Need some advice on a carry gun

[EJSG19]

+1 to everything said thus far, the only thing I can think of to chime in with is this (people will likely disagree).

Unless it's worth it in quality, don't spend a ridiculous amount of money on whatever you plan to carry. If you do have to defend yourself, I can almost guarantee the police are going to confiscate your pistol, so having that Desert Eagle with the Titanium plating might stop the bad-guy, it's also going to be really expensive and not in your possession anymore.

I'm not saying you should go out and buy a Hi-Point or some other cheap gun, but if it cost a lot, or has sentimental value to you, I wouldn't recommend carrying it if you have another option.

By all means though, go buy some $2000 pistol if you plan to shoot competitively, or if you have that kind of cash lying around, but I'm a college student so my money is very important to me.

Again, my .02

But, but, but!?!?! How much is your life worth?

Just kidding. Couldn't agree more. You don't have to spend thousands of dollars to find something reliable, accurate, and just as capable of saving your life or your family's.

[EJSG19]

noted, I am hoping to keep it at or under $600. is that unreasonable?

nope, not in the least. In fact, you could get something that meets most people's definition of a reasonable carry gun, for half that or less, if you don't mind the used market. (no reason not to if that works for you. Test it, if its reliable, thats the main thing.)

[sochr000]

noted, I am hoping to keep it at or under $600. is that unreasonable?

Sounds like a good number to have in mind, although if you go the 1911 route, you'll probably need more unless you go the used route. Yes there are some 1911s for $600 or so, but I can't vouch for their quality or reliability.

[Belgiboy]

Welcome.
If you're comfortable with the XD 45, I would just go with it. It's an accurate weapon that should give you a lifetime of service. For home defense I would definately opt for night sights. A similar gun would be the S&W MP45 which may have a little better ergonomics. It comes down to personal preference.
When it comes to carrying, get a good holster. I'm gonna put in a shameless plug for one of our forum members (Srigs) who makes excellent ones http://www.sideguardholsters.com. I carry a full size 1911 in one of his IWB rigs and I couldn't be happier. As a matter of fact, I'm carrying it right now as I write this and I'm in my boxers.
I'm in the BWCA a lot too and although I do carry either a .45 of a .357 over there, I have no illusions that it would be sufficient for an angry bear. The old joke is that you shouldn't carry a handgun that is too big because it hurts that much more when the bear shoves it up your hind end. A handgun is marginal at best in that situation so don't factor bears into your choice.

Sideguard does in fact make excellent holsters. But this brings up a point of contention between me and belgiboy. He claims that he can carry a 1911 IWB very comfortably. I claim I can't. The truth is .. we are both right. Everyone is different this is why it's important to try everything out first.

No argument here, personal preference that is based on experience is everything.
And I was stretching the truth a little bit when I stated that I was in my boxers, I'll just call it a metaphore for how a good holster can make a difference. I'm buying my pants a bit larger now and use a good quality leather belt.

[Bessy]

No argument here, personal preference that is based on experience is everything.
And I was stretching the truth a little bit when I stated that I was in my boxers, I'll just call it a metaphore for how a good holster can make a difference. I'm buying my pants a bit larger now and use a good quality leather belt.

To be honest part of my problem maybe that I don't wear pants.... ever.

[sochr000]

Another good thing to consider when buying a new pistol, accessories and parts. If you buy a pistol, try to find one that you can get accessories locally(mags, holsters, sights, etc). My first pistol was a S&W 5903, nice gun, reliable, but since I shoot left-handed, it's a PITA to get a quality holster for it, mags have to be special ordered, etc. If you buy an XD, then you should have no trouble finding mags, holsters, or anything else for it locally.

Also, don't skimp on the holster... some people don't mind an Uncle Mike's nylon holster, I can't stand Uncle Mike's. For my carry pistol I have a Blackhawk Serpa holster, cost me a fair bit more than the Uncle Mike's, but it's worth it in comfort, fit to the pistol, and ease of use. Srigs and Vlad (both on the board here) make custom holsters, and I bet someone here has a couple you could try on to see how they work. Maybe even wear the holster around for a day without a pistol in it, it wont be quite the same feeling, but you can get an idea for what you like that way.

I treat it like all the gear I used in the Army, it worked, but if I wanted something that worked well, I had to buy it myself and it cost me.


Edited to add: Not to say you can't find parts and accessories online for other guns, I just personally prefer to buy things locally.

[Belgiboy]

To be honest part of my problem maybe that I don't wear pants.... ever.

Pants are overrated when it comes to carrying, waistbands are not.

[mrp]

Secondly, I intend to carry this while camping/hiking... I do a lot of hiking/camping deep in the bush and I often think of what if I ran across a bad guy or worse if someone tried to attack me or my family at night while camping... (I have had this happen before) also, not that this would *ever* happen but if a bear (I'm often up in the BWCA) or another large animal got a little too curious/aggressive... I feel more comforted knowing I could throw some hot rocks instead of just banging pots and pans (of course, it'd be a last resort).

Budget $70 of your gun money for bear spray.

http://www.rei.com/product/722005
http://www.rei.com/product/722003

[SAM]

First of all--Welcome Scout------------------second--Thank You for Your Service I don't need to add anything else---------------you'll get plenty without my .02.

[mmcnx2]

You've gotten some excellent advise, let me add my 2 cents:

Are you sure about an auto, if not 100%, consider a revolver.

In terms of caliber for defense I would say 40, 45 then 9 in that order and that is only because 40 is so popular with LE that your options will be larger for ammo and potentially frame size. 40 ammo is also cheaper for practice than 45.

Next you'll need to pick a frame size from std, compact to sub compact. Each to there own, the sub's are easy to conceal but they can be a handful to control.

Then pick a brand, and here the best advice is try as many as you can. I'm a huge 1911 fan, but my primary carry is a Glock 27 because in a polymer gun that was the one I could shoot the best.

That said my order of preference for a tuperware gun would be Glock, M&P then XD. The M&P is ahead in my book because out of the box I feel the trigger is better than the XD.

Lastly, don't overlook holster options and add that into your cost along with a few boxes of personal defense ammo. Holsters will get you almost as much discussion as caliber, but my preference is one that has a retention method above friction.

[ijosef]

Welcome! I can't add much as others have pretty much covered all of the bases, but I thought I'd chime in if only for the sake of redundancy. Your budget of $600 is more than adequate. As far as calibers go, my advice is to get the largest/most powerful you can easily carry and control. While .357 magnum is a great round, many people would have trouble keeping a small lightweight revolver on target when firing full power .357 loads. There's also the matter of muzzle flash in a dark environment, and you don't want to be blinded while trying for a follow-up shot. I think that's why many people go for .38 special +P. It has a little more oomph than the normal .38spl, without the excessive recoil and the muzzle flash of .357mag.

I just bought a GLOCK 27 in .40S&W in anticipation of my soon-to-be-acquired P2C. Since it's a GLOCK it's the pinnacle of design, efficiency, reliability, and value ( ), but that little sucker hurts to shoot. Generally speaking, when you shrink the size and weight of a pistol, the felt recoil goes up. In some cases, way up. I find full-size 1911's very comfortable to shoot, but those subcompact ones really bite back. However, keep in mind that your carry piece isn't going to be something you're going to take to a pistol competition. If it's a life-or-death situation, the last think you'll be worried about is painful recoil.

There are many, many great carry guns out there. Try as many as you can, and find what works for you. I'd go for 9mm or bigger in autos, and .38spl or bigger in wheelguns. That's just me, as some guys like .380. Who knows, maybe you'll shoot well with something atypical. There's a "what do you carry" thread on THR forums where a guy posted a picture of his carry piece - a snubby Smith & Wesson 500.

[Stradawhovious]

Your budget of $600 is more than adequate.

True

Since it's a GLOCK it's the pinnacle of design, efficiency, reliability, and value ( )

False

However, keep in mind that your carry piece isn't going to be something you're going to take to a pistol competition.

Not necessarily true.... many here use their carry piece for competition.

There are many, many great carry guns out there.

Very, Very true.

[scout]

I went to Gander Mountain over lunch just to handle some of the handguns I'm interested in and see how they feel in-hand... I handled a Glock, S&W MP and the SA XD. I gotta say, I was extremely disappointed as to how the Glock felt in my hand, I really wanted to like it but it just felt so non-ergonomic, blocky even? The S&W MP felt almost overly ergonomic, as in I could feel every bump in the grip and it was just a titch to short for my liking. Although I'm probably bias for liking the XD outta the gate based on looks, the XD definitely felt the most form-fitting to my hand, the most "I didn't even realize I was holding it". The fatter grip on the .45 also made it more comfortable in-hand... I got an offer from another forum member (thank you) to let me shoot his 4" XD45 so I am probably gonna take him up on that might rent the sub-compact version too just to see how it compares...

p.s. it should be noted I have large hands

again, all great info... thanks guys

[plblark]

ask the store to swap on the large palm swell on the M&P. it makes a difference and is one of the selling points of the gun.

[David]

I gotta say, I was extremely disappointed as to how the Glock felt in my hand, I really wanted to like it but it just felt so non-ergonomic, blocky even?

Just out of curiosity, which Glock did you handle? A lot of people agree with you, which is why Glock started making the G21SF, which has a slimmer frame and grip. I wasn't interested in the G21 until they came out with this model, so if it was the standard G21 you handled, you might want to try the G21SF. Same capacity, same everything except for the frame and grip width. Whatever feels the best for you though!