WHICH HANDGUN TO BUY?

[coolie]

If I ever have to defend myself, I want the BG to know he's been shot. Carry a compact .45! As long as youre not into wearing tight pants ( spandex and what have you. Lol) , .45 is just as easy to conceal. It ads a little weight but a sturdy belt or suspenders can remedy the weight issues .357 was a good recommendation also. I don't trust 9mm to put a rabid dog down humanely. If you live in a state where standard cap mags are allowed, I could see 9mm as an option. 11 of those little things just doesn't seem like bringing much to the fight IMO. That and when you're at the range, guys like me are going to ask you why you brought your old ladies' gun out of the house.

[greg36f]

M&P Shield in 40 carried in a Black Dog Concealment holster. Not sure what they call it, but get the holster configured so that it has that extra bit of material that goes between you and the gun.

If you don't get the shield, still get the black dog holster.

[greg36f]

If I ever have to defend myself, I want the BG to know he's been shot. Carry a compact .45! As long as youre not into wearing tight pants ( spandex and what have you. Lol) , .45 is just as easy to conceal. It ads a little weight but a sturdy belt or suspenders can remedy the weight issues .357 was a good recommendation also. I don't trust 9mm to put a rabid dog down humanely. If you live in a state where standard cap mags are allowed, I could see 9mm as an option. 11 of those little things just doesn't seem like bringing much to the fight IMO. That and when you're at the range, guys like me are going to ask you why you brought your old ladies' gun out of the house.

This ain't the olden days old timer. There is some really great 9mm out there. It's not like is was just ten years ago. In fact many police departments are moving back to 9mm because it has gotten so good. The federal HST in +p is some really good stuff.

[CSACANNONEER]

Get what FITS YOUR HANDS THE BEST. Just because others recommend what they have spent money on doesn't mean that it's the best choice for them or you. I carry a 4" 1911 or a SP101 but, in some cases, neither one of those is appropriate so, I won't try to justify my chooses by telling you they're the best chooses for you. Instead, as an instructor with close to 40 years experience as a shooter, I'll suggest that you need to get what fits you best and you, your needs and you can shoot the best.

[CSACANNONEER]

This ain't the olden days old timer. There is some really great 9mm out there. It's not like is was just ten years ago. In fact many police departments are moving back to 9mm because it has gotten so good. The federal HST in +p is some really good stuff.

LOL both my 9mm SD rounds and my .45acp SD rounds are more than ten years old.

[greg36f]

Get what FITS YOUR HANDS THE BEST. Just because others recommend what they have spent money on doesn't mean that it's the best choice for them or you. I carry a 4" 1911 or a SP101 but, in some cases, neither one of those is appropriate so, I won't try to justify my chooses by telling you they're the best chooses for you. Instead, as an instructor with close to 40 years experience as a shooter, I'll suggest that you need to get what fits you best and you, your needs and you can shoot the best.

I would add that you should carry what you WILL carry.

Don't get a cool gun that is so heavy, large or uncomfortable that you don't WANT to carry it.

A 9mm that you carry every day is better than a 45 that you either can't or won't carry.

Compromises can and will be made for every day carry.

This ain't a show gun, it's a tool.

[greg36f]

LOL both my 9mm SD rounds and my .45acp SD rounds are more than ten years old.

OMG, you cheapskate!!!!!!

Get some new stuff!!!!

[coolie]

^^^^ True enough, for 9mm, my wife's m&p is loaded with hst's. She's a petite gal and that's about as much as she can handle. If youre ever unlucky enough to witness a shooting with 9mm, you'll see their wounding capabilities are not quite impressive. Whether its jello or real world incidents, I'm not confident in 9mm to end a fight.

[bigbearbear]

If I ever have to defend myself, I want the BG to know he's been shot. Carry a compact .45!

Carry one of these, Colt Lightweight Officer .45acp. Let the bad guys admire the classic beautiful lines of a 1911 from a legendary brand like Colt before you blow them away.

[jbolton]

Here is a great package ready to go. Close to stockton ++

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=919420

[CSACANNONEER]

OMG, you cheapskate!!!!!!

Get some new stuff!!!!

I will after I use the old stuff up. Now I just need to get in a SD shoot out where I go through a few hundred rounds of ammo in different guns. Or, maybe the bobcat that has been raiding our chicken coop will just get heavier 230 grains at a time.

[-R-]

Glock 19 is too large for everyday CC in my opinion, especially in the summer months.

Something smaller like a shield, M&P compact or glock 26/27 would be my vote, good size for CC and still very manageable.

[acaligunner]

coolie

^^^^ True enough, for 9mm, my wife's m&p is loaded with hst's. She's a petite gal and that's about as much as she can handle. If youre ever unlucky enough to witness a shooting with 9mm, you'll see their wounding capabilities are not quite impressive. Whether its jello or real world incidents, I'm not confident in 9mm to end a fight

LAPD - LASD carry a majority of Beretta 92's in 9mm, and patrol/deal with some of the nation's worst gangbangers, paroles, and criminals.

They have shot enough bg's with 9mm duty weapons to know it does work, with modern +p/+p+ hp's.

While the 45acp does things a little better, it gives up capacity.

Capacity is very important, because bg's like to attack in force. Also capacity gives the user an advantage of staying on target longer.

There's a lot of people dead from gsw's from 22's, 32's, 380's, and 38's. Probably more so than 45acp.

YMMV

[BigPimping]

Glock 19. There is no substitute.

[wurger]

I have a G4-G26 Glock and I can drop it into cargo pockets (shorts and long leg) and it doesn't print.