Should I Keep or Trade?

[james98520]

Hey folks,

I'm really just hoping that talking with the fine people here will help me make a decision.

A couple of months ago I bought my first handgun. I was looking around for an M&P9c. Needless to say I couldn't find anything resembling one. I ended up getting a full-sized M&P40 with the external safety (didn't even want the darned safety).

I'm not unhappy with that purchase. I enjoy the 40, it's low on recoil and fits my hand very well.

But this first gun was supposed to be a "jack of all trades." Suitable for home, range, and carry. Maybe I could make it work for carry, to be honest I haven't had the spare cash to shoot much let alone pay for the license or a holster.

Right now I'm considering trading that full sized gun. Here are my reasons:

• The thing gets a bit heavy with a fifteen round magazine. And by round eleven I'm usually wishing it were empty.
  
• I'm hoping to get that license this summer. So, for the next year, I'll be trying to conceal at a University. Not illegal in my state, but definitely against school policy. Deep concealment is a priority.
  
• I didn't want a full-size in the first place.
  
• I'm on a one-gun limit right now. If I really want something different, a trade is going to be necessary.

If I were to trade it, I'd be looking at .40 subcompacts or the truly tiny pocket guns. Bodyguard, lc9, those deep-concealment options.

What do you guys think? Should I take the plunge? Do I even have a shot at trading my big guy for one of his smaller brothers? Am I just having commitment issues?

Thanks, and my whining letter is over

If you decide to trade or sell your M&P, don't make the same mistake twice. If the gun isn't what you want then don't get it. Even gun dealers (not saying all, just know some) will talk a person into a sale just to make a sale or get an item off their shelf. If all else fails, bring a knowledgable friend with you and have them drag you off if need be to keep you from buying something you don't want.

The Ruger LC9 isn't a bad gun, but if you're truly after pocket carry, I'd go with the Ruger LCP. The LCP is smaller yet, .380acp, but suck in sights department. The couple S&W Bodyguards that I checked out just had a horrible trigger so not a fan of those personally.

Definitely try to get some funding going though for a quality holster for any firearm you choose to carry and get your permit. Though WA is an open carry state, typically better to conceal, and can't be loaded in public without a permit. Oh yeah, size doesn't always matter when concealing, as much as how you do it. I've concealed full size Beretta 92F and Beretta PX4 in duty holsters with no printing. My best day was Glock 19 in a shoulder holster, another Glock 19 IWB, and Glock 26 pocket carry and still no one noticed. So your full size M&P can be done, just a matter of choosing how.

For what it's worth, if you trade the M&P to a dealer, probably expect to get $350-400 value out of it. Depending on where you go it could be better or worse. Good luck.

 

[treiz]

get the gun you want, in the caliber and configuration that you want.

You are already looking at trouble for stupid laws at your campus should you ever have to use the gun, you don't want to start doing things like disabling unwanted safeties or swapping calibers or anything unusual on top of that. Lawyers will go straight for that and skin you in front of the jury. You don't want to just plan to save your life, you should also take steps to mitigate any other problems that may crop up. I run Hornady Critical defense not just because it is a great round, but because it has a sensible sounding name to the uninitiated that will be serving as your peers. "Critical Defense" sounds a lot better than "Zombie destroyer head exploder frangible widow-maker talon saber DOOM-X" round etc etc. It's a simple thing that I can do that may save me a lot of grief down the road.

 

[newschoololdschool]

I kind of can't believe this thread is still going.

Here's the thing, as of last Friday I have been reconsidering my position on the campus carry. I'm reading through the laws again right now. As usual I have more questions than answers.

Thanks everybody for your responses. It's all being taken into consideration.

 

[Deadeye Dick]

Wow the dealers are generous in your area. I would expect to pay $350 - $400 for a used gun at a dealer. In fact $400 OTD is what I did pay for my like new FS.40 from my LGS. I'm guessing he would give $250 - $300 if I were to trade one in. That's why I say you are better of selling it on your own if you can. Just like trading in a car at an auto dealer, you will take a bath every time.

 

[Lost Lake]

Why would you carry at school if it's against policy? Should you get spotted or use your weapon on campus In a defensive situation you'll be in a world of trouble.

Probably be in more trouble if he had the need to use a gun -- but he left it at home because of some shortsighted law prohibiting guns on campus.

We each decide how to live our lives. Some decide it is better to be able to protect themselves in spite of what some legislator wants.

.