I am looking to pick something new up.... What do you use? I am liking the S&W M&P compact so far in either 9MM or .40 in my search for an American made gun for cc. You really don't have a lot of choices if you want American made. I also liked the Kahr P9, very nice trigger pull on it. Just looking for some other ideas, stuff maybe my local shops don't have that I should look into.
I like a lot of different pieces. Take a look as some of the guns made over in Rock Island, IL, XD's made by Springfield Armory, I've heard good things about them, and they are reasonably priced. Not American-made, but I have a Taurus PT-92SS, that is also a nice piece, that can be bought for a decent price.
I would like to look at an XDM if they are made in the US. I think the guns serial number will have a US in it if it was a model of theirs made here. Anyone shot one of these?
Talk to Matt / PA, I believe he had an XD9 at one point. I have little experience w/ American made CC weapons. When I still had handguns, I had a matching pair of Glock 23's in .40 S&W. They were made in Austria. I believe they have some American made models now, but I'm not 100%. I'd look into that if I were in the market now.
My main carry piece is made in America... Bersa 380 CC. I'm about to pick up a new model in a couple days to give me options on carrying, a Ruger LCP. Lots of youtube video reviews of that one if you're interested. Whatever you're seriously looking at, I'd highly suggest getting a holster out of the package in the version you think you'll use and actually putting it on and walking around the store with it... you may find you'll want to go with a slimmer profile, single-stack model that's not as bulky.
I'm carrying a sub compact XD in 9mm right now. I'm going to start looking for either a .40 or .45 soon I believe.
Something Pat mentioned here Scott, go with something larger than a 9mm. Could be total BS but I understand LEO's went to larger because 9mm wouldn't stop men high on narcotics etc... they were under gunned. Not that you EVER will use it but might as well have the fire power. :d Not sure where she's made but I have a Glock M21 .45 ACP. I also have a S&W .357 revolver but she's too big to CC. What I always wanted was a .357 semi, I think it's Swiss made. Never did pick one up.
When I was young and packing one for my job I carried 6" N frame Smiths, model 29 (44mag) or 57 in 41mag. Pack a Springfield Armory Custom Combat 45 now, alot lighter and much easier to conceal.
Springfield XD 40 Sub-Compact in 40 S&W. Extended clip. It's easy to carry, shoots well, and is perfect for cc, IMHO. Another nice thing about it is that it has a tactical light rail. I believe it is the only sub-compact with that feature, but I could be wrong...
Make sure you get something small enough that you'll actually carry. First rule of a gun fight is to actually have a gun. I have a full size XD 9 which is too big to conceal, even the compacts are tough at times to conceal. My dad has a ruger LCP which was mentioned earlier. Awesome gun, it will probably be my next gun purchase. Just today i tried out his new paddle holster and its completely concealed with a t-shirt. Also check out North Amercian arms, they make some very nice .22 mag mini revolvers. And as far as .380's and 9mm's not being enough gun, i think thats bs. Just like archery, its all about shot placement.
Springfield XDM 45 Cal - I wish id have went with the 40 or 9. Simply due to the fact that a 45 caliber pistol with a 4.04 barrel is a handful to shoot , i bought it for the knockdown power but in all reality after you squeeze off 1 shot - well it gets hairy ! id rather have a smooth shooter for a good follow up than one accurate shot. i love it nonetheless. maybe shoot it like an automatic rifle, start at the belly button and let it work up to center mass ?:evil:
I'd rather have a 380 that I'll carry every time, than a 45 that sits at home becuase its cumbersome & tough to conceal. That said, some of the holsters they make out there do a really nice job carrying the gun in a comfortable position. But you still have to consider your attire. For a gun that you can pretty much take anywhere, a Keltec 3AT (380) is pretty nice. Can slip into a pocket holster or a nicely into an IWB with no issues. The Ruger LCP is a very similar gun to the Keltec.
Hey all... I was checking out the Ruger LCP and see they have a recall listed on their web site... Just a heads up to any of you that may have them... http://www.ruger.com/LCPRecall/index.html
Thanks for the heads-up Pat... I was aware of it, and most of the gun dealers I've spoken to say the models they're getting in are post-recall and no worries... fatsbucknut and rybo both share my sentiments, and it's a long-standing axiom in the world of CC: "A .380 on your person beats out a .40-anything in the truck..." If you find something .40 and up you can comfortably carry and make an integral part of your daily attire, all the more power to you -- pun sorta intended, LOL. But the old saying is grounded in a lot of truth... I know a lot of people who started out with 1911 models or similar and ended up hardly ever carrying because of the bulk and heft of their pistols.
I guess this was only for the early model LCP's, they were prone to fire if dropped on a hard surface.
Well as you are aware... I have the M&P .45 I love it... I have the version that was issued for military that has the thumb safety, which I really like. I would also recommend the the Springfield XD for a polymer frame. Is this for you or for the lady?
I don't know anything about pistols, but I really like the looks of the Walther PPS... don't think it's american though
