Concealed Choices
 

I'm looking to buy my first concealed pistol. I've narrowed it down to the Kahr slim frame pistol but am not sure which caliber. I'm looking at .40 or .45. Any suggestions on which i should go with, i'm a big guy with big hands and the .45 seems to feel very good in my hand, would this be a good choice or is .45 too much for concealed purposes? Thanks!

RE: Concealed Choices
 

As long as you can shoot it accurately it is fine. I don't think a .45 is too big, however I carry a Glock 27 in .40 S&W. The main reason is my duty weapon is a .40 S&W so the ammunition is free. As for concealing the pistol itself you just have to dress properly, have a quality holster and belt.

RE: Concealed Choices
 

I'd shoot it 1st. That much power in a Kahr can be a handfull (pun intended).

At CCW class, there was a guy trying to shoot a S&W snubbie in .357 Mag. After 4 rounds, he asked the instructor if he could start over with another weapon: too much power in too small a package.

It may turn out to be just fine for you. If you try it 1st, you'll know.

FC

RE: Concealed Choices
 

Great post Foli, my question is where can i test out a gun? DO gun shops let you? Or will i just have to find somebody with the same gun i want? Thanks

RE: Concealed Choices
 

Unless a gun shop has a range and rents firearms or they are out in the countryyou are likely going to have to find someone with that same gun.

I am not picking on FC here but everyone always says try the gun first before you buy it. Not so easily done in most gun stores across the country.



As far as the Kahr and the 45goes I agree with FC.I would rather have that light weight of a pistol chambered in 9mm rather than a 45 or even 40. It isn't thatI am scared of the guns or a small person (6'2", 275lbs)but in a stressful situation,(what the gun is being purchased for) a 9mm is far easier to control in a gun as light weight as the Kahr.

If I were looking at a concealed 45 it would be in a heavier 1911 type of gun.

RE: Concealed Choices
 

Some indoor ranges have guns for rent, but the selection is usually limited. My opinion is the .40 is just about as good as the .45. I personally like the .45, but that may be because I've got enough .45 reloading components to last me through a couple of wars.

I've got an FN .45 for sale if you're interested, just like new, factory box and all that came with it, including 3 14rd. mags. Re: concealment, I usually carry in the small of my back, in an inside-the-pants holster, opposite hand. I'm only about 165# but I can put that FN under a t-shirt and you won't see it unless you're looking real hard for it. e-mail me at [email protected] if you're interested.

RE: Concealed Choices
 

Agreed. My local range had a Kahr for rent for only 1 very brief period in the past many years. Being able to rent exactly what you want to buy is anything but a given. Still, if there's anyone at your local range who knows another patron who owns the weapon you're looking for, I've very often found the firing range cameraderie to be such that people are more than glad to let you fire a few rounds with their guns. Just an idea.

My standard carry piece is a J-frame snubbie in a Robert Mika pocket holster. When I want more, I've got a Sig P245: the oomph of a .45, in a relatively small package that's still substantial enough to be controllable. Controllable by me, anyway... When I shot the Kahr 9mm, the little plastic blocks on the front of the grip tore the crap out of my palm.

FC

RE: Concealed Choices
 

Get the JUDGE. i carry a Jennings 22 and sometimes do not laugh i carry my 454.But if you get the judge it will cover anything you run into

RE: Concealed Choices
 

I carry a .40 and a .45. Both glocks and are both the same size. A 23 and a 36. I actually think the 36 is easier to shoot. The recoil of the 36 is easier for me to deal with. As soon as I get night sights for the 36 it will become my primary carry. Don't rule out a .45 before you shoot one. I think the .40 has more snap to it than the .45.

RE: Concealed Choices
 

Studies of officer involved shootings have shown that the biggest factor effecting the outcome of the shooting was control/shot placement. That would push me toward the smaller caliber. A solid hit center mass or head with a 9mm is 'more powerful' than winging someone with a .45 ormissing altogether. [8D]

I carry a 2" .357 and I'm pretty accurate with 4-5 shots but after that many rapid shots your hand is about toast.

RE: Concealed Choices
 

CW9 good carry gun!

RE: Concealed Choices
 

I'm actually leaning towards a 9mm now and looking at Taurus due to their lifetime warranty. 9mm with personal defense round should be enough, agree?

RE: Concealed Choices
 

I love my Springfield XDm 9mm

RE: Concealed Choices
 

Be sure to do a lot of research on that Taurus before you buy.

RE: Concealed Choices
 

Why do you say that, is there something i should know?

RE: Concealed Choices
 

S&W 908 9mm.......

RE: Concealed Choices
 

Springfield XD's have gotten alot of good reviews. You can't really go wrong with a Glock, S&W, Springfield.

I had a S&W 915, it was a great carry gun.

RE: Concealed Choices
 

I am not impressed with 9mm's (was involved with the military testing back in 79-80) and am pretty much a hardcore .45 guy. New ammo developements have greatly improved the 9's effectiveness over the ol' 147gr hardball. Even though this is the case I have carried a 9mm often. Normally I carry a Colt .45 Officers Model but I guess I am getting old and it seems like it is getting heavier every year.:)

Might want to check out the CZ's also. I carry a CZ 75B Compact when the occasion requires. Built like a tank and fairly accurate. CZ's are very under-rated .

I am currently looking at the Kahr Arms PM45 but they also have the CW45 which quite a bit cheaper albeit a little larger/heavier. These are also available in 9mm and 40 S&W. Actually the more I look at .40's the more I may go that route.

Good Luck with what ever you choose.
WW

RE: Concealed Choices
 

I carry a Glock 23, 40cal. Don't get sucked in to the smaller 22cal. 25cal.. They will kill, but will the stop a threat soon enough?

RE: Concealed Choices
 

I carry a Taurus Mil Pro PT-145 in and Crossbreed iwb holster or Don Hume owb. The Taurus I have put over 1000rds through withone initial FF due to my limp wrist 1st time out shooting. The rig is very comfortable. I replaced the original Heine sights with Trijicon night sights(3dot) the glow and do not require a light source. It always goes bang no matter what I have shot REM/WWB/BLAZER/WOLF. I trust it. Bang for the buck(gun and holster) I dont think you can beat it. Very controllable weapon more so than my 357 4in S&W. Give em a look at your local dealer. Rent at the range if you have the option also visit http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php

Tony

RE: Concealed Choices
 

bigdawg - i carry either a snub 38 or a very small .25 cal. it has been my experience that pistols get too big and too heavy very quickly, so i prefer small and compact.

RE: Concealed Choices
 

I carry a H&K compact in 9mm and the Kimber Pro TLE in 45acp with crimson tracelaser grips.The H&K is light weight and a pleasure to carry. The USP COMPACT is reliable, safe,accurate and easy to carry in a concealed way.
When I hold that Kimber you know you got some metal in your hand.You just cant beat the feel of a 45.Expect to pay upwards of $1000.00 for either gun. My experence is, you get what you pay for.

RE: Concealed Choices
 

Look into a S&W .40 XD.

RE: Concealed Choices
 

S&W, XDs are good pistols no doubt. But Taurus is not the same as it was years ago. I have a PT1911 that has about 700 rounds through it and it has never jammed, stove piped or otherwise malfunctioned. And off a rest it will dump a full magazine into a 1 1/2" ragged hole at 25 meters. But as a CC gun, it is a bit large. My personal CCs are (depending on how I am dressed) is a Bersa Thunder .380 which is tucked in my waist band behind my hip ormy Steyr M40 40 S&W in a Roy Graham Custom paddle holster. This holster holds the pistol high and tight and even under a loose fitting T shirt is unnoticable.
The .45 gets carried when I am doing some hiking or go to the camp. The Crimson Trace laser grips on it are a plus at night.