WOOHOO! Help Me Decide On A New Gun

dihappy · Post by **dihappy** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 6:26 pm

Ive got the opportunity to finally purchase a new piece.

I love my little Bersa CC .380 but am now conidering something else just because i can.

Id like to ask you fine folks with experience to suggest some makes and models for me to go look at.

Ive read about all the complaints from just about every manufacturer and understand that i may get a problem gun or a great gun. Seems that theres no such thing as a perfect gun anyway.

So, heres what id like to get. Something similar to my little bersa but id consider a 1911 as well.

Id like to get something not too bulky, something that isnt going to be too uncomfortable. I carry 6 Oclock IWB lowerback. My Bersa is VERY comfortable there. I just cant get used to hip carry.

Anyway, anyone know of a slim 9mm with a good reputation, easy to shoot? Is a .45 pushing the comfort factor?

Im fairly slim (175) but i surely dont have a 6 pack :), 5' 9''/10''.

My budget is up to $1k if i can. But surely dont want to spend that much if i dont have to. Again, ive been very happy with my little Bersa .380 which has shot very well and cost me right at $300.

Thanks for your wisdom folks.

~Henry

Dougmyers5 · Post by **Dougmyers5** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 6:36 pm

Well I suggest you look at a Taurus Millennium Pro PT140 its bigger then what you have now but not so big that it wouldn't work at 6 o-clock its not to expensive it has a external safety and a loaded round indicator, it hides well under the clothing also.

mr surveyor · Post by **mr surveyor** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 6:54 pm

If you don't have a wheel gun, I would strongly suggest you get at least one... something like a S&W 637 AirWeight would be nice and be a first rate addition, and NOT bust your budget. With the left over funds you could stock up on ammunition for both .38+P as well as for the .380.

Or, if you must, there ain't NOTHING like a 1911 .45 cal. I like my Kimber, but for $1k you can consider the upper end of Springfields, maybe a mid range Para Ordnance, possibly even find the Sig 1911, or a Colt. For the $1k price range, I would advise you to spend a bit of time researching dealer "OTD" prices for new, then get on the web boards like GunsAmerica.com and GunBroker.com and check the resale values. Some guns just hold their value much better than others

dihappy · Post by **dihappy** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 7:27 pm

Thanks guys :)

Hey, what do yall think of the Para Carry PXT LDA? How bout the GAP?

ScubaSigGuy · Post by **ScubaSigGuy** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 7:27 pm

My vote would be for the Springield EMP 1911 in 9mm. Easy to conceal and comfortable inside the right holster. Plenty of power with 1911 reliability and it's VERY accurate. OR if you want two guns

You could buy the Springfield XD in .40 or 9mm. and a nice revolver and still not break $1000. If you go for the EMP Sportingarms.com seems to have the best price around. I wish that I had known about them when I bought mine.

Happy buying and I look forward to a range report on whatever you decide to buy.

txinvestigator · Post by **txinvestigator** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 7:33 pm

You talked a lot about comfort. I just returned from a day of beach activity, riding the Bolivar ferry twice and climbing all over it, taking a boat tour out into Galveston Harbor, having a GREAT seafood lunch, and did it all wearing shorts, tshirt and button up "beach" style shirt concealing a full sized 1911.

The only time I really thought about it was when I backed into the metal rail of the Ferry and the grip went 'ting".

You can also get a 4 or 3 inch 1911.

ScubaSigGuy · Post by **ScubaSigGuy** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 7:43 pm

txinvestigator wrote:You talked a lot about comfort. I just returned from a day of beach activity, riding the Bolivar ferry twice and climbing all over it, taking a boat tour out into Galveston Harbor, having a GREAT seafood lunch, and did it all wearing shorts, tshirt and button up "beach" style shirt concealing a full sized 1911.

The only time I really thought about it was when I backed into the metal rail of the Ferry and the grip went 'ting".

You can also get a 4 or 3 inch 1911.

I agree. Outside of the office I pretty much live in shorts and a T or a beach type button down without a single complaint. I haven't tried it with a full size 1911 yet, but the 3.5" and 4" that I have work great.

dihappy · Post by **dihappy** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 7:50 pm

Which 1911 Do you carry Tx?

NcongruNt · Post by **NcongruNt** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 1:41 am

I carry a Hi-Power almost all the time. The profile is the same as a 1911, but with a thicker grip. Although I carry mine at about 3:30 in an OWB, there is someone else on this forum (I believe it's "hi-power", incidentally) that carries his in a SOB holster. His is made by FIST, and he says that it is very comfortable. Here's a link to the holster on the FIST site:

http://www.fist-inc.com/holsters/holster/40.htm

The Hi-Power is Browning's last design, and many argue it is his best. It is certainly a reliable and accurate pistol. They are very well-balanced guns, and are great shooters. New FN Hi-Powers can be had for under $700. There are also Hi-Powers made in Argentina by FM (the design and tooling is licensed out from FN) that can be had NIB for under $450. They are the same gun, and parts are interchangable with the FN guns. This is what I carry. The stock FN mags are 13 rounds and use a plastic follower. The FM mags use metal followers and have a 14 round capacity. There are also stock-sized 15-round mags (with a special plastic follower) made by MEC-GAR that are supposed to be very good. They sell at my local shop for $25. The FN stock 13-round mags can be had for a little less at around $20.

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.

Here's what mine looks like:

casingpoint · Post by **casingpoint** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 1:50 am

Sig 239 single stack 8 shot 9mm w/decocker. Or Walther P99 Compact.

MoJo · Post by **MoJo** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:54 am

A Smith & Wesson 908 or 908S or, if you can find one, a S&W 3913 (all are the same gun the 908 is still made the 3913 has whistles and bells.) They are 8+1 9mm that are ultra reliable and almost match accurate. I own a 3913 that gets carried more than any other gun I own excepting my P3AT BUG.

hi-power · Post by **hi-power** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 10:49 am

NcongruNt wrote:...Although I carry mine at about 3:30 in an OWB, there is someone else on this forum (I believe it's "hi-power", incidentally) that carries his in a SOB holster. His is made by FIST, and he says that it is very comfortable.

Yep!

NcongruNt wrote:Here's what mine looks like:

Hey NcongruNT, did yours come with that commander style hammer, or did you get that seperately? That's what I need.

txinvestigator · Post by **txinvestigator** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 10:58 am

dihappy wrote:Which 1911 Do you carry Tx?

dihappy · Post by **dihappy** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 2:05 pm

txinvestigator wrote:
dihappy wrote:Which 1911 Do you carry Tx?

Dang thats a big weapon, but it sure is lovely!

dihappy · Post by **dihappy** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 2:08 pm

NcongruNt wrote:
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.