I would like a 9mm concealable pistol, what to consider?

   / I would like a 9mm concealable pistol, what to consider? #1  

_RaT_

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Peoples Republic of Northern CA.
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Kioti 3510-SE HST
My wife is a cop, she uses a 40 cal. Sig Sauer. Me, I know which end of the gun to point where to ensure that I have a fighting chance. I backpack and would like a smallish, I think 9mm because I have a ton of 9mm ammo and its cheap from what I hear. I have read posts here that deal with this subject but have lost all the links to them and quite frankly, the search function required a ton of search and read to get what I was looking for. My hands are large, I'm right eyed, my left ear does not hear nearly as well as my left, oh yeah, I have a L4850 Kubota. Hope that is enough info to get me started for some advice. Thanks in advance...
 
   / I would like a 9mm concealable pistol, what to consider? #2  
Why would you want a concealable handgun for backpacking? Just strap one on in a sidearm holster and go. I'm not a fan of those rattleclank autoloaders in the woods. They are too hard to take care of, and an itty bitty piece of dirt turns them into a very dull hatchet. Get a nice stainless .357 revolver. You can practice with cheap .38 special rounds, and it will have enough authority to get the attention of a bear or cougar. Another possible is a .44 magnum, which is even more powerful and also shoots .44 special. Practice is more expensive, though.

I carry a S&W 686 loaded with 158 grain hollow point .357 when I am in the woods. I can hike all day in a rainstorm without worrying about hurting it.

If you are really determined to carry a 9mm that clanks when you shoot it, I'm fond of the Beretta M9. It's not very concealable, though. Like I say, strap on a sidearm holster and go.
 
   / I would like a 9mm concealable pistol, what to consider? #3  
Having a bunch of ammo on hand isn't (to me) a good reason to buy a gun in that caliber. Eventually you'll run out. The less expensive part is a good thing to consider. Have you tried your wife's weapon? How does it fit your hand etc?

My personal carry weapon is a G27 (Glock sub-compact, .40S&W) and I really like it. Obviously a weapon with such a short barrel isn't going to yield match groups at 75 meters. I don't care, at defense ranges I will kill whatever I'm shooting at. Glock has the G26 which is the same weapon in 9mm. It shoots well also.

My next carry weapon purchase will probably be a Sig P239.

.40 is a more expensive round.
 
   / I would like a 9mm concealable pistol, what to consider? #4  
No 9mm for me.........

Here's what I pack........

Ruger Redhawk 45 Colt....300 gr slugs....

Man or beast.............

45colt001.jpg
 
   / I would like a 9mm concealable pistol, what to consider? #5  
I have a Ruger P89dc, had it 15 years. It's been in some dirty conditions and wet, maybe not cleaned for a while. Never failed to fire. I like my wheel guns too though.
 
   / I would like a 9mm concealable pistol, what to consider? #6  
I suppose you first need to decide what you want to do with the weapon. Are you looking for protection from the 2 or 4 legged variety of critter? Are you looking for bear protection (9mm will just make him mad) or are you looking to be able to put down the occasional rabid possum or other small game?

I think 9mm is a good choice for most protection needs aside from bear. +P ammunition is fairly stout. As far as handgun choices go, I do agree that Glock makes a great product. For your application, the G26 may be a tad small. I have a G19 and am very happy with it. It is a little larger than the G26 and does a better job filling the hand for me. You might also consider the Springfield Armory XD or XDm in 9mm.

Whatever you choose, go to a range and rent a gun before you buy. Try a few out. You might be surprised by what you like and don't like.
 
   / I would like a 9mm concealable pistol, what to consider? #7  
I carry a Glock 17 (9mm) around here due to our wet environment. I have my own personal beliefs when it comes to stopping power but I also have three 17 round mags for it. Not sure why some people forget the world has evolved and still carry revolvers but hey to each their own I just hate reloading :)7
 
   / I would like a 9mm concealable pistol, what to consider? #8  
Why would you want a concealable handgun for backpacking? Just strap one on in a sidearm holster and go. I'm not a fan of those rattleclank autoloaders in the woods. They are too hard to take care of, and an itty bitty piece of dirt turns them into a very dull hatchet. Get a nice stainless .357 revolver. You can practice with cheap .38 special rounds, and it will have enough authority to get the attention of a bear or cougar. Another possible is a .44 magnum, which is even more powerful and also shoots .44 special. Practice is more expensive, though.

I carry a S&W 686 loaded with 158 grain hollow point .357 when I am in the woods. I can hike all day in a rainstorm without worrying about hurting it.

If you are really determined to carry a 9mm that clanks when you shoot it, I'm fond of the Beretta M9. It's not very concealable, though. Like I say, strap on a sidearm holster and go.

I agree, .357 Revolver is my go-to `mountain` gun.

However, hollow point is not on the menu. From talking with wilderness guides from all over it seems the consensus is that the hollow point will just piss of a thick skinned animal. (And that 357 is bare minimum for bear protection.)

I`m a fan of the Buffalo Bore .357 round w/Hard Cast bullet. Much more likely to penetrate through a bear, boar, or other large critter and boy does it pack a punch!
 
   / I would like a 9mm concealable pistol, what to consider? #9  
I carry a Glock 17 (9mm) around here due to our wet environment. I have my own personal beliefs when it comes to stopping power but I also have three 17 round mags for it. Not sure why some people forget the world has evolved and still carry revolvers but hey to each their own I just hate reloading :)7

Most people who have to fire their pistol in defense against animals get off between 1-3 shots. Personally, I'd like to have a better chance than the power a 9mm has. :D

There are a couple (maybe a few even) news articles floating around on the web where police officers have had to shoot dogs more than a couple times with their .45 or 9mm because the dog kept coming. If a dog does this imagine a cougar or a bear...
 
   / I would like a 9mm concealable pistol, what to consider? #10  
TWD said:
Most people who have to fire their pistol in defense against animals get off between 1-3 shots. Personally, I'd like to have a better chance than the power a 9mm has. :D

There are a couple (maybe a few even) news articles floating around on the web where police officers have had to shoot dogs more than a couple times with their .45 or 9mm because the dog kept coming. If a dog does this imagine a cougar or a bear...

I'm aware of the stories and the statistics when I was a Sheriff's Deputy I was one of three guys that carried a 9. It was a topic constantly discussed. There are stories to support both sides. I tried other guns but the 9 worked the best for me and in three seconds I trained to get nine rounds on target so I'm comfortable with what I carry. I would hope the OP does some discovery himself. Although why he's asking a bunch of tractor guys when he has access to a LEO and all the gun advice that goes with any department is beyond me. :)7
 

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