imported post
Good day gentlemen and women,
I have been spending a few days reading from this forum and a few others trying to learn what I can. In particular, I am trying to find information about different hand guns for CCW. I currently received my CPL and am trying to make an informed decision of the purchase of two hand guns. I know and I have already read “buy a gun that you will carry, it does not good at home”, so without using that expression please.
I use to carry for 16 years in Alaska on my homestead, but then I carried a 3 ½ inch 12 gauge or my 3 ½ inch 10 gauge filled with slugs. They both would draw to much attention here in Washington.
So I a few questions the first question leads into the second. Having my CPL, if I am attempting to conceal my pistol with a t-shirt and a heavy shirt over top (or coat or sweater what have you). Lets say in doing this the pistol is covered 99.9% of the time besides if I bend down to tie my boots, at that point if my weapon shows am I in trouble did I brake the law? Would this be brandishing a weapon?
For the record I am not a small skinny guy. I’m about 6’ tall and weigh 218 pounds so I can cover some things well. Here is the reason why I am asking this.
In looking for what pistols I will buy I have been only looking at compact and sub compact pistols. Now I know the barrel length will affect the accuracy of the pistol. A 4 or 5 inch will be more accurate than a 3” given the same “Good” ammo and a skillful shooter. I know it is a balance between weapon size and what can be successfully hidden by the carrier. In my search for my two pistols I have been considering a Para Carry .45 CAP for a primary and a Para Carry 9 mm for a backup. The .45 either inside of jeans or carried under arm in a holster. The 9 mm on the ankle.
Now this brings me to a few more questions. Should I be thinking about getting both weapons in the same caliber? AND … that can use the same magazine? ALSO… Should I consider looking at a full size 1911? My hand is comfortable with a grip of 1 ¼ to a slim 1 ½ width. And a handle of 3 ½ inch overall height handle with a 2 inch inside measurement.
In speaking about caliber I do know if a man is shot in the head with a 9 MM hollow point he is not going to say much afterwards game over. So I am asking myself why am I considering a .45 caliber? I know I am a good shot, I also know I can improve through training (in that I am going to be taking) I have been trained in the Army but with a M-16, a 203 grenade launcher, 60 cal., 50 cal, LAW, 90 Cal., recoilless and so on but not with a pistol.
That is where “The Firearms Academy of Seattle” comes in for me. Before I go there I would like to have my own guns so I can practice with them. I know that they teach a class on “Handgun Selection” in a perfect world I would go to that first but I live on a limited income from the V.A. from my disabilities. This is why I am asking for information from you all instead of taking the class. Either way I will be trying the gun (holding it) to see how it feels before I buy anything.
I can’t help but think about the accuracy from a full size gun, but if my holster showing or telescoping through my shirt will get me a citation or worse I have to think twice about a full size gun. For me I feel a 3” barrel is just way to short, I don’t want lead flying all over and hitting innocent people. I also hope not to be so close that I can put the gun into their stomach or chest. So that alone makes me start to think about a pistol with a longer barrel.
A. What is the shortest barrel length advised?
B. Should I look at buying two guns in the same caliber that exchange magazines?
C. Should I conceder buying a full size pistol and then also a smaller in the same caliber?
D. I am confident a 9 mm will stop a person with a head shot, should I use that cal. Or think bigger?
E. Should I just only conceder a .45 CAP?
I know I am an above average shooter, I have shot pistols many times hunting in Alaska but I was never trained. I still consider myself better than the average guy BUT not better than some of the men on this board, not at all. That is why I am asking you all for your opinion. If your wondering would I freeze in a situation or would I pull the trigger if needed. There is not question given the right circumstances I would not hesitate. For the record, what does that mean? An example would be if I was in the bank and a man is robbing the bank and starts shooting the bank tellers I would then stop him. It would need to be a situation like that, I would not be trigger happy but I will not let a bad guy screw up someones day so they can get there drug money.
Rick
P.S. Please be nice but any constructive consideration given will be researched by me very much. All opinions will be listened to and researched. But I’m really do not want to start an arguments.
Good day gentlemen and women,
I have been spending a few days reading from this forum and a few others trying to learn what I can. In particular, I am trying to find information about different hand guns for CCW. I currently received my CPL and am trying to make an informed decision of the purchase of two hand guns. I know and I have already read “buy a gun that you will carry, it does not good at home”, so without using that expression please.
I use to carry for 16 years in Alaska on my homestead, but then I carried a 3 ½ inch 12 gauge or my 3 ½ inch 10 gauge filled with slugs. They both would draw to much attention here in Washington.
So I a few questions the first question leads into the second. Having my CPL, if I am attempting to conceal my pistol with a t-shirt and a heavy shirt over top (or coat or sweater what have you). Lets say in doing this the pistol is covered 99.9% of the time besides if I bend down to tie my boots, at that point if my weapon shows am I in trouble did I brake the law? Would this be brandishing a weapon?
For the record I am not a small skinny guy. I’m about 6’ tall and weigh 218 pounds so I can cover some things well. Here is the reason why I am asking this.
In looking for what pistols I will buy I have been only looking at compact and sub compact pistols. Now I know the barrel length will affect the accuracy of the pistol. A 4 or 5 inch will be more accurate than a 3” given the same “Good” ammo and a skillful shooter. I know it is a balance between weapon size and what can be successfully hidden by the carrier. In my search for my two pistols I have been considering a Para Carry .45 CAP for a primary and a Para Carry 9 mm for a backup. The .45 either inside of jeans or carried under arm in a holster. The 9 mm on the ankle.
Now this brings me to a few more questions. Should I be thinking about getting both weapons in the same caliber? AND … that can use the same magazine? ALSO… Should I consider looking at a full size 1911? My hand is comfortable with a grip of 1 ¼ to a slim 1 ½ width. And a handle of 3 ½ inch overall height handle with a 2 inch inside measurement.
In speaking about caliber I do know if a man is shot in the head with a 9 MM hollow point he is not going to say much afterwards game over. So I am asking myself why am I considering a .45 caliber? I know I am a good shot, I also know I can improve through training (in that I am going to be taking) I have been trained in the Army but with a M-16, a 203 grenade launcher, 60 cal., 50 cal, LAW, 90 Cal., recoilless and so on but not with a pistol.
That is where “The Firearms Academy of Seattle” comes in for me. Before I go there I would like to have my own guns so I can practice with them. I know that they teach a class on “Handgun Selection” in a perfect world I would go to that first but I live on a limited income from the V.A. from my disabilities. This is why I am asking for information from you all instead of taking the class. Either way I will be trying the gun (holding it) to see how it feels before I buy anything.
I can’t help but think about the accuracy from a full size gun, but if my holster showing or telescoping through my shirt will get me a citation or worse I have to think twice about a full size gun. For me I feel a 3” barrel is just way to short, I don’t want lead flying all over and hitting innocent people. I also hope not to be so close that I can put the gun into their stomach or chest. So that alone makes me start to think about a pistol with a longer barrel.
A. What is the shortest barrel length advised?
B. Should I look at buying two guns in the same caliber that exchange magazines?
C. Should I conceder buying a full size pistol and then also a smaller in the same caliber?
D. I am confident a 9 mm will stop a person with a head shot, should I use that cal. Or think bigger?
E. Should I just only conceder a .45 CAP?
I know I am an above average shooter, I have shot pistols many times hunting in Alaska but I was never trained. I still consider myself better than the average guy BUT not better than some of the men on this board, not at all. That is why I am asking you all for your opinion. If your wondering would I freeze in a situation or would I pull the trigger if needed. There is not question given the right circumstances I would not hesitate. For the record, what does that mean? An example would be if I was in the bank and a man is robbing the bank and starts shooting the bank tellers I would then stop him. It would need to be a situation like that, I would not be trigger happy but I will not let a bad guy screw up someones day so they can get there drug money.
Rick
P.S. Please be nice but any constructive consideration given will be researched by me very much. All opinions will be listened to and researched. But I’m really do not want to start an arguments.