ccw choice - need suggestions for a direction to take

M

mxhess

Inactive
Well, I'm just at the beginning of my learning even though I've been doing research for months now.

I've bought a gp100 6" and I shoot it well. I enjoy the 357 magnums in it and went for a desert eagle VII also in 357. I took both to the range yesterday and did well with both. I did get questioned as to why I didn't get a .50AE that I dismissed explaining that I didn't feel I needed it plus it allowed for commonality of ammo. But I digress.. I feel I have my home defense compliment rounded out (granted I do not have a 12ga or a mini-30 yet) but I feel much safer with both of these on hand and ready to go.

However, I have neglected the second aspect my my defense plan which is concealed carry. I am trying desperately to figure out which out of the thousands of models out there would be good for me to carry. I've fondled much at the gun shops and shot rentals at the range but I just can't find something that I think is small enough to carry and still powerful enough to stop rather anti-social behavior. I realize there is some compromise needed when it comes to size vs. power and I'm left wondering where the balance is.

I've borrowed a few guns from a friend of mine (beretta fs92 and a sig p226 both of which are 9mm). I feel the sig would be a better size but I did so much better with the beretta at the range after 300 rounds through both. I also think 9mm is on the very low end of what I want power-wise but I enjoy the capacity angle with the beretta holding 15 rds and the sig with 13.

So with all of that being said I've been leaning towards a 10mm round as the power appears adequate for whatever happens whether it be ill-intentioned man or beast (a bear or ill-tempered whatever). But I'm having problems finding something that works for me in rentals or friends' loaners that is reasonable to conceal.

Overall I'm having a heck of a time envisioning actually carrying a large weapon but I feel I don't have much of a selection to work with when it comes to what would suit me.

I'm wondering how others have settled on a carry weapon that works well for them and meets their perceived needs.
 
It depends :-)

On a lot of things. What are you comfortable with? How big/small are you? How do you plan to conceal (ie do you have to totally avoid printing?)? What do you wear to work? And on and on and on.
 
I'm 5'9" and about 230lbs although I do aim to lose some weight this summer spending time in the national forests etc. so I may end up around 200 lbs.

I usually have a large blackberry on my right hip (I'm right handed) and was thinking a shoulder holster would be the way to go since I can conceal with a wind breaker or heavy winter jacket depending on season. I am not adverse to finding a new way to carry my blackberry if I need to carry owb on strong side. A minor amount of printing would be ok as I can handle the social stigma but from my reading it's best to avoid if at all possible (I've seen numerous times where other people end up needing to 'explain' things and I think it best if I can simply avoid the need to explain).

I can not carry at work. I typically dress in jeans and a polo shirt of some type but business casual is not beyond me if the mood strikes me as such.
 
Lcp
Sp101
Taurus mod 85
Kahr CW9
GP100 (woods carry)
P95 (home defence)

I had a hard time finding the right one
LCP is a carry everywhere gun
 
You have to factor in a few things when considering CC.

Size, width and weight of your CC firearm. After a while, weight gets tedious and you start wishing for something less than 30oz.

Cartridge power. You want it to be potent enough to stop a threat, but not so much you can't do rapid follow up shots. This is why I just sold my SP101...357 just took me too long to regain sight picture. I could have loaded +P yes, but why just 5 shots when I can have more +P with 9mm in a semiauto?

Practice ammo availability. You need to really be proficient with the gun, so unless you reload, it could be a major factor. Another reason why I have 9mm and 45.

I've been through a few guns, not nearly as many as others on here but enough to be comfortable with my selections. I just recently put a Kahr K9 on layaway. Thin, decent 9mm power, good quality and balance with the all steel frame.

I also carry a Sig 220 and KelTec P11, depending on the time of year and clothes options. I think it's safe to say we all mostly gravitate toward smaller, lighter CC guns for daily use.
 
I have a hard time getting enough 9mm ammo to range fire and i have not seen anny 10mm. It might be a thought to take into consideration. just sayin..:)
 
I can say that a few friends of mine are into reloading and I will of course take up the habit if necessary to ensure I have a ready supply of ammunition for both range practice (I know how important it is to practice with what you will carry) and personal defense.
 
You don't really need the 10mm. The choice of guns isn't that great, and ammo may be scarce. Nothing wrong with 9mm, and I certainly wouldn't refer to it as "low end" on power. Modern 9mm +p rounds can hold their own with anything else (see below).
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Kahr makes a nice 9mm and 40. I LOVE my Keltec PF-9. It's a GREAT compromise between power, size, round count, and shootability.
 

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Revolver, Charter Arms Bulldog "PUG" in 44 Special. Same power as the 45 ACP in a wheelgun.
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Auto, Any version of the 1911 you choose, but in 45 ACP. My preference is the Springfield Aromry's Champion ( customized mine to suit me).
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However I've carried as small as a Detonics, up to a full size 1911.
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If you already have two handguns in .357 magnum, why not get a CCW piece in the same caliber? A S&W J Frame, Ruger SP101 or Taurus 605/650 would make an easy to carry platform in .357 Magnum. You can also find snubnose versions of medium frame revolvers that will offer 6 or 7 shots and be easier to shoot, at the expense of added weight.
 
Concealed carry is a very personal thing. Depends on more factors than I can mention in this post.

Start here: Handgun Selector

That might help give you some ideas.

Here are the criteria that I looked at when choosing my CC handgun:
Size
Caliber
Weight
Reliability!!!
Quality

I looked at Glocks, Kahrs, Kel Tec you name it.

Here are a few off the cuff for you to look at:
Glock 26 9mm, or Glock 27 .40 (Same size dimensionally)
Kahr PM9 or PM 40
Kel Tec PF9 of P11
Sig Sauer P239 (A little on the heavy side IMHO)
Smith and Wesson M&P Compact in 9mm, .40, or .357 Sig
HK P2000 SK

The list goes on and on. Best way, rent and try them if you can. Going and visiting manufactureres websites and comparing size, weight, etc helped me. I put all the measurements in an excel spreadsheet, and looked at them side by side.

Enjoy!
 
So many guns, so many choices . . .

It is, as others have said, an extremely personal choice. There is no "right" selection, even for two people of similar build and dress requirements.

The 10mm is a very powerful round. Personally, I consider the 9mm entirely adequate for 'social work', though I'll carry a .45 as often as anything else. For me, the .38 is the bottom of my comfort level, but a lot of folks draw that line at a .380 or even a .32. Certainly, no handgun is "magic" - you have to use it well, stoke it with decent ammo, and have it with you when needed.

You borrowed a couple of guns from your friend - do this some more, along with holsters, for carrying at home. Get a feel for what wears comfortably for *you* now, not as you hope to be in a year. And once you make a choice, keep in mind that it is always OK to change your mind, and make a different choice. Many of us go through several iterations of guns and carry method before we find what works. Personally, I have half a dozen carry guns, each with a couple of options for carrying method, and I mix and match according to my mood and dress. So long as you are confident you can use each gun well (which, in fairness, may take years), this flexibility is perfectly fine.

So, experiment. Be safe. Have fun. And good luck.

Jim D.
 
Since there is no ideal carry gun for every situation, you end up having to have multiple carry guns or find the best compromise for your own life.

If you chose a larger carry gun, such as the Beretta, you will probably find a lot of times where you cannot carry it comfortably.

If you chose something too small you might feel under powered.

If you really want to go the route of the 10mm, I can suggest the Glock 29. It is small and light enough to carry under most circumstances and is a very powerful and easy to handle gun. It also has a pretty respectable mag capacity.

If you want something a little smaller, which would be easier to carry under a wider range of circumstances, take a look at the Kahr polymers. They range in size from tiny to just plain itsy bitsy. You can also get them in calibers ranging from .380acp on up to .45acp without breaking your wallet.
 
Just returned from Wally world and it seems that ammo is goin be all our problemo....they had zero 380....zero 9mm....and only 2 boxes of 357sig and 40sw....I got the box of 357sig....all they had was FMJ.

Here are three that I alternate ccw....
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I live in an OC state, so it doesn't matter if I print or "go nekkid." I'm also decently sized at 6 feet, and not small framed. I am most comfortable with the Jericho 941, so my carry piece is a compact polymer Baby Eagle in 9mm. OWB at about 4 o'clock, or in a shoulder holster when I hike (because then I use one of those waist packs for water, maps, etc).

My wife loves 1911s, so her carry is a Springfield EMP, also in 9mm. She also has a Para LTC .45 with a .22 conversion kit, so she has a lot of fun on the range. I figure if she can't shoot 'em, she can beat 'em to death with the 1911 :-)

If either of us had to carry a mouse gun, I'm not sure what I'd do -- I am really averse to guns without mechanical safeties.
 
If you are considering carrying a 10mm auto for personal defense. You have to decide whether you are going to use full loads and take advantage of all the power available; or settle for loads that are basically 40S&W level. If you plan to shoot full loads be aware that you will need to train more to handle the power.

Dan Wesson makes a beautiful Commander Bobtail in 10mm auto. I want one to add to my 10mm collection.
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Also, consider getting a quality gun belt if you carry on the waistline. The gun belt helps spread the load and stabilize the holster.
 
living in florida.cc only .no printing .my edc .seecamp 32or m@p 40 c .in front pocket..i have big pockets .:D
 
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