Want advice from lessons learned.

[seamusTX]

I will most likely only CCW while on family road trips and few other times.

It's true that on trips you can find yourself in shady rest stops or gas stations in neighborhoods that you're not familiar with.

For a typical middle-class city or suburban dweller, I think the places of greatest risk are unguarded parking lots on your daily errands.

Parking lots allow quick escape that experienced criminals value, and the environment involves a lot of coming and going and close encounters. A vehicle is quite a prize compared to the contents of the average person's wallet or purse, and car-jacking offers other criminal opportunities that I will leave to your imagination.

I like to think I have pretty good situational awareness, but last week a bum on a bicycle got within a foot of me while I was putting groceries in the trunk at Kroger. He was just an honest bum, but he could have stuck a knife in my back. That was quite an eye-opener.

Oh, and if your honey is so enthusiastic, by all means get her involved in shooting and keep her involved. The family that shoots together stays together.

- Jim

[bryang]

Welcome to the forum!

There is not much I can add to what has already been said and all of it is very good advise. If you have a gun range that rents guns, that would be a great help and place to start. All guns feel different to everyone, so you have to try them out. I believe the most important decision you make will be the "BELT" that you choose. Don't skimp, I did and finally after three tries I bought a good gun belt, of course a good holster will make the difference in comfort and concealability, also.

You are about to embark on a very exciting journey and you couldn't have started at a better place than on this forum. There are many on here that are eager to help you along. We have many very good people here that are exceptional with the wisdom they are willing to share with us.

Good Luck...and have FUN!
-GEO

[The Annoyed Man]

Never squat with yer spurs on.

...sorry, I couldn't help myself. Seriously though, welcome to the family.

[mrvmax]

Out of all the guns I have had, my G36 is my choice for carry. It is relatively small but carries 10+1 rounds of .45. Find a good holster and you can carry anything you want. You will actually need a few holsters since they serve different purposes. If I want to carry with my shirt tucked in I use my Smartcarry. If I can have a shirt untucked I will use my Comp Tac MTAC. Find what you like and get used to carrying.

The G36 is a 5+1 pistol. The 10 + 1 model is the G30. The 36 is noticeably slimmer than the 30 because it is the only Glock with a single stack magazine.

Here's the short list that I recommend folks try for concealed carry when starting out in calibers 9mm, .40 and .45, with a recommendation to go with the largest caliber they can comfortably handle:

Springfield XD (compact and subcompact models)
Glock (compact and subcompact models)
Smith & Wesson M&P (compact and subcompact models)
Kahr CCW and PM models
Kimber or Springfield 1911 (compact and subcompact models) with a caveat that these guns will take more work to learn to use safely

Yep, that's what happens when I type fast and do not proof read. I meant G30

[troglodyte]

Within the advice given above I'll throw in my opinion.

I started with a Colt Defender sub compact 1911. Love it. Fit, feel, function, big .45 still have it.
I picked up a S&W .38 snubbie. It was OK, could carry it deep, and never could shoot it like I felt like I should.
Wife had a PT111. Never impressed with it. Shot fine, trigger was hard and long, especially for her. Balance was not good for her.
Traded in the .38 and 111 and never looked back nor have I missed them.

Picked up a couple of XDs in 9mm. Sub compacts. I really love this gun. Feel is not quite as good a the 1911 (there is just something about the 1911 feel that is perfect for me) but it is close. Wife really likes her's much much better than the 111. Carries a little thicker than the .45 but that my be more due to the Comp-tac holster than the gun itself.

XD allowed me more rounds and that is important to me in some aspects of where I carry. Other times I feel fine with the .45 and a extra mag.

Glocks are great but never fit me right, as much as I tried.

I'll echo the go-to-the-range-and-try-out-as-many-as-you-can. Most ranges I have been to have a lot of friendly people. Spend an afternoon talking with some folks. Most will probably offer to let you run a mag through to see what you think.

For under $550 I'd really look at the XD in one of its configurations.

I guess I either got lucky or I adapt well. I bought one holster for the Defender (Tucker Texas Heritage) and it fit fine.
Did likewise with the XD, the Comp-Tac Minotar (I think) and just about have it broken in.
Belt? Carthartt triple stich belt from Cabelas. I've had it for years and it just keeps going.

[smyrna]

...I do prefer the 1911 style of pistol grip as compared to the Glock style. I have shot many DA/SA pistols in the past as well as a variety of revolvers. I do believe I will go with a auto loader rather than a revolver and would like to have a thumb safety. My wife believes bigger is better when trying stop an attacker so the .45ACP is her requirment...and thats more than fine with me..shot several .45 in the past.

Can't go wrong with a Commander length 1911. I carry a one IWB in a High Noon. You might even look at Springfield Champions...they are a little shorter than a commander. Might be tough to do for $550 though.

[AggieC05]

KelTec P11 (or P40) and a P3AT

Then you have a small 12+1 9mm( or a .40 if you can find the P40 or a conversion kit so you can have both) that is amazing, and a nice .380 that can be pocketcarried anywhere.
That should be under your $550 budget by $100-150 so that leaves money for a couple holsters.

[texasag93]

What part of DFW are you in?

[casingpoint]

I picked up a S&W .38 snubbie. It was OK, could carry it deep, and never could shoot it like I felt like I should.

Probably because you never put one of these on it:


http://www.hogueinc.com/getgrip/merchan ... 189&step=4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[huxley]

What part of DFW are you in?

I'm in the middle; Arlington also known as Jerrys World!

[isa268]

1911

its been around for 100 years.

thin.

and has a caliber that starts with 4.

good luck finding one for $550 you'll have to look at springfield GI's and mil-specs. or Rock island arms.

i found a SW1911SC when they first came out for $599 +tax. it was on sale at Carters Country.

[Liberty]

1911

its been around for 100 years.

Maybe they figured out a better way by now

thin.

its pretty thin on the amout of ammo it can carry

and has a caliber that starts with 4.

??? does the number 4 have a religious or other significance?

good luck finding one for $550 you'll have to look at springfield GI's and mil-specs. or Rock island arms.

There are lots of good guns available new for under $550.00
The guy has a $550 budget, so there is no reason to even bring it up.

i found a SW1911SC when they first came out for $599 +tax. it was on sale at Carters Country.

[/quote]
I bought a Brown Bess 30 years ago for $300 bucks, but that isn't what the OP is looking for either.

[Excaliber]

Yes, the 1911 has been around for 100 years, and no, no one's come up with anything better. If you have doubts, check out what's in the holsters of our special forces troops and SWAT teams, who carry only the proven best there is.

The thin grip, which makes the gun as natural pointing as it is, isn't a concern to those who carry 1911's because they know it's a really bad day when 8 rounds of well placed .45ACP doesn't end a civilian fight.

And yes, the fact that the caliber begins with a 4 does have religious significance - but only for the anointed who have the gift of understanding.

Sorry, Liberty - I couldn't resist!

[mgood]

The first rule of gunfighting is have a gun.
(Actually, I'd think the first rule would be to avoid the fight alltogether, but anyway . . . )
The .22 in your pocket is better than the .44 Mag you left at home because it was too big to carry.

[isa268]

1911

its been around for 100 years.

Maybe they figured out a better way by now

thin.

its pretty thin on the amout of ammo it can carry

and has a caliber that starts with 4.

??? does the number 4 have a religious or other significance?

good luck finding one for $550 you'll have to look at springfield GI's and mil-specs. or Rock island arms.

There are lots of good guns available new for under $550.00
The guy has a $550 budget, so there is no reason to even bring it up.

i found a SW1911SC when they first came out for $599 +tax. it was on sale at Carters Country.

my point was the 1911 is a good gun. it has 7-8rds of .45acp, is easy to conceal and was designed by God. :) you can find Springer Mil-specs and GI models for $550 or LESS if you look. i think that meets all the OP requirements.