Ideas for Conceal Carry Handgun and Range Gun

[RatDrall]

Buy whichever Glock fits your hands. I would go with 9mm, but if you want to waste your money get the .40 or .357 of your choice.

The subcompact Glocks are much less comfortable to carry, and harder to conceal, for some. The longer barrel of the full sized guns allow a skilled holster designer to use the leverage to press the butt of the gun closer to your side. Also, the smaller grip pokes me in the side, instead of riding flat against my hip. The little guns sitck out more, for me, when carried inside the waistband, than the full sized guns do causing them to print more.

I dress around my guns and have found even "service sized" weapons to be easy and comfortable to carry and conceal.

Edited to add:

One reason to buy the .40 is that there are almost new condition police tradeins all over the web for $350, with night sights and 3 magazines....

 

[sideways]

you should read glockers this is one of several

ALEXANDRIA - During an Alexandria Police Department training session earlier this spring, one of the department's old Glock pistols exploded, without warning, in an officer's hand.




The officer wasn't seriously injured, but had to take a little time off and ended up with a couple of stitches, said Lt. George Schreiner, operations commander for Alexandria police.

The department had known it was about time to replace old weapons, but that incident moved "everything onto the front burner," Schreiner said.

In May, the department applied for a grant from the state Law Enforcement Protection Program (LEPP), which is administered by the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security (KOHS). Last Friday, Gov. Steve Beshear announced that Alexandria police would be receiving $8,560, which Schreiner said will be used to purchase new duty weapons for the department.

Many of the department's Glocks were purchased as far back as 1995 and 1996, Schreiner said. With the LEPP grant, the department plans to purchase 15 Sig Sauer P250 compact pistols for officers to use while on duty. You don't hear about 1911's coming apart.

 

[RatDrall]

You don't hear about 1911's coming apart.

Because the only departments that issue them have high budgets (SWAT, SRT, etc.) and can afford to screw around maintaining and tuning them.

If there were as many 1911s on duty as there are Glocks, they would probably blow up all of the time. In fact, this story is the first I've heard about a Glock blowing up, while I've heard several instances of 1911 slides breaking in half, frames cracking, and other mishaps due to the 100 year old design.

 

[Carter]

RatDrall,

How is the .40 wasting money? I buy .40 all the time for a carbine I own and it is rather cheap, priced only a dollar or two above 9mm. Hollow points aren't expensive for it either. And despite which caliber a person gets, any defensive ammo designed for maximum damage will cost a pretty penny.

 

[RatDrall]

How is the .40 wasting money? I buy .40 all the time for a carbine I own and it is rather cheap, priced only a dollar or two above 9mm. Hollow points aren't expensive for it either. And despite which caliber a person gets, any defensive ammo designed for maximum damage will cost a pretty penny.

Are you talking about brass cased ammunition, or is it steel or aluminum junk? Either they have 9mm marked too high, or .40 marked way low, if they are only a dollar or two different per box. Most of the country has .40 significantly more expensive than 9mm, your situation is unique and I'd guess temporary.

Defensive ammo seems to be cheaper in .40, actually, from overstocking of law enforcement ammunition.

Like I said, get any Glock, in any caliber, in whichever size fits your hand the best. They all work well for what they were intended to do.

 

[Mags]

Go with the Glock 32 in 357 sig and get the 9mm conversion barrel. 9 is cheaper than 40 and if you want a 40 later you can buy a G23 barrel.

 

[Carter]

I buy my range ammo at walmart. The 9mm is 12ish and the .40 is 13ish. The .40 hollowpoints are about 15ish. Its all brass cased remmington or federal boxes of 50. Sometimes its a 100 round box for 30ish.

I live in NC, don't know if that makes a difference. Walmart's prices have been steady for a long time and they usually don't have 9mm in stock. I can actually get my brass cased ammo for cheaper than wolf online =)

I did do some reading and a +p+ in 9mm does seem to be effective but I've shot .40's and .45's (mostly .40) and love them. I can control a .40 pretty well. Never shot a 9mm. But I guess I like the .40 cause even the regular fmj will lay down some hurt if thats all is available.

 

[Carter]

Quick question. If I did get the glock 32 and a 9mm conversion would I have to get 9mm magazines for it? The .357 sig is a .40 case that is necked down so no difference, but what about the 9mm conversion?

 

[FTSESQ]

The Glock 19 and stop fooling around with every ones head.

That would be be my vote. I don't even like Glocks but I own a G19 because it shoots so well. But, you "don't do 9mm", so I would go with the G23, but I think that you are missing out on a lot passing up the G19.

 

[Haifisch]

Quick question. If I did get the glock 32 and a 9mm conversion would I have to get 9mm magazines for it? The .357 sig is a .40 case that is necked down so no difference, but what about the 9mm conversion?

??

Your earlier quotes :

"I dont do 9mm"
"I dont like 9mm"

 

[Curare]

My picks are Glock 19 or P7M8. I don't see a clear advantage of .40 or .357SIG over +P+ 9mm JHP.

 

[benzy2]

People, I don't want to get in to a caliber debate here. I don't like 9mm. Why is that a problem? Every time someone doesn't go with the norm on this website people get testy.

I understand if you don't want 9mm, but you asked what we suggest and if the masses like 9mm you are going to get suggestions for it. It just comes with the territory.

I would go with the 26 but I like 9mm so it doesn't apply well for you. If I couldn't go 9mm I would go with the 27 and skip the .357 sig barrel. .357 sig just doesn't do anything for me that .40 doesn't already. Between the cost of conversion and the cost of ammo I really think more practice with the .40 is a better use of money, but again just me. If you want full capacity mags you can buy spacers and if you want short and compact for carry you can have that as well. I don't know what you are comfortable carrying. If you can get away with a full size pistol pick which ever floats your boat in the caliber you like. Otherwise I would go for a 26 or 27 depending on the round you specify.

 

[Carter]

Haifisch,

I'm still curious. I like ultimate modularity. Plus, if being able to work all three is possible with a limited amount of parts, whats not to love about that. SO...answer?

Edit: Even though I don't like 9mm as of right now, I wouldn't mind trying it out over time and seeing how it performs, but I don't want it as my main cartridge.

 

[Haifisch]

Check out Federal HST 9mm ammo, it's nasty stuff.

 

[cookekdjr]

G19. Cheap 9mm practice ammo. Lots of great +p+ carry ammo like federal's bple.
If you don't like that, get the g23. Easy to conceal. Almost any .40 ammo is a great manstopper, even the target stuff.

 

[Nushif]

People, I don't want to get in to a caliber debate here. I don't like 9mm. Why is that a problem?

I really don't think it's your dislike for the 9mm that sets people off. I really do think it's the machismo style you type (and I do mean that) "I don't do 9mm" like it's some fat hooker. the next thing most people see coming from you at this point is something like "If it drops out the barrel of a real man's gun, I won't shoot it."

That being said, the Glock 26 is probably the best choice here (as well as my personal favorite) simply because the ammo is still effective (in terms of handgun calibers) and more importantly you can afford the ammo to become a good shot with it.

 

[Carter]

How is me saying I dont do 9mm macho? I'm being direct and to the point. The only macho statement I made was .45 is king, and that was sarcasim. My statements were merely my opinion that were phrased as reasonable objections heard by other shooters. My preference for a larger bullet is not macho, nor did I ever insult the round with "man sized" barrel nor call the 9mm a girly man round. Also, it was brought up that I'd try 9mm later, but I want a round I am comfortable with for now.

How is that macho? Its not. Thank you everyone for your input.