Getting my concealed carry

[Highlander]

Class is in April. right now I have a ruger 22 pistol that's great for target shooting but I'd like something a little better as well. I'd like a 9 mm but don't see a lot of them in my budget range. I want to stay in the high 3 to 4 hundred range.

So many guns to choose from. almost as bad has walking into a humidor for the first time, lol.

 

[el_guapo13]

I'm in AZ and would like to get my CC as well. Are you looking for new or used guns? With the way things are going right now its going to be hard to find a 9mm pistol aruond that dollar range.. I had to drive to 5 different stores the other day just to find 9mm ammo!!!

 

[TravelingJ]

It's pretty hard to find any handguns that you are interested in right now. There are a few I'm interested in (larger caliber, but still) and anything I decide I want to buy, is impossible to find.

 

[jpasser4]

If you can swing it I would recommend the Springfield Armory 9mm XDM. It is my favorite out all the guns I have and have shot. To me it is the easiest to aim and has the stock smoothes trigger.

 

[Highlander]

Actually a local gun store is showing a Springfield 9mm XD for 399. Is that much different than the XDM?

As to availability, used it looks like there are a few around. I might have to step down to a 380. I guess the best thing would be to go to the range and have a look.

 

[mwlabel]

Actually a local gun store is showing a Springfield 9mm XD for 399. Is that much different than the XDM?

As to availability, used it looks like there are a few around. I might have to step down to a 380. I guess the best thing would be to go to the range and have a look.

Pass on Springfield polymer guns.
You can find used Glocks, M&Ps, S&W Model 35s, CZs, Berettas, Sigs, and other fine weapons in that price range if you look around. Don't buy something you don't want right away just to have it.
Smith & Wesson offers a more budget line, that uses bits of the M&P and some older designs. http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_811049_-1_757751_757751_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y You can order them for usually around ~300.

 

[jpasser4]

For the most part the XD and the XDM are the same gun. I have smaller hands and the XDM has 3 different back straps so it is adjustable and fits my hand a little better. The XD has only one barrel length (4") and the XDM has 2 (3.8" and 4.5"). If you can go to your local store and put each in your hand and see what feels better to you and your eye.

 

[mwlabel]

For the most part the XD and the XDM are the same gun. I have smaller hands and the XDM has 3 different back straps so it is adjustable and fits my hand a little better. The XD has only one barrel length (4") and the XDM has 2 (3.8" and 4.5"). If you can go to your local store and put each in your hand and see what feels better to you and your eye.

There are many more variations than that.


XD 411: It's a $300 Croatian pistol that Springfield imports, puts their emblem on, and charges a lot more for. It has a terribly high bore axis, and the grip safety completely disables the gun when not depressed. Not a big deal? Get a piece of sand/dirt/whatever underneath it, and your gun is useless.

XDm: Same thing, but they added adjustable backstraps.

Bad gun? Not really. But it's significantly overpriced, and every other gun in its price range is designed significantly better.

 

[Highlander]

I'm going to the store I normally deal with now to see what they have used. I know they have a lay-away program so maybe I can sneak in a larger dollar amount.

 

[BigNubDC]

Good stuff here. What are the experienced folks' thoughts on the SW Bodyguard 38 and\or 380?

 

[mwlabel]

Good stuff here. What are the experienced folks' thoughts on the SW Bodyguard 38 and\or 380?

Gimmicky. Had a Bodyguard 38 for about a week. I don't miss it one bit.
There are many better sub-compact guns than those.

 

[mdwest]

dont step down to a .380... not enough stopping power there to be seriously considered for a primary personal defense pistol.... there are a lot of decent .380 options for a BUG (back up gun).. or for extreme deep cover (not really applicable in a CCW situation).... but I wouldnt recommend anything lighter than a 9mm or .38 spcl (and the .38 in very limited situations only) for CCW...

you can find police trade in, used, 2nd and 3rd generation G19's and G17's pretty regularly for $400-$450...

go that route.. or an M&P.. IMHO....

 

[mdwest]

Good stuff here. What are the experienced folks' thoughts on the SW Bodyguard 38 and\or 380?

Gimmicky. Had a Bodyguard 38 for about a week. I don't miss it one bit.
There are many better sub-compact guns than those.

Absolutely agree...

I used to wear a bodyguard in an ankle rig as a BUG about 15 years ago..

there are much better options these days..

If youre looking for something small.... look at the G26... its flatter than the S&W.. conceals easier.. has more capacity.. etc..etc..

 

[mwlabel]

With options like the Shield and PPS and G26, and classic J-Frames (or hell, even the LCR)... there's not a whole lot of reason to look at other over-hyped options.

I own 3 Shields in 9mm, by the way. I think it's an AWESOME small gun.

That said, my current carry gun is a full size M&P 9. Though I may switch over to my PPQ soon, just because it's so awesome.

 

[BigNubDC]

Awesome! I have a lot more research to do I see. Thank you.

 

[jpasser4]

Actually a local gun store is showing a Springfield 9mm XD for 399. Is that much different than the XDM?

As to availability, used it looks like there are a few around. I might have to step down to a 380. I guess the best thing would be to go to the range and have a look.

Pass on Springfield polymer guns.
You can find used Glocks, M&Ps, S&W Model 35s, CZs, Berettas, Sigs, and other fine weapons in that price range if you look around. Don't buy something you don't want right away just to have it.


Smith & Wesson offers a more budget line, that uses bits of the M&P and some older designs. http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_811049_-1_757751_757751_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y You can order them for usually around ~300.

All I can say is that I like my XDM and haven't had any issues with it. I shoot it more often than my Glock and Smith & Wesson.

 

[Highlander]

And we have a winner, I'll start another thread.

 

[vperlman]

Now that you have apparently decided, let me throw out a couple of comments to confuse you. :grin: I have two EDC's, and I choose which one based on my clothes and which one fits and conceals better. In 9mm, I carry a Kahr CM9 in a paddle holster. When I wear clothes that don't conceal the CM9 well, I switch to a Kel-Tec P3AT in either a Recluse pocket holster or a paddle holster. I recommend both.

Since you can never have too many guns, I am looking hard at the .45 Springfield XD-s and plan to shoot one soon. I may wait until the summer, when Kahr is scheduled to release the CM45, to decide.

I would stay away from the Bodyguard .380. I looked at it when I bought my Kel-tec, and one of my buddies has one. The switch for the laser is problematic in the sense that it ends to stick or break, requiring a round trip to S&W. Even if that worked great, I don't like the idea of a laser that you have to switch on. I have Crimson Trace Laserguards on both my CM9 and KT. FWIW.

 

[KcJason1]

Actually a local gun store is showing a Springfield 9mm XD for 399. Is that much different than the XDM?

As to availability, used it looks like there are a few around. I might have to step down to a 380. I guess the best thing would be to go to the range and have a look.

Pass on Springfield polymer guns.
You can find used Glocks, M&Ps, S&W Model 35s, CZs, Berettas, Sigs, and other fine weapons in that price range if you look around. Don't buy something you don't want right away just to have it.
Smith & Wesson offers a more budget line, that uses bits of the M&P and some older designs. http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_811049_-1_757751_757751_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y You can order them for usually around ~300.

I disagree.. The XD is just as good as a Glock if not better!
The XD and XDM are the same gun more or less.. I have both.. Only difference really is the grips and the storage case.
Also the Difference between the XD and M model is $100 difference.
I have a XD Sub Compact 9 and love it. It has a 3" barrel...
I have a friend whom is a sheriff and he has the G26... He likes my XD9SC better and He even shoots better with it... Glock's are over rated!

 

[KcJason1]

dont step down to a .380... not enough stopping power there to be seriously considered for a primary personal defense pistol.... there are a lot of decent .380 options for a BUG (back up gun).. or for extreme deep cover (not really applicable in a CCW situation).... but I wouldnt recommend anything lighter than a 9mm or .38 spcl (and the .38 in very limited situations only) for CCW...

you can find police trade in, used, 2nd and 3rd generation G19's and G17's pretty regularly for $400-$450...

go that route.. or an M&P.. IMHO....

If you have a Firefighter, EMT, LEO or any other type of first responder you can get the police trade ins for $199..