Carry pistol-recommendations (Vanity)

[QualityMan]

I am looking for recommendations for a CCW pistol. I am working through the legalities of getting my permit, and am starting to shop for a weapon.

I already have a Ruger SR9, and am happy with it, but it is a bit bulky for CC. Want to stay with 9mm, or perhaps .380...leaning towards auto, but could be convinced to carry a wheel gun, also.

Your suggestions are always appreciated.

[mamelukesabre]

Seems like I read in a gun magazine a year or two ago that someone was going to start producing 22mag cartridges designed especially for short barrel pistols. I don’t know if it ever happened tho.

The difference between a cartridge that works well with a short barrel vs one that doesn’t is how fast the powder burns and how high the chamber pressure spikes right at the start. 9mm is a high pressure round that spikes early, 9mm+P even moreso. Cartridges that outperform others in long barrels have chamber pressures that remain constant over a longer period of time. 357mag is one such cartridge. 357mag is actually designed for 6”bbl or longer. A standard old fashioned 357mag cop revolver(4 or 5” bbl) is actually extremely powerful. And extremely accurate. Unless you go to 44 mag, I don’t think you will find anything more powerful. Maybe 10mm but you will lose accuracy. I can’t remember which states, but some states used to issue state troopers an N frame S&W revolver chambered in 357mag with a 5”bbl. 6shots. The added weight/size increased accuracy and durability. A lot. The 5” bbl increased sight radius and power.

[ezo4]

Thats why i carry a 45 with hp’s. 230grn in a glock30.

[Mr Rogers]

“Shoot the pelvis with something hard hitting, like 357mag. When the pelvic bone breaks, the legs become useless.”

Almost never works when tried. People are actually VERY tough animals. Few handguns will reliably break the pelvic bone.

“Also, if the cartridge is powerful enough, the shock wave of the impact temporarily disables all nerves in the area even if they aren’t damaged or directly hit. A 357mag and higher will temporarily paralyze arms and legs even if nerves and bone are untouched. This is what I’ve read anyway.”

You’ve read tripe. No handgun does that. Many hunters can attest to shooting a 100-200 lb deer with a rifle (4+ times the power of a .357) and seeing the deer run 100+ yards with it heart blown out. Lots of info here: http://www.firearmstactical.com/tactical.htm

“Unfortunately 357mag from a snubbie won’t do it tho. 357mag loses more power from short barrels than any other handgun cartridge I know of. With extremely short barrels, you are better off with 9mm+P than with 357mag.”

No. My S&W 2” barrel will fire Buffalo Bore .38+P ammo moving 158 grain bullets at over 1000 fps. Frankly, that will wound about as well as anything. However, their .357 ammo will move a 158 grain bullet at 1400 fps from a 3” barrel - don’t have data at my fingertips for 2” barrels, but believe it is around 1250 fps.

158 grain Federal Hydrashock ammo, fired from real guns, recorded the following speeds:

3”: 1154
4”: 1248
6”: 1153

You lose about 100-200 fps shooting .357 ammo from a 2/2.5 inch barrel vs 4 inch barrel.

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/results.html

I think the best short article I’ve read on handguns for self defense is here:

http://www.snubnose.info/docs/No_faith.htm

[Mr Rogers]

A .357 shoot fine from a 2-2.5 inch barrel. You lose some velocity, but not enough to make it significantly less effective. The extra blast MIGHT be a problem. I don't mind shooting 44 Mags in a 2.5 inch barrel, but I may be a bit weird...but NOT a good concealed carry gun:

[mamelukesabre]

Deer have 4 legs and can run on three. No one shoots a deer in the leg. humans don’t run so good on one leg and cant shoot worth crap when their gun hand won’t work.

I beg your pardon, humans are not nearly as tough as a deer of the same body mass. Humans are fragile. And I consider your numbers tripe. 158grain specials are not even close to the same thing as 125grain magnums.

[Gun142]

I’m guessing the flame thrower effect of 50cal powder would be just as dangerous as the bullet, if not worse.
Shoot this at night - everybody blind.

[Gun142]

I put a solid guide rod with a 1911 spring in my XD40 4”.
Puts a little extra weight out there and I think it functions better. Factory spring seemed a little light to me.

[Yosemitest]

Here's what NOT to do.

Luger P08 - 9x19mm. This is the long barreled "Artillery" model of the Luger P08 - 9x19mm


Colt Single Action Army w/ 12" barrel known as the "Buntline Special".

[Gun142]

I carry a 442 with a cheap Blackhawk inside-the-pants holster.
If I’m wearing a shirt or coat long enough, I put the holster in my front pants pocket. Often times part of the plastic clip is exposed but it looks like a phone case.

I’ve found it easier to carry this way and more comfortable. Don’t have to clear the shirt out of the way as far or reach up as high to remove\draw gun. Also puts the gun more towards the side of my body. Grip doesn’t stick to your hot gut in summer.

I suggest a 5 shot revolver because they are reliable. Never had one fail to feed or stovepipe. The longer trigger pull of a double action prevents accidental discharges.

Some people load and unload their carry gun every day or somewhat often. Revolver is the safest gun to load and unload.

Could make the argument that it’s also easier because you don’t have to load a round in the mag every time. That round will also take wear and get scratched up after enough times of being slammed out of the magazine, bounce off the ‘ramp’ and loaded into the chamber. It’s **very rare** but possible to dislodge a bullet inside the case if loaded in a semi-auto too many times.
This can cause another reliability issue not present in revolvers.

No matter what people tell you about caliber, brand, model, etc, make sure to consider everything you will be doing with the gun like loading\unloading, vehicle storage, comfort walking\running\sitting..... anything you can think of with how the gun will fit into your everyday life.

Speaking of running - was walking my dog when it backed out of it’s his harness. Was doing the pocket-holster carry. Ran the dog down and the gun never moved. I never thought about that situation beforehand but now I know it works for me (confidence matters).

Stupid dog gets any faster and I’ll be left with just a warning shot to make her stop.
(yes, joke)

[Gun142]

LOL
Where’s the stock?
I think I have a shotgun with a shorter barrel!

[scott7278]

I’m not familiar with the 4” model, but I’ve heard of others who have done the same thing.

[Yosemitest]

Just click on them, for the source.

[Shadowstrike]

Smith & Wesson 32 with hollow points is small enough yet packs a good punch, has a safety.

If you are set on a 9mm, look at a Sig Saur SP2022. Not too bulky, 15 round clip, light and accurate. The only drawback...no safety, once she’s loaded she’s ready. But it’s just my opinion. :)

[caver]

“Whats wrong with being a pro-gun site?”

Nothing wrong at all. I love it too. Just making me wonder?

[caver]

“Actually, I think we’re a pro-2nd Amendment website.

Also, a pro-Bill of Rights website.

Also, a pro-Constitution website.

I guess that would mean we’re a pro-AMERICAN website!”

Well said! Maybe a bit a of paranoia is sneaking into my empty head?

[MrPiper]

I was just looking at the PF-9 in a buyers guide. It looks like a solid little handgun, and reviews seem to be mostly positive. Price is attractive, too. do you have one?

Yes,, it is my carry weapon. It has been 100% reliable, but I only use ball ammo. (discussion for another thread)

[driftdiver]

Shoot for center mass, its been tried and proven. You don’t shoot for arms, legs or anything else. I’ve never read anything about disabling nerves before.

[absolootezer0]

Could make the argument that it’s also easier because you don’t have to load a round in the mag every time. That round will also take wear and get scratched up after enough times of being slammed out of the magazine, bounce off the ‘ramp’ and loaded into the chamber. It’s **very rare** but possible to dislodge a bullet inside the case if loaded in a semi-auto too many times.

more common is having a KB from the bullet being seated to deeply from being rechambered daily.

[70th Division]

I have one and love it. Get the bigger mag. The pull is good. And it is cheap. Carries well in a pocket.

[absolootezer0]

There's really only one CCW handgun in the world, and that would be the Smith model 642 in .38 special.

for a carry revolver, i'm old school- i like my model 36 :)