Posted on 06/07/2010 6:24:12 PM PDT by Labyrinthos
I am in the process of shopping for my first concealed carry pistol. I have narrowed the field to the Glock 19 (4.02" barrel), Glock 26 (3.46" barrel), Baretta PX Storm (either 4" or 3" barrel), and Springfield XD (either 4.08" or 3.10" barrel) -- all 9mm/10+1.
My concern is that the sub-compacts feel uncomfortably small in my large hands. I have also been told that I should become proficient with a pistol with a 4" barrel, which has a longer line of sight, before moving to a sub-compact. On the other hand, I am concerned that the pistols with the 4" barrels will not conceal well, particularly the Baretta and Springfield, which have an overall length that is about a half inch longer than the Glock.
Another concern is the safety system on the Glock, which from what I have read, seems more prone to accidental discharge.
In addition, what kind of factory sights should I get? Several people have told me to stick with fixed sights for a CCW, night sights if available, because adjustible sights tend to get knocked out of line when the pistol is carried every day.
Lastly, the reason I am going with the 9mm is because I really like to shoot a lot at the range, and 9mm is significantly more affordable than .40 S & W and .45 ACP, particularly when I already have two .357's to feed. Given how much I like to shoot, the pistol I buy will need to be a workhorse with a proven record for durability and reliability.
Thanks in advance for all the wonderful advice that you will give me.
I started one of these threads last month. Ended up going with the Heckler & Koch P30 (HK USPc 9mm was my second choice, followed by Walther P99, Sig P239 and Glock 19).
I cannot recommend the HK P30 highly enough. It is truly a fantastic pistol ... compact, comfortable, concealable, powerful, reliable, accurate, rugged. A truly badass weapon.
I am an HK believer at this point. Getting an HK USP Compact .45 later this year.
SnakeDoc
I want a .50 BMG pocket pistol that kicks like a pellet gun and is just as quiet. And it has to fit in my pocket. When it goes, off, I want it to vaporize everything within a kilometer. In the general direction I’m pointing it, that is. Also it should not vaporize good people. Am I asking too much?
Either don’t shoot reloads, or have a very elaborate and formal method of keeping track of which way the round was positioned each time it is fired, so that is can never be fired twice with the weakness against the same part of the brass case.
I have reloaded and shot thousands of reloads in my Glocks. It is the 40s that have the reputation for kabooms, and that was in the early models.
Glock has sloppy tolerances, which is one reason why they are so reliable. They hardly ever jam, stovepipe or force you to clear a round. That loose tolerance allowed excessive pressures in some of their early 40s and created some problems, BUT on every one of them sent back to glock there was evidence of hot loads.
I shoot normal reloads. That means when it calls for 5 grains of bullseye I LOAD 5 grains, and dont' think "boy howdy, this will really drill em if I run on up to 8 or so." I do reasonable checks when I load and cull split or bulged cases, but you can reload straightwall case brass NUMBERS of times and not worry about an accident.
Glocks really have no greater number of kabooms than any other handgun. I have pics of sigs, colts, smith/wesson, kimbers, H&Ks, rugers and berettas that all blew up. They are mechanical instruments under tremendous pressure and they will sometimes fail. Glocks fail "more" simply because there are so many "more" of them.
BTTT
Try either the XD .40 Cal or 9mm, both have an extender allowing for a 10 capacity Mag and they fit beautifully in my large hand.
Furthermore, I have the XD .45 and love it’s performance.
She’s a beauty.
Consider that the M1911 has been around for 100 years.
Gotta love it.
Oh, I forgot to mention, it’s a sub-compact.
The HK P30 ... 15+1 capacity, HK reliability, and relatively concealable. It is the most comfortable gun you'll ever hold. Comes with two alternate backstraps and side grips for different hand sizes.
Only down side is that HK is a high-end brand ... which means you're going to pay a bit more for it. But, you'll never regret spending a bit more.
SnakeDoc
you forgot “I want the bullet to home in on evil.”
Like the receipe for the perfect knife:
Sharp as a needle,
Keen as a razor,
Small enough to fit in your pocket,
Big enough to use as a paddle for your canoe.
HK is the company that hates you because you suck.
Pity some of their products are darned adequate. Too bad they seem to insist that buyers drink their coolaide. Lot of German companies like that.
The best gun is the one in your pocket loaded with hollow points.
My Kel-tec P3AT is so small and light I can’t tell it’s in my pocket. Lifetime guarantee, made in FL. Looks like all the other little guns shown above.
It’s my American Express card.
>> HK is the company that hates you because you suck.
I can respect that. I often dislike people that suck.
There is a reason Jack Bauer carries an HK. Haha.
SnakeDoc
Well I did say I didn’t want it to vaporize good people. So I guess that kind of homes in on evil.
Every gun you mentioned is fine. In fact better than fine. I would not let a short barrel bother me at all as long as it is at least 3 inches. BTW, the 9mm seems to work well in short barrels.
The difference in accuracy between a 3 or 4 inch barrel is not noticeable and the longer sight radius only a tiny advantage.
I personally would choose the Glock 19 because I had one and loved it. I let a supposed friend actually con me out of it. We are no longer friends.
If I had my pick of any handgun for concealed carry it would be a commander or combat commander in .45 auto.
A Desert Eagle wouldn’t be much larger.
The P30 is a compact. It is concealable in normal attire. The USP (not USPc) is larger and not easily concealable (though still considerably smaller than a Desert Eagle).
The HK Mk23 (the Special Forces predecessor to the USP) is comparable in size to the Eagle ... its a freaking cannon, and you couldn’t conceal it in a parka.
SnakeDoc
IMHO the 2 CCW concerns as to the size of a pistol are width and grip length. Barrel length is not so important as it just sticks down your leg.
The more important concern is safety. Get a pistol with an external safety!!!
That excludes Glock and several others unless you carry it w/ an empty chamber.
I know I’m going to catch a lot of flack but that’s my opinion.
Look at the S&W MPc. Can be had w/ a thumb safety.
Also don’t overlook a revolver. Even though the cylinder is fairly wide it’s amazing how well they can be hidden in a pocket, esp. cargo pants.
Inherently safer than a pistol, very reliable.
Light weight S&W 642 type. No exposed hammer.
If you are stuck with 10 round mags, get a gun optimized for 10 rounds. Don’t get a gun that is big enough to hold 18 rounds, and carry all that bulk “half empty.” Get a true 10+1, as small and slim as possible.
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