Due to being offered a good job I will be staying in Memphis. Seeing as it isn't exactly the safest place I Earth I want to get a good gun to carry on my at times.

I will not be carrying this at all time as most of my clients will be in the East Memphis suburbs. However, when I have to go to the office downtown or go to shadier parts of town I will have it on me.

I would like something relatively easy to carry. I am not a very big guy either (5'9" and 165 lbs) so no .357.

I want something that has LOTS of knockdown power. I was thinking .45 if I can find one suitable to carry.

What guns do you guys recommend for a good pistol to carry occasionally?

Also, I do not like Glocks. I want something where at quick glance I can see whether or not the hammer is back. No revolvers either. I don't really have a budget but nothing crazy like some $10K custom pistol.

 

Glock is one of the best pistols out there, but okay. Kimber Ultra-Carry is a very nice piece, as is a Para-Ordanance Warthog, and both are .45 cal. I would seriously reconsider the Glock. That is what I carry over here in the Middle East, and what Delta carries worldwide... Good luck.

 

I was not wild about the Glock either, seemed abit too Spartan next to the HK P2000SK. Thats what I ordered.

 

I know Glocks are great, reliable pistols. They are also widely used by MIlitary and Law Enforcement. Several of my friends have Glocks and love them.

I just do not like the design of them. I do not like that you cannot see whether or not the hammer is back at quick glance.

I like the Kimber a lot. I need to find a local dealer to feel them in person. I have only used my buddies full-size Kimber. The Ultra Carry II might be a little too small though. I think the Compact Stainless II will be better.


What about the H&K USP Compact? Does this come in .45 or just .40 and 9mm? Is there that large of a difference in .40 and .45 for a carry pistol? Should I ever have to use it, I do not want to only wound my target or allow him or her to use a weapon. I want them to drop quickly.

 

This is all you need brother.

Compact. Reliable. Stopping power.

EDIT: Sorry, just saw that you don't like the design.

 

How about an H&K P2000 .357 SIG?? H&K P2000

 

Glocks work very well, and for your purposes a 29 or 30 would be ideal.

That said, something like a Colt Defender will likely fit the bill.

 

I think an H&K USP Compact in .45 is going to be perfect. It is relatively light with knockdown power.

Does anyone have experience with this pistol? What are your thoughts?

 

The hammer on a Glock is internal, and you don't need to know whether the hammer is back or not on any pistol, and to be honest, who care what the design of a pistol looks like? Get what is proven to work IMO. If you need something to actually carry and not just sit on your hip for show, it would be best to go with a HAMMERLESS (external) pistol, as it will be one less thing that is likely to get hung up or snagged during your draw. Trust me; I carry concealed professionally about 300 days a year.

 

I have shot the USP Compact in .45 many times.

GREAT GUN!

I just like the .357 because you can fit more rounds in the mag.