[MrNiceGuy]

hello everyone, I'm going to be turning 21 here come september and let me tell u with the world heading the way it is it can't happen soon enough.. so ill be buying my first pistol and filing for my ccl on my birthday but am not really sure what to get.. now I'm a little guy and wear my clothes so they fit not all baggy and loose, so I need your help.

Iv read over the last few "first pistol" threads but none where of any use to me personally.. I'm 5'7 and skinny as a bone so I need a gun that is effevtive and packs a punch while being small. I'm looking into glocks at the momment but would really like a 9mm if I can find one that's. Not gonna leave lines and what not in my shirts. I want a decent gun and don't wannna spend 2000 dollars to get it. It does have to be new, no exceptions.

Also curious if anyone has gone pistol hunting? I hear its suppose to be fun with a 44. I think it'd have to be a revolver but this is another topic ig lol

I appriciate the help guys

 

[doh]

Why do people keep asking this question?!

Go to the dang gun store - pick up every gun that wink's at ya and feel it out. Go over the pro's and con's with other guns and TALK to the people trying to sell it.

THEN - see if you can shoot it, or find a range that has one.

LAST - check to see how it feels in whichever holster that strikes your fancy. People like me don't care about concealment, others flat out refuse to open carry. Try it out, look at your butt in the mirror, and make sure the gun shop guy comments on it too.

Now: Commence the "my gun and caliber is better than yours" arguments.

 

[law573]

Glocks are a good choice for reliability and simplicity. Even the little ones aren't tiny. I've found that, with CCW, you often have to dress for the gun. Maybe you would need to wear a baggy shirt or sweatshirt to avoid having your weapon bulge through your clothes. It may be possible to carry concealed in a wife-beater and speedo, but you aren't going to like where the handgun has to go....

 

[MrNiceGuy]

Why do people keep asking this question?!

Go to the dang gun store - pick up every gun that wink's at ya and feel it out. Go over the pro's and con's with other guns and TALK to the people trying to sell it.

THEN - see if you can shoot it, or find a range that has one.

LAST - check to see how it feels in whichever holster that strikes your fancy. People like me don't care about concealment, others flat out refuse to open carry. Try it out, look at your butt in the mirror, and make sure the gun shop guy comments on it too.

Now: Commence the "my gun and caliber is better than yours" arguments.

yeah thats one route i could have taken, and have explored but even being 20 one of the best lessons i was taught growing up was u dont ask a salesman what is better.... seeing and handling the weapon sure but i would never ask a salesman which hed reccomend the same as id never pull up to a carlot with a pocket full of 100s, and a stupified look on my face. i however dont have a problem with open carry but there are situations where i feel it is inapropriate and just asks for police involvement :thumb:

Glocks are a good choice for reliability and simplicity. Even the little ones aren't tiny. I've found that, with CCW, you often have to dress for the gun. Maybe you would need to wear a baggy shirt or sweatshirt to avoid having your weapon bulge through your clothes. It may be possible to carry concealed in a wife-beater and speedo, but you aren't going to like where the handgun has to go....

that almost made me spit out my morning coffee lol

thats what i like about glocks tho, iv really only read good things about them which is a good thing.

 

[Grevlin]

Why do people keep asking this question?!

Go to the dang gun store - pick up every gun that wink's at ya and feel it out. Go over the pro's and con's with other guns and TALK to the people trying to sell it.

THEN - see if you can shoot it, or find a range that has one.

LAST - check to see how it feels in whichever holster that strikes your fancy. People like me don't care about concealment, others flat out refuse to open carry. Try it out, look at your butt in the mirror, and make sure the gun shop guy comments on it too.

Now: Commence the "my gun and caliber is better than yours" arguments.

^---- This


* Disclaimer: Careful with what gun salesman tell you. In my experience it's 50/50 wrong at best...a lie at worst.

Do your research, rent some handguns.

My thought: Try 6 o'clock Inside the waistband carry. It's a little slower to draw but really hides well. That's how I've always carried and I can conceal my XD-45 compact (10+1) with cargo shorts and a polo :thumb:

Try to start the ccw process as soon as possible...it usually takes a while.


HUGE NOTE ON GLOCKS:

You really really really need some kydex around the trigger guard if you will carry with one in the chamber (the obvious way to carry) You DO NOT want a soft holster with even a hint of a chance something can push it's way against the trigger.

 

[stovepipe]

Congrats on turning 21 in Sept!

If you are new to shooting, I’d recommend taking a few basic shooting classes so you can get familiar with various firearms and develop good shooting habits. You also need to understand that a carry permit is not something to take lightly. One mis-placed shot can ruin a lot of people’s lives. Not to mention financially ruin you.

There’s not a perfect one size fits all carry gun. Chances are you’ll end-up rotating 2-3 carry guns, depending on your dress for the occasion. Like Doh says, find a range that rents guns and try a few. A Sig might be perfect for me, but too large for you. You’ll know when you find the right one. – Then see if you can hit anything with it.

Check-out some of the more popular gun forums and see what other people carry. Posts are usually followed up by the various pros and cons.

No matter your size, you’ll likely want to modify your current wardrobe to carry. Looser pants, if you pocket or ankle carry. Untucked shirt for IWB / OWB carry. Cover shirt / vest / jacket for shoulder holster, etc… I know several scrappy guy’s that hide a full frame .45 and still look professional.

I’ve carried on and off for many years. Here’s MY take on the matter:

+ Don’t rush in – Take your time. Don’t buy the first firearm you find. Research, and be deliberate in your selection. Gun dealers don’t always know what they are talking about.
+ Don’t buy cheap guns or gear – They are a waste of time and money. Off brand guns will fail. Cheap belts and holsters are uncomfortable and sag. Most carry people (including me) have a box full of cheap belts and holsters. By the time you add it up, we could have bought the good stuff in the first place and saved a lot of money.
+ Train, train, train with your carry gun – log your time. It could help you in court one day.
+ Keep your firearms clean. – They get cruddy while carrying, even if you don’t shoot them.
+ Conceal carry only. The first targets for bad guys are cops, security guards and open carry people. Unless you are hyper-aware and have 360 degree vision, carry concealed.
+ Be anonymous. – Don’t display gun related advertising (Hats, shirts, bumper stickers) in public, they’ll give you away.
+ Revolver over semi-auto. – If a revolver misfires all you do is pull the trigger again. If a semi misfires you have to pray your tap-rack-fire skills are in order. Lots of moving parts to fail in a semi.
+ DAO - If I carry a semi, it’s Double Action Only. I like the consistent trigger pull, and not having to deal with cocked hammers.

I’ve hunted Boar’s with a pistol, but only because they were living in the Laurel thickets of Eastern Tn… I prefer the accuracy and distance I can get with long gun.

Hope this is useful.

 

[Songmanscott]

I am an NRA ccw instructor... there are several VERY true pieces of advice here.

1) Gun salesman are only there to help you spend money. They will sell you the wrong pistol that is a for sure. So do your own research and KUDOS to you dude for asking. That counts as research.

2) Semi- auto's are sweet and neat but look at it this way. A revolver can be fired in every scenario I can think of. A semi auto can not! They can fire 1 round from a coat pocket but are likely to jam on the coat - hence 1 round. Think about it Please! Even if you do not grip a semi tight enough they can fail to cycle. A revolver will not let you down! Go hammerless
if you can afford it - I know that mean double action only but at seven yards and with all the practice that you will have done
you will be good to go!

3) Think and Practice 21 ft and in. Anything else, and you will have a tough time proving SELF DEFENSE in court. Oh - there is a very high chance that IF you ever use your pistol, you will not get it back!

I gotta run but I am here to help - feel free to email me or ask questions here!
In case you need to know - I am in OHIO and familiar with THAT States ccw laws. (My disclaimer )

Peace and God Bless

 

[BuginBoy]

Learn to shoot first. Remember that self defense shooting and target shooting are not the same thing, not by any stretch of the imagination.