Conceal carry on tight budget
- Thread starter blazzinbird
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Harry58
Member
If I had to have only one handgun for this purpose, it would be a M 640 or 642 depending on your perference.
A S&W 4 in. M10. You can't buy anything for less than what a M10 cost and I don't care what you pay you won't get anything more dependable. I carried one a lot before it was legal to conceal so I know for a fact they can be carried concealed. Larry
photoman
Member
Good Smith & Wesson double action revolvers in .38 Special can still be found for $300. I would prefer one of those over either of the guns you mentioned.
psween
Member
Well, I know I don't practice as much as I'd like to, but my reason for posting the 800 round count was simply to illustrate that even inexpensive guns can be "reliable". No mechanical object can be 100%, but whatever it takes to make you comfortable. For me, I felt like I could trust it after a couple hundred rounds. It wouldn't surprise me if it went several thousand more, but it'll take me a while to get there since I only manage to shoot a couple mags through 1-2 times a month.
Patrick
Patrick
elm_creek_smith
US Veteran
If the budget is that tight and you trust the Hi-Point, carry it if you can conceal it. Save your money in the meantime for something better. Since you probably won't get anywhere close to what it's worth in trade, keep the Hi-Point when you get another gun to carry.
Recommendations (price point $300-$350):
1) Revolvers - Any good used S&W revolver in .38 Special. I favor Model 10/64'S, Model 36/37/60's, Model 38/638/49/649. Anything up to a 4 inch barrel can be concealed, and round butts conceal better than square butts.
2) Semiautos - 3rd Generation S&W semis (3913, 4013, CS9, CS40, CS45).
ECS
Recommendations (price point $300-$350):
1) Revolvers - Any good used S&W revolver in .38 Special. I favor Model 10/64'S, Model 36/37/60's, Model 38/638/49/649. Anything up to a 4 inch barrel can be concealed, and round butts conceal better than square butts.
2) Semiautos - 3rd Generation S&W semis (3913, 4013, CS9, CS40, CS45).
ECS
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You can get kahr cw9 new for under $350. Same size as the shield, accurate and reliable. M&p and glock used can fall in your price range, s&w revolvers, ruger sr9c, you have TONS of options within $389. Budget though for holster and ammo.
If making the life choice to carry concealed really think hard about it. It is a huge decision and somewhat a way of life as your mindset,mas well as your wardrobe, will change. Spending an extra $100 now for something you plan to carry for years works out to be a few dollars a month. Ask yourself what your life is worth to you?
If making the life choice to carry concealed really think hard about it. It is a huge decision and somewhat a way of life as your mindset,mas well as your wardrobe, will change. Spending an extra $100 now for something you plan to carry for years works out to be a few dollars a month. Ask yourself what your life is worth to you?
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Springfeildkid585
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I say carry both. I haven't shot any Hipoints, but my understanding is that they are dependable, just ugly and heavy.
richeyo2
Member
If the Hi-point is all I had & it had proven to be reliable I would carry it as opposed to nothing.
I always run a minimum of 200rds through a CC before deciding to carry. Also be sure & run at least a mag or 2 of whatever SD ammo you plan on using.
I always run a minimum of 200rds through a CC before deciding to carry. Also be sure & run at least a mag or 2 of whatever SD ammo you plan on using.
Except for a $25 SA foreign-made revolver I bought just to shoot tin cans, I've never had a revolver or pistol that wasn't 100% reliable, be it Ruger, S&W, Glock CZ, Sig, whatever. Lucky? Maybe. Short of ammo issues, the guns all worked fine.
However, for one that I may have to bet my life on, I'm not going to carry a low-end econo gun, not when I can save up a little longer and get a higher quality, better reputation firearm.
If you're confident in a Hi-point or Taurus, carry it; but there are better firearms at little more cost--even if you have to wait.
However, for one that I may have to bet my life on, I'm not going to carry a low-end econo gun, not when I can save up a little longer and get a higher quality, better reputation firearm.
If you're confident in a Hi-point or Taurus, carry it; but there are better firearms at little more cost--even if you have to wait.
richeyo2
Member
So if all you had was a Hi-point & did not have the cash for a new or better CC firearm right now you're saying you'd rather go unarmed?
That does not make sense to me...Money is tight for alot of people right now & buying a new or even used firearm may not be an option for some. I still can't see how nothing makes better sense than having something. Especially if it has proven reliable.
Pasifikawv
Member
Hi-Points are cheap, ugly, fat, and heavy. BUT they are generally VERY reliable and more than sufficiently accurate for self defense. Folks bad mouth them all the time because, well, they are cheap, ugly, fat, and heavy, BUT they do run quite well. Not everyone can afford a $600 handgun for home defense and Hi Point fills a niche. Probably way too wide and heavy for comfortable IWB CCW, but they will perform if needed.
Did I miss the great state of Illinois passing a concealed carry law???
The last I heard they were still being very childish about the whole thing...........turning blue and kicking their heels on the floor!!
skyscratcher1969
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+1 for High Points. I bought a HP 9c out of curiousity, shot over 400 rds rn, hp's without a single jam. I'd carry it without hesitation (if i had a ccw and did'nt have the M&P 9c) 
OP
blazzinbird
Member
Supreme court ordered Illinois to draft a bill
RobertJ.
Member
I learned a long time ago that the extra money you spend on quality will be forgotten long before the headaches that come from buying something cheap.
I try not to be a gun snob. My next door neighbor proudly showed me his Hi Point 9mm, and I pointed out that they are not at the top of the food chain, gun-wise. However, I also pointed out out that the little experiece I have with them showed me that they can be reliable and accurate. Would I choose one over my Combat Magnum or my Hi-Power? No, of course not. But would I feel un-armed if that was all I had? Certainly not!
So carry your Hi Point if you can comfortably, but be working towards an upgrade.
And, for what it's worth, I've had three Taurus revolvers, and liked them all.
I try not to be a gun snob. My next door neighbor proudly showed me his Hi Point 9mm, and I pointed out that they are not at the top of the food chain, gun-wise. However, I also pointed out out that the little experiece I have with them showed me that they can be reliable and accurate. Would I choose one over my Combat Magnum or my Hi-Power? No, of course not. But would I feel un-armed if that was all I had? Certainly not!
So carry your Hi Point if you can comfortably, but be working towards an upgrade.
And, for what it's worth, I've had three Taurus revolvers, and liked them all.
I would tell you that any gun that you purchase you need to run through some drills before you ever carry it.
If the Hi-point works for you then shoot it
but,
practice with it, run ammo through it and make sure it works well. If it has a failure then practice that drill over and over again if it happens every time then its a range gun.
If you even have to ask, then you obviously do not feel comfortable enough to carry it. So move on...
Suggestion would be a LCR, I carry one everyday even if its my backup.
If the Hi-point works for you then shoot it
but,
practice with it, run ammo through it and make sure it works well. If it has a failure then practice that drill over and over again if it happens every time then its a range gun.
If you even have to ask, then you obviously do not feel comfortable enough to carry it. So move on...
Suggestion would be a LCR, I carry one everyday even if its my backup.
Papaboo
Member
XDS sweet gun
I have an XDs 45 single stack 5 rounds one in the pipe for 6, or go for the 7 round magazines. It is a sweet gun very concealable, fires like a dream, accurate, comfortable to fire.
I have a choice the model 60 .38 2 inch or the 45, both are easy to conceal, the 45 being thinner.
I have an XDs 45 single stack 5 rounds one in the pipe for 6, or go for the 7 round magazines. It is a sweet gun very concealable, fires like a dream, accurate, comfortable to fire.
I have a choice the model 60 .38 2 inch or the 45, both are easy to conceal, the 45 being thinner.
