First hand gun: concealed or not?

I like Glocks.

 

For a first gun, I’d suggest a smaller caliber. Bigger ones are less enjoyable and may cause you to learn a flinch.

On the plus side, guns maintain their value. So you could buy a Walther P22, put a thousand rounds through it, and sell for just about what you paid.

Then step up to something larger. The S&W 380 EZ looks cool. It’s not a “full size” caliber, but still functional.

I think practice matters and is more fun than buying or owning the right gun. A lot of folks go straight to a 9mm / 45 ACP only to shoot it a couple times and then leave it in the safe for years.

 

Many defensive professionals set the standard (and evidence) of no smaller than .380 for a viable caliber for self defense. I personally wouldn’t recommend a .22 for any sort of defensive purposes, only plinking and target practice. To that point, I also strongly recommend training with what you’re actually going to be carrying. Sure it may be marginally cheaper to shoot a .22 but if it’s not going to be transferable in terms of training to a real life scenario it doesn’t mean much.

Flinching can be caused with any caliber and the only way to fix that is by training, regardless of what caliber or firearm you’re using. So to your point, yes, training is absolutely critical.

 

100% agree. .22 of some kind is nice for training trigger control. Other than that it's pretty much good for plinking and target practice/competition. It's no replacement for practice with what you will carry but it is fun to shoot.

I think we can all agree:
1. Don't buy something too cheap
2. Don't buy the most expensive thing available
3. Buy what fits your hand, body shape (for carrying), and needs.
4. PRACTICE! (Which should actually be #1, but last on the list since you can't do it until after you have already made your first gun purchase)

There are a ton of good options, but definitely find somewhere with a range and rental guns that will let you try out a bunch. You can at the very least narrow down the style you are looking for. I also happen to love 1911s and shoot them fairly well, but there are many people that don't.

 

I've actually been moving to airsoft for practice. Check this guy's vid for some of the subscale stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cjl1ncFc1A4

 

Check out the CZ 75 lineup. I use the suppressor ready CZ 75 SP-01 Tactical for home defense. It is amazingly accurate and has virtually no recoil. However, at 41oz, it may be a little heavy for EDC. CZ also makes the 75 SP-01 Phantom, which is basically the same gun but with a polymer frame so it only weighs 29oz. That would be a better option for carry. I definitely recommend shooting a CZ if you haven't before. You'll be hooked.

 

Didn't read thru all seven pages so forgive me if it was mentioned. The pistol I usually reach for is a 9mm M&P Shield. They can be had for right around $300 right now. It shoots very well, conceals nicely and with the 8 round mag, is loaded with 124gr Federal HST's . Pretty potent package.

One thing to mention. During the last rush on firearms/ammo. I could always, and I mean always, find 9mm. .40, .45, .357, were sometimes hard to find. .22's were scarcer then hens teeth. LGS always had 9mm.

 

I don't, and I own one, a 2nd Gen G20 that I've had for 27 years. It goes beyond reliability, whether you like, or dislike a particular firearm or brand of firearm. I've shot many different models of Glock, I don't like the subcompacts because the grip is too short, I don't care for the compacts and full-size because the balance isn't right for me and the double stack grip is too big.
Until I bought one, I never thought that I'd care for a 1911, but that's what I carry now, and full size at that. I think a Commander-sized pistol is about perfect as a carry piece. Easier than you'd thing to conceal, multiple calibers available, all metal frame (another dislike of mine is a polymer frame although I have several polymer framed handguns). Call me old fashioned, if I'm not carrying the 1911, I've got a S&W M19 in my belt.

 

Shoot a P238 before you make a choice. Absolute excellent CCW. Easy to shoot accurately, feels great in most hands, recoil is negligible and it’s small.

 

Huh, that's pretty cool.

Yep, and won't break the bank to shoot often. The LGS usually has boxes for $10 or less of decent 115gr.

I love 1911s and others that have the same styling and shape. They fit my hand well. The day after I got my permit I tried out an EMP, and almost bought it. It was out of my price range at the time, and looking back it is probably good since they had some issues. I think they are taken care of now though?

 

The NAA .22 is a great little EENT gun (eye/ear, nose, throat). Jam it into one of those and one shot will change the attitude of the attacker. Works great for shooting them in the groin as well.

And before the "I'd never let them get that close" crowd chimes in, most self defense encounters happen at ranges of 0-5 feet (aka bad-breath distance). If you don't know how to go hands on and deal with at least one attacker from contact distance (and know when to or not to go for your knife and/or gun) you are doing yourself a disservice.

One other thing, standing at a square range punching holes in paper targets is not training. Sure, it dials in the fundamentals, but trying to get your stance, grip, and breathing perfect before squeeeeeezing the trigger is masturbation. Marksmanship does have its place (i.e. engaging an active shooter), but self defense gunfights are chaotic, dirty, and fast, with most lasting only a few seconds.

 

I've had my eyes on this guy:
https://northamericanarms.com/shop/firearms/naa-22m-hg/

With that pocket clip (covers trigger), it would be pretty decent as a pocket backup for sure. I would prefer to have 9mm, but I wouldn't hate to have that handy.

 

Seems like everybody now makes a 1911. Mine is a Springfield. The only other brands I'd consider buying in a 1911 style are Colt and Ruger. Kimber is too much glitz and glam without any better functionality, and the rest....well, you can have them if you like. I'm a big fan of 10mm, that's the only reason I still have my G20, but I'm looking to replace it with a 1st Gen Delta Elite when I find one I like. If I can't find one, Springfield now offers its Range Officer in 10mm.

Back to the OP. When you find what you like and lay out the cash, and if you can get a CC permit, take the NRA basic pistol course, and join IDPA to learn how to shoot defensively in real-world scenarios. Punching paper is okay for fun and competition for accuracy, but doesn't do much for self-defense training.

 

If only one gun is the option?
I want one just small enough to conceal well in a holster. I want my pistol on me, and at the ready, always. I don't let the cable guy in with a pistol in my hand, or go out and speak with the police with a pistol in my hand. I do such tasks, protected, with a pistol and spare mag holstered and concealed.
My G43 and a couple spae mags, added with practice and real training, will get me to much larger, much more powerful options, if one wants to go there. I'd suggest to anyone considering, practice practice practice, and take as much training as you can find/afford.


High point?
Come on man. Don't skimp on a nice pistol, another couple hundred is all we're talking, you don't need a $2-3k Dan Wesson or Wilson Combat.

 

How do you protect yourself during the task of taking a shower?

 

Are you really wanting info, or just antagonizing?
I have layers, and a plan, I don't need you to watch my back, or hold my towel, thanks though.

 

Shower pistol is a real thing apparently....

 

Sccy Cpx2 9mm
Taurus Th9c 9mm
S&W m&p ez .380

Cheap ol pistols and perfect for Concelaed

Then again you could bite the bullet and get a hi point

 

I have a Glock 43, Glock 42, Ruger LC9S, Glock 27 , SW Shield 40cal , among others on my permit here in Mexifornia.

The one I carry the most is a Ruger LCR chambered in 9MM.

Do your research, most engagements follow the rule of 3’s. 3 feet away , 3 seconds, 3 shots.

Plus wheels leave no brass behind.