Carry recomendations

[marlin357]

I am looking at purchasing my first handgun and want something that would be a good fit for carrying concealed if/when I eventually get a CCW. I'm not a big guy, just 5'5", 165lbs with a 34" waist. I want to make sure whatever it is has good knockdown power and can easily be concealed on my person.

I was considering a Glock .40 or .45, but after reading some stuff about the frames breaking, I'm reconsidering that idea. I've rented a Glock 17 before and I really liked it. I like the 1911, but I'd like to hear what everyone has to say about carrying one concealed, especially on someone of my size. I do like revolvers, but would prefer an auto loader for purposes of this discussion.

Thanks and looking forward to your input!

[samsigsauer]

I like HK or Sigs, but you have to decide what fits you....My suggestion is for you to rent out some guns or even borrow from some fellow friends and try them out....

I do carry sigs and HKs and SW revolver (642)...You have to determine what caliber you are comfortable with and what is your limit for purchase.

I have carried Glocks, Walther PPKs and P99, 1911 Kimbers/Springfields, to revolvers.
Ultimately it is what you are comfortable with....

[dok]

The best gun is the one you have with you.A baby glock or an alloy snubbie has been my companion for 20 years because I found it the easiest to carry,summer is harder than winter.I found full sized rigs like my 228 heavy , hard to conceal and easy to leave at home. Just my opinion.

[Knomad]

Unless you expect to carry in the woods a lot where critter encounters are possible, I'd vote for 9mm for a carry gun. There's little difference in stopping power among modern JHP designs, and any handgun is a compromise; I've come to feel that 9mm outweighs the other choices for most purposes because it takes less training to become proficient at accurate quick follow up shots, and because the lower cost of ammo encourages more frequent training. That said, 40 or 45 are valid options if you're willing to train enough to become proficient with them and don't mind the extra cost.

What you're able to conceal depends on your build, on the way you normally dress, and on the situations you would normally carry in. The right belt and holster are at least as important as the gun, maybe more so. I can hide a full size gun with ease in the woods with an untucked shirt or a jacket, but because I work in an office most of the time I carry a HK P2000sk in 9mm because it disappears under almost anything on my 5'10" and 170lb frame.

My strategy is this: In town I carry the HK mentioned above, or sometimes a Glock 19 gen 2. In the woods I carry a HK USPc 45, which is about the largest gun that I can easily conceal, and sometimes in winter I also use it in town just for variety. I used a M&P45 for woods carry for a long time, but found it to be a little uncomfortable after a long day.

It's important to find a gun that you shoot well and that you have confidence in, that matters more than brand or anything else. I'd stick with known reliable guns for any potential self-defense use, and then I'd put several hundred rounds through the gun to make sure that specific one is reliable.

My 1911 experience is old, they're amazing range guns and they're slim enough to conceal well, but I find them heavy (typically 40 oz) for everyday carry, and a 1911 needs to be set up the right way to be reliable. I've long since moved on to polymer.

Trigger is another important consideration. I prefer the HK LEM trigger which is a consistent pull two-stage design, a long light take up then a slightly heavier break. I also like striker fired designs, and in either case I go without a safety, I've come to prefer externally "clean" guns with minimal distractions. Other people like a safety, and some prefer SA-only cocked-and-locked, and that's equally valid. I personally don't care for DA/SA designs, while others swear by them. Each is very different though, so think through which you prefer because that may narrow your gun choice.

Full size guns (G17, M&P9, P30, etc.) can be concealed but it takes a little effort. Compact guns (G19, P2000, etc.) are generally fairly easy to conceal and if I could only have one gun I'd go in this size category because they can double as concealment and duty pistols. Subcompacts (G26, P2000sk, M&P9c, etc.) are good for deep concealment but they have some limitations for shooting at distance or at speed, and in a subcompact I would for sure not consider anything bigger than 9mm, just too hard to control for most people.

I went through an early interval of strong brand preference, and eventually moved through that. Now I strive to be able to shoot competently with any of the top brands in my preferred trigger types, and am perfectly content grabbing a HK, a Glock, or a M&P out of the safe depending on what I plan to do that day, or just for variety. I've also stopped collecting more guns, and instead am putting more emphasis on training... the first two-day pistol class resulted in more gains than a year at the range.

[SacTown]

Don't discount 9mm or Glocks based on what you've "heard". A Glock 19 or 26 is a very reliable and good firearm for concealed carry. There are many other good options as well as the M&P line and XD line. If you prefer the 1911 manual of arms but don't want the size, Sig makes a quality 9mm and .380. I believe they are the Sig 938 (9mm) and Sig 238 (.380). Both that I have used seemed very reliable.

[Blackhorse2010]

I'm 5'9", 155 and can carry my full-size 1911 IWB (5:00) without any issues.
Like others have said, the best pistol to carry is one that is reliable, one that you can shoot, and one that you actually carry.
I had an XD-M .40, but the double stack was a lot harder to conceal.

[wp50]

I have a kahr p9 and I like it a lot. Single stack magazine makes it thinner.

[Whatisthis?]

Glock frames breaking? Is this a new issue I'm unaware of?

[not-fishing]

I'd carry a Kahr k40-elite. Smooth trigger pull, no safety and the caliber starts with a 4. Besides I'm partial to Brunettes.



The added bonus is Kahr is leaving New York.

[CK_32]

Try a 23 or 30.

[Sam]

...good knockdown power and can easily be concealed on my person...

Read this well:

http://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?4337-Service-Caliber-Handgun-Duty-and-Self-Defense-Ammo

[G21Shooter]

Frame breakage is NOT a problem with .45 caliber Glocks.

I would take a good look at the Glock 30 sub compact .45.

[kentactic]

Get a baby glock in the caliber of your choice. My recomendation is 9mm. If your like me you like a tshirt and jeans. The slightly longer grip of the midsize glocks is significant when concealing. I'm 6'1 250lbs and when I bend the right way the grip pushes out my shirt and prints.

[FUBAR]

G19 or G30. Personally, I am now looking at a M&P45C for my next purchase.

[m57]

I'm 5'11'' 155lbs w/31 waist. Started with a G26, but with my build, even that started feeling thick. I was beginning to feel the pain of something pressing against my back. Wound up with Kahr 9mm pistols, and I think they are my best bet.

Like wp50 said, they are thin, and that's what making them the most comfortable. Add to that, they are quality guns with great triggers.

Take a good look at the Kahr CW9. They are fine CCW pistols, and they're on sale at Turner's this week for under $370. Seems like a no-brainer to me for a first one, for your intended purpose.