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The Annoyed Man wrote:Terry,

If you like the sweep of a 1911 style thumb safety, and you want 9mm, and you want 10 or more rounds in the magazine, have you considered a S&W M&P? I have one in .45 ACP. It weighs less than my 5" Springfield 1911, and even in .45 ACP, it has a 10+1 capacity, AND it is available with a thumb safety in the same position as on a 1911. If you want one. It is also available without one. It has a "safety" type trigger, like on a Glock or Sigma pistol. There are 9mm models with 12+1 rounds (sub compact, and compact, and duty sized models with 17+1 rounds.

They have slightly less capacity than their Glock counterparts, but they also have slimmer grips and narrower frames. And the ergonomics are very 1911-like, plus they have interchangeable backstraps so they can be adjusted to fit your individual grip. Also, the guns are absolutely fully ambidextrous - which is important to left handed shooters like me.

Pay no attention to the prices on the S&W website. M&P pistols can be found very reasonably priced at gun shows. My .45's MSRP is $790.00, but I paid $590.00 for mine, and I'll bet you beat that price if you look around a bit. I really like mine, and if I ever buy myself a 9mm, I would look favorably on another M&P.

Looks good - it's now on the list! thank you

Thank you all so much for your help. I have adjusted my list based upon your feedback and some hands-on time with some of the models. I will continue this post in the 'General Gun, Shooting & Equipment Discussion' to stay on topic and to solicit additional responses:

Here is the new thread:

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=36408" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks again,

t

SIA - thank you so much for your reply and recommendations.

surprise_i'm_armed wrote: I also give you extra points for hitting
that space bar once in a while. White space is everyone's friend
when reading a post.

The threads that are composed of one ginormous paragraph are
not fun to read.
SIA

Yes I concur - unless its a fiction novel, whitespace is critical for organizing thoughts.

surprise_i'm_armed wrote: Since you are new to CHL, your Llama seems huge. But many forum
members here carry 1911's every day.
SIA

That makes a lot of sense. If I was to carry something like a 1911 - and I do like the 1911 design - I at least want a higher quality. The Llama does shoot well, but I'm also concerned the metal being a little soft. I don't know how many rounds my Dad put through it or how many I have added. It seems like its time to retire it to sentimental status and pick a modern weapon.

It also seems that if I am going to carry something that heavy, it should at least pack a few more rounds.

But I really appreciate your feedback. The hunt continues...

t

Pawpaw1 wrote:Size and weight can fool you sometimes...

My current carry piece is a Sig P239 9mm. I know it well, have complete confidence in it, and it conceals very well. Weight - 29oz.

I just purchased a new Kimber Ultra CDP II .45ACP. I'm not comfortable enough with the operation of this new-to-me 1911. I need to put a lot more rounds through it before I'm ready to carry it, but it's actually a bit smaller than the P239. Weight - 24oz.

I didn't realize any of that when I bought the Kimber. True it holds one less round than the Sig, but have you held both a 9mm and .45ACP round at the same time? I have faith in and respect for my 9mm ammunition, but there really is no comparison.

All I'm saying is not to count out larger caliber guns as always being heavier and harder to conceal.

I think that is probably true. The IWB holster I was 'testing' is a pretty cheap one. It holds very well, but it only clips at one point, so I think there was a lot of movement. I suspect that a really good OWB holster would 'feel' much lighter.

That said, for years at work, I carried a Gerber Multi-tool pack with a mini-mag flashlight on my belt - probably about a pound. Anyway, I eventually stopped carrying it because it kinda screwed my hip up a bit sometimes (and I didn't use it as much as I used to). Now, it wasn't so bad that I *had* to stop wearing it or anything, but it was enough of a nuisance that it wasn't worth it to me anymore. I don't want carrying to become the same kind of nuisance - so I am trying to be really careful about the weight - even if it sounds kinda sissy.

The other issue is just one of capacity. If I'm to going to carry nearly 3 pounds of protection, it seems to me that it should at least have a high capacity.

TXlaw1 wrote: The catalog for Bersa firearms at the link above shows the dimensions and weights of all the guns. The 9 UC weighs in at 23 oz. See page 6 of that catalog. And the price is right, probably about $300 - $400. I bot one used for $275 recently. Good luck in finding what you want.

Thanks! I don't know how I missed that. So fully loaded (14 rounds), it would weigh about 1.6 pounds plus the magazine weight. Either way, under 2. Thats not too bad. I will definitely consider it.

Thanks again ...

TXlaw1 wrote:
Terry, I'd suggest adding to your list a Bersa 9mm, either UC (ultra compact, 13+1) or HC (high capacity 17). Bersas are excellent guns. They are not cheap but comparatively inexpensive. Bersa owners I know love them. For more info check out the catalog at

See also bersachat.com for all things Bersa.

Thanks TXlaw1. The Bersa Thunder 9UC looks pretty good - seems to meet most of what I want. It's doesn't look like it's too expensive. I'm a little concerned about the weight though. I can't find a spec listed for weight anywhere.

It's now on my list.

canvasbck wrote:Welcome fellow Alvinite

I just did my (2) Wallywalks this week too. Between the two of us, it was a safe week to go to Wal Mart. As a matter of fact, I hit everywhere that you did except Pizza Hut.

The only place that I know of with a 30.06 sign in town is the YMCA. Please post on texas3006 if you find others, as will I.

Thank you! Cheers!

Its interesting, for the past few weeks as I have been waiting, I have been on the hunt to see any if I can find CC weapons on anybody in Walmart or Kroger. So far, I have seen a few 'possibles', but no 'definitelys'. Some times I think I have a hit - then they take another step and I see the same bulge on the other side of the "tire".

So either there are not to many CHL holders in Alvin, or they are all concealing very well, or I'm just not that good at spotting them yet.

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Will do on the texas3006. I registered a few weeks ago and saw the YMCA post.

surprise_i'm_armed wrote:terryg:
What's on the shopping list for your next carry gun?

Do you have a good feel for what you want, or are you
amenable to buying whatever brand's fan gets to you first? :-)
SIA

Thanks SIA - and I did add my location. Alvin, TX - just south of Houston.

I am not picky about brands - reliability is obviously important. It doesn't have to work all the time, just when I need it ...

I am open to any suggestions - but I do have an active family and so money is tight. Thats why I want to be sure I know exactly what I want.

Here are my targets/thoughts:

1. Size/weight are important. I have an old .45 1911 knockoff (a Llama) that belonged to my Dad. It shoots great (I know quality can be kinda hit or miss - but it has been reliable) - I've kept it for home defense - but its not exactly a good CC weapon. Anyway, I have carried it IWB around the house several times to test size and weight. I even went hiking with it while on vacation this past week (private property as I did not have my CHL in hand at the time). It weighs about 2lbs, 13oz fully loaded - thats a bit much. My hip is pretty sore after toting it around for a while. So I definitely want something lighter than that. The Tomcat fully loaded is about 1lb 1oz - I barely notice it on my hip - so I know I can go bigger - I just don't know how much bigger.

2. I would like 10+ rounds - 12 to 13 would be even better - but I know I am pushing my size/weight restrictions.

3. I probably want 9mm. I like shooting .45 and I like the stopping power. But I also like to shoot a bit and .45 ammo cost $$$. 9mm seems to be a pretty good balance of stopping power vs. $ with each trigger pull. Plus the rounds are lighter than .45. But I am open to other calibers as well as long as the meet that formula.

4. I think I like DA/SA. Somehow with the kids around (random hugs and all), I like the thought of knowing that there is no stored energy in the hammer mechanism. DAO might be ok as well. Maybe more time packing will change my mind on this ...

5. I like the 1911 style safety lever - I don't know what else to call it. A full sweep of the thumb near the first joint - it feels solid and natural. I can reliably hit it while still drawing. I don't like the high safety lever of say the Beretta PX4SC.

6. I'm not sure what I think of only having passive safety mechanisms (i.e. Glock style). I might be warming up to the idea - but I might need more time still. I might be more comfortable with that concept in a DA/SA weapon - so at least you have the stiff first pull. But I am not aware of any passive safety models that are not SA only.

Although I have currently only experimented with IWB, I am probably going to try OWB and think I might prefer that. (At least I only have to think about CCW factors when buying shirts. With IWB, you have to buy bigger pants.) In fact, that is my next step - to find a good OWB holster for the Tomcat and try that around for a while. In the end, I think I will like having both options available.

Here are some of the models on my current list of consideration:

Taurus Millennium
Springfield XD
CZ 2075 Rami
Taurus PT24/7
Ruger SR9c

Thanks in advance,

t

Ok, so my plastic was waiting for me today after we returned from a weeks vacation. Of course, we need milk and such and so I use any excuse to do the Wally Walk thing. So I go to Walmart and then Kroger with one of my teenage daughters as my 'print' checker. I'm really not nervous at all - not even a raised pulse. I do some reaching and whatnot for show. Of course, the fact that I am carrying a Beretta Tomcat in a IWB holster probably had a lot to do with my calm demeanor. It is so small, there is really very little to reveal.

Then, we head to our storefront Pizza Hut to pick-up the pizzas that my wife has called in. Everything is fine until a uniformed LEO steps in and stands in line right behind me. I'm carrying at about 3:30-4:00 position and he is standing at 4:30-5:00. Even with the pea-shooter, I still feel incredibly un-concealed. I feel like his 'trained eyes' will spot it where mere mortals in 'condition white' would not. At this point, I recognize that my demeanor has shifted to 'guilty and hiding something' mode and then I get more nervous that he will detect my change in demeanor! Stupid, I know. My daughter, was practically cracking up! He was actually an ISD officer, somehow that made me feel a little better and I calmed down some. Although they are probably especially trained to spot concealed weapons.

Anyway, overall still a success. I just can't believe had badly that freaked me out.

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FYI, I know a lot of you will scoff at the thought of carrying the Tomcat. I am starting out with the Tomcat - I really like the size, of course - and love putting one in the pipe without racking the slide and topping off the mag. But I will be graduating to something a bit more ... substantial ... But I am still researching the right carry weapon. For now, 8 .32 caliber rounds is way better than nothing.