac C Tac Holster.......
Ultimate pocket gun (9mm) you will carry every day:
www.rohrbaughfirearms.com
Pricey ($1200) but it's your life.
Untracked, and as to fixed wing or rotor, I don't know. Depends on what I can get through the metal detector...
:)>
Something somewhat smaller than in ovrtaxt's post, though. I'll need to be able to keep it in my pants or my belt.
That's a thought... I'll bet it's a wrist-snapper, too. What kind of loads would you recommend?
You like it because of the round, the size of the gun...?
I've never shot one, I've only held it. Seems to be a bit fuller on the grip than most of the other sub-compacts Glock makes. From what I was given to understand, it is "built up" because of the .45 cal rounds. Do you know if that's true?
That's a cutie...
125 grain hollowpoints. And the kick with the 3" barrel ain't as bad as you'd think
Gun Nut? Hey! I resemble that!
Nyuck, Nyuck, Nyuck! Seriously, I'd go with the Sig P229 SAS in 40 or 357 Sig. I cranked 250 rds thru one last weekend and it's going to be my next purchase. It will probably become my standard for carry. I have owned a Glock 30 in the past and currently own a Glock M27 although I most always carry a Sig P245. I have just never before experienced the DAK trigger pull and the "melt job" done on the SAS is nothing short of phenomenal!
But if you want some really expert advice go check out this site:
COMBAT CARRY Post this same question on THAT board and print the responses! Free to join of course.
Yes it is a wrist snapper. I put a hogue grip on it and recommend 158 grain bullets. The heavier bullet keeps the recoil down and that's the load recommended by Ruger.
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