Posted on 01/19/2010 1:22:52 PM PST by scottdeus12
Hi all, I'm in the market for a semi-auto conceal & carry handgun. I just found out that Ruger is making a compact version of their SR9 (the SR9c) due to ship this month.
I currently have a Ruger Red Label 12ga O/U which is a magnificent shotgun - I'm just a bit hazy on their sidearms....
Any opinions? Any other suggestions for a semi-auto C&C?
Thanks! Go Scott Brown!
Typo, I meant XDM 3.8 not XDM 3.9
You're mixing and matching there a pocket gun with hoster guns and steel guns with polymer guns. They serve different carry needs/preferences.
Whatever you get, I would advise you to get something you'll actually practice with. You won't enjoy shooting the Keltech as much as the others you've mentioned, due to the relative size of the caliber to the weight of the gun.
As mentioned, I have a S&W M&P 9c for small holster carry, which just felt much better in my hand than Glock, Springfields, Sigs, etc. The retail clerk knew what he was doing when he put that in my hand after I handled the others!
For pocket carry, I don't want a mousegun in anything over .380 because of the unpleasant recoil. For that reason I recently bought a Sig P238 to wear with shorts. It's actually fun to practice with and very accurate for a small gun.
Your mileage may vary. Search the reviews, decide how you want to carry, then go handle.
Best of luck.
The only "problem" I've ever had with my SR9 was in the very beginning when it was brand new - it had to be broken in. I had a few FTF's but since then it's run very smoothly. So, just run a couple hundred rounds through it and you should be GTG.
On a side note, some people don't like the trigger because it feels "gritty" but I, myself, haven't experienced this.
I second any recommendation for S&W M&P. My M&P .45 is *amazing*.
The Ruger LCP that I have is a fantastic concealed-carry gun. While it does have quite a snappy recoil, it is not a firearm that you will put thousands of rounds through. It disappears into your pocket, or sits at your hip in it’s Fobus Paddle Holster.
Yes the sight picture isn’t great, but a dab of orange Testors enamel takes care of that. If it is needed in an extreme situation, you probably aren’t going to take an inordinate amount of time lining up your sight picture.
Point-Shoot.
While it is not my only carry piece, it gets taken with me the most.
Wow, great info...thanks for all the feedback, looks like I have some homework to do.
Sounds like alot of people like the Springfield, I’ll look into it.
I just have heard that Ruger has a good reputation....
The only other one that feels good in my hands is the Taurus Millenium...
I would recommend a Glock 26. Easy to fire, easy to maintain, and easy to conceal.
Plus, you’ll save a load of money over the .40 version.
Load it with 9mm, 147 grain, JHP and you’ll have no problem defending yourself.
Just my opinion.
RLTW
taurus pt145 mil pro 10+1 45ACP
its tiny and fits in my pocket nicely, i carry it all day every day , the best gun is one you will ALWAYS HAVE WITH YOU
as in not too big to carry
http://www.grnc.org/gun_raffle/images/taurus_PT145.jpg
That said, you might try a good .38 special revolver like the Smith model 642 or the new Ruger LCR. Load it with any .38 special self-defense ammunition you have and it will absolutely go blam every time you pull the trigger. The recoil's a little "snappy" but you can manage it, and you can also literally choose any .38 special ammo available, including 148 gr. wadcutters. I wouldn't want you shooting at ME with them.
Catch your empties in a little cardboard box when you empty the cylinder (or in your hand for that matter) instead of chasing them all over the range, save them, and then once you've got a few hundred of them (not hard to do, really) you can reload them "dozens" of times for a generous stash of practice ammo.
Whatever you're considering, "rent before you buy" is the best advice on this thread IMO.
Had one with the 9.5" barrel and Leupold 2X scope. What a cannon. Still have a target with a ~2" group at 80 yards with factory ammo. Miss it, but not so practical for anything but hunting.............
Dirty Harry CC’ed a 6” Smith & Wesson Mdl 29 in 44 Mag.
it all depend on what you wear and do while packing.
Same issue with my S&W Sigma. It’s really accurate (long initial trigger pull but good reset), but I have to carry it in a little backpack unless I’m bundled up. Looking for either the Kel-Tec PF9 or the Taurus 709 Slim single-stack. Only 8+1, but very slim and I always carry at least one extra mag.
Colonel, USAFR
Colonel,
The Taurus 709...is that a 9mm?
Is the Kel-Tec mucho$$?
How do those two compare size-wise?
Thanks
Thanks for the info - times like these I wish I lived near a bigger city - I don’t think I could find all of those to look at here (pop approx 80,000).
Personally, I would never carry any gun which has a magazine disconnect, and the Ruger SR9 does. If a BG gets close and gets his hands around yours, and forces the magazine to disconnect, the gun is now as useful as a brick, even if there is one int he pipe.
One of the worst safety features ever IMO.
Forgot to add, my necessities for a carry gun are:
-Light trigger (5 lbs or so)
-Single stack (not too think for the hands)
-Single action (no heavy or squishy trigger)
-No magazine disconnect (want a gun, not a brick)
-.45 ACP (a proven fight stopper)
-No more than 28 ounces
FWIW, my carry gun is a Kimber Crimson Ultra.
Possibly gun shows nearby - I’ll have to look.
Any ideas where to start checking for gun shows?
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