Thouroughly Overwhelmed

[Mexistrat]

I don't want to post another variation of the "what carry gun should I get" thread, so I'll just say I am overwhelmed. Trying to find a gun that is reasonably priced, well reviewed, and relatively inexpensive to feed that is also easy to carry concealed and fun to shoot is very difficult. There are so many options, and everytime I think I have it settled, I change my mind.

The thing that hangs me up most often is I am a fan of classic firearms, and not really into plastic. I know that is superficial, and there are a ton of great polymer guns that would be excellent choices, but I like what I like. The classics are, for the most part, out of my price range.

The forgone conclusion has been to find a M36 to compliment my M19 and just ignore the semi-autos. But then I think I would prefer something else, and the madness starts.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

J frame air weight. Lots around. Best pocket carry there is. Except for the M&P 380

 

[walkin jack]

A universal dilemma and one we have all had to go through when we first started to carry concealed. The best idea to my way of thinking is to SHOP and TRY where possible. Pick a few things out and see how they feel in your hand. Some of the first things to pay attention is fit. How well does it fit in your hand and how comfortable is it? Also the grip angle will vary and you should make sure that your choice suits you.

Try a few revolvers and a few Semi autos. Right now I guess that semi autos are in vogue but a good double action revolver is hard to beat.And very important I think is not to be influenced by what OTHERS have said they like or didn't like. They are not you and have no clue what you like. Also don't dismiss out of hand the polymer pistols. Glocks and XDs are hard working, straight shooting, tough as nails and easily maintained. You'll hear a lot of hate but 99% if that is coming from those that have no experience with them. I'd advise that you not worry too much about looks. I know, I know, no one want's to carry an ugly gun but function will turn out to be your primary concern if you ever have to use it.

THINK FOR YOURSELF

You will hear the old saying, "There is no substitute for the well placed round". That is quite true. If you can't hit with it then it doesn't matter how big it is our how pretty it is. Any hand gun that you can operate safely and easily and shoot accurately is going to do the job for you.

Also don't be in a hurry. Take your time and shop for price and selection until you are sure. If you wind up getting something you don't really like you will not use it.

And while we are on the subject here's my take on holsters. I'm a leather guy but that's just me what ever you choose should be comfortable and easily concealable. I find that just one holster doesn't begin to cover all the various situations. I use IWB, OWB, Shoulder, and ankle holsters depending up on weather, dress, activity, which particular hand gun I'll be carrying, etc.

If you are like me and most of my friends you will wind up with a dresser drawer of holsters that you never use. It takes a while living with a holster before you can really get the feel of it and know if you like it or not. But a good holster and proper gun belt are crucial to carrying a hand gun safely and comfortably.

And in parting let me say that an important aspect of carrying a hand gun is CONFIDENCE. What ever gun and holster you choose should provide you with confidence. And finally you should not carry ANY gun until you spend some time getting to know it backwards, forwards, upside down, and wrong side out. You should get familiar with all the controls and sound and recoil and weight and all it's features. You should know it's limitations and your own. In a "situation" you won't have time to stop and think what you need to do. It should all be second nature just like your next breath.

Good luck and let us know what you get. Pics would be good.

 

[mauser9]

Very well put by Walkin Jack! Try before you buy if possible and is a plus if even to see how it feels and fits your hand. Been in the same boat and did some swapping after seeing a new model that got my attention. Ended up with pretty much what I had to begin with. Many nice models new and old just take your time with your decision.

 

[Decker]

Trying to find a gun that is reasonably priced, well reviewed, and relatively inexpensive to feed that is also easy to carry concealed and fun to shoot is very difficult.

Too many parameters.

You can at least get close if you drop the "fun to shoot" part, because very few short barreled pistols are fun to shoot for more than a few rounds.
Plus, part of being fun to shoot is being able to shoot accurately, and self defense pistols are not designed to knock the gun out of someone's hand, they are designed to hit COM which is a whole different thing.

But if you drop the fun to shoot part, and you like the classics more than the plastics (rhyme pun intended ), then you seem to be a candidate for an Airweight 642. You might want to stay away from exposed hammer revolvers for carry. The smooth back of the 642 is a "no snag" solution to a problem that really does exist.
It or one of it's close lightweight variants make a perfect carry pistol for almost any occasion.
If you want to go semi-auto but still stay "Classic", look at a Colt Defender or New Agent (functionally the same thing... one SS, on Blued).
The stainless Defender is a little heavier than the 642, but packs a punch with .45, or better yet, my preference was to go with the Defender in 9mm which actually does make it "almost" fun to shoot on top of it's other attributes.

 

[Mexistrat]

Thanks for the great info and encouragement. I am going to try the 642 again. I did once, and I didn't like it. I was comparing to my 4" model 19, which I realize is not fair. I'll try it with a different perspective.

 

[Rustyt1953]

As my wife did,on her hunt for a carry pistol...

Rent, rent, and then rent some more.

Something will adopt you.

 

[A10]

From my perspective, I carried a 442 in my front pocket for several years. It was comfortable and did not "print" in the pocked holster. I have however switched to a Sig P938, primarily because of the increased firepower and ease of reloading.

 

[Gamecock]

Thanks for the great info and encouragement. I am going to try the 642 again. I did once, and I didn't like it. I was comparing to my 4" model 19, which I realize is not fair. I'll try it with a different perspective.

Check the Ruger LCR. I like it better than the 642.

If the 642 feels better to you, by all means get a 642-1. No lock.

 

[Gamecock]

Don't try to make a dragon slayer out of the 642. Forget the + P rating.

I like Remington UMC 38 Special 130 gr FMJ in mine. It IS fun to shoot.

 

[Mexistrat]

Check the Ruger LCR. I like it better than the 642.

If the 642 feels better to you, by all means get a 642-1. No lock.

I want to like the 642. I rented one the other day. I hated the trigger and the stock grips. I know I can change the grips easily enough to something a little more accommodating (like the LCR has). The trigger is harder to live with. Maybe it wasn't broken in yet though. The LCR was much nicer to shoot, but it is beyond ugly. I know it is shallow, but I need a good looking gun.

 

[DWalt]

If ease of conceal-ability is a major issue, you would probably be better off choosing a small semiautomatic, probably in .380. In my climate it's generally too warm to wear jackets or coats, so pocket concealment is by far the best option for me. In my specific instance I carry a small .25 auto. It fits in my pocket with no external print, it weighs nearly nothing, it is 100% reliable, and as I sincerely try to avoid going anyplace where it is more likely to be needed, it will be adequate if I ever do need it.

 

[cmort666]

I bought this a few months ago. It's a Citadel 3.5 CS in .45acp. I've found it to be both accurate [and with good magazines] reliable. They're also an EXCELLENT value for the money.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I want to like the 642. I rented one the other day. I hated the trigger and the stock grips. I know I can change the grips easily enough to something a little more accommodating (like the LCR has). The trigger is harder to live with. Maybe it wasn't broken in yet though. The LCR was much nicer to shoot, but it is beyond ugly. I know it is shallow, but I need a good looking gun.

I own both the 642 and LCR.

The LCR feels and look cheap compared to the 642. However, the LCR is lighter and less punishing to shoot, much better trigger and the front sight is easier for me to pick up. So.... If I could only chose one....

If you haven't yet looked at the Springfield XDs 45 3.3in I think it's worth a look. I really like mine. Small, thin, light and reliable with everything I've shot in in it, even with my SWC reloads that I shoved down its throat just to see if it would choke. It didn't.

My "plastic" guns work for a living while the larger heavier steel bums lay around holding down the safe all day.

 

[venomballistics]

this is why many of us have become gun collectors.

Easy to carry and pleasant to shoot are mutually exclusive concepts.
The laws of Physics forbid a single arm as you describe.

But hey ... even if you DID find that gun ... it would become boring anyhow and you'd need something else to play with at the range ... Am I right or am I right ...
Now go put the local gun dealers son through college like the rest of us

 

[Gamecock]

I want to like the 642. I rented one the other day. I hated the trigger and the stock grips. I know I can change the grips easily enough to something a little more accommodating (like the LCR has). The trigger is harder to live with. Maybe it wasn't broken in yet though. The LCR was much nicer to shoot, but it is beyond ugly. I know it is shallow, but I need a good looking gun.

Trigger on my 642 sucked when new. Dry firing a few thousand times improved it considerably, to where I would call it good.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Rethink autos and look for a single stack 9mm with a metal frame...Sig Sauer P225 comes to mind, or a 39-2, 439, 3900 series etc. Least expensive centerfire ammo is 9mm and any of those guns above are easy enough to carry and enjoyable to shoot.

You should be able to find one or more of those on Gunbroker.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

The recent Gander Mountain flyer, or maybe it was Cabelas, had the M642 selling for $470. Seemed reasonable, when you consider the great warranty and the many plastic guns that were more expensive. That's not even a SALE price, it's the every day price.

 

[Mexistrat]

I think since the 642/442 checks most of my boxes I am going to mentally settle on that for awhile and see if I change my mind again. I know there are several softer shooting grip options that would cure one if its ills. It might cost me the ability to pocket carry, but I could probably live without that option (as I have done for my entire life). I have heard the trigger gets better with use, or I could have it worked on if it is absolutely intolerable. There is a 442 without the lock at my LGS for $374. It is used, but barely. It could almost pass for new.

 

[Fishinfool]

If you want to try a pocket friendly, metal framed semi-auto, might want to take a look at a compact 3rd generation DA 9mm. auto. Heavier, and maybe a little bulkier than some new plastic semi's, they fit the bill for a metal framed "classic" type of handgun. Personally, I try to avoid striker and cocked and locked SA's for pocket carry.

Larry