Help in Selection

[BVickery]

I have narrowed down which handgun I will be getting for CCW. My final choice will be made after I shoot them at a local range that has some for rental.

My 2 choices are Glock 21sf or a M&P 45.

I am not looking for which is better etc, but rather, this handgun is very much my first purchase with CCW in mind and would like some feedback on WHAT I should notice in picking the gun as well what to look for when I do fire it on the range. I can shoot any handgun pretty well if under 'normal' conditions.

For example, should I really fret over the width of the gun or how much barrel rise there is etc?

My wife will be eventually getting hers and here the thinking of petite women should pretty much carry wheelguns. I read Grant's posting in the Shotgun thread about how this one girl was able to manipulate the glock with ease. Should I do the same? IE let her choose the gun based on her ease of manipulating such things as light etc? And then put her on a strength regime to help in racking the slide?

Thanks in advance to all who chime in.

Brian

[ToddG]

Step 1: Shoot both guns before making a decision. You're doing that. Smart.

Step 2: Think about how you're actually going to carry the gun. Is something the size of the G21 or M&P45 practical for you to carry concealed given your location, mode of dress, etc.? Remember, you want to buy a gun that is small enough that you will always carry it. If you get something a little too big because you think it's a better shooter then invariably you'll end up with the perfect gun at home in the safe rather than an acceptable gun on your belt when you need it.

Step 3: Yes, little differences in size make a difference in terms of concealability. But little differences make little differences. Whether the extra thickness or whatever will push a particular gun past your comfort/concealment threshold is impossible for someone else to judge. I know tiny guys who conceal full size guns easily, and big guys who don't feel comfortable trying to conceal anything bigger than a small compact.

Step 4: Let your wife choose her own gun. She needs to be comfortable with it, confident in her ability to use it, and serious about choosing one she'll carry regularly. Don't go in with any preconceived notions about what will be best for her. She may take to something completely different than what you've got in mind. As long as she buys a quality brand & model, I say give her free reign.

Hope this helps.

[BVickery]

It does a lot. I'm in FL and usually wear baggy/loose fitting clothes as much as I can (prefer it that way) and will be moving to PA/more northern states in a little over a year.

As far as the wife goes, she REALLY looks at me for some input since she is NOT heavily in shooting (she loves it). I mean, she thinks the DE .50 is kick ass gun, but she only weighs about 100lbs soaking wet right now. But I get the gist of your meaning and will let her pick what she wants and if I think its a bit to much then would make a comment as much.

[seang]

Like Todd said, you really want to look at what you will actually carry as part of your decision. What do you wear in the summer, winter.? Are you planning on wearing an inside the waistband holster or outside?

I wear a IWB holster during the winter and summer. It can be hard to conceal a glock 22 in the summer, which is what I usually carry. In the summer I wear a white t-shirt under a polo. I can conceal a G22 under it pretty well, but someone who knows what they are looking for would certainly be able to tell. I try to get my shirts a little larger to prevent the obvious print. If you are going to carry IWB, you want to make sure your pants also leave enough room to allow the gun to fit in your waist comfortably. I recently ordered a Fist IWB holster for my j-frame so I won't have problems with my holster printing as much in the summer.

I don't find outside the waistband holsters very practical for CCW, but that's just me. They are going to print much more than IWB, but will most likely be more comfortable.

Good luck!

[SloaneRanger]

Listen to the two previous posters. They're dead right. I had a G22 & a G23 and hated carrying either concealed. I'm 6'3" @ 230lbs. Just felt uncomfortable. It was always digging into me when I'd sit down or was driving. Tried SOB and appendix. It wasn't just the size. Load up a full mag in that G21 or M&P45 and you'll add half again or more to it's weight empty. May have just been that I had crappy holsters but I would always not have them. Got a stainless ppk in .380 and love it. I can wear it with board shorts.
Yeah it's a little gun and little bullet but as we all know the best gun to have in a gunfight is the one you've got- not the one you should have had. A badass .45acp or .50cal hand cannon in the truck doesn't help you when you can't get to it.
While the ppk may not be popular with many the point is do what Todd said and be realistic. Ask yourself 'will I dilligently carry this or will it be an embuggerance that will stay at home or in the truck'. I have a different gun for CCW than what I have at home or when I'm out in the wilderness hunting.
There are many who will dilligently carry a full size pistol no problems. I am not one of those.

[BVickery]

I am taking what everyone has said here as well as from some other threads. Going to take a serious look at 9mm guns as well and look at a compact version. I had a Sig P232 and though I loved the gun, it was rather small in my hands, though may pick up a .380 or something along the lines of a Kahr for summer carry.

I wear very loose fitting shirts and when I bought my last few pairs of jeans actually went up 1 size for CCW reasons.

I really appreciate ALL the feedback I am getting and will look at the 9mm as well as .40 S&W and not just the .45 ACP.

[seang]

With the right clothing you can conceal the M&P 45 and the Glock 21. I'm not suggesting that those won't work for you, but they will just be harder to conceal. Plenty of people do it though.

[rob_s]

Both of those guns are big for Florida carry. Which isn't to say that you can't do it, it's just that they are less than ideal IMHO.

I find it easier to conceal a fullsize 1911 than I do a Glock 26, but I'm very thin and anything wide on my belt prints easily.

As Todd mentioned, whatever you think you might choose, shoot it first and see just how natural it is for you. You can overcome unnatural things (look at all the Glock shooters in the world! ) but a gun that fits you well will be easier to learn and improve on.

[Palmguy]

I'll echo that both of those seem a bit big for FL carry. The G19-sized M&P45c and the smaller caliber M&P compacts are significantly easier to carry IMO.

Definitely try before you buy, if at all possible.

[BVickery]

Why I am looking at the compacts as well now. This being my 1st CCW weapon and how a lot of people mention the upkeep needed for a 1911 in regards to CCW I may go with a Glock or S&W.