help me select a gun fellas.
standards-
accuracy, stopping power, reliability, price in terms of maintenance/repair/upkeep.
size will be the only extra factor for the concealed gun.
thanks!
Will you be using it in a cage or ring?
lol oops.
i'm reading the p-32 is solid for concealment.
Short stub revolver, great for a first gun.
Seekamp 32 for carry
I bought a 9mm because I was told it was less likely to go through walls and kill my undeserving neighbors. But I'm a humanitarian.
could you guys also state the reason you feel your recommendation is better than other guns?
springfield armory XD's are getting good remarks too.
Kel Tec P3AT is very concealable, reliable, affordable. The .380 is a 9mmx17 as apposed to a typical 9mm that is x19. You sacrifice some power in a .380, but the fact that you will carry this gun more makes it a better carry concealed gun. A 1911 is bit hard to conceal.
First off, home defense and concealed carry are two very different uses.
For home defense, there is no better weapon than an 18" barrel shotgun loaded with buckshot. A Reminton 870, Mossberg 500, or a Winchestor 1100 (I believe) is a cheap, reliable and effective home defense weapon.
Once you start talking about handguns you open up a can of worms. Revolvers are reliable, easy to shoot, but carry less rounds. Semi-automatics are more complex, arguably more sensitive to cleaning, and generally hold more rounds.
As for knockdown power, a single shot to the central nervous system is the only way you will "drop" someone with one shot. A .22 cartridge is more than enough to do this, though if you miss the CNS you might not stop the threat with one shot. So, the larger round the better (generally speaking). A .45 ACP like "CRE" caliber is an excellent defense round, but a 1911 is a fairly large gun for me to conceal on my frame. I carry a Kel-Tel P32 everyday. Its small, easily concealable (I have a pocket holster and it looks like a wallet in my pocket--no printing), and easy to shot. However, with 2" barrel it isn't accurate outside of 15 yards or so.
Keep in mind that ammo selection is just as important as caliber. You will want to get good defense loads for carry and ball ammo (cheaper) for target practice.
You can go out and buy a badass gun and show your friends, but if you aren't going to carry it everyday its silly to get a bling gun to sit in the safe. Hit the range and rent a few different makes/models/calibers and see what fits in your hands the best.
I'm assuming you have or plan to get a CHL! Its an excellent course to take whether you plan on concealing or not.
Good luck,
Ryan
beretta px-4 storm subcompact .40 caliber. google it and read the reviews. it will definitely be my next purchase. 9mm doesn't have the stopping power, can go right through the intended target. small enough for concealed carry, and beretta is top of the line.
Again, home defense: 12 gauge shotgun.
But for concealed carry, I'd say 357 SW CIA hammerless revolver.
Compact 9mm for winter carry.
Glock 29 10mm. Most powerful cartridge you can get in compact gun.
I carry a sig p220 .45 carry and is very reliable I can drowned it drop it in mud and know it would perform w/o flaw. I highly reccomend it.
I second the shorty 12 for home defense nothing better in my opinion.
Concealed carry?????
You have to decide if you want to comprimise on concealability or stopping power. I personally want a Smith M&P in .40 I carry a Glock 21 but don't like it....it's to big not to "print" and I don't like Glocks. I used to have a H&K USP.45 I loved it but wanted something smaller for CC, sold the H&K but never bought a new one. Kahr make some very nice smaller weapons. The MK40 felt very good in hand and seemed about right for CC.
Glock 23 IMO...
.40 Compact - Small enough to conceal, enough rounds to do the job if there's more than one person...
I like the .45, but it cant carry as many rounds. that being said, the GAP .45 is very nice...
if you want shock value, you can always go S&W .500 magnum, but you might put holes through whatever is behind what you hit...lol
I have a Glock 22 .40cal
Its lightweight, decent capacity, and good stopping power!
deffinatly a 12 ga for home here is some "nice" ammo
http://www.deltaforce.com/catalog/12gaugeammo.html
^Pretty sure the thread title said "handgun"...
XD by Springfield armorys 45 ACP.
Avaialable in compact and subcompact with 3" barrel.
I got the service model with 4 inch barrel.
Also love my SW 357 pistol for plain old stopping power.