My CCW permit is on the way, time to decide on a pistol

[JohnnyTactical305]

I was talking about a CCW with my old man and my wife. She mentioned getting a small pistol that she can shoot use when we go shooting due to her smaller hands. So I may give the Shield a harder look. But if I do get a Shield I still will have my eye on a 9c or G19 for the future.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Revolver. Revolver.

 

[1911a2bphil]

Just my opinion, but I dont think you would go wrong with a SW model 10. They have been around for 100 years so the bugs have been work out. They are reliable and with a 3" barrel can be concealed very easily. You can get one for under $300 used

 

[Kanewpadle]

Again I vote for the J Frame .38, especially for someone new to CCW (no FTF etc). Most who get their CCW buy the large to mid size semi and find it difficult and uncomfortable to conceal. Eventually it gets left either in the car/truck (bad idea) or at home. The J can be mastered with time and patience and there are few occassions where you cannot hide one.

Next step should be to get a copy of "The Gravest Extreme" by Mass Ayoob and read/study it often.

Followed by Ed Lovettes "The Snubby Revolver".

 

[TexasArmed]

Followed by Ed Lovettes "The Snubby Revolver".

I agree. If it were me I would get her a J Frame 38 Spl S&W airweight and stainless steel. That works in the bathroom, or as a main carry weapon, as well as a badkup weapon in the future. Easy to conceal, and also snubbie hammerless and with 158 W P+ ammo in my opinion more stopping power than a 32. And throw in a couple of speed loaders.

 

[chaim]

A lot of the answers seem to be answering if it will be the OP's first handgun, he says first CCW gun. To the OP, is this your first handgun or first CCW handgun? The answer to that might change my answer.

I agree with others that if this is your first handgun, a revolver is a great way to go. A snub is a terrific carry gun if you are experienced with handguns (though it may not be terrific for a first handgun though- they don't manage recoil as well as a larger gun). Revolvers are terrific guns, a snub disappears quite easily, and a K-frame is a great first gun which is still concealable (3" or 4" versions anyway).

Out of the guns you mention, they'd all be good.

If it is your first handgun, I'd go with a larger gun that is still concealable. It will be easier at the range which will aid in becoming a better shooter. Then if you want a smaller gun later, go for a smaller more easily concealed pistol then. A full size M&P or a Glock 19 would be perfect for this: small enough for CCW but still quite manageable at the range. The M&Pc would be a little more marginal at the range, but not bad. I'd avoid the Shield if it is a first handgun.

If it will just be your first CCW sized pistol, my advice is almost the opposite. I recently broke down and bought not one, but two of the single stack micro-9mm's (a SIG P290RS and a Kel Tec PF-9). Wow, they are so much smaller and easier to conceal than even a small double stack subcompact 9mm. If you want really deep concealment, and even occasional pocket carry, the Shield is the way to go. The M&Pc would also be pretty easy to conceal, and it will be a little more capable. Either would be a great choice, it just depends upon how you plan to carry. The Glock 19 is concealable, but it is a little large if you have other guns that are good for the range. For a dedicated CCW pistol, if you want a Glock, you might want to consider the G26.

 

[JohnnyTactical305]

A lot of the answers seem to be answering if it will be the OP's first handgun, he says first CCW gun. To the OP, is this your first handgun or first CCW handgun? The answer to that might change my answer.

I agree with others that if this is your first handgun, a revolver is a great way to go. A snub is a terrific carry gun if you are experienced with handguns (though it may not be terrific for a first handgun though- they don't manage recoil as well as a larger gun). Revolvers are terrific guns, a snub disappears quite easily, and a K-frame is a great first gun which is still concealable (3" or 4" versions anyway).

Out of the guns you mention, they'd all be good.

If it is your first handgun, I'd go with a larger gun that is still concealable. It will be easier at the range which will aid in becoming a better shooter. Then if you want a smaller gun later, go for a smaller more easily concealed pistol then. A full size M&P or a Glock 19 would be perfect for this: small enough for CCW but still quite manageable at the range. The M&Pc would be a little more marginal at the range, but not bad. I'd avoid the Shield if it is a first handgun.

If it will just be your first CCW sized pistol, my advice is almost the opposite. I recently broke down and bought not one, but two of the single stack micro-9mm's (a SIG P290RS and a Kel Tec PF-9). Wow, they are so much smaller and easier to conceal than even a small double stack subcompact 9mm. If you want really deep concealment, and even occasional pocket carry, the Shield is the way to go. The M&Pc would also be pretty easy to conceal, and it will be a little more capable. Either would be a great choice, it just depends upon how you plan to carry. The Glock 19 is concealable, but it is a little large if you have other guns that are good for the range. For a dedicated CCW pistol, if you want a Glock, you might want to consider the G26.

It would be my 1st concealed carry pistol. I bought a Walther PPQ as my 1st handgun earlier this year, mostly for the range and for home defense.

 

[18DAI]

From your list of choices, Glock 19. Earlier vintage the better. Bulletproof construction and bet your life reliable with a decent trigger.......for a striker fired gun. Very accurate too.

Personally, I'd go with the 3913. Bet your life reliable little tack driver. With a great trigger. Good capacity, 8+1. Looks good doing all that too. It's what I chose and I've never regretted it. Good luck with your decision! Regards 18DAI

 

[chaim]

It would be my 1st concealed carry pistol. I bought a Walther PPQ as my 1st handgun earlier this year, mostly for the range and for home defense.

Hmm, at 1.3" wide, barely over 7" long (7.3" in .40, 7.1 in 9mm), 5.3" tall and under 25oz (24.5 in 9mm, 24.9 in .40), it would make a nice CCW pistol with a good holster. One of the "hybrid" leather/kydex holsters like Crossbreed, Theis, Old Faithful, and many others would be perfect. The double clip will hold it very securely to your belt, and the offset clips will minimize the width.

Since you have a nice concealable gun that is also a great range size, you would probably be best served by a nice CCW holster for the Walther plus the Shield or similar mini-9mm (or a J-frame) for those times you just need (or want) something smaller and even easier to conceal. The Walther is nicely concealable, but there is nothing like having something that can completely disappear with minimal thought and effort as well.

 

[Houdini1953]

My permit should be coming within the next couple weeks and I am looking at a few pistols. I am looking at the Glock 19, M&P 9c, and a 9mm Shield.

Here are my thoughts on them:

Glock 19: almost bulletproof but ejection issues worry me

M&P 9c: read good things about it, like the capacity vs the Shield

M&P Shield: held a couple at gun shows, like the size for concealment but want more capacity.

I most likely wont EDC, but I want something reliable when I do. Anyone with experience with said pistols is welcome to give their opinions.

So you are going to get a to carry a concealed handgun? But you state you will probably not EDC and why is that, do you have invulnerable days where like Superman bullets just bounce off your body? Even in what some would think of as safe places do not always turn out to be that way, like those a a movie theater in Colorado or school (What is it with Colorado) like Littleton High school?

If you are going to carry a concealed firearm it should be comfortable to do so with a weapon that you are as proficient as possible with and use the appropriate attire to conceal the weapon. Use the Boy Scout Motto and "Always be Prepared", if you do not EDC you are not prepared now are you?

And there is another saying and I will repeat it in this response and that is "It is better to have a gun and not need it than to not have a gun and need it."

In todays world it is a matter of life or death...I choose life myself I carry always!

 

[JohnnyTactical305]

So you are going to get a to carry a concealed handgun? But you state you will probably not EDC and why is that, do you have invulnerable days where like Superman bullets just bounce off your body? Even in what some would think of as safe places do not always turn out to be that way, like those a a movie theater in Colorado or school (What is it with Colorado) like Littleton High school?

If you are going to carry a concealed firearm it should be comfortable to do so with a weapon that you are as proficient as possible with and use the appropriate attire to conceal the weapon. Use the Boy Scout Motto and "Always be Prepared", if you do not EDC you are not prepared now are you?

And there is another saying and I will repeat it in this response and that is "It is better to have a gun and not need it than to not have a gun and need it."

In todays world it is a matter of life or death...I choose life myself I carry always!

I see where you are coming from, the reason I say I won't EDC is due to me working 7 days a week and other than work I really don't go anywhere else, just stay home. You make valid points and they are taken into consideration