What factors made you choose your defensive handgun?

A

AdamSean

New member
I am often asked for my opinions on self defense handguns. Of course a lot of people are concerned with not having to spend too much money, but a lot of the time, you get what you pay for. I am interested to hear what contributing factors aided in your choosing the handgun you regularly carry to protect you and your loved ones. Here are mine:

I carry a Glock.

1. Ease of use.
-I prefer a weapon without a manual safety. The less I have to think about in a situation where I need to react and fractions of a second mean the difference of life and death, the better.
-A Glock is extremely simple to field strip and clean.
2. Durability.
-I want a weapon that can take a beating and handle extreme conditions. That way I know it will work when I need it to.
-I tend to sweat a lot and have actually caused some really bad rust issues on some handguns. The Glock Tenifer finish id very durable and corrosive resistant.
3. Carry-ability.
-Glock is not the smallest or easiest to conceal, but can be concealed well with a quality holster.
4. Accessories.
-Since Glock is a very common and popular handgun design, there are many accessories on the market. Holsters are easy to come by in many price ranges and quality. Also, replacement parts are easy to acquire.
5. Track record.
-Of course I want a weapon that has been proven by the test of time.

These are why I chose a Glock. Just like any machine it must pass rigorous testing. Be sure that you test out different kinds of ammunition to see what works best in your fiream. And be sure to break it in with at least 600 rounds. Keep it clean and lubricated. Take care of your fiream and it will take care of you.
 
Mine was simple. I wanted something I could just throw in my pocket; so small was high on the list. I ended up getting a 380 LCP and a Micro Desert Eagle 380. They both suit my needs. I like the MDE better at the range as it kicks less than the LCP although either of them kick real hard.
 
1. Fits in a pocket
2. Lightweight
3. Effective caliber
4. I can shoot it well at SD ranges.

My choice - S&W Model 642 J-frame .38spl revolver.
 
I have the same criteria as JC57. I only carry 1 pistol at a time so summer weather its a Smith & Wesson 642 because it is tried and true, has been an effective caliber since 1899, not as finicky in a pocket as an autoloader in my opinion (pockets get dirty and lint can gather), good make, accurate for me out past 7 yards, I can fire it rapidly and get it reloaded pretty quickly, not finicky with ammo, if a dead round just pull the trigger and move to the next round, snag free, can be fired from inside a pocket. All of that to me equals a perfect pocket carry pistol. It is slowly possibly gonna be replaced by a Shield 9 but I say slowly because it might not happen. I carry a Glock 29 as well but only in colder months and I choose thats for most of the same reasons but included heavy clothing and effects if the cold on a body.
 
I too choose Glock. My first serious carry gun was a Gen 2, G23 factory rebuilt police trade in. I paid about $400 for it, and the ony failure it ever had was due to some real cheap ammo. After a few years and several thousand rounds I sold it a bought a new G19 because 9mm is less exspensive for training and competitions and plenty powerful for the most likely use I may have for it. Tough, dependable, simple to clean and work on, and feels good in my hand.
As previously mentioned, lots of holsters, spare mags, and accesories available. I would go to war with this gun tommorow, or ten years from now. I also own three other Glocks (17-26-30) and I'm saving up for a new G19 Gen 4, not to replace, but to suplement my current G19.
I'm sure someone may know someone who's cousin, had a neighbor, who's friends brother in law had a bad experience with a Glock, but overall you are not going to find a much better defensive pistol for the money.:cool:
 
I agree with JC57 and willmc33 about the Smith and Wesson 642 as the best pocket carry for the same reasons. I own one myself. If the only thing I can carry has to be in my pocket, that's what I put in there.
 
WOW this is tuff

Why did I choice my CCW.
I had a Kimber ultra carry II very heavy
I have a Sig P238 light easy to conceal
What I carry for the most part are my Glocks:
I prefer my Glock 36 6+1 and a spare mag in my pocket
Why Glock:
1. Caliber .45 ACP
2. Reliability
3. Accuracy
4. Weight
5. Size
6. Durability
7. Maintenance
In this order these are the reasons why my primary CCW is the Glock 36.

Joe
 
I carry a Ruger P-90, .45 ACP. Reason #1: It has proven to be ultra-reliable, both to me personally, and in every review of the gun I've ever read. Reason #2: It's a .45! Reason #3: It comes in my preferred finish, namely, stainless steel. Reason #4: I can effectively conceal it; it completely vanishes in my IWB rig under an un-tucked shirt. Reason #5: It comes with a manual safety, something of an anachronism in these days of Glocks and Sigs, but still a feature I strongly prefer, and am completely accustomed to. Reason #6: It was very affordable. Lastly, Reason #7: Duh! It's a Ruger!;)
 
Glock 27
Dependability, small size, tough finish, never failed me once, easy to find part and holsters, plus it's just fun to shoot!
 
I am down to a few guns .My favorite ones are .
RUGER SP101 357 OR SW MP 40C.
SEECAMP 32 OR BERETTA 21A.
They go with me in a pocket or in the car . If you don't have something with you what good is it in your safe.
 
I look for guns that are a combination of the following for CCW carry:

Concealable. Speaks for itself but if you can't conceal it, I can't carry it.

Reliable. If it isn't reliable, it isn't worth carrying.

Cartridge. I'm a believer in bigger holes and lots of energy.

As mentioned, my CCW guns are a combo of these factors. My three main carry guns are a Springfield TRP 1911 in .45, a Walther PPS in 9mm and a Ruger LCP in .380. Each is a combo of those factors and serves a particular function based on their conceal ability.

The 1911 works well in the winter, the LCP is deep cover, steamy summer pocket gun. The PPS falls in the middle. There are of course trade offs between all three, but a gun with you is better than a gun left at home.
 
The biggest magazine that has a grip that fits my hand.
The most rugged I could afford.
Stainless/polymer.
A visible hammer and decocker only mechanism.
It's a Ruger KP95DC-fits all the above perfectly.
 
I carry a Glock 26 daily; bought one for my daughter and one of my sons. The reason anybody would carry a Glock should be amply obvious to anybody who knows much about handguns and s.d.!!! :cool:
 
First I have a few brands I have little use for.. Some based on personal experience and some based on 2x4 ness of the product and current general lack of reliability.

So out of the large number of remaining brands I look at the following.
1. Overall quality - does it feel like a product that took time to make, does it have some level of refinement beyond basic. (Are sharp edges rounded, is it well thought out?)
2. Reliability
3. Caliber
4. Capacity
5. Trigger
6. Sights
7. Safetys
8. Concealability
9. I prefer steel over plastic, but I do have a time and place for both.
 
1) Reliability: The gun must go bang when I need it to. Utterly non-negotiable.
2) Concealability: The gun that will I carry is a better choice than one that I won't.
3) Cartridge: If I'm ever forced to shoot a BG, I'd prefer a bigger hole to a smaller one. This must be balanced against capacity, of course.
 
I carry a Ruger Vaquero or Ruger Blackhawk.

1) Familiar. I chose a gun and action that I have used and hunted with for many years.
2) Ability to shoot left handed. I have nerve and muscle damage to my left hand making a DA trigger unuseable. And autos stove pipe. I do not have the dexterity to properly grip the gun.
3) Reliability. I wanted a reliable handgun capable of dispatching any vermin up to coyotes and two legged wolves.

I dress around my CCW. It is surprising how big a gun can disappear with a good holster and belt.

It weighs enough to soak recoil.

I always figured if it was too heavy, I probably need to drop a few pounds.
 
When I got my plastic, I knew that most of my carry, given the weather in central Texas, would be pocket in cargo shorts ... I wanted a gun that would fit comfortably in a pocket with a Nemesis holster, would be in a reasonable SD caliber and would be accurate and reliable ... I bought a Kahr PM9 and I have never regretted it ... the gun has been perfect since new, is extremely accurate at SD distances assuming I'm doing my part, and has never needed anything more than a cleaning to continue its sterling record of reliability .. can't recommend it highly enough ... I occasionally carry something else; a Kimber UCII when it's cold enough to wear something over a t-shirt, a Smith 637 j-frame or even an NAA Pug ... but 90% of the time, the Kahr is with me and I never feel undergunned ...
 
Size,weight, and caliber.
When I got my CHL, I started carrying a LCP,but lately find myself dropping a snub nose in my front pocket.Usually it's a S&W Model 37,but sometimes it's a model 637, or model 60. All of them are loaded with Hornaday Critical Defense rounds
Yesterday I was out in the yard fast drawing from a pocket holster, and never had the hammer catch on my clothing.Maybe it's because I've owned a lot of single action revolvers,and I'm used to putting my thumb over the hammer when I draw.All six of my snub nose revolvers have hammers.
 
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