First hand gun: concealed or not?

Keep in mind that any kind of Micro pistol is "purpose built". Means you stop the assault and get away. You typically wont use this at the range for long periods of time and its not much fun for shooting events if you plan to attend those. Just my 2 cents.

 

Depends on where you live. That is not the case in Virginia.

 

My reason would be for consistent trigger feel resulting in consistent shooting. Hammer fired pistols will have different trigger pressures based on if the hammer is back or not usually resulting in the first round being a soft pull and all following rounds requiring more trigger pressure.

https://www.dailyshooting.com/striker-fired-vs-hammer-fired/

 

I didn't read the whole thread. I’m an old guy who thinks your first hand gun should be a revolver.

 

Dang really? I guess I was mistaken!

 

Great response and thank you for sharing.

 

As I stated, lots of great advice so far. I'm out since there is a lot of info already. Don't want to overload them.

 

Glock 43 bro

 

If your basement doesnt look like

I tried to imply that by saying "general public". Thank you for clarifying. Although, I doubt most will be able to convincingly conceal a full sized frame, which is what I meant to emphasize.

 

last comment. Remember to be safe and have fun. Shooting is fun.

 

Second rule when handling firearms:

 

or Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, most of the corn states, and Colorado. When you get into the big cities its much easier because the culture of gun awareness is not as prevalent so people don't always know to look for them... but if they see them they may become very uncomfortable.

 

Not really concerned about printing, I have my wife print check me all the time and she never sees it but the heavier and more uncomfortable it is the less likely you’ll have it when you need it . Always carry.

 

I've not read all pages so this may have already been stated. Find a local gun shop with a good inventory. Hold/feel/touch as many as you can. They'll all feel slightly different. A compact in one brand/caliber may feel worse than a full size in another. 9mm is a good choice for recoil, availability and cost. The important thing is that you become proficient with whatever you choose and stick with it.

Take a course....it'll be invaluable.

 

These threads always go off the rails. People telling you all about their carry firearm, recommending stuff that’s completely overkill or off the wall.

OP go to a few gun stores and look around and ask to hold the guns. Get one that feels right in your hand. Also it’s important to find something that fits your frame. I’m 5ft 7 and weight around 175. I don’t carry a full sized pistol. I chose to go with a subcompact 9mm. Cheaper ammo is a plus. The thin frame is nice and that along with the smaller frame and mag is easier to conceal. It felt good in my hand. I live in NY, similar to Cali laws we are restricted on how many rounds we can carry. Mine only holds 6 but I now run a plus 2 since the local DA’s said they won’t prosecute or enforce the same act ammo restrictions. Again the downside is the gun is a little snappier than a full sized, but a little practice and it’s not a big deal. Only having around 7-9 rounds may be a nope for some, but I don’t plan to be in a gun battle, and I know I’ll make every shot count.

Anyway you’re the one that’s going to be carrying this everyday, so do what you think is best. There are some good points here though. Carry a well made firearm you can trust your life on. My buddy bought a used hi-point. Thing is bulky and clunky but it hasn’t had a failure yet. Would I carry it everyday? No, but it’s a great gun to mess around with at the range and great for new shooters as it’s full framed and heavy as hell. Also like others have said get a good holster. You want that firearm to be secure. You also want to be comfortable. Be prepared to spend about $1000 on a good carry firearm. Between the firearm, holster, a few boxes of ammo, and some targets to go and shoot the thing.

 

I bought a .44 mag taruas raging bull with a 3" barrel to carry around worse mistake I made

 

BTW my EDC is a P220 Carry (45ACP). I'm 5'10" 165. Seems to not be an ideal first choice for most (and I understand why). But, I've been shooting that platform since I was 16 (received a full frame German P220 as a 16th birthday gift). I'm in my 40's now. I've lost count of the # of rounds I've put through that. I'm on my 3rd barrel. Anyway, I chose to carry the Carry version simply becuase I'm most comfortable with that platform. I have others (HK's, Glocks, S&W Revolvers) - but I'm not nearly as good with those. Those are my range guns.

My 220 Carry does imprint....but nobody really notices.

 

Last time I went shooting my buddy brought his Taurus 44 out. I took some lead to the arm and he took some to the face.

 

my personal advice would be to go rent some guns at the range and see which ones you are comfortable with shooting and go from there. I know some ranges have days where there are free handgun rentals, you just pay for the ammo. Then after that see which ones you feel comfortable carrying.

I carry either the M&P Shield 9MM or the CZ P10S. In the colder months I like to carry the 1911.

 

Gun $350-$400
Holster $50
Targets $25
Ammo $525
Total $1,000

Nailed it.