Capt,
I salute your willingess to consider how best to protect yourself, your passengers and your aircraft. Bravo, and a moment of silence for your colleagues who died on 9/11.
You will get MANY different opinions on this question. I will offer mine as someone who carries often, and who is an NRA-certified Pistol & Personal Protection instructor and combat pistol competitor. I am not a professional gun-toter (and many of those aren't really "experts", either), but I have many friends who are, and I've learned some things from them, too.
Your choice will be defined by several questions, among them are: 1) where will it be concealed/carried 2) how large can it be 3) how much time will you spend developing and maintaining proficiency with it.
The most basic choice, and the simplest to operate in many ways is the revolver. In your case, you would likely be using it at close range, so long barrel length and adjustable sights are not a requirement. I would suggest something like a 5-shot S&W J-Frame model with 2" barrel, like the 640 Centennial (with enclosed hammer, which can be fired from a pocket without snagging) or the Bodyguard. (640, 342, 442, 642, 649 are some of the model #'s). The stainless models weigh about 23 oz and are somewhat harder to conceal in the trouser pocket due to weight, while the Scandium/Titanium/Aluminum alloy frame models weigh from 11-15 oz, and can be carried even in a front trouser pocket comfortably. The all-steel models are often rated for .357 magnum (though not pleasant to shoot with that high powered ammo), and the alloy models are usually .38 Special +P rated (with some .357 models avail, I think). The lightest models are not pleasant to shoot either, but in a deadly confrontation, you won't be noticing recoil. The recoil MIGHT be a deterrent to practicing often, though.
Next would be the semi-auto, and caliber choice dictates size in some cases. One of the compact 9mm steel or polymer Kahr models are pretty small, though not terribly smaller than the subcompact Glock 26/27, which have greater magazine capacity. Both the Kahr and Glock have nearly impeccable reliability records (Glock has the edge, imo). You can go smaller, of course, with something like the KelTec .32 acp, which weighs something like 8oz, but I've heard mixed reports on reliability... if you get a good one, it will be reliable, but nearly 50% have to be tuned at the factory, I've heard ... not good enough for me (my ex-USMC/CIA friend loves his, though). .32acp is not in the same league in stopping power as 9mm or .39+P/.357, either. Beretta makes some nice compact pocket rockets too, and maybe Walther too (not sure how I feel about James Bond's Walther PPKS, which is bigger, too). There is also the more expensive Seecamp limited-production .32acp auto, which is highly regarded. A retired airline captain friend of mine loves his... maybe someone can supply the name of it.
Next would be the bigger guns. I carry a Glock 19 9mm or 1911 .45 acp when I can, or I carry a stainless S&W 640 (though I'd like an alloy J-frame too). The advantage of something like the Glock 19 or 23 (.40 cal) is you can still get hi-cap (original capacity) magazines, which accept 13/15 rounds, respectively. The are a bit harder-- though not terribly so-- to conceal, especially if you wear a jacket or loose shirt. Other good choices: the compact Sig Sauers, the great & unique H&K P7M8 squeeze-cocking 9mm... expensive but VERY accurate and reliable, the Steyr M9 or S9, or Glock 30 .45acp. All are superb guns. SEMI-AUTOS, with the advantages of larger ammo capacity, generally better triggers, and faster reloads, also require more practice to master, particularly when clearing malfunctions. More, but not too much more, and a worthwhile investment in time, imo.
AMMO/Caliber: for aircraft use, there are good choices in frangible ammo (which Sky Marshals carry, I'm told), which fragments on impact and will generally not overpenetrate an aircraft hull or cabin, but are very lethal at close range. The danger of depressurization, as you know, is overstated by many, and the danger of conventional ammo is not that, really, but more that a standard hollow point might damage hydraulics or electrical in penetrating the cabin wall... I quote expert opinions on this, which I can supply to you. Caliber: what you can shoot best. For many new shooters, this is 9mm or .39+P, and in the case of 9mm you don't give up much if anything with premium ammo. Some prefer or insist on .40 or .45cal, but there is a recoil penalty, which practice can overcome usually (except in some really recoil-sensitive shooters).
Holsters: with a J-frame type revolver, you could carry in the pocket (pants or jacket), shoulder holster, ankle holster, or shoulder bag/fanny pack/belt pouch. An auto can be carried the same, though pocket carry for the bigger models isn't a good choice, and you can't fire one from the pocket. For my J-frame revolver, I have a
great shoulder rig which disappears under a dress shirt/sweater/jacket, called "The City Slicker", by Ken Null
http://www.klnullholsters.com , legend has it that it was designed for CIA operatives. You can velcro a shirt button (or just rip it) and reach in to get the gun easily. For belt carry I use an Uncle Mike's belt pouch (NOT a fanny pack), which doesn't say "GUN!". I also have a pocket holster... there are many choices of those.
Belt carry: I prefer Kydex holsters by Blade-Tech
www.blade-tech.com or SideArmor
www.sidearmor.net or KyTac Braveheart
www.skdtac.com, but there are many great choices for leather too, incl: Alessi, Milt Sparks, etc. Some of them advertise on
www.glocktalk.com or check the ads in American Handgunner, Combat Handguns, Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement magazines too.
Good luck. E-mail me, and I'll forward the e-mail address of an acquaintance in Denver (MarkCO on GlockTalk) who is a CCW instructor and competition shooter. I'm sure he'd be glad to help too (won't you, MarkCO
).
Cheers.
