Carry gun for less than $500

[UberTong]

Wanted to throw this out there and get a wide variety of opinions. I have a relative who is looking for his first and probably only pistol for a while. He has owned guns in the past but doesn't now and wants the best blend of a range gun and carry gun for under or around $500.

I'm a fan of Springfields and XD's since thats what I own. But I would like to hear what you guys carry and why. We are both big fellas (gun is for my brother) so all caliber options open too, he's 6'4'' 315...so we got room to pack :).

Thanks

[ghettodub]

I alternate between two for my carry guns: Ruger LCP for when I just have a t-shirt or something form fitting, and a Kahr CW45 for when I have better clothes to conceal.

[DeusExMachina]

Glock 19.

If he's got big hands or a leftie, a Gen4 is going to be a little above $500 unless used. Gen3s are $499 new everywhere.

I recently have been converted to a Glock fan...it shoots just as well as my full size M&P and I can make it completely disappear.

[CUatTheEnd]

My 1st conceal gun - Glock 19 Gen 4. Got my on AR-15 (not this site) Brand New + IWB Holster + Night sights for $500.00 (not including FFL and Shipping fees = $45.00). Very comfortable and smooth.

[TFOGGER]

As always, whatever fits his hand best. Glock, XD, M&P, Kahr, all can be found in your price range.

[rondog]

Meh...just saw the LH requirement.

[UberTong]

Glock 19.

If he's got big hands or a leftie, a Gen4 is going to be a little above $500 unless used. Gen3s are $499 new everywhere.

I recently have been converted to a Glock fan...it shoots just as well as my full size M&P and I can make it completely disappear.


Actually yes, forgot to mention that, he is a lefty...thanks for the reminder.

[UberTong]

Thanks for the help guys...yeah I shot my first Glock in years at the Shootist this past Saturday, I felt like I was cheating on my XD...I didn't want to give it back. It was a Glock21, not sure what gen. The cool part was there were guys in lane 1 next to us that brought an HK MP5 full auto, real deal and also a bunch of nice suppressed pistols. I of course made friends and he let me put a few clips through his HK. Link below.

http://www.youtube.com/user/hp330v8?feature=mhum#p/u/10/2XlvyqCyItY

[AR15]

[soco11]

Glock 19 was the best carry gun I ever carried, because of its size and ability to disappear, even on a relatively smaller guy. But for a bigger guy, that may not be as important.

[lebru]

kahr cw series.

[Byte Stryke]

Springfield Arms .45 ACP XDc

[UberTong]

Thanks for the help...i think he's leaning xd or glock we will see. No comments on my super cool HK experience? Sheesh...haha.

[Lex_Luthor]

I love my XD9SC, bought it pretty recently. First handgun. Now I need more $$ to stock up some ammo, take a chp course, and apply for my permit. Then I'll need a holster or two. Alas, it might be a while before all that goes down.

[lebru]

I love my XD9SC, bought it pretty recently. First handgun. Now I need more $$ to stock up some ammo, take a chp course, and apply for my permit. Then I'll need a holster or two. Alas, it might be a while before all that goes down.

i've got a nice holster for xd concealed carry...its essential a crossbreed super tuck. wears, fits, and conceals the same

[Tinelement]

Depends on how I feel in the morning, and what I'm wearing! Ruger LCP in crossbreed super tuck, Glock 23 in Desantis Scorpion, Kimber Pro Carry II in cozy partner ( I know that's not in the $500 range), or OWB H&K P30 9mm. Haven't found an IWB for it. Wife says I have more holsters than she has shoes! May be a problem I guess!

[gnihcraes]

Ruger SR9c, just recently picked one up for my wife, I took it to the range sunday and it shoots great. Left/Right safety, 17 round mag, 10 round mag, decent gun. Shot well and took all my reloads without issue.

Picked this one up for $400ish (can't exactly remember) at G&G in Lakewood.

I think one model is $350ish.

[UberTong]

Good stuff everyone, thanks. This forum kicks a**.

[Byte Stryke]

i've got a nice holster for xd concealed carry...its essential a crossbreed super tuck. wears, fits, and conceals the same

I have a Crossbreed supertuck for my XD
I Friggin Love it and will have to get me another one

[DFBrews]

I have a Crossbreed supertuck for my XD
I Friggin Love it and will have to get me another one

The cross breed is a solid design I have made a couple and had liberty holsters make me one too. super comfy and makes the xd tactical go to ninja status with the right cant.

[SA Friday]

Bug guns and big meatie paws don't go too well. I would stay in the mid sized pistol range like the 4 inched barreled polymer framed double stacked guns. Find one that feels goo, then practice.

[MCarp71]

I alternate between two for my carry guns: Ruger LCP for when I just have a t-shirt or something form fitting, and a Kahr CW45 for when I have better clothes to conceal.

Same here LCP, or a glock 26 sub-compact. Both work great!

[Inconel710]

Nobody else mentioned, but the SIGPro is a real sleeper. Check out Top Gun Suppy (http://www.topgunsupply.com/sig-pro-handguns). You get brand new SIG quality for less than $400.

[porfiriozg]

you can try this one too

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=115833

[Byte Stryke]

Bug guns and big meatie paws don't go too well. I would stay in the mid sized pistol range like the 4 inched barreled polymer framed double stacked guns. Find one that feels goo, then practice.


THIS^

Cool Factor will do nothing for you if SHTF.
No one cares about the name or color.

Can I control it?
Am I comfortable with it?
can I rely on it?

these should be your primary concerns
everything else is, honestly, unimportant.

[CO-Exprs]

Glock 19 for the win. Biggest gun that carries like a small gun. Smallest gun that shoots like a big gun. I don't even like Glocks, but the G19/23 is a special blend of just the right size to be carryable and yet still have fun with on the range. There are significantly more options available for the Glock than with XDs as well. Reliability of the Glock is percieved to be better and the bore hight is lower, so less felt recoil than an XD. The G19 is a good enough pistol to compete in IDPA or USPSA matches with and the trigger is both more easily improved and easier to master than the XD. Ergos on the G19 are better than the other Glock models too. XDs are good pistols, but there is a reason why Glocks have dominated USPSA and IDPA production classes for years. They just plain work. I'll be the first to say that I love to hate Glocks. Part of that hatred is because they simply shouldn't be able to shoot so well. This is one of those rare cases however where the sum of the ingredients adds up to something greater than it should.

[Fly Fisher]

M&P compact 9 in a IWB I ordered from Dain on this forum and it is a good setup with the large palm swells. I hated the glock 26/27 is why I went M&P. However I just got a glock23 originally for camping but it is very concealable and it will get treated to one of Dain's Holsters as well.

Also carry a P238 in a Sig pocket holster when dressing business casual

[scottyd223]

I think for the carry and range the Glocks are so simple and an excellent first / only gun that you can't go wrong but of course go with the "fits the hand, can control, comfortable" etc. crowd.

I see a lot of guys saying Glock 19s but I would say a Glock 23 in .40 S&W THEN get a lone wolf barrel in 9mm for $100 bucks and a mag or two and he can have a .40 for some power when he wants it and a 9mm for cheaper practice.

After that, plan on a .22 at some point to practice on the cheap. I know you said this would be the first / only gun (ie: wouldn't be lining up for more at this point... or so he thinks) but having some caliber options makes a world of difference for shooting fun.

He's dating right now.... he doesn't have to get married! Enjoy some variety.

[scottyd223]

.... oh yeah... he can get a new glock for $425 if he joins the GSSF (Glock Shooting Sports Foundation) - basically their members can buy at police officer pricing. Worth searching for and checking out anyway if he is interested in the other benefits of membership.

[rammit]

.... oh yeah... he can get a new glock for $425 if he joins the GSSF (Glock Shooting Sports Foundation) - basically their members can buy at police officer pricing. Worth searching for and checking out anyway if he is interested in the other benefits of membership.

Gotta have a year in the club to get your first glock, but yep you get one a year at a discount.

[rockymtnrifleman]

Glock/XD. Can't go wrong with either.

I started out as an XD guy, (XD's are EXCELENT pistols) but converted over to the Glock. It just kinda grew on me. Being lefty, That's easily worked out with training, learn ho to used the mag release and slide release with your left hand. That's what us military guys have to do with the Baretta 92. Merely a training issue. Its an excellent idea to be able to be equally proficient with either hand.

+1 for the Glock 19/23. I've had them all. Those are the two that are the best size for carry.

If you get the SC Glock 26/27 and add a +2 base plate the profile of the gun is the same as the Glock 19/23. However, your barrel is shorter, mag capacity is less, and don't get the rail.

Because of this I don't really carry my Glock 26, i'd rather carry the 19/23 or 32(357 sig). All 3 are the same size. if you opt for the G23(40s&w)/32(357sig) you can buy a barrel of the the opposite caliber and shoot that ammo, uses the same mags. Plus pick up the 9mm(must be conversion barrel) and practice on the cheap. I found that there is a ton of aftermarket support for Glocks, and you can modify them 1000 ways.

just my $0.02 Happy shopping

[jess357]

I have lots of guns that I carry that are under 500 bucks. It all depends on the weather and my clothing options. Shorts weather and office work I carry my Kel-tec p3at.paid $200 Nothing is more concealable. The LCP would be in the same category. Spring/fall I will carry my XD9, I paid $480. I am a lefty, and I don't worry to much about mag releases. I can operate them. I don't really see the need for sub second mag changes. The XD9 holds 17 rounds. If I cant get the job done in 17 I shouldn't be carrying a gun. Winter/hunting time of the year I will carry a ruger gp100 .357 mag I paid $325. As a lefty I love revolvers. Sometime I will carry the sp101 .357 as well, I paid $400. All that said, the kel-tec goes away from home more than the others. Small guns are so much easier to CCW than others,
I am concerned that the gun is comfortable, concealable, dependable, and that I can do my part.
[UZI]

[DeusExMachina]

The XD9 holds 17 rounds. If I cant get the job done in 17 I shouldn't be carrying a gun.
That's a pretty terrible philosophy.

[jess357]

Thats my philosophy. I defend it by a fact, training, and a thought. How many shots are fired in the average shooting between two guns? 3-5 shots are fired. I train with my carry guns to be able to hit where I aim. My thought is, how many bg's can I actually survive a gunfight with? This is an odd question, but imagine you turn the corner, there are three bg's waiting for you with guns. You draw, how many threats can you stop before you are stopped? I don't think a quick mag change will help you. You have to hit where you intend to hit. Your only hope of surviving such a situation is cover, concealment, and accuracy. The incident will end imo too quickly to mag change. My carry piece is for defense, not offense. With 17 rounds you should have every tool you need to end a gunfight. While we prepare mentally, and through training; I hope no one has the misfortune of having to use deadly force, and more than 17 rounds.

[DeusExMachina]

Thats my philosophy. I defend it by a fact, training, and a thought. How many shots are fired in the average shooting between two guns? 3-5 shots are fired. I train with my carry guns to be able to hit where I aim. My thought is, how many bg's can I actually survive a gunfight with? This is an odd question, but imagine you turn the corner, there are three bg's waiting for you with guns. You draw, how many threats can you stop before you are stopped? I don't think a quick mag change will help you. You have to hit where you intend to hit. Your only hope of surviving such a situation is cover, concealment, and accuracy. The incident will end imo too quickly to mag change. My carry piece is for defense, not offense. With 17 rounds you should have every tool you need to end a gunfight. While we prepare mentally, and through training; I hope no one has the misfortune of having to use deadly force, and more than 17 rounds.

Link to your facts?

Also, god help you if a shooting you're involved in is "above average".

Saying you can shoot to stop a threat in 3-5 (you said two guns, so 1.5-2.5) shots is arrogant. There are quite a few cases where an officer shot someone 20+ times and was still killed by the assailant. Being under the stress of a life or death situation is going to ruin your accuracy. Also take into account if you are wounded in the exchange.

17 rounds suddenly seems like a pitiful few.

[jess357]

Link to your facts?

Also, god help you if a shooting you're involved in is "above average".

Saying you can shoot to stop a threat in 3-5 (you said two guns, so 1.5-2.5) shots is arrogant. There are quite a few cases where an officer shot someone 20+ times and was still killed by the assailant. Being under the stress of a life or death situation is going to ruin your accuracy. Also take into account if you are wounded in the exchange.

17 rounds suddenly seems like a pitiful few.

Every bullet has a lawyer attached to it. I agree your accuracy is going down the toilet during such a situation, but you still have to try.
What if you are wounded in the exchange? How can you still rely on lightning fast mag changes with use of only one hand?
There are not many shootings in Denver to be documented this way, but this is a larger area with more shooting, and a larger sample size. fortunately no officers were killed in 2009, with 85 shootings in Los Angeles.
LAPD officer involved shootings 2009, has round counts by LEO's, and weapon types used.
http://lapdonline.org/assets/pdf/2009YearEndReportFinal.pdf

[DeusExMachina]

Every bullet has a lawyer attached to it. I agree your accuracy is going down the toilet during such a situation, but you still have to try.
What if you are wounded in the exchange? How can you still rely on lightning fast mag changes with use of only one hand?
There are not many shootings in Denver to be documented this way, but this is a larger area with more shooting, and a larger sample size. fortunately no officers were killed in 2009, with 85 shootings in Los Angeles.
LAPD officer involved shootings 2009, has round counts by LEO's, and weapon types used.
http://lapdonline.org/assets/pdf/2009YearEndReportFinal.pdf

It goes both ways, if your support hand is wounded you wont be able to make magazine changes (as easily) and if your shooting hand/arm is wounded you will be less accurate (before you say you practice equally with both hands and are ambidextrous, lets just assume it has suffered).

I'm making the point that assuming you wont need to be prepared is poor preparation.

[Fly Fisher]

As I mentioned a few posts earlier I primarily carry a m&p compact 9 IWB and P238 in a pocket holster depending on situation.

I forgot to discuss my other set up which began the whole CCW process. As my moniker indicates I fly fish a fair amount and in the back country. I've ran in to bear and moose out there unarmed so now I have a Taurus Tracker 44mag 4" stainless on a Uncle Mikes (expensive version, not the $30 cheapy) Horizontal shoulder holster. Fits perfectly under the fly fishing vest.

If I could figure out how to comfortably conceal my 6" Stainless Colt King Cobra 357 I would never leave home without it.[Love2]

[Irving]

Ever seen Die Hard? 17 rounds would seem pretty desperate in that situation. That's why I always carry at least 20. If I can't stop a threat in 20 rounds, then I'm a chump.