Need Advice on Weapons Purchase

Marine Inspector | 02/09/02 | Marine Inspector

[Marine Inspector]

Hello Everyone,

I am currently in the market to purchase a personal handgun, and would like some advice on what would be a good choice. The only requirements I have are that it must be a .40 S&W and be small and concealable. If you have any experience with a weapon that looks like it would meet those requirements, please post and let me know.

Thanks,

Marine Inspector.

[Marine Inspector]

You can also FReepmail me.

[Marine Inspector]

Any ideas?

[wardaddy]

boom!!

[MoralSense]

Okay, what's the over-under on responses here. 150-200?

Seriously, Marine, if you must have a .40 Smith, how many choices can there be?

[Capt_Hank]

I have to ask, why a 40 S&W?

[BigBlueJon]

How's this?

Link to pic

[Marine Inspector]

There is only 4 or 5 that I've found, but since I have never owned one of these, I would like information and advice from the people who have owned them or have fired them.

If you don't have any information on the subject, please move on.

Marine Inspector

[Marine Inspector]

It's the same cal. as my service weapon and I get almost unlimited free ammo from work.

[Mulder]

I'd recommend the Sig Sauer P229. It's great for home defense and concealed carry since it isn't too large, but it still holds 12 rounds of .40 S&W. You can also switch over to the .357 Sig cartridge simply by changing barrels.

If you want something smaller, try the Sig P239. It's very concealable and is single stack (so it's thinner than the P229). It holds 7+1 in .40 caliber.

I carry the P239 (in 9mm) quite often, and it's a very accurate and reliable gun.

[Mulder]

More on the Sig P239 here

[Marine Inspector]

Right now the Glock is at the top of the list, but I want in depth information on the weapon. What are the pros and cons of each weapon? Ect....

Marine Inspector

[Travis McGee]

I have no experience with them, but /1/ S&W autos have a very spotty, rep, some are TERRIBLE.

/2/ S&W is the "sell out" company, traitors to the 2nd amd.

[Marine Inspector]

I'm not high on S&W either, but I get 1,500 rounds a year, and I am currently sitting on over 4,000 rounds. So I want to stick with it.

We carry the Beretta 96 at work, and I have had no problems with it. If fact, I kind of like it, but the dame thing is a monster. No way to hide it effectively, so I'm looking for something smaller in the same cal., to save money on ammo.

Marine Inspector

[wardaddy]

Premier: Kimber Ultra Carry, Sig Personal, Para Ordnance P-Series

Adequate: Glock (I'm simply not a Glock nut), S&W (various..it's their cartridge originally for what that's worth), Taurus Millenium Series Compacts (best buy)

The HK Compact is very well made but I have nostalgia for the old sleek palm fitting HK models which I don't think they make in .40 and if they did would be way pricey...just check out a used P7 to get an idea of what I mean.

In the end it all matters on what fits best in your hand and you can shoot most comfortably...and accurately.

I don't shoot .40s preferring .45 and I prefer 1911 style frames hence the Kimber and P/O preferences.

Good luck....stay safe...as they say.

[wardaddy]

Good question.

[Marine Inspector]

Thanks for the info.

Have you had any feeding problems?

That seems to be the big problem, with the Beretta 96 that INS carries, but I have not had that problem yet.

[Travis McGee]

Sorry, I misread you, I thought your dept was saying you had to buy a S&W pistol.

[wardaddy]

I just don't like Glocks....I know they have rave fans on this site and they are known to be reliable but they feel like a block of wood in my hand. Same goes for my little brother's HK Tactical .45.....excellent handgun...especially for wet work ...but it just doesn't feel right to me.

[Capt_Hank]

Well, a few years ago I got a good deal on a Glock 23 with 2 high cap magazines. My buddy would get the latest gun of the month for his collection and sell it at a loss 2 months later. I tried to like the Glock, didn't happen. Made plenty of noise and had plenty of recoil. I sold the pistol (at a profit) and continue to use my customized Colt Combat Commander (Series 70)as my carry piece. My buddy finally found a pistol that he can shoot well and learned his lesson about the "Gun of the Month Club". He bought a Kimber Target model. If he takes his time, he can put them into the 9 ring or better at 25 yards.