Yup. The only caveat that I'm aware of with that pistol is that the recoil springs wear out rather quickly. I think I remember reading that they have to be replaced every 1500 rounds or so. I can't remember offhand where I read that though...stroo wrote:BTW, you can get a new FM Hipower through Sarco for about $300. My regular carry gun is an FM HiPower Detective which is a little shorter than a regular hipower. I have over 500 rounds through it with no problems.
Search found 3 matches
- Fri Feb 01, 2008 2:18 pm
- Forum: General Gun, Shooting & Equipment Discussion
- Topic: What do I need,
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1731
Re: What do I need,
- Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:27 pm
- Forum: General Gun, Shooting & Equipment Discussion
- Topic: What do I need,
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1731
Re: What do I need,
stroo wrote:If you don't like holsters, you may want to look at a Wilderness safepacker or a fanny pack. Pocket carry is another option although I would suggest getting a pocket holster.
There are alot of good choices for guns in your range including the snubnose 38s, Bersa .380, KT 3AT, P 11 or P 9, used glocks, Ruger P 95 or 345, FM Hipower, Rock Island 1911 and others.
I second the FM Hi-Power. They are accurate, reliable, and easy to shoot. I carry one every day. They are nice and flat (same as a 1911, with a little thicker grip), and are capable of 15 + 1 with a flush Mec-Gar magazine (no extender). They tend to run $350 - $400 NIB.
(mine)
- Wed Jan 30, 2008 7:38 pm
- Forum: General Gun, Shooting & Equipment Discussion
- Topic: What do I need,
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1731
Re: What do I need,
A couple of things I would suggest you consider...
Understand that if you're carrying a weapon for self-defense, you need to be at least minimally proficient with it and comfortable with your method of carry. This means you need to factor in the cost of ammo for practice. I would suggest putting several hundred rounds of ammo through your gun before you carry it, to establish that it is a reliable weapon. You will also need to purchase some quality defense ammo. This means that you will need to purchase enough to establish that it will feed reliably in your weapon, plus what you want to carry (1 mag in the gun and 1 spare is pretty common).
As far as holsters, I don't know what factors caused you to decide that you're not a "holster person", but I would highly suggest that you have some type of holster. This ensures that the gun stays where it needs to, and that the trigger is protected from accidentally being pulled so that it doesn't discharge in a pocket or wherever you have it. There are a lot of options to choose from. Here are a few economic choices that may help, depending on how you want to carry.
Bianchi Professional (Model 100) IWB. This is the first holster I ever carried with, and is still what I use when I carry the gun I got it for. This is a great holster for a small gun, carried IWB (Inside Waist Band) with an untucked shirt over the top. They are very easy to come by, and most gun shops with a decent selection of holsters will have it.
http://bianchi-intl.com/product/Prod.php?TxtModelID=100
The Kangaroo. This is a deep concealment holster that goes underneath your shirt. It places your gun in a crossdraw position underneath your weak side arm (left arm, if you're right-handed). Everyone I've heard from who has one of these, likes it. It is slower to draw, obviously, but conceals very well.
http://www.tidepoolwebdesigns.com/kangaroo/
The Smartcarry. This is another deep concealment method that has been well-spoken of here on these forums. Several members here use them. The gun is carried in a holster compartment that is concealed below the front of your pants. It straps around you, so isn't dependent on a belt or pants to stay up. It sounds awkward, but everyone I've heard who's used it says that it's very comfortable and easy to access.
http://www.smartcarry.com/
As far as guns go that are within your budget and easily concealable, I know that several people here carry the Bersa Thunder .380. It is small and flat, and easily concealable. They run around $250. This is the same size and shape as my first carry gun (a FEG PA-63), which I carry when I need something more easily concealable.
The above-mentioned revolvers are also a good choice, if flatness isn't as much of an issue.
There are also more powerful guns that are fairly easily to conceal if done right. Something higher in your price range would be the Rock Island Armory 1911. You can find one of these for under $400. They are .45 caliber weapons, and fairly flat, making them easy to conceal.
Understand that if you're carrying a weapon for self-defense, you need to be at least minimally proficient with it and comfortable with your method of carry. This means you need to factor in the cost of ammo for practice. I would suggest putting several hundred rounds of ammo through your gun before you carry it, to establish that it is a reliable weapon. You will also need to purchase some quality defense ammo. This means that you will need to purchase enough to establish that it will feed reliably in your weapon, plus what you want to carry (1 mag in the gun and 1 spare is pretty common).
As far as holsters, I don't know what factors caused you to decide that you're not a "holster person", but I would highly suggest that you have some type of holster. This ensures that the gun stays where it needs to, and that the trigger is protected from accidentally being pulled so that it doesn't discharge in a pocket or wherever you have it. There are a lot of options to choose from. Here are a few economic choices that may help, depending on how you want to carry.
Bianchi Professional (Model 100) IWB. This is the first holster I ever carried with, and is still what I use when I carry the gun I got it for. This is a great holster for a small gun, carried IWB (Inside Waist Band) with an untucked shirt over the top. They are very easy to come by, and most gun shops with a decent selection of holsters will have it.
http://bianchi-intl.com/product/Prod.php?TxtModelID=100
The Kangaroo. This is a deep concealment holster that goes underneath your shirt. It places your gun in a crossdraw position underneath your weak side arm (left arm, if you're right-handed). Everyone I've heard from who has one of these, likes it. It is slower to draw, obviously, but conceals very well.
http://www.tidepoolwebdesigns.com/kangaroo/
The Smartcarry. This is another deep concealment method that has been well-spoken of here on these forums. Several members here use them. The gun is carried in a holster compartment that is concealed below the front of your pants. It straps around you, so isn't dependent on a belt or pants to stay up. It sounds awkward, but everyone I've heard who's used it says that it's very comfortable and easy to access.
http://www.smartcarry.com/
As far as guns go that are within your budget and easily concealable, I know that several people here carry the Bersa Thunder .380. It is small and flat, and easily concealable. They run around $250. This is the same size and shape as my first carry gun (a FEG PA-63), which I carry when I need something more easily concealable.
The above-mentioned revolvers are also a good choice, if flatness isn't as much of an issue.
There are also more powerful guns that are fairly easily to conceal if done right. Something higher in your price range would be the Rock Island Armory 1911. You can find one of these for under $400. They are .45 caliber weapons, and fairly flat, making them easy to conceal.