Help me choose a handgun!

My weapon of choice

 

Can only make it as far as AZ with the apple pie

 

I just bought a Taurus Millenium PT140 pro i must say its a real nice Hand gun for the cash.And it has a real safty.

 

I guess I do I am sort of lean and wear 32 waist pants, which can even end up baggy on me depending on the cut...

I am really set on the 9mm round, just because how cheap it is. I bet your G36 has on HELL of a recoil...LOL This will be my only gun for a while, so i want to make sure I can put 50+ rounds through it in a sitting without my wrist falling off....

So true... Internet is serious bidness and everything which is on the internet is 110% true...LOL What its going to boil down to is that I will have to test fire the make/model of the gun I am going to buy. Different shooters will have different opinions about different handguns. I know what I like and I am by no means inexperienced... I went though couple thousand rounds in my life all shot from many guns.

I won't purchase sub-compact. Maybe later on when I have other guns. For now I want Compact hand gun. Sub compacts are just too small and un-comfortable in my hand...

Yeah for $320 I found thats CHEAP... Than I found this --> http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=208089 Horrible review. The gun I purchase has to be reliable (for an auto), so again i am leading towards the big name (Glock)... There must be a reason why most law agencies carry Glock's

Do you have problems concealing it because its fat in the center? Because of the cylinder? I would like to stay away from a revolver even though I know how reliable they are...

 

I can tell you this - if my wife ever gets serious about CCW I'm buying her a S&W M&P compact 9mm. It has a slim design that fits her small hands well (as in, perfectly), yet offers 12 rounds of 9mm. It comes with a pinky extension if you want, and isn't going to feel much different in your hand than a "compact" as you put it.

However, from your repeated posts mentioning a Glock Compact 9mm, it sounds like you want someone to recommend a Glock 19. Yes, buy one. They're solid and reliable and I carry one often. I have a set of XS sights on mine. Your comment about 20 or 30 yards is hilarious though. If you're going to shoot 30 yards, you should have brought a carbine to the fight. Performance at 30 yards is not a good criterion for selection of a carry handgun.

 

Good call on the SW M&P9c. I got one myself. Fairly accurate. For concealed i use the clip without the pinky extension but i can still get a hold of the gun pretty good.

To OP, the best thing you can do is narrow it down then go to the store and hold them then pick the best one. Just dont get a high point

 

^^^High Point...aren't those ghetto throw-aways?? Ha, do yourself a favor and whatever u do,....get a well made american weapon.

 

Here's a good piece for concealed carry. Super light and thin, but solid with a TON of firepower (they have a similar .38+P version for less $$) - you can hide this easily in a pocket, if necessary:

http://www.proguns.com/smithwesson-340ctrevolver.asp

 

I looked at the S&W M+P 9c, it is very similar to the Glock, price will be deciding factor. I am not opposed to S&W M+P, I guess whichever I can get cheaper. From what I have heard/read, the are both great guns...

Ya the 20-30yard comment was inflated... I had a few beers when I was writing that...LOL

Very good point. I will make a trip to Cabellas with my wife and see which gun we like better...

Yes I know about high point and yes they are throw away garbage...

I am concerned that 38+P round will not be as available and as cheap as 9mm round. I have been eyeballing the J frame revolvers as well. We will looked at those when we go to gun store as well... The only thing getting me back to auto pistol is that the S&W M+P & g19 bothy hold 12+ rounds in the magazine as opposed to J frame revolver which holds 5 rounds. Ya but in which gun fight you shoot more than 5rounds this state & age? Is the reliability of the revolver worth the smaller round capacity?

 

I have shot a Kahr CW9, very reliable once broken in. I think they recommend shooting ~500rds before even attempting to open and clean.

http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-CW9.asp

If you can get a good deal on one, grab it! Otherwise, I've always been a fan of the Rugers. I want an SR9.

But what I really want is an AR!

 

Take a look at the Springfield XD Subcompact. I purchased the 40 cal model just before Christmas and I am very happy with it thus far. I carry it often and use an IWB holster. The 40 and the 9mm are the same size. It comes with a 9 round mag as well as a 12 round. My girlfriend has had no problem shooting it either. Hope this helps!

 

The positive:


Wheel guns are the most reliable and safest IMO. As you mentioned, it goes bang every time. Not real sensitive to being dirty or fussy about ammo. Nice, heavy double-action trigger pull (my 642 is 11 pounds) to prevent any accidents. It will only fire if you absolutely want it to. Some models (642 and one of the .357s) have enclosed hammers to prevent catching on clothing. No slides to rack. No having to carry it hot in case a situation arises. It's always ready to go.

SUPER concealable. I go 6'0 160 and I can carry the 642 in a pocket (pants or coat), IWB holster or elastic wrap around with no printing whatsoever.

That's the good stuff on revolvers.


Now the negative:

If you're using the snubby (1 7/8 barrel) accuracy will suck outside of 7 to 10 yards in a defense situation. But that IS a typical self-defense distance. That can be improved with practice.

There is also the issue of firepower and round capacity. If you like the .357 and are comfortable with the recoil you have taken care of the firepower issue. But the airweight and airlite S&Ws will only hold five.

And then you have reloading issues, even with a speed loader. It's a helluva lot easier to just pop a mag in a semi-auto with double or triple that capacity depending on caliber.

I guess it all depends on your purpose and the inevitable trade-offs that come with the various handguns.

Just my .02 cents...

 

Great points! If I were to get the J frame it would be chambered .38+P. My wife wouldn't be able to handle the light J frame chambered in .357magnum. Besides with such light weight and that strong of a round the gun would have one HELL of a recoil...

Yes loading a revolver is a pain in the ass. Speed loaders don't really work, I had few...

More i think about this, the more I am leaning towards getting auto compact first. That will be my only gun for a while and I want a gun which is fun to shoot for target practice. I have a feeling J frame wouldn't be much fun, besides reloading as stated is pain in the ass. With compact auto I can have few mags ready.

However J frame would be awesome for a 2nd conceal only pistol.

 

x2.... though I like the 9mm. More of a zombie apocalypse reason.. 9mm rounds are likely no more than 10 ft away from you.. 40s aren't quite as common.

 

I started with an XD 9 subcompact. So I know exactly where you're coming from. Trying to get the most bang (no pun intended) for the buck.

I now also have a S&W M&P 9, a cheapo Sigma and a Taurus Judge (what a blast to shoot) with plans to get a .45 acp to cock and lock.

And...one day...that 12 oz. scandium .357

For relatively cheap ammo, high mag capacity (17+1), interchangeable grips (3 sizes), interchangeable mag release and S&W reliability I would recommend the M&P 9. (Pic below, light not included)

Have fun with whatever you decide to get...

 

I carry a Glock 19 in 9mm and have a S&W Model 37 - .38+P that I carry sometimes too. I am right about the same exact size as you said you are. I feel much better with the Glock, because I've had it for almost 10 years now, and can hit anything with it and can control it well. I'm not so good with the snubby .38 since it's so small and lightweight, I can't hit anything with it.

Very soon, I plan to sell the .38+P and get a S&W M&P .45.

 

I have a little Taurus PT22 its only 5 inches long ..9 shot auto ..all new the S and W 380 BodyGuard with laser sight built in..its a real nice carry pistol.

 

Have you thought of Beretta. i have a Beretta 9000s. it feels good in hand especially with the second clip with the extender on it. has a little to much rcoil but nothing to complain about..for me anyways

 

For a compact .45, I always believe in a Commander size (Springfield= Champion; Kimber= Pro) 1911 with a nominal 4" barrel. However, I currently carry a Kahr CW45, which seems to be doing the job with a little less weight and somewhat smaller.

 

The springfield xd .40 LOVE IT bought it for my boyfriend for his birthday and i out shot him! He got pissed and bought another one so this one became mine