Best handgun for CCW
- Thread starter Captain_MM
- Start date
Billy Bremner
New member
I believe that your U.S. Air Force issues to its pilots the SIG P239 as its standard side arm. As to the caliber, I'm not sure.
Wm.
Wm.
You'd want something that's comfortable to carry for extended periods, small enough to be hidden without a lot of wardrobe changes, the most powerful round you can fire accurately, and ammunition availabilty. I'm a large person, so what works for me may not be best for some, I carry a Makarov in 9x18mm, a Hungarian PA-63 in 9x18mm or a Walther PP in .32 ACP. I carry each pistol depending on needs, if I want lightweight, yet something to pack a wallop, the PA-63 is what I walk out with, if I need small powerful and not concerned with weight, I'll carry the Makarov, if I'm going someplace where 9x18mm ammo is either too expensive or not availiable, and carrying ammo with me is either not possible or too inconveinient, I'll carry the Walther PP, since .32 ACP can be found just about anywhere.
The 9x18mm, power-wise is above the .380, and just under the 9mm Parabellum, the .32 ACP, albiet aneimic, can be effective in the right loads.
As I said, what works for me, may or may not work for someone else, but all three weapons have a proven track record, two are based on the aforementioned Walther PP, all have been used by a military either officially or unofficially, and all are small, and compact.
The 9x18mm, power-wise is above the .380, and just under the 9mm Parabellum, the .32 ACP, albiet aneimic, can be effective in the right loads.
As I said, what works for me, may or may not work for someone else, but all three weapons have a proven track record, two are based on the aforementioned Walther PP, all have been used by a military either officially or unofficially, and all are small, and compact.
Will Beararms
New member
Your'e reading a post from a frequent business flyer. I applaud you. If I ever have the privilege to fly on your plane and someone or a group tries to take it over, I will be the guy with the velcro straps of my seat cushion attached around my left arm for use as a shield while I am swinging with my right hand, the clip end of a seat belt using the buckle as a blunt force trauma initiator.
I suggest that you contact Smith and Wesson directly. There is an unsubstantiated rumor and innuendos from articles writtent about there new scandium revolvers that they are thinking of putting out a lightweight revolver designed for use in a cockpit.
If you travel overseas, it might be advantageous to get a 9mm since this is the most common military and police caliber from a global perspective. You can find Smith and Wesson and I believe Ruger revolvers chambered for the 9mm with no problem.
I prefer the Smilth and Wesson 3953 Double Action Only 9mm. I holds nine rounds total fully loaded. It's very reliable, light, corrosion resistant and it has a great set of factory installed Novak sights. The Double Action Only gives you one consistent trigger pull and accuracy is good albeit not on par with the larger single actions and traditional DA/SA pistols.
Holsters and accessories are abundant as are magazines and spare parts. Many who dislike Smith Semi-Autos make an exception with the 3913 and 3953. They are well-built and like all Smith and Wesson's come with a lifetime warranty.
Good luck and let us know what you come up with. Finally, stay with a name brand like Smith, Glock, Sig or HK among others since your weapon may be forced to pass the scrutiny of a bureaucracy for certain standards and the previously mentioned makes are almost always approved.
I suggest that you contact Smith and Wesson directly. There is an unsubstantiated rumor and innuendos from articles writtent about there new scandium revolvers that they are thinking of putting out a lightweight revolver designed for use in a cockpit.
If you travel overseas, it might be advantageous to get a 9mm since this is the most common military and police caliber from a global perspective. You can find Smith and Wesson and I believe Ruger revolvers chambered for the 9mm with no problem.
I prefer the Smilth and Wesson 3953 Double Action Only 9mm. I holds nine rounds total fully loaded. It's very reliable, light, corrosion resistant and it has a great set of factory installed Novak sights. The Double Action Only gives you one consistent trigger pull and accuracy is good albeit not on par with the larger single actions and traditional DA/SA pistols.
Holsters and accessories are abundant as are magazines and spare parts. Many who dislike Smith Semi-Autos make an exception with the 3913 and 3953. They are well-built and like all Smith and Wesson's come with a lifetime warranty.
Good luck and let us know what you come up with. Finally, stay with a name brand like Smith, Glock, Sig or HK among others since your weapon may be forced to pass the scrutiny of a bureaucracy for certain standards and the previously mentioned makes are almost always approved.
There are some pretty good answers here.
Pay particular attention to Kevinch's.
Then:
Seek instruction.
Rent a variety of pistols and decide for yourself. At that point, your choice will probably not match up with everyone else's, but it will not be incorrect.
Let us know what you decide on.
Good luck.
Pay particular attention to Kevinch's.
Then:
Seek instruction.
Rent a variety of pistols and decide for yourself. At that point, your choice will probably not match up with everyone else's, but it will not be incorrect.
Let us know what you decide on.
Good luck.
My understandings of the "cockpit carry" situation...
VERY close frien dof mine is a captain for USAir...their last "ground school" (continuing education) 2 weeks ago informed them that if they had to submit their additional security changes, it would be all captains incockpits carry Glock .40s with EXTENSIVE (and expensive) training at Quantico.
NOW...is it going to get there? Who knows. Will they actual carry Glock .40s? Who knows. Will they traing for 6-8 weeks at Quantico as suggested 2 weeks ago at this ground school? Who knows. I DO know that if the captains start "packing heat" you had better bet (and hope and pray) that they have extensive training from pros...and lots and lots of practice!
My .02 cents with worth would be to hire specific air marshals for each flight and train THEM with the know-how. Just my opinion. We all have our specialities, and I want my pilot's specialty to be FLYING not nescessarily shotting!
CAPT- you will get ALOT of suggestions on the "perfect gun..." My suggestion is to look a bunch! read even more and shoot as many as you can (if possible.) There are alot of good guns out there and (although we donb't like to admit it) sometimes FUNDS play a factor in what we can get. My dad always told me to buy the best...that I could afford. If I could afford a Kimber, I would have one, but I can't! If $$ was no object I would have a few differnet guns, but it IS a factor! I too have small-ish hands and that made a BIG difference in what I could really look at. I really liked tke Kahr guns (quality pieces) and I liked the KelTec (awesome value!) I settled on the P-11 for now from KelTec and am VERY pleased what I have seen so far.
There are always going to be GREAT stories on each gun and HORROR stories on each gun you ask about...weigh the reports. Good luck and thanks for you interest in working for the American citizen while you work for corporate America at the same time.
God Bless!
DPS
VERY close frien dof mine is a captain for USAir...their last "ground school" (continuing education) 2 weeks ago informed them that if they had to submit their additional security changes, it would be all captains incockpits carry Glock .40s with EXTENSIVE (and expensive) training at Quantico.
NOW...is it going to get there? Who knows. Will they actual carry Glock .40s? Who knows. Will they traing for 6-8 weeks at Quantico as suggested 2 weeks ago at this ground school? Who knows. I DO know that if the captains start "packing heat" you had better bet (and hope and pray) that they have extensive training from pros...and lots and lots of practice!
My .02 cents with worth would be to hire specific air marshals for each flight and train THEM with the know-how. Just my opinion. We all have our specialities, and I want my pilot's specialty to be FLYING not nescessarily shotting!
CAPT- you will get ALOT of suggestions on the "perfect gun..." My suggestion is to look a bunch! read even more and shoot as many as you can (if possible.) There are alot of good guns out there and (although we donb't like to admit it) sometimes FUNDS play a factor in what we can get. My dad always told me to buy the best...that I could afford. If I could afford a Kimber, I would have one, but I can't! If $$ was no object I would have a few differnet guns, but it IS a factor! I too have small-ish hands and that made a BIG difference in what I could really look at. I really liked tke Kahr guns (quality pieces) and I liked the KelTec (awesome value!) I settled on the P-11 for now from KelTec and am VERY pleased what I have seen so far.
There are always going to be GREAT stories on each gun and HORROR stories on each gun you ask about...weigh the reports. Good luck and thanks for you interest in working for the American citizen while you work for corporate America at the same time.
God Bless!
DPS
POKING HOLES
As a pilot(?) you know you can punch holes in plane.
Suggestion for gun? Okay...
I recomend a Kimber 1911 in aluminum, tweaked for reliability by damn near anyone on the 'list', in 45ACP. Not no little 'compact' thingie, but a real 1911.
Yeah, that's my recommendation.
(Then when you buy a ferrous-metal 1911 you'll be familiar with it.)
As a pilot(?) you know you can punch holes in plane.
Suggestion for gun? Okay...
I recomend a Kimber 1911 in aluminum, tweaked for reliability by damn near anyone on the 'list', in 45ACP. Not no little 'compact' thingie, but a real 1911.
Yeah, that's my recommendation.
(Then when you buy a ferrous-metal 1911 you'll be familiar with it.)
If pilots are either permitted or instructed to carry firearms in the cockpit, would concealed carry even be an issue? Why on earth would you want the intruder to "guess" whether or not you're armed?
A displayed firearm certainly does make a statement. At least with uniformed police officers.
A displayed firearm certainly does make a statement. At least with uniformed police officers.
MeekAndMild
New member
With all respect to the experts. IMHO Rent first, buy later.
Captain_MM
Inactive
Thanks for all of the input. I went ahead and got the Sig 239. It fit my hand very well and incorporates a lot of the suggestions that you gave. I'm also getting lots of practice and instruction. I hope I'll never need to use it but I'll be ready if I do. Now I just need to wait for the Feds and airline to resolve their issues (a big one is liability against the airline).