OT: which pistol

[Zebrahater]

I've got a few nice pistols, but I bought a Hi-point to keep in my truck. It was $175 new & a lifetime warranty. I had a Glock stolen from my truck & will never keep anything but a less expensive gun in it. There are some good suggestions here, but I'm a Glock man.

Was going to recommend something similar. If you ever have to use it, it'll probably be at a distance of 6' or less. So any make will work good as another. I keep a used beat up $150 9mm in my vehicle. I actually have a blade type conceal holster clipped under my steering console. My other pistols are Kimber, Colt & Glocks. I'd rather take a chance of a $150 gun getting stolen vs a $600 $1,200 gun.

 

[doggystyle]

Wow thanks for all the suggestions guys. Will let you know what I decide on.

 

[Jeffreauxdawg]

... I was stuck on the side of I65 one evening and realized I didn’t have a round chambered. Someone pulled over to “help.” Even though I wasn’t in a situation where I was threatened, I was trying to rack a round under my steering wheel. It jammed because of the awkward unpracticed posture I was in. THEN I DID PANIC.. Luckily, I was able to quickly clear it and rack the next one, but I had a round on the floor in an already low capacity mag....

I am not trying to be too judgmental, but would like to know a little more... I hope I am missing something. Here is what I read...

You were broke down on the side of the interstate, some good Samaritan stopped to help, you were in a rush to chamber a round, and then panicked. Yikes.

I hope I have the story wrong. Cause if these are the facts, that sounds like a scenario that is very, very close to a good guy getting shot by someone that doesn't need to own a weapon or needs to get some additional training.

Situational awareness matters. Middle of the night, in a nice new vehicle, stopped at a red light in a seedy part of town and someone is approaching the window unsolicited is one thing. But broke down on the side of the Interstate is not a place bad guys are going to try a carjacking, you know since the car isn't running and all. I also doubt they are going to choose that a spot for a stick up robbery, you probably don't meet the target demographic for rapists or serial killers.

 

[archdog]

Wilson combat version of the model 19 glock. It is sweet. Trigger is smooth. the tooling on the barrel is very nice as well.

 

[msstatelp1]

The Feds went back to the 9. That is why 40 is falling.... nobody shoots a 10mm.

It was done with tongue firmly planted in cheek.

"A reporter did a human-interest piece on the Texas Rangers. The reporter recognized the Colt Model 1911 the Ranger was carrying and asked him 'Why do you carry a 45?' The Ranger responded, 'Because they don't make a 46.'"

10mm bigger than 9mm

The .40 was a going thing when I bought it and I got a really good deal on it. If I was looking nowadays I would do the M&P but it would be a 9mm. I'm thinking about converting the .40 to a 9 just haven't done it yet.

 

[kb549]

I am not trying to be too judgmental, but would like to know a little more... I hope I am missing something. Here is what I read...

You were broke down on the side of the interstate, some good Samaritan stopped to help, you were in a rush to chamber a round, and then panicked. Yikes.

I hope I have the story wrong. Cause if these are the facts, that sounds like a scenario that is very, very close to a good guy getting shot by someone that doesn't need to own a weapon or needs to get some additional training.

Situational awareness matters. Middle of the night, in a nice new vehicle, stopped at a red light in a seedy part of town and someone is approaching the window unsolicited is one thing. But broke down on the side of the Interstate is not a place bad guys are going to try a carjacking, you know since the car isn't running and all. I also doubt they are going to choose that a spot for a stick up robbery, you probably don't meet the target demographic for rapists or serial killers.

It was late last night when I typed that, I probably wasn’t clear.

It was almost dusk outside on a remote stretch of interstate. I wasn’t chambering a round while the guy was walking to my vehicle. It was when was he pulling over. Maybe panic isn’t the right word. More of an Oh **** moment because I instantly realized that all the training I had done on carrying without a round chambered and being able to quickly rack (Israeli style) was for naught. I hadn’t practiced under my steering wheel. I carry without a round chambered because of my kids. The “good Samaritan” was in no danger of getting shot. I’ve been safely handling firearms for almost 40 years. The years experience doesn’t make me safe. I watched my 75 year old former National Guard father in law try to rack an empty pistol with his finger on the trigger. He obviously had not shot in decades.

You’re right that the side of the interstate is a low percentage possibility of getting mugged or killed. But so is Wal-Mart, a school, a gas station, a bank, and so on. Better to be prepared than not. No one thinks that they are going to get robbed on the Dollar Gentral. But it happens.

And for what it’s worth, there was something off about that Good Samaritan. I never let him get to my vehicle. I rolled the window down and yelled that I was ok and AAA was on the way. He stopped, looked at me for a long 3 seconds, and turned around and went back to his car. Maybe he was contemplating setting with me until help arrived for my safety. Maybe he was sizing me up. I don’t know and neither does anyone else. It was awkward.

 

[Wizard.sixpack]

Gonna get a pistol to put in my car. Which one should I get? I’ve been around rifles and shotguns but pistols not as much.

Steyr A2 MF

 

[fishwater99]

Glock 23, its a .40

 

[dorndawg]

Smith & Wesson Model 29. Gotta show 'em you mean business.

 

[blacklistedbully]

Thank you both for the input.

 

[AlSwearengen]

Not hating the 938 (i have one). It is just not something that i would leave in a car.

 

[Dawgbite]

Wilson combat version of the model 19 glock. It is sweet. Trigger is smooth. the tooling on the barrel is very nice as well.

If you leave a Wilson Combat in your truck while parked, you might want to let me know where you park. Just so I can keep an eye on things and ****.

 

[archdog]

I have a wilson combat in my truck, house, office, and my hip. I have two I special ordered from them. Sent them my glocks and they returned them customized. Pretty clean and the only way to go.

 

[BELdog]

Do yourself a monumental favor and go to a range to rent some pistols. Everybody is different. I prefer Glocks and CZs, but I’ve been around enough guns and enough people to know that it is nearly impossible for me to suggest the perfect pistol for you. You need to get rounds down range with a few different models and see what you shoot the best. It doesn’t matter what feels the best. My Glock 21 feels like a over-sized plastic brick, but it is the gun I shoot the best. My CZ-75 feels much better, but I don’t shoot it quite as well as that Glock 21. Everybody here is going to tell you what works for them, but you don’t have their hands or eyes.

The only suggestion I would make is to stick with 9mm. The 40 S&W isn’t going to die. Neither is the 357 Sig or 45 ACP, but the 9mm gives you more rounds, less recoil, cheaper ammo, and close enough performance to the others that no bad guy is ever going to know the damn difference. Also, for a vehicle gun go with a full sized pistol or a compact (NOT a sub-compact). Think Glock 17 or Glock 19 sized pistols. You don’t have to compromise between concealable and shootable here, so don’t. The smaller the pistol, the fewer rounds it holds and the more difficult it is to fire accurately, period. More ammo is always better than less ammo. Easier to shoot is always better than harder to shoot.

Final note, have a way to secure the gun in your vehicle while you aren’t in it. I’m not saying you have to have a safe in your car, but at least have it in a locked glove box in a locked vehicle while you aren’t in the car. Nothing any of us do will stop a determined thief, but you can at least keep the less committed thieves from stealing your gun by not having it in plain view, ie: in the door console.

 

[BELdog]

Just curious to hear from experts here, my home protection arms include a Mosburg .410 shotgun (inherited), though I've yet to buy shells or slugs, a S&W .38 Special loaded with 5 PCM Starfire +P hollow points and a little old Marlin Model 60 .22 rifle.

Obviously, the way things are right now, the revolver is my go-to. .22 rifle not enough stopping power. Shotgun without ammo, and has the long barrel. Don't have a speed-loader for my revolver, but for protection against home invasion do I really need one?

I realize it's better to have too much than too little, but do y'all really think I should have more than what I've got? The revolver is simple, reliable, not subject to jams, etc. I don't have the energy of a comparable 9 mm, but am pretty sure if somebody comes up against the wrong end of my rounds, they are in for a bad day.

Still, I do wonder if I should be holding more than 5 or 6 shots max in my pistol, and quicker, easier access to more rounds.

My answer to this question is always the same. Do you feel comfortable with what you have? If the answer is yes, I’m not going to try to convince you that you are wrong. Personally, I would not be comfortable with a revolver and no quick way to reload. Statistically, your chances of ever needing to defend yourself are exceedingly small, so having any means of defending yourself is likely overkill. That said, I don’t plan for best case scenarios. I plan for worst case scenarios. We’ve all seen news stories where multiple, determined assailants have entered a home. We’ve all seen stories involving people on drugs being able to withstand unreal amounts of pain and damage. If I told you that you might be in a similar situation tonight would you still feel comfortable with your current options? It’s not fear mongering. I’ve already admitted the chances of that happening are next to zero. But, if you knew you were going to have to defend yourself or your family tonight with what you have available, are you confident that YOU can get the job done with your current tools?

 

[West Tn Dawg]

Another XDS owner. I carry an XDS .45. Just love that pistol. Put new springs in it and don't have a negative to mention and I've put hundreds of rounds thru it. From range practicing to drill practicing. I also have an older S&W .40 for larger cap and laser that's nice car keeper. But for my person it's the XDS and multiple ext mags...

As for the OP. When looking for a pistol start with feel, then fire many different ones and see which you prefer. Of course knowledge and safety. Familiarize yourself with operations and safe handling first. I've always carried new folks to range with bag of selections. I'd go somewhere with a large selection and just handle or hand fit as many as you can. Find the pistol or revolver that fits you and works for you. Start with the ones that fit what you are looking for, then rank them on comfort n balance n your hands, then go fire them if you can. You want the pistol to perform for you, example after you fire it how quickly it returns to the target. Have fun and good luck and be safe...

Another XDS 45 owner here. I love the way it feels and it packs a very large piece of lead! My nephew is on the Swat team in Paducah, KY. I called him and this was the pistol he recommended. He has them all.

 

[M R DAWGS]

If you are interested in revolvers. I’d suggest one of these, either a S&W 586 or 686. Both are very accurate and anything/anyone shot with a .357 mag will stop whatever they are doing right then. I don’t care if they are on meth.

 

[TaleofTwoDogs]

A good revolver. In the heat of the moment, it won't jam. I keep a .38 special loaded with +P ammo in my console along with one speed loader. Unless I encounter a herd of zombies, I do not feel unprepared for an emergency which fortunately, has not arrived yet.

^^^ THIS! ^^^ The reliability of a revolver can't be underestimated.

 

[Bulldog Bruce]

Just want to put in a good word for Walther PPQ and PPS. PPQ now comes in a subcompact but I carry the regular M2 4" barrel. PPS is the single stack and I carry that when I want to go smaller. I did get the PPS before the subcompact came out. The PPQ is considered by many to have the best trigger in the standard gun. You can get a PPQ for well under 500 and PPS under 300. PPS can be bought with the integrated Crimson trace laser for under $400.

I also have a Sig p320 45 full size for fun shooting.

 

[Dawgbite]

You need to buy exactly the gun I have because it is the bestes gun in the whole wide world. Don't listen to these other guys because they are dubmasses who wouldn't know a good gun from a good defense against the run on third down. The same goes for grills, trucks, tool boxes, lawn mowers, insecticides, toilet paper, weed eaters, condoms, butt rubs, butt powder, steak sauce, beer, whiskey, fried taters, phone service, coolers, tents, ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................! You get the idea.

 

[Bulldog Bruce]

So let me get this straight. The guy asks for opinions. People give him their opinions. Then you get upset that people gave him opinions.

Why this is under my post I do not know. I mentioned that the gun I had is worth considering and that I like it very much. Never said any of the crap in the reply. He was asking for opinions.

 

[Dawgbite]

So let me get this straight. The guy asks for opinions. People give him their opinions. Then you get upset that people gave him opinions.

Why this is under my post I do not know. I mentioned that the gun I had is worth considering and that I like it very much. Never said any of the crap in the reply. He was asking for opinions.

i don’t know how it ended up under you post because I wasn’t replying to you. I was being facetious but obviously my attempt at humor wasn’t appreciated. I previously gave both the OP and Blacklisted an honest opinion. There are few things I am well knowledgeable about but handguns I know pretty well. There are very few bad guns but there is so many choices that if you ask a hundred people you are going to get about ninety different answers. Sorry if I offended you.

 

[garndawg]

Back to the OP's original question:

I've played around with carry options for a while. Been through several semi-auto iterations but now carrying a S&W 340 PD revolver. It's a J-frame with the ultralite material, so it's pretty light. Have a crimson trace grip on it. Nice, light, drops in the front pocket of slacks or cargo shorts with a little pocket holster.

IMO, the pistol I'm likely to drop in my pocket on the way out the door is the one for me. Those fancy inside waistband holsters and such are pretty, but were a pain to deal with dressing, going to the bathroom, etc.

Although I'm tempted to try one of the subframe single-stack autos again. Ruger SR9C figures high on the list to try...

 

[Dawgbite]

Back to the OP's original question:

I've played around with carry options for a while. Been through several semi-auto iterations but now carrying a S&W 340 PD revolver. It's a J-frame with the ultralite material, so it's pretty light. Have a crimson trace grip on it. Nice, light, drops in the front pocket of slacks or cargo shorts with a little pocket holster.

IMO, the pistol I'm likely to drop in my pocket on the way out the door is the one for me. Those fancy inside waistband holsters and such are pretty, but were a pain to deal with dressing, going to the bathroom, etc.

Although I'm tempted to try one of the subframe single-stack autos again. Ruger SR9C figures high on the list to try...

This can't be overstated. When its cool and I am wearing a lot of clothes there is no telling what I may carry, but when its hot the weight and size trim down a lot. When it really hot and all I have on is a pair of elastic waistband shorts I will more than likely be carrying a North American 5 shot 22 revolver. I have two, one in a leather pocket sleeve holster and a second that folds up into its grip and has a pocket clip on it. I'll mix in a Kimber Solo or a SIG 938 if I'm wearing a belt. The NA isn't much but it will make a joyfull noise and I'm not constantly pulling my shorts up.