Handgun Advice- Buying

[RobbyZ5001]

Well I am still in the market for a handgun. After shooting more and thinking about what I want, I decided I want a bigger caliber then 9mm. I am looking at .40 caliber handguns now. I want a handgun in carrying size. I am not going to get my CC permit right away, but I want the option to carry whatever handgun I buy. I don't want to a blow a huge amount of cash, but don't want junk. I know this is what all buyers say. Does anyone have any buying advice or know of any good sales going on? I am looking to spend around $400, but flexable within $100 of my goal price if it is a good deal.

[Aaron]

I am also a fan of the .40.  Although it is pretty snappy especially in smaller weapons.  For a carry gun I would look at the Glocks, XDs, or even Smith and Wesson M&Ps.  You can get a NIB Glock or XD for less than $500 in my neck of the woods.

I am actually fixing to buy a Glock 23 and it is priced at 479.99

[tbird]

The 40 caliber is the caliber of choice for a lot of police departments and a lot of officers prefer the Glocks. Hopes this helps

    T

[Micro]

I personally prefer the .45 ACP to the .40 S&W.  IMO, while neither has unmanagable recoil, the .45 has more of a pleasant thump compared to the snap-whack of the .40.   As far as potency, its a toss-up.  Good loads in 9mm, .40 and .45 are all going to perform about the same.  You'll get more rounds in a  gun of smaller caliber.  But my theory is, if you really need all those rounds, you are probably in a lot of trouble. 

I have several guns I carry concealed.  One I would recommend to you is the Glock 30SF.  "SF" means short frame.  The grips is a wee bit smaller than the regular Glock 30.  The Glock 30SF is a .45 ACP pistol that comes with two 10 round magazines.  Mine has been ultra-reliable, is extremely pleasant to shoot, and is reasonably concealable.  It's not a pocket or ankle pistol, but it conceals nicely under a long shirt or jacket.   It's also amazingly accurate.  New, they run about $550. 

I like Glocks.  I've owned several and all have been 100% reliable.  They are brilliantly designed.  They have few parts and anyone can learn to completely strip them down.  And they are as durable a pistol as they come.  I know some .45 ACP Glocks are still going strong with a quarter-million rounds through them. 

Here's my Glock 30SF.  Mine has a Houge Handal slip-on grip, and Trijicon tritium night-sights.

[skunked_again]

I personally prefer the .45 ACP to the .40 S&W. IMO, while neither has unmanagable recoil, the .45 has more of a pleasant thump compared to the snap-whack of the .40. As far as potency, its a toss-up. Good loads in 9mm, .40 and .45 are all going to perform about the same. You'll get more rounds in a gun of smaller caliber. But my theory is, if you really need all those rounds, you are probably in a lot of trouble.

I have several guns I carry concealed. One I would recommend to you is the Glock 30SF. "SF" means short frame. The grips is a wee bit smaller than the regular Glock 30. The Glock 30SF is a .45 ACP pistol that comes with two 10 round magazines. Mine has been ultra-reliable, is extremely pleasant to shoot, and is reasonably concealable. It's not a pocket or ankle pistol, but it conceals nicely under a long shirt or jacket. It's also amazingly accurate. New, they run about $550.

I like Glocks. I've owned several and all have been 100% reliable. They are brilliantly designed. They have few parts and anyone can learn to completely strip them down. And they are as durable a pistol as they come. I know some .45 ACP Glocks are still going strong with a quarter-million rounds through them.

Here's my Glock 30SF. Mine has a Houge Handal slip-on grip, and Trijicon tritium night-sights.

i like those but my hands are too big. i dont have a good grip on the gun.

[Micro]

Wow!  I've never heard anyone say their hands were too big for a Glock grip!     They've got some chunky grips.

Someone mentioned the Smith and Wesson M&P.  That's a pretty impressive pistol, too. 

[bwell]

I have a M&P 40 and love it, I would say go to your local range and see if you can shoot several guns and see what fits you.  I shot bot the XD, Glock, and M&P, and thought the M&P was a little more balanced.

[CJ]

One of my buddies got an XD and he loves it.

I'm not sure what your state laws are but, when I get ready to buy a firearm, I always put the word out to my buddies. With some patients, I usually will find a great deal on something. Some people are really hurting for money these days and will part with their guns for dirt cheap.

[Micro]

Another brand that makes superb guns, and relatively inexpensive ones to boot, is CZ. CZ is an old name in guns. They are built in the Czech Republic.

I have a CZ75 Compact in 9mm and a CZ83 in .380 ACP. Both of them are extremely well made, 100% reliable and extremely accurate. In fact, many gun experts consider (arguably) the CZ75 the best 9mm handgun ever made.

You can get the CZ75 Compact with a steel frame for around $550 new. The CZ75 s come in 9mm or .40 S&W.

http://cz-usa.com/products/by-category/handguns/

Here are my fairly recently acquired CZs.

[RobbyZ5001]

I have a feel this is going to turn into ANOTHER expensive habit I can't afford. I think for my first I am going to go with a Glock of some sort. I am goin to Cabelas tomorrow to get a feel for some to see what I like.

[Micro]

Update????  What'd you decide on?

[RobbyZ5001]

Well I looked at guns two days so far. I am leaning toward a glock of some sort, but I also like some of the Springfield armory xd's. I am starting to wonder how comfortable it would be to carry a .40 cal glock.

[fourbizz]

Look at the USP and USP Compact in .40. If I didnt live in Kommiefornia, I'd have one.

[RobbyZ5001]

Look at the USP and USP Compact in .40. If I didnt live in Kommiefornia, I'd have one.

That is out of my price range. Looks like they cost $700+.

[Micro]

Glocks and Springfields are both excellent.  Either is going to be chunky.  My smallest Glock is the one pictured above.  I carry it in a Gould and Goodrich belt holster with a thumb break.  It's as flat as they come, and it still looks like a canned ham under my shirt. 

The Glock 23 is Glock's mid-sized .40 and would be a bit thinner than the Glock 30SF I carry, but not much.

As far as comfort goes, even my fat Glock 30SF is comfortable to carry.    I wear it at about the 4:00 position.  It rides high and even driving is doesn't dig in. 

[bigtimfish]

Get a Taurus 24/7 and save some loot. My dad loves his. I love it too, it shoots good and feels comfy to hold.

[RobbyZ5001]

Micro, how do you feel about the inside the pants holster? I think it would be more uncomfortable, but the most discreet.

[Micro]

It's personal preference.  I don't like them.  But a lot of people do.  If you have a bit of a stomach, they aren't that comfortable. 

I have an Uncle Mikes inside the pants holster for my CZ83 pistol, but I carry it in my pocket instead of inside the pants.

[RobbyZ5001]

I have been doing a lot of searching/reading lately. I read that you can buy another barrel and magazine and convert the Glock 23 to a 9mm. I think that is a neat option.

[VolFan]

You can also get a belly/chest band holster. Fits nice under a T-shirt. I'm not a fan of the inside the pants holsters. You could get a Glock 26/27 and an ankle holster that's better concealment. I have a friend who wears his 22 on his ankle, but he's a good sized guy. I would (did) get a good, close fitting leather holster and learned how to wear it and what to wear it with.

You could also just tuck it in your sweatpants... ;D