Picking a CCW Handgun

901-Memphis

901-Memphis

New member
Okay i have got a bit more research into my gun for home defense and i thought this deserved a new thread.

I have it narrowed down to the fact that i want a handgun to be my primary form of home defense and i am already in the process of obtaining my CCDW for Kentucky.

My next bit of research is going to be finding a good gun for my budget.

At this point i have pretty much decided on getting the S&W Sigma series SW40VE

Its got a lot of good things going for it for home defense, and the price ain't bad either. I have also heard that some people use this as a CCW because it is not overly large and has a heavy trigger pull which lets one carry a round in the chamber without an issue of it accidentally firing.

So i will likely shop at Budsgunshop.com since i can drive down locally to pick it up in an hour or so, and i just want to know if i can do better for the money. I am about 6'0 tall large frame and my hands are on the medium size i guess (About 7 1/2 inch long from wrist to tip of mid finger)

The Sigma S&W fits my hand pretty well, it just needs a slip on grip for that sure feel, but i would like a gun that conceals fairly well at least but fits my body and hand too.

Any suggestions knowing all that?

I looked at the Glock 22, but its a little xpensive.

The Ruger P95 fits my budget, but how does it compare to the Sigma? How about the offerings from Taurus? The Millennium Pro fits my budget as well, is that comparable to either the Sigma or Ruger? How about the EAA 9mm? They say its a CZ 05 or 3rd gen CZ 99, but not sure.

Links to all i mentioned.

Ruger P95 9mm Round Magazine
Ruger P95 9mm Blue, w Rail 15 round for Sale at Buds Gun Shop $300.00

SW40VE
Smith & Wesson SW40VE .40SW Black/Stainless, 10 rd Calif LEGAL for Sale at Buds Gun Shop $339.00

PT140
Taurus PT140 Millennium Pro 40SW Stainless for Sale at Buds Gun Shop $349.90

EAA 9mm
European American Armory 15 + 1 Round 9MM w/Ambidextrous Saf for Sale at Buds Gun Shop $344.00


Was trying to get something in the .40 S&W range, but i can change my mind.


Thanks in advance, and hope that post wasn't too terribly long.
 
901-Memphis said:
Okay i have got a bit more research into my gun for home defense and i thought this deserved a new thread.

I have it narrowed down to the fact that i want a handgun to be my primary form of home defense and i am already in the process of obtaining my CCDW for Kentucky.

My next bit of research is going to be finding a good gun for my budget.

At this point i have pretty much decided on getting the S&W Sigma series SW40VE

Its got a lot of good things going for it for home defense, and the price ain't bad either. I have also heard that some people use this as a CCW because it is not overly large and has a heavy trigger pull which lets one carry a round in the chamber without an issue of it accidentally firing.

So i will likely shop at Budsgunshop.com since i can drive down locally to pick it up in an hour or so, and i just want to know if i can do better for the money. I am about 6'0 tall large frame and my hands are on the medium size i guess (About 7 1/2 inch long from wrist to tip of mid finger)

The Sigma S&W fits my hand pretty well, it just needs a slip on grip for that sure feel, but i would like a gun that conceals fairly well at least but fits my body and hand too.

Any suggestions knowing all that?

I looked at the Glock 22, but its a little xpensive.

The Ruger P95 fits my budget, but how does it compare to the Sigma? How about the offerings from Taurus? The Millennium Pro fits my budget as well, is that comparable to either the Sigma or Ruger? How about the EAA 9mm? They say its a CZ 05 or 3rd gen CZ 99, but not sure.

Links to all i mentioned.

Ruger P95 9mm Round Magazine
Ruger P95 9mm Blue, w Rail 15 round for Sale at Buds Gun Shop $300.00

SW40VE
Smith & Wesson SW40VE .40SW Black/Stainless, 10 rd Calif LEGAL for Sale at Buds Gun Shop $339.00

PT140
Taurus PT140 Millennium Pro 40SW Stainless for Sale at Buds Gun Shop $349.90

EAA 9mm
European American Armory 15 + 1 Round 9MM w/Ambidextrous Saf for Sale at Buds Gun Shop $344.00


Was trying to get something in the .40 S&W range, but i can change my mind.


Thanks in advance, and hope that post wasn't too terribly long.
Click to expand...

Have had Smith Sigma in both 9mm and 40. They are good guns. Sold the .40, just not my caliber. Traded the 9mm on my current RIA .45. As far the the guns, liked them both, had no problems either one. Hope this helps
 
You are covering too many options. Go with what you like and what feels good using your own judgement (hopefully you can get a chance to shoot a few first. not easy to do).
You will get very good advice here but of course some will be subject to other's parameters. All I can say if you think you need a gun and or want one get the one that best fits your situation, parameters and hand. That said I think the last bit of advice is if you find "THE" gun try not to let the $$$ influence you too much and go for it.
 
i love my glock i have the 27 for concealed carry and it's the most accurate gun i own. as far was as caliber i think for is the best defnsive ammo. it accurate and power at the same time its the best of both worlds. good luck on choice i do recommend a glock though.

p.s. if you are law enforcement or military or anything like that you can get LE discount at a lot of places
 
My youngest son has the Sigma you mention and it's a very good weapon. I've shot it myself and would carry it if that was my choice.

Ultimately, I'd have to go with Capgun's advice. Anyone can give you advice or suggestions, but ultimately, it's your choice and money. There's so many makes and models of pistols out there that it can muddy the waters making a choice and sometimes a buyer goes strictly by $$ and that is a mistake.

I've been asked to recommend pistols myself both as a dealer and a public safety professional. True, most of us have to go by a budget and that's just a reality of life for us working stiffs. Still, paying a few $$ more for what really fits is much better than settlling for just what works within a cost parameter. Sometimes, finding a used gun works much better. I stumbled across a Beretta 9000S used for a great price and it fits me perfectly, shoots very well, and is well suited to both carry and home defense. It immediately became one of my two carry guns.

Just have patience and look around. We get caught up in the hunt and sometimes overlook the jewel in what we are looking for.
 
I posted in more detail on your other thread but, to make a long story short, make sure you try a Sigma before buying. They have one of the worst triggers in the industry. Many have trigger pulls in the 10-12 pound range. I had one for less than a month before I traded it in on a Springfield XD. It's true what they say, "if you buy quality, it only hurts once".

I did lessen the trigger pull considerably by modifying the springs, but then I started worrying about how lawyers could tear me up for using a pistol that I modified to make "easier to kill someone with".
 
WJN Your last line Just have patience and look around. We get caught up in the hunt and sometimes overlook the jewel in what we are looking for. was something that I was thinking about.
It is fun to do the research and compare weapons. Just like you said though, don't get carried away having that fun letting it get in the way of making the right decision.
 
You can pick your friends. You can pick your guns. But you can't pick your friends guns.

Guns are a lot like hiking boots. There are plenty of good ones on the market, but that which fits me well might not fit you very well, and vice versa.

As such, always "try it on to see if it fits".
 
I went ahead and snagged the S&W SW40VE @ $299 while i caught it on sale

Waiting for it to be ready at Buds and will drive down to pick it up. I held it a lot before deciding on it, but unfortunately they did not have one available at the only place even remotely close that rents handguns to shoot, so i will have to practice with it a lot.
 
I have a Sigma F in 40 S&W; it shoots very well. Past complaints have centered around maintenance (cost and frequency) when they are used as an everyday carry gun (i.e. police deparments); I've not heard of any major ones beyond that. I'm also sure S&W has improved since the F version.

Witness is not related to CZ, it's made in Italy, primarily based upon the Browing (Hi-Power) design. They are well made reliable weapons, not a "top brand", but a good value.

Caliber choice should be largely dependent on expected use - can you handle the recoil? Is your 90 lb significant other going to be shooting it as well? Are you going to use it to hunt - rabbits or elephants? Do the grips feel right? I was able to convice friends to take me shooting, letting me try weapons before I made a choice to buy.

BTW, almost anything you bought within the last three years has gained in value (out performed) the stock market by a large margin!
 
As the topic was "Picking a CCW Handgun" I think a critical point has been left out. If you really mean to carry (EDC) the gun you need to think seriously about size and weight (the gun, not you!) There are many guns out there that are really marvelous to own and shoot, but a bear to carry. Remember you need something you can hide without too much clothing. It doesn't stay winter forever. It shouldn't be the sole factor but it does need to be considered in the selection process.
 
Hey guys this is my first post on this forum but I just bought a SIG P220 Carry edition and I really like it. Just seeing if any of u have experience or any opinions about these guns? I don't have my CCW yet but plan to get it very soon and plan on using my SIG for carry. Any opinions? Thx!
 
Looks great! I have read more bad reviews than good regarding the "Sigma". Keep us posted on how your first trip to the range goes.
 
MWfinest said:
Hey guys this is my first post on this forum but I just bought a SIG P220 Carry edition and I really like it. Just seeing if any of u have experience or any opinions about these guns? I don't have my CCW yet but plan to get it very soon and plan on using my SIG for carry. Any opinions? Thx!
Click to expand...

That is exactly what I have for CCW. Love the way it shoots. Mine's a DA/SA.

I carry in a Crossbreed Supertuck using the v-clips with a Crossbreed velcro-lined Gun Belt. A good belt makes a TON of difference.

welcome to the forum!
 
RRGlock23 said:
I heard Sigma has always jammed and malfunction problem. Is that true?
Click to expand...

Not all.. Some of the early 9mm had issues. .40 versions were a bit better..

Good Luck with it..

Remember to put some ammo through it before you carry it for SD.

2-300 rounds target ammo to make sure there are no general issues like accuracy problems feed jams etc.

Then run 100 or so rounds of the carry ammo to make sure it likes to feed and eject that type too.

Peace..
 
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