Any weapon recommendations?

[Bombard]

Originally Posted by OC Newbie

Thanks again everyone for being so helpful and friendly. I feel like I've made a whole new set of friends today! I have to admit to being a bit hesitant to post at first because I am so green as to the subject matter and I didn't want everyone to read my posts and think "Oh great, an annoying ignoramous has joined our group."

A newbee like you is what we live for. The annoying ones are those that introduce themselves saying "I just turned 21, I've never had a class in my life, I just shot a gun for the first time Tuesday and you're all wrong."

I'd suggest NOT trying the H45C, because they aren't generally available in California. Julie's is rare. If you try it and fall in love with it - it's going to be hard to get one. The HK USP 45 C is available and is the same size (just a slightly different shape) you might want to try it.

Basically, these are the things to keep in mind...

1)You're just learning how to shoot. You may want to get a lot of practice just to get the basics, with something OTHER than what you're going to carry. Usually when I teach a woman beginner I start with a 4" midsize .38, just to get the mechanics of sighting, not being surprised by recoil, loading and unloading, etc.

2) For your carry gun, you have to have something that fits your hands reasonably. When I started shooting I was a kid, with VERY small hands. I couldn't shoot an O frame (1911 .45ACP, like the Kimber) because I couldn't reach the trigger. I ended up shooting a Colt Diamondback, a 38 revolver with a smaller frame. It worked for me at the time. If your hands are big enough for an O frame, it's not going to be a consideration.

3) Then we get into a balancing act. You want the largest cartridge that you can reasonably control in recoil. That's something you'll have to experiment to find.

4) You also want the smallest gun that you can reasonably control in recoil. Again, that's something to experiment with.

Without knowing how big your hands are, or how you handle recoil, I'd suggest a .40 as a place to start. If the recoil is too much for you keep working with it for a while - you can get used to much more recoil than you'd think. If it's still too much you can move down (like to 9mm), if it's not a problem you can move up (like to .45)

[SVTNate]

Originally Posted by True Brit

And you noted his name below the picture I take no credit for it.

Yes, aside from the fact that the pic screams out that Ken took it, I did see that you gave credit where credit is due

[OCRancher]

My mistake, typing too fast. I meant "HK USP 45C"

[True Brit]

Originally Posted by OCRancher

Try HK 45C. A double stack mag makes for a fatter grip, but if your fingers are long enough, you will like the HK. Smooth, holds 10 rounds of 45acp, and reliable.

8 normally...10 round optional mag ($55). Not as wide as some double stacks...more of a 1.5 stack...but as you said definitely wider than a single stack. I know women that like the way it feels.

[True Brit]

Originally Posted by SVTNate

Yes, aside from the fact that the pic screams out that Ken took it, I did see that you gave credit where credit is due

Ken does takes some nice pictures. Ken's HK Page

[BonoVox]

Originally Posted by OC Newbie

I would love to try the Glock 26 with the extension. I didn't even know there was such a thing. You are also correct when you guessed that it was the dangling pinkie that made me uncomfortable. It just felt weird but I want to give it a chance and see if I still feel that way actually shooting it because I like the size and weight of it.

Thanks again everyone for being so helpful and friendly. I feel like I've made a whole new set of friends today! I have to admit to being a bit hesitant to post at first because I am so green as to the subject matter and I didn't want everyone to read my posts and think "Oh great, an annoying ignoramous has joined our group."

If you are going to try the Glock 26 then make sure to try the Smith and Wesson M&P Compact. They have it in 9 and 40 and come with exchangeable back straps, small, med and large. They have mags that have the pinky extension too. Heck there might even be a M&P 40C at Evans on Wed.

By the way how do you plan on carrying it? Purse? Other means?

Ultra CDPII cough cough

[Dan M.]

Originally Posted by RomanDad

Dont be so hard on yourself.... Youre not that annoying....

I'll try harder.

[BonoVox]

I think you will find the 9MM and 45ACP are not too different in recoil. The 45ACP is more of a push. It has more recoil than the 9MM. But in the fashion it is delivered you will not perceive as much. Hard to explain but you will see when you shoot them back to back.

Now the 40S&W has a very snappy recoil. IMO the perceived recoil on a 40S&W is more than a 45ACP.

So as you check out the Sub Compact/Compact line of handguns IMHO recoil goes from lightest to strongest 9MM, 45ACP, 40S&W.

A 230gr bullet at 848FPS is the bomdigity!!! cough cough Kimber Ultra CDPII!

[Bombard]

Originally Posted by BonoVox

I think you will find the 9MM and 45ACP are not too different in recoil. The 45ACP is more of a push. It has more recoil than the 9MM. But in the fashion it is delivered you will not perceive as much. Hard to explain but you will see when you shoot them back to back.

Now the 40S&W has a very snappy recoil. IMO the perceived recoil on a 40S&W is more than a 45ACP.

So as you check out the Sub Compact/Compact line of handguns IMHO recoil goes from lightest to strongest 9MM, 45ACP, 40S&W.

A 230gr bullet at 848FPS is the bomdigity!!! cough cough Kimber Ultra CDPII!

Interesting. That's not my perception.

I have a Glock 27 in .40. I also have a Detonics stainless combat master - a cut down 45, a little smaller than the Kimber. The Detonics is considerably heavier and larger than the Glock - and I think it recoils more.

But I agree, for handgun effectiveness, a .45 230 gr. HP is the gold standard.

[Nightingale]

Originally Posted by OC Newbie

Hi all,
just registered. I have a CCW pending and am trying to decide what to carry. I am a female with a relatively small frame and hand with long thin fingers. I am just learning to shoot and know little about guns. Any recommendations?

These are just my general impressions. For much better info, talk to CCWI and Female Instructor, and go read Cornered Cat.

The only right answer to this question is carry the gun that fits you. I'm not just talking about the gun that fits your hand. I'm talking about the gun that fits your hand AND your lifestyle, because the gun you take with you is always going to be better than that "perfect" gun that's sitting at home because it's awkward to bring along.

Personally, I have long fingers too. My favorite gun is my HK USP .40, and I knew it was THE gun the second I picked it up (and begged Libertarian for years to sell it to me until he finally caved). The three guns on my permit are the HK, a Glock 23 (.40), and a Seecamp .32. The Seecamp is not a comfortable gun to shoot, but it's very easily concealable, so I never have an excuse to go without.

For your carry weapons, there are a couple of things to consider aside from the usual discussions about caliber and stopping power and reliability, such as where are you going to carry it?

If you're going to carry in your purse, the size of the gun is not as big of an issue, but weight might be more important, depending on the purse. A purse with a thin strap and a heavy gun will hurt your shoulder, but a purse with a thicker strap might work better. Talk to Female Instructor (Julie) about this option. My HK is a full size, not compact, and it fits just fine in my purse, although it makes the purse a LOT heavier, but the strap is wide enough that it distributes the weight pretty well and is still comfortable. Keep in mind that good holster purses are not cheap, and you do not want to put your gun in your purse when it isn't in a built-in holster.

If you're going to carry on your body, look at what you wear, what you're comfortable wearing, and how you normally dress, because you probably aren't going to want to change your entire wardrobe around. If you wear baggier t-shirts or looser jeans, a gun you can carry in a normal IWB holster might work for you. Personally, I tend to wear low-rise pants and shirts and sweaters that are a bit stretchy, so IWB carry doesn't really work for me, but the little Seecamp in a smartcarry holster works fine.

Remember, in OC, you can have three guns on your permit, so you can have different guns for different situations. Personally, mine run large (HK), medium (Glock 23 is a compact), and micro (Seecamp is smaller than my hand). When I've got my purse, I have the HK, and sometimes also have the Seecamp. When I don't want my purse with me, I have the option to carry the Glock, which is smaller than the HK, but is more powerful than the .32. If I can't carry anything else in what I'm wearing and don't want to bring my purse, there's always the Seecamp that even fits under my workout clothes or a formal dress.

I hope that helps some... I've only had my permit for a little while. Hopefully I'll see you at the range sometime!

[libertarian]

Originally Posted by Bombard

Interesting. That's not my perception.

I have a Glock 27 in .40. I also have a Detonics stainless combat master - a cut down 45, a little smaller than the Kimber. The Detonics is considerably heavier and larger than the Glock - and I think it recoils more.

I agree; I have to say I thought the Kimber UC2 recoil was considerably harsher than the glock 30 or 36, probably close to the G27, at least that's my recollection of it. Which might make some sense - the Kimber isn't much heavier than the little Glocks, but it's much more rigid than the polymer frame of the Glock. That could contribute to perceived recoil (which is admittedly very subjective).

My Glock 27 recoils more than the Glock 21 or 30, it's close to the same (perceptually, anyway) as the Glock 36. The bigger Glock .40s, like the 23 or my 35, recoil softer, but not as soft as the G21, probably closer to the G30. With a 9mm conversion barrel, my G35 recoils like a 22lr target pistol.

You can't beat a 230gr 45+P, but you could do a lot worse than a 165gr or 180gr ranger, if the 45 is too big for your hand.

[BonoVox]

Originally Posted by libertarian

You can't beat a 230gr 45+P, but you could do a lot worse than a 165gr or 180gr ranger, if the 45 is too big for your hand.

Single stack 45ACP.

[BonoVox]

BTW I apologize to OC Newbie. As you can see we have not had a good old "best CCW" debate for a while! Never mind us! You will get to shoot most of these guns on Wed if you want anyway.

[spc]

Welcome aboard OC Newbie. You are in good hands with this incredible group. They will go out of their way to see you through your learning phase, training, firearm selection and sharing their guns. You should be able to have a good idea of what will work for you shortly.

Glad you found this site.

spc

[libertarian]

Originally Posted by BonoVox

BTW I apologize to OC Newbie. As you can see we have not had a good old "best CCW" debate for a while! Never mind us! You will get to shoot most of these guns on Wed if you want anyway.

I'll say it again: The only "best" CCW is what works for you! Don't let anyone pressure you into a particular gun or caliber. See you wednesday!