Getting a new gun for CC, need advice.

[CC Italian]

Hello again everyone, its been a while since I have made a post. I am looking for a new carry gun and want some feedback from owners. Right now I carry a Bersa .380cc and am very accuarte with it but I want to try a bigger round. I was thinking between .357sig and .45 auto. and .357 in revolver. I also have a .32 H&R Ruger magnum but it is only for winter weather with a jacket, its to big to conceal easily. Here are my standards for what I want in a new cc.

1.Realibilty
2.Acuuracy
3.Concealment
4. $400-$600
5. Fits good in my hand

A little background in what I have fired at the range.

I have fired many .45auto's but they have all been 30+ounces and 4inch barrels, Colts and Kimbers. .357mag with hot loads, my dads .40cal standard size glock and brothers 9mm standard glock.I am thinking about a glock 36 or 27. Glocks are ugly but realible. Also, XD's and Para's concealed line are an option on the high end of my price range. I am 5"8 and 180lbs. I am not a strong guy and have a little frame. I am comfortable with a full size 9mm and 40cal. glock. .357 with hot loads are a little much for me and I am fine with a .45 but this was a 4in. Colt that weighed over 2 pounds.

What do you guys think?

[dukalmighty]

I carry a RIA 45 compact IWB crossbreed holster,I'm 5'8" about 180 and it conceals well with a loose fitting shirt,I can also carry a %' SA 1911 in same holster with no concealment problem

[longtooth]

The .357 Sig is a good round. It is an extreemly EXPENSIVE round to practice with. Ammo prices are going up every week so I try to stear folks away from that one if you do not have another gun/caliber to practice with. You can get an interchangable barrel for a lot of guns but that aslo puts you at the top of your price range.
Sigs 239s are in 9mm & .40S&W. Very concealable, very light, very accurate for a short barrel. .40 is WAY more expensive than the 9mm. You are not under armed w/ 9mm.
Your thoughts on the XD are really good. Good belt & holster & they are very light, comfortable & concealable. This one has a high cap mag too.

As a general rule folks accuracy concerns on a CC gun are somewhat unfounded. At personal defense ranges (arms length to 10 ft.) add stress & rapid fire, probably one hand, any of the above mentioned guns - ugly or pretty will serv you well.
Range accuracy is a differnet story starting at the 7yd mark.
Enjoy your shopping & have fun at the range.

[chewy555]

I think that if you have shot the full size glocks and you like them, then look at the smaller glocks. As to which glock you shold get I dont know. One of the nice things about the glocks, is that alot of holsters will fit all sizes; full, compact, and sub-compact.
The XD's are also a good pick. I have only shot a service model 45acp, but I liked how it shot. If they would make a 3" 45acp, I would look at this for my next carry gun, but so far I have not seen one.
I think that in your price range you will be able to find something that works well for you and meets all of your other standards.
Best of luck on the search.

[GlockenHammer]

On the Glocks, there is a difference between the full size grip and the smaller grip of the 27. I don't like the smaller grip and my wife is the exact opposite.

Consider the .40 as cartridge. You'll get the same capacity as .357 sig and is much cheaper to practice with. As you aparently know, accuracy with your particular gun is critical for self defense.

I'm happy with the mid-size Glocks (19 in 9mm and 23 in .40) that conceal well with an IWB holster (C.T.A.C.). However, I think you should also take a look at the XD and the new XD(M) and Smith & Wesson M&Ps--all fine firearms about in your price range.

GH

[agbullet2k1]

I'll give a +1 to the Glock 27 (or 26 for cheaper ammo). It's not my primary carry gun anymore, but it conceals under almost anything and is consistently reliable and accurate. Plenty of aftermarket accessories for it too. The new Beretta PX4 subcompacts are already shipping this month according to the Beretta press release (around $550), so I'd check those out too if you're looking for something small and affordable (and with a few more safeties). I'd also stay away from .357sig right now because of the cost to practice. At wally world it's about a $12 difference per box of 100 (compared to 9mm). About $5 more compared to .40.

Not sure if you have your permit yet, but if you have just applied you probably have a while to look around. If you want to come to the Houston area, the TexasCHLforum day at PSC in September would be a good opportunity to look at and shoot many different guns before forking over a wad of cash on something you might not like.

[fm2]

It's hard to go wrong with a G19.
It conceals well in different positions, long proven track record, cheaper practice ammo, carry gear is easy to find (new & used), decent ammo capacity, finish can take abuse; water, sweat etc.. better than most, and lots of sight options.

[function12]

Glock G30. 10 plus one 45 ACP. Small size, vary ccurate out of the box, and it is a Glock some it will be reliable.

[mr.72]

Can't believe nobody has mentioned Kahr.

CW9, CW40, CW45

All in your price range (at the bottom even), you pick calibre, super reliable and very accurate guns. 3.6" barrel.

Of course if you think you can conceal a Glock with a 1" wide slide and double-stack mag (such as a G19), then you can conceal just about anything. Maybe a M&P Compact, Sigma 9mm or 40 (lower than your price range) if the grip angle of the Glock is not to your liking.

[BigDan]

Can't believe nobody has mentioned Kahr.

I just got here and was wondering the same thing! ;-]

CW9, CW40, CW45

All in your price range (at the bottom even), you pick calibre, super reliable and very accurate guns. 3.6" barrel.

I own the original K9 from Kahr and love it. I'm actually looking at the CW40 and the CW45 right now. I see them on GunBroker.com right now for a significant discount.

Given my size, the Kahr K9 can literally hide behind my hand. I have pics, but my computer refuses to recognize my camera at the moment (grrr).

I also own and have carried a Glock 23 and that is my preferred because of the caliber. However, with the weight gain, it's impossible to conceal that one right now (working on it).

I just saw the G30 the other day. It's supposedly a slimmer, single-stack Glock, so I was wanting to check that one out as well.

Good luck to you! =-]

[solaritx]

Having carried for a considerable time, here is what I found:

first, I thought that I needed a smaller gun as it was better to conceal and was more "comfortable". I got a Glock 26. Very happy with it. Reliable, carried well, etc. Started to shoot it alot, (IDPA) as this was using at least some of the things that are CHL inclusive. Quickly found that the barrel length was great for concealing but shots out past 10-15 yds were getting a little/ a lot harder to make CONSISTANTLY. Now, "we all know" that most gun fights happen 7 yds or closer" but when I started to look at situations where things might happen (eating establishments, home depot, gas station, etc) and I started stepping off distances, it seemed that 10 + yard shots could happen. Now, IF I HAD to take the shot, could I make it?

I then went to full size guns. In IDPA, I found that I could make the shot consistantly and "when I needed to". I then started to carry my full sized guns. Belt holsters and IWB, it really didn't make any difference. The "discomfort" was not the barrel length but rather a good holster. I started to carry my full size guns and still do. It doesn't matter if it is a full size Glock 21 or a cocked and locked full size 1911, I carry it and it is as comfortable as any small Glock 30 or Glock 26, etc. My wife carries a full size glock 34 and I have as well.....but I like a .45 for defense so that is my primary carry. My wife had trouble with the G-26, making the hits, but went to consistantly making the shots with the 34.

I still like the small or tiny glocks as my back-up or if I have to slip one in a front pocket, etc.

Remember it is not only what is comfortable to carry but more importantly what you can hit with. The "secret" to that is finding a good holster that makes wearing a gun easier. Most find that one can carry and conceal a full size as easy as a small one. The marketing of small size guns is basically just that, marketing. The extra inch or two of a barrel is the difference, and that is typically inside the pants and is really no difference in comfort or not. That inch or two is ALL THE DIFFERENCE often when you have to make the shot.

Personally, I think the .40 round is not worth having. It was a compromise for law enforcement. They found that the 9mm was ineffective at times (before P+ ammo) and didn't want to fight the political correctness of having their officers use "man killer" .45 ammo, so the 10mm, the .40 and the .357 sig round was developed. Most guns (Glocks and others) that "blow up" have been .40 cal.

My suggestion is either get a 9mm and use cheap ammo to practice with and then carry 9mm P+ ammo for carry (which generally has the stopping power of a .40) or my primary suggestion for a carry gun is a .45. Glock, XD, M&P or there are a few cheaper 1911's for basically the range you are looking. A .45 is going to be more expensive to shoot and practice with.

My suggestion is also to shoot it alot. I hightly suggest IDPA. It is still a game. It will have rules, but it is basically still using those skills that one must and will use with a CHL. Some say that they don't do IDPA because is is not tactical or will get them killed if they are in a real gun fight. As an ex-Green bennie who has been in gun fights, I couldn't disagree more. I have been in situations (in civilian life) where I have had to defend myself, and the skills that I used in IDPA helped me resolve the situation, not hinder the resolution. Most that do IDPA find out quickly what equipment works and what doesn't, just like myself. I rather quickly found that even I needed the longer barrel and switched from a Glock 26 to the Glock 34. I switched from a Glock 30 (.45) to a Glock 21 (also a .45) I have seen police officers that come and shoot with us quickly start moving their mags and other equipment so that it is more efficent. Get your basic equipment and gun, practice with it in situations that you got the gun for, and then be open to change to make you and your equipment meet the needs.

JMO

[CC Italian]

Well I went and looked this morning at a few. Here is how it went.

I saw 3 guns that interested me the most.

1. Glock 36- From what I was told it is the most reliable out of the 3, solid gun, definitely concealable, feels ok in the hands, barrel length is 3.78

2. XD 40 sub-compact- I like the safety features, something that I like that the Glock doesn't have, barrel is only 3inches and the handle is a little wide. Gun feels solid just like the Glock.

3. Kahr 9- This is by far the smallest and easiest to carry, 3inch barrel and even thinner then the Glock, felt good with the grips, it seems this gun is made for guys with smaller hands or women, the gun feels like a toy compared to the XD and Glock. Doesn't feel as solid or as well put together and is noticeably lighter then both.

I would say the Glock or Kahr as of now but I would like to shoot them first if possible. I guess I will go from here and maybe go back again this weekend or in the next few days and see how I feel from there. I don't want to make a brash decision.

[chewy555]

Well I went and looked this morning at a few. Here is how it went.

I saw 3 guns that interested me the most.

1. Glock 36- From what I was told it is the most reliable out of the 3, solid gun, definitely concealable, feels ok in the hands, barrel length is 3.78

2. XD 40 sub-compact- I like the safety features, something that I like that the Glock doesn't have, barrel is only 3inches and the handle is a little wide. Gun feels solid just like the Glock.

3. Kahr 9- This is by far the smallest and easiest to carry, 3inch barrel and even thinner then the Glock, felt good with the grips, it seems this gun is made for guys with smaller hands or women, the gun feels like a toy compared to the XD and Glock. Doesn't feel as solid or as well put together and is noticeably lighter then both.

I would say the Glock or Kahr as of now but I would like to shoot them first if possible. I guess I will go from here and maybe go back again this weekend or in the next few days and see how I feel from there. I don't want to make a brash decision.

That is the first step, holding them. If they feel good in your hand, then I would say try and shoot them. Then go from there. Good luck.

[BigDan]

3. Kahr 9- This is by far the smallest and easiest to carry, 3inch barrel and even thinner then the Glock, felt good with the grips, it seems this gun is made for guys with smaller hands or women, the gun feels like a toy compared to the XD and Glock. Doesn't feel as solid or as well put together and is noticeably lighter then both.

LOL...was that the K9, P9, T9, TP9, or CW9? (or was it a mini?) http://www.kahr.com/PA-1_9mm.html

Since you stated it was lighter, I will assume it was one of the polymer ones. (P9 or TP9). I have big hands and the K9 still fits quite well. I've been thinking about getting one of those Grip Extensions for it though.
(http://www.kahrshop.com/cgi-bin/itemdet ... ?itmid=738)

Just curious. ;-]

[NcongruNt]

Some others to perhaps consider, if you want to go with a non-polymer gun:

Beretta 92FS - It will be familiar, as your Thunder .380CC has the same DA/SA operation.
CZ 75B - also similar operation, available in DA/SA DAO or SAO. Capable of 16+1 in 9mm. Can be carried cocked and locked.
Browning Hi-Power - Typically SAO, though there are some DA/SA and DAO variants available. This gun is very similar in operation and feel to a 1911, and is capable of 15+1 in 9mm with a flush mag. Designed to be carried cocked and locked. I carry a Hi-Power every day.

All of these pistols have a long history of reliable service and have the biggest production numbers for handguns in the world. They also have a considerably narrower profile than the polymer guns of equivalent capacity and barrel length, and are therefore easier to conceal.