Concealed handgun that does everything.

I never bring the smaller gun out of a perceived need
Click to expand...

We on same page here.

I can't perceive the actions of others, criminals, psychos, "bad people", are mobile and might show up in a normally "good" place; I prefer to carry accordingly.
 
Carrying any gun is better than not carrying.
How much gun is pretty much a moot point.
How much "better" is a .45 than a .22? 10%? 30%?
How much more convenient is the smaller gun?
 
CDW4ME said:
250
Click to expand...
IMO pocket guns are only worthwhile if I'm not wearing a belt. For every other situation I prefer something Glock 19 sized or larger. Yes even in nuculear summer heat.

I happen to be lucky enough to be able to conceal a Glock 19 or similar size under a Tshirt bit even in high heat prefer a light buttondown t, and under them I can carry darn near anything.

My current preference in all cases is a Sig P229, easy tp carry amd easy to shoot well.
 
To get a concealed handgun that does everything, first get a handgun that does everything, then conceal it.

Good luck.
 
I live in Florida, and it's peak heat season now. I recently added a single stack Beretta 85FS for something larger and more capacity than a pocket .380 but smaller than a full size or compact. It's incredibility accurate, very low recoil, and easy to conceal in the heat. This holds 9 rounds, and magazines are slim so an additional can be easily carried if desired.

Modern 9mm short ammo is effective for self defense scenarios. I carry Liberty Civil Defense which is a high velocity HP round.


a0CNRWim.jpg
[/IMG]
 
Recoil spring said:
I have been doing the research for a slightly larger concealed handgun in 9 mm outside of my mouse guns in .380. I used to own a Glock 26 but sold it as it is almost the same size as my Glock 19, but the 19 is too heavy and large for pocket carry. Sold my S/W .38 cal. snub nose J frame too.



My Kahr CW 380 and the Ruger LCP work fine for concealed pocket carry but was looking at the SCCY or the others like it for more punch when expecting to be in dangerous places.



What bothers me with the online data/You Tube videos is there will be an evaluation of different guns, and then it gets down to where the author wants a concealed gun, but it must be able to do heavy combat, hold high capacity mags, be big in the hand, great trigger, sites, grips, etc. An easily concealed handgun is not going to be a military combat gun like a Glock 17 or Colt 1911. The bigger guns would be best in a street fight but you cannot hide it in a pants pocket in 100 degree weather.



This seems to be the trend with these videos, how many people here carry a Model 1911 type gun everyday and feel it is not seen and is very comfortable? You can't do that is most places in the USA in July. These videos need to emphasis that comfortable concealed handguns are just that, for easy carry in the pocket and better than a knife if confronted.
Click to expand...



I carry two firearms: a Snubby 357 Magnum in the pocket and a Glock 19 MOS with an RMR, IWB.

IF you want power, there's nothing that can beat a 357 Magnum Snubby from a pocket holster. Weighing 23-24 ounces for a stainless steel revolver, it has enough weight to handle the load. The lack of an exposed hammer prevents snagging, and the short barrel is harder to grasp for an attacker. It can be shot from within a jacket pocket, but I tend to pocket carry mine in an Uncle Mike's size 4. The beauty of a revolver is it can be fired on contact, as necessary, unlike a semiauto, which might jam. When I pocket carry, I frequently have my hands in my pockets, anyways, ready to draw anyways.

I have carried my Sig Sauer P238 at times, in the past. I have loaded it with Buffalo Bore 95 grain +P ammo. Though it's easily concealable, and it handles recoil extremely well, it's not typically my first choice for defense. But it's better than a rock or knife.

As for my other concealed carry pistol, it's a Glock 19 with 15 rounds. Why do I carry two? Because I don't have any viable solution for spare magazines. If one were to malfunction, I have an alternative.

Again, it's a last resort to even consider deadly force. It's just the peace of mind and being prepared that gives me comfort.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
 
For years I've EDC'd a 15+1 compact 9mm (various makes).
Recently I switched to the 9mm Shield and don't regret it in the least.
Besides being lighter & flatter, the Shield recoils & shoots like a larger gun and the tapered 1.5-stack mags make reloads quicker/easier.
I bought several of the LE version w/night sights & 3mags from GrabAGun for $379/ea ($304 after the recent $75 S&W rebate).
W/a MagGuts +2 conversion my primary carry is now 10+1 and I carry 2x8rd reloads in a Recluse leather hip pocket mag carrier.
I carry 124gr HST due to its excellent performance out of shorter bbls.

Tomac
 
I have been following this discussion and decided to put in my two cents. I live in an area where it is hot in the summer and snows in the winter, so I have to have two completely wardrobes depending on what season it is. When I first moved here, I only had a few handguns that were suitable for concealed carry and I soon found out that none of them really all that comfortable to carry all day, especially in the summer.

After some research I bought a 9mm Shield and have carried it nearly every day for the last three years. Will it do "everything"? Of course not. I think it is unreasonable to think that any one particular gun is going to perform every task as well as a gun that is more geared toward a specific job. In other words, a subcompact is most definitely not going to be a good a target gun as a Colt Gold Cup, nor is it going to have the capacity of a larger framed gun like a G19.

However, if whatever you get is comfortable enough for you to carry no matter what the weather is, it is far more likely that you will have it with you at all times over a gun that is so big or heavy that you tend to leave it home when the weather gets hot. The very best thing you can do, regardless of whatever weapon you carry, is to practice with it until drawing and firing is second nature.

I think capacity is over rated in a carry gun. Are you going around into bad neighborhoods looking for a gunfight? Jeeze, I hope not because that is just stupid. If I remember my statistics, most self defense situations are over in a few seconds and very few rounds are fired, so you don't really need to have a high capacity gun and extra magazines. What you need to do is to practice situational awareness and avoid possible conflict if you can. Just because you carry a gun, it doesn't make you invulnerable.
 
highpower3006 said:
I think capacity is over rated in a carry gun. Are you going around into bad neighborhoods looking for a gunfight? Jeeze, I hope not because that is just stupid. If I remember my statistics, most self defense situations are over in a few seconds and very few rounds are fired, so you don't really need to have a high capacity gun and extra magazines. What you need to do is to practice situational awareness and avoid possible conflict if you can. Just because you carry a gun, it doesn't make you invulnerable.
Click to expand...
I whole heartedly agree with your last statement.. however taking in your post as a whole I can't help but think this is how you view people who carry full size guns, Im carrying larger then X amount of rounds so I must think im a bad ass.

Let me ask you something why do you even care what other people carry?
Do you drive around with a full tank of gas in your car even though you only need 2 gallons to get you thru the day?

Statistically neither of us will probably ever have to fire our gun in self defense.
So why do you even carry a gun at all?

If Im comfortable with a fullsize gun why should I carry something smaller that not even my entire hand will fit on the grip?

Your sub compact's primary job is concealment, My guns primary job is saving my ass. ;)
Just because I have more rounds in my gun does not mean I have to fire them all if the need arises.
 
Let me ask you something why do you even care what other people carry?
Click to expand...

I guess I touched a nerve there huh? Honestly, it would be nearly impossible for me to care any less what gun you carry, or for that matter, care what you, or anyone else thinks.

I see too many people out there that seem to equate carrying higher capacity guns and a slew of extra magazines with some how being more prepared. I carry a gun for the same reason I make sure I have a spare tire with air in it and the tools to change a flat tire if I get one. When you need it, nothing else will do.

What I was trying to point out is that having more ammo isn't going to make you safer. What will make you safer is paying attention to what is going on around you and making a conscious effort to watch for, and avoid possible situations where you may have problems. In other words it's like having enough common sense to know that it would probably be a bad idea to drive your passenger car down a four wheel drive trail.

Hey, if you like to carry a heavier gun with more ammo and it makes you feel better, more power to you. I prefer to carry something that is easy for me to have with me all the time vs a larger heavier gun that may or may not get left behind due to it's size or appropriateness for the clothes I am wearing that day.
 
Concealibility is the enemy of all the other desirable traits
in a carry gun. At some point each of us makes the decision
what is right for them. I decided I would rather carry full size.
Am I right? Not for anybody but me. I struggle with holsters, and
wardrobe adjustments.

I have an old friend who carries a .25ACP. Is he right? For him, yes.
His EDC is small, and very conveniently concealable.
 
Choosing a concealed carry firearm is a very personal thing.....kind of like picking out a new pair of shoes. I carry at the appendix and tend to favor mid sized firearms. My primary pistols for carry are an all steel Commander size 1911, a Browning Hi Power and a Glock 19. I carry the 1911 or Hi Power every day. I'm 5"7", 160 lbs and nearly 70 years old. The Glock 19 is my hiking, fishing, camping, cutting the grass pistol.....one I don't mind sweating all over. I live near Dallas and it was 99 degrees today....
 
highpower3006 said:
I guess I touched a nerve there huh?
Click to expand...
Not exactly I just get sick of being stereo typed with statements like this.
highpower3006 said:
I think capacity is over rated in a carry gun. Are you going around into bad neighborhoods looking for a gunfight?
Click to expand...

highpower3006 said:
Honestly, it would be nearly impossible for me to care any less what gun you carry, or for that matter, care what you, or anyone else thinks.
Click to expand...
If that's true this site is a weird place to visit.. a message board.. ya know.. a place to exchange information and ideas.

highpower3006 said:
I see too many people out there that seem to equate carrying higher capacity guns and a slew of extra magazines with some how being more prepared. I carry a gun for the same reason I make sure I have a spare tire with air in it and the tools to change a flat tire if I get one. When you need it, nothing else will do.
Click to expand...
Wow the irony In that paragraph, You carry a gun because sometimes you need one, but having more capacity does not equal more prepared.

Listen can you think of anything a 6 shot pocket gun can do that a 12, 15, 17 shot fullsize gun can't? I mean other then being easier to conceal by virtue of size?

You could argue that a small conceal carry gun will be enough, and in most situations that's probably true, the problem is we don't get to choose the situation.. If we're in need of our gun all else has failed, You're probably not in control of the setting.

Now im not trying to convert you to carrying a larger gun, Carry what ever works for you, what ever you're comfortable with, I just don't like it when people rationalize their carry choice at the expense of those of us who carry more then the minimum.

highpower3006 said:
What I was trying to point out is that having more ammo isn't going to make you safer. What will make you safer is paying attention to what is going on around you and making a conscious effort to watch for, and avoid possible situations where you may have problems. In other words it's like having enough common sense to know that it would probably be a bad idea to drive your passenger car down a four wheel drive trail.
Click to expand...
I don't disagree paying attention will get you out of more jams then any gun, What I have a problem with is the idea that those who carry larger guns either think they're rambo, are paranoid or looking for a fight, or in your particular case you seem to assume more bullets = less brains.

Am I better off IF the worse happens and there's a gun fight with a larger gun and more rounds.. absolutely! to argue otherwise is illogical and disingenuous.
 
CDR_Glock said:
I carry two firearms: a Snubby 357 Magnum in the pocket and a Glock 19 MOS with an RMR, IWB.

IF you want power, there's nothing that can beat a 357 Magnum Snubby from a pocket holster. Weighing 23-24 ounces for a stainless steel revolver, it has enough weight to handle the load. The lack of an exposed hammer prevents snagging, and the short barrel is harder to grasp for an attacker. It can be shot from within a jacket pocket, but I tend to pocket carry mine in an Uncle Mike's size 4. The beauty of a revolver is it can be fired on contact, as necessary, unlike a semiauto, which might jam. When I pocket carry, I frequently have my hands in my pockets, anyways, ready to draw anyways.

I have carried my Sig Sauer P238 at times, in the past. I have loaded it with Buffalo Bore 95 grain +P ammo. Though it's easily concealable, and it handles recoil extremely well, it's not typically my first choice for defense. But it's better than a rock or knife.

As for my other concealed carry pistol, it's a Glock 19 with 15 rounds. Why do I carry two? Because I don't have any viable solution for spare magazines. If one were to malfunction, I have an alternative.

Again, it's a last resort to even consider deadly force. It's just the peace of mind and being prepared that gives me comfort.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...
Having a pocket pistol as a backup is a good choice (NY reload)

I do wonder about the effectiveness of a 357Magnum in a snubby barrel

I think you do get some improvement over a 38, but you do lose potential
(it shows up as a fireball) of the round in such a short barrel.

I would also worry about my permanent hearing, if I had to fire a shortbarrel 357 indoors - I guess being deaf is better than dead
 
I assume if I'm ever having to defend myself, my attacker(s) are armed, likely psychotic, sociopath, drugged, or combination of those undesirable traits.
380 has about 160# KE
9mm has about 350# KE
357 Sig about 500# KE
Same diameter bullet, I think there is no disagreement that 9mm or 357 Sig qualifies as "harder hitting" than 380.
I want my bullets as "hard hitting" as possible, more likely stop attacker(s) ASAP.

For armed sociopath attacker(s) high on meth / bath salts some people pick 380 as 1st choice defacto defense because that is what they carry.
Think your attacker(s) more likely be a "normal" person on the way to work that suddenly decides to mug someone, I think not.

My preferred use for a 380 is as a 2nd option in pocket to a Glock 32 carried IWB.

There are some situations where a 380 is the best one can do, have to wear dress pants to work with tucked in shirt, well then that is best you can do.
Not the same as "I think I'll dress nice to eat at Olive Garden (wherever) so I'll just carry a 380", that is a choice, not one I would make.
Psycho meth heads could show up in parking lot of that restaurant, if you don't think it possible why are you carrying.
Its hot outside, I'm just going to carry a pocket 380 while running errands, I don't feel like carrying something better - nope, nope, nope, - not me.
Sociopath high on bath salts could show up at that place "where nothing ever happens" if you don't think it possible, why are you carrying.

Opposing view: :rolleyes:
CDW4ME You are wrong! I predict I'll face a lone, anemic, unmotivated attacker, they ain't even got caffeine in them, and will run away at the sight of my pocket pistol, or be easily incapacitated after a couple rounds of 380 FMJ. ;)
 
I have to agree with highpower3006, inasmuch as SA is far more important
than mag capacity. Tools are supposed to help you, not compensate for your
carelessness. As such, I'd rather avoid a bad situation, than have to shoot my
way out of it.
 
No matter which gun you carry, Frequent, dilligent training is a must. I train often, I feel that because of this frequent training, I have become proficient with my carry gun, and carry all the time. I will continue to believe that the beast may raise his head any time, any place. No, reality says I will not strap on a 3 lb gun with extra mags to make a trip to 7/11 for a loaf or bread. I will not carry a huge weapon that will give me a permanent back ache. And I have not desire to stuff some thing that large down my pants. Just my personal feeling.
I normally carry a Sub compact on my side with a quality holster that keeps the gun well concealed, close to the body and easy to carry. I train a minimum of once a week with that gun and my Pocket gun the Pico. I have become very proficient with drawing and point and shoot skills with both weapons.
I do carry a high quality pocket pistol. I know very well the capabilities of the gun and the limitations. And make no mistake, I feel I can draw and shoot that pocket gun very fast and accurately. And for sure, it is always with me. No matter where I go. And it would be a big mistake for a bad guy to underestimate the gun or the new modern day ballistics of that 380,

w17xrTB.jpg
 
Last edited:
Do we need another thread where folks insult each other over carry choices?
Do we need another thread where folks think the average always happens?
Do we think that gunfights in nice neighborhoods are less dangerous than ones in a 'bad' neighborhood? If you need your gun, it is a bad neighborhood.

Yeah, your choice is the best for everyone and those that disagree don't know what they are talking about as you are an expert and never miss marksperson.

Let this one die unless you have something factual to say beyond bickering.
 
I want to thank all posters. I actually have enjoyed reading all the different opinions. Yes, it becomes a debate of some sort, but that is OK. I understand that a opinion can result in some form of bickering. It is common to find folks that are passionate in their beliefs. That is fine. While I personally disagree with some comments, I agree with others. Maybe it is best to just not reply if you do not want to see strong debate. Just a matter of choosing a key stroke and moving on to another subject.
Once again, thanks to all posters. We all share a common interest and that is firearms, for the sport, the gun, the hunting, the target practice and the ability to defend ourselves and families. And while I do not seen any proclaiming to be a expert, I do see many training to become one. All is good.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top