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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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This October 3 - I will be turning 75! I would like to buy my first handgun as a birthday gift for myself. This old body has become a little....umm.. frumpy. 5'7" short, and 170lbs. I want something that is easily concealable. No wide, thick frame. Wheel gun MAY be too thick for what I want. Probably small, light, and good trigger will draw my attention. Probably 9mm What model, manufacturer? I know this may develop a Ford vs Chevy thing but I still would like to hear your thoughts.
Where, on the body, do I wear it? Holster?
What do I need to know?
Been hunting since 1947, reloading about 30 years, all rifle and shotgun so I have a few years of firearm familiarity.
Suggestions, recommendations?
Thanks Jim
BE STRONG IN THE LORD, AND IN HIS MIGHTY POWER. ~ Ephesians 6:10
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. --Winston Churchill
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,361
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,361 |
Kel tec or Ruger 9mm compact.
How many obama supporters does it take to change a light bulb? None, they prefer to remain in the dark.
The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.
George Bernard Shaw
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Campfire Regular
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,797 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,797 Likes: 1 |
Sig 239
Smith & Wesson J Frame 38 special
Makarov 9x18
Appendix carry or strong side carry 3 to 430 for carry. Galco summer comfort and a good belt or something like a crossbreed style holster may work for you?
Last edited by Esox357; 09/20/14.
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,150
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2006
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How is your hand strength? My first thought, thought I have the KelTec, the XD-S and a Kahr CW-9, all three need good hand strength to cycle. The XD-S is my favorite of the three, but it's also the one that causes people the greatest difficulty with reliability, due primarily to very thin and abbreviated grips and stiff springs.
If you want a Revolver, any of the Smith or Rugers will be perfect.
If you want a semi-auto, my thought would be the Kahr CW-9. Reliable as all get-out, accurate to the nth degree, and reasonably easy to cycle. Also, it's normally under $400 and if you factor in cost, only the KelTec is cheaper and I doubt the KelTec's longevity and spotty quality control.
Kahr, CW-9 or CW-45. My top picks
Last edited by Dan_Chamberlain; 09/20/14.
"It's a source of great pride, that when I google my name, I find book titles and not mug shots." Daniel C. Chamberlain
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Joined: Nov 2004
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 17,281 Likes: 2 |
"I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
GeoW, The "Unwoke" ...Let's go Brandon!
"A Well Regulated Militia" Life Member
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Joined: Nov 2007
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 47,212 Likes: 6 |
first learn how to shoot a hand gun, then decide what you want.
God bless Texas----------------------- Old 300 I will remain what i am until the day I die- A HUNTER......Sitting Bull Its not how you pick the booger.. but where you put it !! Roger V Hunter
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Joined: May 2002
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I'm your age and about the same size, except I got down to 155. I went with a Glock G19 and S&W 642. I'm left handed and have an issue with my arm and shoulder such that I can't do a normal strong side draw. I carry the G19 in a DeSantis Sky Cop, and the 642 in a DeSantis L-GAT, both for an appendix carry and cross draw.
Works OK for me.
Paul
Stupidity has its way, while its cousin, evil, runs rampant.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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Campfire Sage
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Campfire Sage
Joined: Jun 2002
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An all-steel J-Frame (S&W) .38 Special with some over-sized aftermarket grips of your choice. Best loads for short barrel .38 Specials come from Buffalo Bore and Speer's Gold Dot line.
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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If a 9 is your choice you can't go wrong with a Glock 19 or H&K VP9.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2004
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If you want a 9 I'd go with a Ruger SR9c or an M&P 9c. If you are willing to go with a revolver I'd strongly look at a Ruger LCR it's available in 38+P and also 357 Mag. It's a handful in the mag but not punishing.
NRA LIFE MEMBER GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS ESPECIALLY THE SNIPERS! "Suppose you were an idiot And suppose you were a member of Congress... But I repeat myself." -Mark Twain
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Joined: Jan 2002
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2002
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I'm a couple of years younger, a bit taller and about ten pounds heavier. I won't claim what I use would be best for you but it works for me. Sig P45 carried with a Brigade Gunleather IWB just over my right kidney 6 plus 1 of 45 acp A long golf shirt hides it pretty well.
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,927
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Since it's your first, why not a 22LR and have some fun?
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Joined: Aug 2009
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Campfire Outfitter
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Jed York does not own the 49ers; Russell Wilson does.
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Campfire Outfitter
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s&w airweight in a revolver 38sp is a perfect lightweight carry gun. the kahr 9 is nice . glock 26 or 27 are very nice.cheaper stuff,taurus slim 9 or 40 carry really well
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7,866
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2010
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Absolutely LOVE my Ruger SR9c. Great trigger, accurate and conceals well. I carry mine in a Blackhawk IWB CQC leather holster (actually made for the Springfield XD sub but fits the Ruger perfectly). I will put on some Meprolites here soon. I also love the fact it comes with the ten rd mag for conceal ability plus another 17 rd to keep in your pocket. Pretty inexpensive, as well. I thnk I paid $420, IIRC. While choosing a handgun is subjective, I would certainly try to check out the Ruger if you can. Here's a shot of it next to my buddy's Kahr. The trigger was FAR better on my Ruger, it held more rounds, was a bit wider and heavier and fit my hand much better (I have larger than average paws). I liked the sights on my Ruger far more, as well.
It ain't what you don't know that makes you an idiot...it's what you know for certain, that just ain't so...
Most people don't want to believe the truth~they want the truth to be what they believe.
Stupidity has no average...
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,332 Likes: 19 |
Another vote for the Ruger SR9-C
Bought one for my 74 year old Mother, as she could no longer pull the slide back on her Glock 19 due to arthritis in her hands. She has no problem racking the slide on the Ruger SR9-C and she also likes the manuel saftey on the Ruger. It has been very accurate and uber reliable.
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: Mar 2010
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Here's a quick IPad shot of the SR9c in its holster to give you an idea...
It ain't what you don't know that makes you an idiot...it's what you know for certain, that just ain't so...
Most people don't want to believe the truth~they want the truth to be what they believe.
Stupidity has no average...
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Campfire Ranger
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---------------------------------------- I'm a big fan of the courtesy flush.
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