Wreck-n-Crew
New member
I thought it would be fun and interesting to have a thread about what we like most about CC handguns as well as how we choose what handgun we feel best suits our needs.
List the preference as to what is more important to you in order when choosing a firearm for CC and what that preference means to you. Keep in mind these are personal preferences based on how we see it and try to respect other people when making any comments to keep the thread open... please. Also keep in mind it is for CC (even if you cant in your state, chime in) not HD so long guns don't count, handguns/pistols only! Also base your answers on what you would like in a CC and not necessarily on what you carry as they can be different.
During this I may have left something out! So feel free to insert something that fits within reason such as cost or versatility if you feel it made a difference in your choice of a SD and list it in the order of it's importance.
Mine are:
1) Reliability =
A)A firearm that has been proven at the range to function with all types of ammunition (including reloads) without sustaining damages due to inferior materials being used in manufacturing.
B)Has been fired fast and with at least a few hundred rounds with no Failures to feed, fire, eject or reload.
2) Capacity =
A) 8 rounds or more per reload
3) Accuracy =
A) A firearm that can be fired rapidly on target (timed) easily by it's easiness to handle recoil and be minimally affected by fast trigger pulls. Trigger is key. IMO they are better when you can make a mistake such as jerking with less effect on accuracy and therefore a lighter pull is more preferred by me.
B) Capable of obtaining 1" groups @ 50' bench rest, un-timed.
4) SD Caliber =
A) Above .380 in either diameter or velocity
B) Must match gun as far as recoil manageability. Example: A real light sub compact .40 is very snappy and the caliber not best for frame style/type as a first choice.
5) Size =
A) Concealable within reason.
B) Barrel must be under 5.5 "
C) Cannot be to wide. Example: 6 round .44 caliber revolver.
6) Weight =
A) Not over 2.5 lb. unloaded, 3.1 lb. loaded
B) Not under 1 lb. Unloaded
Part 2:
Your reasoning behind each choice as it pertains to what and why you numbered them.
1) Reliability:
A gun that your life may depend on should not fail when you need it most and if it does 2-6 doesn't matter
2) Capacity:
I struggled with this one. To me 1 good shot is all it takes to save your life but not enough ammunition to get that shot placed can be as deadly and running out of ammunition is just as likely as not getting one (or more shots, which is often the case) good shot/set of shots in when and where it counts.
3) Accuracy:
Though I covered the reasoning behind my struggle with the importance of accuracy, the ability of the person under stress can and usually relates to at least some bad shots being placed. Therefore it barely slides in under having enough rounds for me even though an accurate gun that is easy to manage is ultra important should you ever need to use it.
4) Caliber:
Any bullet can kill, but power and size matters. Penetration and caliber expansion are better suited for SD.
5) Size:
Compact guns are nice and easily concealed making then a surprise to anyone who doesn't know they are on your person. However Accuracy is not as easy as it is in a larger platform and to me accuracy trumps the ability to hide it better. Both can be concealed and be just as surprising if you are willing to sacrifice clothing choices.
6) Weight:
It has it's advantages and disadvantages. More weight can make recoil more manageable and increase your changes of faster and more accurate follow up shots. Also more weight in the right hands has a natural stabilizing effect when your aiming. Disadvantage to heavier firearms is the weight itself. Some people prefer less weight for the comfort factor and some may feel it is easier to manage minus the recoil factor.
For me more weight is better than not enough. I have had both light to heavy and have carried both for long periods of time as well as practiced with both through tens of thousands of rounds. After going light for several years and practicing and practicing in a manner required to get the same thing from a lighter trigger and heavier gun, I switched back to a heavier gun to better serve the needs I felt it mattered the most to me as a SD weapon.
List the preference as to what is more important to you in order when choosing a firearm for CC and what that preference means to you. Keep in mind these are personal preferences based on how we see it and try to respect other people when making any comments to keep the thread open... please. Also keep in mind it is for CC (even if you cant in your state, chime in) not HD so long guns don't count, handguns/pistols only! Also base your answers on what you would like in a CC and not necessarily on what you carry as they can be different.
During this I may have left something out! So feel free to insert something that fits within reason such as cost or versatility if you feel it made a difference in your choice of a SD and list it in the order of it's importance.
Mine are:
1) Reliability =
A)A firearm that has been proven at the range to function with all types of ammunition (including reloads) without sustaining damages due to inferior materials being used in manufacturing.
B)Has been fired fast and with at least a few hundred rounds with no Failures to feed, fire, eject or reload.
2) Capacity =
A) 8 rounds or more per reload
3) Accuracy =
A) A firearm that can be fired rapidly on target (timed) easily by it's easiness to handle recoil and be minimally affected by fast trigger pulls. Trigger is key. IMO they are better when you can make a mistake such as jerking with less effect on accuracy and therefore a lighter pull is more preferred by me.
B) Capable of obtaining 1" groups @ 50' bench rest, un-timed.
4) SD Caliber =
A) Above .380 in either diameter or velocity
B) Must match gun as far as recoil manageability. Example: A real light sub compact .40 is very snappy and the caliber not best for frame style/type as a first choice.
5) Size =
A) Concealable within reason.
B) Barrel must be under 5.5 "
C) Cannot be to wide. Example: 6 round .44 caliber revolver.
6) Weight =
A) Not over 2.5 lb. unloaded, 3.1 lb. loaded
B) Not under 1 lb. Unloaded
Part 2:
Your reasoning behind each choice as it pertains to what and why you numbered them.
1) Reliability:
A gun that your life may depend on should not fail when you need it most and if it does 2-6 doesn't matter
2) Capacity:
I struggled with this one. To me 1 good shot is all it takes to save your life but not enough ammunition to get that shot placed can be as deadly and running out of ammunition is just as likely as not getting one (or more shots, which is often the case) good shot/set of shots in when and where it counts.
3) Accuracy:
Though I covered the reasoning behind my struggle with the importance of accuracy, the ability of the person under stress can and usually relates to at least some bad shots being placed. Therefore it barely slides in under having enough rounds for me even though an accurate gun that is easy to manage is ultra important should you ever need to use it.
4) Caliber:
Any bullet can kill, but power and size matters. Penetration and caliber expansion are better suited for SD.
5) Size:
Compact guns are nice and easily concealed making then a surprise to anyone who doesn't know they are on your person. However Accuracy is not as easy as it is in a larger platform and to me accuracy trumps the ability to hide it better. Both can be concealed and be just as surprising if you are willing to sacrifice clothing choices.
6) Weight:
It has it's advantages and disadvantages. More weight can make recoil more manageable and increase your changes of faster and more accurate follow up shots. Also more weight in the right hands has a natural stabilizing effect when your aiming. Disadvantage to heavier firearms is the weight itself. Some people prefer less weight for the comfort factor and some may feel it is easier to manage minus the recoil factor.
For me more weight is better than not enough. I have had both light to heavy and have carried both for long periods of time as well as practiced with both through tens of thousands of rounds. After going light for several years and practicing and practicing in a manner required to get the same thing from a lighter trigger and heavier gun, I switched back to a heavier gun to better serve the needs I felt it mattered the most to me as a SD weapon.