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or should I say, what can i get for 300 to 400 bucks, that you can suggest. I'm not sure that I will ever be a consistant concealed carrier. I'm not a holster type. but I want to have it with me when I want to have it. I want something that's not going to show everytime I cough. And If I ever have to use it, I don't necessarily want the first shot to stop the perp. but if needed the second one will. 9mm, 45... this will be my first pistol. I have a 12 gauge for the house, so this is new to me. If there's suggestions that are higher in cost, i'd like to hear about em.

In that range you can find a few decent new guns but many good used guns.

Check http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... m.php?f=20for some ideas to start.

Depends on what you like to shoot. Do you like it simple? Small Stainless Double Action revolver in 357/38spl.

Gonna take it to the range alot? 9mm auto-loader.

Also, check the classifieds right here on the forum. There's some good deals to be found.

you really need to try some out, or at least hold a few and see what "fits" you.

then go online and look up info. on that particular brand and model you want. You can always go by word of mouth...sometimes you can luck out and pick right the first time.

I dont know much about firearms and this is what I did.

At 400 bucks, you might luck out on a used glock. I personally love mine.

On Auction Arms (http://www.auctionarms.com) I see hundreds of pistols under $400. Some are name brands that I would not hesitate to buy. I'd rather have a used SIG or Glock than a new piece of junk.

Usually in that price range you can expect a fair amount of cosmetic damage, but concealed means concealed, right?

- Jim

I believe it was our good friend Txinvestigator that pointed out that, and forgive me as I paraphrase, holster wear marks on a handgun show character. A good quality handgun properly carried will show signs of wear and is not to be confused with misuse.

spanishone wrote:I'm not a holster type. but I want to have it with me when I want to have it.

I certainly hope you are not prone to mexican style carry.

Anygun

anygunanywhere wrote:I believe it was our good friend Txinvestigator that pointed out that, and forgive me as I paraphrase, holster wear marks on a handgun show character. A good quality handgun properly carried will show signs of wear and is not to be confused with misuse.

spanishone wrote:I'm not a holster type. but I want to have it with me when I want to have it.

I certainly hope you are not prone to mexican style carry.

Anygun

In case you are not familiar with this type of carry method, it's simply sticking the pistol in your waistband without anything to hold it in place. It's not considered a secure method of carrying a handgun.

Chas.

If you don't care for holsters, just get you a 2 inch snub nose .38 Special to stick in your pocket. 5 shot S&W M36 will do, or even a 6 shot Detective Special (which can often be found at gun shows). If weight bothers you, you can get an airweight S&W M37 or a Colt Agent. Said guns can also be bought without a hammer or by purchasing a hammer shroud if you are afraid of the hammer getting hung while pulling it out of your pocket.

These guns are simple, easy to carry, and have adequate "stopping power" especially if you get good Hollowpoint heavy rounds.

I recommend Ed Lovette's The Snubby for a good little read on the Snub hose revolver and it's value.

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.

$400 you can get a used Glock 19 or my friend will sell you a S&W Sigma in 9mm, brand new for $260 and you still have some money for a holster.

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 would agree about the Bersa pistols. The .380 CC is my every day carry. They also have a nice compact 9 mm and .45 that fall in under $400. They not just a decent value, they are great pistols.

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)

Stupid wrote:$400 you can get a used Glock 19 or my friend will sell you a S&W Sigma in 9mm, brand new for $260 and you still have some money for a holster.

Glock 19 is a good idea, but I don't recommend the sigma