Best all around ccw (anything goes)

No apology necessary but I have nothing but respect for someone having the integrity to offer one. That has become a rare quality with recent generations.

I was, however, also referring to the 38s in the ultra light 38s. I had a S&W 442 years ago and it was on the edge of comfortable for me to shoot. It was a bit much for my wife. A while back I bought a scandium frame Smith, I forget which model, and it was BRUTAL to shoot. The only way I would use it was with light loads and big grips. Both of which took it off my list as a carry gun. I have no clue how you guys manage those things. My wife said her mother is thinking of getting a handgun and I recommended a 3 inch steel frame 38. I think it would be perfect for an older person with little weapon experience. In the hands of an experienced shooter it can really sing. You have won me over to the revolver, but I would have to say the 3-4 inch variety before the snubby. But to each his own. My baby is the M&P 9C, when I don't carry that its a H&K P7. My pocket gun is a Ruger LCP which is a fine weapon in its own right but probably not best for the inexperienced.
 
Reload speed and ultimately capacity of the autos acknowledged but notwithstanding, I'd choose my lovely little J-airweight S&W .32 H&R Mag--6 shots in an otherwise 5 format, rapid follow-up shots on target (beat .38/.357 not) and oh-so small and light. Out of production now, so if I were to (have to) purchase new: S&W Performance Center .327 Fed Mag (essentially Airweight construction?) if I had the jingle; if not then SP101 .327 in shortest barrel made--both again six shooters.

I also like the Colt Cobra/Agent comment; 6 shot D Frame/DS format .38 hard to go wrong with. Of actual production guns, if you can get past the anti Rossi hysteria, their new(ish) 6 shot steel SMALL (near Colt identical) frame .357 shooting warm .38s hard to beat also, especially as to entry price. Amazingly, the only Colt/D-sized 6 shot .38 format snub on the market--that I know of--in all these years since Colt.
 
The G-26, again.

“I don't know what the best is, as it's all relative to the person your asking. For me I like the Glock 26 for its reliability, concealability, and accuracy for such a small gun. That and you can always carry a Glock 19 mag and have an additional 15 rounds ready to go.”
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+1, and well put. I like having G-17 mags in the vehicles and around the house, with +2 base plates. All pre-ban merchandise of course, or I would get Glock 30 rounders. The 26 (or 27) is a stout little gun that is easily controlled, maintaned, and carried. The perfect gun for me.
 
I may have misunderstood the OP...

... but I thought his intent was to find a good CCW that would work for most anybody, and not for us as individuals. If that was the intent, I'll still go with a 3" or 4" K-frame .357 round-butt (the old FBI model 13 would be a good example) for the reasons given in my earlier post.

If the intent is the best CCW for us as individuals, then I'd go with CZ75 if I can wear whatever I like - it's thin enough to conceal comfortably, but the large grip requires loose outer shirt or better.

I'd go with a SIG P239 DAK for times when the clothing gets less forgiving, an LCR when in shorts and tank top or t-shirt mode, and a .357 or .44 revolver if CCW while hiking.

But as a universal CCW, for use by those whose hand strength might negatively impact both recoil control and cycling an auto's slide, it's hard to beat something on the lines of a 3" S&W 13 (can shoot .38 to lessen recoil or .357 if you are capable, and the cylinder latch requires little hand strength).
 
I think the intention of this thread was "what is the best all-around CCW for you personally". Meaning, if you had to pick a single weapon for all seasons, dress stipulations, and scenario. Obviously, a 6'6" person and 5'8" person are going to have different needs, as is a person living in Minnesota and a person living in Arizona. With that in mind, do you pack a compact, subcompact, slim full-size, etc. Are reloads important to you for emergency use or would a 5-shot snubby suffice? There is no gun, no carry location, or caliber that is going to be perfect for everybody; that's why they make so many flavors of Kool-Aid!
 
Maybe...

... but he asked "for anyone."

Wouldn't be the first time I've read too much into a question. Runs in the family. My mother calls it TLD - Terminal Literal Disease.
 
We have yet to hear from anyone who has actually fired the weapon in a SD situation.

My primary carry piece is a S&W 442. I've never had to use it, but I believe that if I ever do it will be very up close and personal. Perhaps a wrestling situation.

If I shoot from a distance beyond 10 yards, it might be more difficult to prove that I did not have the opportunity to retreat. If I'm shooting beyond 10 yards, I'm in a gunfight not a SD situation.

In an upclose situation with a semi-auto, there may not be enough room for the slide to cycle. With a revolver, if it is a bad cartrigde simply pull the trigger again.

Also with practice, a snubbie can surprise you with its accuracy.
 
We have yet to hear from anyone who has actually fired the weapon in a SD situation.
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In that case, I like the M4A2 with 30rd mags. November 19, 2005. Mosul, Iraq. First time anyway.
;)
 
Depends on what you mean by "concealed". If you mean "inobtrusive", or "not too obvious" you'll probably be ok with a 38 Special snubbie or with any of a dozen or so guns mentioned above. But why bother with a CCW if everybody knows you're carrying anyway? Just holster it. However, if when you say concealable you really mean "CONCEALABLE" as for instance in "if anybody finds out I'm carrying this gun on me it'll cost me my job", a situation that I'm sure many on this forum face, then your choices are much more limited. In that case you're talking about a really tiny gun. Personally, I carry a Kel-Tec P3AT in a front pocket holster, and I worry that even that can be spotted by someone who's really carefully looking for such things, but so far, so good. I might have purchased Kel-Tec's little Ruger lookalike if it had been availiable several years ago. (And where were you Ruger, when I needed you?) Both are 380's. Of course I'd rather have my 45 with me, but there's no way.
 
S&W 686+ 3" or 2 1/2".

Women can carry it in their purse, and men can holster it behind the small of their back.

7 shots of .357 or .38 +P.

Just my opinion though.
 
Hank15, a good opinion though! +1 also to the poster who said 3" Model 13. My variant of these suggestions is a Lady Smith 65--also 3", great all around/all (or most) duty firearm--and best of the fixed-sighted Ks, IMO. Took me about 5 seconds of handling to get over the name.
 
I actually have 2 favorites. The G26 and the S&W MP340. I prefer to carry the G26 due to its capacity and its a bit easier for me to shoot. I guess im lucky with the 340 because the recoil doesnt bother me and I have no trouble shooting 60 or so rounds at the range. I say the 26 gets the nod about 60% of the time because the 340 is easier to carry in the summer with just gym shorts and a t shirt. My next one will be a Ruger LCP. Im about 603 250lbs and I dont find it easy to conceal anything bigger than the 26.
 
The best I've found yet is my 2 1/2" S&W Model 66 in an El Paso Saddlery #88 "Street Combat" holster and a Bianchi Speedstrip with six extra 158grn Remington JHP's in the watch pocket of my jeans. I do admit, however, that in the winter I frequently carry my 4" S&W 629 in a Kramer Horsehide vertical scabbard with two HKS speedloaders full of Remngton 240grn JHP's in my coat pocket.
 
This has been a great thread

Thanks to you all for being intelligent, civil, thoughtful, cheerful, and full of interesting ideas.
 
Best ccw

I like the Bersa .380 or a 38 snub nose revolver with recessed hammer myself. Both are small and easy to conceal and pack enough punch to take a target down with the right ammo.
 
When you say for "anyone" you'er not takin' into account that not everyone can "effectivly" use every gun out there. For example, my wife is 5'2" and is about 105lbs and she carries a Kahr CW40 as her main gun;and a .38spl revolver as a back-up peice. She's also had extensive training with both calibers and can shoot 2"-3" groups at 50ft. I have cop buddies who don't shoot that well. But if I had to recomend a "one size fits all" gun I whould choose the Springfield XD40 subcompact, very easy to conceal, very accurate and easy to maintain and with 1 in the pipe and 12 in the clip you are less likely to be killed for lack of shootin' back.But please, avoid trouble whenever possibble,no one whould call you a ***** for avoiding a dangerous situation.
 
I know any number of people...

... who could not cycle the slide on the XD .40, or any .40 for that matter. This is not a matter of lack of training, it's a matter of arthritis.

Again, depends on definition of "anyone."
 
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