Question for the more informed on CCW weapon

[Arik]

If you're looking to save money try looking for used, trade ins or police guns. That will be your best bet when it comes to saving money. An avg used Glock 19 or M&P 9 (in my area) go for about $350. I pick these 2 because they are som common.

 

[cracker57]

Since I am the owner of just one ccw a M&P40c that is the gun that tags along with me all the time. the question I keep asking myself ( who is a very poor man and also recently unemployed) is what Will I be able to replace it with if I ever have to use it and loss it for a while or forever. If it were taken away I would feel naked until I replaced it.
Cracker57

 

[russp1]

Since I am the owner of just one ccw a M&P40c that is the gun that tags along with me all the time. the question I keep asking myself ( who is a very poor man and also recently unemployed) is what Will I be able to replace it with if I ever have to use it and loss it for a while or forever. If it were taken away I would feel naked until I replaced it.
Cracker57

I've been told that (at least in Texas) if your gun is taken while a shooting is being investigated, you will be blocked from purchasing another firearm until the investigation is complete and you are cleared. Since this could take quite some time, you could be gunless unless you already have the replacement firearm in your closet. Not sure if they suspend your CHL while the investigation is going on.

 

[CelticSire]

A gun is a tool, nothing more, nothing less. In your case you are wanting a tool that will allow you to defend yourself and your loved ones. What you want is a tool that is 100% reliable, that you can use to the best of your ability, and that you will use effectively to accomplish your goal of protection. If the tool you choose meets those criteria and enables you to protect what is most important to you, it is immaterial if it costs $50 or $5,000. As they use to say in the motorcycle world, if you have a 5 dollar head, buy a 5 dollar helmet.

 

[photoman]

I've been told that (at least in Texas) if your gun is taken while a shooting is being investigated, you will be blocked from purchasing another firearm until the investigation is complete and you are cleared. Since this could take quite some time, you could be gunless unless you already have the replacement firearm in your closet. Not sure if they suspend your CHL while the investigation is going on.

Suspension of CHL only if you are charged.

 

[kyf]

kyf,Several years ago I retired and wanted to travel nationally. Congress passed the law allowing honorably retired police officers to carry concealed nationally,if they met certain requirements.Having met all those requirements,I looked over my stable of Colt .45 autos and found that I didn't have one that I was willing to lose or see defaced[I have been an evidence room custodian and I've seen MORE than my share of electropencilled case #s on NICE guns]. My guns were all sentimentally attached, collectible,or very hard to replace in todays market, so , I bought two Colt XSE Commanders in .45 and started carrying one. If I'm ever involved in a shooting investigation again[God, I pray not!]then the police can take that pistol and do what they will for as long as they will,and I won't be out anything that can't easily be replaced.I agree that the standard is"what is your life worth"when it comes to guns and gear but use quality equipment that can be replaced easily, not collectibles, family hand downs,or things that will break your heart to lose.Just my opinion after much experience and MUCH thought. Nick

Nick - Thanks, thats kind of where i'm at. I'm very attached to what i have now and that's why i'm looking at a specific ccw weapon. One that I'm comfortable with and can shoot well. I've shot the M&P 40c, Baretta 84FS Cheeta, Walther PPK, KelTec sub compact 9mm, Ruger SR9C and a few others so I can get a feel for it. I'm leaning toward a medium frame large caliber ccw and wanted to get some input from the forum. I'm entirely familiar with the "what's your life worth" argument. When I ride my motorcycle I make sure I have a good helmet on with all the right riding gear on, however, right now, there isn't a gun on the market that's worth my life and the safety of my family. That said, I do want something reliable (which covers a good percentage of the handgun market right now) with a specific set of features. Will it be a Hi Point, no. Will it be a Korth, no. Will both go bang when the trigger is pulled, probably, even though they are on different ends of the $$$ spectrum.

 

[corpulent]

While I appreciate Iggy's sentiment, it doesn't really make sense. My family's lives are priceless; does that mean I must have a gun that's gold-plated, featuring mammoth tusk grips, and hand engraved by Jesus? My $300 442 is just as reliable as my $1500 1911, and I am just as comfortable using either. Does it mean I value our lives less because I carry the "cheap" 442? There is a lot of high priced garbage out there.

The cost matters not. The quality does.

 

[GKC]

Everyone has different circumstances...what is expensive to me may not be in the least to someone else. (I'm sure Bill Gates has a different definition of expensive than I do!) There are guns I own that I won't carry for four reasons: 1) they are expensive and meaningful to me - they are 1911s; 2) they aren't as comfortable and easily carried as other pistols I have; 3) I have other pistols that are smaller, lighter, and are at least as reliable if not more so; and 4) the pistols I carry are standard, not unique or special, and as such could be easily replaced.

Of those 4 considerations, the primary is #3...I want my carry pistol to be the most reliable that I am capable of easily carrying and concealing. If it isn't comfortable or easily carried/concealed, I probably won't carry it...so that makes it not good for me. If it isn't reliable (as much as we can insure that any machine is reliable) then there is no point in carrying it.

One way to look at it is this: what is your daily driver? If you have a rare, unique, or very valuable car, you probably don't commute in it daily (unless you are Bill Gates.) You probably drive something more practical, economical, or something that you don't worry about putting miles on, getting some wear and tear, or can't replace if you have an accident....but, you want to rely on it to get you there and back consistently, safely, and without problems. That is the way I look at my carry guns.

 

[Chuck1217]

Massad Ayoob is the 'expert' I rely on most, and he says if you are involved with a shooting you must expect to be without the gun for a period of time- until you are cleared and it's no longer needed as evidence. I have heard the stories of cops keeping them, but usually only in NYC, Chicago, places like that- where it's easy to have a weapon 'lost.' So I'm not too concerned about never getting it back. As for MY opinion on buying an expensive weapon, people in all forums show up and swear about the Glock reliability- not an expensive weapon. Rugers, Smith & Wessons, many brand-name respected pistols can be purchased for less than $5 -600, so I suggest fondling, renting, doing whatever you can to try out several pistols- for BOTH of you. What you can hit with may be totally different than your wife's choice. I would say find a gun that fits you each, do some research on reliability, and buy one that's 'made for you." Just remember when you research, you're going to hear a lot of good things, and some bad, no matter WHAT pistol you choose, no matter HOW MUCH that particular pistol costs. I would not carry a $3500 Wilson Combat or Les Baer custom-made pistol- even if I could afford one.

 

[vista461]

My qualifications for a ccw gun are it must be: A quality firearm,that I shoot well, is of reasonable power and is reliable.

For me, my carry guns are My 2 M&P's and my 4003. Not all at the same time.

 

[wogentry]

I too believe one shouldn't scrimp on quality. But quality doesn't always mean the most expensive. I remember a kid watching McQ with John Wayne and the scene where the police took his Colt Python after a shooting. He waited till they left went to his car trunk and dug out another one. This scene influenced me in that I try to have a multiples of each model I like. So as much as I would HATE to have any of my revolvers held for a while I can grab another one off the rack.

 

[oldman45]

I too believe one shouldn't scrimp on quality. But quality doesn't always mean the most expensive. I remember a kid watching McQ with John Wayne and the scene where the police took his Colt Python after a shooting. He waited till they left went to his car trunk and dug out another one. This scene influenced me in that I try to have a multiples of each model I like. So as much as I would HATE to have any of my revolvers held for a while I can grab another one off the rack.

There are a lot of expensive pieces of junk out there in the gun world. Many are over advertised and highly rated until the actual purchasers shoot them.

As to having a firearm taken, if one gets to that event, the loss of a gun is not going to be their worry. If your gun is taken, then you are the suspect. Then you have high lawyer fees, lost time from work, a possible criminal charge as well as prison time facing you. That my friend, is not a time to worry about a gun.

 

[photoman]

As to having a firearm taken, if one gets to that event, the loss of a gun is not going to be their worry. If your gun is taken, then you are the suspect. Then you have high lawyer fees, lost time from work, a possible criminal charge as well as prison time facing you. That my friend, is not a time to worry about a gun.

I understand what you're saying but... Depending on who you shot, having a gun to defend yourself from retaliation might be your biggest worry!

 

[oldman45]

I understand what you're saying but... Depending on who you shot, having a gun to defend yourself from retaliation might be your biggest worry!

It goes way past that.

Not just WHO but WHY.

Do you know anyone with a concealed carry permit that only owns one gun? I bet there are very few that has one single handgun. LE does not seize all a persons guns after a shooting in most cases although it does occasionally happen.

 

[kyf]

It goes way past that.

Not just WHO but WHY.

Do you know anyone with a concealed carry permit that only owns one gun? I bet there are very few that has one single handgun. LE does not seize all a persons guns after a shooting in most cases although it does occasionally happen.

So for the current/former LEO's out there. What are the circumstances where a firearm will or will not be taken from an armed citizen after a self-defense shooting? I know "circumstances" covers a lot but are there general rules in place to handle these types of situations?

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

I would think that if things went bad you'd have alot more important things to worry about....

In the event of a SD shooting, I would guess the LAST thing that will have your attention will be the price of your gun.

 

[oldman45]

So for the current/former LEO's out there. What are the circumstances where a firearm will or will not be taken from an armed citizen after a self-defense shooting? I know "circumstances" covers a lot but are there general rules in place to handle these types of situations?

Complicated question.

First, the police are not the ones to be concerned with. The District Attorney, Grand Jury and others will decide if charges are going to be brought against the shooter. Their decision will be based on the findings of the police.

If the officers feel that the shooting was justified and are certain that the gun used was the one used by the shooter, I would not think the gun would be taken. Example: Someone breaks into my home and I drop them. My gun is not going to be taken. Case closed. Self Defense. The shooting will still be reviewed by the DA and he would then decide no charges would be filed.

If the officers feel there was something that prompted the shooting such as a drunken brawl and there may not be an issue of self defense but rather emotional issues, then the gun would be retained until the DA made his decision. Of course the shooter is in for hours and days of questioning.

So if a gun is taken depends on other factors beside a shooting. Those factors also include the standing of the shooter in the community. If he is not a flight risk, he may get to retain the gun but the serial numbers will be taken and he may be asked to bring it in at a later date.

If there is no doubt the shooting was not self defense, then the gun and the shooter are going to be held.

 

[mg357]

I agree with what Iggy said.

 

[kyf]

Complicated question.

First, the police are not the ones to be concerned with. The District Attorney, Grand Jury and others will decide if charges are going to be brought against the shooter. Their decision will be based on the findings of the police.

If the officers feel that the shooting was justified and are certain that the gun used was the one used by the shooter, I would not think the gun would be taken. Example: Someone breaks into my home and I drop them. My gun is not going to be taken. Case closed. Self Defense. The shooting will still be reviewed by the DA and he would then decide no charges would be filed.

If the officers feel there was something that prompted the shooting such as a drunken brawl and there may not be an issue of self defense but rather emotional issues, then the gun would be retained until the DA made his decision. Of course the shooter is in for hours and days of questioning.

So if a gun is taken depends on other factors beside a shooting. Those factors also include the standing of the shooter in the community. If he is not a flight risk, he may get to retain the gun but the serial numbers will be taken and he may be asked to bring it in at a later date.

If there is no doubt the shooting was not self defense, then the gun and the shooter are going to be held.

Thanks, that helps. In Colorado we have a "Make My Day" law that protects home-owners regarding home invasion. Good judgement and decision-making are absolutely paramount as a responsibility of ccw.

 

[oldman45]

Thanks, that helps. In Colorado we have a "Make My Day" law that protects home-owners regarding home invasion. Good judgement and decision-making are absolutely paramount as a responsibility of ccw.

Louisiana is head of the pack in laws favorable to honest citizens.

We have a Shoot the Burglar law. They do not have to be inside the home but just breaking in. You do not have to be threatened, just feel in danger.

We have a Shoot the Car Jacker law. As long as you are inside the car when someone is trying to take it, you are allowed to shoot them. The operative word is "inside" the car. You may not be held blameless if you shoot someone taking your car and you are not in it. Then you again would have to feel your life to be threatened.