Vince Dibona I don’t know where you live but high points don’t cost $200, and there are a lot of great guns at $350 range-new. Guns many would argue are better than Glock, and others that are very comparable.
This guy is taking a fair amount of time out of his day, every week, to be cognizant on how he can carry and make decisions with a firearm in the most benign, rational, and affective way possible. We not only have that to thank him about; he decided to inform, educate, and discuss these nuances and direct them towards an audience that owns or is interested in owning a firearm. Using TH-cam as a platform to reach his intended audience is genius and I would rather see more youtube channels this "logical and well reasoned".
Nick Witter a well reasoned TH-camr being unnecessary to the security of a useful channel, The right of the comment section to derail into madness, shall not be infringed.
4:25 This fact almost kept me from buying my Taurus PT111. I said to myself if I can find just ONE bad review, I'll move on to something else. I couldn't find one at all and I really tried. $199 later I have zero regrets
Mike Droz that’s great brother. There’s nothing wrong with your purchase. People will call you cheap but people like me will call you shrewd. I’m loving my G2C😎👍💯🇺🇸
Hand size is very important. My hands are huge and too big for a compact. A CZ75, CZ97, and a 1911 all fit me perfectly. I tried a CZ compact the other day and it was tiny for me.
Truth. I got a palm like a brick, but shorter fingers so I like a thumb extension, but a narrower grip. Something like a Beretta 92 feels way too fat. But a cz-75 feels great in hand.
I love the 1911 grip, but with the right grip sleeve or adjusting my grip I can comfortably shoot a subcompact single stack 9mm... doubt I could ever do a .380
I spent the past 5 years or so trying different carry guns and I think another point to make is find a gun that not only fits you, but a gun that you're excited to shoot. It gets you motivated to hit the range more!
Oh snap! Just watched it, great video! That's exactly how I feel when going to the range with my P2000. But now I feel compelled to get a leopard print ceracote job done to it.
Common sense is a lost art it seems.This is the only gun channel I subscribe to. So far I haven't found others. You do a great job. You def deserve more views, etc. Keep it up, I look forward to each video
Might wanna check out Tim at Military Arms Channel. I think of him as similar to Chris in that he also has well-reasoned, objective, and intelligent commentary.
I would add one bit of nuance to the point about inexpensive guns. Some guns are inexpensive because they are "over-engineered" for inexpensive production by good reliability. That can make these guns difficult to use in a concealed carry role and heavier to hold. To some extent, that can make these guns a bit ugly. However, the higher weight reduces the felt recoil, and if the gun is still reliable, the gun can be fine for home defense. I've bought a few inexpensive surplus guns that were reliable, accurate enough, and good enough for home self-defense. For people on a budget, the important point is finding someone who can help in trying and selecting a gun.
My experience is that you should spend the money. This goes not just for handguns, but also for rifles and shotguns. That extra $200-$300 seems like a lot at the time, but down the road, you'll 1) end up with something you hate, and 2) end up buying what you should've bought in the first place. When it comes to guns, price almost always reflects quality.
Excellent video. This perfectly encapsulates many of the issues new shooters/gun-buyers face. When I worked in gun sales, providing experience appropriate/situation appropriate recommendations and training was key. Thank the Lord there are channels like this to educate those new to firearms and serve as an introduction. Great work.
only auto i like is my 1916 po8 luger, after that they started putting this box shaped thing around the barrel, then they started putting bigger box shaped grips to hold more bullets. and to add insult to injury they make these boxes out of plastic now. if only my hands were box holders i could bask in the power of hi-cap awesomeness.
Sounds like you would appreciate a decent Compact 1911 chambered in 9mm. They are slim enough, and short too. I understand what you mean by shooting a boxxy handgun though. I don't personally like box/brick shaped polymer handguns myself, but they do have their place! (My father keeps a Glock with 31rds in it, as a home defense gun.) It's ugly (I know, the glock fans are going to hate me for that 😂) BUT it's reliable. It always goes bang, and he is deadly accurate with the thing. God forbid he ever needs to use it.
@alan wake Many other handguns DO have problems with high capacity mags. My Glock 19 does not (from what I've experienced) Literally I have never had a FTF, Jam, or light primer strike with the gun. I don't doubt you friend! Mine runs quite well though,
@alan wake We keep it full, and every couple of months we shoot it till it's empty. Of course I put my faith in the stock magazines that come with the gun for self defense, but I also have a decent bit of faith with the extended mags and even drums now.
Another great video. You are absolutely meant to be in front of a camera. Relaxed, natural, and comfortable. One of my favorite channels now for firearms education. I don't know if you write your own content, but it's very balanced and fair. Nice to see a channel that presents all positions. Thanks very much for these videos.
That's great! Keep up the good work. I hope you are allowed to continue to control the creative process and the content. You are dead on as far as what is needed. Too many "experts" with very loud opinions flooding the air waves.
Best to do it right up front, but they never listen anyway. The thing about making the wrong choice here is, it's usually easy to fix. You'll lose a little money, but it's not difficult to "rehome" an unwanted gun, and buy the next thing you think you need to have.
The hard part for a lot of people is admitting they may have made a mistake. People get real emotionally attached to a thing when they spend a couple hundred dollars on it.
Great content in a small amount of time. This could easily be a one hour video. A big thanks to you for taking the time to give this info. Getting ready to jump into the handgun arena and have done a lot of reading, talking w local guys that are lifers and watching you, Paul Harrell and recently Hickok45. Good stuff, we appreciate it.
I'm coming around to the idea that I'm guilty of this, but in a different way than the points listed here. The first time I went shooting, I learned on an East German Makarov and my uncle's duty gun (a Glock 27). Over the next few years as a self-taught shooter through middle school, high school, and beyond I primarily shot Glocks along with the occasional SIG or Beretta. When I turned 21 (soon after getting my WCL) and looked into buying my first handgun, I had already done a lot of research. I ended up deciding on a polyer-framed, striker-fired pistol that I had heard nothing but good things about: the Walther PPQ M2 in 9mm. In hindsight, this was a mistake. Don't get me wrong, I *love* my Walther to this day. It fits my hand better than any other firearm I've ever handled and I shoot it extraordinarily well despite not being a talented marksman. I find it comfortable to carry. ...But the carrying bit is where the problem lies. I have a mental block that keeps me from carrying with a round in the chamber. Rationally I *know* this is a uniquely bad idea for any number of reasons, but I can't bring myself to carry a striker-fired pistol with no manual safety with a round in the chamber, especially one that has one of the lightest triggers on the market by design. As a result, the PPQ has been relegated to home defense duty while the S&W Bodyguard 380 that I bought at a steal initially as a novelty is now my primary carry piece. I think with enough formal training (something I don't have) I would get over this aforementioned mental block. I'm going into a career in corrections in the very near future and I also have a school picked out in my area that offers classes in defensive pistol shooting. So in the future, I'll reexamine things. However, if I could go back and do things over, I might have really reconsidered something like that Px4 Storm Type F I had my eye on.
Don't feel bad about carrying with an empty chamber. I do and 3 of 4 friends I asked do. The 4th believes only in revolvers. Oh, yeah, the Israeli army agrees.
If your gun jams a lot try different ammo. Some ammo is too hot for some pistols, and some pistols really like a certain bullet weight. You might need to experiment to find the right fit.
I live in the nanny state ( Uk) so handguns and most other guns are a none starter for me. This is only place I can get useful information absolutely love this channel well done!
Very well done I know a guy that spent $1200 on a used Desert Eagle 50 cal. Because it's a desert eagle he can't get through a whole magazine without at least one jam. And can't hit the broadside of a barn anymore than like 15 feet away he'd be better off throwing the gun at them because it's a Huge piece of steel
In regards to getting a gun that fits our hand well. What about those of us who were cursed with small hands that cant operate the controls on the vast majority of guns suitable for concealed carry without shifting our grip in some manner or another?(my case is that I often have to shift my grip slightly to be able to release the mag.)
I mostly agree with this, though have to say that attitude itself is more important than gun selection. If a little buyers remorse or subpar range performance is enough to demoralize the gun owner, it may be the attitude that needs correction first!
I wish you made this before I purchased my first pistol, Glock 43. I really really wanted a small gun though for concealment. And it's taken much practice, but I'm gradually improving. Had a flinch for a while but managed with enough practice to purge it completely. Still need to work on follow up shot time. If I don't improve to the point I want to be soon I'll consider swapping it for a Glock 19.
My favorites are a Gp100 and an SP101 both in .357 magnum with 4 and 6 inch barrels. GP100 for winter. SP101 for the rest of the year. I carry .38 +P in them and take .357 deer hunting. Specials are for plinking at the range. I don’t own nor do I want a rifle. If I could carry my Mossberg 500 everywhere with me year round it’d be my favorite but that’s just impractical. Lol
Normally I would agree with you on the price thing..but my 200$ Taurus g2c has changed my mind about it..my g2c runs flawless, I have 2,700 round through it with ZERO malfunctions.. meanwhile my 1,200$ 1911 is very ammo picky. And so is my 500$ styr m9.. my Steyr will not cycle 115 grain 9 mm every time I try to run 115 grain I will have at least two malfunctions per... magazine now that I think about it my $250 Smith & Wesson Bodyguard has also run completely flawless, so there are good guns out there for low prices you just have to do your research. and just because a gun is expensive doesn't mean it's going to run well.. just ask half of the people that bought the Sig p365
I totally agree when I bought my first pistol I was on a budget hell I still am lol. But I said to myself what would you rather have a $500+ handgun that is going to function reliably 99% of the time or a $200 handgun that will jam all the time and like you said I'm not saying that all cheap guns suck. Or that all expensive guns will run flawless. But It simply comes down to you get what you pay for most of the time. Yes there are guns out there that are way overpriced like the HK vp9 or really any HK or the fn scar series of rifles. I personally think sigs are overpriced as well but that's just me. The fact is paying extra for a self defense tool is the far better choice cause if you get mugged and all you got it a hi point and your gun jams what would you rather have the hi point and a couple hundred bucks or the Glock,smith,Cz ect... And no money I'd rather be broke and have a quality gun than have a little money with a shitty gun. But that's just my personal opinion.
Well done! As the "gun guy" in my social circle, I get asked what gun to start with often. I give very similar advice and always offer to recommend trainers and take them to the range, but I find myself fighting some very bad advice from others (Large caliber compacts, light J-frames, and tiny .380s are common and really bad recommendations for new shooters, particularly women. Where does this "women need a tiny gun" thing come from anyway). I now have a levelheaded and logical video series I can refer them to to help combat the BS.
Great video as always. I never really understood to calibre argument, i don't carry (Canadian) but i consider myself a calibre junkie, 380,9mm,40s&w,45,10mm, 357 sig, 7.62x25 give me them all, im an enthusiast.🔫🙂
Well said. I have fallen victim to this phenomenon due to bad advice and my own stupid macho mindset. I had a .357 Magnum for a home defense weapon. If I would have fired it inside, yes, I would have killed the intruder. But at cost of my hearing and whatever was four rooms away due to over penetration. Then I chose a full size 1911 for a conceal carry and had to wear suspenders to keep my britches up. Stupidity. I have now come to my senses and have a .380 compact semi-auto Sig Sauer P238. Light weight, reliable as hell, enough power for both home use and carry. Lesson learned.
Regarding a gun that fits your hand.... I have 2 Berettas (92fs and PX4 compact) and I love them both. The issue however is that in the proper shooting grip, my thumb rests on the slide release. Since you like Beretta as much as I do, can you do a video for people with long fingers like me regarding an alternative grip.
I'm quite a noob and I found that the 45 acp in a compact aluminum frame is still quite suitable for noobs almost feels like a 9mm but more satisfying. He's probably right about it in the sub compact format though.
something I learned the hard way (not when my life depended on it but with my wallet) is buying a gun you like "enough" because it's a good price. another problem is over stretching your range budget. aure I bought a glock 30sf because it fit me well, concealed well and everything. but if the ammo is to expensive for me to practice often then is it really doing me any favors? just something else to consider
Well done, all valid points. In the age of the internet, there really isn't any excuse for not doing some homework on type and size of firearm to best suit your needs.
I think maybe I buy the wrong handgun sometimes on purpose. Cause I have a gun buying sickness! And don't even get me started on my holster buying sickness! But it's totally ok! Cause I justify it by saying "I'm helping the economy" 👍😆
So you mean having a sub-compact pistol in a large caliber with the hottest loads I can find won’t make me safe and an amazing pistol shooter. I actual need to train with the gun, but this awesome ammo is super expensive and I shoot the same thing on that video game yeah I am good.
I also hate the mindset of "it's better than nothing" because you lower the bar on your life. I'm not talking about buying the most expensive gun and justifying your purchase to others and the reverse with budget build ARs. I believe in picking the "right" weapon made well enough that you can pay for without breaking the bank if that is your choice. I will never say I'd rather buy a Hi Point over a Glock because it shoots bullets and that's all it needs to do.
Why do gun manufacturers make guns with safeties on only 1 side of the frame ?Every right handed shooter that I talk to says the same thing . You don't have to carry with the safety on , or don't carry a gun with a safety at all . Not my point .
I don’t get it. There isn’t much difference in recoil and accuracy between my P365 and XD Mod.2 45. I shoot them both about the same. Maybe slight advantage with P365 in double taps. But close enough between the two to be deadly accurate. 45 is a nice shooting caliber. 40 is snapper than my 45 buy not much. Most ccw people shoot 9mm +P in defensive rounds anyway. So don’t tell me 45 is so much more recoil. Most people at the range who demonstrate 9 having more recoil than 45 are usually shooting 9mm ball ammo which isn’t +P and comparing that to 45 ball. An instructor I had a few years back got into a debate with a student in my class over 9 vs 45 follow up shots. The student said he could shoot his 9 better than his 45. The instructor had him double tap 3 different times with the 9mm and all hits where grouped within 4.5 inches of each other. He shot ball 9mm. Then the instructor had him shoot the 45 compact and had all double tap hits grouped within 5 inches. The he had the student shoot the 9mm again but with his defensive ammo which was Hornady Critical Duty +P and his double taps where grouped within 6.25 inches.
Depends on what category you're looking at. Small semi-autos generally tend to be cheaper than full size guns. So a $350-400 M&P Shield is what I would consider moderately priced for a subcompact single stack 9mm. But $350 for a full size gun is generally going to leave you in the "entry level" range, with the mid-priced guns starting at closer to $450. Generally speaking, any new gun that's widely available for under $300 is solidly in the "cheap" category and definitely suspect. Handguns available new under $200 fall under the "probably better off with pepper spray" category.
I have seen people shoot 40S&W out of a m 20 glock ( 10mm ) , I would only do that in a pinch . LIKE a 44 , you can load from mild to wild & great in a carbine ( 44mag power ) . My M20 glock is a tack driver .
Seems like believable common sense, however where are you getting your data about the failure of cheap guns in self defense scenarios, vs. mid-priced guns?
+manichounds I don't know that I would call it "data" in the technical sense, but I talk to a lot of shooting instructors. They see all kinds of different guns shoot hundreds of rounds every weekend. From the ones I've spoken with and who have written on the topic, across the board, they report more problems from budget priced brands like Taurus, Kel-Tec, Sccy, Charter Arms, etc than from S&W, Glock, Beretta, Sig, HK, Walther, and similarly priced guns. To be fair, 1911 pattern guns also commonly exhibit failures, so it's not exclusive to cheap guns.
Makes sense. Can you tell me more about the 1911 issue? The second pistol I purchased is the basic Colt Govt, and I quite love it at the range, although I'd never try to carry it unless it was open carry in some rural, gun approving area. Are quality 1911's really any less reliable than newer designs?
If you are on a tight budget you can get a good gun at a good price in the used market preferable gun shops and pawn shops or friends and family neighbors coworkers someone you know that is honest or has license to deal there are a lot of hot guns out there in the online classifieds if you buy off a stranger you can ask them to meet you at a broker to make the exchange and run numbers and background for you at a fair fee of course
On paper I decided the Glock 27 was the best CCW gun for me. I rented one and hated the recoil. It's like it was trying to twist out of my hands. I highly recommend renting first.
I think this channel (Chris) has the most objective, no-bullshit, well-thought and intelligent, quality info about guns and self-defense that I've seen on TH-cam. MAC comes in second but your videos, Chris, are number one. Keep up the great work.
they are big and heavy and made out of recycled garbage but they work.. when I was younger and very broke.. my first gun was a Hi Point C9.. that's all I could afford at the time and because of that it got me into shooting and after saving for like a year later I got a better pistol... now I own a lot of guns.. and there are a lot of quality budget guns out there.. like the Taurus g2c that's only $200 I have one and it has run completely flawless, I had a Ruger LCP that I paid 199$ for. and that was a great little gun, but I sold it and upgraded to the Smith Wesson Bodyguard which was only 250$
Excellent discussion, clearly presented. I have been working with a former colleague, a younger woman, who has decided she wants a pistol. Fortunately, I have been able to take her to the range for some comparison shooting. She has small hands, so that greatly affects her range of choices. A visit to a gun shop to handle a variety of guns was followed by actual shooting with my LCR and my SP101, which quickly clarified the abstract talk about gun weight/recoil impulse/control. She didn't take long to understand that a heavier gun was more to her liking, even if it was more to lug around, as she saw that she could control it better and make good shots on target -- and it didn't hurt her hands. Now she has something concrete to think about in making a decision.
chris mclaughlin I know I have. Now, when I say that remember that those days I was usually crawling around in and under trucks and heavy machinery working on them. Larger guns like a glock 19 just get to be a bit overkill and frustrating to hide when contorting yourself in those machines.
You also should have pointed out that in order to avoid buying the wrong firearm it is suggested to go to your local shooting range and rent out a few handguns to get an idea of what pistol platform fits best. And choosing a gun should be assessed meticulously, ask yourself "what is the purpose for this firearm?" CCW?...home defense?.....competition?....hunting?....all these firearm occupations come into play when choosing the right pistol!!...great video brother keep them coming!!...
Not every range rents guns. In fact, the area I live in, counting a 50 mile radius, there are a lot of ranges but only 2 ranges rent. And neither of those have a very good selection, and it cost a lot. After paying all the dues and rental fees, you have to use their ammo and it's always crazy marked up, so you could end up spending the same amount on 2 or 3 rentals as you would on purchasing a gun outright. (Seriously, 1 of those places I totaled up $115 for 30 minute rental session with a Ruger in 357mag). I wasn't very comfortable with guns until I owned a few and had shot a lot. Learned how they function and break down. If you can afford it buy a few guns until you find at least 1 that works for you and just sell what ever you don't like. Just because you purchase a gun doesn't mean your stuck with it. You could even buy 1, then if it doesn't work out sell it and buy something else. Guns move pretty fast on the used market and usually you can get most of your money back, in California sometimes more than what you paid.. There is also the option of modification. My favorite hand gun is one that falls into the less expensive category but I did some trigger work, tweaked the mags and polished the feed-ramp to run more reliable, made a few other tweaks, and now it is fantastic, I can shoot it very accurately, it runs smooth as butter with any load I run through it, and I would absolutely trust my life to it. One option is to go with friends who shoot. Or, purchase the gun that you think will work best, go down to the range for the normal practice time, make some friends at the range and ask to swap for a few magazines. I have done this a bunch of time. I was never making friends with the intention of swapping or sharing each other guns, but many shooters are very courteous and enjoy sharing. I have offered to have people shoot my guns just because they were interested in the caliber. Just don't be pushy. I could see some people being protective with their fire arms and not wanting to share, which would be completely within reason. You can usually get a feel just by talking to someone if it's a good idea to ask or not. But really, until you have shot different guns and different caliber, you won't know what suits you best. I still own every gun I ever purchased. I can tell you the first gun I purchased I did not like for a carry gun, and I have bought others that I still wouldn't use in a SD situation, but I pretty much like all guns and they are still fun to shoot at the range. But if I needed to I would sell one or 2 to get the RIGHT gun. Every time I see someone say "This gun is the best gun is the world" I immediately disregard their input. If someone says "here are a few guns I like and recommend", they probably have some good advice.
Hasan Lengel well that is very unfortunate for you brother because all the ranges in my area rent out guns and it's very cheap to rent them no gun being over $10 dollars...I do agree that the ammunition is pricey but that is the price of practice and mastering your firearms...but renting them or like you said using a friends firearm at the range is the best way to find a suitable platform that fits you best....whether it be revolver, hammer fired, striker fired, pocket gun, or full size, etc. it is an important process that shouldn't be taken lightly because the results can be discouraging and costly this is why I recommend renting guns...in the long run it will save you the headache of buying a gun you are not compatible with and save you the time and effort of your hard earned money....
my metro area has a few places with indoor ranges. most quit renting live weapons(guns) to the general public due to suicides or careless accidents. there were about 5/6 incidents in a 24mo period. yikes.
Some great points. My ex-gf had to have a gun that was small and looked stylish. Despite my advice to get a handgun that was reliable and and offered more of a full grip. Needless to say she never shot her firearm because despite it bring small and cute, it shot like garage.
There are plenty of times that you can get away with going the cheaper route in life..... Never do so when your life has the slightest chance of depending on that item.
I have had a permit to carry for 13 years, and am in my 40's. I have never even had to pull my gun from it's holster in those 13 years, let alone needed a gun in the whole rest of my life, so why would I spend $600.00 on a Glock or a Sig, or some other high priced gun that in reality I may never end up needing?.My $200.00 Taurus has served me just fine for the last 5 years and has fired all 900 times that I have pulled the trigger.
Rich Smith sir you’re not the only one out there and I totally agree with you but because of marketing firearms have to be expensive. Just carry what’s been working for you. I didn’t know firearms were like Air Jordan’s.
![The Best Handguns for New Shooters [2020 Update]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Divg2ZFYf8E/mqdefault.jpg)
![The Best Handguns for New Shooters [2020 Update]](/img/tr.png)
When on a budget look at used guns. Many times you can find a good gun for cheap just because it's scuffed or a police trade in.
You can relatively easily find a good used 9mm pistol for 350 Dollars, that should be the bottom line
@@Alexx120493 you can get a new one for that price
@@MT-yd3yc But will the quality suffer? I'd rather pay $350 for a used Glock police trade-in than $200 for a new Hi-Point.
Call me kooky...
Vince Dibona I don’t know where you live but high points don’t cost $200, and there are a lot of great guns at $350 range-new. Guns many would argue are better than Glock, and others that are very comparable.
@@vincedibona4687 you're kooky
Dude, you are way too logical and well reasoned for TH-cam. Please stop.
Back off man, YOU DON'T KNOW ME!!!!
Victorinox Alox98 ... What's your take on it? 😀
This guy is taking a fair amount of time out of his day, every week, to be cognizant on how he can carry and make decisions with a firearm in the most benign, rational, and affective way possible. We not only have that to thank him about; he decided to inform, educate, and discuss these nuances and direct them towards an audience that owns or is interested in owning a firearm. Using TH-cam as a platform to reach his intended audience is genius and I would rather see more youtube channels this "logical and well reasoned".
Biased to. Don't forget that.
Nick Witter a well reasoned TH-camr being unnecessary to the security of a useful channel, The right of the comment section to derail into madness, shall not be infringed.
4:25 This fact almost kept me from buying my Taurus PT111. I said to myself if I can find just ONE bad review, I'll move on to something else. I couldn't find one at all and I really tried. $199 later I have zero regrets
Mike Droz that’s great brother. There’s nothing wrong with your purchase. People will call you cheap but people like me will call you shrewd. I’m loving my G2C😎👍💯🇺🇸
Pfft taurus hahahahaha
Hand size is very important. My hands are huge and too big for a compact. A CZ75, CZ97, and a 1911 all fit me perfectly. I tried a CZ compact the other day and it was tiny for me.
Truth. I got a palm like a brick, but shorter fingers so I like a thumb extension, but a narrower grip. Something like a Beretta 92 feels way too fat. But a cz-75 feels great in hand.
I love the 1911 grip, but with the right grip sleeve or adjusting my grip I can comfortably shoot a subcompact single stack 9mm... doubt I could ever do a .380
You'd probably like a 2011 too
I spent the past 5 years or so trying different carry guns and I think another point to make is find a gun that not only fits you, but a gun that you're excited to shoot. It gets you motivated to hit the range more!
I agree: th-cam.com/video/9tgwmhbGWeo/w-d-xo.html
Oh snap! Just watched it, great video! That's exactly how I feel when going to the range with my P2000. But now I feel compelled to get a leopard print ceracote job done to it.
Common sense is a lost art it seems.This is the only gun channel I subscribe to. So far I haven't found others. You do a great job. You def deserve more views, etc. Keep it up, I look forward to each video
Woodworking Geek colion noir, Hickok45, active self protection and Vickers tactical
Woodworking Geek Also check out Paul Harrell. His vids are low tech, but his work is intelligent and insightful.
Might wanna check out Tim at Military Arms Channel. I think of him as similar to Chris in that he also has well-reasoned, objective, and intelligent commentary.
I second Paul Harrell. He is very good.
Woodworking Geek I'm on your side.
Impressive in so many ways; edit, content, delivery, photography. You set yourself apart in the most amazing way, quality.
I would add one bit of nuance to the point about inexpensive guns. Some guns are inexpensive because they are "over-engineered" for inexpensive production by good reliability. That can make these guns difficult to use in a concealed carry role and heavier to hold. To some extent, that can make these guns a bit ugly. However, the higher weight reduces the felt recoil, and if the gun is still reliable, the gun can be fine for home defense. I've bought a few inexpensive surplus guns that were reliable, accurate enough, and good enough for home self-defense. For people on a budget, the important point is finding someone who can help in trying and selecting a gun.
My experience is that you should spend the money. This goes not just for handguns, but also for rifles and shotguns. That extra $200-$300 seems like a lot at the time, but down the road, you'll 1) end up with something you hate, and 2) end up buying what you should've bought in the first place. When it comes to guns, price almost always reflects quality.
This goes for optics too.
Excellent video. This perfectly encapsulates many of the issues new shooters/gun-buyers face. When I worked in gun sales, providing experience appropriate/situation appropriate recommendations and training was key. Thank the Lord there are channels like this to educate those new to firearms and serve as an introduction. Great work.
The gun for carry that fit me best was a Makarov I bought at a pawn shop. I'm not the biggest guy so it for my hands perfectly.
Cant chose the wrong one if you buy em all!
I really enjoy content like this which requires me to inspect my carry decisions. Thank you.
only auto i like is my 1916 po8 luger, after that they started putting this box shaped thing around the barrel, then they started putting bigger box shaped grips to hold more bullets. and to add insult to injury they make these boxes out of plastic now. if only my hands were box holders i could bask in the power of hi-cap awesomeness.
Sounds like you would appreciate a decent Compact 1911 chambered in 9mm. They are slim enough, and short too. I understand what you mean by shooting a boxxy handgun though. I don't personally like box/brick shaped polymer handguns myself, but they do have their place! (My father keeps a Glock with 31rds in it, as a home defense gun.) It's ugly (I know, the glock fans are going to hate me for that 😂) BUT it's reliable. It always goes bang, and he is deadly accurate with the thing. God forbid he ever needs to use it.
@alan wake Many other handguns DO have problems with high capacity mags. My Glock 19 does not (from what I've experienced) Literally I have never had a FTF, Jam, or light primer strike with the gun. I don't doubt you friend! Mine runs quite well though,
@alan wake We keep it full, and every couple of months we shoot it till it's empty. Of course I put my faith in the stock magazines that come with the gun for self defense, but I also have a decent bit of faith with the extended mags and even drums now.
Best gun channel on youtube, keep up the great work!
Another great video. You are absolutely meant to be in front of a camera. Relaxed, natural, and comfortable. One of my favorite channels now for firearms education.
I don't know if you write your own content, but it's very balanced and fair. Nice to see a channel that presents all positions.
Thanks very much for these videos.
Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying it. I do write my own words, as well as the editing and the majority of the camera work.
That's great! Keep up the good work. I hope you are allowed to continue to control the creative process and the content. You are dead on as far as what is needed. Too many "experts" with very loud opinions flooding the air waves.
i wish this was required viewing for every first time handgun buyer. outstanding video!
I agree with your point of view, most people carry and use various pistols for the wrong reasons.
Best to do it right up front, but they never listen anyway. The thing about making the wrong choice here is, it's usually easy to fix. You'll lose a little money, but it's not difficult to "rehome" an unwanted gun, and buy the next thing you think you need to have.
The hard part for a lot of people is admitting they may have made a mistake. People get real emotionally attached to a thing when they spend a couple hundred dollars on it.
Can hear your hands every time you put them back together.
Great content in a small amount of time. This could easily be a one hour video. A big thanks to you for taking the time to give this info. Getting ready to jump into the handgun arena and have done a lot of reading, talking w local guys that are lifers and watching you, Paul Harrell and recently Hickok45.
Good stuff, we appreciate it.
I'm coming around to the idea that I'm guilty of this, but in a different way than the points listed here. The first time I went shooting, I learned on an East German Makarov and my uncle's duty gun (a Glock 27). Over the next few years as a self-taught shooter through middle school, high school, and beyond I primarily shot Glocks along with the occasional SIG or Beretta.
When I turned 21 (soon after getting my WCL) and looked into buying my first handgun, I had already done a lot of research. I ended up deciding on a polyer-framed, striker-fired pistol that I had heard nothing but good things about: the Walther PPQ M2 in 9mm. In hindsight, this was a mistake. Don't get me wrong, I *love* my Walther to this day. It fits my hand better than any other firearm I've ever handled and I shoot it extraordinarily well despite not being a talented marksman. I find it comfortable to carry.
...But the carrying bit is where the problem lies. I have a mental block that keeps me from carrying with a round in the chamber. Rationally I *know* this is a uniquely bad idea for any number of reasons, but I can't bring myself to carry a striker-fired pistol with no manual safety with a round in the chamber, especially one that has one of the lightest triggers on the market by design. As a result, the PPQ has been relegated to home defense duty while the S&W Bodyguard 380 that I bought at a steal initially as a novelty is now my primary carry piece.
I think with enough formal training (something I don't have) I would get over this aforementioned mental block. I'm going into a career in corrections in the very near future and I also have a school picked out in my area that offers classes in defensive pistol shooting. So in the future, I'll reexamine things. However, if I could go back and do things over, I might have really reconsidered something like that Px4 Storm Type F I had my eye on.
Don't feel bad about carrying with an empty chamber. I do and 3 of 4 friends I asked do. The 4th believes only in revolvers. Oh, yeah, the Israeli army agrees.
If your gun jams a lot try different ammo. Some ammo is too hot for some pistols, and some pistols really like a certain bullet weight. You might need to experiment to find the right fit.
From full size 1911 to a Bulgarian makarov small shots smooth its.... wonderful
I live in the nanny state ( Uk) so handguns and most other guns are a none starter for me. This is only place I can get useful information absolutely love this channel well done!
Kev Walker you should just move to the us. Move here and appreciate the rights your country doesn’t appreciate.
@@deltasword1994 I would love to bud given there chance i would be there in a shot ( no pun intended)
Very well done I know a guy that spent $1200 on a used Desert Eagle 50 cal. Because it's a desert eagle he can't get through a whole magazine without at least one jam. And can't hit the broadside of a barn anymore than like 15 feet away he'd be better off throwing the gun at them because it's a Huge piece of steel
The wrong holster too.
In regards to getting a gun that fits our hand well. What about those of us who were cursed with small hands that cant operate the controls on the vast majority of guns suitable for concealed carry without shifting our grip in some manner or another?(my case is that I often have to shift my grip slightly to be able to release the mag.)
I've never even thought about the size of my hand doing anything with my handgun choice. Thanks for the tips!
Always good 38 S & W mod 10 Bull barrel 4 "not too heavy not a big recoil or 357 same configuration to start with 38
I mostly agree with this, though have to say that attitude itself is more important than gun selection. If a little buyers remorse or subpar range performance is enough to demoralize the gun owner, it may be the attitude that needs correction first!
oh dang.... I just realized that I watched over an hour's worth of your videos while I was cooking. Great info and I really dig your presentation
+Alejandro Gonzales Thanks!
Fantastic work. Level headed advice. Absolutely loved this video.
I wish you made this before I purchased my first pistol, Glock 43. I really really wanted a small gun though for concealment. And it's taken much practice, but I'm gradually improving. Had a flinch for a while but managed with enough practice to purge it completely. Still need to work on follow up shot time. If I don't improve to the point I want to be soon I'll consider swapping it for a Glock 19.
My first gun was a 45 1911 when I was 18. 25 now and still haven’t got anything else. No regrets
My favorites are a Gp100 and an SP101 both in .357 magnum with 4 and 6 inch barrels. GP100 for winter. SP101 for the rest of the year.
I carry .38 +P in them and take .357 deer hunting. Specials are for plinking at the range. I don’t own nor do I want a rifle.
If I could carry my Mossberg 500 everywhere with me year round it’d be my favorite but that’s just impractical. Lol
Normally I would agree with you on the price thing..but my 200$ Taurus g2c has changed my mind about it..my g2c runs flawless, I have 2,700 round through it with ZERO malfunctions.. meanwhile my 1,200$ 1911 is very ammo picky. And so is my 500$ styr m9.. my Steyr will not cycle 115 grain 9 mm every time I try to run 115 grain I will have at least two malfunctions per... magazine now that I think about it my $250 Smith & Wesson Bodyguard has also run completely flawless, so there are good guns out there for low prices you just have to do your research. and just because a gun is expensive doesn't mean it's going to run well.. just ask half of the people that bought the Sig p365
this channel and this guy are bad ass. glad I found these videos!
A must see video. From newbies to experienced gun owners. Thank you.
Great advise.
I carry a Hi power because I can shoot it accurately and that's it.
I totally agree when I bought my first pistol I was on a budget hell I still am lol. But I said to myself what would you rather have a $500+ handgun that is going to function reliably 99% of the time or a $200 handgun that will jam all the time and like you said I'm not saying that all cheap guns suck. Or that all expensive guns will run flawless. But It simply comes down to you get what you pay for most of the time. Yes there are guns out there that are way overpriced like the HK vp9 or really any HK or the fn scar series of rifles. I personally think sigs are overpriced as well but that's just me. The fact is paying extra for a self defense tool is the far better choice cause if you get mugged and all you got it a hi point and your gun jams what would you rather have the hi point and a couple hundred bucks or the Glock,smith,Cz ect... And no money I'd rather be broke and have a quality gun than have a little money with a shitty gun. But that's just my personal opinion.
mrvaperz23 FN pistols. 👍🏻👍🏻
Carry a hi power.mbe cool.
These videos are top notch.
Well done! As the "gun guy" in my social circle, I get asked what gun to start with often. I give very similar advice and always offer to recommend trainers and take them to the range, but I find myself fighting some very bad advice from others (Large caliber compacts, light J-frames, and tiny .380s are common and really bad recommendations for new shooters, particularly women. Where does this "women need a tiny gun" thing come from anyway). I now have a levelheaded and logical video series I can refer them to to help combat the BS.
Things to consider: concealability, capacity, and caliber
Thanks Gun Jesus. Your words are gospel.
That analogy isn't only cliche...
Sooo getting a double stack full size 1911 is not the best choice for my first gun and CCW?
Great video as always. I never really understood to calibre argument, i don't carry (Canadian) but i consider myself a calibre junkie, 380,9mm,40s&w,45,10mm, 357 sig, 7.62x25 give me them all, im an enthusiast.🔫🙂
Well said. I have fallen victim to this phenomenon due to bad advice and my own stupid macho mindset. I had a .357 Magnum for a home defense weapon. If I would have fired it inside, yes, I would have killed the intruder. But at cost of my hearing and whatever was four rooms away due to over penetration. Then I chose a full size 1911 for a conceal carry and had to wear suspenders to keep my britches up. Stupidity. I have now come to my senses and have a .380 compact semi-auto Sig Sauer P238. Light weight, reliable as hell, enough power for both home use and carry. Lesson learned.
Regarding a gun that fits your hand.... I have 2 Berettas (92fs and PX4 compact) and I love them both. The issue however is that in the proper shooting grip, my thumb rests on the slide release. Since you like Beretta as much as I do, can you do a video for people with long fingers like me regarding an alternative grip.
I'm quite a noob and I found that the 45 acp in a compact aluminum frame is still quite suitable for noobs almost feels like a 9mm but more satisfying. He's probably right about it in the sub compact format though.
something I learned the hard way (not when my life depended on it but with my wallet) is buying a gun you like "enough" because it's a good price. another problem is over stretching your range budget. aure I bought a glock 30sf because it fit me well, concealed well and everything. but if the ammo is to expensive for me to practice often then is it really doing me any favors? just something else to consider
Well done, all valid points. In the age of the internet, there really isn't any excuse for not doing some homework on type and size of firearm to best suit your needs.
I think maybe I buy the wrong handgun sometimes on purpose. Cause I have a gun buying sickness! And don't even get me started on my holster buying sickness! But it's totally ok! Cause I justify it by saying "I'm helping the economy" 👍😆
Yeah Chris is punching out of our league 😀
So you mean having a sub-compact pistol in a large caliber with the hottest loads I can find won’t make me safe and an amazing pistol shooter. I actual need to train with the gun, but this awesome ammo is super expensive and I shoot the same thing on that video game yeah I am good.
Well said sir.
I also hate the mindset of "it's better than nothing" because you lower the bar on your life. I'm not talking about buying the most expensive gun and justifying your purchase to others and the reverse with budget build ARs. I believe in picking the "right" weapon made well enough that you can pay for without breaking the bank if that is your choice.
I will never say I'd rather buy a Hi Point over a Glock because it shoots bullets and that's all it needs to do.
Just found you on TH-cam. Great Videos. Always very informative. Thank you.
Why do gun manufacturers make guns with safeties on only 1 side of the frame ?Every right handed shooter that I talk to says the same thing . You don't have to carry with the safety on , or don't carry a gun with a safety at all . Not my point .
I have owned a lot of the wrong handguns and still don't own a Glock which is the best for everything except perhaps concealment.
this guy i worked for got a .40 shield and he loves it ajd he controls it better than i
Any ammo is suitable; a. 22 LR will fuck you up too.
Don't believe me? Try it out on yourself, people.
The right 22 round will pierce armor. Its not a "toy" round at all.
somebody picked the wrong handgun
I made the mistake of getting a gun too small for its caliber when I purchased my second firearm.
Did anyone else constantly get distracted by the noise of his hands sliding together?
Excellent!!
Good sound wisdom 👌🏼
Shot more handguns than I can remember. Best all-around: Glock 19.
I don’t get it. There isn’t much difference in recoil and accuracy between my P365 and XD Mod.2 45. I shoot them both about the same. Maybe slight advantage with P365 in double taps. But close enough between the two to be deadly accurate. 45 is a nice shooting caliber. 40 is snapper than my 45 buy not much. Most ccw people shoot 9mm +P in defensive rounds anyway. So don’t tell me 45 is so much more recoil. Most people at the range who demonstrate 9 having more recoil than 45 are usually shooting 9mm ball ammo which isn’t +P and comparing that to 45 ball.
An instructor I had a few years back got into a debate with a student in my class over 9 vs 45 follow up shots. The student said he could shoot his 9 better than his 45. The instructor had him double tap 3 different times with the 9mm and all hits where grouped within 4.5 inches of each other. He shot ball 9mm. Then the instructor had him shoot the 45 compact and had all double tap hits grouped within 5 inches. The he had the student shoot the 9mm again but with his defensive ammo which was Hornady Critical Duty +P and his double taps where grouped within 6.25 inches.
Dang fine channel.
Lucky how many dollars do you consider "cheap" and "moderately priced"?
Depends on what category you're looking at. Small semi-autos generally tend to be cheaper than full size guns. So a $350-400 M&P Shield is what I would consider moderately priced for a subcompact single stack 9mm. But $350 for a full size gun is generally going to leave you in the "entry level" range, with the mid-priced guns starting at closer to $450. Generally speaking, any new gun that's widely available for under $300 is solidly in the "cheap" category and definitely suspect. Handguns available new under $200 fall under the "probably better off with pepper spray" category.
Lucky Gunner Ammo thanks. i was asking about full size
Lucky Gunner Ammo what about a old good quality guns like colt 1911s or a surplus hi power
or police surplus revolvers
Full sized .22.
Glock or sig with night sights !! 9mm or 10mm
HA!! Just don't shoot your schnable off !!
I have seen people shoot 40S&W out of a m 20 glock ( 10mm ) , I would only do that in a pinch . LIKE a 44 , you can load from mild to wild & great in a carbine ( 44mag power ) . My M20 glock is a tack driver .
Seems like believable common sense, however where are you getting your data about the failure of cheap guns in self defense scenarios, vs. mid-priced guns?
+manichounds I don't know that I would call it "data" in the technical sense, but I talk to a lot of shooting instructors. They see all kinds of different guns shoot hundreds of rounds every weekend. From the ones I've spoken with and who have written on the topic, across the board, they report more problems from budget priced brands like Taurus, Kel-Tec, Sccy, Charter Arms, etc than from S&W, Glock, Beretta, Sig, HK, Walther, and similarly priced guns. To be fair, 1911 pattern guns also commonly exhibit failures, so it's not exclusive to cheap guns.
Makes sense. Can you tell me more about the 1911 issue? The second pistol I purchased is the basic Colt Govt, and I quite love it at the range, although I'd never try to carry it unless it was open carry in some rural, gun approving area. Are quality 1911's really any less reliable than newer designs?
Smash that like button if your tired of hearing grown men cry about recoil from 40sw and 45acp handguns.
In his defense, shooting 45 ACP from a subcompact polymer handgun is pretty shitty. 45 ACP in a full size all steel 1911 is quite pleasant to fire.
If you are on a tight budget you can get a good gun at a good price in the used market preferable gun shops and pawn shops or friends and family neighbors coworkers someone you know that is honest or has license to deal there are a lot of hot guns out there in the online classifieds if you buy off a stranger you can ask them to meet you at a broker to make the exchange and run numbers and background for you at a fair fee of course
Good common sense advice.
I hate small 40's, but I don't notice a lot of difference between small 9's and 45's
Cuz the .45 is so slow in a sub compact, it can be confused for something smaller.
Just get a G19.
No gun you can use to defend yourself is a crappy gun.
On paper I decided the Glock 27 was the best CCW gun for me. I rented one and hated the recoil. It's like it was trying to twist out of my hands. I highly recommend renting first.
Well done!
I think this channel (Chris) has the most objective, no-bullshit, well-thought and intelligent, quality info about guns and self-defense that I've seen on TH-cam. MAC comes in second but your videos, Chris, are number one. Keep up the great work.
Thanks! I'll be sure to let Tim know where he stands in the rankings.
lol, good deal!
enough with the bullshit talk what about that AK operators union Channel
I was thinking the same exact same things he is just a great reviewer and gives good advice more people should watch his videos
Also check out Paul Harrell.
Why do the sounds of your hands coming together feel like there periods to your sentences😂
Oh my god, 100% lol
Darn you, now I notice it. XD
He's MAAAAAAAAAAANschplaning.
You deserved more views sir, great input. Common sense is not common.
Rare sense
Most new shooters don't want to hear you talk, they want to see you shoot. But, then, the question arrises, "....what did he say....?"
Your discussion topics are so relevant. Your arguments are so well reasoned.
Your insight is so valuable.
Thanks! Your comments are so nice!
Dilley_Esq I agree, it's almost like he went out and got hundreds of hours of training from the most well respected instructors in the country.
"Ultimately, the gun itself is small part of the self-defense equation." Very wise words, sir. Please keep up the excellent work in your videos.
DUDE, it seems like ur implying that Hi-points aren't perfect for everyone!
Joshboy Future hi points are crap and bulky and heavy
Man we all know the hi point is the Glock fodey we all need.
Right over crosspoint's head
they are big and heavy and made out of recycled garbage but they work.. when I was younger and very broke.. my first gun was a Hi Point C9.. that's all I could afford at the time and because of that it got me into shooting and after saving for like a year later I got a better pistol... now I own a lot of guns.. and there are a lot of quality budget guns out there.. like the Taurus g2c that's only $200 I have one and it has run completely flawless, I had a Ruger LCP that I paid 199$ for. and that was a great little gun, but I sold it and upgraded to the Smith Wesson Bodyguard which was only 250$
@@crosspointholsters1636 and I don't care if it gets taken in a defensive shoot. It's a truck gun, or a glovebox gun, not necessarily a carry gun
Excellent discussion, clearly presented. I have been working with a former colleague, a younger woman, who has decided she wants a pistol. Fortunately, I have been able to take her to the range for some comparison shooting. She has small hands, so that greatly affects her range of choices. A visit to a gun shop to handle a variety of guns was followed by actual shooting with my LCR and my SP101, which quickly clarified the abstract talk about gun weight/recoil impulse/control. She didn't take long to understand that a heavier gun was more to her liking, even if it was more to lug around, as she saw that she could control it better and make good shots on target -- and it didn't hurt her hands. Now she has something concrete to think about in making a decision.
chris mclaughlin I know I have. Now, when I say that remember that those days I was usually crawling around in and under trucks and heavy machinery working on them. Larger guns like a glock 19 just get to be a bit overkill and frustrating to hide when contorting yourself in those machines.
Since California has a mag capacity law, my Glock 30 is perfect for conceal carry.
You should make a video talking about how to carry your gun to minimize the risk of someone taking it if they get into grapple range.
He talks about that in his appendix carry video
i have PT111 never had problems fire's very time.
Beard game is strong
Alan Kelly but remember that with great beard comes great responsibility.
people with beards we used to call hippies
Lose the beard. Look your age.
Hugh-John Fleming mind your business and listen to the man rather than bleat your opinion on how he should look
Yeah, let's talk about the host's beard, instead of the content. THIS IS A GUN CHANNEL, ASSHOLE. NOT A FACIAL-HAIR CARE CHANNEL.
Easy to buy the wrong gun, hard to own up to the fact one commits such a faux pas.
Anyone wanna buy a snub .44 Special revolver?
Yes. I want a cheap .44 Special. What make & model and how much?
You also should have pointed out that in order to avoid buying the wrong firearm it is suggested to go to your local shooting range and rent out a few handguns to get an idea of what pistol platform fits best. And choosing a gun should be assessed meticulously, ask yourself "what is the purpose for this firearm?" CCW?...home defense?.....competition?....hunting?....all these firearm occupations come into play when choosing the right pistol!!...great video brother keep them coming!!...
David Teran great comment I wish I had the option to try before I buy none of the gunshops in my area(both Mom and Pop big chains) have ranges.
Not every range rents guns. In fact, the area I live in, counting a 50 mile radius, there are a lot of ranges but only 2 ranges rent. And neither of those have a very good selection, and it cost a lot. After paying all the dues and rental fees, you have to use their ammo and it's always crazy marked up, so you could end up spending the same amount on 2 or 3 rentals as you would on purchasing a gun outright. (Seriously, 1 of those places I totaled up $115 for 30 minute rental session with a Ruger in 357mag).
I wasn't very comfortable with guns until I owned a few and had shot a lot. Learned how they function and break down. If you can afford it buy a few guns until you find at least 1 that works for you and just sell what ever you don't like. Just because you purchase a gun doesn't mean your stuck with it. You could even buy 1, then if it doesn't work out sell it and buy something else. Guns move pretty fast on the used market and usually you can get most of your money back, in California sometimes more than what you paid..
There is also the option of modification. My favorite hand gun is one that falls into the less expensive category but I did some trigger work, tweaked the mags and polished the feed-ramp to run more reliable, made a few other tweaks, and now it is fantastic, I can shoot it very accurately, it runs smooth as butter with any load I run through it, and I would absolutely trust my life to it.
One option is to go with friends who shoot. Or, purchase the gun that you think will work best, go down to the range for the normal practice time, make some friends at the range and ask to swap for a few magazines. I have done this a bunch of time. I was never making friends with the intention of swapping or sharing each other guns, but many shooters are very courteous and enjoy sharing. I have offered to have people shoot my guns just because they were interested in the caliber. Just don't be pushy. I could see some people being protective with their fire arms and not wanting to share, which would be completely within reason. You can usually get a feel just by talking to someone if it's a good idea to ask or not.
But really, until you have shot different guns and different caliber, you won't know what suits you best. I still own every gun I ever purchased. I can tell you the first gun I purchased I did not like for a carry gun, and I have bought others that I still wouldn't use in a SD situation, but I pretty much like all guns and they are still fun to shoot at the range. But if I needed to I would sell one or 2 to get the RIGHT gun. Every time I see someone say "This gun is the best gun is the world" I immediately disregard their input. If someone says "here are a few guns I like and recommend", they probably have some good advice.
Hasan Lengel well that is very unfortunate for you brother because all the ranges in my area rent out guns and it's very cheap to rent them no gun being over $10 dollars...I do agree that the ammunition is pricey but that is the price of practice and mastering your firearms...but renting them or like you said using a friends firearm at the range is the best way to find a suitable platform that fits you best....whether it be revolver, hammer fired, striker fired, pocket gun, or full size, etc. it is an important process that shouldn't be taken lightly because the results can be discouraging and costly this is why I recommend renting guns...in the long run it will save you the headache of buying a gun you are not compatible with and save you the time and effort of your hard earned money....
my metro area has a few places with indoor ranges. most quit renting live weapons(guns) to the general public due to suicides or careless accidents. there were about 5/6 incidents in a 24mo period. yikes.
There are three indoor ranges that do rentals near me (
Some great points. My ex-gf had to have a gun that was small and looked stylish. Despite my advice to get a handgun that was reliable and and offered more of a full grip. Needless to say she never shot her firearm because despite it bring small and cute, it shot like garage.
+7Revelations7 And that's why you broke up with her, right?
There are plenty of times that you can get away with going the cheaper route in life..... Never do so when your life has the slightest chance of depending on that item.
I have had a permit to carry for 13 years, and am in my 40's. I have never even had to pull my gun from it's holster in those 13 years, let alone needed a gun in the whole rest of my life, so why would I spend $600.00 on a Glock or a Sig, or some other high priced gun that in reality I may never end up needing?.My $200.00 Taurus has served me just fine for the last 5 years and has fired all 900 times that I have pulled the trigger.
Rich Smith sir you’re not the only one out there and I totally agree with you but because of marketing firearms have to be expensive. Just carry what’s been working for you. I didn’t know firearms were like Air Jordan’s.