My concealed carry delimma

M

mspan90

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I rarely go anywhere I can carry a gun.
I work on a military base and cannot even have a gun in the car there. I go to my kids school sports, cant carry there. I go to sports bars on weekends. My carry piece would be put on my person going in gas stations and restaurants but left in car most of the time.
What would you suggest I carry? Im thinking a snubby going in and out of my pocket quickly and easily. I shot a friends glock and love it but I dont see it being ideal for my situation.
 
Sounds very much like a airweight S&W 38 spl is in order. If you go with an all steel snub they will be to heavy and move around for pocket carry. I use a S&W 638 for my pocket work, it goes about everywhere with me.
 
I feel your pain, mspan. There has always been this paradox, that people go into the military swearing an oath to uphold and defend the US Constitution. Then, all your rights are suspended, to be given back as 'privileges'. Since you and your vehicle are subject to search at any time on a military facility, you really don't want to violate their rules. Its just good common sense. Personally, my CCW is concealed well enough that I will exercise a degree of discretion some places, but federal facilities, law enforcement and schools are definite no no's.
 
Concealed carry means concealed from view. Take that however you want it. Places that don't allow concealed weapons are open ranges for criminals. Do you really think that someone with malicious intent is going to obey laws in regards to where they can and cannot legally carry a gun? No. Chances are the gun they have is illegal anyway.

A Kahr PM9 would be an excellent option for you.
 
S&W 442 .38 airweight. I am looking at the super fly desantis for a pocket holster. It looks like it would print similar to a wallet, so it might be easier to move in and out of your pocket without too many people noticing what it is.
 
Ruger LCP or S&W 638

I have both but have only carried the LCP to date. I have several IWB holsters for the Ruger but find the one from N82 Tactical (www.n82tactical.com/) to be my favorite/most comfortable to date. When I have to go into a post office I simply slip the gun out and place it in my middle console or in the glove box. It's small, lightweight and reliable. I also don't mind a bit of snap when practicing with it at the range.

I have not yet carried the 638, but plan to in the near future. It too is small, lightweight and reliable.
 
I like the small revolvers, also small Kahrs, Ruger LC9 or LCP and company variants.

More importantly don't forget a nice pocket holster is likely ideal as it sounds like you'll be switching it about a lot.
 
Ruger LCR or Kahr. There are a few Kahrs worth looking at.

I would not break federal laws, personally. The chances of getting caught on base are far higher than actually finding yourself in a situation where you would need a gun. And you would be in huge trouble.
 
Mercenary, I agree with you on principle. However, as baccusboy indicated, there are places where the possibility of having your ccw detected is greater than your need to be armed. I'm not willing to risk the loss of my CWP, and possibly my right to own firearms over this.
 
I own a S&W 637. Great gun but in my opinion it isn't ideal for pocket carry. I also own a Ruger LCP. Great gun that is perfect for pocket carry.
 
Personally, my CCW is concealed well enough that I will exercise a degree of discretion some places, but federal facilities, law enforcement and schools are definite no no's.
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Ditto. I work at a facility that bans weapons of any kind. I will not carry there under any circumstances, regardless of how well concealed my weapon is. If I were to be found carrying, the fallout would be most unpleasant... loss of job and possible jail time. Not worth it, imho. I'll carry elsewhere. It rubs me the wrong way, believe me, but the stakes are too high.
 
Two things grabbed my attention in this dilemma::

Firstly, the "pocket only" aspect and secondly how few are the places where the carry weapon will be permitted.

Now, the latter will not mean a weapon is less needed (although statistically I think it is already a case of unlikely but better be prepared), the fact that you can only carry in a small selection of places means that the added likelihood of need a weapon are smaller still.

For that reason, I would suggest something small (for pocket) and not overly expensive (you'll be able to carry so infrequently).
I don't know the US market that well, but I suspect that the small Kahr series (don't know the models, sorry), a small snubbie (I love those things) or the Ruger LCR/LCP/LC9 types would fall into those categories.
For all other times, carry some pepper-spray if you feel it necessary...

Now, I'm no expert, and may have missed some aspects, so feel free to correct if any of those assumptions don't hold water...
 
I'm kind of in the same boat,I currently have a Taurus 85 that is a great pocket carry revolver but I am seriously looking at a 642 because it's concealed hammer-no snag-DAO,stainless,smaller and slightly lighter then my Model 85.

But if I had to be pinned down to a single small semi auto for pocket carry new that was a 'bug' style,unrecognizable,in the pocket-,I'd say the Ruger LCP 380.

Ruger's LC -R- is an outstanding revolver in the revolver tradition of reliability.

But as you have already said,you won't be carrying where it's not legal so the sky's the limit what you can carry.

I just want a gun that's there that I can rely on if needed without a five month trek to the range fifteen times to see if stovepipes a round.

And a small revolver in the pocket usually looks like a wallet if carried in that pocket inside a pocket holster.
 
JamesPond: For all other times, carry some pepper-spray if you feel it necessary...
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Pepper spray is not an option on most federal facilities either, such as VA hospitals nor knives nor scissors. If he is elderly a walking stick is an option.:D
 
In the OP's scenario, an alloy J-frame or smaller semi-auto like a Ruger LCP, Sig P-238, or Kahr CM9 should suffice. I have all these and sometimes carry them when a 1911 is not suitable.

In no way should the OP risk serious trouble by carrying in unauthorized places. The stakes are just too high. Back in the days before you could get a license to conceal carry in this state, I would occasionally pocket carry a Beretta 950 (.25 acp) when I went to "high risk" areas. I live in a gun friendly state and knew the typical penalty for illegal concealed carry -- loss of gun and a $100 fine. I did not regularly carry and balanced the risk of getting caught versus the risk of possibly needing a gun.

Today, I would never carry a gun in a prohibited zone like a school. The risk and consequences are too great compared to the risk of actually needing to use it.
 
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