CCW

I finally took the class for CCW. It was truly a waste of time. The class did not teach me anything that I did not already know... Scratch that, it taught me that there are other guys in this country a lot more crazy than I am.

The written test on the first day of class was incredibly easy... Nebraska is supposed to have the toughest requirements in the nation for CCW, I found the test to be a joke. I got all of the questions correct. What frightened me was that we had a couple of guys miss not one or two, but nearly fail the 30 question test with a score just above the required 70%.

On the range, I scored 100% again with the shooting qualifier. We had one guy almost shoot himself in the leg reholstering, and a woman who nearly failed... for the second time. I don't know if it was nerves or what, but wow. I thought that I might be a bit under qualified for the test, because I have not been shooting in a long while... I was one of the best shots there. Very sad.

I filed my application today with the State Patrol, and I am just a few weeks away from being able to pack heat... the problem is my pistol.

I own a Smith & Wesson 5906 9mm pistol:

This is a great weapon. Reasonably accurate, easy to clean, carries 15 rounds in my hi-cap magazine. The problem is, it is too big and heavy to conceal well. So, I need a carry pistol.

There are a lot of choices out there, but I have a list of specific requirements. It must be .45 APC. The rounds are cheap when compaired with the 9mm. The 9mm round is becoming more and more expensive as our military gets most of those bullets. Another thing is that you can knock down your assailant with the wind from a .45. If I am going to shoot someone on the street I want them dead dead dead. No coming back to sue me for medical bills. Dead as Dickens is how I like them.
Size is a HUGE issue. I want a pistol that I can conceal in a number of ways. On the hip, behind the back, ankle, in the waist band, fanny pack, in my back pack and in my pocket. That said, my 5906 weighs close to 40 grams with my high cap mag in. It is so heavy it pulls my pants down. Not so good for concealment if you are always pulling your pants up.
I don't want to break the bank either. I paid $500 for my 5906 and got a lot of gun. I figure if I am using a smaller gun I should pay a smaller price.

I have come up with three choices:
The Colt Defender:

Weight: 22.5 Oz
Capacity: 7 rounds
Length: 6.75 inches
Price: $775

The Taurus P145

Weight: 22.2 Oz
Capacity: 11 rounds
Length: 6.125 inches
Price: $298

The Glock 36

Weight: 20.1 Oz
Capacity: 6 rounds
Length: 6.77 inches
Price: $573

All are excellent pistols, but I think I am leaning towards the Taurus right now. Bigger capacity, better price and overall smaller frame.