CCW Firearm Recomendations

[deadcoyote]

I use a Glock 23ish pistol for IWB and a SW 642 for pocket carry. I like the 642, goes in a pocket easy and I just prefer the .38 special to a .380 when it comes to mini handgun chamberings.

[rfanalyzer]

Two comments:
1. I highly recommend the shield. Just shot mine for the first time yesterday and it exceeded expectations. Love it. However, I was really impressed with the size of the Ruger LCP. Remarkably small if you can locate one for ppt. A friend has one that fits in something that appears to be a back pocket wallet.
2. I agree with Sharp Shooter about the availability of the shield. I read an article when S&W announced their intent to let all M&Ps fall off the roster. They stated that it did not apply to the shield. I suspect because the CA version just became available this year and they want to collect on it first.

[thedonger]

I think you need to think about how you dress daily. You need options for days where you can't cover a Full Size 1911 because of the way you need to dress...

We can only list 3 so I have listed a Compact, Sub Compact and a Pocket gun.

The pocket gun is far better than nothing and is very easy to carry front or back pocket, just make sure you know how and have practiced to get it out if you need it.

[thedonger]

Oh and while we are on SIZE:

XDs and Shield are almost exactly the same size

Kahr PM9 and the like are a little smaller

Sig P983 is smaller

Sig P238 is smaller still

LCP is very very small (But the trigger sucks IMO)

P3AT is the smallest semiauto I have handled

[redrex]

Just got approved for my ccw myself. I'm 6'2", so I do have bigger pockets but here is where I'm at.

Light: KelTec P3aT, Pocket carry. This is the little 380 that Ruger knocked off. Neither this nor the ruger are on roster but you can often find them in the classifieds. I found mine at a gun shop in the used section. $250.

Medium: Kahr CW9, Pockets or IWB.

Heavy: Kahr CW45, IWB.

To see where I'm coming from here are the other pistols: I own/owned are
Currently own:
RIA 1911's (2, one full size tactical and one commander, 5 stars on these)
XD 4" 9mm (serviceable but I'm not smitten with it)
Rugger Mark II 22. (Trainer)
Keltec P3at (.380, I love this take anywhere gun)
Kahr CW9 (great gun for the money. and I don't buy into that poly barrel marketing so I'm fine with standard rifling)
Kahr CW45 (good build, can't beat the price, harsh to shoot. Get a sleeve for the grips or file them down)
Bersa Thunder (.380, Walther knock off that is one of the best buys for the buck, wife loves it)


Sold:
RIA (Standard GI. Sold to upgrade to tactical. )
FNP 9mm. (Sold to standardize on striker fire ((XD)). Best shooting, handling, made gun I've every owned. Everything about the FN says no frills business only, I miss her so much!)
Secamp 32 (Gorgeous, almost Art Deco look. So heavy you need a belt and suspenders)
Ruger LC9 (Great gun, not a single problem. Sold it as I was living in SF at the time and thought I'd never get my ccw)

As to the kahr 380. It looks great and I'd love to standardize on it. But the last time I looked it was over $700. That was last year, maybe prices have come down. Wait, do they do that?

[MisplacedTexan]

OP, I understand the concerns about trying to comply w/ Kalifornia's roster list. I wouldn't worry too much on the SSE purchase.

There are many people (myself included) that have listed an of-roster handgun w/o any questions. If OC keeps it's present stance on shall issue, by the time my renewal comes around - I'll list three off roster guns - where I only have one now (Sig P938)

Just qualify with it - trainers aren't interested in checking each gun against the ever changing roster (how are they going to know when you got or HOW you got a gun - that's not their job).

You get your training cert, it's cross referenced w/ DOJ to make sure it's registered to you (this is the how you got the gun part) and you submit that training cert to agency - boom, it's on permit..... at least here in the OC - other counties I can't speak for. If interested check to see if there is a county specific thread that can give you more info on how your county handles SSE.

[Glock19_PL]

If you're looking for a small compact light pistol. These 3 I found to be good for EDC. Good Luck on your search!

You may want to look into:

1. Springfield XDS 9mm or .45
2. S&W M&P Shield 9mm or .40
3. Kahr CM or PM 9mm

[Euphoria526]

I'd also check out
Czp01
And a cz75 RAMI.
Otherwise check the xds' SIGS and shields.
Haven't felt the khars so I can't say, but people seem to love em.

[geoint]

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

Here I corrected it.

S&W Shield 9mm
Glock 26/27
Ruger LCR (Revolver) .38SP


The Shield is a little big for a pocket gun, the glock is way too big for a pocket gun. The LCR would do ok as a pocket gun.

[phase1]

m&p shield

[9M62]

The decision as to which firearm to carry concealed, as well as your planned method of use - your "cut off" as far as when you decide to pull it, and the responsibility that comes with both decisions is extremely complicated and personal. I have "unpopular" opinions on it, but I will do my best to make an unbelievably personal decision somewhat logical and break it down.

The first thing you need to ask yourself:

Do you intend on carrying for defensive purposes, offensive purposes, or both?

This matters, a lot. A person carrying so they can walk to their car every night and get home safely is entirely different than a person who intends on involving themselves in a dangerous situation -- like an active shooter situation. As such, the firearm you choose for each of the situations is vastly different.

Next, you need to ask yourself: What do you wear? What are you willing to wear to conceal the firearm?

This obviously decides size, but not as much as you'd think. It really defines thickness of the firearm and grip length, not so much barrel length as you can always carry IWB and have a full size firearm concealed properly. The grip length is where you print and show.

Next ask yourself: What can you honestly train with? What do you shoot well?

It does you no good to buy the latest and greatest firearm if you don't shoot that caliber well, don't have access to the ammo or the means to pay for it and train with it. Nothing at all.

Personally? I carry to be both defensive and offensive. I have my personal comfort levels as far as being defensive with a firearm and when it will come out if I am attacked or threatened in a sufficient manner. However, I also carry to be offensive if needed. If I am in the mall and I hear an active shooter, I choose to carry a firearm that I can engage a person with at a reasonable distance and still stop the threat.

Those two requirements alone pretty much eliminate almost any .380 on the market, most super small lower priced .40's and 9mm's, etc.

In the end I carried a GLOCK 23 for almost a decade, and recently switched to a Kimber SOLO 9mm, as it allows me the accuracy of the 23 -- albeit with less firepower -- in a much smaller package and more flexibility.

Your answers to the above questions will differ -- and there is no right answer, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. The choice as to when you put your life on the line in an attempt to protect others is entirely personal, and yours. Not mine, not his, not hers. Yours. As such, think about it long and hard and make a decision that is logical and CORRECT -- not necessarily what's the "easiest." I have friends that carry small .380's for defensive purposes only and others that carry full-size 1911's.

Carrying a concealed firearm is a huge responsibility, and the choice of which to carry should not be as trivial as to decide based on what the Internet says, or some Handgun magazine. It very well may end up being the most important decision you've ever made in your life -- or the last one you've ever made. Think about it.

[36Ford]

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.

For stopping power carry a M2HB (short barrel of course), sure you may print a little but no one will want to get near you.


Sorry I couldn't help myself..

.

[Mr. Denton]

CCW Firearm Recomendations

I have my LC9 with me at all times. No problem concealing it even in light summer cloths.
I have my xd45 in my car at all times if I ever need to throw bigger rocks.
Remember, a CCW is for "concealed carry" only. Carrying a double stack mag gun is hard to conceal. Carrying a full length mag is hard to conceal. The last thing you want is for some libtard seeing what looks like a gun on you, calling the police and you get to be treated like a felon and possibly charged with brandishing.
Stopping power is one thing, but loosing your CCW and having nothing is worse. Carry smart and whatever you do carry, practice practice practice. Shot placement is #1 follow up shot is just as important.
Also train in weapon retention. Last thing you want to do is be shot by your own gun.
8 years of concealed carry has taught me a lot.


Blown Gas Flats to Rope...
In loving memory of
Chris "Church Mouse" Blevens