Slightly discouraged and in need of advice

[mamabearCali]

Funny how different guns fit different people.

The grip size on the 36 is actually what drew me to it. My hands are small--the palm is actually the right size but my fingers are pretty short. So the 26 kept dancing around in my hand as I could not close my grip on it and I had a hard time reaching the trigger. I do love the 36 very much and if anyone is thinking of getting one--if you can find it BUY IT! When I am not preggers and back to my regular clothing (and my back is no longer carrying a baby internally) I will be back carrying it as much as possible. Just thinking about bugs and how they might help me at this time.

[CC Italian]

Totally agree! 36 feels way better in the hand then the subcompact Glocks. If you want an affordable gun that is easier to conceal I would stay in a 9mm in semi auto that is single stack. I would also check out a used third gen smith like a 3913 or 908. My girlfriend loves hers!

[CC Italian]

Nothing wrong with a good used firearm. Most people only fire a couple hundred rounds through most guns and then they collect dust, become safe queens etc. Of course you could be like most on this board a put thousands done range each year:)

[mamabearCali]

We got our Glock used--not more than 50 rounds put through it I would say. And we got it for $420 as opposed to over $570 for a new one. I am all in favor of used guns, but I also love going garage sale hopping too--so I am a thrifty type.

[quidni]

http://looperlawenforcement.com/flashba ... lst40.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bra holster. I have one for an LCP. It works. I also have a small Uncle Mike's holster so I can carry the LCP in the top of my cowboy boot for something different.

edited to add: the Flash-Bang might not work during the final weeks of pregnancy if you tend to carry "in front and high" the way I did with our son.

[7075-T7]

I know it's a little expensive. But the Sig P239 9mm is a great pistol, my wife stole mine from me and carries it daily in her purse. Accurate, Powerful with the right ammunition (doubletap Barnes 115gr.), soft shooting, and she's deadly with it. I feel better knowing that she has that pistol when I can't be there and that she can stop a ghoul if needed, Heaven forbid. More importantly, it's the only pistol she's ever liked.

Edit: I carry the S&W360PD, terrible recoil with .357magnum, but tolerable with .38special and light as a feather so you would want to keep it with you at all times, and if it's your life or theirs, the recoil isn't going to matter, JMHO. Shoot safe.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

Although I'm not really sure of all the list prices here, I think that the suggestions
of the above guns do not necessarily fit the OP's needs. They may be good guns,
but try to remember when YOU did not have any money, as she stated.

Her family is on thin rations, moneywise, and maybe much cheaper guns would be better for
her current situation.

http://www.budsgunshop.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is in Kentucky, so FFL transfer fees would be involved, but she could pick
up a Ruger LCP for $290. Snub nose Taurus revolvers, 5 shots of .38 Super, can be had for about $268.
The last time I saw a new Bersa Thunder (.380) at Academy, it was only $279. USA1 is a good shopper and
found his bride's Bersa Thunder for only $200 at a pawnshop (YMMV).

A .45 Glock would be preferable for stopping power, but no one would want to stand in front of the
above list of more affordable, smaller weapons.

OP: Please let us know what you get. Anything you can carry in your current situation will trump that
Glock if it's sitting at home.

Stay safe out there.

SIA

[mamabearCali]

Thanks so much again guys--some of these look like they might be out of our price range. I think we will be in the $200 to $300 range for the gun. I would LOVE to spend more, but if I waited to do that it could easily be another several months of waiting to get it. A $275 weapon that works and in a holster on my body is alot more useful in a "God forbid" situation than $275 waiting for another $200 to join it in a bank account. I know some will disagree, but we are talking about a BUG, and a BUG for a temporary situation and then those situations where carrying my primary weapon is not an option.

Even at $200 I think we will still have to wait at least a month. This month is a "chicken gravy biscuit dinner with canned peas" sort of a month so it will have to wait until at least my husband gets his umpiring check in and probably to be safe until Chris gets paid again.

[karder]

Have you tried any shoulder holsters? If cost is a big issue and you like the Glock, you could get into an inexpensive nylon holster that might work for you for the next few months, a lot cheaper than getting another gun. Any kind of an unbuttoned shirt would probably cover it okay. Most folks think you have to wear a jacket with a shoulder rig, but I have not found that to be the case. I just put a short sleeved button up shirt with a t-shirt underneath and it covers well.

[Keith B]

Yes, take a look at the Kahr pocket pistols. I have the PM9, which might be outside of your budget, but they also make the CM9 which is a budget conscious version of the PM9. The CM9 is NOT a cheap knock-off. This is a fairly high quality gun (at least as good as the Glocks in quality); Kahr just simplified a few of the machining steps in making the slide to knock some of the price off.

The CM9 is a truly pocketable 9mm pistol, rated to shoot +P ammunition, and the Kahrs have a very nice, butter smooth but slightly long trigger pull.

Here is a link to the Kahr page for the CM9: http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-CM9.asp.

Here is a picture of the gun:

I got my hands on one of these the other day at Gun Masters. They have it marked at $495 right now, but I think they will usually be in the $450 range. Trigger, frame and recoil spring are exactly the same as the PM9, so unless you really require the dovetailed front sight, polygonal land/grooved barrel, or a more detailed machined slide (outside), then it would make a great gun. I love my PM9, but had these been out at the time I got mine, I would probably have saved the money and bought this.

[speedsix]

...if I understand right, your PM9 is the upgrade model of the pictured CM9...same dimensions and weight, just better finished??? I heard the PM9 is more smoothed/rounded...better front sight....I held/fondled the CW45 when I qualified this month...they said it's the Chevy version of the P45...still nice...

[comp73]

CDNN's new catalog has Kahr P380's listed for 449.99

[doc.lonestar]

hey mamabear

if budget is an issue I would like to point you in the direction of a Bersa Thunder in 380.

I shoot one on regular range trips with friends, but do not carry one.

IMHO at any price range they are a good buy, let alone sub $300.00 (centerfire guns), reliable and easily concealable for most.

Only other thing I can think to offer would be a snubbie. I own and pocket a LCR as a bug. Great pistol that you can find deals on as well.

[mamabearCali]

Shoulder holsters and I don't get along. I looked ridiculous even trying it on at the recent gun show. But thanks for the suggestion . The weight of the Glock is what has turned out to be the most trouble--not that it is heavy, but I suppose with picking up toddlers, diaper bags, and carrying a new one on the inside my back has decided that anything that is on pulling one side and not the other for a long period of time is not going to do.

I am really considering several of the .380's and that flash bang is quite the amazing thing. It will take me a month or so to obtain said pistol. So stay tuned!

[mamabearCali]

Found a solution! After looking over the various holster that were suggested especially the flashbang. I have found a way to carry my .45. I am hoping to get a real flashbang holster (the don't list one for a flock 36, but I wrote them asking if they make customs) , but in the meantime I have modified a IWB holster and my weapon is now centered on my body (not going to cause back pain) and entirely invisible in even my tightest maternity shirt. It would take a TSA level pat down to get anywhere near finding it. The draw would be faster with a real flashbang, but for now it is better than nothing. So now we can save up and get another Glock 36 or a .357 J frame! It is even super comfortable! I literally fell asleep on the couch last night holding my 2 year old in my lap while still armed! That may not be the best thing to do saftey wise--but it showed how comfortable the carry was!