First CCW....revolver or semi- auto ?

[mrob1980]

I know it is a well discussed topic,but I will be getting my LTC in about a week...and I have been checking out handguns to carry . Seems like the more you look at the harder the choice. I want something that is comfortable to shoot [plan on joining gun club and practicing regulary ] but want a gun that has sufficient stopping power. The other factor is ammo being harder to get.

 

[warthog97]

I have both pistols and revolvers, but all of my carry guns are pistols. I certainly wouldn't disparage revolvers, but I like the pistols because they are flatter, have more fire power, and faster reloads. Are you more comfortable with one or the other? With ammo as scarce as it is, here is one idea, shop the ammo stores, see what they have and buy all the ammo you can find in one caliber (with in reason); then go buy a gun that shoots this ammo. Be careful though, or you might end up trying to conceal a S&W 500 Mag :cray:

Seems like every couple of years we have a massive ammo shortage. Tell me Obama isn't the Guns and Ammunition Salesman of the Decade! :triniti:

 

[Drzzit]

Not to be picky, but a revolver is a pistol, just not semi-automatic.

 

[GB-Boater]

Like most handgun shooters, one of each.

 

[cch35]

My personal choice would be a semi-automatic in 9mm. That said, I went with the awesome Glock 26, which I highly recommend!

 

[Kramer1113]

For a First, I'll say the Ruger SR9c. Excellent for carry, you'll have stopping power with some nice JHP. A MADE IN AMERICA Firearm and plenty of rounds on board.

 

[jameshd]

Try out as many as you can, and make your decision from that. You could take all the advice offered here (or any other place) and purchase something based on that advice, then discover that you don't like the way that particular piece operates. You will never know what you like until you try it.

 

[mrob1980]

Unfortunatly...I live in Massachusetts and Glocks are not Mass. compliant . Are the 9mm considered enough stopping power ? Just curious...hear so many opinions .

 

[Rocketgeezer]

I have both pistols and revolvers, but all of my carry guns are pistols. I certainly wouldn't disparage revolvers, but I like the pistols because they are flatter, have more fire power, and faster reloads. Are you more comfortable with one or the other? With ammo as scarce as it is, here is one idea, shop the ammo stores, see what they have and buy all the ammo you can find in one caliber (with in reason); then go buy a gun that shoots this ammo. Be careful though, or you might end up trying to conceal a S&W 500 Mag :cray:

Seems like every couple of years we have a massive ammo shortage. Tell me Obama isn't the Guns and Ammunition Salesman of the Decade! :triniti:

As long as your not looking for something very small, its tough to beat a Glock in any caliber, at present the main issue is ammo, it seems kind of stupid to say BUT being the ammo situation is what it is, look around ck online see what caliber you can buy at least 500 rds of then buy whatever gun you like in that caliber, and dont be to sure about the 500, I got a 4 inch, and I do carry it at times, but good ammo is between $3 and $4 bucks a shot, thats when you find it

 

[Rabbitcreekok]

When I was a Dallas PD officer back in the 1970's, you could not pay me to carry a semi-auto handgun. I carried a S&W Model 27 in .357 mangum with a 5 inch barrel, nickle plated. It was a great gun but of course I carried it on a duty belt and did not have to conceal.

The reason I would not carry a semi is they were not reliable at that time. We had two officers killed because their Colt 1911's did not go bang when they should and they died. Any time we went to the range to qualify, the semi's always had some sort of stoppage in 100 rounds. My Smith never stopped at any time.

However, I had to carry two speed loaders on my duty belt so I could have 18 rounds. I also carried about 100 rounds in my briefcase because I believe you cannot have too much ammunition.

Fast forward to the present time. I still have my S&W Model 60 that I carried off duty, with 5 rounds, but I would not consider carrying it as my CCW. The present day semi-autos are almost reliable as my revolvers, if they are maintained properly. And we all maintain our firearms properly, correct.

Now with my Sig Sauer P229, I can carry 16 rounds in the gun and if I wish to match my old two speed loaders and carry two magazines, that gives me 46 rounds. Makes me feel a lot better. One mag gives me 31 rounds, almost double what I used to carry.

As far as caliber, caliber does not matter if you don't hit what you need to hit and where you need to hit it. A miss with a .45 does nothing but hurt your ears without stopping the bad guy. If you can shoot more with cheaper 9mm and always hit where you intend, is not that a better situation?

 

[memphis_raines]

My wife carries a compact Baby Desert Eagle 9mm. It's a steel frame, so it's a little on the heavy side for CC, but this does help with recoil and accuracy. Plenty of stopping power, ammo is fairly cheap, and it has a 13 round capacity.

 

[Courtney.cj.chen]

As stated previously.... you can't beat the reliability of a revolver vs. most semi autos. Extreme example- but if i were to be in a dual... i'd use a revolver- vs. reloading is harder and bulkier compared to semi autos- and they are "ugly" IMO (but i'm a girl... and most of us tend to think semi autos are "prettier" than revolvers)

 

[gunnerbob]

You need to go to the range and get with firearms owning friends to handle and shoot as many handguns as you can. You need to shoot everything from a .32acp to a .357mag & .45acp, shoot a few boxes through each. Practice drawing from various holsters in various positions to find what feels and works best for you. Research reviews on the internet, watch videos of not only guns that worked but ones that fail, go in-depth to find out of any manufacturing flaws in designs and possibly which model years to avoid. Your caliber choice should only be a concern as far as control-ability is concerned, don't be over concerned about having a hand-cannon! If you can't consistently get good hits under simulated high-stress critical incidents, whatever caliber you're shooting may be too much for you...

Happy hunting!

 

[tartanphantom]

I carry both. My primary weapon is a semi, my backup gun is a mouse-revolver.

 

[GHF]

The Two Rules of Choice

Handguns have two requirements for concealed carry:

1. 9mm or bigger
2. FITS YOUR HAND

Try as many as you can, pick the one that works best.

The only advantage of a caliber is the 9mm, due to the lower cost of FMJ practice ammo (in normal times). If you can afford it, get the same gun in 9mm and something else (.40, for example) to practice cheap.

 

[JimTh]

Not to be picky, but a revolver is a pistol, just not semi-automatic.

Not to be any pickyer (is that a word) but a revolver is a semi automatic if it is a double action...it just doesn't have a magazine. Think about it for a moment!

As to the OP...I am wondering why you want to CCW at all if you have not become familiar with any handguns. Do you have ANY experience with a handgun? Maybe I missed something here but I think you stated you will be getting your LTC in about a week and then joining a gun club and practicing up a storm. We used to call that putting the cart before the horse. A bit of friendly advice I hope...pretend that you don't have an LTC when it gets to you in the mail. Buy 4 different styles of handguns...caliber and type of action. Work with all of them...pick which works best and either keep or sell the others. Get yourself some range time before you start to carry a firearm. Get to know your firearm like the back of your hand...learn what kind of Bad habits you have with the firearm. Just remember...guns are not the problem...what we do with them when they are in our hands is the problem.

 

[jcreek]

I carry one of each, primary is always a semi-auto, BUG is always a revolver. With so many reliable semis on the market there is really no reason you shouldn't carry one as a primary unless you just personally hate them. Higher mag capacities, more power with less recoil, and faster follow up shots and reloads. However, I still carry a S&W j frame .357 as a back up because even as reliable as glocks are, revolvers are inherently more reliable than a semi, so I want a revolver as a last resort.

 

[Rob_ny]

I would recommend as a first handgun an exposed hammer, with an external safety.
This is just my personal recommendation for a first time hand gun owner.

 

[Lowjiber]

I carried a .38spl for over twenty five years. When I switched to the 26, I slapped my forehead for not doing it much earlier.

 

[gunnerbob]

Handguns have two requirements for concealed carry:

1. 9mm or bigger
2. FITS YOUR HAND

Try as many as you can, pick the one that works best.

The only advantage of a caliber is the 9mm, due to the lower cost of FMJ practice ammo (in normal times). If you can afford it, get the same gun in 9mm and something else (.40, for example) to practice cheap.

These statements should have a disclaimer with it...