Gun Owners/Enthusiasts?

[Sum1]

I recently went through the Missouri CCW training and am researching pistols.

My uncle carries a Glock 27, which I really like...but a little more than I care to spend at this time.
I've also got an opportunity to buy a Ruger P95, but I'm concerned it might be to big to carry.

Other people at my office carry the Beretta Nano.


Any suggestions or insight?

 

[…..]

Don't get a Taurus .380 Pocket Pal. My best friend just shot himself 4 days ago by sitting on it when it was in his pocket.

 

[RhodyRams]

Don't carry it in waist band of your sweats.. Just ask Plaxico

 

[Mackeyser]

Wife would never allow guns in the house, but I've always wanted to learn to shoot long distance targets.

I've spent a fair bit of time researching sniper rifles and there are some non .50 cal alternatives out there that are super interesting. I totally have no time or money for any of that right now, but it's something that's an interest that I'd like to pursue at some point... Like being a part time RVer...

 

[cracengl]

A friend of mine talked highly of the M&P Shield. Having formerly worked at a police department, a lot of those guys were buying the new baby Glock to use as backups. Maybe that's the 27 you talked about, I don't know.

 

[Sum1]

A friend of mine talked highly of the M&P Shield. Having formerly worked at a police department, a lot of those guys were buying the new baby Glock to use as backups. Maybe that's the 27 you talked about, I don't know.

It might be the 27 or there is an even smaller compact pistol, Glock 42.

 

[Dieter the Brock]

Thanks Sum1 for posting this topic.
We need more pics!!!

I am a huge fan of my Colt 45 1911 Gold Cup
I have one in blue too but this is my baby
It has slain many snakes, scared off a hundred coyotes, and shot up 1000s of paper targets
Love the thing
I too have a conceal and carry license, but unfortunately can't be of any help with the selection of peashooters -- I holster this son of a bitch and just roll, so basically I take out the "conceal" aspect but emphasize the "carry" part! :shooting:

 

[Zombie Slayer]

Wife would never allow guns in the house, but I've always wanted to learn to shoot long distance targets.

I've spent a fair bit of time researching sniper rifles and there are some non .50 cal alternatives out there that are super interesting. I totally have no time or money for any of that right now, but it's something that's an interest that I'd like to pursue at some point... Like being a part time RVer...

If you want to get into long range shooting, here is a guy you should check out. He has many videos than go into great depth into virtually every topic that's out there for long range shooting. Great place to start to learn a wealth of information.

https://www.youtube.com/user/TiborasaurusRex

 

[RamFan503]

@Sum1 I have several pistols and it depends on a lot of factors. Are you wanting it small enough to not be detected by most people? Are you wanting something that is fun to shoot while being small enough to not be too obvious? Are you more interested in having something you use in situations where you might rather have people know you are carrying?

I have a Taurus Millennium Pro in 40 cal that is a sub compact yet holds 10 rounds (9+1). It handles very nice and is a good shooter. I also have a Springfield XDS in 45 that is a sub. It shoots well but is a bit punchy being a 45 on such a small frame. Those two are great for carrying with minimal bulk along with good knock down. I would also consider a compact, hammerless 38 for this use. My dad just bought a SigSauer in 380. Just a tiny thing that you could use as a boot gun as well. To me, that seems just a bit too tiny to trust for handling and I'm not a real fan of the .380 for knock down.

I have a Ruger KP95 in 9mm that I actually prefer for my defense pistol. I realize some say that 9mm is too small but in reality, modern loads make it a real good choice. I like the larger pistol frame as it is easier to acquire (unholster) and feels better in my hand. I feel comfortable with it and that can be very important.

I would suggest that with any gun you choose, you start off with some low recoil rounds just to get the feel for it. Then move on to your knock down rounds or at least the FMJ equivalent.

My next purchase will be a SigSauer in 45ACP. I love the feel of a Sig in my hand.

@bluecoconuts is probably a pretty good source on this so hopefully he chimes in. He's former military and works at a gun range.

If you have any questions though, I'm at my dad's place and he has a lot of experience and is a former FFL holder.

BTW - @Dieter the Brock my dad says hi and Merry Christmas.

 

[RamFan503]

Also @Mackeyser if you want to get into long range shooting, I would look into .308s in a distance shooting platform. I don't really like the guns that much but it is what practically all the long range shooting competitors used at one of the ranges I used to belong to. This is another one bluecoconuts should chime in on though.

 

[Ramhusker]

I have a Ruger LCR 38 Special +P that I bought for my wife but she won't touch. It is hammerless and fits in your pocket pretty nicely. I like it.

 

[Ramhusker]

Here it is

 

[Mackeyser]

It's the Thor XM408. I'd probably prefer the Cheytac ammo because when I broke down the marketing of the Cheytac system, it was really the Thor XM408 with their targeting computer and their ammo which I have to admit is some pretty amazing stuff. That said, the reviews on the Cheytac platform as compared to just going with the Thor was pretty conclusive. The Thor was better in every way and by a lot. That said, the Cheytac ammo extends the platform hundreds of yards

As for learning on a .308, yeah. That's the way to do it. It wouldn't make any sense to spend the money to start on this platform. It'd be like learning to drive using Bugatti Veyron...

 

[bluecoconuts]

Honestly, I would avoid Glocks.. They're very popular pistols, most of that is because they're very good at marketing, and they're cheaper. If you're looking for that price range, I would suggest looking for a Springfield XD or a Smith and Wesson M&P.

What type of experience do you have, and what caliber are you looking for? Glock 27 is a .40 Cal, which is a pretty snappy round. It's a bigger bullet, and very fast moving, which means more recoil, and harder to get back on target for followup shots. Honestly a 9MM and some hollowpoints are good enough to stop anyone.. If you're feeling you want more then you could probably look towards a .45.. Easier to get back on target than a .40, and .40 is a round that people are starting to move away from.

That being said, it's a good round if you learn to master it. I carry a .40, and I love it. The gun I carry is a Sig Sauer p229, and I love it. It's a little bigger, but I'm able to carry it in the California heat and not print (although it can print if I'm not careful about what I'm wearing), and the weight balances the gun more. Some people don't like the weight, but I've never been bothered by any of that.

It's a little more expensive, but I'm a believer that it's better to wait an extra month or so and get the gun you want, rather than settle. The other thing I like about sigs is that it's double action, and as far as I know a striker fired pistol (Glocks, XD, M&P's, and others similar) cannot be DA... There aren't any that I'm aware of anyway. The problem with that is that most (such as Glocks) don't have a safety either, so you're more likely to ND when drawing from your holster. Obviously nobody wants to do that.

I like a safety as well, but others worry about fumbling with that in a time of crisis... I would counter that if you fumble with a safety, you don't have enough training, but to each their own. That's one of the things I like about a DA pistol though, there's a rougher trigger pull for that initial shot, but the follow ups are nice a short.

Glock triggers are junk, if you do get one, drop in a new one.. M&P's aren't great either, but the Apex trigger is much smoother. I don't mind the Springfield triggers... Don't skimp on a good trigger though, it's going to make you more accurate.

 

[bluecoconuts]

It's the Thor XM408. I'd probably prefer the Cheytac ammo because when I broke down the marketing of the Cheytac system, it was really the Thor XM408 with their targeting computer and their ammo which I have to admit is some pretty amazing stuff. That said, the reviews on the Cheytac platform as compared to just going with the Thor was pretty conclusive. The Thor was better in every way and by a lot. That said, the Cheytac ammo extends the platform hundreds of yards

As for learning on a .308, yeah. That's the way to do it. It wouldn't make any sense to spend the money to start on this platform. It'd be like learning to drive using Bugatti Veyron...

.308 is a good round, it's going to get you a grand+ (as in 1000 meters, yards, whatever you want to use) which is going to be good enough for most of what people want. A lot of that will be the platform just as much as the shooter. Those targeting computers and all that aren't any fun. If you want to hunt distances, it'll help, but half the fun of shooting distance is doing the adjustments yourself.

If you want a bigger bullet, and have money to spend, I wouldn't go higher than the .338.. Which is my favorite round FYI, the ballistic coefficient on the .338 is awesome, I could shoot from mountain to mountain with em, and it's a lot easier to shoot than a .50 because it's fast and flat, less adjustments needed. The big rounds are far more than what you would need, unless you have some 1,500+ yard ranges.

 

[Dieter the Brock]

BTW - [USER=1303]@Dieter the Brock my dad says hi and Merry Christmas.[/USER]

That just made my day!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

[Loyal]

I love my glock 26...Same size as the glock 27, but shoots 9mm...With hollow point rounds (reallty, the best round for self defense for safety of other people besides the target), my little glock shoots smoothly....10+1.

 

[RamFan503]

It's the Thor XM408. I'd probably prefer the Cheytac ammo because when I broke down the marketing of the Cheytac system, it was really the Thor XM408 with their targeting computer and their ammo which I have to admit is some pretty amazing stuff. That said, the reviews on the Cheytac platform as compared to just going with the Thor was pretty conclusive. The Thor was better in every way and by a lot. That said, the Cheytac ammo extends the platform hundreds of yards

As for learning on a .308, yeah. That's the way to do it. It wouldn't make any sense to spend the money to start on this platform. It'd be like learning to drive using Bugatti Veyron...

What are you wanting this for? I don't think competitions let you use them. If it is to be able to do long range shooting for fun or to have true sniper capabilities, I suppose I can see it. But that thing is a tank. 27 pounds is a lot to wield around for any period of time. I have a Sako 75 SS 300 RUM with a Swarovski 4x14x50mm scope that I can take virtually any kind of game from 600 yards in. It weighs about 10 pounds including strap and scope. And if you are covering several miles a day on foot through forests and rock and hills, even that is a wee bit on the heavy side for a hunting rifle.

But with that thing I can consistently take sporting clays from 600, and less than 2" MOAs from 300. It's a freaking tack driver from 200 in. All of that is me of course as that thing would be a tack driver from most distances if it weren't for my moving slightly. The thing has great kill shot ability from 600 in and I load my own rounds so they are as close to identical as possible. I just feel confident in it every time I step out to go on a hunt. I can load everything from 125gr on up to 220gr bullets (200gr having the best ballistic coefficient). I have taken coyotes, pigs, dear, elk, and bear with that rifle and have rarely had to fire a second shot.

I agree with blue in that making field adjustments is not only part of the fun but part of the challenge while hunting. I use a range finder for longer shots so that I can make the right adjustments. I could probably get close without it but my main goal out there is a one shot kill with minimal tracking and/or suffering from the animal.

I will never be taking 1000 yard shots with the thing but for most any practical hunting application and even if God forbid I had to use it for defense, I could carry that, my AR, and a pistol or two and have less weight on me than that one rifle. Not sure how I'd sling all that and still be able to shoot the AR..... suppose I'll have to work on that. @bluecoconuts got any suggestions?

 

[bluecoconuts]

I will never be taking 1000 yard shots with the thing but for most any practical hunting application and even if God forbid I had to use it for defense, I could carry that, my AR, and a pistol or two and have less weight on me than that one rifle. Not sure how I'd sling all that and still be able to shoot the AR..... suppose I'll have to work on that. @bluecoconuts got any suggestions?

3 point sling for the AR, a loose 2 point for the long gun and a drop leg holster for the pistol. Always worked for me, but it's a bit of a pain in the ass.

 

[RamFan503]

3 point sling for the AR, a loose 2 point for the long gun and a drop leg holster for the pistol. Always worked for me, but it's a bit of a pain in the ass.

Just need the three point. Cheers man.