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Need advise on a wpn to carry

tarheelpwrtarheelpwr Member Posts: 82 ✭✭
edited October 2007 in Ask the Experts
Hey Everyone!


I used to think that I lived in a safe place, but unfortunately, my brother was mugged last weekeend. I have decided to get my permit to carry (hopefully). I was wondering what some popular/RELIABLE guns would be. I'm interested in discussing calibers and makes/models. I currently have a Sig .40 caliber and I love it. It just may be a little large. Admittingly, I don't konw much about what's out there, so please give me any info or refer me to good places to learn.

I don't really have a huge preference as to .40 or .45, but I'm also not 100% sure on the actual difference in the knock-down power, so those of you with the knowledge, please enlighten me.

Last, any of you know how long it generally takes to get a permit in WV? Also, what could possibly hold it up/disqualify me from obtaining it? I don't have ANY sort of a past, so that's not an issue, just curious how I can speed it up.

Price is also not a huge issue considering why I'm buying the gun, but I'd like to keep it under $700 or so. BUT if a gun really is worth the money, please list it and explain why.

Thanks,
Chris

P.S. edit bc I hit post too soon.

Comments

  • modocmodoc Member Posts: 474 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Would be nice to explain the circumstance..Hunting large game,small game,,hiking,,fishing,,self defense,,MANY different reasons to pack iron..I have several for as many NEEDS..Shotguns,rifles,handguns, Then there are centerfire and rimfire..Please explain your need..Thanks,,modoc
  • greeker375greeker375 Member Posts: 3,644
    edited November -1
    Whatever you finally decide to carry make sure of several things.
    1) It's always clean and debris free.
    2) You have spent considerable time at the range getting familiar with your carry gun. I prefer to practice with the loads I'll be carrying...costs more, but, if & when it hits the fan, money will be farthest from your mind.
    3) Get the gun properly concealed and are comfortable carrying so you aren''t always realigning and lifting your britches...DEAD giveaway to any observant individual.

    Good luck
  • CubsloverCubslover Member Posts: 18,601 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Anything chambered in 40 or 45 will do.

    Consider the following as carry weapons...
    Glock mod 27, 40 caliber

    Kahr P40 or PM40, both in 40 caliber

    Kahr P45, 45 caliber

    A revolvers is another way to go. The Smith and Wesson mod 642 airweight is 38+p would be a great choice. Their 340PD in 357 will do the trick as well.

    You have a few different options. I own a Kahr P45 and have been very pleased with it thus far. Very accurate and powerful in a lightweight, small, easily concealable package.
    Half of the lives they tell about me aren't true.
  • cce1302cce1302 Member Posts: 9,555 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Springfield Armory sells the XD line in your price range and caliber choices. I'm sure the other regulars are getting sick of hearing it, but I sing the praises of the XD 40 every chance I get. I've had mine for 3 years and have no complaints. Go to a gun shop that will let you handle one and see if you like the feel of it. If you like it, buy it. There are plenty of ccw holsters for it as well.
  • Cal44Cal44 Member Posts: 14 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am not an expert in guns like you guys but I am an expert in people, trust few.... question all. I like to hike and don't trust the world so my choice was a Smith and Wesson 637 Airlite. Fires 38plus, weighs 15oz and I can hide it.
  • COLTCOLT Member Posts: 12,637 ******
    edited November -1
    ...Some people prefer a wheel gun over a semi, personal preference. Some argue how "100% reliable" a revolver is, bull hockey; any gun can have a failure. any gun...and they are "guns" not weapons.
    Revolvers are pretty much idiot proof. If you are not comfortable with operating a semi, or not comfortable with carrying cocked and locked (some semi's carried this way your asking for trouble, NOT all) then by all means you need a wheel gun.

    ...IF you are going to carry any gun, one would expect to have a 100% faith in that it will function properly when needed, if you have any doubt, don't carry that gun.

    ...Practice, practice, then practice some more. KNOW your gun inside and out. Shoot until your confident enough it will fire when you need it too and hit where you aim. Try running up your heart rate before you pop a few rounds at paper, simulates being "wired" as you would be in a situation where your about to shoot a person; you'll find hitting what your aiming at a LOT harder, it ain't the movies. That, is all you can do.

    ...Some people prefer to buy a "name" because it makes them feel warm and fuzzy and are depending on the "name" for function, stupid.
    There is not one decent gun manf. that has NOT produced a POS gun, that said, a lot of the "lesser" brand guns manage to produce poop as the norm.

    ...I also find it odd that people who may carry a gun for defense would carry a less than desirable brand gun to save a few hundred bucks.

    ...Just how much is your families, your life worth? "Doesn't he look natural laying their, they did a good job on him and they spared no exspense on his funeral!" "Yeah, I think they had the extra money because he saved SOOO much money on that carry gun he bought, shame it missfired".

    ...I prefer steel, I don't do plastic. I don't care if it's a LW or not, a good holster and belt (if not ITP holster) will eliviate the extra weight "problem" in most cases.

    ...I like a .45, it makes a bigger hole than a 40, just mathimatical fact...it ain't the movies, bigger holes are better. Ballistics are for figuring a lot of things on paper, real life is not played out on paper.

    ...An optimum carry gun for me is a LW Colt Combat Commader in .45, right behind that would be a newer Commander in .45, the weight is not a factor to me, reliability is...[;)]

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  • Mk 19Mk 19 Member Posts: 8,170
    edited November -1
    Two rules for a carry gun:
    1) Carry the gun that fits you the best, after all the gun that fits you best is the best fit for you. Go to a range that has guns for rent and try a bit of everything to see what your hand likes. Do not overlook revolvers as it may be the best choice for you.
    2) Carry the most powerful cartridge you can reliably hit your target with. One hit with a .22 is better than 17 misses with a .40.
  • jtmarine0831jtmarine0831 Member Posts: 908 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:A revolvers is another way to go. The Smith and Wesson mod 642 airweight is 38+p would be a great choice, alond with their 340PD in 357 will do the trick as well.




    quote:...I like a .45, it makes a bigger hole than a 40, just mathimatical fact...it ain't the movies, bigger holes are better. Ballistics are for figuring a lot of things on paper, real life is not played out on paper.


    Colt, I really like your thinking!!

    cubslover is right on the money here! I recommend a revolver as a carry weapon. I personally carry a 5-shot Double-Action hammerless from Charter arms. I carry it in my back pocket and you can't even tell it is there( weight wise or size). The good thing about a revolver is if it is loaded all you have to do is squeeze the trigger. Auto-loaders are nice, but unless you carry it Cocked and Locked(which isn't the safest idea with certain firearms, like Glocks)then you loses precious time chambering a round. And no matter how much you practice, the more accesories your weapon has( external safeties, etc..), the more destractions there are in the heat of the moment. Revolver = point + squeeze! As far as caliber goes it is personal preference! All the calibers listed here are very fine. Me personally, I use standard 38Special loaded with 125grain Hornady Xtreme Terminal Penetration(XTP) hollow points. I had to put done an injured deer once and the way they performed made me decide to use them for personal protection. But I also carry either my 45ACP 1911a1 or my XD 45ACP Compact too, which ever I can get to first and I love to have a backup!

    Hope I could help a little!
  • tarheelpwrtarheelpwr Member Posts: 82 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for all the advise. I seem to have over-looked a revolver as it must have been too obvious a choice :) Can someone point me in the direction or compare some different revolver cartriges for me? If someone does it for me, please compare revolvers to a .40 or .45 as well.

    I like the idea of renting one to shoot. They have a range near me in Fort Worth that does that, so I'll have to check that out.

    I guess the next question all this stemmed was holsters. I know NOTHING about them. At least guns I know somewhat, but not how to conceal them. When you say ITP holster, that means nothing to me.

    One more side-note about my price range. I threw that out there as a base-line. I just wanted people to stick to how a gun functions and performs. To my knowledge, the more you pay the more bells and whistles you get. I don't need anything but reliability for my potential carry side-arm.

    Thanks
  • RobinRobin Member Posts: 1,228 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a variety of firearms suitable for carry. The one that is the most comfortable to me is a S&W Model 36 (38 spl). Mostly because I found a holster that works for me. I used to carry a Colt Gov Model .380, nice also but its now in my wife's purse. I think many will fit the bill the key is finding something that is comfortable or its hard to develop a habit of carrying it.
  • COLTCOLT Member Posts: 12,637 ******
    edited November -1
    ...If a wheel gun is your choice, an older Smith with a two inch barrel would be a very nice carry gun, hammerless would be the nuts, eleinates the "snag factor"; and...without the "lawyer lock".

    ...Ive shot a LOT of very nice older Smiths, and I was pleasantly surprised at the DA trigger pull on these bone stock Smiths, pre-lawyer lock. Ive shot some snubby Smiths (little short feller's [:0][:D]) that had a "trigger job" done by a competent pistol (the ONLY kind one should use, can you say "pistol smith", not "gun smith"); smith, and I was in awe at the overall smoothness and it breaking like a piece of glass, simply put, very pleasing.

    ...Greater accuracy is a WONDERFUL side benifit from a very sweet pull too.

    ...A good pistol smith can make the DA pull on a Smith wheel gun such a pleasure to shoot, you might just get a woody from shooting it [8D], it's that nice. The best gun in the world with a poop trigger pull is no better than a High Point or Jimenez, just built better.

    ...Since most confrontations happen at only a few feet, sights are almost irrelevent, ie; trench sights work fine and nothing to "snag".
    Most bad situations happen well within the range of where "point and shoot" is applicable/adequate and a neccesity, there is not a lot of time to do a lot of precise aiming; learn the art of point and shoot with a gun that does just that, easily, naturally.

    ...Ha ha...of all the guns I own/owned...Ive never owned a Smith![:D]
    I WILL remedy that!

    ...After the first of the year and I finish picking up a few examples of some Colt Model 1903's and 1908's pocket/vest pocket guns in different cals I plan on finding a really nice older Smith.

    I was VERY fortuante to have a dear friend give me head start with a Model 1903 .32, a member here (a friend I hold dear) sent me, yes your read it correct, SENT ME, and covered ALL cost, all on his dime, I just answered the door and recieved it from the Postman, as I said, a true friend...and NOT just because of that. Of all the Colts I own, this is the only one that is "special".


    After I find a few Smiths I like, do my own research (boy, that going to the gun shows and handling the old Smiths will be tough, prayers will be requested at that time to help see me thru that :)

    I'll have to em Larry (Classic) for sure when I get to that point, as I hold him in the highest reagard where Smiths are concered. Of course I'll post my choices here and ask the pros and cons of my selections from you other S & W gurus too..[:D]

    PS: Geez, after all the praise I heaped on Smiths...I think I'll just hold a give-away for all my old junky Colt 1911's...[:D]

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  • abcguns2abcguns2 Member Posts: 2,320 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    O.K. , mostly good advise given so far . One other thing to consider , Buy the best you can afford ...This not only applies to the firearm(s) , but the 'carry' holsters and the carry and pratice ammo ...So maybe just a thought , instead of spending $700 on a gun , spend a little less and use the rest of the money for , holsters,ammo,range time , ect.
    You will most likely get lots of advise on here on this subject, spome good , and some ???
    Good Luck !
    d.a.stearns
    Gunsmith / LEO
    Niota , Tn
  • COLTCOLT Member Posts: 12,637 ******
    edited November -1
    ...You may want to look for a quality wheelgun in 45acp...the 45LC might be a little "much" recoil wise.

    ...Stay AWAY from nylon/kydex and other such "fabrics" holsters, just my opinion...they do not mold to the gun, might as well have your garm-ma knit you one. Here is a very nice holster site...reasonable, VERY nice leather too...and a great guy to boot, a little cranky, but nice [:D]
    Makes very nice LEATHER holsters, and reasonable too boot...VERY good for the money!! The BODY GUARD is nice, and functional.
    http://www.harlowholsters.com/index.htm

    ...One of the BEST holster makers in my book, bar none...a little pricey..but how many other holsters APPRECITE in value??
    Tucker uses ONLY the BEST materials and his work is head and shoulders above all the others! You GET what you pay for...and there is a wait, but well worth it! *check out his gallery of pics!
    http://rlcompanyusa.stores.yahoo.net/

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