Compact/Subcompact Pistols
 

I recently re-enlisted in the Navy Reserve and got a re-enlistment bonus. While of course I'm spending some of that fixing up my fleet of junkers, I decided to treat myself to a new handgun. I currently have a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt, which I'll be keeping, and would like to get something a bit smaller and self-loading. I don't have a CCW at present, but would like something compatible with concealment in case I do get one. I've been thinking about Glock 36, 30, and 23, or possibly something in the 1911 family. I'm open to other manufacturers as well. I like .45 ACP and .40 S&W. BTW, I have very small hands, but am not recoil shy at all.

Supposedly, Sportsmen's Warehouse in Reno has a "try before you buy" indoor range, but I haven't verified this.

What do you guys recommend?

Get a short-barreled, five shot revolver. Leave it loaded with the hammer down on an empty cylinder. It's compact, handy, and you never have to worry about spring compression jamming.

It's a belly gun, not a long-range shooter. You don't have to be a marksman, just willing.

I think all the new revolvers are drop safe so they dont have to carried on an empty chamber

Jutst go ahead and say it: Bots, you're an old fart and your guns are old fart guns. ;)

I think it's beddy-bye time. Gotta go crawl into my Depends for the night.

In my opinion you can't beat a 1911....... but this is a damn damn damn neat little gun.

http://www.gunblast.com/images/Tauru...e/DSC01830.jpg

Its called "The Judge." My buddy has one.... as will I very soon.

One small point about the Glocks is that although they are often referred to as double action, they are actually single action. Glock calls them "safe action". I think they are a little overrated. It really depends on what you need it for. In most situations the average person is likely to encounter pepper spray would be more useful. Revolvers are nice but have a minimum size. A major consideration is the ammo you want to carry. I wouldn't want anything less than a +P .38. There are technically better cals but you have to consider the cost of target ammo. .357 is nice since you can practice with .38. You can also get revolvers that take auto ammo with half moon clips. So you can get a .45 ACP or .40 SW revolver. Also do you want a grip laser? That would be nice... Also depends how small you want it to be.

This one looks pretty nice: http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=253&category=Revolver

I never heard of .17 HMR and .17 HM2 but Taurus makes a bunch of revolvers for that also.

That's a cool little gun! Here's an amusing write up on it; I like the author a lot!
http://www.gunblast.com/Taurus-Judge.htm

check it out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXLqCUPTAfM

For me, that's a little long and heavy to be interesting. The article doesn't mention it but I'll bet the muzzle blast is headachie. Most people practice with good ear protection (as they should) but doing so doesn't inform the buyer of a useful fact.

BTW, a load noise in a defensive weapon is usually a good thing. Few things will get official notice faster than loud gunfire.

I disagree with this guy on the venomous snake thing. I have spent probably half my life in the woods (the first half!) and lived in snake country for most of it. From Michigan to Wyoming to the Gulf Coast to South America. IMO a man away from home who shoots snakes is a small man. An ignorant man. I don't even kill them around the house, though I do understand why folks with small children kill them. I did it when my kids were too small to understand them.

B

IMHO I hate little pistols with big caliber's. My friend has a little Kal Tec .38 which is a junk gun, and its to small IMHO the .38 round overpowers it. Lots of kick. I have big hands I have to watch the slide to or it will bite. It also came in a .32 which IMHO would have been a better round for that little pistol.

For a semi auto I would go with something slightly bigger, like a Walther PPK in 9mm. Or something from Sig or H&K. Or a nice S&W wheel gun in .32, those are expensive but they are damn nice.

It doesn't matter what you shoot, as long as it hits it will do the job.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aroWUQuPtU&feature=channel

Here is my friends CC gun, it doesn't have a safety either, just a long pull. The reviewer likes it but I don't.

Kahr PM40 is my choice for concealed carry with the Kel-tec P32 as a back up. The Kahr is the smallest .40 made and I like how it shoots

Have you ever compared the Kel-Tec to the Seecamp?

Mauser HSK in .32
Rossi 4 inch revolver in .38
MA1911 in Dan Wesson mode

I've survived a bite, and had a friend in high school that did not, from a Diamond Back. If I see a poisonous/threatening snake in an area that I plan on inhabiting or returning to I'll kill it every time. If this makes me small and ignorant I guess I have to accept that. I'd hazard a guess that being rushed to a hospital for anti-venom and loosing a friend in the process might alter your outlook.

Guns are why the US has so much crime, they should be banned like in Europe.

Why do you need hand guns, planning on something? :eek: :confused:

Only Jack Bauer needs a gun.