Choosing Firearms for CCW

[mmonnier]

Other than sub compact glocks, what are some good firearms to carry. Im looking at the sig p238 and the colt mustang.

[drifter2be]

My current carry lineup are:

S&W Bodyguard 380 for pocket and work carry
Beretta Nano for summer carry
S&W M&P9c for winter carry.

Lots of good options. I personally try to stay away from .380 or smaller pistols unless it's all that I can carry comfortably...like when I'm at work.

Kahr CW9 would probably be a decent on-roster option for you.

[ap3572001]

Other than sub compact glocks, what are some good firearms to carry. Im looking at the sig p238 and the colt mustang.

My favorite off duty guns are : High quality single stack med size pistols in 9mm and 2-3 " S&W revolvers in 38/357

[dobek]

For me carry decision is:

1) what can I draw and hit accurately with
2) what is comfortable
3) what do I need to wear to conceal the gun (not what gun conceals best)

So - being I like full size 1911's - that's my primary - my secondary when I want something light is an M&P 40

Steve

[Blackhorse2010]

For me carry decision is:

1) what can I draw and hit accurately with
2) what is comfortable
3) what do I need to wear to conceal the gun (not what gun conceals best)

So - being I like full size 1911's - that's my primary - my secondary when I want something light is an M&P 40

Steve

^^^ This.
It's a very personal decision.
Although we may offer a thousand different ideas, everyone is different and has different requirements.

[Mojave Desert]

J-frames.

[dobek]

As an after thought -

whatever you pick - make it a primary practice weapon as well - I don't have to think about safety manipulation, mag seating, point of aim, recognizing a malfunction - -

All of these things are "natural" for me because I shoot 1911's (especially my carry gun) regularly...

If you have to "think" about your gun in an emergency - you are gonna have a problem - I know what it feels like to draw (hand placement) - I know where in my draw the safety is flipped off - I know where in my sight picture I can squeeze - I know what my trigger travel feels like - I know the normal sounds and feels, so out of normal will trigger a subconscience (hopefully) corrective action - all of these things become natural - but only with practice.

Steve

[Legasat]

Two that would be high on my list are the M&P Shield 9, and the Springfield XDS 9.

[deadhawg]

For me carry decision is:

1) what can I draw and hit accurately with
2) what is comfortable
3) what do I need to wear to conceal the gun (not what gun conceals best)

So - being I like full size 1911's - that's my primary - my secondary when I want something light is an M&P 40

Steve

+1000. You might be surprised at how well you can conceal a full size gun with a good holster and belt, and by belt I mean one designed and built to support the weight of a gun.

[nickel plate]

Other than sub compact glocks, what are some good firearms to carry. Im looking at the sig p238 and the colt mustang.

I have the Sig Sauer P238 (via SSE) as one of my EDCs but I'm not posting this as an endorsement but that you need to look into Sig's current warranty position on California off rostered Sig Sauer handguns. As of a few months ago they announced that they will no longer accept these handguns for warranty work. If you are unaware of the past operational track record of the P238, they have had a lot of issues with FTFs and FTEs, ie. jamming problems that will require warranty work. Mine was one of those but somehow I lucked out and had my warranty work done less than a month before the disappointing factory announcement. To be clear, this sad news doesn't apply to the Specific California version of the P238 with the built in Magazine disconnect and loaded chamber indicator which are now starting to trickle into the state.

[hossb7]

While he doesn't specify what gun you should carry, DocGKR offers good advice on this topic:

-- Cultivate a warrior mindset
-- Invest in competent, thorough initial training and then maintain skills with regular ongoing practice
-- Acquire a reliable and durable weapon system

If you have the option, carefully assess what your service pistol and handgun caliber needs are, based on potential engagement scenarios, objective measurements of skill including scores and times, and ancillary factors.

Whatever you choose, make sure you fire at least 500 and preferably 1000 failure free shots through your pistol prior to carrying it. If your pistol cannot fire at least 1000 consecutive shots without a malfunction, something is wrong and it is not suitable for duty/self-defense use.

[M. D. Van Norman]

If you have a get-out-of-jail-free card, carry whatever the hell you want.

[taperxz]

Kahr PM9

Kimber ultra carry 11.

easy breeezy

[Whatisthis?]

As others have said, it's a very personal choice. What are you regularly doing and wearing? What are your needs? How prepared do you wanna be (ie 6 rounds of .380 vs 10 rounds of 9mm)? Etc etc. It can go on and on.

I go with a Glock 26, M&P9c, I'm getting a M&P Shield 9. I'm going to have my Glock 20 as a car gun but if I wanted to conceal it, I could definitely do it in my normal clothes.

I opted to stay away from .380 and if I want something a little easier than most 9mm semis, I would look into J frames.

[1CavScout]

OWB when I am wearing enough clothing it's either a G27 or a G19. IWB I am currenlty carrying a Sig P230. I bought an XDs9 to replace the Sig, but it's at SA right now because of the recall. Whatever you decide, make sure it's comfortable enough that you actually carry it, and train with it. I don't like using a Glock for IWB because IMO they are too wide, and here in SoCal I am not always wearing enough clothing to OWB.