CCW Firearm Recomendations

[cpmiller22]

Hi all-

I'm going on Tuesday to pickup my ccw. Currently I have an sw99 which will be the first gun listed on my ccw. I would like to pick up a more compact gun that will be more convenient for carrying. I would like something that I can carry iwb, but that is also small enough to carry in pocket if I want to. I was looking at the Sig p238, but thought I'd ask for other suggestions here before I make a purchase. I'd also like to stick to something that is listed on the roster to be extra safe, so no sse recommendations please.

Thanks in advance!

[Jimmybacon43]

I would recommend Glock 26 but that's a little big for pocket carry.

[coolie]

Don't fool a round with mouse guns. .45 acp is the only way to go. If you don't carry .45, you're wrong. Just my opinion. .357 in a 125 gr jhp would be my 2nd choice.

[5ZS]

On the roster:
S&W Shield 9mm
Kahr have a few options.
Ruger LCR (Revolver) .38SP

[PutTogether]

I'm just going to throw out that a gun being on the roster doesn't make it any more safe than a gun not on the roster.

I doubt there is a major gun manufacturer making unsafe handguns at the moment. I would bet my house against the fact that S&W, Ruger, Colt, Les Baer, and others are sending their cream of the crop 'safe' guns to California while ditching all their dangerous ones onto the unsuspecting residents of other states.

If you don't want to deal with the hassle of the roster - so be it, I don't really blame you. Just please don't all into their trap of thinking the roster comprises any kind of real 'safe' gun list.

[kjv146]

Shield (smallest handgun ever shot that is also very comfortable to shoot)

Kahr pm9/cm9 or p380/cw380 (pm9 and p380 are on the roster, cm9 and cw380 are not. the cm and cw are basically the same handgun as the other two, just with a less fancy slide, and a rifled barrel vs polygonal)

[Pa Deuce]

For a deep-cover, CCW pocket pistol, the Seecamp LWS-32 is top-notch. It is one of the smallest guns on the CA Roster.

[SDM44]

For a true 'pocket pistol' (unless you have large pockets and/or you wear some really baggy jeans or shorts), you're mostly going to find that the .380 and smaller caliber pistols conceal the best in your pocket. Sure you can pocket a Shield or Kahr PM9 or LCR or S&W 642/442 or even a wide Glock 26, but for the most part they're much larger in the pocket than most .380 pistols. Maybe a Diamondback DB9 will pocket well since I played around with one of those, but reliability has been hit or miss with them and it's not on the roster.

This is just from my own personal experience with also using a Glock 42, Sig P238, Kahr P380, and a Ruger LCP - which I think the LCP is the most comfortable to pocket carry. However, only the Kahr and Sig are on the roster.

[manywelps]

I'd also like to stick to something that is listed on the roster to be extra safe, so no sse recommendations please.

One of the kahr microcompacts perhaps? MK9/PM9?

[thestork]

The Kahr P380 is great for the pocket at about 10 oz without mag. Light enough to forget you're carrying it. Small caliber, but great small pistol.

Note: Needs a lot of initial rounds (200+) fired through it during the break in process. Is quite choosy on ammo, but online info is plentiful on what works and what doesn't.

[Jimmybacon43]

Don't fool a round with mouse guns. .45 acp is the only way to go. If you don't carry .45, you're wrong. Just my opinion. .357 in a 125 gr jhp would be my 2nd choice.

Lol are you being serious right now? I thought you were kidding at first....

Regardless I will not turn this thread into a caliber debate.

[EatsEverything]

FYI, if you're buying a 9mm Shield, you'll need to do it by Sunday, or you won't be able to take possession before it falls off the roster.

[44fred]

I'm thinking the OP didn't mean safe as in a safer gun, rather meaning to be on the safe side for listing on his CCW. We have heard of others CCW guns being rejected by the issuing authority because they were SSE'd.
If I were to have to buy today, the Kahr small 9mm's would be it. Am using a S&W 340PD currently. Only 12oz and 5 shots of .357 or .38+p.

[Oldmandan]

I would like something that I can carry iwb, but that is also small enough to carry in pocket if I want to.

so no sse recommendations please.

Kahr P380 & Sig238... That's it...

Maybe.... PM9 if you have big pockets

You are really limiting yourself with the Non-SSE decision.

[MA5177]

Kahr PM9, its all I really carry. Light, compact and plenty of firepower.