gun question

[tboesche]

Thanks all,
I am going to hit a couple shops around town this weekend and see what feels good in my hand, then see if I can rent one somewhere and test fire it.

[NcongruNt]

What is acceptable for carry is very subjective. It can also have a lot to do with how you dress. Also, you can probably effectively conceal a much larger weapon than you think. When I first got my license, I was carrying an FEG PA-63. This is the same size and shape as the Bersa Thunder 380 or a Walther PPK. It's a fairly compact pistol. I now carry a Hi-Power, something I would never have thought was possible when I first started carrying. I learned my carry method from Longtooth, and it works very well for me,

Here are some pictures of my primary carry method:





I carry in an OWB holster. A good gun belt makes a huge difference in carrying comfortably. It keeps your gun from moving around and you from feeling the need to readjust. I got mine from http://www.thebeltman.net .

You may be able to find a decent 1911 within your budget, though it would take some searching. Rock Island 1911s seem to run around $350. It looks like one recently sold here on this board for $300: http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... hp?t=10620 .

1911s are good guns, and lay nice and flat for concealment. Length isn't really as much as an issue as grip size. This is why the 1911 makes a great carry gun. I have plans to get one myself soon when my financial situation allows.

(edited for additional info)

[Wildscar]

Here is a animation of how I carry. Thats a Beretta 92FS. its about a full size as you can get. That holster has been replaced with a MTAC from CompTac so its even better now. All depends on your body frame.

[tboesche]

Ok, so I swung by Cheaper than dirt onthe way home. Fondled many hand guns. I kinda like teh feel of the Bersa Thunders 380, but the DX has the mag extension that fits my hand better. I think I will try and rent one and put a few rounds down range and see how I like it

[Thane]

Don't discount your CZ-75. I have on occasion carried one, and if I dress properly, it's every bit as invisible as the NAA Mini in my pocket. The key is loose, somewhat baggy shirts, and a tuckable In-The-Waistband holster (I use a belly band for the CZ, as I don't have a dedicated holster for it yet. The band works).

If you can conceal it (and with experimentation, you probably can), the CZ-75 is a fine gun. It's one of only two 9mm pistols that I truly like (the other being the Browning High Power).

[Venus Pax]

I purchased a HiPointe 9mm and have never been happy with it.

We have two Bersa Thunders (.380) in the house. At one time we only had one, but we fought over it and had to get another.
We rarely shoot the HiPointe.

[rkhal]

I am looking for a good conceal gun. I know of a compact 9mm manufactured by HI-POINT. Any body have any experience with this manufacturer?

Hi-points are a dependable, accurate and economical weapon. They are also very heavy and for that reason I wouldn't carry one as a concealed weapon.

Economy is nice but not what you necessarily want in you carry weapon.

[DoubleJ]

We rarely shoot the HiPoint.

you oughtta set it on a target, and shoot it...

[txinvestigator]

I am looking for a good conceal gun. I know of a compact 9mm manufactured by HI-POINT. Any body have any experience with this manufacturer?

Hi-points are a dependable, accurate and economical weapon. They are also very heavy and for that reason I wouldn't carry one as a concealed weapon.

Once again, as an instructor I have seen many hi points. None have been able to finish a course of fire.

Also realize that no LE agency will authorize them for on or off duty carry. I wonder why.......

[tboesche]

Intresting observation about LE not authorising them. I may actually look for an IWB holster for my CZ-75. I still want something small that I an carry in an ankle holster though

[stroo]

I have a hi point .45. It is accurate, is picky about ammo but goes bang every time with ammo it likes and is very inexpensive. On the other hand, it is big and bulky. While the 9 mm is smaller it still is pretty bulky. It all you have is $300 or so, there are a lot of good suggestions above, including Rugers, Kel tecs, Bersas, CZs, J-frames, etc. One of those is going to be better for carrying than a Hi Point.

[srothstein]

Also realize that no LE agency will authorize them for on or off duty carry. I wonder why.......

Just a technical correction, but they are authorized by my agency. We have no rules whatsoever on the make of the weapon for personal owned on or off duty carry. Our only requirement is that it fire Speer Gold Dot Hollow Point ammunition, which limits the calibers somewhat.

[txinvestigator]

Also realize that no LE agency will authorize them for on or off duty carry. I wonder why.......

Just a technical correction, but they are authorized by my agency. We have no rules whatsoever on the make of the weapon for personal owned on or off duty carry. Our only requirement is that it fire Speer Gold Dot Hollow Point ammunition, which limits the calibers somewhat.

Ok, so they are not authorized, just not prohibited. Good to know. I shoould have said that no LE agencies authorize them for on duty carry, and agencies that actually regulate off duty carry do not permit them.

When I ran a Security Company, we would not allow guards to carry Hi Point.

[rkhal]

I am looking for a good conceal gun. I know of a compact 9mm manufactured by HI-POINT. Any body have any experience with this manufacturer?

Hi-points are a dependable, accurate and economical weapon. They are also very heavy and for that reason I wouldn't carry one as a concealed weapon.

Once again, as an instructor I have seen many hi points. None have been able to finish a course of fire.

Also realize that no LE agency will authorize them for on or off duty carry. I wonder why.......

Well my son owns one and a friend owns one. My son has over 1000 rounds through his and has not had a malfunction. My friend has not had one while I was there.

I have shot both and found that they shot where I aimed and had a decent trigger.

I have been at the range while those two kept firing and the 1911s kept jamming.

So in my opinion and only my opinion -- they are dependable.

That said, I carry a glock and I recommended against using a Hi-Point as a carry weapon.

[ctxpta]

The HI-Points I have seen at our range seem to come in 2 types. They either work great and have no problems or don't function for crap and get sent back. It seems to be a 50/50 chance. I have seen a lot more consistency from the Kel-tec's which are a WHOLE lot smaller and easer concealed weapon.
Matt