HELP! New to CHL needing advice on which pistol to buy

[Apollo]

Well the title says it all, i just sent off my CHL application last week and now i need some suggestions on what would make a "good" carry weapon. I own a glock 17 and am very keen on the idea of a hammer contained within the slide of a weapon (as opposed to the 1911 with an exterior hammer) because I am paranoid about the hammer getting snagged on clothing or setting off a round accidentally. I also like the .40 S&W calibre because I hear it has slightly better ballistics than 9mm but can garnish more rounds in a weapon than .45 ACP while maintaining comfortable recoil. Apart from the interior hammer and .40 S&W, my budget is about $6-700 and am insistent upon a new weapon simply because i prefer to know what every single bullet that has been fired out of a weapon i own has hit. Semi-automatic is the final thing i am looking for in a carry weapon.

I do not wholly know if my paranoia about having the exterior hammer of a weapon snag or be forced down is something that has ever really taken place so i would also like to know if this is even possible or me just being nervous about that concept of not having all the mechanics of a weapon contained within its shell.

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[flintknapper]

Well the title says it all, i just sent off my CHL application last week and now i need some suggestions on what would make a "good" carry weapon. I own a glock 17 and am very keen on the idea of a hammer contained within the slide of a weapon (as opposed to the 1911 with an exterior hammer) because I am paranoid about the hammer getting snagged on clothing or setting off a round accidentally. I also like the .40 S&W calibre because I hear it has slightly better ballistics than 9mm but can garnish more rounds in a weapon than .45 ACP while maintaining comfortable recoil. Apart from the interior hammer and .40 S&W, my budget is about $6-700 and am insistent upon a new weapon simply because i prefer to know what every single bullet that has been fired out of a weapon i own has hit. Semi-automatic is the final thing i am looking for in a carry weapon.

I do not wholly know if my paranoia about having the exterior hammer of a weapon snag or be forced down is something that has ever really taken place so i would also like to know if this is even possible or me just being nervous about that concept of not having all the mechanics of a weapon contained within its shell.

Welcome to the forum.

And yes, its just nervousness. I can't think of a pistol that has more redundant safety features than a 1911 (FWIW).

I suppose it would depend on how you carry your weapon and what kind of hammer you have on your weapon (1911 or other) as to whether you could snag it. I've never managed to do it....but I have a commander style hammer (not spur) on mine.

If you are more comfortable with something that incorporates all firing mechanisms internally....then a Springfield XD or Gllloo, Gloooc..., Glock should do just fine.

Glad to have you aboard.

Flint.

[jimlongley]

I would be willing to bet that you will get more opinions than responses.

I carry a full size 1911 .45ACP, and sometimes an XD9, and sometimes a NAA Guardian .32NAA.

There are three opinions, well, two and one half, in one response.

It's strictly a personal choice, there is no one "best" and certainly none that fits ALL circumstances and scenarios.

[longtooth]

Apollo
In the 2 posts above you have probably got a complete summary of everything that will follow.
I too carry 19ll as primary & have never had a snag problem.
Only common hammer snag problems come from pocket or purse carry.

My back up & small carry is a .38sp snubby.

The striker fire platform is a quality arm. My son started w/ a Springfield Armory XD. He has since gone to a 1911 as his primary.

Bottom line is if you like it, are proficient w/ it, can conceal it easily, then it is good for you. Go with it.
LT

[PhilR.]

You don't need advice as to what pistol to buy. The only advice you really need is:
Go to a range that rents weapons. Fire the pistols that fit your criteria. Buy the one that fits your hand the best.

PhilR.

[nuparadigm]

You don't need advice as to what pistol to buy. The only advice you really need is:
Go to a range that rents weapons. Fire the pistols that fit your criteria. Buy the one that fits your hand the best.

PhilR.

+1

[stevie_d_64]

Well if you already have a G17...Why not go with that for a while???

It works...Why mess with a good thing...

And to think I believed this was an emergency!

You 1911 guys crack me up!

Wait...I shouldn't talk...

But then again somebody's going to want that one back...shhhhhhhh, forget I said anything after G17...

[RPBrown]

You need to carry what is comfortable to you and what you shoot well. As stated above, everyone has their favorites and opinions.

I suggest you maybe go to a gun show to handle a few, find a few that fits, and then find a range that will rent them to you or someone here that has what you are looking for and will let you try it.

FWIW, I too have never had a snag on a 1911.

[Venus Pax]

You don't need advice as to what pistol to buy. The only advice you really need is:
Go to a range that rents weapons. Fire the pistols that fit your criteria. Buy the one that fits your hand the best.

PhilR.

+2.

I also carry a 1911. My dad & husband prefer other guns to carry. It's all about the individual. IMHO, the 1911 is safer than the Glock b/c of it's safety features. I like the fact that my carry gun has that extra layer of protection, because I'm human. We had a poster here recently that had an ND. I gathered from his post that he's normally very careful w/ his weapons, but illness and distraction got the better of him one day. (Thankfully, nothing but his mattress and pride were hurt.)

Again, I'd go with PhilR's advice. If you can meet friends at the range and shoot their guns, even better. Your friends' guns are probably cared for better and (the best part) free to use, costing only ammo.

[G.C.Montgomery]

...I own a glock 17...

As others mentioned...Go try out other platforms and figure out what you like. If Glock's work for you, there's nothing wrong with them. I am a diehard 1911 guy but as I sit in my office, rattling keyboards and wiping the noses of users all day, I'm wearing a Glock 19 and I don't feel underarmed one bit!

Opinions vary but I don't get too hung up on caliber anymore. Yes, bigger bullets offer some advantages. However, there is no escaping the fact that a well placed 9mm is far more effective at letting the wind out of Freddie Felon's sails than a marginal hit or worse, a miss with a caliber starting with the number "4."

I do think you have some paranoia with regard to the 1911 and exposed hammer. 1911's aren't any less safe than a Glock. The redundant features are mostly there to save idiots from themselves. Exposed hammers generally are not a problem. If the gun is "pre-sharpened" at the factory and tends to snag on clothing, that can be fixed fairly easily. The key with 1911's is maintenance and being proactive about known issues with the design. Actually, that's true of any pistol.

One last comment on the issue of safety and safeties. As much as safeties and other devices are designed to prevent idiots from harming themselves or others, there is no such thing as idiot proof, particularly when it comes to firearms. Anyone who thinks something is idiot proof is underestimating the resourcefulness of an idiot! Guns are dangerous tools and just like chainsaws, and it seems like the more dangerous the tool, the better it is at it's job. Take a look at modern tree harvester and you'll see what I mean.

[JasonH]

Definitely try out the glock 27. it fits your requirements and is a subcompact.

[Paladin]

Well if you already have a G17...Why not go with that for a while???

It works...Why mess with a good thing...

+1

Glocks are very popular carry guns. The G17 isn't too big to carry. You know how to use it.

If you're worried about stopping power, just get some quality ammo. The latest and greatest 9mm ammo has proven itself effective.

Spend your extra cash on good belt and holster, some trips to the range, and additional training.

[PhilR.]

Definitely try out the glock 27. it fits your requirements and is a subcompact.

+1

Although I might consider a Kahr, I would most likely go with the proven performer as well. I think the G27 has about the best combination of size, capacity, reliability and price, plus it's very easy to find aftermarket accessories. They ain't pretty, but they work, and work well.....

PhilR.

[stevie_d_64]

...plus it's very easy to find aftermarket accessories.

[Drifter]

... and don't forget to check out the S&W M&P's. They really fit one's hand nicely and are gaining in popularity. The compact versions conceal well with a good belt and holster.