Opinions on new concealed carry pistol

[thatdamguy]

http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=588&category=Pistol

I have been using this Taurus 709 for a couple years and I really like it, lot of gun for around $300. Also I would recommend 9mm

All that aside, find and shoot as many different models as possible. Nothing matters more than you being able to shoot it accurately and comfortably.   

 

[Fl0und3rz]

Try the glock 26/27.  Plenty of firepower, cheap, reliable, as common as the Iphone, so the aftermarket is full of options, etc. 9mm is ridiculously cheap, so I'd go for the 26.

Another benefit is the ability to use full size mags.

[KFhunter]

Sometimes your on the ground getting your head bounced off the pavement like Zimmerman, with an auto if you shoved the thing hard in the bad guys gut it could push the slide back and go "click" "click" "click" when you really needed a "bang" "bang" "bang!"

auto's also spit out evidence (casings) all over the ground which will be used against you possibly, maybe the casings land weird or get kicked across the pavement, and they say you were here shooting like this, when really you were over there shooting like that

autos are more difficult to manipulate if you have cold or mangled hands

autos can jam or misfire, especially if clothing gets caught in the slide when you have it shoved in someone's gut yanking the trigger because your life depended on it


Interesting article while I was on the subject.  A study of average non-police shootings.
http://thinkinggunfighter.blogspot.com/2012/03/self-defense-findings.html

[drdr07]

+1 for the Shield in 9mm. Fits great in the hand, is very controllable and is easily concealed.

[jay.sharkbait]

J frame or a CZ p01

[papisjeep]

my top 3
J frame S&W
S&W Shield
Springfield XDS 9mm

[Rich_S]

My top two:
1. For real light duty - Ruger .380 LCP with laser. Fits in a shirt pocket - never leave home without it.
2. For heavy duty - Detonics Combat Master



3 (for a revolver) S&W Model 60 in .38 spl. (I can't imaging shooting a .357!)

[sled]

  Glock 42, or 43....

[7mmfan]

Lots of good suggestions here guys. Thank you. I've narrowed it down to a handful of guns that I am going to track down and test fire.

[Rick]

Buy something small and light that you'll want to carry.

The latest whiz-bang CCW does you no good if its sitting at home in the safe because its not comfortable to carry.

[Westside88]

In my mind the little S&W j frames with the internal hammers are hard to beat. Safe to tuck away, no safety to have to manipulate, no concern about clearing a jam or misfire- point pull repeat as necessary. It doesn't really matter what caliber, I like .357, but 38 or 9 is fine for the close range it's designed for. The Ruger's are nice too

[ghosthunter]

I. Carry this S&W 9sV Sigma every day for past three years. With in your budget too.
I have 500 rounds down it ,with never a problem.

I also carry aLCP 380 as back up.

16 + 1 mag. Plenty of fire power.

[cohocrazy]

I have the shield in .40 and it's an excellent weapon. It can however be a little bulky for concealed carry especially in the summer. I haven't tried it in an ankle holster yet but it's probably a bit heavy and bulky. I tried a buddies Ruger LCP 380 and it's very easy to conceal. It can fit in just about any pocket comfortably. However; as previously mentioned it is not great to shoot. It might be better with a magazine extender. However when things get serious it'll probably be at close range and it should take care of business.

[Mongo Hunter]

I have narrowed my search down to what I think are some of the best EDC guns.

1) Glock 26 (my daily EDC)
2) S&W Shield
3) S&W J Frame

Personally I would stay 9mm. with modern ammo there is really no difference in performance between 9, .40 and .45 that a bad guy would notice. 40 is more expensive than 9mm and is a bit more snappy in recoil. and while I am a big fan of the ol .45 the guns tend to be bigger, heavier and the ammo is almost twice the cost of 9mm. 9mm give you less recoil, more bullets, smaller gun and is cheaper to shoot.

I like the Glock 26 but that tends to be a bit blocky for some, but they even have a new single stack version that has been getting high marks on reviews. the Shield is slim and under $400. I carried a J frame for years and was easily one of my favorites, but due to a relocation of my current occupation I wanted something with more firepower and the Glock fit the bill.

Shoot as many as you can to get a feel of what you like but understand that ANY carry gun is a compromise. it will be harder to shoot and be less comfortable to shoot. but the main thing is you need to have it on you all the time these days, you may shoot something like a Sig 226 better but after a few hours of carry you will want something different.

Let us know what you wind up with, always good to see new people carrying. 

[Band]

I studied the options on a carry pistol for about 3 years, believe it or not, because I didn't want to end up with something I regretted and then start the shopping process all over again.  I rented the top contenders on two occasions and ultimately went with the S&W Shield in 9mm (for a variety of reasons) and I have no regrets at all.  It's a great gun and very accurate shooting for me.

After you buy your gun be sure to check out this link to decide which type of ammo to go with - http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,184340.0.html