Conceal and Carry advice

today | me

[Freemeorkillme]

Ok, fellow Bangers out there, I need your help.

So I'm looking for a conceal and carry weapon for someone who is male, 5-8, and built @ ~230lbs. His hands are small and porky. He's comfortable with my Glock 21(the mid-sized frame). I need advice on the following to help him make his decision as my left state essentially doesn't have CCW:

1.)What semi-auto pistols would you recommend .380 and above calibers?(price is a consideration, but so is reliability) 2.)Given the physical description of my friend, what holster/carry equipment should he consider? 3.)I've been looking at the Bersa .380 Thunder for myself. Are there any takes on this pistol out there and would you recommend it for a friend who needs a c&c semi-auto?

Thanks all in advance.

FMOKM

[Puppage]

You can't go wrong with a Sig P239/9mm.

Conceals well with a Milt Sparks Versa Max II.

[dogbrain]

"5-8, and built @ ~230lbs"

See the Blade-Tech offset/drop model at http://shop.blade-tech.com/

it can be made for most pistols.

[dogbrain]

Blade-Tech LINK

[AdamSelene235]

Glock 27 in 40 S&W with a finger extension on the mag.

[cruiserman]

Glock 21 is the full size .45. That's a big gun. If he's comfortable with that, he can carry just about anything :).

For price, size, weight, caliber, and capacity, it's hard to beat a Kel-Tec P11. Truly concealed in a Smartcarry.

[marktwain]

There are so many options, it is nearly pointless to point to a particular firearm. I like the Glock 19, but my best advise is to try the firearm before buying one. Find one that he is comfortable with. If he cannot borrow firearms to try, then buy one he thinks he will like and try it. If it doesn't work, sell it to a friend or at a gun show and try another. It always helps to get some professional training. A CCW course or an NRA basic course is quite helpful.

[Freemeorkillme]

apologies...mean G23...the 40. Brain fart

[Freemeorkillme]

Sig p239 goes for around $500-600. A little high.

[aviator]

I'm a big Glock fan, but if your friend is new to handguns, he might consider a small revolver for carry. They are much easier to operate than a semi-auto. The snub-nose (2 inch) police backup type revolvers are common and easy to conceal. Get one that will shoot .38+p and also .357.

[Crucis Country]

A personal defense weapon is about a personalized a possesion as you can get. IF you have decided to carry, realize that your life may depend on your weapon. Would you value your life as cheap?

With that said, take your friend to a gun shop that has a number of different models. Let him handle them and see how they fit his hand. Many folks don't like thick pistols such as the Sig or Glock because of the difficulty concealing them. For some this is an issue, for others it is not.

My personal favorite is the ParaOrd LDA CCW companion in .45ACP. I WOULD NOT advise any caliber less that 9MM. Some .380 bullets and smaller have been known to bounce off or fail to penetrate heavy winter garments.

My $0.02

[Freemeorkillme]

I know. That's what I'm telling him re: firearm selection. He will end up firing before buying, so I was mainly looking for personal opinions as to the rationale behind individuals carry decisions.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Bang

[Puppage]

Sig p239 goes for around $500-600. A little high.

price is a consideration, but so is reliability

[Atlas Sneezed]

If you're going to carry a 380, make it a nice small Kel-Tec, and put it in a Milt SParks pocket holster. You will have it with you always, and not worry about printing, or seasonal clothing.

I carry a Kel Tec in my pocket, and often add a "real" gun on a belt holster. But the Kel Tec is ALWAYS there.

[LTCJ]

What semi-auto pistols would you recommend .380 and above calibers?(price is a consideration, but so is reliability)

Given the criteria you establish here, the first thing that springs to mind is a Makarov in 9x18. I don't believe there is a more relialble weapon for the price (Warsaw Pact service sidearm - unissued for about $175).

Are there more powerful pistols? No doubt. But for size, reliablity and the same power as a .38 snub, it can't be beat for the price.

[SirFishalot]

I love my Para ords, I carry a p12 and a 6.45. I also carry a Glock 36 on occasions.

[LearnsFromMistakes]

bump

[glock rocks]

Glock 26 (10+1 rounds of 9mm) very compact

Glock 30 (10+1 rounds of 45acp) a bit wider

SIG P239 (7+1 rounds of .40S&W or 8+1 of 9mm) same size as G30 but thinner

all between $5-600

The SIG is double action on the first shot and is a touch safer for concealed carry (it's what I carry). none of these have manual safeties. all are very accurate and very reliable.

[Minutemen]

Why dont you steer the big guy over to a gun shop where he can "feel" the real mccoy for himself?