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Need advice on concealed carry handgun
Me

Posted on 09/22/2003 7:44:24 PM PDT by ChuckHam

Okay, I'm going to take the plunge and get a handgun for concealed carry. I want a weapon with good knockdown power, I'm thinking .40 SW or .45. It needs to have a small frame since I live in San Antonio and the weather is warm most of the year so I won't be wearing heavy clothes. I also want single/double action. I'd also like advice on a holster as well. Weapon must be reliable and able to fire hollow point ammo without jamming. Thanks in advance for the help.


TOPICS: Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: bang; banglist; compact; concealed; gun; handgun; pistol
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To: Lurker
It weighs less than a pound, carries five rounds of .44 Spl ammo, doesn't jam, and I can put five rounds through the head of a standard police silhoutte target at 21 feet.

I paid around 350 bucks US for mine brand new.

IMO, can't beat it.

And 5-shot speedloaders for the .44 Charter Bulldog also fit it. Mine fits most holsters meant for the K-frame Smith & Wesson .38 and .357 revolvers, the S&W Model 15 and 19 in particular, previously the most common police-issue handgun around. Accordingly, there's an awful lot of top-quality leather meant for cops off-duty and undercover use that works great with a Charter Bulldog or the Taurus. The Titanium model 445TB2C weighs in at less than 20 ounces, just enough weight to handle the .44 Special round's recoil without being burdensome to wear all day.

If you like revolvers, and I do, the Taurus is a great pick, and the older stainless Charter Bulldog isn't a bad one, though heavier.

-archy-/-

61 posted on 09/23/2003 9:09:23 AM PDT by archy (Keep in mind that the milk of human kindness comes from a beast that is both cannibal and a vampire.)
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To: ChuckHam
I really appreciate all the comments. I think I've got plenty of homework to do now. I'm going to research all the handguns you guys recommended and then come to a decision.

Keep your choice of preferred ammunition in mind, both for as absolute reliability with your chosen carry as is possible but also with the realization that you may have to utilize some substitute sometime if your first choice becomes unavailable.

As was said previously, consider the availability of quality holsters for the piece, and remember that the usual circumstances that affect the way you carry can change. When I broke several fingers on my left hand a few years back and spent most of a year with them in a cast, I found myself carrying a second handgun for a *speed reload* since my off-hand made fumbling a magazine change a too-likely possibility.

And while working in Atlanta, I found that Georgia state law prohibits ankle holsters- which made that a great place to carry spare magazines instead; I still follow that approach.

So consider the whole package, and both summer and winter clothing, and other personal circumstances that may or may not change, while you make your decision.

-archy-/-

62 posted on 09/23/2003 9:21:37 AM PDT by archy (Keep in mind that the milk of human kindness comes from a beast that is both cannibal and a vampire.)
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To: FreedomCalls
The Keltec P3AT chambered in .380 just came out. It's what you need when you are in shorts and a tee-shirt in San Antonio. Anything larger is too big -- unless you are also really big.

If we're discussing .380 for CCW purposes, then how does the Keltec P3AT compare to the Sig Sauer P232? Thanks.

63 posted on 09/23/2003 9:25:00 AM PDT by rudy45
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To: ChuckHam
So you're recommending smooth plastic grips? I'm used to the checkered grips from my days of firing the M-9 in the military. Might take some getting used to with the smooth ones.

There is another consideration regarding grips, and it applies to the Beretta M92/M9 as well as several other designs. Not the Glocks though, unfortunately.


64 posted on 09/23/2003 9:26:33 AM PDT by archy (Keep in mind that the milk of human kindness comes from a beast that is both cannibal and a vampire.)
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To: ChuckHam
Chuck, I second everyone's suggestion to buy good holsters. You'll likely use/need several for different situations anyway. I also suggest a SmartCarry holster for an alternative (and hot weather suitable).

As for your weapon of choice, you COULD consider a 2" Taurus Tracker in .45acp. I've been lusting after one for about a year now! Imagine...the reliability & simplicity of a revolver with the hitting power of a 1911 .45acp!

My choice du jour? Kimber Ultra CDP in a Tucker Gun Leather paddle rig.
65 posted on 09/23/2003 10:50:12 AM PDT by Vic3O3 (Jeremiah 31:16-17 (KJV))
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To: Shooter 2.5
"I like my Springfield Armory V-10"

That would be the ported model? I have heard that is one sweet shooting firearm! However, I personally would hesitate to carry it or any ported weapon because in the event I had to fire from a position of "retention" that redirected muzzle blast would be coming straight up into my face. But, that's just me.

66 posted on 09/23/2003 6:59:21 PM PDT by ExSoldier (My OTHER auto is a .45!)
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To: ExSoldier
The only problem I had with it was getting disqualified by choice every time I used it in IDPA. They don't allow ports or compensators.

I still want to try it in complete darkness.
67 posted on 09/23/2003 7:21:21 PM PDT by Shooter 2.5 (Don't punch holes in the lifeboat.)
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To: ChuckHam
If your budget permits, you might consider getting two guns: one for maximum concealability (in either 9mm or .40) for times when concealability is the major factor, and a good-size, large-capacity .45 able to take +P ammo for when you care much more about having something that can get you out of a bad scene.

If I'm just tooling around in the suburbs during the day, my choice might drift one way, and if I'm going to need to be coming home thru "inner city" areas at 3am, my choice might drift the other way

68 posted on 09/23/2003 7:33:45 PM PDT by SauronOfMordor (Java/C++/Unix/Web Developer === (Finally employed again! Whoopie))
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To: ChuckHam
Got our Newfoundland pup from a breeder in Blanco. Getting her little sister from there this spring. I carried my Glock M27 all the way from Miami to Austin (thru Blanco) and back in perfect comfort (thanks to reciprocity laws in all adjoining states) in a Blade-Tec IWB covered by the ever present photgraphers vest. The "uniform" of the CCW holder.

I carry either a Glock in 40 or 45...OR a ParaOrdnance LDA for one reason only (aside from the fact that I love 'em)....to handle the aftermath of any shooting incident. I have spoken to tons of prosecutors and judges who shoot with my club. The results of those range conversations have led me to believe that anti-gun and anti-self defense prosecutors and civil attorneys are going to take a jury of equally stupid, UNINFORMED people on the subject of guns and have them dry fire the single action trigger pull on my self defense gun. The object will be to show them exactly how "easy" it is to pull that nice crisp trigger. The result will be one of two outcomes based solely on that gun: Either I carry condition one "cocked and locked" because I'm looking for a fight....looking to kill some poor soul....or I must not have KNOWN the gun would fire with that easy pull and all that body "stress" so the verdict is manslaughter.

That's why I like a nice long, smooth takeup and break so there can be no doubt that anyone would know the piece is about to go "boom!" That's why a Glock 27 or 30...or the even more easily concealed Para C6. That's why I gave my daughter a DAO Ruger SP101 in .357.....for exactly the same reasons.

69 posted on 09/23/2003 7:52:33 PM PDT by ExSoldier (My OTHER auto is a .45!)
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To: ChuckHam
One model I have found to really work well for a CCW is the Taurus Millenium Pro in 45ACP. It is small, simple reliable and has a 10+1 capacity in addition to fulltime DAO with restrike capability. The Pro model has the 3rd generation trigger that is very smooth and it has night sights along with anh acessory rail for a light if I need it.
70 posted on 10/31/2003 7:54:24 AM PST by Shooter4u
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To: ChuckHam
One model I have found to really work well for a CCW is the Taurus Millenium Pro in 45ACP. It is small, simple reliable and has a 10+1 capacity in addition to fulltime DAO with restrike capability. The Pro model has the 3rd generation trigger that is very smooth and it has night sights along with anh acessory rail for a light if I need it.
71 posted on 10/31/2003 7:54:25 AM PST by Shooter4u
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To: ChuckHam
A snub nosed Titainium .357 magnum, is your best bet. Remember revolvers never jam, and don't have to "feed" ammunition.
72 posted on 10/31/2003 8:10:42 AM PST by BOOTSTICK
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