This comment was posted to reddit on Oct 14, 2019 at 2:31 am and was deleted within 1 day, 4 hour(s) and 43 minutes.
Those who conceal carry on campus.
This post is perfect. I'll just interject my thoughts as former range instructor:
Before purchasing, go to a shooting range and tell them that you are new to guns and are looking to conceal carry. They'll run you through the different types and you will have a chance to rent and fire multiple weapons. They will also be able to give you through general safety and handling techniques. Quickshot is close to campus. It is $16 for unlimited range time and $15 for firearm rental. Your'e allowed to swap the firearm for a different one as many times as you like for that $15. The only catch is you have to buy ammo from them. I'd stick to 9mm since its cheap and plentiful. This leads to my next point
If you plan on carry a gun, you need to take a concealed carry class and go to the range periodically to train. I would stick to 9mm as a first firearm since the ammo is cheap. Cheap= more bang for your buck=more range time and training.
Small of back carry is never recommended. It's a safety hazard in multiple ways. If you fall or get in a wreck you can seriously injure your vertebrae. It is also nearly impossible to draw from without crossing yourself.
Do not off body carry in a purse or bookbag. It's extremely hard and slow to draw from if you find yourself in a situation where you need to, plus it is a safety hazard. Someone could grab your purse or bag from you and then they have your weapon. The most secure place for your weapon is on your waist.
Try to avoid leaving your weapon in your car if at all possible. A majority of guns that are stolen and find themselves in criminal hands are stolen from vehicles. If you have to, lock it in the glovebox or purchase a gun box that is chained under the seat of your car.
My personal opinions:
Striker fired pistols in 9mm such as a glock 19, 26, 43, 43x, or a smith and wesson shield are arguably the best guns for a beginner. They're dirt cheap as far as guns go (all under $400 on the used market), its the cheapest handgun ammo to shoot (besides .22lr), and they have a proven track record for reliability. There is no safety to fiddle with in the event that you do have to draw your gun. The way their trigger mechanisms work means that the gun will not go off under any circumstance unless the trigger is pulled intentionally or unintentionally. Plus there is a wide aftermarket for customization.
I highly recommend a kydex holster. They are rigid and protect the gun's trigger from being manipulated. As long as the guns above are holstered they're not going to accidentally discharge. My holster of choice is a vedder holster with an ulticlip so I can tuck in my shirt and have no clip showing or I can wear it with pants that don't have belt loops.
I'm extremely biased that the waist is the best spot for a ccw. I don't care for pocket carry in the slightest. Most, not all, pocket holsters are cheap neoprene and don't protect the trigger. Sometimes when pocket carry rigs are drawn, the holster comes out of the pocket with the gun and aren't able to be fired.
Federal HST is about the best round you can buy. A box of 50 sells for $30 online. Don't buy defensive ammo (or any ammo for that matter) in person. You'll be paying too much.
.380 gets an honorable mention in case you need something a little smaller. Similar ballistics performance to 9mm, just a little more expensive to shoot. They also tend to be a little "snappy" firing since they're smaller platforms.
Also r/CCW is a good subreddit for talking about this type of stuff.