concealed carry gun

[tippmann7]

me and a freind r planning on getting our concealed carry license's and i dont know to much about pistols, so what would be a good gun to have....i plan on using it for some fun at the range to..i saw a .38 snub that looked like it would do the job, what do you guys think?

[ArkansasHunter]

You may want to reconsider the choice of handgun because some states like mine will only let you carry a revolver if you qualify with a revolver at your class.
If you use a semi-auto you can carry either one.
Dumb ain't it !

[TXplt]

Think about what you want the gun to do, and your situation. Look at Smith and Wesson's website, Ruger's SP and GP series and website, and Taurus as well for the revolvers. Narrow it down a bit, go to a range, and shoot potential candidates. See what you like and can shoot well. I'm assuming you're a beginner from your post, so I believe a .38 or .357 wheelgun to be a good starting point. While you're at it, please get some firearms and safety instruction--frequently this costs little and can be free.

Snubs are good to carry, but "expert" guns to shoot well--due to the short sight radius (and a slight change in sight picture being a geometric thing into throwing the shot off). Intrinsically, they're quite accurate. For a house/car gun I'd consider a 4" bbl .357 (which can shoot .38 rounds as well). I actually own the 3" BBL Taurus judge for this purpose, but it's a larger pistol and I'd shoot it before buying it personally to see how you liked it. It's a bit big for me for CCW as well (and the shot pattern spreads out which gives me pause).

For a carry gun, it is typically the gun you'd carry all the time. That's what CCW is all about--have a gun. As a general rule, look to the largest gun you'd always carry (larger/heavier guns are easier to shoot well). It doesn't do you alot of good to by a large gun and leave it at home. However, you'll be able to shoot a gun with a longer barrel better than one with a shorter bbl in general. That's why it's important for you to try shooting it first and see if you will be able to employ it OK. If you're set on snubs, I'd look at a 3" ish bbl SP-101 (ruger); the Smith Centennials (with the hi-viz front sight), and the Taurus Centennial-likes (CIA, etc). You may also want to give the Charter Bulldog .44 spl a look--it has a 2.5" bbl and is a power house round.

Good luck and welcome. Enjoy the shooting.

[tippmann7]

TXplt- thanks for the info.. i have a couple friends with alot of pistols that they would let me try out, il have to talk to them and see what one i like best

[Aarant]

I agree with TXplt. If your looking for small and reliable. You might also try a Bersa. Been talking to alot of folks who own them and they really like em. .380 thunder is a very small semi-auto AND it has a few good safety features. If your looking for something with a lil more punch might look at the Bersa Thunder 9. My wife has the .380 and it is fairly acurate for what it is.
Most important though is a safety course and a gun your comfortable with.

[neophyte]

tippmann7: Revolvers serve many of us well. Many use the J frame [lightweight, air weight] SW's. Ruger has the SP101, GP100. Have you shot any? Best to rent and shoot as many different models as you can.

?Feel? comes into play. Some just do not like the feel of XZRY; some love it.

.38's are sound units for CC,; .357 are the same except; you can shoot .38's out of a .357. Cheaper to practice.

Cheapest advice; rent and shoot; should your State have the Revolver, Semi qualifying rule; qualify with both at the git go.

Follow up with your thoughts and thanks

[wraco]

Here's a few that work fairly well. - - Revolvers are good carry guns.

1. mid 1950's 2" snub in 38 spec.



2. -- Mid 1950's Colt snub, 2" barrel, 38 spec.


3. -- S&W model 13-1, 4" barrel, 357 mag


Regards:
Rod

.