Posted on 11/13/2014 9:46:42 AM PST by Haiku Guy
The price is right on that CZ82.
As a second general principle, the better concealed, the less accessible. You never see a guy with an ankle holster win a fast-draw contest (well, not unless he's got REALLY long arms).
Factor in what you generally wear and where you spend most of your day. If it's on the beach wearing a tank top and Speedos, then you're probably not going to have room for that Desert Eagle. If you always have something loose over your belt, then maybe a belt holster could be considered. Inside-the-belt holsters are more concealable but I find them less comfortable. YMMV.
Don't rule pocket holsters out, especially if you like cargo pants. If you do decide on pocket carry, PLEASE use a holster. You don't need a firearm in Condition One with an exposed trigger pointed straight at the family jewels when you decide to draw it. Allow room for at least one extra mag if you're carrying a semi, a speed strip if you're carrying a revolver.
We haven't even discussed the gun yet. I had a scandium .38 five-shot that I loved to carry but found painful to practice with. Sure, you can move down to low-power ammo for the range but you're kidding yourself it you're not practicing with self-defense ammo at least part of the time. That little gun banged the heck out of me worse than a .44 magnum. Just not all that pleasant to practice with, and if you don't practice, you don't perform when you need to.
You are likely to shoot larger guns better due to grip and sight radius, which acts against concealability. The bottom line: anything you choose is likely to be a compromise. There is no one perfect gun. Try a bunch, pick one you like, and practice, practice, and then more practice. Just my $0.02.
They are currently out of stock.
I like the Keltec P3AT 380 for very light weight carry in warm weather. When it gets colder it is easier to conceal the larger caliber and of course bigger framed handguns. Ruger, Smith, Kahr and Taurus all make quality concealable handguns. 9mm and larger caliber handguns can have better accuracy and range than their smaller counterparts but are heavier and harder to conceal. The last thing you need is for a concerned liberal to call the cops because they notice your handgun. Buy American you can’t go wrong.
XD .40 only because my Kimbers are rather large, heavy and a bit unwieldy.
That said, I carry my Kimber in a briefcase and occasionally holster it in the small of my back.
I luv muh Kimber.
She’s such a babe.
BTW, you might want to look into a custom grip too...helps even more. I have big hands so that was an issue with me
I pretty much agree. A j frame snub nose revolver with no longer than a 2" barrell. I perfer it chambered in .357 but I still load it with .38 +p rounds. I just like knowing if all I had was .357 ammo I could still use it. I've found my polymer frame Ruger LCR handles recoil better than my previous all steel snubbies.
Except Taurus isn’t American but Brazilian.
A friend has an HK P7, with the grip cocking and downward gas discharge. Funky gun, but he swears by it.
I should get the Ultra Carry in .45.
As the saying goes “Never shoot a large caliber man with a small caliber bullet.”
For my vehicle I was thinking M1 Abrams, that way I can just have people bring me what I want without having to be out mingling with the bad guys.
LOL!
Yer back!!!
Haven’t seen you in a while.
Hope all is well.
When you're under extreme duress, unless you're willing to dedicate weekly shooting sessions, money for expensive ammo, etc, simpler is best.
Start with a basic revolver. Something quality made. Fixed sights. I'd go with a 357 mag. You can practice with cheaper, lighter recoil, 38 special ammo. Then load it with the bombs for self defense.
I'd look for a used Smith and Wesson or Ruger. Stay away from Taurus, etc, since they have a reputation for poor quality control.
Check out The Firing Line. They get this question about every fifteen minutes.
The P7 is a great gun, but hard to find (out of production) and expensive. The P7M8 variant is the best, it fixed the issues on the earlier ones.
The range I belong to has a rental policy. I have a few freebies included with my membership. I have never considered renting the smaller pistols, because NJ. Maybe it’s time...
Very good groups, even with the 3” barrel. I “cheated” and also got the Crimson Trace grip.
My lil Taurus. 38 is fed Hornady JHP XTP or the Winchester equivalent.
Sometimes I unload both rounds at the range to remind me of how they perform.
Agree on the S&W J frame. Standard Model 36 Chiefs Special for me, all steel, standard loads. The new Airweight is too light, IMO.
But I must confess the piece that usually goes in my pocket is a Beretta Jetfire .25 auto in a wallet holster. Yes, it’s a pipsqueak, but has never jammed in over 100 rounds. Thumb the hammer & nine pills are ready to go.
“The gun in your pocket beats the one in your safe”
I’d like to carry my M1A in the trunk but, need to blow $250 on the mounted locking system.
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