CCW handgun

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

JFtheGR8

Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2006
Messages
694
Location
Central Illinois
With the prospect of being able to CCW in Illinois becoming a reality I would like some guidance from fellow members on a decent, reliable and affordable handgun. I already own a Springfield XD45 service model but can see issues with its size for being able to conceal comfortably. I have been leaning toward a Keltec PF9 because of its price, size and stopping power. I also am very interested in the Springfield XDs because it is a .45 and I already have that caliber on hand but the price is a little high for me. The Ruger LC9 would be another good option and seems to be a decent price point but at the top end of what I could afford. I welcome any suggestions for an easily concealable, affordable and decent stopping power handgun. While I lean towards a semiauto, I would not rule out revolvers. There is no rush as it seems I have some time before everthing is settled. Pics are welcome and encouraged. Thanks.
 
If you have time, begin a 'savings account' to get the XDs you mentioned as it will be just like its bigger brother. Same caliber, same controls. You WILL like it. Mine is my most often carried firearm.
 
I have considered saving for the XDs. That would probably take me a full year to save $500 in mad money. I have too many home improvement projects that get priority.


Posted from Thehighroad.org App for Android
 
Kel Tec is a good product for the money, but some folks have trouble hanging onto the PF9 with it's slim grip and light weight. The P11 gives you more rounds, a few ounces or recoil absorbing weight, and a bit more grip.
Another 9mm option would be the Taurus 709FS... $299 MSRP. It seems to be one of Taurus's better offerings.
 
You need to go to a range....where you can rent a number of guns you're interested in ...and fire as many as you can....

Focus on :
a. how it fits your hands....
b. grip angle....does it come up right on target ...or do you have to manipulate the grip to move the muzzle up or down...
c. Trigger.....how it breaks, how it resets, does it wobble ...how much creep, are there any hitches in it ...as it, or before it breaks...
d. Sights...what you like and don't like ...what you can see easily ...
e. Controls ...can you reach them all...do you have to shift your grip to reach the mag release, the safety - decocker, etc if there is one ....
f. does it have a mag well...do you want one...or not...
g. how it recoils...does it come back on target easily....and quickly ....

all these things make a big difference....

There are guns that I think are interesting designs....but they flat out - don't fit my hands, I hate the grip angles, I hate the controls...etc....and its different for all of us ....

You have to shoot more guns.....

some smaller / or less wide options...than the XD you have....

a. some 1911's ...might be a better option for you..../ 9mm or .45 acp...
b. single stack guns like Sig 239 are small, and light, and easy to carry...
c. S&W K frame revolvers...since you brought it up ....and guns like a model 19 or 66 ...in a 4" are good options in my opinion ( I carried a 4" S&W model 19 yesterday ...)...

picking the right holster is a big deal...comfort ...make sure its model specific....vs the gereric junk ( holsters that fit 8 different models ) ...and I like Horsehide holsters, with the forward FBI tilt ....eithe IWB or scabbard...just depends...( Kramer Leather is my favorite ) ...but lots of options out there.....

and have fun with the process !
 
Big Jim is full of wisdom. Renting is a great way to feel out what you like and don't like. I would recommend looking at the smaller XD's if you already own and like the model you have. M and P and Glock are also good options. Maybe sell your full size to fund your carry piece? I would suggest the highest quality you can afford, your life may one day depend on this decision.

9mm is cheaper to stock up on, and with quality hollowpoints, will treat the bad guys awfully, plus the recoil is less than .45 if there's a woman in your life who you want to shoot your handgun(all this 9mm talk is coming from a BIG .45 guy btw). Add a good stiff belt and quality holster, few extra magazines and you're good to go. Good luck!
 
Thanks Jessie,

I'm not an instructor...but I help as an extra person on the line - and a range safety office for some friends that run classes for new shooters.../ and we hear it all the time.....I bought this or that.....and now I hate it....

I even see it on some of my buddies that are getting back into handguns...even though we're all over 55 now ....a lot of them have not paid any attention to handguns...and the staggering number of models from just one mfg out there - gets really confusing...( and guys in gun shops, often don't know much - except here is what we have - and this is the price)...

example...one buddy thought Sig 226 was the sexiest thing he'd seen in a long time...problem was, he broke his thumb on his shooting hand a few yrs ago in a skiing accident...and never had it fixed properly...and guess what - he can't reach the mag release on a Sig 226 without shifting his grip...???
Its the wrong gun for him.../ and it wasn't apparent - until we were doing some rapid fire drills with reloads...and I was really able to study what his problem was on the reload drills...he didn't realize what he was doing...and he invested $ 1,000 in a nice gun ...that he can't shoot very well...( because he ignored me...and didn't go the range first...and try a bunch of guns ! )
 
I like the Taurus PT-145.

I don't think you have much hope, though, I am sure Illinois will come up with some permit system that will make it nearly impossible to obtain.
 
Thanks for the advice. As for the permit being unobtainable: HB148 only needed 3 votes to obtain a veto proof majority. The only reason it was withdrawn was to be able to reintroduce it at a later date without Governor Quinn vetoing it and killing it. If they don't come up with something reasonable it won't pass and time will run out. That means constitutional carry. I don't think SCOTUS will hear it due to the ramifications for the rest of the states. That would be fine by me. I dare the arrogant ******** to fight it.


Posted from Thehighroad.org App for Android
 
Watched some YouTube reviews. I think the PF9 is out of the running. I would be worried about inadvertently hitting the mag release at an inopportune moment. The Taurus looks good. I'll see if I can try some different ones at American Firearms in Peoria. They'd be the only ones local to me that might have that option. Thanks for the advice.


Posted from Thehighroad.org App for Android
 
I agree with Big Jim!

I own a few Model 15's (SW), and they are great, and the brother of the Model 10.

Good luck!
 
Chicago has examined CA law, and found a part that they like - the Single Shot Exemption. They plan on making it work for them, and will issue Single Shot CCWs....:D
 
Teachu2 said:
Chicago has examined CA law, and found a part that they like - the Single Shot Exemption. They plan on making it work for them, and will issue Single Shot CCWs....
Click to expand...

They can try but like I already said anything more restrictive than HB148 won't pass muster.


Posted from Thehighroad.org App for Android
 
My son carries a Kel-Tec PF-9 and he likes it for what it is. You will not want to spend an afternoon shooting it at the range but that's what what it was made to do. I do not like the P-11 for several reasons the biggest being the terrible trigger. It was their first small 9mm and they got it much better with the PF-9. They combined the best of the P-3AT and the P-11 and made the PF-9. The mag release is not a problem from what we all have seen. At least 6 different shooters have shot that PF-9 and no one came close to hitting the mag release.

Good luck finally being allowed to be part of the Constitution.

(I have a P-32 that I've had for deep concealment since before Kel-Tec came out with the P-3AT and it's still shooting fine too)
 
I'll shoot as many as I possibly can before coming to a decision but I have to admit I'll probably be biased toward the XDs. Before the XDs came out I was very heavily leaning toward the PF9 though.


Posted from Thehighroad.org App for Android
 
I carry a G26 daily, and it works for me. Hate to be discouraging, but I'd think that IL would be the last state to EVER approve concealed carry. They've been ignoring the 2nd Amendment and Supreme Court decisions for years.
 
im in the same boat as you living in Illinois. in hopes of the ccw passing
i went and put down on the XDS just in case it does pass
 
easyg said:
Stick with your XD45....


IMAGE#1
Click to expand...

I'll probably get a Crossbreed holster for it but due to it's size it won't be easy to conceal under light clothing. I'm a pretty big guy so I could probably conceal something larger than most people could. I'll wait and see what happens.


Posted from Thehighroad.org App for Android
 
I really like the look and feel of the XD line - ESPECIALLY the new one with a 3.3 inch barrel. It's a full bore 45, functions the same as your full size XD (so you'll already be comfortable with it), and from what the magazines say, it's a real nice little gun.

I'm not sure if you use 1911's, but it is my handgun of choice. After Santa leaves me some Christmas money, I'm going to buy a RIA (Rock Island Armory) compact 1911. Since the XD's and 1911's are very different designs, this might not be the best choice for you unless you were going to practice with it A LOT.

All of that being said, I have to agree with a fellow poster: it's OK to carry a full size handgun IF you have a holster that's up to the job. I'm 6 feet, 170 lbs, and I have no problem keeping my full size 1911 IWB.

I would try CCW your full size rig just to see if it's comfortable. If it is, you'll probably go ahead and buy another gun anyways, so either way you'll be happy!
 
I carried a p11 for a while. Some of the parts are not very rugged, but they are easy to get replacements for, and the gun is a simple design and easy to work with. I did not like the trigger. It is a long heavy pull, and reqThat
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

T
  • Locked
Pick 3 for CCW permit
2
Replies
44
Views
2K
kimbershot
K
P
  • Locked
Another First Handgun sorry
2
Replies
39
Views
2K
Big Bill
B
SigP229R
  • Locked
New pistol in CCW rotation
Replies
2
Views
402
kyletx1911
K
4
  • Locked
Top 5 CCW dependable/reliable bargain handguns under $300. Your thoughts?
2 3
Replies
50
Views
7K
highfive
H
Smokepole14
  • Locked
Help deciding my next handgun...
2
Replies
39
Views
2K
LUCKYDAWG13
LUCKYDAWG13
Back
Top