Concealed carry selection help

[RGVBowHunter]

Today my wife and I are attending a concealed carry class and will be applying for our licenses this week.

There are a lot of options out there for weapons and it is quite confusing.
Do you guys have any suggestions for a dependable lite and accurate choice for under $400?

[bwssr]

Go to academy/bass pro/cabela's/ gun store...pick up all the guns..find one that feels good to you. Some gun shops/shooting ranges rent so go fire some rounds and see how they feel...a ccw is not a target piece...but if you don't like the feel, you wont shoot it enuff to be good.

[Eldog]

simon vato- bersa thunder 380 plus(15+1) 3 inch barrel- under $400 - great shooter- have shot over 2k rounds no problems- it's bigger than your typical 5 to 7 round pocket 380 - good luck

[Pistol]

I just bought a 9 mm caliber Beretta Nano at Academy for $430. I really like it and many women do, but large men don't like the subcompact frames because they are too small for their hands. As a woman, I like this one because of the grip size, there is no slide release (so nothing to hang up on in a purse), it's low profile makes it easier for me to conceal on my body, and it has curved edges. Also of all the subcompacts I looked at (Kahr, Sig, S&W, Ruger), it has the best trigger pull.
I had the opportunity to test fire it before buying too. I was surprised - I thought it would have more recoil than it did. It was accurate too.
For small frames, most of the men I know really like the Sig P938 or the Sig P290

[Bowtechlady]

I recommend the Glock 26 (9mm) or Glock 27 (40) but it will be tough to find for under 400 right now unless you all are LEO's

BTW there are a number of useful threads on this topic over in the other forum on the other siide of the ranch

[imyomama]

I just bought a kahr cm9 , and i'm impressed so far .. we have 6" plate racks at the club and I hit 6 out of 6 twice this weekend ... then moved to the 50 yard line and hit 4 out of 6 at 50 yards ... it's way more accurate than I would have imagined.

keep in mind I used to shoot NRA pistol matches (40 , 50 , 75 and 100 yards) so i'm used to shooting longer range (slow and steady).

still , this little pocket gun exceeded my expectations ! you can find one around your price range on GB.

on another note I picked up a rock island 9mm 1911 and so far it's very nice as well for the price .. not so concealable though .. full size 1911 !
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFC6R1EqvSU"]Rock Island Armory 9mm 1911 GI first trip to the range review ! - YouTube[/ame]

[billfromtx]

Get Smith and Wesson model 642 airweight's! My wife and I both have one. Perfect little CCW. Safe, reliable, accurate. Cant go wrong!

[Playa]

The best CCW weapon is one you will carry every day.

Initially, my ccw was a Springfield Armory XD 9 Service Model. I chose it because i knew I could handle it. But it was so heavy & bulky it made difficult to carry and almost impossible to conceal.

So I transitioned into a smaller- subcompact model. (Kel Tec PF-9) At that time the subcompact market wasn't as well developed as it is today, and so selection was minimal. So shop around, find the weapon you and your wife feel comfortable with in hand, on hip (or other conceal carry method). Go to a range and put some rounds down range and determine what is comfortable to shoot and be confident with. Sometimes a pistol that is comfortable to grip is a beast to shoot.

Finally look for a gun that is simple to operate, that when you pull the trigger, it goes bang. I have been lusting over subcompact 1911's, but I don't like them as a CCW. If my life is hanging in the balance, I don't want to have to think about cocking a hammer or dropping a safety. I want to draw and put as many rounds at target in the shortest amount of time possible.....

[Redneck Archer]

I love my LCP with laser. LC9 is something to consider to if you feel you need a 9mm...

[Pistol]

^^^ This
Lots of good advice and suggestions on guns, which are good starting places. For me the Glock 27 was too small and wide. It kicked pretty hard, but my dad loves it. Just try out a lot. The S&W Airweight is a good suggestion too.

[Legdog]

Once you have decided on the caliber, the selection process is a lot easier.

"friends don't let friends shoot mouse guns"

Is a .380 too small?

For that matter, is a 9mm too small?

[jmangrem]

I just bought my wife a Ruger SCR - 0.38 Special, compact, simple. Excellent conceal gun.

And sticking to the mancode that you cannot buy your wife a gun without buying yourself one too, I bought a Ruger SR40c and I have been very pleased with it. It has a 9 round clip for conceal and a 15 round clip with extended handle piece that is great for target shooting without killing the pinky.
I also carry a Glock 22, but it is difficult to conceal.

[Roy D Mercer]

If you are going with .380 the Sig P238 is a fine shooter and hard to beat but will cost you closer to $500.

[axisbuck24]

^^^ This
Lots of good advice and suggestions on guns, which are good starting places. For me the Glock 27 was too small and wide. It kicked pretty hard, but my dad loves it. Just try out a lot. The S&W Airweight is a good suggestion too.

Agree with you on the Glock 27, I thought it was a bit too powerful for me so I sold mine to a friend. I like how the Glock 26 shoots.

As others have mentioned allow her to hold the different guns and if possible shoot the different brands. Good luck on finding your new little friend.

[popup_menace]

I'm a glock man myself, but the ruger LC9 is a really well made gun