Looking for OC handgun, advice needed

[Hayashi Killian]

Hello all, I've been browsing around this forum and the Calguns one for a while now after learning about California's open carry laws and I figured I'd start by getting myself a good pistol that I can carry around during my business. I've been looking at various models online and here's what I'm looking for:

-Chambered in .45ACP (other types of .45 are fine, .45 ACP is preferred) - major plus if it can handle +P or +P+ ammo
-SA/DA, not DAO
-For ease of loading/legality, only support CA-legal magazines, or if that's too restrictive, have CA-legal magazines easily available for purchase

I initially had 3 different models lined up and was considering doing a PPT with relatives/friends out of state, but after doing some research I'm deciding that will be a backup plan should I not be able to find something to my standards. Using some of my own knowledge combined with a recommendation by a member at Opencarry.org and using the approved handguns roster, I've seen 3 models that look appealing, but I am open for suggestions by other members.

-CZ97B (only downside to early CZ models is they're steel, and going to be heavy, should be around a kilogram)
-Taurus PT145 (polymer, looks good, don't know about availability of parts/accessories, it's also DAO)
-H&K USP (either Expert or Standard, V1, main downside is that if it's H&K it's going to be pricier)

If anyone has anything positive or negative to say about any of those models, or any other models to recommend, please let me know. I don't want to drop over $500 on a POS right now.

[Lucky Scott]

California open carry laws?????

[cmace22]

Good luck with that......

[tuna quesadilla]

California open carry laws?????

Yep!

It is legal to openly carry a holstered pistol if the following criteria are met...

1. The pistol is unloaded
2. You are not within 1000' of a school, public or private, grades K-12 inclusive
3. Your spare magazines are also openly carried (does not apply to revolver speedloaders)

And there are a few more restrictions you need to think about. That's just a basic rundown, by no means an all-inclusive guide to open carrying. Do NOT open carry unless you are 110% confident that you know all of the laws and penal code sections that relate to it -- When you start to open carry regularly, it's a matter of WHEN, not IF you will be harassed and possibly falsely arrested by the police.

To the OP - I've got a lot of trigger time behind a USP .45 and I find it to be a fine weapon. I'd OC it without hesitation. Personally I OC a Glock 17 but the Glock meets none of your criteria.

[cmace22]

Yep!

It is legal to openly carry a holstered pistol if the following criteria are met...

1. The pistol is unloaded
2. You are not within 1000' of a school, public or private, grades K-12 inclusive
3. Your spare magazines are also openly carried (does not apply to revolver speedloaders)

And there are a few more restrictions you need to think about. That's just a basic rundown, by no means an all-inclusive guide to open carrying. Do NOT open carry unless you are 110% confident that you know all of the laws and penal code sections that relate to it -- When you start to open carry regularly, it's a matter of WHEN, not IF you will be harassed and possibly falsely arrested by the police.

Like I said.... Good luck with that. Its a trip to jail waiting to happen or a bullet to the chest. I cant go 2 blocks with out being withing 1000 feet af a school.

[tuna quesadilla]

Like I said.... Good luck with that. Its a trip to jail waiting to happen or a bullet to the chest. I cant go 2 blocks with out being withing 1000 feet af a school.

Bummer.

[Black Majik]

How about a W. German or German or Pre-Cohen P220?

[Hayashi Killian]

I'm surprised that you're not aware of the Open Carry laws. I first heard about them after seeing the very same pullnshoot25 and elsensei made: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1szBx...A7E9CB&index=0

That aside, I know the laws fairly well, and I'm still practicing them to ensure I can get them right when asked. After all, I won't be getting my handgun tomorrow, since I still need to find a new job and a steady source of income, and I can use this time for research and visit ranges.

As a general question, if a handgun is listed on the roster as being a certain color, can you get it replated after purchase without violating it being on the roster (as compared to likely just violating warranty)?

[Unit74]

You can carry inside your business w/o a license.

But go ahead and walk down the street or into McDonalds w/ a gun on your hip. You are asking for attention in my book and you will get a loaded gun pointed at you at some point. Specially in North SD County.

Is carrying an unloaded gun really that important to you? And if you had loaded mags in a pocket and used them, do you think your exempt from later prosecution?

Either get a CCW(Yea, right in Vista), don't get one and open yourself up to liability or leave the issue alone.

[Hayashi Killian]

When I created this topic, I was asking for a handgun of good quality to get, not to debate the open carry laws. Please keep it on topic. If you want to know my reasons, shoot me a PM.

Black Majik: Sorry, didn't answer your post in my last one. The P220 looks good, but if I get one of Sig's P-lines, I'll probably get a P226 since I've used one before. I'd like to get it in .357Sig but their expiration dates are coming up very soon, sooner than I'd like.

[Bill92869]

After watching the video and seeing how you will be required to carry the gun to be legal for open carry, I would consider the Glock 21 my first choice. No safety levers to get in the way, short mild angle feed ramp for reliable feeding especially under stress, ample magazine opening assuring no-miss loading, consistent trigger pull (no transition from double to single action). Best choice IMHO, but certainly not the only choice. I want to wish you luck on your decision to "oc".

[MallNinja]

Is carrying an unloaded gun really that important to you? And if you had loaded mags in a pocket and used them, do you think your exempt from later prosecution?

Just to clear things up, I'm under the impression that if you open carry here in CA, you must open carry your mags in a mag pouch. They cannot be inside your pocket. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Also, if you can't get a CCW, the next best thing would be open carry. Learn to load and chamber quickly and efficiently and you'll have an effective firearm. Like the saying goes, with a gun, you have options.

[tuna quesadilla]

Just to clear things up, I'm under the impression that if you open carry here in CA, you must open carry your mags in a mag pouch. They cannot be inside your pocket. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Also, if you can't get a CCW, the next best thing would be open carry. Learn to load and chamber quickly and efficiently and you'll have an effective firearm. Like the saying goes, with a gun, you have options.

You're absolutely correct on both counts. It's been ruled that concealing a magazine is the same as concealing a firearm; therefore, you must have your mags in a magazine carrier on your belt. And open carry IS the next best thing to CCW. People who say "what good is an unloaded gun going to do?" obviously suck at reloading... If you practice drawing+loading enough, you can get it down to a science and go from holstered/unloaded to drawn/loaded in no time flat.

[Oldnoob]

If DA/SA is the must, either Sig 220 or HK USP were the first come out of my mind. Both are outstanding pistol in function and quality.
You know if 45 is your prefer round, there is whole selection of 1911s. Of cause, it's SA only.

[mej16489]

-Chambered in .45ACP (other types of .45 are fine, .45 ACP is preferred) - major plus if it can handle +P or +P+ ammo
-SA/DA, not DAO
-For ease of loading/legality, only support CA-legal magazines, or if that's too restrictive, have CA-legal magazines easily available for purchase

I've seen 3 models that look appealing, but I am open for suggestions by other members.

-CZ97B (only downside to early CZ models is they're steel, and going to be heavy, should be around a kilogram)
-Taurus PT145 (polymer, looks good, don't know about availability of parts/accessories, it's also DAO)
-H&K USP (either Expert or Standard, V1, main downside is that if it's H&K it's going to be pricier)

Although more expensive - I'd also recommend a Sig P220