I want a 9mm to put on the side of my center console in a plastic holster for camping trips. It cant be too long and must have a magazine capacity of 10 rounds or less to comply with CA law. I know its not a written rule or anything, but i doubt a ranger or police officer is going to hassle me for having a loaded handgun out in the middle of nowhere i intend to use strictly for protection. What do you guys have experience with along the lines of my needs?

I would look at Taurus Millennium series, the gun store I was in today had a 9mm for $369

The clip capacity is 10+1, would that still be legal?

Ive never shot a Taurus...hint hint.

Posted by big dave Ive never shot a Taurus...hint hint.

Not sure what that means Dave, although I know Taurus guns are thought of as a lower class compared to the other brands out there. I was actually surprised myself at what I found on the Internet. And you did say "cheap" in your subject line.

That means we are only a couple of hours away and ive never shot a Taurus. hint hint lol.

Haha, I did what I always do and looked into that way too much. I thought you we're being a gun snob.

Let's go shooting!!

The law is the law. I have seen people get fried for lesser infractions.
That said, why are you limiting yourself to 9mm?
Why not get a revolver?
Revolvers are UN-sexxy and they are always 1000% reliable.
Uncocked, all the springs in a wheelgun are at rest.
Primer fails? Pull the trigger again and you are ready to go.
A nicely used S&W .357 can be had for under $300.

Posted by big dave I know its not a written rule or anything, but i doubt a ranger or police officer is going to hassle me for having a loaded handgun out in the middle of nowhere i intend to use strictly for protection.

Devil,

I have a 8 1/2 .44 mag, but i just dont like the ammo capacity and its heavy and unattractive to me.



Im not a revolver fan because i like a gun that compliments my personality, so i was going for a semi auto 5" in BLACK or something like that.

Good call!
I own a SW 629 .44MAG and only carry it in bear country.
The way a gun looks is unimportant Dave.
If you want a 100% reliable pistol that is cheap . . .
Look at a .357MAG, seriously.
ESP for a gun you want to load and forget.
I'd rather have 6 rounds of .357 than 12 rounds of 9mm to be honest with you.
An SW 27-2 is an elegant and sexy piece of steel brother.

Ill check out the 357's. I wish Sig 226's were a little cheaper because i would already own one.

Not trying to hit you with a shovel . . .
I just feel a lot of people discard revolvers and ignore the reality of gunfights and defense scenarios.
No one thinks 2x about carrying a 1911A1 - just 8 rounds, yet many discount a 6-shooter.
It's mechanically perfect and it's more accurate than a striker-fired autoloader.
.357 is a motherfucker of a load too.
Look at the ballistic tables on that round.
It tops .45 and .44MAG in most comparisons.

Posted by DevilC No one thinks 2x about carrying a 1911A1 - just 8 rounds, yet many discount a 6-shooter

Im actually looking at some 357's on gunbroker with 8 round wheels.

For shits and giggles, what do you think about 32acp?

Posted by DevilC Not trying to hit you with a shovel . . . I just feel a lot of people discard revolvers and ignore the reality of gunfights and defense scenarios. No one thinks 2x about carrying a 1911A1 - just 8 rounds, yet many discount a 6-shooter. It's mechanically perfect and it's more accurate than a striker-fired autoloader. .357 is a motherfucker of a load too. Look at the ballistic tables on that round. It tops .45 and .44MAG in most comparisons.

While I own two very fine revolvers(.357 and .44) I would much rather have semi auto in a self defense situation. A well care for, well oiled semi auto with a 12 round clip would be a god-send when your revolver wielding enemy fires his sixth shot. As far as miss-fires and jammed actions go, I can re-cock a semi auto faster than I can pull the hammer back on a revolver. That being said, statistics say that most self defense scenarios involving hand guns only last about 15 seconds. SO I say, go with whatever suits your personality, but take care of it and know how to use it. That's the most important thing.

Edit - Dave, the 32acp is a fine self defense weapon but with it's limited round size, your limited to the power it packs. You can't help but wonder if it would really stop a drugged up attacker.

Back to your question.
G26 is the best compact 9mm I have ever owned. My wife loves hers.
I love my G27.
I know they cost a fortune in CA these days though.
Are you looking at used guns. Buy a well used one and replace the springs - that's my MO.
Have you looked at older Ruger P-series handguns?
They are bigger, but they're bomb-proof.

Posted by Wilky While I own two very fine revolvers(.357 and .44) I would much rather have semi auto in a self defense situation. A well care for, well oiled semi auto with a 12 round clip would be a god-send when your revolver wielding enemy fires his sixth shot. As far as miss-fires and jammed actions go, I can re-cock a semi auto faster than I can pull the hammer back on a revolver. That being said, statistics say that most self defense scenarios involving hand guns only last about 15 seconds. SO I say, go with whatever suits your personality, but take care of it and know how to use it. That's the most important thing. Edit - Dave, the 32acp is a fine self defense weapon but with it's limited round size, your limited to the power it packs. You can't help but wonder if it would really stop a drugged up attacker.

The reason i ask about the 32acp, is because i have 2 pistols chambered in it. Colt 1903 32acp and a Mauser 1914 32acp. You can see how little they are next to the 44mag. Im taking the position that a 32acp is just a hole poker.

Most LE agencies do not allow their personnel to carry anything less than .380 off-duty. FBI cuts it at 9mm/.38Spl.
I do not think the .32 is adequate for man-killing.
If you intend to keep a camp gun . . . and it will remain in the truck, why not a shotgun?

Posted by big dave Im taking the position that a 32acp is just a hole poker.

agreed.

Posted by DevilC If you intend to keep a camp gun . . . and it will remain in the truck, why not a shotgun?

My Win 30-30 sits in the back along the inside of the quarter panel when i camp. I want something that i can grab from the drivers seat, and something i can holster and carry with me when i get out and walk.

The 32acp's are just around for novelty.

Posted by big dave The reason i ask about the 32acp, is because i have 2 pistols chambered in it. Colt 1903 32acp and a Mauser 1914 32acp. You can see how little they are next to the 44mag. Im taking the position that a 32acp is just a hole poker. http://bigdavephot....com/misc/gun1.jpg http://bigdavephot....com/misc/gun2.jpg http://bigdavephot....com/misc/gun3.jpg

The police in europe have been killing unarmed suspects w/ .32 a.c.p. for a lot of years...
i don't see anyone drugged or not being much of a threat after taking five 32's in center mass.
worried about doing enough damage? try Glasers.
The small easy to carry pistol that you have w/ you is a LOT better than the big heavy one you left at home because it's a pain to hump around w/ you.

My friends have been known to bragg about thier 44's...right until I pull mine out and say well, where is this big .44?....looks like my wimpy little .32 is better RIGHT NOW because I have it with me.

that colt 1903 is a great carry pistol. just make sure you carry it.