Buying a new Pistol

[MoodyLane]

Where you hiding that thing? :fro:

Lol in an Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.0 under nearly 2 decades worth of "beer handles", as my wife calls them 😀

 

[Beersnob16]

The wife's concealed carry. Lady smith 9mm.

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[mongoose33]

Whatever you do, try to shoot the pistols before you buy them.

I own a Glock 19; it feels the best of all the pistols I own. Guess which one I shoot the worst? That's right, the 19. Want to buy it? Oh, yeah, you want the green one. Mine's black.

The LCP is an ok pocket pistol, but let me suggest if you're going that direction that you consider the LC9s. A tiny bit bigger, and 9mm is a lot cheaper to shoot than .380. If you aren't going to shoot to stay competent, then you shouldn't carry.

The 9mm is a more capable round than the .380.

And if you're going to go 9mm, and you like Glock, consider the G43 for her.

But also make sure you look at the LC9s. I have the original LC9, the hammer-fired double-action version. The newer LC9s is striker-fired, and the trigger is excellent. My brother bought one and I've shot the two side-by-side.

My 2 cents, but the biggest takeaway is don't go .380.

 

[EcuPirate07]

I have both, I bought both for my CC. I love my G19 it's accurate and reliable and with 15+1 you got a hell of a lot more bullets if needed, it also concels well, I would highly recommend it. The LCP on the other hand is a love/hate for me. I love that I can have it in my pocket but the hate is real. You would have better luck throwing this pistol at someone and hoping to knock them out then you would hitting them at an acceptable range. Don't get me wrong if you are within 10 feet your gonna hit your target somewhere just probably not where you thought you were pointing. What you gain in concealing you lose in accuracy. If I was going to give me wife a pistol to protect herself I would look into the Glock 43 I believe. Just my 2 cents

 

[atoughram]

But also make sure you look at the LC9s.

X2 - I love my LC9s with a laser.

I've also carried a Makarov in 380 and liked it.

If concealment is an issue, I carry my NAA 22 Mag 5 shot mini-revolver.

 

[MoodyLane]

Yep the new Glock 43 will be the wife's new carry. Or mine if she doesn't like it ��

 

[Temptd2]

Take her to the range, have her shoot as many as she wants to and let HER decide what feels best to HER. That's really the most important thing, because if she's afraid of shooting it, it won't be something that will protect her.

Then once she's decided and purchased, make sure she shoots it A LOT until she's completely comfortable with it.

I LOVE to shoot but I'll tell you what, some things are NOT fun to shoot and some of the pocket pistols are highest on that list - they kick like mini-mules. The lightweight ones are the worst. One of my faves is a nice little Ruger SP101 revolver in .38 special. Has enough heft to it to not kick back so badly as some of the lighter weight models.

Something else you might consider for her is a Crimson Trace or similar laser grip. Not having to worry about sight acquisition under duress is really one less thing to fret over. Those CT laser grips are awesome, IMHO.

 

[Mirilis]

Whatever you do, try to shoot the pistols before you buy them.

I own a Glock 19; it feels the best of all the pistols I own. Guess which one I shoot the worst? That's right, the 19. Want to buy it? Oh, yeah, you want the green one. Mine's black.

The LCP is an ok pocket pistol, but let me suggest if you're going that direction that you consider the LC9s. A tiny bit bigger, and 9mm is a lot cheaper to shoot than .380. If you aren't going to shoot to stay competent, then you shouldn't carry.

The 9mm is a more capable round than the .380.

And if you're going to go 9mm, and you like Glock, consider the G43 for her.

But also make sure you look at the LC9s. I have the original LC9, the hammer-fired double-action version. The newer LC9s is striker-fired, and the trigger is excellent. My brother bought one and I've shot the two side-by-side.

My 2 cents, but the biggest takeaway is don't go .380.

Do you have the Gen4? Im intrested in the difference with that spring to the spring in the Gen3

 

[Zuljin]

Where you hiding that thing? :fro:

Open carry.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

I like the 9mm personally...


It's a P225 (P6) with a single stack mag. I can easily conceal it even with summer clothing. As for the wife, a small 9 or a 9 short (.380) should be just fine. My wife likes her .380 as she has it in her purse and thinks that is heavy as it is.

I like the Glock, It shoots great, I'm just not a fan of hammerless pistols, but otherwise a great gun.

As far as Obama goes, I do remember him saying something a few days ago to the effect of "I need to do something about gun control while I still have that privilege that this office gives me". So, yeah... that's like a gun sales flyer.

 

[Mirilis]

Theres a video where a guy (Hickok45 i think), reviews the HiPoint C9. He lines it up with other comparable size pistols like the sig, glock, taurus, and he goes..
"this one will cost you about $700, this one about $500, this one about $250, and this one will cost you your dignity"

Edit: (added url)

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCNx0Ql2ZZw[/ame]

I couldn't stop laughing at it.

 

[Hello]

X2 - I love my LC9s with a laser.

I've also carried a Makarov in 380 and liked it.

If concealment is an issue, I carry my NAA 22 Mag 5 shot mini-revolver.

That is a straight up neat gun.

 

[mongoose33]

Do you have the Gen4? Im intrested in the difference with that spring to the spring in the Gen3

Yeah, I have the Gen 4. Worst trigger of any gun I own. I've replaced the trigger bar--twice. Polished everywhere I can polish. Played with springs.

Only one word describes it: Ick.

Personally I'm not a Glock fan, but know others who I respect who like them. It's why I suggest people shoot before they buy. You just can't tell for sure. I'm a Springfield Armory XD man myself. And a 1911 man. Sig. Ruger. And a Glock.

I'm a pistol coach for a scholastic team and the only reason I have it is that Glock is generally what our shooters have--so I have one, too. The G19 feels good, it's a nice size, good capacity. Everything is great except how the trigger feels and how I shoot it.

 

[mongoose33]

Theres a video where a guy (Hickok45 i think), reviews the HiPoint C9. He lines it up with other comparable size pistols like the sig, glock, taurus, and he goes..
"this one will cost you about $700, this one about $500, this one about $250, and this one will cost you your dignity"

I couldn't stop laughing at it.

That's funny!

I used to own that pistol. I'd read online that some tweaks and fixes would allow it to run reliably, and how it looks--well, it is what it is. I decided it would be fun to see if I could make it behave.

I had it so it shot commercial and ball ammo just fine, but my own reloads it had some difficulty with. When I finally had this jam, I decided it was time for someone else to own it:






It was all I could to do get that unjammed.

 

[Mismost]

I hate all black plastic pistols with a passion. That said, every Glock I ever picked up was a good shooter. At the end of the game, the best pistol is the one you shoot the best. None are any good if you can't hit what your shooting at.

Shoot as many different guns s you can. Find what you shoot the best, buy it. It really doesn't matter what any of us think....you're the shooter.

 

[drainbamage]

Theres a video where a guy (Hickok45 i think), reviews the HiPoint C9. He lines it up with other comparable size pistols like the sig, glock, taurus, and he goes..
"this one will cost you about $700, this one about $500, this one about $250, and this one will cost you your dignity"

Ha, too true.

A friend of mine bought a HiPoint handgun and carbine dirt cheap back in college (he had some money to blow and was desperate to own *any* gun). Another friend who had just enlisted in the Marines came home on leave and mocked him mercilessly when he found out. Once he had gotten fed up with all the jams and misfires, he couldn't find anyone willing to buy it off him. God, those were awful guns.

 

[Mirilis]

Today is range day.. the place I am going will rent me guns for $2 each to shoot in their indoor range as long as I buy their expensive ammo.

Im going to shoot that glock 19, the Ruger LC9s & SR9c, and the Shield 9mm. I will hopefully have time for one or two more. I think i hit most of the ones suggested more than once on here. Any other suggestions?

 

[autobaun70]

Today is range day.. the place I am going will rent me guns for $2 each to shoot in their indoor range as long as I buy their expensive ammo.

Im going to shoot that glock 19, the Ruger LC9s & SR9c, and the Shield 9mm. I will hopefully have time for one or two more. I think i hit most of the ones suggested more than once on here. Any other suggestions?

For purse carry, and the typical lint/dust heavy way that most women I know treat gun, I would recommend at least giving a J-frame smith or an LCR a look. The Hornady critical defense light ammo is purpose built as a match for small wheel guns in the hands of a small shooter, and works very well in them. I gave one to my 105lb sister, which she uses as her EDC. She had a hard time clearing any small automatics that she tried, making the wheel gun a better choice for her. If your wife has any issue at all clearing a simulated jam, I would go this route as well.

 

[MoodyLane]

Try out a Glock 43 if they have one

 

[xandersaml]

That's funny!

I used to own that pistol. I'd read online that some tweaks and fixes would allow it to run reliably, and how it looks--well, it is what it is. I decided it would be fun to see if I could make it behave.

I had it so it shot commercial and ball ammo just fine, but my own reloads it had some difficulty with. When I finally had this jam, I decided it was time for someone else to own it:

View attachment 327996

View attachment 327997


It was all I could to do get that unjammed.

I have one of these Hi-Points, and it fires every time I pull the trigger. It is heavy as hell, but works fine. I usually only fire 115g FMJ through it. Especially for the cost I have no complaints.
I prefer my FNX-9 but it cost about 4x more.

 

[BeerFireBrew]

I apologize if this gun is already mentioned, but my wife wanted to start shooting over a year ago. Her first one was a S&W Model 642 .38. She still loves it. It's a hammer-less revolver.

Edit: She did NOT get the pink one! lol

 

[DurtyChemist]

Find a place that rents guns and let her shoot anything she wants. Don't buy her a gun YOU think she wants. Buy her a gun SHE wants. Let her pick. Maybe she likes a 45 instead of a 380. Maybe she wants a 9 because she's comfortable with it over a 40. Don't ask people on the Internet. Ask her what gun she likes and let her make the choice.

Springfield XD, smith and Wesson M&P, a full size 1911, a sig saucer 226/229 or 250. A snub nose s&w or Taurus revolver in double action, a subcompact glock, and spend more money on ammo than you think you should. $100 in ammo to find the gun you/she wants is cheaper than buying a $400 gun you/she hate(s).

 

[Raenon]

As mentioned earlier, s&w 642 snubbie is a nice concealed carry weapon. I picked it for good combination of size (both for concealing and my smaller hands) and still handling 38 special +p rounds.

 

[thatjonguy]

No Sig love in here?

I'm out.

 

[MoodyLane]

Love me some Sig! Had a 239 chambered in .40 for a while. It was a nice pocket rocket.

 

[DurtyChemist]

No Sig love in here?

I'm out.

Did you not read the response about two above yours saying to try a 226/229? They aren't for everyone. The new 250s have me curious about them but a lot of people don't like the lack of a safety or the slide release right where they put their thumb. I LOVE mine.


Edit:to the OP I would look at the 637 if you like a snub nose 38. It's double action but it has a bobbed hammer so you can practice shooting in single action. If you shoot 50 rounds of DA revolver out of that thing and want to keep going I'd be surprised. If you're still shooting round 43 like you shot 3 I'd also be surprised. Snub nose revolvers, as well as lots of compact firearms, are carried often and shot less. Yes people shoot them but not as often as their rifles or non-carry guns. This doesn't mean EVERYONE. There are people who will come in and tell you how they shoot a magazine/cylinder each time they go out. My question to them is "carry ammo or plinking ammo?" It makes a difference.

 

[johnmac22]

Only read a few posts but +1 on the Ruger SR9c. I own the SR40 and so does my dad but my sister has the SR9c and it is a nice little gun. All three have been fantastic and we have had zero issues at all.

 

[thatjonguy]

Did you not read the response about two above yours saying to try a 226/229? They aren't for everyone. The new 250s have me curious about them but a lot of people don't like the lack of a safety or the slide release right where they put their thumb. I LOVE mine.

Nope, totally missed that. But if one would be considering something like a LCP, I would consider a P238 or P239. A little more heft to the frame will make it more managable.

As for me, I lost all my guns in a tragic boating accident.

 

[bartcal]

No Sig love in here?


I own several. My first handgun I ever purchased was a Sig P226, 9mm. Still one of my most accurate handguns I own.

 

[TWAL]

My two cents..
I really like the M&P 40c (or the 9 mm which is the same frame).
Adjustable back strap in three sizes fits many hands.
A buddy got the Karh PM9 and he really likes that,it's quite slim and compact.
As far as the LCP I wouldn't want to give that to anyone to learn to shoot,the pull on the trigger (safety Mechanism)n is awful,too easy to anticipate and pull the shot off target.
Sure you can get used to it but it's a total panic pistol.
I didn't read the whole thread but early on someone mentioned the Walther P22 ,aside from the lack of any stopping power this pistol is notorious for loading failures,jamming,etc..I get it to cycle about a 3rd of the time,it does slightly better w/ a hotter load but still is less reliable than a stick w/ a nail in it.
If you're thinking .22 look at a S&W model 351PD or C (the hammerless version of the 351pd) both are .22 Magnums w/7 rounds.