Help deciding on a handgun...

Chattanooga Fishing Forum

Help Support Chattanooga Fishing Forum:

G

Guest

Guest
With all the rules and regs my wife and I are looking at getting our caryying permits pretty soon just waiting to get a free weekend. I currently have a S&W .38 airweight snub nose that my great uncle left me. However my wife wants to carry it so I'm in the research part of finding a good fit for me. So far I've been reading about the following: Smith and Wesson Sigma .40, Glock Model 23 RTF, and a Taurus 24/7 Pro Stainless in .45 ACP. Any input from you avid gunmen out there is greatly appreciated. Any others that won't break the bank that you all would recommend would be helpful too. Also I know allot of people that go to benton shooters, but where is the best place to buy one around?
 
Sigmas are fine for playing around, but I would not carry one for self-defense. Any Glock is a great choice, but I also would not suggest an auto unless your going to practice a bunch with it. I always say, KISS....double-action S&W revolver is the number one carried gun for a reason.

I hear Carter's daughter does a bang-up, (no punn intended) job at the CCP course. Cheez just took it and had nothing but good things to say about it.
 
Is this a gun that you are going to be carrying on your person a good bit? If so make sure you get a gun that is not to big that it is hard to conceal. I know in TN you can carry open but I am just not a big fan. Also if it is too big and heavy you are more likely to leave it at home. S&W is coming out with a new 38 and 380 that look really nice. It is called the bodyguard. Also take a look at the Ruger LCP, this is what most Chatt LEO carry as a back up.
Sportsman’s has about the same prices as Benton’s. Also check gunbroker.com, you can find some good deals on there.
 
Thanks and yes this is more of a carrying one for me as we are traveling more and more.
 
Saw in the new Academy Sports flyer...they have those Tarus (?) Milleniums farely resonsonable. Opens Friday. Somes friends have these in 40 caliber...quite a punch for a small sized gun. JMHO
 
Of the guns mentioned the Glock 23 is hands down better than the others. I carry a Glock 23 or 27 everywhere I go. Trust mine and my family's life to them totally. I would stay away from Taurus autos completely. Taurus claims a lifetime warranty and you will need it. The only S & W auto worth having IMO is the M & P line. Wheel guns are ok but have limited firepower. Learn to use the auto and get a small wheel gun for backup.
J & M Pawn on Brainerd is a great place to but locally. SW is high and the staff in the gun dept is pitiful to put it mildly. Benton has a couple people with some knowledge ubt they too are a bit high on prices. If you don't mind a bit of a drive the absolute best gun dealer on the planet is Hero Gear in Winchester. Great prices and awesome service.
Carter's on hwy 58 is a great place to take your HCP class. Kristie is good but since I took the class I found out that she is not up to snuff on all the TN carry laws. PM me if you want and I will elaborate. Fugate's I have heard is good for the class as well as Skip's Firearms in Ooltewah.
 
My suggestion for a carry gun would be a Glock model 27. Smaller than my full size model 22 and easier to carry on your person when needed. Glocks aren't the prettiest gun out there, but it does what it is designed to do and it does it every time. Can't go wrong with the .40 cal
 
My next gun that I want to buy is the S&W .40 M&P series. I forget the model# I looked at, but it is sweeet! If you go w/a revolver, I love my S&W .357 The best handgun Ive ever owned. emoToast
 
... the gun is has a lot to do with simply what you like. You'll know it when you put it in your hand! It just feels right! I carry a Baretta 94 Cheeta .380 auto. It's not too big, not too small. It fits in my hand, glove box or under my jacket really nice. My wife carries a Ladies SW .38. KISS is the correct way to go especially with women. Get a revolver, point and shoot! I want a Colt 1911 .45 I don't need it, I just want one! If you actually plan to carry the weapon on your person, pay attention to the frame and size. Many of the 9mm, .40's and .45's are kind of big on the hip or under clothing. I took my carry class at Carter's about 6 years ago. Ray is goofey as a Mad Hatter, don't pay any attention to him, get with Kristie. Just my thoughts!
 
I think you should get one of these. Nah I have a kahr .40 nice little compact auto thats what I am carrying at the moment.
 

Attachments

  • BFR.jpg
    BFR.jpg
    56.4 KB
Another Glock model to look into would be the model 19. Thats what i carry. Its a little bigger than the subcompact and a little smaller than the fullsize. I love mine!
 
Twin-city Pawn on Lafayette Rd has a good selection of pistols also. Tho in Ga....they will transfer to a pawn shop in TN at no charge. They did have a good deal on some SW autos awhile back. I love my Kimber....but like my 1911 Remeington Rand better. Just too big to carry all the time. As for revolver...I have my dads Model 19. Great gun, but have had problems with two revolvers from SW. First was a out of the box Model 29. Shot six rounds thru it....the next time i fired it clicked.....it was hitting outside the primer. Coulda been ugly. It was out of timing. Factory fix. The next was a New 626...357. The ejector rod would loosen up....and jam the cylinder against the frame. I traded that one off. Guess everybody has their favorites.
 
a glock is all i will carry. it is reliable, and when your trusting your life to one then you want to make sure your gun will fire. i have the glock 23. or if you are looking for something a little smaller then i would get a keltec .380.
 
Fugate's for your class. They keep it light and fun while teaching you the LAWS not the myths. Hero Gear for your gun purchase. Great prices/selection and by far and away the most friendly gun shop you will visit. Glocks are great I have several but you may not like them. Pick guns up, put em in YOUR hand, point them. Does it feel natural and point right on then great. Like many have said the Glocks do what they're intended to do EVERYTIME. Keep in mind though that any double stack is harder to conceal than a single stack. I love my glocks but usually carry my Kahr PM9 or a Dan Wesson .45 CBOB because they hide way better and also do what they're intended to do EVERYTIME.
 
I've had several of the above mentioned pistola's. Glocks, M&P's, small .380's. I personally have settled down with a Walther PPS (Police Pistol Slim) in a .40 caliber. By far the slimmest and easiest to conceal. They offer it in a 9mm also. Taurus has a slim 9 that is really close in size to the Walther. On a side note the Walther is really accurate for its size, but does take some break in due to tight clearances. 4-500 rounds will get it running like a top. But what better way to get cozy with a new firearm? :)
 
Buy something that you are confident will do the job when you need it to! I would stay away from the Taurus; all I have read has been negative in the .45.

I personally carry a Kimber Ultra Carry II in .45. It is easy to conceal for a large caliber and is fun to shoot. It is much more accurate than I am! If you plan to carry concealed on a daily basis, then invest in a good holster and belt made specifically for your handgun. This will go a long ways in comfort and in making it easy to conceal.

And practice, practice, practice!
 

Latest posts

Back
Top