Need advice on a good ccw pistol. It doesnt much matter if its a auto or revolver just easy to conceal. I mostly shoot glocks. How is there sub compact 9 or 40? Are they easy to conceal or are there better choices,i already have a 23 and a 20 i want something alot smaller. I want it to be reliable.
Need a good ccw pistol dont know much about them.
- Thread starter alabama
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Id carry what you shoot best with, not what looks like its going to be the easiest to carry. Why short yourself on something that you may really need to count on.
Its not hard to carry the full size guns, and they are generally easier to shoot well with than their smaller counterparts.
I normally carry a Glock 17, and often, a Glock 26 as well. I also carry a double reload for the 17, which also works in the 26. Im not big, and its never been a problem keeping it all out of sight, nor have they been in the way of normal daily activities.
Seems these days people consider their guns to be more of a fashion accessory and novelty than a tool. A cute little gun goes with things better, and isnt as much of an inconvenience I guess. Then again, I suppose its better than nothing.
Its not hard to carry the full size guns, and they are generally easier to shoot well with than their smaller counterparts.
I normally carry a Glock 17, and often, a Glock 26 as well. I also carry a double reload for the 17, which also works in the 26. Im not big, and its never been a problem keeping it all out of sight, nor have they been in the way of normal daily activities.
Seems these days people consider their guns to be more of a fashion accessory and novelty than a tool. A cute little gun goes with things better, and isnt as much of an inconvenience I guess. Then again, I suppose its better than nothing.
atlctyslkr
New member
Get a Taurus Judge and you'll be able to handle anything.
Not trying to be smart but if i should carry what i shoot best and size doesnt matter then that would be a rifle thats kind of hard to conceal. Yea it is possible to conceal my glock 23 but i dont. And since i never have it on me its not doing any good. I would like to carry something that i could fit in my pocket. Some people dont mind carrying a full size gun,and i dont either if its on my side and im in the woods. But i already have guns for that.
Depends on how small you want to go...
I have no problem concealing my Glock 23, but there are more comfortable options. You can't go wrong with a G26 or G27. If you want to go even smaller, take a look at a Kahr PM9. Smaller still, you could check out an LCP, Kahr 380, etc.
Usually, as conceal-ability and comfort increases, ammo capacity and caliber size decreases. It all depends on what you're comfortable with.
I have no problem concealing my Glock 23, but there are more comfortable options. You can't go wrong with a G26 or G27. If you want to go even smaller, take a look at a Kahr PM9. Smaller still, you could check out an LCP, Kahr 380, etc.
Usually, as conceal-ability and comfort increases, ammo capacity and caliber size decreases. It all depends on what you're comfortable with.
For pocket carry any of the S&W airweights 637 638 642 J-frames weigh in at about 15oz. I use the 638 with CT laser grips for my pocket gun. 38 spl +p 5 shot, but any snub should work only some are heavier than the airweights. I don't want any thing lighter than about 15oz, just to hard to shoot.
Crazy Carl
New member
J-frame or LCR. My 442 is comfortable pocket gun.
SauerGrapes
New member
Single stack .380
katana8869
New member
I carried a Glock Sub- Compact from when they came out in the 90's until recently when I converted to a S&W MP9C. The M&P just seems to fit me much better than the Glocks and at 800 rounds so far w/o any problems it seems quite reliable. Pair it up with a Ruger .380 and IMO all of your CCW needs will be covered for any foreseeable occassion. 
My choices....
From your post and stated needs I'd buy a simple Glock 36 .45acp or maybe a Kahr sub-compact .45acp.
Either striker fired .45acp could protect you. For ammunition I would suggest the short barrel Gold Dot .45acp load or maybe a factory made milspec 230gr FMJ. The well made Federal EFMJ or the Corbon PowRball may work well too.
Some .45acp JHPs or special purpose loads may not cycle or function in small frame pistols. New designs and engineering are good but I would not rely 100% on it with sub-compacts.
For DA/DA only revolvers, the new Ruger LCR in .357magnum, the S&W Bodyguard(with red laser aimer) or maybe a Taurus Protector could do it.
Revolvers can be fired inside deep coat pockets in dire incidents and can be fired if you are ill/hurt/etc. A CT lasergrip www.Crimsontrace.com is a good add-on.
Most CC license holders or armed professionals use the 158gr lead SWC-HP +P from Buffalo Bore or Winchester for .38spl. Good .357magnum loads include the 110gr or 125gr JHP.
If you select a DA revolver I'd buy a few Tuff Products or Bianchi speed strips. Speedloaders are good but require practice and do not conceal very well.
From your post and stated needs I'd buy a simple Glock 36 .45acp or maybe a Kahr sub-compact .45acp.
Either striker fired .45acp could protect you. For ammunition I would suggest the short barrel Gold Dot .45acp load or maybe a factory made milspec 230gr FMJ. The well made Federal EFMJ or the Corbon PowRball may work well too.
Some .45acp JHPs or special purpose loads may not cycle or function in small frame pistols. New designs and engineering are good but I would not rely 100% on it with sub-compacts.
For DA/DA only revolvers, the new Ruger LCR in .357magnum, the S&W Bodyguard(with red laser aimer) or maybe a Taurus Protector could do it.
Revolvers can be fired inside deep coat pockets in dire incidents and can be fired if you are ill/hurt/etc. A CT lasergrip www.Crimsontrace.com is a good add-on.
Most CC license holders or armed professionals use the 158gr lead SWC-HP +P from Buffalo Bore or Winchester for .38spl. Good .357magnum loads include the 110gr or 125gr JHP.
If you select a DA revolver I'd buy a few Tuff Products or Bianchi speed strips. Speedloaders are good but require practice and do not conceal very well.
Zooky the Bear
New member
Springfield EMP in .40.
I would suggest considering inside the waistband carry (IWB) instead of pocket carry. Less chance of misfire and more selection of pistols/revolvers.
The lighter the gun the more the recoil generally speaking. The light weight and featherweights come with a disadvantage in controlability and accuracy as a result.
Full size guns can be carried, but with greater chance of "printing" and revealing you are carrying.
The compact and sub-compact semi-autos seem to me to be the best choice for general carry, I started with the full size SW Model 410 in .40 cal but it just wasn't comfortable and easy to carry, I switched tot he Springfield XD 9mm sub-compact and love it. It is accurate at self defense (SD) range, easy to carry (I use a cross tuck supper carry IWB) and reliable weapon.
However, any reputable brand pistol or revolver (Ruger, S&W, Beretta, Walther, etc) that is comfortable to you and easy for you to shoot and maintain is the right gun for you.
The lighter the gun the more the recoil generally speaking. The light weight and featherweights come with a disadvantage in controlability and accuracy as a result.
Full size guns can be carried, but with greater chance of "printing" and revealing you are carrying.
The compact and sub-compact semi-autos seem to me to be the best choice for general carry, I started with the full size SW Model 410 in .40 cal but it just wasn't comfortable and easy to carry, I switched tot he Springfield XD 9mm sub-compact and love it. It is accurate at self defense (SD) range, easy to carry (I use a cross tuck supper carry IWB) and reliable weapon.
However, any reputable brand pistol or revolver (Ruger, S&W, Beretta, Walther, etc) that is comfortable to you and easy for you to shoot and maintain is the right gun for you.
Quality and concealability
I think anything that is in the medium price range and name quality will work. Guns are like cars and women... it's a personal or value judgment thing... what works for one, won't for another. Just read and try them out at the range, handle them a lot and take no ones advise... lump them together and make your choice after much consideration. My personal carry weapons involve several... I own an XD .40 subcompact; a Beretta PX4 Storm 9mm (not a compact but shoots well and can be concealed but is not the smallest); a Ruger stainless SP101 hammer-less .357, very reliable, concealable and if loaded down with .38+P's is a bit more manageable...; and lastly a Taurus PT145, .45 subcompact, probably the one I normally have on. There was a time in the past when Taurus was looked upon as a 'cheap' import, I think in recent years, their quality has improved to the point that they are on par with most in their price range. I have never had a misfire or a feeding problem with my PT145, that is all I can say on that subject... We all know what opinions are like and yours will be based on all the input from sites like this. Good luck and be safe.
I think anything that is in the medium price range and name quality will work. Guns are like cars and women... it's a personal or value judgment thing... what works for one, won't for another. Just read and try them out at the range, handle them a lot and take no ones advise... lump them together and make your choice after much consideration. My personal carry weapons involve several... I own an XD .40 subcompact; a Beretta PX4 Storm 9mm (not a compact but shoots well and can be concealed but is not the smallest); a Ruger stainless SP101 hammer-less .357, very reliable, concealable and if loaded down with .38+P's is a bit more manageable...; and lastly a Taurus PT145, .45 subcompact, probably the one I normally have on. There was a time in the past when Taurus was looked upon as a 'cheap' import, I think in recent years, their quality has improved to the point that they are on par with most in their price range. I have never had a misfire or a feeding problem with my PT145, that is all I can say on that subject... We all know what opinions are like and yours will be based on all the input from sites like this. Good luck and be safe.
Kreyzhorse
New member
I'd go to a gun shop and start sniffing around. Find a few you like and then start your research. There are a lot of well made CCW guns of various sizes to pick from.
If you are familiar with Glocks, I'd start there. Keep in mind, there really isn't a perfect CCW gun, but there are lots of very good ones.
If you are familiar with Glocks, I'd start there. Keep in mind, there really isn't a perfect CCW gun, but there are lots of very good ones.
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