[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

Most .38 snubs today are five shots. I'd like more capacity and it seems that a revolver has too many pieces and edges that can get caught if you need to get it out in a hurry.

Yes, but it's reliable. Will fire when you pull the trigger, no chance of jamming after one shot. Quality in cheap semi-autmatic's can be queationable IMO. Small frames are pretty compact. Like I said IMO reliablity more important to me.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

But you also have to balance that against the fact that smaller guns tend to have a lot of kickback making them not so much fun to shoot at the range an possibly less accurate in an emergency situation.

Kick back depends on barrel length. Anything less that .357 or 38 special not going to buck much.

[CWGUY]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Yes, but it's reliable. Will fire when you pull the trigger, no chance of jamming after one shot. Quality in cheap semi-autmatic's can be queationable IMO. Small frames are pretty compact. Like I said IMO reliablity more important to me.

S&W Model 36 IWB holster

[karostay]

Taurus Judge
Taurus Judge 4510TKR-3SS Revolver | .410 GA. .45 Long Colt 5 Rounds Matte Stainless
You don't have to be accurate Only Close

[TNLAKEPANDA]

I have quite a few guns and recently replace my $700 Sig P9389 with a S&W Shield 9mm for about $379. It is a great gun and shoots very well.
If you want to go with a .380 get the S&W Bodyguard. It is smaller and easier to conceal. You just can't go wrong with S&W. Every now and then Rural King will have them on sale but you could go to Apoka or Orlando or Tampa and get a better price. Even purchase online but the local dealer taking delivery will have a fee of $25-$30. I would stay away from the off brands like SCCY etc. If you want a revolver you only get 5 shots. That said if you need to use your gun you will likely be up close and personal with the bad guy.

Join a club like the Village Straight Shooters. Go to the range and practice. Just owning and carrying a gun is not good enough. One other thing go on Amazon and buy the book "Laws of Self Defense" and read it.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by karostay

Taurus Judge
Taurus Judge 4510TKR-3SS Revolver | .410 GA. .45 Long Colt 5 Rounds Matte Stainless
You don't have to be accurate Only Close

I don't think you have to be close just point in the direction


I had thunder 5 which was the first modern 5 shot shotgun revolver. Good for about 12 feet. After that the 45s or 45-70s started tumbling. Wasn't impress with 410 at 10 foot it would verily penetrate 5 gallon plastic bucket. The judge is much better with longer barrel.

Thunder 5 was good for up close like from your bed to the bedroom door couldn't miss with the 410 load, and beside with the 2" barrel it shot flames about 5'. Loaded it with two shot loads, one buckshot load, one slug load and last 45 long colt or 45-70. Which even with short Barrel and the weight it buck little with the 45-70. Nothing compared to .454

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by CWGUY

S&W Model 36 IWB holster

O yea, I had same one in snub nose.

[NoMoSno]

9mm, ammo is plentiful and cheap. Shoot and shoot often.(practice)
That being said, I also carry a .380 Ruger LCP (saftey is the long hard trigger pull)
Going to Orlando, questionable areas? .45 Colt Defender on the hip. Back up .380 pocket.
Or a revolver, always works....

[kcrazorbackfan]

Originally Posted by outlaw

I would think long and hard regarding a manual safety. Unless you plan on regular and frequent practice for a long time, a manual safety can be your worst enemy in a panic situation. Even with practice, you may forget to arm in a defensive situation. The numerous cc pistols without a manual safety are very safe as long as you cc in a holster (pocket holster for pocket carry). People even offer a trigger holster that just covers the trigger; doesn't "increase" the effective size of the pistol for pocket carry.

From MANY years of carrying a weapon, as the weapon is coming out the safety is going off. For those new to carrying, the active safety, IMHO, would seem to be safer so they wouldn't accidentally discharge a round taking it out of a sheath or holster.

[rjm1cc]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

What do you think is the best value in a conceal carry gun. I don't have a lot to spend, but I don't want to break the bank either.

I've ben looking at the SCCY CPX2 which is made here in Florida. There are a lot of good reviews online on it.

From what I understand, the CPX1 had a lot of trouble with the safety but the CPX2 doesn't have one.

Does anyone here have one or know someone that owns one?

You have to be able to carry it in a concealed fashion and access it in an emergency. Thus the size and weight might be a consideration.

[Carl in Tampa]

It is great that you've gotten so many responses, and have seen the basis for other people's selections. What to carry is a very personal matter.

For background, in the Army I wore the Expert marksmanship badge for .45 pistol on my uniform. In the Secret Service I earned the Distinguished Expert certificate with a .38 Special S&W Combat Masterpiece. I carried a variety of pistols at the Sheriff's Office, but I also became a factory certified Glock armorer.

My selection is simple: Glock.

No safety on slide. No hammer. Will not fire if dropped. If the trigger is pulled it will fire. Otherwise it will not fire.

They come in full size, medium, and small, in a variety of calibers. There are also slimmer models with single stack magazines.

My carry choice is usually a "Baby Glock" in .357 Sig caliber, which is ballistically similar to the .357 Magnum revolver round.
But that is just me. A 9MM round can be more than adequate, and the FBI has gone back to that round.

I have sometimes carried .380 caliber, but I put a lot of practice into shot placement with a pistol of this caliber.

What ever you get, practice a lot. It gives you skill, and it's fun!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

It is great that you've gotten so many responses, and have seen the basis for other people's selections. What to carry is a very personal matter.

For background, in the Army I wore the Expert marksmanship badge for .45 pistol on my uniform. In the Secret Service I earned the Distinguished Expert certificate with a .38 Special S&W Combat Masterpiece. I carried a variety of pistols at the Sheriff's Office, but I also became a factory certified Glock armorer.

My selection is simple: Glock.

No safety on slide. No hammer. Will not fire if dropped. If the trigger is pulled it will fire. Otherwise it will not fire.

They come in full size, medium, and small, in a variety of calibers. There are also slimmer models with single stack magazines.

My carry choice is usually a "Baby Glock" in .357 Sig caliber, which is ballistically similar to the .357 Magnum revolver round.
But that is just me. A 9MM round can be more than adequate, and the FBI has gone back to that round.

I have sometimes carried .380 caliber, but I put a lot of practice into shot placement with a pistol of this caliber.

What ever you get, practice a lot. It gives you skill, and it's fun!

Aside from the fact that Glocks are fairly expensive, the Baby Glock (Glock 26 Gen4) seems to have a very small grip. Does that pose a problem for you?

[JRichm369]

I had a Ruger LCP really did not like it, now have a SIG P-380 way better piece, more expensive. Stainless frame is a little bit heavier, softens recoil. in most respects it is a smaller Colt 45, Action safety, etc. Also most 380s offer a 6 round magazine that gives you on more finger on the grip.

[The20Percent]

Lounging around casually in shorts & tee-shirt, have your SMALL Ruger 380 LCP or S&W 380 bodyguard (gut guns) in your front pocket. Although aesthetically appealing, stay away from the Taurus PT-22's and the PT-25's with the tilt up barrels. I had to return more of these firearms to the manufacturer from the thousands of guns I sold over many years, until we finally quit stocking them. Going out to crime ridden Orlando for the day, wear long pants with a MEDIUM size Glock 42 or S&W Sheild on your ankle or inside your jeans pocket. Going up north and wearing a jacket, holster up your LARGE frame Glock 22 or a Springfield XD-40 or any quality large frame auto your comfortable with for that matter. Going out into snake infested woods, be sure to bring along your Taurus judge loaded with 410 gauge ammo. Also good for the two legged types that might slither into your home at night through a window.

As you can see it's hard to own just one pistol to fit all occasions and attire. I think the largest gun you can conceal comfortably and which you are the most accurate and comfortable shooting is your best choice because your overall accuracy improves with a longer barrel in regard to distance. Problem might be if you get used to alternating between several firearms located on different parts of your body, you might forget which one is where and reach for your car keys instead during a deadly encounter!

Everyone is different but my comfort level is with the semi-autos WITHOUT external safeties. I don't want to have to remember if I left my safety on or off or possibly forget the location of the safety and/or fumble for the safety as each precious second counts during a potential life and death situation. If you do prefer the safety be sure to practice many times over your guns safety and fire functions on the range so that the functionality of your gun becomes natural if you are ever forced to use it during a lethal encounter.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

Suggest you find a gun range that has a good selection of rental guns and try some out. Otherwise just buy the one you can afford and feels best in your hand. If you are going to carry all the time then spend what you need to and get the gun you want.