Your thoughts/opinions please on a gun purchase

[The Annoyed Man]

M&P 9c. Less recoil, more rounds, cheaper ammo.

You can change the back strap to fit your hand.

This.

[Divided Attention]

I agree with the suggestions to try them out - I don't know where you are, but there is a Girls' Night Out coming up at Spring Guns and another before that at the Arms Room -

I am partial to the M&P 9C as I have one - I also have a Sig P238 AND a Colt Cobra 38 Snubbie that I carry - not all three at once, but occasionally 2 of them. I love them all for different reasons, and enjoy shooting them all or I wouldn't own them.

Good luck on your choice - such a problem to have $400 credit at a gun store!

[txgrl]

So is Spring Guns & Ammo in Spring Texas?
And he, he, he, yep, what a problem to have a $400. credit (anywhere)....but at a gun shop...
I'm sure there are a lot of folks on this forum that would know exactly what they would get with it.
I'll research the guns you have all suggested and see what I can do about lining up opportunities to try them out.
Will eventually let everyone know what I get.
Thanks Again!

[Liberty]

Because you have the LCP, you will probably enjoy having something a little different. Life is about choices. I like revolvers, but one reason I don't carry one is because of the limmited fire power they offer, Typically you only have 5 rounds beffore you reload. Semis are prefered by most us us for our daily carry. You do have a point about getting a second round off from inside of a purse, but most times firing from inside a purse isn't the best of strategies. I believe most of the ladies in this forum prefer semis as well as the guys.

On the issue of perceived recoil. Its usually not an issue of handling the gun or hurting ourselves. with most guns, but its a matter of how fast we can recover and come back on sight. I think a gun like the Taurus millenium pro or Beretta px4 subcompact might work well for you. They are't exactly pocket guns, but a good holster they will conceal well

[XnTx]

I just bought a 4" XD 45 Compact. Two guns in one, although it sure isn't a pocket carry. It has a grip safety which makes it inherently safe. I shot the XD 40 for my CHL and did very well. I've also shot the XD 9 SC but it was a little too small. Definitely get your CHL and test with a SA so you have more options.

[Greybeard]

Question: what is your opinions of then the 9mm vs .40?

See: viewtopic.php?f=23&t=48675" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[terryg]

Or maybe a SR9 or SR9c?

+1 on these - they are among the thinnest double stack 9mm out there ...

+1 on 9mm in general - the ammo is pretty cheap which makes it easier to stay in practice

[Middle Age Russ]

So is Spring Guns & Ammo in Spring Texas?

Yes, it is. It is on Spring-Cypress just east of Kuykendahl. Good selection of firearms and accessories, as well as a nice indoor range.

[txgrl]

Update:

I've gotten a little busy and have not spent my $400. credit yet and have not made the opportunity to go fire the various guns you have so graciously spent your time to suggest. I still plan on doing that.

On my last post I mentioned that I was going out to shoot/target practice with my Ruger 380 LCP. Well, I did that. Well, a "change" in the gun that I had hoped was my imagination became a definite reality. The trigger feel over time progressively went from a "slow squeeze to point of resistance & follow through to fire", to a "slow no point of resistance & squeeze through for a no fire". OOPS! not a confidence builder at all. However, the gun still fired if a "fast & hard" trigger pull was executed. That's just not right!

Good news, I contacted Ruger and they were SUPER! I sent a message via their website about the issue, immediate auto-response, next morning had a personalized email response, called them to discuss & had an email with a UPS shipping label in my email box before I even got off the phone. NO questions, no hesitation to take care of the problem.

FYI

[speedsix]

...OK, you've gone from plodding to ridiculous...that $400 is rotting fast...you GOTTA get out and spend it...before inflation makes it only worth a spare magazine...if you won't spend it...at least buy donuts for us all...that money'd've burned holes in all my pockets the first WEEK....

[wgoforth]

Update:

I've gotten a little busy and have not spent my $400. credit yet and have not made the opportunity to go fire the various guns you have so graciously spent your time to suggest. I still plan on doing that.

On my last post I mentioned that I was going out to shoot/target practice with my Ruger 380 LCP. Well, I did that. Well, a "change" in the gun that I had hoped was my imagination became a definite reality. The trigger feel over time progressively went from a "slow squeeze to point of resistance & follow through to fire", to a "slow no point of resistance & squeeze through for a no fire". OOPS! not a confidence builder at all. However, the gun still fired if a "fast & hard" trigger pull was executed. That's just not right!

Good news, I contacted Ruger and they were SUPER! I sent a message via their website about the issue, immediate auto-response, next morning had a personalized email response, called them to discuss & had an email with a UPS shipping label in my email box before I even got off the phone. NO questions, no hesitation to take care of the problem.

FYI

Ruger's customer support is excellent. I like the pocketable .380's for their intended purpose, but would not recommend for trying to use it to qualify for CHL... unless you put a laser on it (and you can't for the qualifying) it is too difficult to shoot at the longer ranges. Two other pocket guns that are more pleasant and more accurate are the Smith and Wesson Bodyguard .380 and the Sig P238... much more accurate and fun to shoot than the others. I have had all of the little mouseguns, and my wife can easily rack aim and shoot the Sig... although costs the most of course. The LCP is a fine little gun, just realize it's limitations.

[speedsix]

(...the donuts...you forgot to mention the donuts...)

[wgoforth]

(...the donuts...you forgot to mention the donuts...)

Yeah well, you at least have Krispy Kremes in your neck o the woods.....

[speedsix]

...I don't like 'em...after Southern Maid, nothin's close...I think we oughta make up a delegation, and go help someone spend all that free money!!!

[punkndisorderly]

My first rule of thumb: Find a good gun store with salespeople that treat you with respect and are willing to answer questions. If you walk in and say "I'm looking for a carry gun" and the sales guy pulls something out of the case and says "This is what you need right here" then turn around and walk out. Doubly so if it's a snub nosed reovlver. Triply so if it's pink. If they pull something out to start the conversation, that's one thing. If they think they know what you need without asking you lot's of questions, they are there to sell you what they want to, not what you need.

I encourage people to view picking a carry gun as a process to work through. There are just too many variables for one gun to fit all circumstances. Usually, I recommend starting by looking at and trying the mid size 9mm's from one of the "Big 3" (Glock, Smith and Wesson M&P, and Springfield XD). You shouldn't have any trouble finding a range that rents them in most areas. You also shouldn't find it difficult to find someone that has one or more that will let you try out. Now that you have a baseline to go by, expand you're search/evaluation from there.

Which of them did you like best? They all come in subcompact, compact, full size, and long slide versions. Did the mid-size work well for you? Too big? Too small? Too much recoil? Think you can handle a bigger caliber? Wish you had a manual safety? Didn't like the sights. Want an accessory rail so you can attach a light and or laser for nightstand use? There are a lot of advantages to going with one of the "big 3". All have a reputation for reliability. All have a boatload of aftermarket parts. It's easy to get magazines and ammo. It's easy to find holsters that fit. They are at the lower to middle of the price spectrum.

If none of the "big 3" models work for you, start looking at other pistols that have what you liked about them, but don't have the characteristics you didn't. Maybe you found them all too big for your hands. Maybe too big for whatever carry style you intend to use. Etc. Start looking at other options from established companies with a reputation for quality and customer service.

You mentioned getting a carry permit. A larger pistol will generally be the best option for a home defense pistol (less recoil, longer sight radius, etc) However, if it's going to be a dual-use pistol and do carry and nightstand duty, you have to keep in mind what size pistol you are willing and able to carry all the time. If you leave it at home because it's too heavy or doesn't work with your outfit for the day, it does you no good.