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i carry the springfield armory xd subcompact for concealed carry .....as far as for your mom i have a buddy that carries a kel-tec P-3AT as a secondary weapon while on duty

Nart for your Mom I would recommend a S7W lady smith in a .38 cal or try a S7W model 629 in a 9mm. both of these weapons are for a smaller hand.  As for yourself and not having much experience the 40 would be nice but I would suggest you try a 9 or 10 mm.

Knight Shooting range here offers classes on personal protection and how to poperly use the firearm. And, I plan to go to the range as much as possible. I don't want to carry it to feel like a badass I just want to have it if I need it, I am able to defeand myself hand to hand. And, if it were up to me I would only need that. Unfortunately, the world we live in today negates my personal wishes and yours.

I am a civilian who volunteers with the sheriff's dept and I also have many LEO's friends and family and I also agree with them. Think about why you want a weapon and especially why you want to carry it.  When I carry, I now have a Sphinx .380m. It's small, lightweight and easy to conceal. One thing I have learned from all the yrs of hanging out with these guys/gals is this, "don't own or carry one if your not prepared to use it. Take several classes, not just the basic class to get your permit. If you have a LEO friend ask for help with offensive/defensive tactics. Know your weapon, inside and out. Before you or your mom purchase's a weapon try out several different ones at the range.  Good luck and please make sure you are buying one for the right reasons.

nart12 says ...

When you carry the XD is it noticable? Also I think I am going to go with an Inside Waistband Holster. Is that a wise choice?

it depends on what kind of clothes you wear i wear loose fittig clothes and an ankel holster and never have any problems with it

hospitalcop says ...

nart12 says ...

I didn't know where to post this so forgive me if it is in the wrong place. I am about to turn 21, so I will be eligible to carry concealed in my state. I am searching for a good CCW,I have been saving up money for the license and classes as well as for the firearm. Currently, I like the H&K P2000SK in .40 calibar, does anyone have any experiance with this weapon or one similar? Or would you suggest something else? I am also looking into getting my mom a small .38 to keep in her purse or car. I am going to help her get her CCWP as well, any recomandations for a good weapon for her? She is diabled with a bum leg so I worry she is an easy target for a mugger.

I forgot to add the firearm is actually the H&K P2000SK

Nart,

I will give you the same advice that I give to anyone considering the purchase of a firearm, especially for personal protection.  There are waay too many "EXPERTS" out there that will tell to carry XYZ pistol in XYZ caliber because it's the best.  Find a reputable shooting range that rents out handguns. Try several different firearms and calibers to see what works best for YOU!  If you are gonna plunk down a couple hundred bucks it should be for something that you are comfortable with, otherwise you will wind up NOT carrying it. A concealed & loaded .22 pistol on your person will do you more good than the .88 MAGNUM left at home because it's too big or heavy. The same goes for your mother.

Additionally, you need to give a great deal of thought on WHY you want to carry and what OPTIONS you have to deal with violence. Having a gun doesn't protect you any more than having a calculator makes you an accountant.  Training and education is the key here.  Best of luck to ya.

Well said.

I believe all qualified [and TRAINED] civilians should carry, but then again I'm an NRA life member gun nut. A smaller caliber gun for your mother [and  yourself, if your not experienced with em] would be best.

And as everyone else here said: Lots and LOTS of training. If you carry, carry it right. The more practice and training you have, the better.

Remember that all it takes is one bad decision with that gun to ruin your life and someone elses!

hospitalcop says ...

nart12 says ...

I didn't know where to post this so forgive me if it is in the wrong place. I am about to turn 21, so I will be eligible to carry concealed in my state. I am searching for a good CCW,I have been saving up money for the license and classes as well as for the firearm. Currently, I like the H&K P2000SK in .40 calibar, does anyone have any experiance with this weapon or one similar? Or would you suggest something else? I am also looking into getting my mom a small .38 to keep in her purse or car. I am going to help her get her CCWP as well, any recomandations for a good weapon for her? She is diabled with a bum leg so I worry she is an easy target for a mugger.

I forgot to add the firearm is actually the H&K P2000SK

Nart,

I will give you the same advice that I give to anyone considering the purchase of a firearm, especially for personal protection.  There are waay too many "EXPERTS" out there that will tell to carry XYZ pistol in XYZ caliber because it's the best.  Find a reputable shooting range that rents out handguns. Try several different firearms and calibers to see what works best for YOU!  If you are gonna plunk down a couple hundred bucks it should be for something that you are comfortable with, otherwise you will wind up NOT carrying it. A concealed & loaded .22 pistol on your person will do you more good than the .88 MAGNUM left at home because it's too big or heavy. The same goes for your mother.

Additionally, you need to give a great deal of thought on WHY you want to carry and what OPTIONS you have to deal with violence. Having a gun doesn't protect you any more than having a calculator makes you an accountant.  Training and education is the key here.  Best of luck to ya.

Best advice I've heard in a long time.

Bubba, look online for some one or a business that does pistol training courses, or self defense courses... Get some training, PLEASE! If you ever have to pull the trigger and put someone down. YOU WILL GO TO TRIAL... well 7 times outa 10 these days you will, but you need to be able to defend yourself legally as well as physically. You should be able to know what do to during the situation as well as defend yourself on the stand and explain why you did what you did, as well as show that you are capible of making that decision.

Thanks , and because of the responses I received I have been looking into different classes that I didn't know would be useful at first. It's just a matter of putting the money in the bank and saving it from here on out. thanks again for all of you who took time to answear.

USAFE7 says ...

I have both a Springfield XD40 and S&W Model 36 .38 cal. that I will carry concealed when I get my permit. The AF gives us the Beretta 92 9mm which I don't have to carry concealed thank God.

Just think, when you run out of bullets for the 92FS you can use it as a club!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvntR5Up5l4

nart12 says ...

After doing some more research I have been looking into a firearm with an external safety. I have read up on the differences between DA/SA and SAO. I also came across the DAK trigger fire system by SIG. This seems to me like a logical choice since the trigger pull isn't to heavy but not as light as a SAO. Any one have any advice?

They're a good choice. Sigs are good firearms, overall. However, I'm just wondering, what are your concerns with a SAO pistol?

Well from what I have read SAO is a lighter trigger. Now, if I ever had to defeand myself I think the longer trigger pull will force me to think about what I am about to do. I don't want to carry one to look cool, or to feel like a bad mofo. Nor do I want to take another life, but if it was a situation where my life or another persons life was in danger then I will have to do what needs to be done to stop the threat.

I admit the CCW classes aren't going to be enough training to deal with a real threat. But, I am licensed security and they do offer more advanced classes for people in the security field with firearms which I will take advantage of.  And, I know I am not a LEO nor do I think Security and LEO's have the same job.

Not to be arguementative here, but at 18 I would be allowed to carry more powerful weapons in the military. Which I plan on joining after college. And, ofcourse they get WAY better training then I could recieve as a civilian. But, like many have said here, good training and a level head will help me in the long run. I don't doubt that their are people my age who are VERY irresponisble. Alot of the people I know that are my age fit that profile. Plus I have atleast seven more months before I can even carry one. Due to the expenses in training and obtaining a firearm and the license (90 days after applying.)

I don't resent any of the comments questioning my age or abilities. They can only help me and I understand your concerns as LEO's. To some it might seem like you are trying to hinder me but it does show me your true intentions of trying to pevent anything bad from happening. I truely do appreciate all the responses.

Also, though I don't need the firearm for my job I will be allowed to carry it in my car at work. And, since I work from my car and sit on locations overnight often time alone, in areas where people are breaking into our locations it does have a small degree of danger. I always call the local sheriff's or police department to inform them I will be in the area so they know I am there and they can check on me throughout the night if they wish.