Good first hand gun for CCW?

[aresv 49]

I highly recommend reading the material over at mouseguns.com. Lots of good info on pocket-sized guns.

[volkov 318]

Any one know of a good place in north or south carolina take a good 2-3 day handgun class. Like to get some more training other then what what the army has taught me and the NC required class for getting your permit to carry.

 

The Blackwater training facility is in NC..

 

I kind of mean that as a joke, but now I think about it, maybe it's worth looking into. I know they do a lot of training there for all sorts of stuff, but I really don't know much about it.. at all..

[Lone Star Arms 2,047]

Agree with Bob on 9mm as a carry gun. My personal carry weapon is a Glock 19. I also have a 26, but prefer the 19 due to its combination of compact size and high capacity magazine (15+1). Ammo has been scarce, but I've been able to get all the practice rounds I need at Wal Mart for less than $10 for a box of 50 (just be there when the shipments come in).

 

For self defense ammo I use +P jacketed hollow points. 1 mag in the gun, and two on my belt. I usually carry in a Blackhawk holster with a paddle mount. My mag holder has the same setup.

 

I am very happy with the Glock. I have fired as many as 1000 rounds through it between cleanings (yes I did it on purpose). It field strips in less than 30 seconds, is easy to clean and maintain. It eats everything with no problems, and remains accurate at self defense distances after many thousands of rounds.

 

Tactical handgun training, and regular shooting drills are always a good idea.

 

Good luck with whatever choices you make, and thank you for your service to our country.

 

BTW, as far as 1911's are concerned, I'm very impressed with Kimber. They make exceptional .45 autos, very smooth, and very accurate.

 

WS

[buckandaquarterquarterstaff 5]

If you can have only one gun as a carry piece, I'd go with a glock 19. It's got capacity, a reasonable size, and is reliable. No need to carry a spare mag in most truly self defense situations one can envision.

 

Personally, I carry a sig 220 or 226 in winter and a rossi 357 mag snub in shorts weather. All of them offer dead nuts on reliability and more than enough power to do the job. If I'm off in the woods then I'll sometimes carry my 10mm tangfolio.

[mgconnor13 206]

I'm really looking at the Glock 19 now. I'll see if I can find a used one in good shape.

Edited October 2, 2009 by Rusty truck

[Juggernaut 11,054]

The Glock 23 (.40) is pretty cool too, as you can drop in a lone wolf conversion barrel and shoot 9mm....

[Lone Star Arms 2,047]

I'm really looking at the Glock 19 now. I'ss see if I can find a used one in good shape.

 

Price range for a used 19 is usually between $400 and $500 dollars. Price differences between new and used are generally nominal. I have purchased both new and used, and have found no difference in the way the guns shoot.

 

I'm actually quite surprised at the accuracy of the 26, but the 10+1 capacity has me carrying the 19 most of the time.

 

Once again, with thanks and gratitude for your service.

 

WS

[YARP 300]

Rusty Truck thank you for your service to our country. As far as a concealed holster you can use all the time, check out smart carry, they'll give you a 60 day trial period, don't like it ship it back ( ). The smart carry system allows you to carry full size handguns if you are of larger stature, which by the looks of it your the same size as me and it'll work just fine.

I carry a Glock 20 (10mm), you can pick one up for around $500.00 maybe a little less maybe a little more. depends on your patience level. Another $100.00 will land you about 4 more mags. Your best bet is Gunbroker or a local dealer.

to switch calibers (there are more choices than the one I'm suggesting) to a .40S&W (ammo can be found anywhere, and you don't need different mags) go to the conversion barrels go for about $115.00. This will leave you with about $300.00 for upgrade parts or ammo, whatever you think is best to spend money on.

I carry my G20 with one 15rd mag in and carry two extra mags that have 2rd extensions on them. I have a grand total of 49rds on me. Anyone who tells you carrying an extra mag is a waste is an idiot, any well taught CCW class will also tell you the same for three reasons.

1.If your actual mag malfunctions what are you going to do? use your pistol as a club/throwing object?

2.If you get in a situation where you are stuck and have no where to go it's best not to run out of bullets (I'm sure you were taught this in the military)

3.Nobody wants to get in a pissing match with a guy who is going to run out of ammo after they are.

If your not going to carry extra mags you might as well carry a revolver in a VERY large caliber.

Good Luck and that's my 2 cents!

YARP!

[mgconnor13 206]

Is the Glock 23 roughly the same size as the 19? I was actually playing with a Glock 19 a couple of hours ago. (Iraqi police carry Glock 19s) Found the 19 to be pretty comfortable, little short but ok. A Glock is looking more and more attractive.

 

I don't have any experiance with 10mm or 40S&W. Any one care to add there 2 cents on those?

Only concern with 10mm is availibility and price.

 

I'll be getting extra mags to carry and practice with regardless. I tend to horde mags.

[Juggernaut 11,054]

Is the Glock 23 roughly the same size as the 19? I was actually playing with a Glock 19 a couple of hours ago. (Iraqi police carry Glock 19s) Found the 19 to be pretty comfortable, little short but ok. A Glock is looking more and more attractive.

 

I don't have any experiance with 10mm or 40S&W. Any one care to add there 2 cents on those?

Only concern with 10mm is availibility and price.

 

I'll be getting extra mags to carry and practice with regardless. I tend to horde mags.

 

as far as I can tell... same size frame.... they both go "click" in my kydex..

[presto_z 125]

I carry a Glock 30 .45acp with crimson trace laser grips, 3.5lb connector, .25 trigger job its all wrapped up in a crossbreed supertuck IWB holster...

 

 

i absolutely love this setup..

 

i am looking for a nice shoulder holster for my Kimber Pro Crimson Carry II and an extra mag if anyone has suggestions.. Price is not an issue, i would rather have a high quality rig then some budget POS.. I call it my "Church Gun" lol

Edited October 2, 2009 by presto_z

[Paulry 50]

POST NUMBER 400!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ya

 

My carry is the Kel Tec PF9.

 

Thin, light simple and it shoots well. Recoil feels light for such a light pistol.

 

ROCK and ROLL.

 

I'm thirsty now.

[mgconnor13 206]

Thanks for the pictures. Like that you include the holster too. I'm giving the Glock 19 a lot of thought. If I do go for a full size probably be the 17 or 21.

[buckandaquarterquarterstaff 5]

Is the Glock 23 roughly the same size as the 19? I was actually playing with a Glock 19 a couple of hours ago. (Iraqi police carry Glock 19s) Found the 19 to be pretty comfortable, little short but ok. A Glock is looking more and more attractive.

 

I don't have any experiance with 10mm or 40S&W. Any one care to add there 2 cents on those?

Only concern with 10mm is availibility and price.

 

I'll be getting extra mags to carry and practice with regardless. I tend to horde mags.

 

10mm ammo is difficult to find and for most practical purposes the 40 does the same job. I don't want to start a shit storm, but you might want to do a little research on KB's with glock 40's (just to make up your own mind about it) before deciding between a 23 and a 19.

[Juggernaut 11,054]

Here is my everyday carry rig..

[BobAsh 582]

Here's mine.

 

[Lone Star Arms 2,047]

Thanks for the pictures. Like that you include the holster too. I'm giving the Glock 19 a lot of thought. If I do go for a full size probably be the 17 or 21.

What kind of feedback are you getting from Iraqi police officers?

 

I'm guessing they're using them a great deal more frequently than our domestic LEO's.

 

WS

[mgconnor13 206]

I've read about KBs being a problem with 40S&W in glocks before. I'll probable go with 9mm or 45acp in the end.

With all these photos this could become a CCW gear gun porn section pretty quick.

 

Knife, flash light and phone are always things to have. I find a good multitool is always good to have on you.

 

Juggernaut I like the pocket testiment. You a Gideon?

[voonman 133]

Pick your poison... Either A Glock29 10mm Compact with a 17round hi cap..Or Glock 50gi conversion with 18 round hi cap...

[bigj480 203]

I'm looking into picking up a Kahr P9 for CCW. That said, I've always wanted a H&K P7M8, but $1000 carry gun? Perhaps I should settle for a cheaper version.

[mgconnor13 206]

Well one of the Iraqi police we hang out with a lot says he's got at least two kills with his Glock 19. I've heard nothing but good things about Glocks from the Iraqis.

 

Once I get state side I'll go spend some time test firing and fondling pistols till I find one I really like.

[Lone Star Arms 2,047]

Well one of the Iraqi police we hang out with a lot says he's got at least two kills with his Glock 19. I've heard nothing but good things about Glocks from the Iraqis.

 

Once I get state side I'll go spend some time test firing and fondling pistols till I find one I really like.

 

The 9mm round (IMO) can be extremely effective in the hands of someone who is proficient with his weapon. Many times I think we get caught up in an obsession about caliber size here (bigger is always better), when we should be concentrating on training and proficiency.

 

My own drills tend to center around how fast I can get the firearm out of the holster, on target, and dispatch rounds on target to center of mass, and head. I am personally fond of Mozambique, double tap, and head shot drills.

 

If you don't have a piece of personal real estate you can use for drills, I recommend investing in a membership at a local range where you can move forward with civilian tactical training, holster qualification, and holster drills.

 

You will receive minimal training to qualify for your CCW license, and once again (IMO) additional training to use your firearm proficiently in civilian self dense situations is a necessity, and not an option.

 

My own CCW instructor (an LEO) was adamant that the bad guy will have a weapon, and that the critical difference in survivability comes down readiness, training, and luck (which increases with preparedness) - things I know you as a war fighter understand at a visceral level.

 

Now to shotguns... One of the things I love about the Saiga 12 as a self defense weapon is the ability to put an incredible amount of firepower downrange on target in a very short period of time, the potential destructive power of each round, and the speed at which the weapon can deployed.

 

The M4 in full auto mode has a cyclic rate to put around 750, 5.56 projectiles down range every 60 seconds, and an effective range of 600 meters - well beyond civilian self defense range.

 

The S12 is easily capable of a manual fire rate of 180 -240 rpm, 300+ if you are really proficient with it. Using 2 3/4 '00 buck, with an effective maximum self defense range of 100 -200 yards, hypothetically one has the ability to put between 1,620 8.4mm projectiles and 2,700 8.4mm projectiles per minute downrange (you are actually limited to sustained fire of anywhere from 5 to 30 shells determined by the capacity of the mag or drum). The later figure is roughly equivalent to the output of the dylan minigun.

 

Note to Steve O and the rest of the Jackass crew. An S12 will cycle low recoil, 9 pellet 00' buck on target at 2 to three times the rate of 3" and 3" magnum shells. So if you have any comments about how well your gun will fire the big stuff, I won't argue. I just ask you to bear in mind that if that is what you choose, your target re-aquisition time will be considerable.

 

So, what I'm getting at on the subject of self defense - is as good as a 5.56 may be, in the hands of a proficient operator, an S12 charged with 00' buck makes it look like a pea shooter.

 

While you are thinking about your carry gun, please keep your heavy self defense needs in mind as well.

 

Safe home soldier!

 

WS

 

As a civilian, you are not allowed to use one of these for self defense:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQzC5kiGVzo

 

But you can own one of these:

Edited October 4, 2009 by WaffenSchmied

[clifton 354]

Glock, 27 is my CCW,,, and for my wife It going to be a ruger lcp..

[mgconnor13 206]

Shot placement is extremely important.

Practice is one thing you can never get enough of. I'm usually at the range every week with my long guns, usually my AK/AR-15 or Saiga-12/870.

I'm planning to keep my Saiga 12 or a rifle(s) handy when ever possible.

 

Way I see it a pistol is a means back to the long gun you should have never put down in the first place.

 

Shotguns are a great way to put A LOT of lead down range in a hurry. I'd probably pick my Saiga 12 over a SMG most days (if I ever had a choice)

 

Here's a picture of my current "heavy defense" at work right now. Doesn't get much bigger then a .50cal

[Lone Star Arms 2,047]

Shot placement is extremely important.

Practice is one thing you can never get enough of. I'm usually at the range every week with my long guns, usually my AK/AR-15 or Saiga-12/870.

I'm planning to keep my Saiga 12 or a rifle(s) handy when ever possible.

 

Way I see it a pistol is a means back to the long gun you should have never put down in the first place.

 

Shotguns are a great way to put A LOT of lead down range in a hurry. I'd probably pick my Saiga 12 over a SMG most days (if I ever had a choice)

 

Here's a picture of my current "heavy defense" at work right now. Doesn't get much bigger then a .50cal

 

I could live with it. lol

 

WS

[Lone Star Arms 2,047]

Deleted repeat post.

Edited October 4, 2009 by WaffenSchmied

[Lone Star Arms 2,047]

Shot placement is extremely important.

Practice is one thing you can never get enough of. I'm usually at the range every week with my long guns, usually my AK/AR-15 or Saiga-12/870.

I'm planning to keep my Saiga 12 or a rifle(s) handy when ever possible.

 

Way I see it a pistol is a means back to the long gun you should have never put down in the first place.

 

Shotguns are a great way to put A LOT of lead down range in a hurry. I'd probably pick my Saiga 12 over a SMG most days (if I ever had a choice)

 

Here's a picture of my current "heavy defense" at work right now. Doesn't get much bigger then a .50cal

 

Well now, wait a minute. Loaded with slugs your S12 is effectively a .73 caliber canon. No match for a .50 BMG, but with a 20 - 30 round drum, not bad for a civilian defense weapon.

 

I'd love to take that .50 cal to the range!

 

WS

[mgconnor13 206]

I love my 50. Browning is the man!

 

As part off my CCW plan I'm giving serious thought to keeping a shotgun in my truck. Most of us are only a parking a lot away from our vehicles at any given time which is usually a lot closer then the cops will ever be should SHTF.

 

Pistol is my last choice as a defensive weapon but it's

1) Legal to carry almost all the time

2) I can hide it on me

 

Mostly I'm trying to figure out what people preffer to carry and why. Things have drifted a little off topic and thats ok.

 

WaffenSchmied is right people do tend to obsess over caliber. Practice makes a big differance in how effective a weapon will be when used. Most guns will out shoot their owners unless you practice alot.

Edited October 4, 2009 by Rusty truck

[Lone Star Arms 2,047]

I love my 50. Browning is the man!

 

As part off my CCW plan I'm giving serious thought to keeping a shotgun in my truck. Most of us are only a parking a lot away from our vehicles at any given time which is usually a lot closer then the cops will ever be should SHTF.

 

Pistol is my last choice as a defensive weapon but it's

1) Legal to carry almost all the time

2) I can hide it on me

 

Absolutely correct regarding LE. Most would be there if they could, but unfortunately most of their time is spent writing reports, cleaning up the mess, and the only contact they are able to have with those unable or unwilling act in their own self defense is to deal with the aftermath,

 

If you haven't read it, the following is a great essay. If you have read it, it's probably worth reading again. Either way, I'm sure you will relate.

 

http://www.gleamingedge.com/mirrors/onsheepwolvesandsheepdogs.html

 

WS

[mgconnor13 206]

I've read both "On Killing" and "On Combat" by LTC (Ret) Dave Grossman. Both are excellent books. His books helped me make sense on the things I saw and did my first tour and how I felt afterwards. Both books are extremly informative. Should be mandatory reading for any one that deals with violence.