i don't know that the terminal ballistics are that much different but i think sight recovery is faster and easier with the 9mmAfter witnessing a shopper in my local Meijer store openly carrying this evening, I've decided to start openly carrying also but the P226 is a bit large for carrying and the Kahr and Walther are a bit under powered.
The Equinox appears to be the perfect carry firearm but that would mean giving up the P226 that I inherited from my dad after he died.
I would appreciate any advice that folks here could offer. Thanks...........
Firearms are investments. Can’t you sell a kidney or something other than one of your firearms?
Keep the P226.
Not only because you’ll always regret selling it, but the .40 cal. is over-rated IMHO.
I’ve not seen anyone shoot it as well as 9mm.
Too much noise, flash and muzzle pop for accurate follow up shots.
124 or 147 gr hollow-points in 9mm are very effective.
Sell the Khar and the Walther.
You own SIG-Sauer’s best model already with the 226.
I’ll help, but please share your wisdom about the following:
Why would you want one of SIG-Sauer’s screwy .40 S&Ws?
Why do you think the Kahr MK9 is underpowered?
Are you prevented from CCW but allowed to Open Carry?
If not, why would you Open Carry?
My personal opinion is that you’re off-base on several things here.
The little lady and myself only have one piece a piece, both concealed. If I wanted to open carry I would just use the same piece that I now conceal...but I’m cheap that way. :{)
Also, if you’re a sig guy, how about the P290RS?
I love my P229 and it’s my preferred carry gun. But I’ve also carried a full size 1911 concealed with little issue as well. A big part of the equation is your choice of holster though.
Got a H&K VP9 from my wife for Christmas, but haven’t carried it yet as I haven’t put more than a few rounds down range with it.
i don't know that the terminal ballistics are that much different but i think sight recovery is faster and easier with the 9mmAdvice on firearms & motorcycles are like assail er bellybuttons. Everyone has one. I personally think the answer to both “best” gun or motorcycle for you is what ever fits you and makes you smile. Or better yet whatever makes you giggle.
1. I would never leave a gun in my vehicle.
I've had my car/truck broken into numerous times over the years, including in daylight in a well lit public parking garage (city run), in my driveway (very nice neighborhood, never and house break-ins), and in an open parking lot in the middle of downtown San Francisco (actually my friends car, parked next to mine).
Cars are just not very secure.
2. Concealed carry is better than open carry in most situations, unless you live somewhere very very rural.
I open carry when I'm camping, or out in the desert. But in town it's just much better to be concealed. Your tactical choices are better in the event of a robbery or shooting, you are not an instant target for the creep. If you have the choice, I would conceal carry.
3. What do you want the new gun for, exactly? If you are going to open carry, one reason to do that is to carry a larger gun more comfortably. The 226 fits the bill.
These days there isn't a lot of difference in stopping power between the 9mm and 40mm, so I don't think that would be a reason to upgrade.
4. If you are going to conceal and carry either the PPK or Kahr are good for that. I'd try to work on having good rigs for both, and carrying one or the other all the time. If you get comfortable carrying the Kahr then you could sell the PPK, which is a classic bordering on being obsolete, and shoots the less powerful .380 (I assume..it was chambered in even smaller calibers too).
5. If you want to move up to get more power, and want to open carry, then I would go with a full size gun in a full-size caliber, either a .45, 10mm or perhaps even something like a .44 revolver. If I lived in the country or mountains a good wheel gun for critter protection would be my choice, and I'd open carry it.
6. If I had inherited a gun from my Dad (and it worked), I think I would keep it forever. It's nice you got that. I guess if he had a whole collection and you got several you might sell some but keep your favorites. Once it's gone it's gone. Do you have other keepsakes from him? Do you have sons of you own? Would they like grandpa's gun someday. The only downside to this thinking is that it's a plastic gun, not sure they are really 100 year plus heirlooms like a nice steel pistol. I guess we'll find out in about another 60 years or so.
Finally, don't rush. You've got some nice guns, you could always just stick $10 a week in a coffee can. You could buy the Equinox for yourself by Christmas of 2017, and still have the other guns.
Concealed, or discreet carry with a cover garment, etc, is the way to go IMO.
Someone around here pointed out that the .40 caliber is a high-pressure cartridge that wears out handguns. I'd go with a 9mm or a .45auto assuming that you like autos... JMO.
But they're worth it.
I have the P227 Equinox with the new E2 ergonomic grips. As a 10+1 .45 it fits my hand well (medium small), and controls recoil better than my old P220.
So if it’s got the E2 grips, that is a big plus. On the down side, the Equinox has polished places on the slide, so it would reflect light more than the standard matte finish in low light conditions.
Another plus is the fiber optic/ tritium front sight, good viz in day and night conditions.
The E2 grips are the big advantage IMO.
I have the 229 and love it. Never had a problem with it and fired thousands of rounds.
With modern ammo, I don’t feel under-gunned with 9mm, though my main carry is .357mag. BTW, what are your thoughts on your MK9, I have the PM9. It has not been reliable enough to trust my life with it.
Here’s my response based on my shooting 40 cal for many years. Although I like the caliber, I cringe every time I go to buy ammo and see 9mm ammo 1/3 less in price than 40cal. I also shoot .380 but consider that a big pop gun and ammo is the same price as .40 cal. If I had to do it over again I’d go with the 9mm because I’m now on a fixed budget and share my cost of shooting with my cost of playing golf. I could do more of both if I had gone with the 9mm. As for the previous comment about .40 cal wearing out barrels, I haven’t seen any wear to my S&W M&P full or Shield. Hope this helps.
If anything sell the Khar. If the Walther is a 22, sell that too. At the end of the day, get what you want as long as its in an effective standard and available caliber like 9, 40, 45. 9mm is fine for CC. .40 is the answer to the question that wasn't asked. It was developed by the FBI after switching to 10mm and a lot of the female agents having issue with the recoil. I have a couple .40s, but with today's bonded jacketed hollow points, it really leveled the field so go with the higher round count with the 9mm. I use Hornady Critical Duty or Winchester PDX1(FBI uses .40 PDX1)
As far as concealing a 226, the holster and clothing choice will make more of a difference than a smaller weapon. Even with open carry, holster choice is pretty critical. Concealed carry offers surprise, sometimes that's a decisive advantage. I like JM Custom kydex, raven concealment, and crossbreed holsters. They offer both concealed and open carry holsters and mag carriers.
Another thought for you - Can you afford an M&P or a Glock? They're cheap, have a lot of aftermarket support, and are used by tons of armed professionals. So my advise for that is rent as many firearms at the range you can, and test them out. If you liked the 1911 back in your service days, the M&P is more preferred among 1911 fans. It's also available with a safety so you can ride it like a 1911. If you absolutely need it to go bang every time, glock is a very reliable tool. M&P is not far behind. Both will run you about $500. Check budsgunshop.com and ableammo.com, they have good prices and free shipping on a lot of their stuff. Find a dealer that does transfers under $30 or will price match the online dealers.
I hope this helps. You can call the people at any of the companies I listed, they all have really decent websites and customer service.
I would keep the 226 and buy a sig 2020 in 40. About half the price and weight of the Equinox and a great gun.
I don’t really know anything about them but CDNN has the Walther PPX in your choice of 9mm or .40S&W for $279. That also includes a spare mag.
Legion, if you can find it.