[Silly]

Let me add, it was the NRA's EasyPayLife plan that put me over the edge. Can't afford to pay for life in one gulp, and don't want a yearly membership that requires payment only good for a year. To make room in my budget, I gave up my Hulu membership at $11.99 per month to accommodate the EPL price of $25 per quarter.

[RoadieFan]

Shoot a lot of different ones before you decide. If you have not shot much, get into a class and practice.

My first carry gun was a S&W MP 9mm. Great gun. But I soon replaced it with a S&W model 66 .357 magnum revolver, just loved the trigger action so much more and loved shooting the gun. Then I found my 1911, and now I carry a .45 S&W E series 1911. Best shooting gun I have ever had the pleasure to use. The key is, what works in one persons hand, may not fit anothers. So try out lots of them.

[Jhadur]

Hi point makes one of the ugliest 9mm you’ll ever see, and it’s so heavy that if you run out of ammo, you’ll still likely be able to register a kill by throwing it at or clubbing the perp. It’s not a good choice for ccw and it’s accuracy is easily bested by high end weapons...but I got mine at Dunham’s for well under $200.

[Jhadur]

Did I mention they’re the most reliable gun I’ve ever owned and the no questions asked transferrable lifetime warranty?

[DungeonMaster]

Get the “high powered AR-15 handgun”.

[Lee N. Field]

Meanwhile, I would appreciate suggestions. I want a model that is classic, easy to care for, good power, and doesn't cost a fortune. It is a one-time purchase, so I won't buy the cheapest thing out there, but I have to watch my money. I will be putting away money each month to build up my firearm savings account so when I'm ready to buy I can do so. And I'd like a model that doesn't require high-priced ammo.

Standard answer, Glock 19, bunch of Glock factory magazines, crap-ton of 9mm ammo. Done.

Eschew most suggestions for modifications.

[Sans-Culotte]

In my CHL class, I qualified with a semi, but I actually carry a S&W .38 Airweight revolver. I bought the airweight for my wife because of the light weight. However, she does not like it because the light weight makes it have a strong recoil which hurts her hand.

If you get a concealed carry license, it is important that you actually carry the gun. I know quite a few people who have a carry license but do not carry their guns on their persons. I carry the .38 revolver in my right front pocket with a pocket holster. It does not print. Someone may know I've got something in my pocket, but they won't know what. I carry my wallet and keys in my left front pocket, so both pockets show equal bulk. I only wear pleated pants, so that the extra room makes my pockets look less loaded. I won't wear jeans or non-pleated pants because I want to be able to carry my gun at all times.Pocket holsters are made to stick to the pocket while allowing easy removal of the weapon.

Another reason I carry the revolver is that it is ready to fire all the time, and easy to draw without shooting myself. If you carry a semi, you have to have a round chambered and the safety OFF to be able to pull the gun and shoot it. The former police officer who taught my CHL class stressed that if you don't have both hands free when you pull a semi, it will be useless if you have to chamber a round and flip off the safety.

I had to use my handgun once, and was glad it was a revolver. One evening, while walking my dog, he was attacked by a pit-bull. The pit-bull had my dog (a Pembroke Welsh Corgi) by the back of his neck and was shaking him violently. My left hand was occupied with the dog leash, which was being pulled so hard by the struggle that my hand was blistered by the friction. Once I figured out that there was no owner of the pit-bull to help me (there was NO ONE around), I pulled my .38 out of my right front pocket and shot the pit-bull. It took two shots to make the pit-bull release my dog. There is no way I would have been able to chamber a round or flip off a safety with my left had being jerked so hard. The .38 was a simple point and shoot weapon. By having it in my right front pocket, it was an easy draw. It wasn't some gun that could get stuck in the back of my wasteband or my shirt-tail (lots of guys carry concealed that way).

I think it is good to have a semi-auto at home though, in case there is a home invasion and you need more firepower and quick reloading.

[Georgia Girl 2]

If you can’t keep the firearm in your apt. Save your money and buy better locks. You can demo guns at the range when you want to shoot.

[the lastbestlady]

I recommend Smith and Wesson. I have a.38, .357 and a 44 magnum. I go with revolvers instead of semi-autos.

[eyedigress]

Become proficient in aim. It isn’t easy.

I have Gl-23 and Sig Mosquito. One stops with any body hit, the other will rattle inside. Glock is 13+1 round capacity .40
and the Sig is a .22LR with 10+1.