I have a Doctor friend who wants a top of the line but over the counter conceal cary pistol

What should he buy?

If truly for concealed carry, then it should be the one that fits him well, carries well, and he can shoot well. He may have to buy a couple to try them out. Money should not be the main consideration.

And the same rules apply to the garbage truck driving friend also.

This still does not tell him what to look for.....I would hate to see him at the mercy of a Cabelas clerk telling him what he should buy

that's a wide open question. how experienced a pistol shot is he? does he want auto or revolver? how small a unit? etc etc etc

Sadly, such a gun doesn't seem to exist. I carry a Kel-Tec P-11 just because it fits all my requirements. I just wish a better company made it.

If he doesn't mind carrying a bit larger gun, the HK P7 series guns are really hard to beat.

The P7 is a bit too heavy for its size for me. I have tried with my PSP and M8 versions and didn't like either. Based on my experience I would not recommend them for carry, but they are fun little shooters.

A no-lock S&W 340, 442, or 642 all make for very useful carry pieces IMO if they aren't against wheel guns. The 340 M&P with the tritium front sight goes for close to $750, and the Crimson Trace version is around $900.

I have carried some type of side arm now for 34 plus years.

Whats the best I am still looking and I own many.

A nice 5 shot 3 inch model 60 type revolver would be high on the list so is my glock 23.

There are so many. I tell my students handle many go with a major manufactor.

1. It has to go bang very time
2. You have to like to carry it
3. You have to carry it.
4. It has to go bang every time.
5. being resoanbley accurate helps under 5 inchs at 25 yard any thing more is nice.
6 you have to carry it
7. it has to bang every time.


CCW sized weapons are all to big when you carry them all the time and never powerful enough, nor holds enough rounds when you really need them.

All good advice above. Everyone has different likes & dislikes. Some guns have a grip that feels good, but a trigger that is too heavy. Some like a manual safety some don't.

My son has a nice .40 Beretta. I can shoot well at the range in single action mode, but can't get past the DA first shot and switch to SA for the remainder in a SD situation.

Try to shoot as many different ones as possible. They are like women; each one has different qualities, so try before you buy.

A CCW is usually a compromise to some degree. Larger guns are easier to shoot and have higher ammo capacity, but are harder to conceal. Smaller ones (J-frame) are more difficult to shoot well, but easier to conceal and carry.

I carry a J-frame (642) in the summer (pocket carry) and a Glock 19 when it's cool enough for a sweat shirt.

I carry 642 J frame, and Glock 23. If I had to chose just one, it would be a Glock no question! Point, squeeze the trigger, and they go bang no questions asked!

Peter

I'm going to give you a 2-part answer.
When I made MY choice....it was a Kahr CM-9.
I'm an experienced competitive shooter, having been shooting and reloading since Eisenhower was President. I have a variety of excellent defensive handguns....NONE of which I carry ALL THE TIME. A daily carry handgun represents a series of compromises. Each of us has to choose which ones we're willing to make. The CM9 met my criteria. Other folks may differ with that choice for THIER own personal reasons.
For someone who might end up asking a retail clerk to recommend a weapon to defend his life....I'd suggest any of the decent 5-shot 38 spl. revolvers, loaded with Speer "short bbl" +P ammo. Try to get your friend to shoot it enough to be reasonably comfortable, and NOT waste his time getting frustrated banging away at 25 yd targets.
Maybe the experience of getting started will encourage him to become an active shooter..!!

I prefer and carry a S&W #340 with crimson trace grips in .38 special. Recoil, muzzle flash and muzzle blast of a .357 in a small lightweight handgun are horrible. I carry it in a custom Myka pocket holster with one speed loader and 6 shells in a flat shell pouch.

SIG 238, for one reason: you will have it in your pocket all the time because it is light, and it will not fingerprint.

He should get a S&W revolver, a Bodyguard or Centennial in 38 Special or 357 Mag.

He then should carry as powerful a load as he can handle...

And he should practice a lot.

Ted, there are plenty of Cabelas gun counter associates that know a thing or two about handguns and CCW use. Yes, a few might not know all they should but you have the same stuff at gun shops too. The trick is to talk to some of them and find out who the ones are that do know their stuff. You may be surprised as to how good some of them really are.

Not enough info provided. Is your friend an experienced shooter? Does he prefer semiauto or revolver?
Reasonable choices could include Glock 26, Ruger SR9C in 9mm, or S&W .38 spcl J-frame revolvers, e.g., 642, 442, 438, etc.
He/she needs to at least go to a rental range and test fire some compact semiautos and J-frame revolvers to determine which are most suitable for intended purpose.

My go to answer for this question is one of the Taurus CIA revolvers. No hammer to hang up, works with either hand, in a pocket, any grip. Just pull the trigger and it goes bang. Repeat. Five times. The plumb mad dog meanest get off me CCW gun there is.

quote:

Originally posted by treg:
My go to answer for this question is one of the Taurus CIA revolvers. No hammer to hang up, works with either hand, in a pocket, any grip. Just pull the trigger and it goes bang. Repeat. Five times. The plumb mad dog meanest get off me CCW gun there is.

I agree!!

The only thing I'd add is that the same gun, but by S&W will serve just as well for the same reasons.

OK final answer - its the one you have when you need it

My two cents. If I has can take the time shoot a good bit and really learn the pistol, a few come to mind. CZ2075 RAMI, Kimber Solo, Springfield EMP, all in 9mm, Smaller but effective the new SIG 380 or the Colt Mustang. If he is a very casual shoot a Smith snub nose in .38 would work best.

I have a Ruger LCP 380 that I carry loaded with Federal Hydra-Shok ammo--been very pleased with it. Regarding revolvers, I like the Ruger LCR .38 which will also shoot +P ammo

I have played with most in this catagory like the Sig 238, colts remake of the lightning, the limber solo, the LCP and the 9mm version, the Springfield micro ect but my faves were the Sig and the larger Walther PPS 9 and 40 cal. The Sig is just sweet and comes in many variations including the dehorned smoother one for carry. With the extended pinky grip mag it's pretty awesome. The best thing is for him to see how they all feel in the hand and how he likes the sights. If he does not mind a larger one I love the walther PPS. It's thin and comes in more potent rounds. The 40 would be my choice with mild loads for shootability.

quote:

He/she needs to at least go to a rental range and test fire some compact semiautos and J-frame revolvers to determine which are most suitable for intended purpose.

Bingo! I have friend with the same wants. I took him to an indoor shooting range just this past Saturday. I took a large semi-auto and a subcompact for him to shoot. He rented a glock 19 and a S&W mod10. We kept the targets at 3 yds so that he could gain some confidence. Once his confidence was achieved, he was able to compare the pistols (and revolver).

He went through 200 rounds and shot very well for his first time. Wisely, he is returning tomorrow and renting more guns to try.

If I were to choose for your friend, I would say a S&W model 640. If he wants (as he wants top of the line) he can get factory engraving to make it look special.

My "always gun" is a Ruger SP101 hammerless in .357 w/ crimson trace grips(the sights are rudimentary, the lazer is not). It is a bit heavier than most 5 shot small frame revolvers, but it is utterly reliable and fits either my pocket or SOB holster equally well. 38 Sp for lots of practice and .357 125 gr. hollowpoints for carry. Simple. Reliable. It doesn't get any better.

He wants one to impress his rich buddies, did you miss the opening statement? Another ID-10-T who wants to base his purchase of a handgun that might save his life, but needs first and foremost to be a "top of the line" handgun as opposed to the most functional for his intended use.

Get him an LCP, but tell him they cost over four grand, he'll be happy, and you can make a down on a Plains Game Safari.

Rich

I stick mine in my front pants pocket, right behind my 4GS. It is invisible...

The SP101 is fine but make mine with the hammer please.

I don't know what Doc Patrick will buy but I have a Glock 27

As far as trying to impress anyone....he isn't the type but can afford quality without batting an eye.

If the individual is fond of revolvers then their are numerous choices, but for pistols would think think the Glock 36 or 26 to be the choice. 36 in 45ACP is a bit much for some recoil wise(not that bad really,) but 26 in 9mm is an excellent all around concealable/carry type pistol. Latest Gen.4 come with 3 mags and if that is not enough, the 33rnd mag fits and works very well indeed. Obviously the huge mag is not for concealment, but can be stored in auto, hip pocket under shirt/coat and provides pretty much endless firepower. Whatever is purchased, user needs to take a class or two and practice, practice, practice.

I just picked up a Glock 30 today....WOW!!!!!