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FeedConcealed Carry part 2- The perfect gun
A concealed carry permit and a loaded gun in a holster doesn’t mean squat. Unless of course, good split-second decision-making skills and proper training are incorporated. Over the next several weeks I have plans to meet with local law enforcement, a ruthless lawyer, and a concealed carry instructor. The plan is to learn as much as I can about the Wisconsin concealed carry law from the people closest to the subject. I am certain the police officers can teach me a thing or two about split-second decision-making. Learning some hands-on shooting drills and techniques I can practice on my own will also be helpful. As for the lawyer, if you have made the commitment to carry a weapon under your shirt, you better have a plan if you ever shoot a cold-blooded villain dead. Unfortunately, some good guys spend time behind bars and spend their entire life savings in court getting out of trouble.
I had some down time waiting for my interviews, so I spent last week visiting gun shops while checking out the inventory. Choices, choices – so many guns to try. To make matters even more complicated, many different opinions were given from the shop owners. Luckily, I took a basic pistol class offered by the NRA in the past and remember a few things about picking out the perfect gun. Do your homework; find out what is truly important to you. What’s good for me might not be the right gun for you.
How much money do you want to spend? Even if cash is tight don’t go too cheap; you might sacrifice quality that might affect accuracy and reliability. Save your money until you can afford something of decent quality. Remember, every shot you make can change your life forever; if the bullet goes astray, or does not come out at all, there will be a consequence.
Will this handgun be solely used for concealed carry, or will it have other purposes? I’ll probably use mine for home protection, target shooting, plinking and possibly concealed carry. As I said, I plan to research and train before I fully commit. When researching, check into the reputation of the manufacturer and the model of the gun. Decide on the action type and become familiar with the safety features.
How does the gun feel in your hand? Check the barrel length and slide (if it's a semi-auto). Feel the weight, grip shape, angle and thickness because all are in play when determining proper fit. Test all operations from loading to emptying the gun. The final stage when selecting a pistol is test firing. That’s the only way to judge the recoil, comfort and accuracy.
Accuracy, reliability, and caliber are important elements to consider when choosing a gun. Are you willing to do what is necessary to protect yourself and your family against a callous killer? How about a complete stranger? If you have made that decision, you had better pick the right gun.
