Help me pick a handgun

[Viper GTs]

I am getting my pistol permit next month. I am looking for something very compact, 22 magnum up to a 38 caliber...Must be light...Price under 400.00..Post a pic if possible Thanks...Al

[Wingnut0302]

I picked up a ruger LCP .380 about a year ago,its light,compact,accurate and very concealable, holds 6 plus 1 I love it,I think I paid like 350.00 brand new for it,heres a link to check it out........http://ruger.com/products/lcp/models.html

[mirage243]

I picked up a ruger LCP .380 about a year ago,its light,compact,accurate and very concealable, holds 6 plus 1 I love it,I think I paid like 350.00 brand new for it,heres a link to check it out........http://ruger.com/products/lcp/models.html

Next time your out in the middle of nowhere driving around, pull up to a stop sign, stand about 15-20 feet away and shoot the stop sign with that .380, it'll scare the sh*t out of you.

[petehubbell]

Might knock the paint off of it. PH

[Ted Stryker]

Lots of concealable pistols to be found... Personally I go for a semi-auto, and if super concealability is the primary concern then it'll be no bigger than a .40 s&w... Look at the single stack Walther PP series like said the Ruger .380 but some do consider that to be below acceptable power... Almost forgot, the Kahr 9mm/40 cal pistols are very nice, and very small but above the price you mentioned... The price you mentioned will almost certainly put you into the used gun category, but I'd also recommend getting signed up on a gun website and do lots of reading... Let Me say this, despite all the hoopla and wives tails that are told about handgun performance and how Grandpa used to blow whole batallions away with his .45 cal, this is BS and they are all woefully underpowered for immedate stopping power on a drugged up maniac...Shot placement is paramount, so finding the pistol that you shoot the best is more important than caliber... None of them will work quickly with a poor shot, and most will work fine with a solid hit... Use the best self-defense ammo and practice alot for shot placement and you'll be fine..

[mr.clean]

H&K USP 45 Compact is the only acceptable choice!

[Viper GTs]

I picked up a ruger LCP .380 about a year ago,its light,compact,accurate and very concealable, holds 6 plus 1 I love it,I think I paid like 350.00 brand new for it,heres a link to check it out........http://ruger.com/products/lcp/models.html

Thanks, thats one I was considering...there 269.00 now. Have you had any jamming issues?? Do you carry it alot?? What does the LCP mean?? Al

[vnemous]

My off duty is a Kahr P9. Very concealable. 9mm and will get the job done. The PM9 is even smaller in same calibre. If your carring it for protection the odds are your confrontation is gonna be up close and personal. My opinion is there is no need for anything bigger, gun wise or calibre wise. I have carried everything off duty from a M5 PDW to an AMT Backup. If its to big and/or heavy you will find yourself caryring less and less. Again just my opinion from 35 years of carrying offduty and being the departments Range Master for 25 years.

[Viper GTs]

Lots of concealable pistols to be found... Personally I go for a semi-auto, and if super concealability is the primary concern then it'll be no bigger than a .40 s&w... Look at the single stack Walther PP series like said the Ruger .380 but some do consider that to be below acceptable power... Almost forgot, the Kahr 9mm/40 cal pistols are very nice, and very small but above the price you mentioned... The price you mentioned will almost certainly put you into the used gun category, but I'd also recommend getting signed up on a gun website and do lots of reading... Let Me say this, despite all the hoopla and wives tails that are told about handgun performance and how Grandpa used to blow whole batallions away with his .45 cal, this is BS and they are all woefully underpowered for immedate stopping power on a drugged up maniac...Shot placement is paramount, so finding the pistol that you shoot the best is more important than caliber... None of them will work quickly with a poor shot, and most will work fine with a solid hit... Use the best self-defense ammo and practice alot for shot placement and you'll be fine..

Kevin, So a 22 mag revolver would be out of the equation? How about a little guy with a laser site?? Al

[Forkin' Crazy]

Are you against a revolver? A 38 Special +P has a pretty good punch.

[JR IN JAX]

I have one of the American made 5-shot 22 Magnum palm size revolvers. You can stick it in your pocket since it is about the sized of a cell phone and if you feel threatened you just put your hand in your pocket and the person never realizes that you are pointing a gun at them, [which will keep you from losing your CC premit for showing them your concealed firearm]. If you needed to, you can fire right through your pants pocket and the magnum hollow points would ruin their day with a well placed neck shot.

[Viper GTs]

This is the one I was thinking of...It has a cool clip on handle like a cell phone...Laser site available...PS this will be my first firearm...Al http://www.naaminis.com/pix/ms.jpg

[Smoking Joe]

My off duty is a Kahr P9. Very concealable. 9mm and will get the job done. The PM9 is even smaller in same calibre. If your carring it for protection the odds are your confrontation is gonna be up close and personal. My opinion is there is no need for anything bigger, gun wise or calibre wise. I have carried everything off duty from a M5 PDW to an AMT Backup. If its to big and/or heavy you will find yourself caryring less and less. Again just my opinion from 35 years of carrying offduty and being the departments Range Master for 25 years.

I'm with Vnemous, 9mm semi auto. Many are 15 shot and 9mm is nice to shoot. And as they say while there is lead in the air there is hope. I personally would recommend a CZ, european built, amazing reliability, as fast as you can pull the trigger it will go bang.

9mm is the calibre of choice for more law enforcement agencies around the world than any other calibre.

Just my opinion based on many years pistol shooting in New Zealand and many years as range officer and controller.

[Viper GTs]

Are you against a revolver? A 38 Special +P has a pretty good punch.

Not at all. Arent they larger though?

[Viper GTs]

Agree with Vnomous that if its big and bulky you wont carry after a while, Thats why I want a little guy! no diff than havin' a cell phone with you..Al