Concealed carry weapon

All,

I am seeking advise on a concealed carry gun but am not crazy about the polymer weapons of today, glock, etc..
I feel like the gun is jumping out of my hands and wonder if an all metal gun would help (kimber).


Thoughts??

Please give all your views and thoughts as I will appreciate them all.

Not trying to be rude or sarcastic - Just stating my opinion - When you start grouping all polymer frame pistols into one camp, you really are glossing over a ton of choices. Glocks, Springfields, S&W M&P, etc... all are different weapons with different feels. Some, like my XDm's, have extra backstraps so you can change the grip feel. It comes with a #2 panel installed, but I prefer a #1, so I changed all of mine out. I've never had a weapon "jump... out of my hands". Proper grip should keep any of the regular pistol calibers in check. However, I will admit that on a small framed polymer pistol like the Ruger LCP, I did not like the grip area, and had a hard time controlling such a small weapon - even though it's just a .380. My Springfield XD-40 Subcompact was a handful, but my Springfield XDm-40 Compact with the #1 grip panel is very controllable, and a world different to shoot for me.

If you're going to immediately jump to Kimber and push out all polymer framed weapons, I think you may have been given some bum information and just want a high dollar weapon to start. I've never owned a Kimber. Have no desire to. Many have marveled at the craftsmanship of a Kimber, but ever since my friend got one and had major issues with it and Kimbers customer service, it turned me off. Not that a lemon cant be made from time to time. I know that happens. But it's what happens after the problem rears it's head that counts to me. My friend was so ticked off at Kimbers customer service, that it was enough to steer me clear from wanting one. Shame too. He wanted that Kimber for a LONG time. Finally got it, and it broke the first time out. Then he had the customer service issue. Talk about a bum deal.

My current CC is a XDm-40 Compact. It's snappy. But controllable. I want to try an XDs-45 or XDs-9 soon. Not that I dislike my current CC weapon. I just like keeping my options open.

All the best,
Glenn

Go to a gun range that rents different make handguns and try them out till you find the one that works the best for you.

I understand the reasoning in wanting an all metal gun. I don't agree with it, but I see it. I have a Kimber that is a superb gun. Finding one like it will be tough as it is number 96 from the first 100. After their first guns quality changed. Any Kimber with a II on it is a crap shoot.
I carry an all stainless Sig GSR compact. Checkered front strap, night sights, 4.25" barrel and officers size frame. Mine has been reliable and accurate from the start. You can find them new around $950. Used $700+. Metro Arms and RIA are making some decent weapon well worth the asking price. Get a few in you hands and shoot them. If you can get out to Forney I will let you hold a few and maybe we can even shoot a little. I've got a small collection and you'd be welcome to try any you like. Just bring a little ammo. Let me know.
Paul

Also look at different calibers. 40cal will be much more of a snap type recoil than a 9 or 45

Sounds like some training may help. Learning proper grip will greatly help your grouping. All metal gun alone will not likely help. If you get your training at most local gun ranges you should get a discount on renting guns too. My CCW is XDs with Ruger LCP back up.

Sig P239 It comes in 9mm, .357sig or .40.
Great metal frame carry gun.

To add to a lot if good posts, a cc needs to be comfortable to carry and concealed. My 1911 is heavy so I only carry it with jeans and boots (mostly). If I am in shorts and shoes I am going to carry a lightweight gun such as one of my glocks or XD. If I am wearing tight fit clothes I'll switch to my Kahr PM 40. A lot of my smaller guns are not fun to shoot, but you will not worry about that when you need to use it to save you or your family.

Think about how you dress and how you are going to carry (shoulder, side hip, back, ankle, ect...)

Let us know what you get!

There are lots of options and everyone has their own take on what suits their own purposes. Don't discount polymer-framed guns unless you just have disdain for them that you can't get past. I swore I'd never own a polymer handgun until I fired the Glock 17s my concealed carry school provided for live fire. I was pleasantly surprised and even though I chose an XD for my own weapon, there's really not much to complain about with a Glock. Try out a few options and you might find something you like.

^
This.

You mentioned it felt like the gun was jumping out of your hands. Curious as to what pistol and caliber you were firing.

Like the others, not trying to be rude or sarcastic. Are you new to handguns? If so, and you shot a buddy's .40 or .45ACP, I'm sure it felt a lil snappy.

Please don't rule out all the polymer handguns. Glocks are ugly as sin, but can take a tremendous amount of abuse and keep on tickin.

I have this same problem I was shooting my 44 magnum at the range and it feels a little jumpy to me. do you think its like that because it a cheap model torus?

I just got a beretta nano Saturday this little joker is nice 20oz fully loaded comes with a 6rd mag and 8rd, I shot it last night 50 times and it performed flawlessly. Nothing on the sides for it to snag on too and the dotted sights are a plus.

Beretta Nano is by my side as well - Had trigger work done so the pull length to engagement is not so long - comfortable in the back as well

I understand your view of the polymer frame guns being "jumpy". If you have two pistols of the same size, same caliber, and one is a lightweight polymer, and the other is all metal, The all metal one will recoil much less. That being said, it will also be heavier and not as comfortable to carry. That is something that you would need to take into consideration. A gun on your hip that seems a tolerable weight in the morning may feel like an anchor at 4:00 in the afternoon.
Another thing to consider is the geometry of the gun. The higher the barrel is above the grip, the snappier the recoil will feel. Go to a range, try many different guns in both all metal and polymer configurations, and you will find that each gun will shoot differently.

Who did the trigger job?

Trigger jb done by Charles @ Gunmaster in Plano - pull to engage probably reduced about 30% as well as he polished and reduced trigger to about an 8

I will be seeing him this weekend thanks for lead.

I have a Kahr K9 all steel which was my daily carry pistol when I was working in insurance. It's not jumpy at all, conceals easily, and isn't super expensive. I found that a good belt and holster is mandatory given the weight.

If you ask 10 guys their opinion of the best carry gun you will get 12 opinions. The best advice I an give is to go feel and try several different kinds of guns and see what works. My good friend is a Sig guy but they do not "fit" me well. Personally I have either a Glock 27 or a Kel-Tec 32. Either will get the job done.

Well, I don't post here much, but I'm thinking some hand exercises would help. Seriously. Just about any man can benefit from additional hand strength, and shooting a handgun well is one place where it would be immediately obvious to you. That's not to imply anything at all about anyone in the conversation. I've told the same thing to my son, and after a couple of weeks he embraced it because most of the things he likes to do that involve his hands he was able to do better and with less fatigue. I have done things with my hands all of my life, and I have strong hands. My most common carry piece is a Kel Tec P40, which weighs 20 oz with 10 rounds in it. I love shooting it mainly because it is visceral and I can shoot it well. But some friends don't like the very snappy recoil that it has, especially with 180 gr ammo. Try some hand exercises. You might find yourself on a new kick!

Just as many people have said on here, practice practice practice and when the next month paycheck comes in practice some more. I started my handgun experience with a kimber ultra carry thinking i could handle it. I went shooting with it and couldnt hit the broad side of ANYTHING, a fellow friend and pistol competitor who gives private lessons took me under his wing and taught me the proper grip for my hands, for the gun, and for all around shooting in general. I spent a large sum of money but in the end it was well worth the practice and time at the trigger.

Agreed. My mom got one about a year back in .40 and loves to shoot it. She has the Sig fever now and is waiting on her next bonus so she can get her a P226 in .357 Sig. (Thats when I slip in and convince her she should give me the 239 cause she don't need it no more.)

As mentioned above, this isn't a gun material problem -- it is a youarentholdingthegunproperly problem.

Fix THAT before worrying about what type of gun you like or dislike.

From your post, I'm thinking that while you might be able to fix this by yourself, you probably should find a good instructor and have them work with you. In literally 1-2 days you could be way beyond this issue, and while probably still not in a position to really know which gun you like more than another, at least you should be able to hang onto whichever one you bought....

Airweight J-Frame

I do not own a compact 1911, but I considered one before I settled on my 442. I talked with a close friend and instructor that I used to shoot IDPA with up in MI. What convinced me was when we broke down a compact 1911 and he showed me how much tighter (heavier) the springs are compared to a commander size. This, he explained, makes them a bit more selective when it come to ammo and prone to FTF, especially with someone who tends to limp wrist. His suggestion was to polish the feed ramp and swap out the OE spring. Something I thought was quite bogus considering the amount you'll shell out to begin with for one of those.

In the winter, I like a Sig Ultra Compact 1911. In the summer, I like a Sig P938.

A kimber ultra cdp might fit

3". Lightweight alum frame

Mild recoil

For All Metal ^^ THIS ^^

Shoot the biggest caliber you can most accurately shoot and conceal

Shoot metal and polymer pistols. Either one suits me fine. Had a Kimber and sold it. It was everything I expected and more. It was ONE of the most accurate guns I've shot. Running second to a P220. I've also carried a PM9 for a while and it was pretty accurate for what it is.

If you don't shoot often, change that. Practice as much as you can. Be aware of what you are doing with the gun and how you are holding it. Practice dry firing. Have someone give you an unloaded pistol while you are at the line. You'll see just how much you flinch.

Take in as much info as you can. I myself prefer the feel of an all metal pistol but if I were to pick any pistol to take to a gunfight, it would most likely be polymer.

Unless I could just scare them off with my S&W 500. Lol

I have to agree with the your not holding the gun properly crowd. ive seen small women master full size glocks with no probs at all, but they had training in how to shoot them. find a hand gun training facility like vx marksmanship in Alvarado. im sure withing a few lessons, you will be able to very comfortably carry, draw and shoot accurately, multiple shots within 1 sec...