Whats the best pistol/gun for accuracy/concealment/etc?

7086 Views 15 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Anonymous, Nov 30, 2007

G

Discussion Starter · Aug 27, 2007

im looking to buy a gun for street protection. I live in Philly and its just to dangerous anymore....especially when i go out alone, which i like to do alot.

Im looking for the "perfect" gun. Something DEPENDABLE and small that can easily be concealed, but also with great accuracy and power. This way, if i ever (hopefully not) have to use it, it will be effective.

Any reccomendations?

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

Rev.

· #2 · Aug 27, 2007

I don’t know your size but a Glock 33 would be ideal as to conceal-ability, accuracy and power. It is a subcompact in 357 sig. Which is basically a .40 case necked down to a 9mm. It is very fast and has a lot of knock down power. This caliber is the issue weapon for the Texas DPS. I have a full size version and love it.
I hope this helps.

wwb

· #3 · Aug 27, 2007

According to what you're looking for, there is no "perfect" gun.

A small, easily concealed pistol will not be as accurate as a large, difficult to conceal pistol. A longer sight radius makes your first shot better, and a heavier pistol reduces the recoil, making any follow-up shots quicker and better.

Some other folks may have different opinions, but "DEPENDABLE", as you put it, means a DA revolver to me. You have just made it harder to conceal, as wheelguns aren't as flat as bottom feeders.

Here's what's important.... get something you feel comfortable with. Do NOT buy a cheap firearm (cheap, by the way, does not mean the same thing as inexpensive) - get a known, respected brand of firearm... Colt, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, SIG, Glock...... NO JUNK - your life isn't worth trying to save a few bucks.

Once you have it, take a good defensive handgun course, and practice, practice, practice.

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Captn66

· #4 · Aug 27, 2007

I've got a glock 39 - I believe its the same dimensions as the glock 33 that rev recommended above, but its the 45 GAP which by the way only holds 6 +1 instead of the 9 +1 of the 33.

It really is comfortable to wear and pretty easy to conceal.

G

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 27, 2007

hows the glock 26/27....they look REAL EASY to conceal. they're so small (pictures),that they look like a toy.

Pistolero

· #6 · Aug 28, 2007

Sig Sauer model 239 in .40 caliber meets everyone of your criteria.

darkgael

· #7 · Aug 30, 2007

Seems like Glock recommendations dominate - though all the advice is good. I'll add another Glock to the mix - the model 36. One of their mini-sized guns, it is a .45ACP six shot. It has been accurate out to 25 yds. with every ammo that I have tried in it, from Wolf ball to Silvertips to Winchester Ball to Remington GS and Federal Ball.
Though....given the guns mentioned here already, everyone could probably say the same.
Pete

TMats

· #8 · Sep 1, 2007

Mike, I think you know there is no right answer to your question. There are many, many choices out there and what is perfect for me or one of the other members of this forum may not work well for you.

There are several possibilities listed in reply to your question. I would recommend two things. First, visit a couple gunshops. Find one that has a good selection and an owner or counterman who shows an interest and is willing to spend time with you helping you make a good choice. These guys love this stuff; that's why they do it. Maybe the store even has access to a firing range--many do. Second, find a shooting club or range. Clint Smith (Thunder Ranch) has said, "If people who bought pistols for concealed carry would just shoot a minimum of 500 rounds a year..." Most people who own defensive handguns do not shoot them with any regularity--do not be one of those. Finally, if you can afford it. Get some quality training. In your part of the country, I think you can get to one of Massad Ayoob's, Smith and Wesson's or (I think) Surefire's training sessions. Good luck.

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Bunnyman

· #9 · Sep 17, 2007

+1.

I have the good fortune to live near a gun range/shop that has a case with a broad representation of modern handguns. Try to find such a place...at least hold everything, and try to put a box through everything that feels right.

Also, even basic pistol training will help with fundementals, and nothing is a worse handicap than skipping fundementals and developing bad habits.

Getting a .22 for volume practice is a good idea...if you get a gun that can be converted (like a CZ75 with Kadet adapter or one of the various 1911 slide conversions), even better, since your practice gun and carry gun are the same. Nonetheless, nothing beats metal down range for improving proficiency.

madcratebuilder

· #10 · Sep 22, 2007

There are as many choices as opinions. I have carried a 4" M29 and a 1911 acp in the past, big, bulky, heavy, and plenty of knockdown power. I now carry this little guy, five rounds 357 mag, with a lazer grip. A DA revolver is pretty fool proof, just point and pull.

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ryanws

· #11 · Oct 30, 2007

Don't own one, but I loved the look of the new Walther PPS. It comes with a variety of magazines for different size hands, but is exceptionally slim for concealment.

9mmman

· #12 · Nov 7, 2007

If you haven't yet decided on a particular pistol, might I suggest looking at a Bersa Thunder .380
Plenty cheap in cost, but a very good CC weapon.
Well made, shoots really well, accurate, and small.
A good hollow point brings it up to snuff for protection.
I know, I know... a .380?
As they say, "A .380 in the pocket is better than a .45 in the truck."

Roadkill Bill

· #13 · Nov 8, 2007

OK, I'll jump in and play.

3" S&W 66. Perfect barrel length, not too short, not hard to conceal. .357 -- best defensive round ever. Points great; S&W quality. DA revolver reliability.

Perfect.

baseballguy2001

· #14 · Nov 30, 2007

Bill -- a .357 may be perfect for you, for me it's my Charter Arms stainless .38 special. Perfect.

That being said, there is no right or wrong answer in my opinion. My experience was I looked for something that I was comfortable with, and can't shoot enough at the range. Lucky for me, my local range rents different models for a small fee. Ammo is fairly cheap, try different models, find the one that fits you then practice til the cows come home.

G

Discussion Starter · #15 · Nov 30, 2007

He did say

[quote="with great accuracy and power.[/quote]

Which reminds me, Ruger SP101. A great little .357. Not as punishing to shoot as the small S&W J frames in .357.

I like .38s. Like to keep a S&W 638 in my pocket. But the .357 has three times the power, and he did specify power.

G

Discussion Starter · #16 · Nov 30, 2007

I have the bursa 380 someone was talking about. Bought for Personal Protection. Seems like a solid gun. I am beginning to fire it on a fairly regular basis, and so far it has been reliable. I think maybe there is a lot of difference between something like this bursa and a Glock though. Been looking at the Glock's and they are total no nonsense. A little more bulky I guess.

Make no mistake... a decent quality pistol is actually pretty heavy, and not really fun to carry.

Also, unless you are shooting a 22, or reloading your own, ammo is not cheap. A beginner wants to have a 22 for shooting... so they can shoot a lot. $10 buys 50 rounds for my 380, or 550 rounds for my 22... and there is nothing quite like firing a few thousand rounds to get the feel for something.

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