CONCEALED CARRY PISTOL

Question
I have been shopping for a concealed carry pistol-I'm on a limited income since I'm disabled,so the 9mm or 38 special seem like viable options. I like the charter arms revolvers,but dont know about thier quality. I also like the Taurus 24/7,Kel-Tec p-11 and S&w sigma 9mm. Thier is really a good deal on the sigma pistol here in Houston Tx. I can get one from Academy for $260 new w/2 15 round mags. wousl any of these be ok or should I spend more money for a big name pistol. Also should I choose a bigger caliber. I have a friend that is a HPD officer and he thnks the 9mm is too weak. If I shoot enought to stay proficient(250 rounds a month) I'm told-I don't know if I could afford a 40 or 45. What do you think? thanks for any help.

Answer
Hi Steve.

There are many, many variables to consider when choosing a handgun for concealed carry.  It is not possible for me to gather enough information from you over the web to make a proper recommendation so I will only give you some basic info that might help when you make your decision.

First we need to consider your budget.  You mention a limited income but also state that you plan to shoot at least 250 rounds per month.  Even the cheapest ammunition will run you about $8 for 50 rounds (after tax) so it looks like you are prepared to spend $40 per month or more on ammunition.  If you can afford this kind of money for practice then I will assume that you can also afford to spend up to $400-$500 on your firearm if needed.

For concealed carry most people prefer a small profile and light-weight.  Unfortunately some handguns like the traditional 1911-style .45s are big, long, heavy, and they can be more difficult to operate or even unsafe under stress unless you practice with them frequently.  If you do decide to get a 1911-style handgun then you might check out the smaller Para-Carry, Nite Hawg, Slim Hawg, or Warthog models which are made by Para Ordnance.  I have the larger Tac-Four model which is nearly identical to most of their other models but it is bigger and it is one of my favorite guns.  Here is a link to their catalog and website which contains all the info:

http://www.para-lda.com/catalog.html

I have done a lot of shopping for high-quality pistols and I have owned and shot many but Para Ordnance makes some of the best with a lifetime warranty to back them up.

Another good option for a semi-auto pistol would be any of the smaller Glock or Sig Sauer pistols which are also at the top of my list for quality and reliability.  When I teach handgun classes I let everyone take their pick from my arsenal and so far the Sig Sauer P-229 has been the clear favorite hands down.  I have to admit this would be the one semi-auto that I would bet my life on before all other choices.

I have an S&W Sigma in .40 and it is a pleasure to shoot but the 9mm would be a little easier and cheaper to shoot.  That sounds like a great deal on the Sigma so you might consider it if you decide to get a semi-auto.  I would not recommend the Taurus or Kel-Tec semi-autos for serious defensive use but I do own a Kel-Tec .32 and it is a nice backup or ultra-concealment gun.

I do like the semi-autos however after many years of carry with all sorts of pistols I have come back to a preference for small light-weight revolvers which hold 7 or more rounds of serious ammo.  One model which fits the bill is the Taurus 617 which holds 7 rounds of .357 magnum and only weighs 19.9 oz!  It is easy to conceal and carry, super-reliable, and easy to shoot under stress.  I was reluctant to get it at first since some reviews said that it would kick or be hard to shoot but that is pure BS.  My small petite wife shoots it with full power loads without any problem at all and she is far from being a gun nut.  Kids as young as 10 years old have shot it in my class and they do fine too.  I think the combination of the ported barrel and ribbed rubber grips make it easy to handle.

In my opinion the most important factors for a defensive firearm are reliability first, easy to use and maintain second, and cartridge type / performance third.  When you look at it this way the revolvers usually come out on top plus they are often a little cheaper to buy and shoot.  With the Taurus 617 mentioned above you can shoot the cheaper .38 special loads for practice but then use the more powerful .357 loads for defensive use.

Hope this helps!

Bob