CCW opinions
- Thread starter EnderW23
- Start date
glockcompact
New member
I tend to carry my Kahr PM9 the most IWB at 12:30 - 01:00 or sometimes at about 4:00 depending on what I will be doing. If I'm wearing a light jacket or heavier and don't plan on taking it off, then I wear my Glock 23 in a OWB paddle holster at about 3:30 - 4:00.
tristar viper
New member
My opinion is carry a 9mm, and to me there is absolutely no better carry gun than a Glock 19. I use a DeSantis Speed Scabbard leather holster. The gun is devoid of levers and "mechanical" things to snag, it's lightweight, and you won't find a more reliable gun. I love carrying mine.
Nearly 10,000 flawless rounds through this gun and it shows very, very minimal wear.
Nearly 10,000 flawless rounds through this gun and it shows very, very minimal wear.
my 'opinion'
Get a gun that offers complete and utter reliability in your hand.
Fill it with any modern HP ammo that offers complete and utter reliability from your gun.
Ensure your gun and ammo offer you the user controllable accuracy.
These things matter most: First it must go bang.
It must do so with controllable accuracy.
Then other stuff.....
Get a gun that offers complete and utter reliability in your hand.
Fill it with any modern HP ammo that offers complete and utter reliability from your gun.
Ensure your gun and ammo offer you the user controllable accuracy.
These things matter most: First it must go bang.
It must do so with controllable accuracy.
Then other stuff.....
The Great Mahoo
New member
Find a gun you like and practice, practice, practice. Reliability is paramount, closely followed by what you can consistantly shoot accurately. The compromise is finding one that can be concealed (unless you want to open carry) and is light enough that you want to bring it along instead of leaving it in the safe.
Personally, I have 2 guns that I use for daily carry, choosing between:
Ruger Sp101 in .327. My main carry choice, offers 6-shots of potent hollow-points, carries well on my belt, handles even better, and is reliable as anything I've found. And as they say of Rugers, if you run out of ammo, you can bludgeon them to death with the empty gun, its built so tough and heavy.
Glock 36. Offering 6+1 rounds of .45ACP, backed by Glock's legendary simplicity and reliability. The 'sub-compact,' closer to a compact in size, it carries easily and conceals very well.
Either gun is carried about 4 o'clock, just behind my right (strong-side) hip. Ive actually found the Sp101 to be a bit more comfortable in most circumstances, despite being fatter and heavier, but it seems more sleek and less prone to poking me. The boxy back of the Glock just doesn't feel as nice for some reason. As to mode of carry, I bounce between in-the-waistband and outside-the-waistbad depending on dress. As you can guess, OWB can be more comfortable, but at the cost of concealability.
If you're looking for suggestions, beyond what I personally use, I'm going to have to ask for some more information. There are plenty of choices out there, and the CCW market is continuing to boom, with manufacturers coming up with new guns all the time. Do you like revolvers or auto's, or maybe no preference? Do you want something for belt, pocket, shoulder, or even ankle carry? How important is size and concealment? Are you looking for something more mainstream to keep ammo costs down? What is your budget? I don't expect you to know all of these answers, but they are some points to think about.
Personally, I have 2 guns that I use for daily carry, choosing between:
Ruger Sp101 in .327. My main carry choice, offers 6-shots of potent hollow-points, carries well on my belt, handles even better, and is reliable as anything I've found. And as they say of Rugers, if you run out of ammo, you can bludgeon them to death with the empty gun, its built so tough and heavy.
Glock 36. Offering 6+1 rounds of .45ACP, backed by Glock's legendary simplicity and reliability. The 'sub-compact,' closer to a compact in size, it carries easily and conceals very well.
Either gun is carried about 4 o'clock, just behind my right (strong-side) hip. Ive actually found the Sp101 to be a bit more comfortable in most circumstances, despite being fatter and heavier, but it seems more sleek and less prone to poking me. The boxy back of the Glock just doesn't feel as nice for some reason. As to mode of carry, I bounce between in-the-waistband and outside-the-waistbad depending on dress. As you can guess, OWB can be more comfortable, but at the cost of concealability.
If you're looking for suggestions, beyond what I personally use, I'm going to have to ask for some more information. There are plenty of choices out there, and the CCW market is continuing to boom, with manufacturers coming up with new guns all the time. Do you like revolvers or auto's, or maybe no preference? Do you want something for belt, pocket, shoulder, or even ankle carry? How important is size and concealment? Are you looking for something more mainstream to keep ammo costs down? What is your budget? I don't expect you to know all of these answers, but they are some points to think about.
This covers a lot of area, I'd start of with a 38 spl with a 3 or 4 inch barrel. It's an affordable and dependable shooter. Plus you can get years of fun out of it when you move on to bigger and so called better guns. A 20 to 30 oz gun will let you enjoy shooting it.
I'm sure you will go through many guns before the perfect CCW gun is found. Carry IWB from 3 to 5 o'clock to start. Size and weight are the main issue in CCW but you are young and won't affect you as much. I like Smith & Wesson or Ruger for the 38 spl.
IN CCW search the holster will be as important as the gun so be ready to try many different options.
I'm sure you will go through many guns before the perfect CCW gun is found. Carry IWB from 3 to 5 o'clock to start. Size and weight are the main issue in CCW but you are young and won't affect you as much. I like Smith & Wesson or Ruger for the 38 spl.
IN CCW search the holster will be as important as the gun so be ready to try many different options.
I carry a Glock 26. Modern loading of 9mm ammo are effective, and the G26 gives me the compromise of size and capacity that suits me. I also prefer the simplicity of not having a thumb safety on a defensive firearm. Note the words "suits me" and "I prefer" - it is up to you to find the features that you like. Asking people their reasons for their choice is going to be more important in your research than asking what their choice is; it will get your mind working on what is right for you.
As for carry method, strongside IWB is almost certainly the most common, and for good reason. It gives you fast access without a lot of wasted motion, while providing good retention and concealment. Every other carry method, excepting only OWB in a similar location, compromises at least one of those in comparison. IWB conceals better than OWB in some situations, but not all. Appendix carry is popular, but not everyone finds it comfortable, especially when sitting. Again, this is not to say that there might be situations when you will carry in another way, but a whole heap of people experienced in CCW carry on their hip, either IWB or OWB, as their primary method, and have other alternatives only when circumstances dictate a change.
But in all of this, you have to be comfortable with your choices. Do what works for you, even if finding what works takes a little experimentation. Just don't think that you are going to reinvent the wheel. (Apparently you don't think that, or you wouldn't be asking us yahoos for our experience.)
As for carry method, strongside IWB is almost certainly the most common, and for good reason. It gives you fast access without a lot of wasted motion, while providing good retention and concealment. Every other carry method, excepting only OWB in a similar location, compromises at least one of those in comparison. IWB conceals better than OWB in some situations, but not all. Appendix carry is popular, but not everyone finds it comfortable, especially when sitting. Again, this is not to say that there might be situations when you will carry in another way, but a whole heap of people experienced in CCW carry on their hip, either IWB or OWB, as their primary method, and have other alternatives only when circumstances dictate a change.
But in all of this, you have to be comfortable with your choices. Do what works for you, even if finding what works takes a little experimentation. Just don't think that you are going to reinvent the wheel. (Apparently you don't think that, or you wouldn't be asking us yahoos for our experience.)
thunderbird101
New member
Ender,
I recently went through the same process you are embarking on now! There are soooo many options out there it is hard to narrow it down to one!
I can give you advice and my opinion as a result of my personal experience. First, you should probably decide if you want to carry a revolver or a semiauto. I do not know what your experience is with firearms, but I will give you a quick 101 (forgive me if I am over educating you!)
A revolver is usually more limited in the amount of ammo it can hold, and reload time is generally considerably slower, HOWEVER, it will NOT jam! (I can't think of ever hearing of 1 jamming)
A semiautomatic generally has much more ammo capacity, is much easier to reload, is sexier looking. HOWEVER, it DOES have the potential to jam!!!! On most semiauto's there is a break in period of about 200-500 rounds. Also, training with a semiauto, though not required, is a VERY good idea! Being prepared for a self Defense situation, you want to be able to clear a jam quickly without even thinking about it! Muscle memory from training comes into play here!
As far as I am concerned if you are carrying for protection, RELIABILITY is your biggest concern! That being said, get something you can trust! I found many guns that fit me well, but after researching and talking to owners, I quickly concluded that I would not trust it to operate reliably, therefore I would not trust my life with it.
Second, you will want to decide how you want to carry. That my help you decide what you buy. I personally carry IWB (in the waist band).
I personally carry a Bersa Thunder .380 semi auto. It is cheap, reliable, and VERY easy to conceal! I would recommend one in a heartbeat!
I recently went through the same process you are embarking on now! There are soooo many options out there it is hard to narrow it down to one!
I can give you advice and my opinion as a result of my personal experience. First, you should probably decide if you want to carry a revolver or a semiauto. I do not know what your experience is with firearms, but I will give you a quick 101 (forgive me if I am over educating you!)
A revolver is usually more limited in the amount of ammo it can hold, and reload time is generally considerably slower, HOWEVER, it will NOT jam! (I can't think of ever hearing of 1 jamming)
A semiautomatic generally has much more ammo capacity, is much easier to reload, is sexier looking. HOWEVER, it DOES have the potential to jam!!!! On most semiauto's there is a break in period of about 200-500 rounds. Also, training with a semiauto, though not required, is a VERY good idea! Being prepared for a self Defense situation, you want to be able to clear a jam quickly without even thinking about it! Muscle memory from training comes into play here!
As far as I am concerned if you are carrying for protection, RELIABILITY is your biggest concern! That being said, get something you can trust! I found many guns that fit me well, but after researching and talking to owners, I quickly concluded that I would not trust it to operate reliably, therefore I would not trust my life with it.
Second, you will want to decide how you want to carry. That my help you decide what you buy. I personally carry IWB (in the waist band).
I personally carry a Bersa Thunder .380 semi auto. It is cheap, reliable, and VERY easy to conceal! I would recommend one in a heartbeat!
Ender ....
... CCW depends upon a lot of considerations, including but not limited to:
1- Will you CCW at all times or only sometimes ?
In my mind at all times includes cleaning out the garage on a really hot summer day.
2- How hot/humid does it get in your area ?
3- What do you normally wear while working (suit / short sleeves and slacks / Tee shirt and shorts) ?
4- How big are you ?
5- In your area -- what happens if your CCW is momentarily exposed (Texas - Meh //// NY city - Someone has a GUN -- Run and Scream ) ?
The answers might lead to you being a two-gun CCW as per PMSEIL comment earlier in the thead.
.
... CCW depends upon a lot of considerations, including but not limited to:
1- Will you CCW at all times or only sometimes ?
In my mind at all times includes cleaning out the garage on a really hot summer day.
2- How hot/humid does it get in your area ?
3- What do you normally wear while working (suit / short sleeves and slacks / Tee shirt and shorts) ?
4- How big are you ?
5- In your area -- what happens if your CCW is momentarily exposed (Texas - Meh //// NY city - Someone has a GUN -- Run and Scream ) ?
The answers might lead to you being a two-gun CCW as per PMSEIL comment earlier in the thead.
.
Kreyzhorse
New member
There are really too many options and to top that off, what works great for me might not work that well for you.
I started carrying a snub nose .38 due to the ease of concealment and reliability. I also started carrying IWB. After some trial and error, I migrated to OWB because I found it more comfortable and it is still very easy to conceal.
I eventually moved away from the snub nose too. While I still do carry it, my main carry guns are a Ruger LCP or a full sized 1911. The LCP is great for pocket carry and the 1911 is very easy to conceal and I shoot it very well.
CCW is kind of a fluid process until you find something through trail and error.
The real question is, how experienced are you with firearms and what style are you comfortable with?
I started carrying a snub nose .38 due to the ease of concealment and reliability. I also started carrying IWB. After some trial and error, I migrated to OWB because I found it more comfortable and it is still very easy to conceal.
I eventually moved away from the snub nose too. While I still do carry it, my main carry guns are a Ruger LCP or a full sized 1911. The LCP is great for pocket carry and the 1911 is very easy to conceal and I shoot it very well.
CCW is kind of a fluid process until you find something through trail and error.
The real question is, how experienced are you with firearms and what style are you comfortable with?