Conceal Carry suggestions

[BooKilla]

.45 acp is my round of choice for carry. It is a round that was actually designed to drop blood pressure the fastest. I am huge fan of the classic design of the 1911. Can't beat a pistol that was the standard sidearm in two world wars and hasn't changed its design since it inception. I carry the Kimber pro carry II. It has a 4 inch bull barrel and pro match trigger stock. They are expensive, but worth every penny....its your life you're protecting!

[strap]

I love my hk compact in 357 sig..


strap

[FJ60Cam]

Another vote for a commander-sized 1911 (I have the Pro Carry as well). With a set of slim grips, it's as thin or thinner than most of the 9mms out there.

The Kahr's are nice, too...

[jonb96150]

I have a S&W airweight bodyguard in .38; this is my hands down recomendation for a carry gun. It will go bang every time you pull the trigger. No magazine springs to flatten out, giving you only the one shot in the chamber. No safeties to worry about. When you want it to fire you just pull the trigger. Can also be cocked and fire single action if needed, the shrouded hammer will not snag on anything. And it is very light.

As has been mentioned many times, the only gun that will save your life is the one you are actually carrying. There are lots of big, bad pistols. I own/have owned many. But if your pistol is too big to carry comfortably ALL THE TIME then the chances of you having it on your person when you need it are slim.

I for one am not comfortable carrying a large framed pistol in the summer dressed in shorts, tee-shirt and flip-flops, no matter how short the barrell is. The airweight bodyguard fits perfect in the pocket of baggy shorts and no-one is the wiser.

Would I rather be carrying my 357sig if I had to defend myself? Without a doubt. Do I ever carry the sig 229 in urban areas, NO! It is too big for me to be comfortable carrying, so I don't carry it. It's not going to save my life sitting at home. But the .38 that so many people make fun of, may actually save my life because I will have it on me.

[Bikerso]

Having been required to carry a Glock pretty much 24/7 for several years—I do really like the guns; however they are like trying to conceal a brick. Its not so bad during the colder months, but during the summer—especially if you are not a larger person the gun is very hard to hide---which usually means wearing a fanny pack. As they say there are two type of men that wear fanny packs---law enforcement or gay guys.

[Landpimp]

smart man!

Originally Posted by jonb96150

I have a S&W airweight bodyguard in .38; this is my hands down recomendation for a carry gun. It will go bang every time you pull the trigger. No magazine springs to flatten out, giving you only the one shot in the chamber. No safeties to worry about. When you want it to fire you just pull the trigger. Can also be cocked and fire single action if needed, the shrouded hammer will not snag on anything. And it is very light.

As has been mentioned many times, the only gun that will save your life is the one you are actually carrying. There are lots of big, bad pistols. I own/have owned many. But if your pistol is too big to carry comfortably ALL THE TIME then the chances of you having it on your person when you need it are slim.

I for one am not comfortable carrying a large framed pistol in the summer dressed in shorts, tee-shirt and flip-flops, no matter how short the barrell is. The airweight bodyguard fits perfect in the pocket of baggy shorts and no-one is the wiser.

Would I rather be carrying my 357sig if I had to defend myself? Without a doubt. Do I ever carry the sig 229 in urban areas, NO! It is too big for me to be comfortable carrying, so I don't carry it. It's not going to save my life sitting at home. But the .38 that so many people make fun of, may actually save my life because I will have it on me.

[Bikerso]

This is a good idea!
[quote=offroad_nomad;2999341]Go to a local range that rents handguns and rent several. You've received many good suggestions, however you need to handle and shoot several types before buying. Without practical experience, you may end up buying the wrong one.]

And furthermore:
It is not only a great idea to go try out several guns, but more importantly if you are going to carry a gun for self protection you need to mental prepare yourself to take another humans life. Lots of people talk big about carrying a gun and willing to use it—however when the time comes and you pull that gun---any hesitation will cost you your life. If you are not prepared to use the gun than you are much better off not even carrying one. Almost all instances where a gun is involved in a robbery of some sort there are no shots fired---now if you point a gun at a robber you are upping your instances that they will use their weapon on you. If you plan to carry go to the range and practice till the gun becomes an extension of your arm and then mentally prepare yourself.

[werd]

I have a Glock G27, .40 cal, sub-compact. Light, small and conceals very well. Should work well with the waistband holder. I don't you will tell your even carrying it.

If you don't have large hands, this gun is for you.

[TX80Fan]

My XD9 subcompact is very user-friendly, light, accurate & pretty sweet for concealment...

[Bigmoose]

Buy a gun that fits your hand, I have a larger hand and the Sig Sauer's P220 backstrap (heel of pistol) is great. Glocks are very well made weapons and it's fairly foul- proof. Also the caliber is very important, 40 S&W is a police round that is designed to stop an human , not a hunting rounds like some calibers. I live in the NorthEast, so a 45 ACP working great for me; because of the extra bullet weight, it will won't be slowed down by someone wearing heavy layered winter clothing. As a past Federal law enforcement firearms instructor,The first key is knowing how to safely handle a gun, the second is how to shoot it well. Goodluck Bigmoose

[Gundy]

I like the S&W J frames. Hard to beat a wheel gub when split seconds matter.
Double action... just pull the trigger and boom.

[lunyou]

well I just bought a CZ: 2075 Compact and it is very concealable. I can put it in my jacket pocket if I want to and It will also fit in its holster and in center console very well. I haven't purchased a good concealed carry holster yet due to my lack of a CCW permit so I will report back on it when I finally get that.

lunyou

[strap]

I love my HK comp in 357 sig plenty of power and I also pack a SW500 4" just to be safe



strap

[flintknapper]

Originally Posted by lunyou

well I just bought a CZ: 2075 Compact and it is very concealable. I can put it in my jacket pocket if I want to and It will also fit in its holster and in center console very well. I haven't purchased a good concealed carry holster yet due to my lack of a CCW permit so I will report back on it when I finally get that.

lunyou

I'd love to know how the CZ works out. Please report back when you have an opportunity to shoot it some.

I have heard only good things about them.

[Landpimp]

thats a heck of a BUG gun.......ankle carry

Originally Posted by strap

and I also pack a SW500 4" just to be safe



strap

[flintknapper]

Originally Posted by Landpimp

thats a heck of a BUG gun.......ankle carry

No kidding! If that's his Back Up Gun.....what is his primary?

[strap]

carry it on my waist holster. hk in shoulder holster and a M1A socom 2 in the car


strap

[RavenTai]

LandPimp how is that 340PD to shoot? is the recoil manageable in 357 at all? for reference I am reasonably recoil tolerant, 44mag and 500smith, but those are much heavier guns the mass soaks it up.

how are the groups?

Of the three you have pictured together 357 mag certainly has a leg up in stopping power for not much more in size or weight.

I have wanted one for a wile never have been able to get over the price tag

currently my only truly easy carry weapon is a NAA 22 mag.

[CJF]

Originally Posted by RavenTai

LandPimp how is that 340PD to shoot? is the recoil manageable in 357 at all? for reference I am reasonably recoil tolerant, 44mag and 500smith, but those are much heavier guns the mass soaks it up.

I shot one last weekend (with the .357 magnum loads). I liked it a lot!

For some reason the recoil of a revolver (big, small, heavy, light, whatever) always feels more natural and manageable to me than that of an auto. This gub was no exception. People love saying about it, "after you shoot a magnum round, you won't want to shoot another one", but for me it was like, "Gimme some more!"

how are the groups?

Well...

I'm sure Pimp has his dialed in: I had about three out of ten rounds on a paper plate at a little less than ten yards.

[RavenTai]

If you got out 10 rounds than it cannot be too bad,

Thanks!

[openoptions]

FWIW, once I got over the notion of a .45 hollow point aimed at my 4.5 soft point, a crotch holster has proven to be the most comfortable and easy-to-conceal type of carry I've tried. There are a few types, but the one I've used is SmartCarry ... Gun holsters concealed by SmartCarry concealed holsters

[Tvaldriz]

Glock 23, 40S&W. I shoot FMJ for reliability sake. I use an Anderson
Fanny pack which has a holster velcro setup.

Lightweight, no signature (outline). Check with your issuing agency
however. Some restrict gun choices and calibers. In my county,
no 1911's or single action weapons.

[CJF]

Originally Posted by Tvaldriz

In my county, no 1911's or single action weapons.

You're not kidding?? More Kali. trippiness.

Plus the fact that you're even carrying there makes me guess you have some relation to law enforcement.

Cheers,

Curtis
(Oregon)

[Tvaldriz]

Originally Posted by CJF

You're not kidding?? More Kali. trippiness.

Plus the fact that you're even carrying there makes me guess you have some relation to law enforcement.

Cheers,

Curtis
(Oregon)

Yes and yes. Varies from county to county and agency to agency.

[circle456]

I have never felt really comfortable carrying a Glock with a round in the chamber. I've had a concealed weapons permit (in California!) for 22 years. For that reason I practiced the IDF carry with the Glock. Adds about .3 second to firing. Also had a Series 70 (Colt .45 ACP) on my permit for several years.

That said, HK P7 PSP now on order from CDNN Sports. Good price, get 'em while you may. P7 is a little more in weight, but then hey, so am I.

[charleston]

springfield compact xd 9mm has a nice small body and shoots really well

[smkymntn]

I just got my Smartcarry holster for XD40 with 4" barrel- what a difference this design makes- The XD is not tiny and I feel pretty comfortable with it. I am not a big guy about 180lbs and so far with work clothes you cannot tell. seems like shorts should be fine also- requires occasional adjustment of the boys getting into and out of cars. Might be a good option for you glock guys.

[Landpimp]

with 357's......its pretty painfull after 5rds, but i can manage 20 or so before I have to head to the ER I carry mine with 38+P