CCW under $500

[Mudinyeri]

If you decide that you like Kahrs, I have a complete carry package - CW40 with a CrossBreed SuperTuck holster in horse hide and a spare magazine that I'd sell.

[fj40john]

Originally Posted by DRM

I guess I look at it different - I'd pick up a $200 P3AT and a $20 pocket holster and start carrying asap. THEN I'd figure out what I want to carry, if the P3AT isn't your thing.

Same plan as you - but he's carrying earlier, and ends up with 2 guns more than likely

Originally Posted by spork2367

Something to carry is better than nothing. I'd get a P64 to carry for now. Cheap, easy to carry, will get the job done.

Originally Posted by DRM

"Excuse me, Mr. Bad Guy - I haven't made the final decision on what gun to carry, so if you could kindly come back next month to rape my fields and pillage my woman, I'd app..." <<thud>>.

These are good points if you live somewhere that gets your license/permit to you quickly, or somewhere that doesn't require one. Go buy something basic and cheap, and carry that until you find the other gun you like. Sometimes you find out what you actually like/dislike and need/don't need in a pistol once you are carrying it.

Around here most folks are just getting in to shooting and haven't taken a CHL class yet, so they have at least a month before they can carry anyway. All it takes is a weekend to go shoot some rented/borrowed pistols and decide which one you want.

Some folks (like my dad) buy one gun, shoot it a little, then carry it forever. Some folks change carry guns all the time. No one can tell you which group you'll be in.

[Ben Segrest]

Originally Posted by DRM

I guess I look at it different - I'd pick up a $200 P3AT and a $20 pocket holster and start carrying asap. THEN I'd figure out what I want to carry, if the P3AT isn't your thing.

Same plan as you - but he's carrying earlier, and ends up with 2 guns more than likely

Not if he doesn't have his CHL yet

Originally Posted by Fredy_C

i am looking at getting a CCW.

He doesn't state his location, but from that sentence we can presume that he does not live in a state with constitutional carry and that he does not have a permit yet. If that is true, then buying a handgun today will not get him carrying any sooner.

[LOPPY]

LCR is always on board... if i want a little more, the PM9 fits the bill. I have over 500 rounds of factory, reloads and shit off the floor of the truck without ONE failure.

[fj40john]

Originally Posted by Ben Segrest

Not if he doesn't have his CHL yet



He doesn't state his location, but from that sentence we can presume that he does not live in a state with constitutional carry and that he does not have a permit yet. If that is true, then buying a handgun today will not get him carrying any sooner.

I read it at Concealed Carry Weapon, as in the actual gun, not the permit. But I completely agree with your post.

[beyondhelp]

Originally Posted by fj40john

Nothing is 100% reliable.

Standard thread...

Go to a range that rents the guns you are interested in and shoot them. Go with the one that feels the best in your hand and points naturally for you while fitting your requirements. If you have friends/acquaintances with guns, invite them, pay for ammo and shoot their stuff. The more things you test before making a decision the better off you will be.

Buying a gun is like buying shoes. Some guy on the internet tells you to buy a pair of shoes from a certain brand in a certain size...would you do it? Go to the store and try some stuff on...if it fits you and you are comfortable with it, then that's the way to go.

Most guns will have a bunch of holster options. A good holster can hide a big gun better than a crappy holster and a small gun.

This makes the most sense. Several people bitched about the P-11. Heck, that's why I own it. Because the p.o. hated it so much he gave it to me rather than sell it. I polished a few things (fluff and buff) and now I have a reliable gun that I trust and I can shoot halfway decently with. I had the feed issues and the trigger was not pleasant. Now it's like a 1/4 mile of smooth constant travel. Not ideal but it's not a target / competition gun anyway.


Now, I would absolutely love to be able to go drop a bunch of cash on a slick 1911 but I'd bet it would require work, practice etc... For me to be comfortable with it.

[spork2367]

Originally Posted by Ben Segrest

Not if he doesn't have his CHL yet



He doesn't state his location, but from that sentence we can presume that he does not live in a state with constitutional carry and that he does not have a permit yet. If that is true, then buying a handgun today will not get him carrying any sooner.

In most of PA a license to carry takes about 20 minutes to get.

[Texan32]

Im really enjoying my Ruger SR40C. It is the thinest double stack mag. It actually feels more like a 1911. Its smooth. As a subcompact 40, it actually fires nicer (less recoil) than my PX4 9mm did. I like the fact that i uses a trigger safety as well as offering a manual safety (which i dont use, but its there). It for a pre-set action design, it double taps pretty well too. With my limited practice, at 30 ft, i am able to keep the 2nd round within 2 inches of the first.

[White7]

Kahr CM9,,Ive been shopping them all,,,and found the CM9 about the best deal,,,,Im going to go get one today as a matter of fact

[jscwerve]

Originally Posted by Texan32

Im really enjoying my Ruger SR40C. It is the thinest double stack mag. It actually feels more like a 1911. Its smooth. As a subcompact 40, it actually fires nicer (less recoil) than my PX4 9mm did. I like the fact that i uses a trigger safety as well as offering a manual safety (which i dont use, but its there). It for a pre-set action design, it double taps pretty well too. With my limited practice, at 30 ft, i am able to keep the 2nd round within 2 inches of the first.

Haters gonna hate, but I have to agree with this.

I had the SR9C and absolutely loved it. I regret getting rid of it, but I have the SR9 full size also, so no big deal. I did a bit of a torture test on the SR9C after I first bought it. Went about 1200 rounds of various factory and my own loads without cleaning (except the initial out of the box cleaning of course) to see when I would have a malfunction and never did. My OCD kicked in at that point and I cleaned it. The SR9 Is probably one of my favorite autos of all time.

Ruger haters can suck it!!!

[Roc Doc]

Glock 33. If you hit them it's gonna hurt, if you miss at least they'll be deaf.

[Kennedy]

I'm really wanting to see the new Springfield XDS when it comes out.

[Fredy_C]

i live about 30 mins south of indianapolis in IN. I plan to get my LTC once i do my taxes and get that money back.

I dont have any friends with handguns, everyone has shotguns and rifles. I know there is a place in indy area building a range who say they may rent handguns. Another place in lousville ky who rents, and a 3rd place in IN but i cant remember there info.

I have found the INGO website but have not registered yet as i cant do it from my phone for whatever reason.

[64dumptruck]

Glock, its a simple point and click interface.

[D_JEEPER]

fwiw, I carry an XDm40 on my hip (and in my waist from time to time). I can conceal it well. Dont be put off by the skinny guy concealing a gun idea.... it works.

You can buy a compact XD40 for around 425.

I also have a Ruger LCP in my pocket as a BUG or for deep conceal

[aloharover]

Originally Posted by DRM

I guess I look at it different - I'd pick up a $200 P3AT and a $20 pocket holster and start carrying asap. THEN I'd figure out what I want to carry, if the P3AT isn't your thing.

Same plan as you - but he's carrying earlier, and ends up with 2 guns more than likely

I got ya. But I don't like trusting my life on an unknown.

[aloharover]

Originally Posted by Fredy_C

i live about 30 mins south of indianapolis in IN. I plan to get my LTC once i do my taxes and get that money back.

I dont have any friends with handguns, everyone has shotguns and rifles. I know there is a place in indy area building a range who say they may rent handguns. Another place in lousville ky who rents, and a 3rd place in IN but i cant remember there info.

I have found the INGO website but have not registered yet as i cant do it from my phone for whatever reason.

OK, based on that, see if you gun store would be ok with you dry firing. Also see if they will let you try out a couple different holsters. Triple check make sure weapon is clear, find a blank wall. Pic a spot as your target, close your eyes, draw, point the weapon. Open your eyes. Are you on target? Do this a couple of times with each gun that feels right in your hand.
If you can find something that follows your natural point of aim thats a major part of the battle. Now do the draw and dry fire. Concentrate on the front site post. How much does it move around as you are squeezing the trigger? How far off target does the front sight move? The less the better.

If you can find something that points well, and has a good trigger to you, then do a quick search or ask here about reliability. Honestly if it's a major name, and your store has a good return policy you shouldnt have any issues. And by a good return policy, if you buy a semi auto say, go run 100 rounds through it. Give it a cleaning. Now run another 50 through it. if those last 50 you have no issues at all, no FTE, FTF, etc, then I would be ok carrying that. If it's giving you problems, maybe look for a different gun. On a revolver, i would expect it to work right out of the box, 50 rounds, all 50 go bang.

if it points and shoots ok, I still think a 38sp is hard to beat for a first carry gun.

[aloharover]

Originally Posted by 64dumptruck

DA Revolver, its a simple point and click interface.

fixed it for you. No SA is truely point and click.

[GreyZuk]

Went with the Ruger LC9. $450 out the door which included all paperwork and fees.

[leman]

i love my sig p250sc with nightsites. will even leave you some money for ammo to shoot.

[JM93LiftedYJ]

My XD9 was $515. Subcompact. I have a $30 IWB holster. I carry everyday of my life. Driving long distances it gets a tad uncomfortable, other than that its been a great CCW.

[Gozuki]

If I HAD to carry a 9 again, and a G26 was out, I'd probably pick up the LC9 from Ruger.

[GreyZuk]

I put 100 rounds through my new LC9 the other day. No malfunctions, and surprisingly accurate out to 50'. Realistically any SHTF situation is statistically going to be 0-15' shooting anyway.

My only complaint about the gun so far (and it is a minor one), is that the trigger pull is too long. I've already found a trigger kit that is supposed to lessen the trigger pull by approximately half (front half of range, not the back half).
http://www.gallowayprecision.com/lc9...anceparts.html

[comeonstart]

I've been carrying a sig p238 for 7 months now. I really like it. It fits in my back pocket on most of my jeans. Mine was under $500.

[pennsylvaniaboy]

PF- 9 or Kahr CW9