I dont mean to open the proverbial 'can of worms', but I'm needing some advise on semi-auto pistols for conceal carry.

I pm'd TLEE about a year or so ago, and he helped a bunch, but Rattlesnake and I didnt get our licenses.

So, I'm at it again. Brief history, we both shoot revolvers ( got a 357 w/6" barrel and a 22 lr w/2" barrel). 22 would do for CC, but 357 wont.

I'm told that if you qualify on a revolver that the license restricts you to one, but if you qualify on a semi-auto the license will let you use either. Is that right?

I know nothing about semi-auto pistols and see new ones range from $250ish up to "however much you want to spend".

I need suggestions and comments on make and caliber for CC.

(Just for info-- Rattlesnake is 5'6" about 140 and MEAN, so mean, I'm not sure she even needs a CC. Most folks are scairt of her, anyway!)

That is the way it is in Arkansas. Our instructor made/asked everybody qualify with a Semi Automatic and furnished a Browning Buckmark .22 for those that came with a revolver. Qualifying for the shooting part was not hard. miles

Does not make a difference in NC Revolver or Semi? as far as quality carry autos IMHO and that only S&W shield, Kahr 9mm or 40mm, Springfield XDS 45 and a few other compacts are the cat's azz. I only own forty caliber semi-auto

I would recommend two guns in particular to look at.

1. KAHR P9/CW9. You can find good used for $350 range normally. Both are super comfortable and very accurate pistols with one of the best triggers around. I would not recommend the smaller version of the KAHR due to small size and handling issues. I have had a KAHR P9 since they came out years ago and it is my go to gun many times.

3. S&W M&P Shield, again great size CCW pistol that is accurate and comfortable. Problem is finding one at decent price. MSRP is $449 and many places are charging a premium and used are around $400 IF you can find one. I am breaking this one in and so far it is super nice, accurate and ergonomically great for me.

I am big fan of the 9mm in a CCW. One caveat is that requires use of "premium self defense" ammo. That puts it right there with a 45 in stopping power. 9mm is around 92% one shot stop vs the 45 at 96%.

For 24 years in SOF I carried a 45 with ball ammmo because I had to and with ball the 45 is the only way to go, but that is not the same now with the new self defense ammo for 9mm.

CCW weapons are normally smaller and the 40 and 45 often have issues with recoil for many people and the 9mm offers better handling and cheaper ammo to practice which IMO makes it a better choice as easier to shoot normally gives more hits, which is the goal. Fit and feel in the hand are key pistol issues and these two work great for me. I hate glocks for that reason and recommend the S&W M&P line with the interchangable back straps.

BTW, NRA/CCW instructor for 19 years but just my opinion.

In NM - if you qualify with a revolver, that's what you can carry.
- if you qualify with an auto, that's what you can carry.
- minimum qualification caliber is 32.
- you can NOT carry a larger caliber than you qualified with
IN that particular type of gun.

45 Colt and 45 ACP covers me, and "The Warden" for anything practical.

Mark

I like my gen 3 Glock's. My G26 in 9mm is a great CCW and shoots great too.

Just my $.02, NYH1.

I don't know why Idaho even requires a permit other than to collect the fee. Any kind of instruction on firearms is good enough - military, hunter safety, etc. No training specifically for hand guns is required. A permit is needed only when carrying concealed in a vehicle or inside a city limit. In a car, just set the gun on the seat and no permit is needed. Open carry is allowed anywhere.

Texas may have changed but, shoot with auto, and you can carry either.

I have the same dilemma. I am looking at glocks,29/30, 30s or 36. I want a 29 cause I don't have a 10 mm anymore, that and I can change calibers to 40, and 357 sig by swapping barrels.

As a safety professional my first instinct when giving my opinion on handgun ownership is safety. There is a definite difference in the safe handling hazards of the two handguns. Line of fire (muzzle control) and trigger control (finger on or off the trigger) are similar between the two. However, familiarity with the operating characteristics of a semi-auto hand gun is critical to the safe handling of same. Not so much with the revolver. For someone who is willing to train sufficiently and shoot regularly to maintain good habits, then the semi-auto is a fair choice. If not, I would recommend the simplicity and safety of a revolver. Personally, one of my favorite and most practical carry guns is a Colt New Agent 1911 in .45ACP. My favorite revolver is a new S&W Mod 40 "Lemon Squeezer" in .38 Special.





When circumstances prevent me from carrying either of those handguns, but I still need to arm myself, I slip into my pocket either a Beretta Tomcat in .32ACP or a 950B Jetfire in .25ACP.

I have carried a Kahr MK40 for years, no second thoughts. It is toward heavy but compact, manageable and a real shooter.

Lightest, smallest I go is an LCP. Try to get Cor-Bon DPX.

I live in a state that is super liberal and comes up with a poor rating for gun laws.

We are shall issue for even non residence, no class of any kind is required, and they don't care what you carry. Open carry is legal and our preemption law means you can open carry throughout the state. I am 6'1" and 200. I carry a full sized mil spec 1911 every day all day. With a good holster and heavy duty belt I can even carry in hot weather with just a tee shirt untucked.

Don't know about LA., but in WI there's no restriction re: qualification vs. carry.

Ditto from here.. The majority of the time I carry my Kahr P-9..

....and a good one at that.. Yer spot on IYAM..

OOakie, that Smith 40 is SWEET!! Is that a Turnbull?

Old man, looks like every State is different with regards to their CCW rules. Here in FL, no matter what you qualify with, you can carry whatever you want. Here, it is a Concealed WEAPON license.
Today, when out for my constitutional, I wore a Busse Combat fixed blade knife, and a Springfield XDS .45 compact, along with three extra mags.

I faced the question when I convinced my wife to get her ccw. I was smart enough to let her choose her own firearm. Went to the gun store and "tried a number of sidearms on". I wanted her to get a G19 but she chose a Walther PP something or other. It fit her really well and pointed well. After shooting a few hundred rounds, she realized that although the ergonomics were good, the trigger was difficult along with some other aspects of operating the firearm.

We ended up with a G19 for her. Points well for her, simple and RELIABLE.

For me, Glocks just don't point well. I also like having an external safety for the way I carry and use a firearm so I own a few, but don't carry a Glock.




We looked at the Kahrs for my wife. I don't know much about them other than what I've read. I do know they do provide an option of a nice small, slim sidearm.

Best option is to get to the range with a couple different sidearms and have both of you shoot. I always direct people who aren't semi-auto experienced to Glocks. Simple, point and shoot and RELIABLE. G19s are nice sidearms that can be used as a bedstand gun as well with larger mags for even more capacity. Would be ideal if both of you carried the same design to keep things simple.

As to cost, I have seen many lightly used Glocks for that mid $400s.

Finally, get good holsters. Don't be satisfied with something that justs works. Find holsters or carry means that work well for you and your wife. I have a few holsters I use that work well for me. My wife generally doesn't "carry" her sidearm. Wen she does take her sidearm, it is generally on a road trip. In that instance, she uses a custom made fanny pack I had made for her so she can keep the gun in a holster and be able to throw it around her hips when she stops while traveling with the kids.

I believe Smith may have commissioned Turnbull to make up a batch of case hardened frames. Its been a while since I bought that gun. I've since put some different wood grips on her to give a better purchase and manipulation of the safety.

If'n she's that damn mean you should just carry Rattlesnake with ya, He11 she's only 140lbs.

You might wanna take a look at either a S&w M&p 40 CAL OR A 1911 IN 9MM OR 45 CAL. go to a shop that has a range so you can rent a few different one to see what you like. I carry a Kimber full size 1911 in 45 cal every day.

Good luck.

Thanks for the suggestions/ideas/opinions. Wrote it all down and have been looking at prices/options, etc.

Also made several calls and finally found a place that will let us come and shoot different pistols to see how we like them. I'm sure we'll have to buy the ammo, but that's only fair.

This place also has the CC classes and he answered my questions.

1. In La. you can carry what you want and you can qualify with either a revolver or semi-auto.
2. You can qualify/carry a rim fire. (Must be different in some places)
3. You have to renew the license every 5 years.

Thanks again!

Oh, if I could fit Rattlesnake in a holster and carry it, I wouldnt be afraid to charge the gates of he!!, cause NOBODY messes with her!

Sig p938 is what I chose. Very happy.

here in MT once you qualify, you qualify.. doesn't matter semi or wheel gun.
I carry a Kimber ultra CDPII .45 or a Sphinx SDP in 9mm daily, just depends on my mood which I load out.

This.

Shoot a Shield before you buy something else. My 9mm Shield shoots like a much, much larger handgun. It is also something that the women I work with love to shoot when I take out new shooters.

Slim. Easy to carry. Mine didn't require any "break-in" it just shot great right out of the box.

If WA is that easy to get a permit, why won't they accept Idaho's permit? They probably just don't want to miss out on the fees.

The whys of the laws are beyond my comprehension.

It is shall issue for you here and that is a lot better than Oregon who by law cannot enter into reciprocity with any other state and darned few sheriffs will issue non resident. Mine should be here any day. I have considered an Idaho permit but not really sure what the advantage would be.

Shields in stock. $360 for the .40 and $380 for the 9mm.
http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=180020

I also recommend M&Ps, in whatever size you want to carry.

No qualification even needed here. All I have to do is to pay my $15 to the sheriff for a 5 year permit. I can open carry without it but any pistol is considered concealed when within reach in an automobile and would then require a CC permit.

As far as pistols, take a hard look at the Glock 36, Glock 19, Springfield XD-S or Kahr PM-CM 9.

I carry a S&W 637 38sp. in front pocket in a pocket holster, or a S&W MP9c in 9mm if on belt.

If you're not able to go to a range and try out various guns, see if the shop will allow you to dry fire the ones your interested in. My mother got her permit and had been waiting on a Walther she'd shot and ordered and got sick of waiting and grabbed a Ruger 380. She didn't dry fire and didn't like the trigger once she got to the range. Got her through until the Walther arrived though.

No matter what you carry, practice and then buy defense ammo and make sure it hits where you want and functions properly.

If you have a WA permit, ID will accept it. No need to get an ID one.

I don't really understand reciprocity laws from state to state. Is a CCW permit a state license to carry concealed, or is it federal so if issued in 1 area can be legal anywhere in US? If I got one in Wisconsin could I legally carry to other states? Info appreciated. Thanks.

This site might be some help.
http://www.handgunlaw.us/

Concealed permits are state issued.

The answer to your question on reciprocity is a long and convoluted one.

Each state has it's own rules and regs as to the laws for carrying, the laws that dictate what constitues legal use of force etc. Each state also has laws and regs dictating what other states' ccw permits are recognized.

There are a number of websites that lists each state and what other states' ccw permits they recognize. These sites often summarize each individual state's ccw laws. Concealedcarry.org comes to mind.

Thanks for the replies.

/quote]If WA is that easy to get a permit, why won't they accept Idaho's permit? They probably just don't want to miss out on the fees. [/quote]

ID CCW permit allows 18 year-olds to carry pistols but WA requires permit holders to be at least 21 years old. That's the reason given for the one-way 'reciprocity'. WA CCW issuing authority is local LE, so it is a good CCW state for those in Eastern WA. Don't know about the rest of the state.

WA is shall issue. No problem getting one anywhere even for non residents.

I'm only going off memory but I believe the issue is that Idaho doesn't check applicants against mental health roles.

There have been lots of calls for a national permit, but with our current congress, I highly doubt that we'd like the result.

We're a red state. We don't have mental health problems.

National permit is not a good idea. The Feds can shut down permission as easily as they can grant it. Then no one would be "allowed" to carry.

silly children, we have a ccw in arizona, used mainly to facilitate gun purchases.
because,
we passed a law that says any law abiding non criminal can carry concealed in arizona, you don't need permission from the King or his minions.

as to the type of weapon, that depends. My wife cannot work a semiauto, her hands are arthritic. So that limits to two inch revolvers.
it's also hot most of the time in most of arizona, and the uniform of the day is mostly shorts and a t shirt. Kind of difficult to conceal a 14round springfield .45 xd. I tend to go back and forth, kind of like when picking out a hammer to do a certain job.
i have a fondness for little colt or smith two inch revolvers, but but as in saturday running around and running into possible situations, a friends comment about having a hi capacity glock makes sense sometimes. It's somewhat conditional upon what you percieve the threat level to be.
i have what i call a baby glock. It originally was a .357sig. Now has aftermarket barrel, in .357 sig, .40s&w, and 9mm. It can be what caliber i want it to be. And it also accepts full size extended capacity mags too.

That is a GREAT answer! I shure as heck can't say it about my state.

This! the only way I would want the feds involved would either the SC rule that the 2A includes constitutional carry and that you did not need a permit from anyone to carry or a ruling that mandated national reciprocity.

I would not need one to carry in ID but I was looking at how many states an ID permit would give be combined with my WA and OR. It only gives me two and those are states I will probably never see again. It would not be worth the cost and effort to apply.

I just checked, looks like 26 states honor Colorado permits.
Only about two of those that don't are in the group I may someday visit.

ID and WA issue non resident permits and they may help you get where you want to go.

You can go HERE , enter your state and then add non resident permits to cover the states you want.

CAUTION! I have found errors in these concealed carry maps. Make sure you check the laws in every state you enter before carrying.