EasyCo Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 (edited) I am about to purchase a handgun and would like some advice from knowledgeable handgun users. I am planning on using the handgun as a concealed weapon. It wont be intended for home security (I have a shotgun for that). My biggest question is what caliber should I get? (9mm, .40 S&W, or .45) The .45 seems a little too much for a concealed weapon so I have been leaning towards the .40, but this is all new to me. I would appreciate any advice on this issue, especially from anyone who is/was a police officer, in the military, or a gun instructor. Thanks! Edited December 18, 2005 by EasyCo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sup Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 I imagine why you need a concealed weapon would help in deciding what kind to get. I wouldn't really know, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxtrot360 Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 What he said ^^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdnsniper Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 See here for some topics about concealed carrying. I am sure you can find something helpful to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[TCS]BlackMamba Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 I would definatly consider either a 9mm glock 18 due to its large clip for extended gun fighting or the berreta 92f. As for 0.45 they are qutie beasty and perhaps a little much for concealing. Revolvers are more reliable but have smaller ammo capacity compared to the automatics but S&W 0.40 revolvers are qutie commonly used and are a gud weapon providing you only want to take out a couple of targets before reloading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EasyCo Posted December 18, 2005 Author Share Posted December 18, 2005 BlackMamba,Dec 18 2005, 04:02 PM] I would definatly consider either a 9mm glock 18 due to its large clip for extended gun fighting or the berreta 92f. As for 0.45 they are qutie beasty and perhaps a little much for concealing. Revolvers are more reliable but have smaller ammo capacity compared to the automatics but S&W 0.40 revolvers are qutie commonly used and are a gud weapon providing you only want to take out a couple of targets before reloading. ← That was kind of my thought. I have almost gotten rid of the .45 notion and have been considering the 9mm or .40 S&W. I think, what it really comes down to is how it feels. If it isn't comfortable to you then you can't protect yourself very well with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[TCS]BlackMamba Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 Personally I would go for the glock they are still very reliable, are light weight and have a large clip capacity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[TCS]BlackMamba Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 I do not appreciate my posts being edited when I am merely expressing my opinion. I do not see how being glad of living in the UK is political. When it is a simple fact that gun crime is low in the UK and it is something we are all happy about as I'm sure the american people would be if it was the case in the USA. Unfortunatly for the people in the US some of them feel the need to carry concealed weapons. I feel that by editing my post you stopped me from expressing a valid opinion. I do not see how it can be correct to allow a discussion about a matter that has serious issues relating to criminal activity but to prevent some one expressing their view about being happy to live in a society with low gun crime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Specter Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 BlackMamba,Dec 18 2005, 05:02 PM] I would definatly consider either a 9mm glock 18 due to its large clip for extended gun fighting or the berreta 92f. As for 0.45 they are qutie beasty and perhaps a little much for concealing. Revolvers are more reliable but have smaller ammo capacity compared to the automatics but S&W 0.40 revolvers are qutie commonly used and are a gud weapon providing you only want to take out a couple of targets before reloading. ← Actually, the .45ACP is quite easily carried concealed, as long as you don't go double stack on the magazines. It actually, IMO, conceals better than a .40 S&w or a 9mm, as they are double stack magazines, making it bulkier than a .45. I carried one for years. For what you want it for, you don't really need alot of bullet capacity. If you can't do it with 7 shots, then you're dead anyway. Assuming that we aren't talking about military or law enforcement combat. Check out the springfield Armory Defender series. Also Kimber and ParaOrdnance. This is just my opinion, as I have tried all 3 calibers, and still find the .45 owns. Go to a shop and handle all three of them. What really determines the right choice for you is a caliber that you are comfortable shooting. If you go to a range that rents gunss to shoot, try out each one. Stick it where you want to carry it and see how it feels. But the most important thing that should determine your choice for you is comfort shooting the weapon. Hell, if you are comfortable with a .22, and you can shoot dead nuts right on with it everytime, then that could be a good choice. Don't buy one just because people say it's cool, yada yada yada. Buy it because you are comfortable with it. Once you do, at home, stand in front of the mirror with your weapon(UNLOADED ! !) and practice drawing and dry firing the weapon. It's a myth that dry firing it will harm the weapon. It's only true for rimfire(.22). Get good with it. Good enough that you can handle it in the dark. Not clean it, but know where the trigger, the sights, mag release. Know that gun so that if someone attacked you in the dark, you can handle that weapon without having to look at it. Have 2 mags; one with hollow points, and one with full metal jacket(Ball) rounds. But practice with it. get to where you don't have to look at it. Know it's condition and feel by touch, not sight. But be comfortable with it. The best caliber for someone is the one they can shoot accurately with and quickly with. It doesn't matter if it's a .22, a .38, a 9mm, .45, or a .40. Comfort and confidence should be you're criteria. You don't have to have an elephant gun to protect yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZJJ Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 BlackMamba,Dec 18 2005, 05:29 PM] I do not appreciate my posts being edited when I am merely expressing my opinion. I do not see how being glad of living in the UK is political. When it is a simple fact that gun crime is low in the UK and it is something we are all happy about as I'm sure the american people would be if it was the case in the USA. Unfortunatly for the people in the US some of them feel the need to carry concealed weapons. I feel that by editing my post you stopped me from expressing a valid opinion. I do not see how it can be correct to allow a discussion about a matter that has serious issues relating to criminal activity but to prevent some one expressing their view about being happy to live in a society with low gun crime. ← Not wanting to explain my actions and taking this thread off topic again, but if you had stated this post in place of a "I'm glad I live in the UK" it never would have been deleted. This post at least explains why you said what you did and doesn't leave any room for thinking it was off topic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EasyCo Posted December 18, 2005 Author Share Posted December 18, 2005 Specter, thank you for the very informative post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xG5kdo Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 (edited) BlackMamba,Dec 18 2005, 05:02 PM] I would definatly consider either a 9mm glock 18 due to its large clip for extended gun fighting or the berreta 92f. As for 0.45 they are qutie beasty and perhaps a little much for concealing. Revolvers are more reliable but have smaller ammo capacity compared to the automatics but S&W 0.40 revolvers are qutie commonly used and are a gud weapon providing you only want to take out a couple of targets before reloading. ← Actually, the .45ACP is quite easily carried concealed, as long as you don't go double stack on the magazines. It actually, IMO, conceals better than a .40 S&w or a 9mm, as they are double stack magazines, making it bulkier than a .45. I carried one for years. For what you want it for, you don't really need alot of bullet capacity. If you can't do it with 7 shots, then you're dead anyway. Assuming that we aren't talking about military or law enforcement combat. Check out the springfield Armory Defender series. Also Kimber and ParaOrdnance. This is just my opinion, as I have tried all 3 calibers, and still find the .45 owns. Go to a shop and handle all three of them. What really determines the right choice for you is a caliber that you are comfortable shooting. If you go to a range that rents gunss to shoot, try out each one. Stick it where you want to carry it and see how it feels. But the most important thing that should determine your choice for you is comfort shooting the weapon. Hell, if you are comfortable with a .22, and you can shoot dead nuts right on with it everytime, then that could be a good choice. Don't buy one just because people say it's cool, yada yada yada. Buy it because you are comfortable with it. Once you do, at home, stand in front of the mirror with your weapon(UNLOADED ! !) and practice drawing and dry firing the weapon. It's a myth that dry firing it will harm the weapon. It's only true for rimfire(.22). Get good with it. Good enough that you can handle it in the dark. Not clean it, but know where the trigger, the sights, mag release. Know that gun so that if someone attacked you in the dark, you can handle that weapon without having to look at it. Have 2 mags; one with hollow points, and one with full metal jacket(Ball) rounds. But practice with it. get to where you don't have to look at it. Know it's condition and feel by touch, not sight. But be comfortable with it. The best caliber for someone is the one they can shoot accurately with and quickly with. It doesn't matter if it's a .22, a .38, a 9mm, .45, or a .40. Comfort and confidence should be you're criteria. You don't have to have an elephant gun to protect yourself. ← That Kimber any good? This side of the world, the only concealed pistols (well, service pistols) most of us carry is either a 1911A1 or an FN Browning Hi-Power. Well, actually we have some SIGs coming into service as well. Heard things about Kimber, most of the newer guys like it, most of the 'old-school' guys scoffs it. What's the deal with it? Out. Edited December 19, 2005 by xG5kdo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 question: why do you need a concealed weapon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dannik Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 question: why do you need a concealed weapon? ← It's Texas. It's not uncommon to carry concealed a handgun, lawfully. If this ethic is not in kind with your beliefs, that's fine, but this is not a thread where ethics are part of the discussion. EasyCo is asking a legitimate question. Done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowFella Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 BlackMamba,Dec 19 2005, 08:02 AM] I would definatly consider either a 9mm glock 18 due to its large clip for extended gun fighting or the berreta 92f. As for 0.45 they are qutie beasty and perhaps a little much for concealing. Revolvers are more reliable but have smaller ammo capacity compared to the automatics but S&W 0.40 revolvers are qutie commonly used and are a gud weapon providing you only want to take out a couple of targets before reloading. ← Ummm...Glock 18 for concealed carry? I would think that something with a mag like this would be kinda hard to carry concealed. And the fact that a Glock18 is a select fire handgun capable of full auto might just make it that bit hard to get a concealed carry permit for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Specter Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 BlackMamba,Dec 19 2005, 08:02 AM] I would definatly consider either a 9mm glock 18 due to its large clip for extended gun fighting or the berreta 92f. As for 0.45 they are qutie beasty and perhaps a little much for concealing. Revolvers are more reliable but have smaller ammo capacity compared to the automatics but S&W 0.40 revolvers are qutie commonly used and are a gud weapon providing you only want to take out a couple of targets before reloading. ← Ummm...Glock 18 for concealed carry? I would think that something with a mag like this would be kinda hard to carry concealed. And the fact that a Glock18 is a select fire handgun capable of full auto might just make it that bit hard to get a concealed carry permit for it. ← Exactly, my friend. Anything with a double stack mag requires a bit more clothing for concealed carry. The guns are wider and heavier, and tend to stick out like a sore thumb. I'm not saying it can't be done, because it's done everyday. But you have to remember that the fatter the gun, the more sacrifices that have to be made to hide it, such as staying cool in the summer time. When picking a gun for concealed carry, there are many considerations that need to be taken into account, such as weight, width of the weapon, width of extra mags, ways to carry afore mentioned items, etc. Do I wear a shoulder rig requiring a fairly heavy shirt or jacket to cover up the bulk of the gun, how will you carry the extra mags? You can't put them in a back pocket like you can a .45 mag. Is a double stack weapon's grip to big to be comfortable for my hand? Hand size is important when choosing a pistol for carry. If the grip is too wide, you loose recoil controlability, therefore blowing your second and subsequent shots. With a wide doublew stack grip, if it's too big for your hand by even a little, you can also get in a situation where you have to sacrifice your grip on the gun to release safeties and slide releases, eating up time after a reload, or even trying to remove the initial safety on a draw, therefore having to re-adjust your grip, costing you 2-3 seconds that could quite realisticly end your own life or give the perp time enough to get in way to close to you, take your weapon from you, shove it up your butt, and turn you into a meat popsicle. Speaking of which, too big of a gun grip can affect your weapon retention, allowing the perp to remove it easily from your person. This can mean adverse circumstances for you or any innocents that may be around you. What if the perp gets your gun from you because it didn't fit your hand well, and he shoots some mom and her kids? Ask a cop or active duty military.Alot of double stacks like that are as bulky as revolvers. And the double stack high cap mags just really aren't that necessary for Joe Blow user who isn't involved in Military or Police combat roles. Even alot of SWAT members use the .45Auto's. If you need to shoot someone 15 times, you are either A) a lousy shot, or B)you have bit off more than you can chew when you took on that entire street gang by yourself. The best weapon for self defense is common sense. These ae very important considerations that must be taken most seriously when choosing a gun, and for that matter, even choosing to carry in the first place. And those are just the physical considerations. You also MUST MUST MUST prepare yourself mentally to carry that gun. Yeah yeah yeah, I've heard it before, all that macho crap such as "Yeah, that banger messes with me, I'll just blow his ass away", or the guys that start carrying, thinking that they will be a hero. You have to ask yourself before walking out of the house if you are willing to live with the consequences, should the ###### hit the fan. Killing isn't as easy as some might say, nor is it anything like Hollywood makes it out to be. If you pull that gun, you had better be prepared to use it, and know that if and/or when you pull that trigger, you will most likely end a life. That of a son, a daughter, a husband, a wife, a teenager. Are you sure that you can live with that should it happen? Because there will be consequences, even if you do have a permit, and even if it is a righteous shoot. The police will turn you inside out to find out the truth. Were you using factory ammo or custom ammo made by you or a friend? Custom ammo doesn't go over well in court. Prosecutors love to say that you had that ammo made specifically to kill people if you are using reloads. Ask yourself what are you really going to do if someone starts shooting at you, and what will happen if you pull that gun and don't use it? The perp shoots you, you end up dead, and your family fatherless, and the perp claiming self defense because you pulled a gun. Now it's your word against his. Or he shoots you, takes your gun because you froze and changed your mind about shooting someone, he takes your gun, and uses it to hurt someone else. Ask yourself if you can live with that. The point is, there are alot of things to consider, and they need very SERIOUS thought before you even pick a weapon. Ask yourself why you want to carry a concealed weapon, and think of all the circumstances you can think of, starting with some I have mentioned. Don't decide to carry a gun just because you can. That isn't a good enough reason. And ask yourself if you are ready to deal with ANY and ALL circumstances that are going to come as a result of your choice to carry that weapon. Are you ready to accept that kind of responsibility, because that decision could realistically effect everyone around you. Family, friends, kids, people you pass on the street. Can you realistically wrap your mind around possibly taking a life, and live with it? Afterall, we aren't talking about a combat zone. We are talking about the neighborhood you live in. There is a big difference. Also consider if you are ready to die as a result of carrying that gun? Once you pull it out, the chances go up dramatically that you can die. Contrary to Hollywood and popular belief, just because you are now on equal or better ground than the perp, that doesn't mean he will just kneel, throw the gun on the asphalt, and say "I give up!". This is a great responsibility, and it affects more than just you. And if you do decide to get that permit and you do decide that you need to carry for whatever reason, I highly recommend taking some courses in self defense and weapon retention techniques. They may save your life. And remember that just because you have a gun and are allowed to carry, it doesn't mean that you can pull it out any time you are threatened. Ask yourself if you are even tempered enough to carry, and have enough self control to NOT use it when you don't need to. Because even if you have never been in trouble with the police, you can still go to prison for a wrongful shoot and even get the death penalty . It's an important decsion that warrants very careful consideration. Juswt remember, you will spend the rest of your life living with what you do with that gun if you carry it, whether it be good or bad. Just make sure you consider all the angles. I'm not trying to talk you out of carrying. Hell, if you go back and search these forums you'll find I'm just about one of the biggest 2nd amendment believers here, and in fact, carried for years when I lived in Denver, Co, back in the gang banger days when they were shooting people for sport, and didn't care who it was. But, it does need to be a very informed, very thought out decision. And it takes alot of practice to get good with the weapon and feel confidnet with it(A MUST), and believe it or not, if you are serious about it, and not just the guy who turned old enough and wants to carry to be macho, it takes alot of mental conditioning also. You have got to know the difference between knowing when to unholster it, and when to walk away. Just really think it through. If you do it right, it's a big decision, and you will take your time with the thought process. Again, I can't stress enough how important this thought process is. This thought process alone may just save your life, or that of someone else. 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FA sear Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 .45 without question. I know a good number of people that have worked ER, and all of the gunshot victim surviors are 9mm, .380, .32, ,25, .22, etc... You rarely hear about .45 & 10mm surivivors. You want a round that can down your assailant in one shot. In a panick situation, don't assume that you will have the calm and cool to lite off three perfectly placed rounds into your assailant. The smallest caliber round I have ever owned is a .40, and unless you are a person that is small in stature where recoil would be a major problem, I would go with the largest caliber. 10mm, and .45 are always VERY reliable rounds. If double stack mags will make concealment difficult and a 1911 is not what you want, Glock even makes what they call the Slimline. It is VERY small and easily concealable. Otherwise I would go with a Springfield or Kimber, and if cost is not a problem, Ed Brown, Les Baer, and Wilson are also very good brands. I have shot numerous objects with 9mm rounds and the results are always disappointing. Even Corbon's "hot" +P rounds are duds when compared to even a .40. There is no pistol round that can compare to wither a Speer .45 +P, Remington Golden Sabre .45+P, Corbon 10MM, or a Winchester 10mm. These are without question the hot loads on the market. Now of course you could load your own.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchetforce Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 EasyCo, sent you my ideas in a PM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pz3 Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 Lots of people carry here in florida. I know more then 100 who do even homosexual guys (no pun intended) I would go with a .45.... Really find somthing that peforms well, and is relitivly smooth so it wont be to hard to pull it out if a situation comes up. you would be suprised how easy it is to conceal some firearms even large ones. I met a guy that carried a mp5k once. Couldnt even tell he had it on him. Fit so snug under his work clothes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RooK Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 G18? Well, seeing as US civies can't even own any (there weren't any in country and registered to civies before the '86 ban), it's a moot point. Still, using any FA firearm for defense is a big risk when it comes to liability. Double-stacks aren't that bad for concealing, but a lot of that comes down to your stature. People with different builds can hide certain size guns better than others. A slim, small stature person is much better off with a small, single-stack auto. Big guys can pack a full-size double-stack or even a large frame revolver. That's something you'll have to figure out for yourself. Just make sure the gun feels right to you before you buy it. Also, polymer frame guns are great for weight savings and keeping you comfortable for extended wear. As for caliber, bigger is always better. End of discussion. Capacity: More is better, but not at the expense of concealment or handling. You don't want to find yourself shorthanded just because someone says you only needed 5 shots. Find the firearm you like first, worry about the capacity problem later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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