Selecting the Right Gun What is the Right Handgun for You? Primary Element = Purpose Concealed Carry Home Protection Target Shooting
Selecting the Right Gun Key Factors Caliber you are comfortable shooting Your size and normal dress Holster options that work for you Where & when you plan to carry Other Considerations Grip size, shape, angle, & material Grip Length Placement of finger on trigger Balance Price
PROS AND CONS OF HANDGUN OPTIONS Tap the handgun options below to see a list of the relative pros and cons of each choice. Exit TYPE SKILL LEVEL REQUIRED PROS CONS Double-Action Only (DAO) Revolver Low No safety or decockers to worry about, just point and shoot. A heavier, longer trigger press requires more intent to shoot, reducing (but not eliminating) the chances of a negligent discharge. Disassembling this firearm for cleaning consists of opening the cylinder. If a round fails to fire, you simply press the trigger again. Revolvers typically have fewer rounds than semiautomatics; typically five rounds on a carry-sized revolver. Revolvers have a wider profile than most semiautomatics, making them more difficult to conceal in a belt holster. Revolvers are slower to reload than semiautomatics.
PROS AND CONS OF HANDGUN OPTIONS Tap the handgun options below to see a list of the relative pros and cons of each choice. Exit TYPE SKILL LEVEL REQUIRED PROS CONS Double-Action Only (DAO) - or - Striker-Fired Semi- Automatic Moderate No safety or decockers to worry about, just point and shoot. A heavier, longer trigger press requires more intent to shoot, reducing (but not eliminating) the chances of a negligent discharge. Higher ammunition capacity than a revolver (up to 20 on some 9MM). Probability of a failure is much higher than with a revolver. The owner MUST practice clearing these malfunctions. Semi-automatics are more complex to break down and clean than a revolver.
PROS AND CONS OF HANDGUN OPTIONS Tap the handgun options below to see a list of the relative pros and cons of each choice. Exit TYPE SKILL LEVEL REQUIRED PROS CONS DA/SA Semi- Automatic Intermediate While the first shot will be a double-action shot, all subsequent shots will be in singleaction, since the moving slide automatically cocks the hammer/striker during the firing cycle. If the pistol has an exposed hammer, the shooter has the option of also shooting the first round in singleaction. The two different trigger weights and travel can cause the shooter to miss the first shot. Decockers and safeties can be confusing in a stress situation.
PROS AND CONS OF HANDGUN OPTIONS Tap the handgun options below to see a list of the relative pros and cons of each choice. Exit TYPE SKILL LEVEL REQUIRED PROS CONS Single-Action Only Semi-Automatic Advanced Light, short trigger press aids in accuracy for experts or competitors. In a stress situation, the light trigger press can make a negligent discharge more likely.
Selecting the Right Gun Concealed Carry Small & Concealable Single Stack (Thin) No safety (most) Long Trigger Pull.380 or 9mm Minimal Open Sights May be SAO or DAO Popular Options Ruger LCP/LC9s S&W Bodyguard Sig Sauer P239/P938 Kimber Micro Beretta Pico Glock 42/43 Kahr CW380
Ruger LCP II S&W Bodyguard Kimber Micro Beretta Pico Sig Sauer P238
Browning 1911-380 Pocket Pistols 85% Downsized 1911 Beavertail Grip Safety Ambi-Thumb Safeties Accessory Rail Barrel 4.25 Magazine 8+1 Weight 18oz MSRP $830 Street $650
Remington RM380 Pocket Pistols Ambi-Mag Release All Metal Light DAO Trigger Magazine 6+1 Barrel 2.9 Weight 12.2oz Easy to Rack MSRP $436 Street $350
Pocket Pistols Ruger LCP II Weight 10.6oz Barrel 2.75 Easier to Rack Capacity 6+1 Requires new Mag to lock slide open after last shot Trigger 5# SAO MSRP $349 Street $299
Pocket Pistols Sig Sauer P238 Weight 15.2oz Barrel 2.7 Easy to Rack Capacity 6+1 Trigger SAO All Metal Thumb Safety MSRP $706 Street $630
Pocket Pistols Kimber Micro Caliber.380 ACP Weight 13.4 Capacity 6+1 Barrel 2.75 - Stainless Ambi-Thumb Safety Easy to Rack Clone of Sig P238 MSRP $597 Street $597
Carry Pistols 9mm Kimber Micro 9 Barrel 3.15 All Metal Weight 15.6oz Capacity 6+1 Caliber 9mm Thumb Safety MSRP $654 Street $600
Carry Pistols 9mm Beretta PX4 Storm Subcompact Ambidextrous Safety Auto Firing Pin Block Interchangeable Backstraps Drop-Free Magazine 13+1 Reversible Mag Release Accessory Rail 9mm SnapGrip Extension Barrel 3 26.1 oz Chamber Indicator MSRP $650 SA/DA Polymer Frame Street $570
Remington R51 Carry Pistols 9mm Reintroduced Caliber 9mm +P Barrel 3.4 Capacity 7+1 Ambi-Mag Release Grip Safety All Metal Weight 20oz MSRP $448 Street $430
Walther PPS M2 Carry Pistols 9mm Ergonomic Grip Capacity 6/7/8 +1 Barrel 3.18 Weight 21.1oz Short Trigger Travel & Reset Cocking Indicator Chamber Viewport DAO MSRP $469 Street $450
Carry Pistols 9mm Ruger American Capacity 12+1 17+1 Mag Available Full Ambidextrous Controls Chambered for 9mm +P Multiple Backstraps Short Crisp Trigger Accessory Rail Weight 29.2oz Now in Subcompact Version MSRP $579 Street $450
Carry Pistols 9mm Springfield Armory XDs Caliber 9mm,.45 ACP Capacity 7+1 Sights: Fiber Optic Front Polymer Frame Weight 23oz Accessory Rail Chamber Indicator Grip & Trigger Safeties MSRP $499 Street $415
S&W M&P Shield Carry Pistols 9mm Caliber 9mm Capacity 7+1 Thumb Safety Barrel 3.1 Weight 19oz Polymer Frame 3-Dot Dovetail Sights MSRP $449 Street $350
Carry Pistols 9mm Glock 43 Barrel 3.39 Weight 17.95oz Capacity 6+1 Easy Takedown It s a Glock!! Supremely Reliable Simple to operate High Resale Value MSRP $529 Street $456
Selecting the Right Gun Home Defense Medium to Large Double Stack Front Accessory Rail Largest caliber you can handle More stopping power Added Features Better grip size Popular Options Glock 17/19 Ruger SR9c Springfield Armory XDm S&W M&P
Ruger SR9c Glock 19 Springfield Armory XD(M) S&W M&P Shield
Selecting the Right Gun Target Shooting.22 Caliber Cheaper ammo Long barrel 5.5 6 Increased Accuracy Top rail for Optic Popular Options Ruger Mark I, II, III S&W Victory Ruger Mark IV Browning Buck Mark High Stndrd Sport King S&W Model 41
Ruger Mark IV S&W Victory Browning Buck Mark
S&W Victory Target Pistols 22LR Easy Takedown AND Reassembly Interchangeable Barrel 5.5 Thumb Safety Capacity 10+1 Adjustable Trigger Stop SA Stainless Frame MSRP $409 Street $343 Weight 36oz
Ruger Mark IV Target Pistols -.22LR Easy Takedown AND Reassembly Target & Hunter Models Capacity 10+1 Barrel 5.5 Weight 35.6oz MSRP $529 Street $430
Summary Carry Pistols 380 Browning 1911-380 Remington RM380 Ruger LCP II Sig Sauer P238 Kimber Micro Carry Pistols 9mm Kimber Micro 9 (Sig P239) Beretta PX4 Storm Sub Remington R51 Walther PPS M2 Ruger American Subcompact Springfield Armory XD s S&W M&P Shield Glock 43
Summary Full Size Sig Sauer P226 Sig Sauer P229 Many Others Target Pistols S&W Victory Ruger Mark IV A Few Others
Care & Feeding Gun Cleaning Every 400-500 rounds Before storing or taking out of storage 5-10 minute job Safety Glasses & Latex Gloves NO Ammo in Room Needs Q Tips Mechanics Rags CLP or Equivalent Wire Brush Rod & brush or Hoppe s Bore Snake Owner s Manual
Gun Storage For Access Gun loaded & ready Must be accessible to you yet inaccessible to unauthorized persons, especially kids For Storage Gun unloaded Cool, Dry place Combination Safe
Vaultek Gun Safes Advanced Features Night Stand Size Touch sensitive illuminated keypad 16 gauge steel Anti-pry flange Bluetooth phone app 4 month Lithium rechargeable battery Bolt to Drawer bottom Steel cable attachment
Vaultek Gun Safes 4 Ways to Open Safe Multiple finishes Dimmable interior light Finger print scanner
Gun Storage Storage Options Bio Safe Night Stand Accessible in dark Top of Night Stand Gun Vault GV2000s $130 Gun Vault MVB500 - $193
In Conclusion Any Final Questions?