(05-15-2022, 04:49 AM)ChiefD Wrote: Thanks for all the replies and great advice! There is a shooting range near me, and I will try some different guns out. Noted on not carrying it in my purse. My Mom used to have a gun. I’ll ask her where she carried it.
Forgot to mention something. As a retiree you're eligible to purchase Blue Line Firearms. That 640 @"OmegaLogos" left you a picture of ... I used to buy those at 1/2 MSRP. Ask around. You may have to find a shop that'll bring those in for you. Same thing with my Glocks.
You've got all the time in the world to decide 'what's right for you', so do take the time to point, aim and shoot (everything that looks appealing to you) ... that way you only have to buy once / cry once.
As a newbie you'll have all kinds of carry questions. That 640 can be slipped into your pocket holsterless. Not always recommended (keep everything else out of that pocket if you do) ... but, appendix carry is a highly acceptable method of carry these days too. This is one of my favorite rigs:
![[Image: Appendix-Holster.jpg]](https://i.ibb.co/ryY5B19/Appendix-Holster.jpg)
"Fanny pack" sounds disgusting to me. Don't blame me for using it ... I didn't make up the name. They don't last forever (some of 'em don't even last long at all), but it's a great way for women (and fatties) to carry so they don't have to worry about a purse being a grab-target for thieves ... or, buying an entirely new wardrobe.
I find the fanny pack and pocket carry to be the least accessible methods.
This may be my last piece of sage advice (subject to your specific questions): It's the gun you're carrying at the moment, that is the best opportunity to turn the tides set against you. So ... buy a gun to carry everyday ... all day. And, don't carry a gun you're just going to give to your attackers. Carry a gun to kill that motherfletcher who picked a fight with the wrong person.
Cheers,
Snarl