Carry Weapon for a large person

[rgriggs]

I am a very large individual and I am looking to purchase a sidearm in the very near future. I have kinda narrowed down what I am looking for either a .40 or .45. I have been looking at the S&W M&P's and Springfield Armory XD's but I am open to other suggestions. I also have a large hand so a sub compact is out the question. I would like to be able to carry and the world not know I have a firearm. My main obstacle is price. My budget is around $750.

So what suggestions does everyone have.

 

[Dogman]

Can't go wrong with either of those guns.

 

[releo 37]

Have you looked at a Glock 21?

 

[warmachine]

You'll have a lot of people tell you Glock and a lot of people tell you XD and more people tell you Ruger and then the answer that fits everyone, get to a range and shoot them all. Find the one that fits your hand good, you shoot well, and is in your price range. Actually there are a lot of nice folks on here that will let you test drive theirs if you ask nice lol. Look at my sig line if you want my suggestion. You probable wont need the sub compact though.

 

[wtfd661]

I would look at the compact line in any of the "good brands" (ie, Glock, XD, M&P, etc.). .40 or .45 is really up to you, either are going to be a good round (I mostly carry the .45 but also carry a 9mm occasionally).

Really you need to go to a gun shop and fondle as many, see what feels good in your hand and go from there.

What ever you go with though, make sure you get a good holster and gun belt. A good holster belt combo can make any gun comfortable to wear all day.

Good luck to you and look forward to reading a report (with the appropriate gun porn) of what ever you get.

 

[451_Detonics]

Hard to go wrong with a short barrel N-Frame Airweight like the S&W 325 Nightguard. I am not that large and I have been carrying a 325PD (the Nightguard's predecessor) for quite a few years. It conceals eaily, is as reliable as a handgun can get, and is very accurate. Not to mention that big bore and the huge HPs a BG can see goes a long ways to disarming a bad situation. And it weighs less than the XD.

 

[glock2010]

how bout the glock 23

 

[Dog1]

M&P all the way. My full size .45 M&P has now ran through, as of today, 1200 rounds, without a cleaning, without any malfunctions.

It has feed and shucked WWB, Remington, Wolf and Aluminum Blazer, without a hicup.

Do not over look the M&P line.

 

[kevman65]

Go wrap your paws around every handgun that catches your fancy. Then narrow it down to the most comfortable in your price range. Then as mentioned, try to fire as many of them on your list that you can. When you get it down to a few, come back with that short list and ask for pros and cons on those individual models and you will get much better information.

Until that point, it's an open popularity contest and you won't get the answers you are seeking but will get many opinions.

Good luck and happy shopping.

 

[BulkAmmo]

Best handgun

Both of the pistols you've narrowed it down to would work fine for what you are looking for it to do. Between the two I prefer the XD, but you will only know which one you like by handling/shooting them.

You might want to check out the FN line and the CZ line of pistols. The FN pistols are SA/DA polymer framed pistols. The CZ are steel or polymer depending on which model you get. Both are great shooters and offer something more unique.

__________________
Bulk .44 Magnum Ammo

 

[JJGatesE30]

You could always ride the Hog

 

[fastwally]

Check out a Beretta PX4 Storm of your cal. Full size, a little heavy, shoots really great with a mild recoil in larger calibers. Lots of great handguns out there, just one more to consider. Sub Compact on top and full size on the bottom.

 

[Coach]

Size matter

My opinion is that your should be carrying a gun that has at least a four inch barrel, and a full size grip that allows a proper grip by you without hanging off the gun. In my opinion there are far too many people out there carry guns that are too difficult to shoot well. Most small guns are very difficult to shoot well. The most important thing is for the gun to be reliable. Almost as important is can you shoot it well out to 10 yards. In a hostage situation could you hit the right person at 10 yards in the tear duct and miss the one you love at the same time. If you cannot shoot the gun that well it is not a good carry gun.

I carry and M&P. I once owned 3 XD's and there are not any in my safe anymore. I would not trust my life to that gun.

Get the gun and do some practice regularly.

 

[derrickgoins]

I'd say get a full size M&P, throw the large backstrap on that bad boy, and let the good times roll. I carry an M&P 9 with a 4.25" barrel and haven't had any problems at all. Good belt, holster, etc and you should be good to go. Good luck.

 

[rgriggs]

Thanks everyone for the reply's. I really need to go to the store and handle some of these and go from there.

 

[ghitch75]

Defender...50 buc's more..

 

[g+16]

when I was a young man and carried 210 lbs a full size 1911 was my pick, now I old thinner and shorter and carry a bereta cougar in 40 s&w, pick what fits you and your hand as the man said practice, practice, drawing from your holster and firing like your live or a loved one's counted on it, good luck

 

[LPPOsecurity]

If u like the xd check out a sig 229 in 40 or a 239 which is a single stack 229 essentially, a lot like the xd except a bit more refined and great to shoot, I own both a subcompact xd 40 and a sig 229 in 40 carry one or the other every day, they are about the same size except for barrel and grip length, they will fit each others holsters, I'd recommend either with the Springfield being a heavy user type and the sig being a use but admire greatly cuz it is beautiful to look at, check things out, see what u like

 

[JohnP82]

Well your short list is good so far. Both the XD and M&P are fine handguns. You also have a good budget. Most people ask for suggestions under 200 bucks which is hard to do. Just handle as many as you can and if you have a chance try to shoot as many as you can too. It is an important decision and it is important to get the right gun for YOU since you will be the one carrying it and not all of us that tell you our preferrences. Good luck with your decision.

 

[darngolf]

I too am large (6'4" 320) and I think the most important thing for comfort carrying is a good belt and holster and then whatever handgun is most comfortable to you. I have several XDs and they are all reliable and very reasonably priced. I have not shot the M & P series but I have never heard anything bad about them. That said my typical carry is a 1911 on a belt hoster and a Ruger LCR in a pocket holster. Good luck on your choice.