Concealed carry for women.

[koz]

Originally Posted by cgcyclist

Greetings Pistol Shooters,

I currently use a Glock 9 mm as my concealed carry weapon, but find it too bulky. I seek your recommendations for a better choice. I viewed the video on holsters and liked those options for housing the weapon. However, I need a new weapon before seeking a holster. I am 5'5", weigh 116 pounds and have small hands, so I do not have any places to hide a large pistol, nor the ability to comfortably hold a fat grip.

I am also looking to purchase a reloader for 9 mm ammo. I shoot local matches with a Springfield Armory XDM 9 mm 5.25 and need to keep my costs down.

May I hear your suggestions for this new equipment please? Thanks, cgcyclist

I got to shoot the Springfield XDs 9mm and it's very nice, thin and concealable. I'm not sure when it will be released but it is on my to buy list.

Reloading:
That's entire thread on it's own. I own/owned a Lee 1000, Dillon 550B, Dillon XL650, Hornady L&L AP, and a RCBS Pro 2000.

Costs aside, I'd get the Dillon 650 or the Hornady AP. The Hornady is better for rifles and the Dillon better for pistols. But you're going to drop a fair amount of money for the initial press, case feeder, caliber conversions, etc...

If you're only going to load 9mm, 38, 40, 45 - I'd consider the Lee 1000. In a lot of reloading circles, Lee is considered sub-par but I loaded over 100,000 rounds with mine and have given it away (to a friend) and it's still in use. I believe he's loaded at least another 15-20k rounds on it. The cost of the press is about the same as the Dillon caliber conversion. The case feeder is low cost compared to the couple hundred of the Dillon & Hornady.

Pretty much everything is out of stock right now but hopefully in a 6-8 months things will begin to ease a little (but I'm not optimistic).

Precision Delta is a great source for bullets. Their prices include shipping.
PowderValley, Grafs, Wideners, Natchez Shooters supply and Sinclair are all good places for powder / primers but again nothing is in stock right now. Start saving your brass now. Hit the local stores for bullets, powder & primers. The big stores (Bass Pro, Cabelas, etc) are still getting supplies but just limited quantities.

[ES 96]

Originally Posted by MR2

Wife likes the XDm 5.25 9mm, waiting on the XDs 9mm to become available for her CC.

Both of us are using Grip exercisers for better performance using the XDs .45.

Played with a HP .45 w 5" barrel yesterday - I see why TS likes them so much. (but I can buy a set of Springfield's for that HP price...).

I'm sure as TS noted, you probably meant H&K, but you reminded me of this beast:

NAACO Brigadier (Canadian upscaled Hi-Power clone). It's in .45 alright... .45 Win Mag.

NAACOBrigadier.jpg

[The_Mentalist]

Another option for smaller individuals are the Walthers. The PP, PPK, and PPKS will work well for any one with a small body and hands. For a less expensive alternative of a pistol that is extremely similar to these Walthers would be the Bersa line of pistols. They are much less expensive and of more than sufficient quality to be trustworthy in a CCW situation. I do, however, recommend staying away from the Bersa Thunder CC. It has trough sights with orange dots painted on. The one I had in hand had the rear dots misaligned and shot low when using the front dot instead of the ramp. Also, these dots are not night sight useable. They are merely painted orange for daytime use. The original thunder and the thunder 9 are both great guns for the price.

A compact 1911 (if she can deal with the recoil) is also a great option. Not to mention that holster availability for the 1911 series is extremely well covered by all manufacturers. Just stay away from the freebie kydex paddles some include with the gun. They are fine for range use, but I don't like them for carry purposes.