What size gun?

tham · 12-16-2007, 09:32 AM

I am going to apply for concealed carry. My Taurus PT 99 seems too bulky and heavy for this. I'm thinking of going with .40 or .45 cal. anyway. Something reliable lite and accurate easy to use and maintain. I know there are alot of options. Tell me what you think is the best choice.

lefty o · 12-16-2007, 09:55 AM

you have to find what works best for you. all were going to do here is start an argument.

Windwalker · 12-16-2007, 10:12 AM

Personally I prefer a Para-Ordinance carry 12 in .45 cal. You can view their full line at para-ord.com There are many good.40 and .45 pistols out there so go to gun shops and shooting ranges and handle as many different kinds as you can until you find one that really feels comfortable in your hand. Then try to find this model at a shooting range where you can rent it and fire it to see how well you like it. If it feels great shooting it then this the model you want. Remember accuracy will improve with practice, practice,practice. Let us know what you get.

tham · 12-16-2007, 10:42 AM

Sounds like good advice. I didnt even think a about shooting range renting guns. Thanks.

nathangdad · 12-16-2007, 11:16 AM

Choose the .45 that fits your hand the best and has the best balance/overall feel as a carry gun.

Given the amount of dope and, yes, prescription medication out there you face the likelihood that if you have to use your gun it will be against a
drugged individual for whom put down power is the only safe option.

Rem 742 30-06 · 12-16-2007, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathangdad

Choose the .45 that fits your hand the best and has the best balance/overall feel as a carry gun.

Given the amount of dope and, yes, prescription medication out there you face the likelihood that if you have to use your gun it will be against a
drugged individual for whom put down power is the only safe option.

Well going by your logic anyone who is no packing a 500 S&W Magnum is under gunned. And that is to say that everyone that commits crime is on drugs which simply isn't true.
ANd not everybody is cut out for 45 simple and plain fact.

ArkansasHunter · 12-16-2007, 11:50 AM

tham I looked in my Taurus catolog to see which pistol was the PT99 and I'm not sure still which one it is. I'll assume that it's a large frame semi-auto.
If this gun is accurate and your profisiant shooting it, then use it for when your class goes to the range for your shooting skills evaluation.
And later when you can buy the more concealable pistol of what ever type and brand you've settled on that will be the gun to carry.
I don't wish to start an arguement either but depending on your build and stature I've found it hard to hide/conceal a Pistol with the exception of pistols the size of KelTec's.
And I sure would'nt want to try to quailfy at my concealed carry class with a pistol as small as a KelTec.
Do your home work and asking here is a start and you'll end up buying the best pistol thats best for you...A.H

rfc357 · 12-16-2007, 01:35 PM

As a pistol and personal protection instructor, I have found the "right" gun to be an elusive concept. You need to carry something that is reliable and safe. The level of practice you are willing to put in is a big determining factor. In a stress situation, you fall back on training. Rational thought often takes a back seat. Only you can decide what you are comfortable with.

I usually steer people to double action revolvers or autos like the Glock, because they are easy to operate and as safe as firearms can be. They go off when the trigger is pulled, and generally at no other time. The downside to both is there is no positive safety, so they will go off whenever the trigger is pulled.

Most people will not practice enough to be safe with a condition 1 1911.

As for caliber, the biggest you can handle is best, with .45 ACP being the practical upper limit in an auto and .357 in a revolver. There are people who tote bigger calibers, but this is unusual.

Factory ammunition only for carry. (Your lawyer will explain why.) I favor Federal Hydra-shock ammo. There are other opinions. If someone offers a strong opinion for something exotic, ask how many people he has shot.

There are exceptions to all of this, of course. I do not debate the subject. Feel free to carry whatever you like. I consider myself fairly proficient after 40+ years of shooting. I carry a Glock 19.

Mooseman684 · 12-16-2007, 01:49 PM

I concur with RFC357's advice...Another factor is gun weight vs. length of time carrying. I started carrying a 1911 Colt .45, easy enough to conceal but gets uncomfortable to carry even with a great holster / hip setup after 4 or 5 hours. I now carry a .380 Makarov
due to the lighter weight and Double action and a spare mag in my left hip pocket...8-10 hours and you still don't know it is there...
Rich

12-16-2007, 09:32 AM	#1
tham Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2	What size gun? I am going to apply for concealed carry. My Taurus PT 99 seems too bulky and heavy for this. I'm thinking of going with .40 or .45 cal. anyway. Something reliable lite and accurate easy to use and maintain. I know there are alot of options. Tell me what you think is the best choice.

12-16-2007, 11:16 AM	#5
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,936	.45 Choose the .45 that fits your hand the best and has the best balance/overall feel as a carry gun. Given the amount of dope and, yes, prescription medication out there you face the likelihood that if you have to use your gun it will be against a drugged individual for whom put down power is the only safe option.

12-16-2007, 01:49 PM	#9
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 10,601 Images: 2	I concur with RFC357's advice...Another factor is gun weight vs. length of time carrying. I started carrying a 1911 Colt .45, easy enough to conceal but gets uncomfortable to carry even with a great holster / hip setup after 4 or 5 hours. I now carry a .380 Makarov due to the lighter weight and Double action and a spare mag in my left hip pocket...8-10 hours and you still don't know it is there... Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

12-16-2007, 09:55 AM	#2
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 5,116	you have to find what works best for you. all were going to do here is start an argument.

12-16-2007, 10:12 AM	#3
Windwalker Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 4,017	Personally I prefer a Para-Ordinance carry 12 in .45 cal. You can view their full line at para-ord.com There are many good.40 and .45 pistols out there so go to gun shops and shooting ranges and handle as many different kinds as you can until you find one that really feels comfortable in your hand. Then try to find this model at a shooting range where you can rent it and fire it to see how well you like it. If it feels great shooting it then this the model you want. Remember accuracy will improve with practice, practice,practice. Let us know what you get.

12-16-2007, 10:42 AM	#4
tham Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2	Sounds like good advice. I didnt even think a about shooting range renting guns. Thanks.

12-16-2007, 11:50 AM	#7
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 11,000	tham I looked in my Taurus catolog to see which pistol was the PT99 and I'm not sure still which one it is. I'll assume that it's a large frame semi-auto. If this gun is accurate and your profisiant shooting it, then use it for when your class goes to the range for your shooting skills evaluation. And later when you can buy the more concealable pistol of what ever type and brand you've settled on that will be the gun to carry. I don't wish to start an arguement either but depending on your build and stature I've found it hard to hide/conceal a Pistol with the exception of pistols the size of KelTec's. And I sure would'nt want to try to quailfy at my concealed carry class with a pistol as small as a KelTec. Do your home work and asking here is a start and you'll end up buying the best pistol thats best for you...A.H

12-16-2007, 01:35 PM	#8
rfc357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 741	As a pistol and personal protection instructor, I have found the "right" gun to be an elusive concept. You need to carry something that is reliable and safe. The level of practice you are willing to put in is a big determining factor. In a stress situation, you fall back on training. Rational thought often takes a back seat. Only you can decide what you are comfortable with. I usually steer people to double action revolvers or autos like the Glock, because they are easy to operate and as safe as firearms can be. They go off when the trigger is pulled, and generally at no other time. The downside to both is there is no positive safety, so they will go off whenever the trigger is pulled. Most people will not practice enough to be safe with a condition 1 1911. As for caliber, the biggest you can handle is best, with .45 ACP being the practical upper limit in an auto and .357 in a revolver. There are people who tote bigger calibers, but this is unusual. Factory ammunition only for carry. (Your lawyer will explain why.) I favor Federal Hydra-shock ammo. There are other opinions. If someone offers a strong opinion for something exotic, ask how many people he has shot. There are exceptions to all of this, of course. I do not debate the subject. Feel free to carry whatever you like. I consider myself fairly proficient after 40+ years of shooting. I carry a Glock 19.