Carry Pistol

Question
Hello,

I am looking into a ccw pistol for myself (age 51 female).   I have looked at the H&K 2000 series and the USP series; Glocks; Kahr.  My questions concerning getting a gun are:

1) safe to carry?
2) jamming issues?
3) sighting and trigger pull
4) weight
5) reliability

What guns do you consider to be the best and most reliable.
Indiana, USA

Answer
Sherri,

The guns you're considering are all top-quality guns.  In the case of all them, provided you carry them with the trigger appropriately covered (in a holster or a purse with a separate compartment for that purpose) they are all "safe" to carry (in that they won't discharge by themselves - all have various passive and drop safties).

All of the guns are reliable in terms of feeding and ejection, and in that regard all are relatively equal in reliability (with a few caveats below).

I'll tell you from the start that I have an affinity for the Glock, but I'll list the stengths and weaknesses of each.

H&K USP and 2000.  The 2000 is an update of the USP.  It is a bit less bulky, and has the LEM trigger system.  This system significantly lightens the trigger if it is engaged properly.  If somehow you end up loading the gun without it engaged, you'll need a tractor to pull the trigger!  H&K makes an excellent product.  Now that the magazine ban has sunset, you can get full capacity magazines for it.  My criticisms of the H&K are:  1) unless you have really big hands, it's hard to reach the safety/decocker. 2)The double action/single action trigger pull (while some can get used to it) is not conducive to accuracy under stress.  3)Though fine quality guns, they cost more than they have a right to.  4) The guns are bulky for concealed carry, and my experience with them is that they tend to "print" through clothing.

Glocks:  There's not much bad I have to say about the Glock.  Provided it fits your hand, trigger is easy to manipulate, and it is on the light side (although a fully loaded Glock is heavier than a fully loaded revolver because of the weight of the cartridges).  The one criticism I have is the plastic sights.  If you get a Glock, I would have the sights changed ASAP for something more robust from Novak, Heini, MMC, or AroTek.

Kahr.  The Kahr pistols have a smooth revolver-like trigger (all these guns are relatively easy to shoot, in my opinion, although I like the shot-to-shot consistency of the Glock or Kahr above the H&K's system).  Problems with the Karh:  1) magazine capacity is very limited, which would necessitate (in my opinion) carrying a spare magazine, 2) this is a problem, because the magazines, once in the gun,are fine; but outside the gun, they tend to "spray out" cartriges under the spring tension if you bump the magazine or bullet tip, making reloads very difficult.  You have the choice here between steel or polymer frame.  The steel frame guns are durable and work well, but are VERY heavy.  The polymer frame guns are not as durable, and as they wear will sometimes develop function problems.

I have had and shot all these guns at one time or another, but I carry a Glock with Novak sights, and that would be my best recommendation (although you won't be going "wrong" by getting one of the others).

Hope this helps.