New CHL'er Any Advice on What to Carry?

[bigolbigun]

Just recieved my CHL. My only handgun is a Ruger KP89. A little hard to carry in the summer time in Texas. Not to mention I am not thrilled with the no-safety feature of the gun. I have had it a long time and love how it shoots, but I am looking to purchase a new gun that will be easier to carry year round. Any advice would be much appreciated. I love the site and look forward to using the resources here often. Thanks

[The Marshal]

Hey, congratulations!
Picking out a CCW is pretty personal, and one man's sidearm is anothers Safe Queen.

Based on what you stated, I decided the best mix of size, safety, comfort, weight, accuracy, and power was the Springfield XD9 Subcompact.

Why don't you join us at the Gunshow in Meskeet on Saturday? Touching and handling the guns makes a world of difference on your decision making.

~Bill

[spud]

1st off congrats on your new CHL.

I agree I would go check out the gun show and get some time holding diffrent models. After that head over to a gun range that rents guns. I noticed that the Bullet Trap in Plano rents guns for $10. Pick what you like at the gun show and go shoot the top 3. I suggest range time before picking one. I went and shot a Glock 23, Kimber pro carry, XD compact and a Walther P99. Then went and picked up my new baby.

Also check out the Kel-Tec P3AT for pocket carry. When I have to get down and dirty in the heat of the bay at work, I grab the little one.

Just remeber, you gun is only as safe and comfortable as your holster and belt.

Hope this helps. Be safe.

[Commander]

I agree with The Marshal. The Mesquite Gunshow would be an excellent opportunity to see and compare just about any gun you might be interested in. And, The Marshal's XD9 Subcompact is very nice; excellent trigger pull, shoots well and is very concealable. Also, Cyphur has done a lot of research lately and is on a mission to purchase his weapon of choice. He might be able to give you some good input as well.

As The Marshal also said, guns are a personal choice, what one likes another may have a problem with. Some suggestions of guns that I am considering:
Springfield Amory XD .45; Smith & Wesson M&P .40 and a new one: Beretta Px4 Storm .40. There are lots of choices out there.

My current carry gun is a Smith and Wesson 6946 9mm. Its Double Action Only, which some don't care for, but it fits my needs and its shoots very well and is accurate. For a BUG, I carry a Beretta Tomcat .32, its also handy to stick in pocket of shorts on a hot day.

[KBCraig]

Welcome to the forum!

My normal daily personal pistol is a P97DC, so I understand about the size. (Mine is pretty much the same form factor, only it has a polymer lower and stainless upper, and is .45 ACP.)

By "no safety", do you mean that you have a decocker or DAO version? Not that it really matters which... the first shot on both is the same: just like a revolver.

How many revolvers have you ever seen with a safety? (There are a few, but they're rare and expensive.)

Mine is a decocker: first shot DA, follow on shots SA, and a decocker lever that blocks the firing pin while dropping the hammer.

My duty carry pistol at work is a KP89DAO. Double-action only: no safety, no decocker, every shot is double action.

The DAO works just like my secondary carry gun, a Taurus M85UL, 2" .38 Special. No safety: every shot double action.

Don't let the "no safety" issue bother you. If you want something smaller and easier to conceal, I completely understand! But if you're worried about an accidental discharge, then ease your mind. Any holster that fits will cover the trigger. So long as the trigger is covered, it will not go bang.

I like my Fobus paddle holster. It's not premium leather --it's not even leather!-- but for less than $25, it performs at least as well as a leather or hybrid holster three times the price.

Carrying a full size pistol OWB requires a change of wardrobe; I simply buy a bowling or camp shirt a size larger than usual, and wear it over a t-shirt. No one except a highly trained eye would spot me carrying.

Welcome again, and good luck!

Kevin

[longtooth]

Welcome to the forum. +1 on all of the above offers on the gun show. I take several each year to gun shows knowing the # 1 priority is EDUCATION. Take Marshal up on the GS. He is a great guy.
I have found that as you start around the tables & dealers tell them you are new CHL holder. That you want to handle every make & model at the show that you are even remotely interested in. You want to here about their guns. Then after you have made your 1st round that you are going to make another round to look very closely at the ones you really like as far as fit, feel, price, & anything else that is important to you. Then after that you will make a 3rd round with purchase in mind. Take a pad & take notes. Write questions down so you wont forget them.
Know that this will be an all day job of education. It will be profitable though. If on your 2nd time through something JUST FITS PERFECTLY then you may choose to buy then. If after the 3rd time through you still need think time then you can pass until the next one.
I have found that telling the dealers what you are going to do about handling & learning about all the carry options on your first trip through that they will offer more education info w/ less "buy now before someone else gets the only one on the table". On the 2nd time around remind them of the story, they will remember & know you are really interested in one of their guns & then start to deal with you. Have a great day there & good hunting.

[propellerhead]

Welcome to the forum. +1 on all of the above offers on the gun show. I take several each year to gun shows knowing the # 1 priority is EDUCATION. Take Marshal up on the GS. He is a great guy.
I have found that as you start around the tables & dealers tell them you are new CHL holder. That you want to handle every make & model at the show that you are even remotely interested in. You want to here about their guns. Then after you have made your 1st round that you are going to make another round to look very closely at the ones you really like as far as fit, feel, price, & anything else that is important to you. Then after that you will make a 3rd round with purchase in mind. Take a pad & take notes. Write questions down so you wont forget them.
Know that this will be an all day job of education. It will be profitable though. If on your 2nd time through something JUST FITS PERFECTLY then you may choose to buy then. If after the 3rd time through you still need think time then you can pass until the next one.
I have found that telling the dealers what you are going to do about handling & learning about all the carry options on your first trip through that they will offer more education info w/ less "buy now before someone else gets the only one on the table". On the 2nd time around remind them of the story, they will remember & know you are really interested in one of their guns & then start to deal with you. Have a great day there & good hunting.

Excellent info! I always had the feeling that the vendors didn't want you to touch the guns unless you were buying. And there were so many people browsing that it would be hard to get a vendor to actually spend a little time with you. In fact, I was going to suggest to bigolbigun that he could shop Cheaper Than Dirt, Academy or Cabela's and all the local gun stores. Let them educate you then go to the gun show to buy the one you already decided on.

[longtooth]

propeller, I have found that most venders are there for 2A as well as profit. Tell them that you need to handle several to see what feels right. When you tell them that, they know you really are a potential buyer & not just a handler that is in the way of a real customer. Show them you are wanting to listen about their product. Learn all you can & show interest. They will remember you on the 2nd trip through.

[Reysc]

Just recieved my CHL. My only handgun is a Ruger KP89. A little hard to carry in the summer time in Texas. Not to mention I am not thrilled with the no-safety feature of the gun. I have had it a long time and love how it shoots, but I am looking to purchase a new gun that will be easier to carry year round. Any advice would be much appreciated. I love the site and look forward to using the resources here often. Thanks

Welcome!! Since you've got "the best of the best" CCW Tips, I will just say, let's go meet at the gunshow this Saturday..You are in great company!

[cyphur]

I too am in a similar position about a carry gun - however I need one to begin with - am pistol-less right now.

I went to a gun show in fort worth a few months ago, handled a couple Sigs and a glock. Fell in love with Sigs, and had my mind set on them. Then I hit the range a few times with The Marshal, and shot his Kimber Desert Warrior and found out I liked 1911s. Went to a few more gun stores to handle them, all the while doing what longtooth has just mentioned - letting them know I'm getting my CHL and need to handle a lot of handguns to find one that fits. Didn't push as much to buy, but were very helpful.

Then I hit up DFW Gun Range and shot a Sig P239 and a Kimber Ultra Carry. Those guns are night and day difference, and how comfortable and accurate I was with the Kimber .45ACP almost all but ruled out the Sig.

Have to find a weapon that will sit well on your waist(persuming you're going to belt carry), conceal well enough according to your lifestyle, as well, I believe you should shoot well instinctively with your carry weapon because in a situation where you'll need it, instincts may be all you have. Preaching to the choir here, but thats what I've learned.

Come along to the gun show. Going to have a great group from what it looks like.

[Reysc]

Cyphur,

you wrote...
"Then I hit up DFW Gun Range and shot a Sig P239 and a Kimber Ultra Carry. Those guns are night and day difference, and how comfortable and accurate I was with the Kimber .45ACP almost all but ruled out the Sig. "

+1 .... I believe it's more the 1911 bug that's getting both of us!! I'm in the same boat.. FYI, I started carrying a G26.. Then I added a P 239 40 S&W TT.. I also have a snubby 38 and a S&W model 36 and just a few days ago (( thanks, Longtooth!!) a nice pocket pistol in a Berettsa 32 acp. Got it in my pocket right now There is absolutely nothing wrong with that line up in terms of reliablity and functionability!! But ever since I started shooting my Kimber custom 11 and Para Ltc my facination with the 1911 turned into a passion!! Then I acquired Cosmo 9's Colt Combat!! That really messed me up!! Can't stop day dreaming of having a 1911 ccw... Can't somebody sane talk me out of this!!! Gosh, Saturday is fast approaching and if you see a 56 year old man running around Big Town Gun Show like a little kid in a candy store.. That will be me!! Please slap me, bring me to my senses!!

[barnett]

first, figure out HOW you'll be carrying. holster, fanny pack, brief case etc.

that will determine to a certain extent what SIZE weapon will work for you.

most of all, pick a gun you are completely COMFORTABLE with. one you can handle and shoot almost instinctively.

after many tries, my two primary carry weapons now are a S & W J frame,

or a Sig 239.

when the weather permits a jacket i'll sometimes carry my Kimber Eclipse in a shoulder rig.

good luck with your choice and congrats.

[jbirds1210]

A good holster and a good belt will make that big Ruger a pleasure to carry...Remember that it is comforting, not comfortable to carry a gun. After a few weeks you wont even realize it is there.

If you have shot the Ruger, trust it, and feel comfortable with it..there is not a better carry gun in the world for you. Sure there are smaller and lighter guns and maybe that is what you want......but there is nothing wrong with what you have.
Jason

[Glockamolie]

I couldn't find a gun/holster combo that was comfortable enough for me to carry on a regular basis. After much thought and looking around, I got a Kahr CW9 (a cheap P9) and a Sparks Watch Six holster. I wear it just about all the time, when not at work. My cell phone on my belt is more uncomfortable than the gun and holster.

I've said it before, and will say it again: A quality belt and holster is more important than the gun you choose.

[Venus Pax]

Just wanted to say "Welcome," and that you'll get a lot of good advice here.