Gun Enthusiasts please answer????

Question

I am applying for my gun permit to carry concealed weapon ( I work late hours) anyhow I am looking for a good handgun. I have lots of experience with rifles and shotguns; grew up hunting with my grandpa and uncle. But not handguns; I have no preference whether revolver or pistol. Just not to heavy, easy to clean and maintain, load and unload. I want stopping power but dont want a kick (bad). any help or advice would be appreciated? Also dont want to spend alot under 200 maybe 300

Answer 1

Personally for a conceal - carry gun: the classic S&W snub-nose .38 Special revolver. It is small enough to easily conceal, and .38 Special still packs enough "umpf" to easily deter or immobilize attackers. It is a revolver so it is reliable and will never jam, and it is a common and proven weapon that has been around forever so not only are they easy to find and usually dime-a-dozen but amunition is also easy find and inexpensive. Its not flashy or fancy but for self-defense, flashy and fancy doesn't matter.

Answer 2

"Bersa makes a Thunder concealed carry model. It's a .380 ACP (basically a 9mm short). The gun is about the lowest you should go for stopping power, but it has gotten good reviews in magazines. The gun is about $200-300 depending on the store and model. It is a semi-auto. "

I agree with the above . I have a Bersa and it works great. the .380 is a powerful little handgun that is easy to use, and is almost the perfect round for self defense. Low recoil, enables compact frame and still powerful enough to get an attackers attention real fast, and potentially very much more lethal than a .22, .25, or .32. The Thunder carries 7 rounds and there is a CC version that rounds off all the edges for a little more money. A lot of policeman I know carry the Bersa (which really is a Walther PPK look alike) or the little Keltec .380 as backup weapons.

Answer 3

It might be tough to find a new gun in that price range. A revolver is the easiest gun learn to use effectively, safely, and quickly. I suggest a .357 magum. You can shoot .38 specials out of it for target practice and carry .357 magnums in it for protection. You can shoot .38s out of a .357, but not vice-versa. Taurus makes a cheaper revolver in a 2in snub nose, which you might find in this price range new. Or you can look for a used S&W or Ruger.

Bersa makes a Thunder concealed carry model. It's a .380 ACP (basically a 9mm short). The gun is about the lowest you should go for stopping power, but it has gotten good reviews in magazines. The gun is about $200-300 depending on the store and model. It is a semi-auto. You can also find a Taurus Millinieum 9mm for around $325 new, but it has gotten mixed reviewed. Smith and Wesson Sigma series 9mm are similarly priced, but the old models got bad reviews. The newer models are better.

Lastly, if you want real concealment for a very small gun, you can look at the North American Arms mini-revolvers. These are about the size of your wallet and come in .22LR and .22 magnum. Some even have holsters that are built in which flip out to serve as the handle. A great conceal carry gun if you want to carry in your pocket and are happy with a .22.

Whatever you do...avoid the .25 ACP. It has terrible power is a the poorest defense cartridge around.

Answer 4

Can't get much simpler than a used S&W or Ruger revolver in .357 Magnum (this way you can also use .38Spl if you so choose), although I would suggest NOT buying a snub, considering you state you don't have experience with handguns. A snub-nose revolver is not an easy gun to shoot well (combining a DA trigger with short sight radius and compact grips).

IMO a 4" barrel is a good compromise for carry (barrel length doesn't really apply to concealability as much as you might think as long as you're carrying IWB - you will need to dress around the grip of course). I would budget a little more than your $200-300 to allow for a good holster and plenty of ammo.

Answer 5

A good quality gun for a low price is a "Taurus".



The only down side is that it is made in Brazil.

There is NO Such thing as a .357 "J frame Smith and Wesson" the J frame is too light, even the K frame will shoot apart if magnums are used a lot. If you want a magnum in a S&W, go N frame.

Check with the N.R.A. for real viable information.

I personally use a Stainless Steel Taurus 2", 5 shot revolver with 38 special +P hollow point ammunition. The Taurus is rated for +P where S&W and Colt are not. Unless there has been a change in their alloys. Ruger also makes a great gun.

Answer 6

Springfield XD. It has the grip manufactured after the Colt 1911. The grip has a safety on the back that allows the weapon only to fired with a firm grip. Another dafety on the trigger much like the Glock. Added features are the pin in the back that lets you know with sight/feel that the weapon has been ******. Another mechanism on the top that lifts up when a round is in the chamber allowing you to know when a bullet ready to be fired (this doesn't affect the sights). All in all, very accurate and durable gun. The only gun I have seen to pass all the tests that are thrown at it.

http://springfield-armory.primediaoutdoors.com/SPstory11.php


I personally carry the XD-40 .40 cal off duty. Excellent weapon. It can be bout from anywhere from 325-$495. I have a friend who bought one for $300 (+ tax).

**Along with most Federal Agencies, Special Forces, and about 60% of the state agencies: We carry the SigSaur p229 .40 cal - the "cadillac" of hand guns. Very nice gun to shoot and carry.

Answer 7

Perhaps you should get into a class on how to safely handle pistols...different animals than the rifles and shotguns.

You really can't go wrong with a 9mm. There are plenty of cheaper models that are fairly durable for carry. Not a lot of kick, and plenty in the clip. Chances are you will never need to use it, just an assailant seeing it is enough to send them fleeing. I used to carry auto's, but I'm liking revolvers now. Ruger makes some excellent revolvers for good prices. .38, .38 special, 9mm...they are all easy to handle.

I've started carrying an old Dan Wesson with .38 special rounds. Like I said, never had to use it, but did draw it once when caught in a riot. The kid saw it, and ran away. Honestly, I don't every anticipate having to fire it; just criminals knowing that I'm carrying is enough of a deterent.

Answer 8

Bound's hubby here:

It sounds, from your description, you want the best of both worlds... ease of operation and maintenance, easily concealable and knock-down power. Normally, I would suggest a Smith & Wesson Model 36/60 Chief's Special in .39 Special/.357. However, the price range makes this a little difficult. I am not a particular fan of Charter Arms products, but they do make good quality, less expensive snubnose revolvers. Charter Arms offers their snubnoses in .32 Smith & Wesson Long, .38 Special, and .44 Special. If you are looking for a bit more power than the .38 Special, look to the Charter Arms Bulldog .44 Special.

However, you get the quality that you pay for. Personally, if I felt the need to carry a gun for self-defense I would not let cash be the limiting factor on what I would be my life on. You might be wiser saving up a little bit more to buy a Smith than cut corners for a less expensive handgun.

Good luck and pray you never have to break leather.

Answer 9

Are you familiar with the K.I.S.S. Principle?

It means Keep It Simple Stupid!

Nothing is more simple than a small frame revolver.

My personal preference in this class it the Stainles Steel J-Frame .357 Magnums, specifically the M-640 or M-649. But they weigh 25 ounces and are obnoxiously loud and the muzzle-blast with full power magnum loads is nothing short of FIERCE!

You specified small and light. I suggest either an Smith & Wesson M-37 Airweight Chief's Special or an Smith & Wesson M-638 Airweight Bodyguard. Both are .38 Spl's, and while light they both have enough weight to dampen recoil. IIRC, both weight in the neighborhood of 16 ounces.

Before I got my M-640, I carried a steel framed M-49 Bodyguard for several years and really liked it's shrouded hammer design.

Doc

Eldude,

Check out the S&W website. They have been making .357 Magnum J-frame 5-shot snubbies for years. I've carried one daily for nearly ten years now.

Mine is a Model 640 ( http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=11101&langId=-1&productId=14790&tabselected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=15704), and and it weighs 25 ounces. S&W also makes some super flyweight .357 Mag J-frams with scandium and titanium frame, such as the M-340 that weigh only 12 oz. (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=11101&langId=-1&productId=14764&tabselected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=15704)

Answer 10

My personal Conceal is a S&W M&P9C
12 round clips.. I paid 5 bills for it

For $300 you will need to probably opt for A .380 AUTO for a concealable.

$300 will buy you a heavy 9mm or 40 like the highpoint brand.