Help choosing a Concealed pistol

[AustinB]

So here’s the deal, I’m new to the forum, and to shooting pistols, and this is my first post. All the stuff I’ve read on this forum so far looks good and yall are always good to offer advice, so don’t let me down.

First things first I’m 22 and got my CCW about a month ago, I’m 5’10” and about a buck fifty, so keep that in mind when recommending pistols.

Question #1

Looking for a compact semi auto pistol to carry IWB, I have shot the Kahr P9, I like the feel of the pistol in my hand, larger than PM9, and I felt like I had a solid hold on the P9. When I shot it the recoil seemed to be a little sharper than when I shot my Dad’s (the man who introduced me to hunting and firearms) 9mm S&W and Ruger. These 2 guns have about the same frame size, but are a little wider and heavier. (Feel free to tell me to man up and deal with the rougher recoil because there is no way around to get a pistol that is comfortable to carry) but if there is a pistol out there than is easier to shoot let me know. While I was at H & H (yes I’m from Oklahoma, and proud of it) there was a 9mm Walther that the salesman showed me, I don’t remember the model, but I have shot other Walthers and found them to be really smooth and fun to shoot. All of this to say, If yall could recommend quality compact semi auto 9mm, that you own or have shot that you enjoy to shoot and trust you life with it let me know.

Question #2

While I was at H & H I saw a compact .45ACP 1911 style Kimber there that seemed to be a size that I could conceal comfortably, it was actually smaller than the P9, I know I chose the larger frame pistol just a second ago, but the grip looked longer than the PM9 so I think I could get a good handle on the Kimber. Also it would be really hard to argue with that much power in my pants (Insert joke here.) Somewhere on this forum someone had a list of pistol calibers and gave the 9mm and the .45ACP 2 stars each in terms of recoil. Are these two calibers this close? I have shot a full size 1911 and really enjoyed shooting, I was not uncomfortable at all, I wasn’t very accurate, but that comes with practice. Could I control a pistol this small combined with my limited skill and a .45 ACP round, how hard would it be for me to learn to control this firepower? And would it be worth trading off having more power available with the time calls for it for a pistol that was rougher to shoot and would take some getting used to?

Thanks,

AustinB

 

[juwaba98]

First off, Welcome to the Forum.

Ok when choosing a weapon, you should always handle and fire as many weapons as possible to find what you like. This means if at all possible spending some time at a range/gunshop that has rentals available. Champion Firearms in College Station (since you don't have a location listed in your stats we can't recommend something local) is great for this! Also to be considered is capacity and caliber. For me a single stack 9mm loses to a single stack .45acp when capacity and size is comparable. However some times a double stack 9mm will beat a single stack .45acp if it offers a size advantage. My preference is actually a double stacked 3 1/2" 1911 in .45acp (Para-Ordnance P12.45) Compact size with a thick frame that fits my paw and 12+1 rounds of big ugly .45acp Cor-Bon's in a Don Hume IWB holster works for me. My frame size is a little larger to work with than yours however as I am just shy of 6' and pushing 240lbs. (all muscle of course). Once you pick out what works or seems like it will work, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE and then go PRACTICE some more until you are comfortable with your abilities with your weapon and are comfortable depending on it to defend your life.

OK, I'll apologize for lumping both questions into one but this should give you an idea of how to make your decision based on your experience instead of ours.

If you're hellbent on specific recommendations here ya go:

9mm
Sig P239
Glock 19
Springfield EMP

.45ACP
3 or 3 1/2" 1911 from Kimber, Colt, Springfield, Wilson Combat, Nighthawk, Les Baer etc.
Sig P245 (if you can hunt one down)
Sig P220 Carry
Glock 36

Those should give you a few to mull over. I don't actually reccomend the Wilson or Nighthawk or Les Baer for a first gun as they are a bit high end but if you have the cash and want a good one they've got them.

OK, sorry for the length, I think I'm done now.

 

[nalioth]

<snip> but if there is a pistol out there than is easier to shoot let me know.

<snip>

I wasn’t very accurate, but that comes with practice. Could I control a pistol this small combined with my limited skill and a .45 ACP round, how hard would it be for me to learn to control this firepower? <snip> take some getting used to?[/FONT][/SIZE]

The above points tell me that you need to practice, practice, practice.

Practice brings control.

Control brings accuracy.

Your size and weight don't mean squat, when it comes to firearms. It's all about technique, and practicing good technique.

The gun you have with you is 1000x better than the one you don't, so pick one that you are comfortable carrying concealed, and practice practice practice with it.

Don't bring "Is it manly?" or "Is it big enough?" to the table. I personally don't want to be shot with any gun, from an air gun on up to a Bofors.

Practice, practice, practice.

A .32 that you can hit COM with every time is worth more than a .45 that you miss with.

Gunfighting is a philosophy, not a list of materials.

Practice, practice, practice (and hope you never have to put it into action).

 

[kingofwylietx]

If you can find a shop that has rentals, you will be ahead of the game (like stated above, we can't help on that since we don't know where you are located). I would go to a good gun shop so you can try a variety of pistols. Don't stop at just feeling them in your hand. It should be comfortable in your hand but there is another component to the equation. If you are buying a pistol, they should have holsters. You will only carry what is comfortable, so I'd try out the pistol in a couple of holsters and to a test fit there at the store. See what fits best, so you will be more apt to keep it with you. I have wasted too much money on holsters, before I realized I could try them out in the store. Just wear your normal clothes and see what may feel good for all day comfort.

 

[gladi8r]

Get and Xd 9 subcompact and call it good. Easy to shoot lots of safetys and holds 11+1 with the compact mag and 16+1 with the full size mag.

 

[cpf3]

All good advice. I think that handling and shooting a variety of pistols will be a big help. Go shooting with friends and/or attend shooting events (like a "SIG Shoot"). Then think about when and how you'll carry it. Personally, although I have a bunch of handguns, I only have one that I carry. It's my Sig P239, in 9mm. I picked it because I thought that it fit my needs for all weather/clothing combinations that I encounter, and in a platform that I had confidence in and shoot very well with. I suspect that many others here have done the same.

 

[Skip]

Gotta agree with the "Handle and shoot as many as you can" statements. One thing I would like to add to all the other excellent advice is, dont put blinders on when considering a weapon, you may be suprised at what "grabs ya" while trying different ones. Be open minded and you may luck out and get that "perfect" gun that fits your needs.

 

[DirtyD]

The Sig P239 has popped up a few times here, and I am actually eyeballing one pretty hard right now. Think it is going to be mine in a few weeks, carries great, fits the hand and while I love carrying my 1911 Govt, the Sig just fits better in civvies...

 

[fm2]

Are you looking for a CCW handgun? If so, I would recommend a medium sized 9mm, like a G19. It's cheap to practice with 9mm, holsters are readily available, and has a long track record, ie durable & reliable.

 

[cpf3]

I'm very happy with my P239. It fits my hand; and is comfortably concealable, but large enough to handily absorb 9mm recoil. (As far as I recall, .357 Sig and .40 were not yet available when I bought it almost 12 years ago.) I'm satisfied that the 9mm is adaquate for my needs, plus it's inexpensive enough that I practice more that I would with the other calibers.

But that's me. You may have other criteria/priorities for making your selection (cost, larger caliber, smaller platform, etc.). Also, recognize that any of these may change over time and you'll end up looking at a different gun. Personally, I've went through a bunch over the years before settling on the Sig (1911-A1, Hi-Power, PP Super, PPK/S, SP101 [in 9mm], S&W Mod 13, etc.). And now I'm looking again! Thank Goodness for big safes!

 

[kawi jm]

In my opinion, a small 38 snub nose is the best CC weapon. It's small (easy to conceal) plenty of knockdown and VERY reliable (goes bang everytime you pull the trigger). I have a small Charter Arms 38 (5 shot) and a Colt Detective Special (6 shot). Both are great and I have never had a failure from either gun. Remember this gun is for defense, not for going into war. Most defensive situations are short, there is no time or need for 10 rounds to be discharged. Not to mention you will be liable for every one of those discharged rounds.

 

[JKTex]

So here’s the deal, I’m new to the forum, and to shooting pistols, and this is my first post. All the stuff I’ve read on this forum so far looks good and yall are always good to offer advice, so don’t let me down.

First things first I’m 22 and got my CCW about a month ago, I’m 5’10” and about a buck fifty, so keep that in mind when recommending pistols.

Question #1

Looking for a compact semi auto pistol to carry IWB, I have shot the Kahr P9, I like the feel of the pistol in my hand, larger than PM9, and I felt like I had a solid hold on the P9. When I shot it the recoil seemed to be a little sharper than when I shot my Dad’s (the man who introduced me to hunting and firearms) 9mm S&W and Ruger. These 2 guns have about the same frame size, but are a little wider and heavier. (Feel free to tell me to man up and deal with the rougher recoil because there is no way around to get a pistol that is comfortable to carry) but if there is a pistol out there than is easier to shoot let me know. While I was at H & H (yes I’m from Oklahoma, and proud of it) there was a 9mm Walther that the salesman showed me, I don’t remember the model, but I have shot other Walthers and found them to be really smooth and fun to shoot. All of this to say, If yall could recommend quality compact semi auto 9mm, that you own or have shot that you enjoy to shoot and trust you life with it let me know.

Question #2

While I was at H & H I saw a compact .45ACP 1911 style Kimber there that seemed to be a size that I could conceal comfortably, it was actually smaller than the P9, I know I chose the larger frame pistol just a second ago, but the grip looked longer than the PM9 so I think I could get a good handle on the Kimber. Also it would be really hard to argue with that much power in my pants (Insert joke here.) Somewhere on this forum someone had a list of pistol calibers and gave the 9mm and the .45ACP 2 stars each in terms of recoil. Are these two calibers this close? I have shot a full size 1911 and really enjoyed shooting, I was not uncomfortable at all, I wasn’t very accurate, but that comes with practice. Could I control a pistol this small combined with my limited skill and a .45 ACP round, how hard would it be for me to learn to control this firepower? And would it be worth trading off having more power available with the time calls for it for a pistol that was rougher to shoot and would take some getting used to?

Thanks,

AustinB

You use the term CCW and you don't have a handgun yet so I assume you're not in Texas? Although I'm not sure what CCW is as I'm assuming you're referring to a concealed handgun license and CCW is usually used for "Concealed Carry Weapon". Not that it makes a difference in gun, but where etc. to go touch and feel any/or buy could be effected as well as state laws wherever you are.

Anyhow, first, I'd say you're all over the field with what you're looking at so I can't help but think you're looking for a gun for the wrong reasons. Or better put, using the wrong criteria.

You need to be comfortable with the gun. You may or may not be a 1911 guy. A DA may be more your thing. A single stack vs. double stack might make the difference in comfort in shooting. You may not want the additional care and such that goes with steel and or 1911 for example.

First find a gun you can shoot and are comfortable with. You can adjust size to what's easier to carry then. You can' carry a full sized 1911 easily, if you have the right gear. Without the desire to buy the right, and good quality gear, you may end up better off with a compact plastic gun.

It's just important to get the right gun based on what you can handle the best. Then decide what gear will make it easiest to carry. Otherwise, you'll end up carrying a gun you can't get comfortable with.

FYI, we're about the same size and I easily carry either a Kimber Pro (full size frame with 4" barrel and all stainless) or Compact (officers frame with 4" barrel alloy frame/stainless slide). The right belt and holster makes all the difference.

 

[chevydeerhunter]

There really isn't anything more I can add to what has already been said, but I will echo one issue and that is shoot, shoot, shoot as many guns as you can. There have been a few people at the range ask me about choosing a gun. I don't mind letting them pop off a few rounds in mine after a quick lesson in gun safety(they usually don't mind the lesson!)

If you're ever at a range and see somebody who has a gun you're interested in, ask them a few questions about it and more than likely they'll let you squeeze off a few. You may not get an in-depth test drive, but it will give you a general idea about the gun, mainly grip, feel and pointability.

 

[navyguy]

Okay, let me put my two bucks in. (inflation you know)

Don't get to concerned about recoil, as long as you can manage it. By that I mean, shoot the gun and hit stuff even though it might hurt a bit. If you ever do get into a situation where you need to draw and shoot, with the adrenalin that will be flowing, you probably won't feel (or hear) the gun going off.

A small concealed carry gun such as a PM9 (which I have an carry sometimes) is not a range gun. I shoot it from time to time to keep my skills up with it, but about 50 rounds is all that takes for me to feel comfortable that the gun works as it should, and I can actually hit a man sized target at 15 yards with consistency.

But on the other hand, I'm of the camp that believes it is best to carry the largest (not necessarily caliber) gun you can conceal and feel comfortable with. For me the largest is a Sig P228, but my EDC is a bit smaller H&K p2000. You have to decide how you are going to carry/conceal and what works for you. Something like a PM9 is a piece of cake to carry, and I never feel under gunned when I've got it. ... FWIW