Bad Co. said:
ptsmith24 said:
To the OP, Bad Co.:
Just for clarification, it isn't a concealed carry permit. You're able to carry open, as well. Not sure if you knew this already or not, but I thought I'd pass it along. :righton:
No, I didn't. I was under the ASSumption that anyone could carry openly. Don't know that I ever would, legal or not. It just seems like inviting trouble.
Oh, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, let's not start the OC vs CC debate again. We just put that baby to sleep once again. Let's let her get some much needed rest.
As far as caliber debates.....I am in no way an expert. However, I will admit that when I purchased my first handgun I thought the bigger the caliber the better off I was. It was a machismo thing, nothing more. I gave no thought at all to magazine capacity, how well I could shoot it, how comfortable it was, concealable, etc. I scoffed at 9mm. I figured since most police agencies were moving away from it, toward .40 caliber, that must be the best. I bought the G22 I have for sale on this forum. Luckily, the gun was fantastic. It worked out well for me.
However, since I have matured (with time) and have started reading this forum I have learned a couple of things. One is that all the factors I mentioned in the previous paragraph are VERY important. I have actually purchased 2 9mm recently (3 actually, but traded one away already) and love them. I don't think I will ever get rid of my G19. The only reason I might ever get rid of my 226 is if I traded it for a fancier version of the same pistol. What I am saying is that you need to weight all these factors before you make a decision.
If you don't want to weigh them or just don't know how then I will post my recommendations. You can take them for what they are - FREE advice. Keep in mind - I love Glocks and Sigs. I have had others but keep coming back to only these two makers.
For a first pistol I recommend;
Glock 19 (9mm, easy & cheap to shoot, high capacity, concealable, long enough barrel & sight radius for good accuracy, good price used or new)
Glock 23 (if you just can't give up on the idea of a bigger caliber, it is the same as the Glock 19 but in .40 cal.)
Sig 229 (can get in 9mm, .40, .357, compact size but not too easily concealed though and is heavy, good for home defense and target shooting)
There are other good ones out there, but you asked for recs. I would also suggest a double-action only for a first pistol. None of these have an external safety. If you want one of those your choices will be somewhat limited.