Posted: 6/7/2007 11:35:53 AM EDT
Ok everybody here goes; I just bought a TaurusPt-145 it would not chamber a round, it's at Taurus now getting fixed I hope. I really need a compact LARGE caliber weapon for CCW. I say large because I have been CCW a .38 S&W and I feel this does not have enough stopping power. Money IS a concern so I would like to stay on the cheep side. I know money and personal (family) safety don't belong in the same sentence but Any way I need your opinion on something that will fill my need.Wow sorry about the long typing 
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The most painless fix (or painful, depending on your ability to deal w recoil) is to move up to a .357 steel J-frame. You know your way around a revolver already, which is a HUGE asset. As for CCW autos, there is affordable, reliable, potent, and concealable. There is never truly all 4. A Glock for example encompases the first 3 but fails the 4th. The cheap 1911 compact fails the second prong, whereas the well made one fails the first. If you insist on CCW auto that is not a cheap mouse gun, you are going to have to compromise one of your requirements, likely concealibility or price. That is why the best fix is to upgrade to .357 if you can handle it out of a small revolver. |
A used S&W model 66/67 in a 3" bbl would be perfect, IMO. On the better side, a Model 19 in 2-1/2" bbl is perhaps the cream of the crop in wheel guns.  There's lots of police trade-ins out there, many in the $225-275 range for almost 98% guns. Most have holster wear only & on a SS wheel gun, that's pretty much a joke, IMO. A 4" bbl S&W would be a bit of a hassle to CCL & conceal, but many folks manage to pull it off. The 4" versions are easily the more popular models available on the police trade-in market, on the plus side. As I'm sure you know, the .38spl can be used in the .357mag guns when you wanted to practice cheaper and/or easier regarding recoil. CDNN & KY Imports both offer some nice deals on these types of guns. I'd hit their web sites & see if anything floats your boat. If you're bound & determined to go semi, I would look at the XD compacts. Of course .45acp would be my only suggestion there............... 
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Bersa Thunder 45 I have three Bersa 9mms and all have been excellent. I paid $350 OTD for each. |
Of course it's OK for protection. The medium frames kept the street cops alive for decades, while the small frames kept plainclothes officers and agents alive the same length of time. People thought the revolver was dead once the duty cop ditched it for the 13+ round auto. The thing that the myopic naysayers missed is that a large framed auto with a staggered magazine sucks for concealed carry. What's more, the small revolvers had a better track record for sturdiness and reliability than most compacts out there. If I didn't have the hardware that I spent an arm and a leg on for CCW, I would have no qualms carrying a wheelgun for protection. |
heck yea...watch out, i'm a little more warry of taurus revolvers since my buddy's mom's .38spl "broke" (damn thing 1st refused to unlock the cylender, it got fixed, no it wont rotate... )revolvers are great PD guns, IF you like em; for a heads up, summitgunbroker has some SW 686s for a great price! |
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$350-ish will possibly get you a used G27 with some creative shopping, and that's about the best big-bore compact that you'll find in that price range. Honestly, I wouldn't feel under-gunned with a .38 using a good quality load like the new Gond Dot short-barrel stuff. Ammo selection is critical, and you're losing a bunch of .40 S&W's oomph in the shorter barrel of the G27 anyways. |