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First handgun purchase for Conceal Carry course

handamputation
I am looking to buy my first handgun. I would like something that would be good to take my Conceal Carry class with, as well as something fun to shoot at the range. I am looking to spend less than $500.

I come here to ask the experts.. What are some good options for me?

I'm a mid-sized fella with a fair amount of shotgun/rifle experience.

Any constructive criticism or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
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Comments

15 comments

Date Votes
  • M1A762
    Check out some revolvers at your local gun shops. Hard to go wrong with a revolver, easy to use and maintain, no need to remember if you have a round in the chamber or if the safety is on or off.

    For concealed carry, a three inch barrel or shorter is ideal. A S&W K or J frame in .38 special might be a good place to start.

    No need for a lock on a revolver either, JMO.[:)]
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  • tsr1965
    I agree with the revolver, somewhat, but I would get one with adjustable sights, to make the range time more fun.

    That said, it is hard to beat a Glock Model 19, in 9mm. They seem to be easy to shoot, for most folks, and are adequate for concealed carry too. Accurate enough for me to call my shot on a coyote at 35 yards, between the looker's. They have a host of upgrades, like extended slide release, and 3.5 pound trigger connectors. Stock pull weight is 5 pounds, unless you are in NY, then it is 8.

    Best

    EDIT 1

    That RUGER LCR, has a down right great trigger pull. I know this will make some folks quake in their boots, but after I had the chance to shoot one, and become familiar, I liked it so much, I got one of the 357's, so I could shoot either, 38's or 357's.

    quote:Your first gun for carry and shooting at the range should not be a revolver!! I can't believe so much bad advice out here! I'm a range officer and there are so many new shooters coming into the range with a new revolver that the salesman at the gunstore said was "perfect" for carry and shooting. Then they shoot it and with its 10-15 pound trigger they proceed to miss the whole target and become discouraged very quickly never to be seen again.

    Sounds like the salesman done a bad deed to the new shooter. Also, sounds like the range could usea more knowledgable range officer. Revolvers are the cornerstone of simplicity, and reliability for a new shooter.

    Best

    EDIT 2

    quote:Sig 228 is a nice gun. Its only 9mm and there are/were lots of them around for less then $500 [last time I looked] at least used ones/police turn ins etc..
    Riomouse, if you have a new pistol shooter [handamputation "might" fit that description] and you put a revolver in 38special and a glock 19 in 9mm on the bench in front of them the "new shooter" will do better with the glock every time. I stand my my statement. Revolvers are not for beginners.

    That is why you need someone who is competant enough to provide enough instruction to make them sufficiently adequate with both the revolver and the semi-auto. Not someone who is biased one way or the other. Semi-automatics are the last type of firearm, a beginner needs to touch.

    Best
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  • Riomouse911
    If you live near a range, I'll suggest that you go out and rent a small frame revolver, small frame 9mm and small frame .380. Try them, shoot them, see what you like. Go to your local relaible gun store, and hold a bunch as well. It might cost a few bucks and some time up front, but buying one based on a few recommendations then finding out you don't like it at all when you go shoot it is an expensive mistake you may regret...(And one many of us have made ourselves).

    There are lots of good quality brands with models out there that are very good for what you want, and in your price range as well.
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  • victorj19
    You might also want to think about where your holster will be and the weather. A 38/357 revolver is wider than most semi autos. That means it would be less comfortable if you carry it inside the waistband (less noticeable) than on the outside. It's a matter of preference.

    If you plan on carrying it a lot in the summer, a bigger gun is harder to conceal when wearing shorts and a T shirt. You may find that might want a 2nd, small gun for the summer months.
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  • handamputation
    Thank you all for the replies so far. Before starting this post I was leaning towards a 380. I really don't want a revolver, just for personal preference reasons. I was thinking either a Sig or a Glock. Keep the recommendations coming. Thanks again!
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  • beantownshootah
    .380 is easy to carry in the pocket, but that's about the only thing these have going for them. These guns are typically not that easy to shoot accurately, not that powerful, and many suffer from poor reliability. IMO these are not "fun to shoot at the range".

    If you can "get over" the fact that you're basically firing a "clock" with 19th century technology, a snubnose revolver offers a great compromise between size, weight, power, capacity and reliability. You can carry an "airweight" (ie aluminum alloy frame) snubnose revolver in your pocket. I'd say avoid the ones in .357, the marginal ballistic benefit from a 2" barrel gun isn't worth the extra noise, flash, ammo cost, gun cost, and especially recoil. IMO these also aren't that "fun to shoot at the range", but they're really excellent for their intended purpose. . .concealed carry defense. Its tough to find a model with adjustable sights, by the way.

    Glock 19 is pretty much the standard in concealed carried autos nowadays, and its hard to go wrong with one. Personally I like the Walther 99, which is similar in overall size weight and capacity to the Glock, but has a double-action heavy first trigger pull to help reduce the chance of negligent discharge.

    Something like this is a lot more fun to shoot at the range, plus 9mm ammo is cheaper than both .38 special and .380, which lets you get in more practice for your ammo dollar.


    Edit: FWIW, I can own or carry anything I like, but my preferred carry gun is the above-mentioned alloy frame snubnose .38, for the listed reasons (best compromise of size, power, weight).

    One serious issue here is that nothing that's powerful enough for defense, reliable, small, and easily concealed is going to be much "fun" to shoot at the range. Small guns tend to offer lots of recoil and noise, and they're also difficult to shoot accurately due to short sight radius, abbreviated grip area, and other factors (including heavy trigger pull).

    In contrast, guns that at fun for the range, tend to be heavy (to soak up recoil) and larger (for increased sight radius). While its certainly *possible* to carry a medium framed revolver or full sized "service" type auto concealed, and some people do manage to do this, most "ordinary" folk find it hard to go about their day to day business with large heavy guns strapped to their persons.

    HOW you're going to carry the gun significantly affects what kind of gun you choose for concealed carry. Do you want to carry in your pocket? That eliminates anything bigger than a snubnose revolver, for example, and it likely even eliminates the all steel ones, which can be a bit heavy. You can't draw a gun from your pocket if you're sitting down. Are you? Are you in a cold weather place where you're going to be wearing a covering garment like a jacket? You do have to think about these things a bit in figuring out which gun "works" for you.
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  • jthoresen
    handamputation,

    I don't know what state you are from; but in Texas if you qualify with a revolver you can only carry a revolver. If you qualify with a semi-automatic handgun, you can carry either. I qualified with a Glock 19 and now carry a Ruger LCR (as a revolver option).

    I'm not sure if other states following this example (I would doubt it).
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  • gary wray
    handamputation...welcome to the ATE GB Forum and thanks for your question. I echo the rec on .38 revolver....fun to shoot, lots of available ammo at prices one can afford, plenty of choices. One issue that might come up is the issue of weight and also how you are going to carry (holster, waist, shoulder, etc). In .38 I like the Titatium Taurus as you can shoot .38+p's; also like and carry the new Ruger LCR...so light you don't know that it is there. Also like the little Ruger .380...slabsided and doesn't make a pocketmark in your trousers. But whatever you carry make sure that you practice a lot with it (them) as practice makes perfect. But the lighter they are, the harder they are to control. Good luck on whatever you choose[:)]
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  • yoshmyster
    quote:Originally posted by jthoresen
    handamputation,

    I don't know what state you are from; but in Texas if you qualify with a revolver you can only carry a revolver. If you qualify with a semi-automatic handgun, you can carry either. I qualified with a Glock 19 and now carry a Ruger LCR (as a revolver option).

    I'm not sure if other states following this example (I would doubt it).


    That and if you go with .380 you can only carry .380 or less (something like that). To stay under the $500 I'd look for a used Glock 26/27?
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  • rsnyder55
    In the state and county I live in, I qualified with a revolver and semiauto. Depending on the weather, clothing, etc. I switch between the two. Right now it is a S&W Lightweight J frame and a PPK. I also have a 9mm on my CCW, but in most situations, I find it too large.

    Go to the range, rent a few to see which you are most comfortable and accurate with and go from there.
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  • Nordicwargod
    Your first gun for carry and shooting at the range should not be a revolver!! I can't believe so much bad advice out here! I'm a range officer and there are so many new shooters coming into the range with a new revolver that the salesman at the gunstore said was "perfect" for carry and shooting. Then they shoot it and with its 10-15 pound trigger they proceed to miss the whole target and become discouraged very quickly never to be seen again. I let them try one of my guns and tell them to trade the revolver in for a glock or sig [if they are Ok with the first pull being double action]. You can find a used Sig 228 under $500 also.
    I like the idea of a glock 19, I carry and shoot a 23 myself. And I have shot the new S&W Shield which I am very impressed with for a small and skinny AND accurate carry gun. Nice trigger too! Its hard to get one under $500 right now but they can be had close to that. Actually right now G19s and 23s are hard to get under $500 too.
    Stay away from revolvers if you are new to shooting! You can't use the single action pull in an emergency and you won't hit what you are aiming at with double action. Also take a class if you are new to pistols and are thinking of carrying!
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  • handamputation
    Thanks again for the replies. I will be googling a lot tonight!

    I am leaning towards a Sig or a Glock 19.

    Any recommendations as far as Sigs go? Actual model #s?
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  • Riomouse911
    Nordic, as a range officer/rangemaster/tactical team intructor/NRA instructor, etc... you point out exactly why we suggest to shoot guns before you buy by renting at a range, but I disagree on your main point.

    Revolvers are great guns to learn the BASICS of proper and safe firearm ownership, range safety, trigger control, breath control, etc. You can load them up/down (.38 wadcutter in a .357 revolver etc..) and they still operate normally, you can shoot one at a time, space rounds in the cylinder to teach not to flinch, on and on. What is NOT good is a new gun owner expecting to become Annie (or Andy) Oakley the first time one goes out to the range with a new gun, no matter WHAT type it is.

    Anyone who expects to shoot like Rob Leatham in competition or Jim Cirillo in combat after one or two range sessions is really fooling themselves, without competent handgun instruction none of us would be hitting the broad side of a barn either. Here is where a gun salesman or range person could steer the newby towards a basic pistol class to learn the ins and outs of their firearm before they sour on learning anything more, then they can take their newfound knowledge and apply it on the range.

    IMHO, this type of introduction makes for a much more satisfying initial experience, and hopefully creates a lifelong (and regular) shooter and supporter of the 2nd Amendment instead of a "one and done" gun buyer who goes to a range once then tosses their piece in the sock drawer for the next 25 years.

    Also, anyone who thinks that a neophyte under stress shooting a semi-auto is more "accurate" than the same neophyte with a revolver just ain't correct; NO shooter (without the above proper instruction and mindset) is going to be all that accurate with any handgun. You might have more bullets to toss around, but 8 to 15 misses is just as bad as 6 (or 7 or 8). Been to and investigated lots of shooting scenes, even regular 10-ring range rats can (and do) throw lead all over the place when this happens. But I'll say this, when faced with said lifesaving situation I'd rather have a confident and competent newby with a 5-shot snubby over mister uncertain with a 17 round Glock anyday.
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  • Nordicwargod
    Sig 228 is a nice gun. Its only 9mm and there are/were lots of them around for less then $500 [last time I looked] at least used ones/police turn ins etc..
    Riomouse, if you have a new pistol shooter [handamputation "might" fit that description] and you put a revolver in 38special and a glock 19 in 9mm on the bench in front of them the "new shooter" will do better with the glock every time. I stand my my statement. Revolvers are not for beginners. The won't do well with them. Never seen it and I have seen many new shooters with new guns.
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  • 62fuelie
    I, too am an FBI certified rangemaster instructor, former SWAT commander and 37 year LEO. That being said, I agree with the recommendation to go to a range that has rental pistols and try several on for fit and feel, if possible have a seasoned shooter there to give you some guidance. In the Sigs I like the P-239 for carry - I use a .357 Sig with a .40 S&W spare barrel, but you can get 9mm as well. I like the smaller Springfield XD models better than the Glocks, but that is Fords and Chevys. I started my daughters on .22 autos at age 8 and they are both scary good today in their late 30's. If you don't mind the cost the Kahrs are great little carry pistols.
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