WOOHOO! Help Me Decide On A New Gun

[jbenat]

I find it difficult to lug around a big concealed pistol in hot weather. Some people can comfortably carry a big, heavy 1911 all year but not me.
I carry a S & W, 442 in a pocket holster most of the time when wearing shorts & tee shirt.
When I'm a little more dressed up I can carry my S & W, M & P, 9mm, compact in a DeSantis, Invisible Agent, IWB holster or in a Kangaroo holster.
In cold weather, wearing a coat, I can carry my fullsized S & W, M & P, 40 caliber or my S & W, SW9VE, Sigma in a slide holster or in the Invisible Agent holster.
I also have a Bersa Thunder 380 that I occasionally carry but not too often. Great little gun but limited, IMO.
My wife carries a S & W, 642, or a Walther, PPK/S, 380 or a Springfield 1911, 45 caliber, Micro Compact in her concealed carry purse or a belly band.
What I carry is dictated by the weather and what I'm wearing.
With a $1000.00 budget you have a lot of choices but remember to allow some of your budget for a good holster.

[NcongruNt]

Like you, I started out carrying something smaller - an FEG PA-63 (a Walther PPK clone similar to the Bersa Thunder), and after talking on these forums and reading more for myself, decided I wanted a little more gun. I had a friend who had a NIB Hi-Power and was willing to give me a good deal on it, so I up and bought it. It was definitely a good decision for me, and it has been a great gun.

Thanks Nc,

I guess i really need to wear a couple of these "larger" guns to see what they feel like.

Im just scared of anything too big and uncomfortable when i have to sit for long periods of time. I may look at some 9's first but i do love the .45's.

So many choices.

I had the same concerns. I carried my PA-63 IWB at 4:00, and wasn't sure how I could pull off something bigger. A big part of it was simply my own paranoia. Longtooth explained how he carries big guns (and posted pictures), and it fit the way I already dress pretty well. On his recommendation I ordered a Galco Combat Master, which is a high-riding OWB leather holster with a forward cant that angles the gun just right to hug it up against you and an untucked shirt for cover makes it invisible. This solution works very well for me, and I have no problem sitting many hours a day with it on.

Here's how mine looks on me:




Also, I'll point out that the cover shirt in that picture was a little to small. It did the job, but I was constantly adjusting it when sitting. I've since purchased shirts one size up and alleviated any concerns I had with that shirt. Having clothes that are the right size is key to concealing well.

Depending on how you dress and how you're shaped, you may be able to pull the same thing off with a SOB holster such as the one hi-power carries, A shoulder rig may be a good choice as well. I know of a lady on this forum who carries a full-sized 1911 in a lefty IWB used as a right-handed IWB SOB holster. It all depends on what fits you and what is comfortable.

[dihappy]

I guess OWB can be concealed, but i would be too worried about the wind or something exposing my weapon. I guess i could button up, but not in this heat :)


Im going to check out what they have at the Powerhorn in San Antonio tomorrow. Might head up to Austin too.

Anyone recommend a place in Austin?

[Tim the Teacher]

Why not look at a XD9 subcompact or XD40 subcompact? Under $500 in most places...

[NcongruNt]

I guess OWB can be concealed, but i would be too worried about the wind or something exposing my weapon. I guess i could button up, but not in this heat :)


Im going to check out what they have at the Powerhorn in San Antonio tomorrow. Might head up to Austin too.

Anyone recommend a place in Austin?

Umm...

The best selection of guns is going to be at McBride's, but I wouldn't ever buy a gun there. The tend to charge MSRP or even slightly higher. Same for holsters. Also, don't use their website for reference. Those are not the prices they charge in-store. They have an OK selection of Bianchi holsters, though rather limited for anything else most of the time. They have lots of Uncle Mike's cheap stuff there, though I wouldn't really recommend any of it. I got my Bianchi Professional 100 IWB for my PA-63 there, but in comparison to what I could have gotten it for elsewhere, I overpaid. I only go there because it's like 8 blocks from my house and there's not a good alternative nearby.

http://mcbridesguns.com/


I have heard good things about Tex-Guns selection for a small shop, so you might try going there. I've only gone in to pick up the occasional box of Hornady XTP in 9x18 or 7.5 Swiss ammo (since they tend to carry rarer stuff) and have not paid a whole lot of attention to their pistols. It's a good local shop and they've always treated me well.

http://tex-guns.com/


Red's is a shop and range (actually, two of them), with a pretty good selection of rentals to try. They have a Springfield 1911 available to shoot, so it might be a good place to get your hands on one and see how it feels. The north location (in Pflugerville) is considerably nicer (it used to be a place called Cooks and got bought out by Red's recently) and their store is a lot bigger and seems to have more stuff. I'd call ahead to see where you can rent what.

http://redsguns.com/


There's also Cabela's in Buda which has a a very large selection of guns. I'm not sure how competitive their prices are, though. They do have a holster section, though I've never looked through it. Judging from their website, it looks fairly extensive. Might be something to check out.

http://cabelas.com/

Those are the places I am most familiar with that would offer you a good selection of guns to look at. I've only been shooting for about 7 months and only CHL'd for 2, so I'm sure there's some good places I've missed.

[dihappy]

Why not look at a XD9 subcompact or XD40 subcompact? Under $500 in most places...

Hey Tim,
Thanks for the recommendation but i just dont like the blocky XD's and Glocks.

And i just dont like their safetly mechanisms, or lack thereof :)


Nc,
I love my Bianchi also :), in fact my friends Kimber doesnt fit too bad in it.

Thanks for the recommendations. I live in San Marcos, and will probably head on up to Cabelas tomorrow to have a look.

Im a big impulse buyer and, well, dont be surprised if i post about a new piece as soon as tomorrow :)

[dihappy]

Thanks guys, i picked up a Kimber:


http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... light=ammo