What are your primary considerations in gun selection for CCW?

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And a I don't how I how I missed this thread but I did.
I'm a carry reveler carry reveler and a 1911 kind of guy.
I carry Model 36 in my left hand hand politic and a Model 60 .357 SS on my right side hip.
If I have go 1 or the metro aero there I carry Springfield or my Ruger SS .45 1911 .
 
My thoughts:

1. Concealabilty is first. For my situation, if I don’t conceal it absolutely perfectly, it will cost me a lot of money if I freak my customers out.

2. Reliablity from both the gun and from myself. What I mean is that the gun has to reliably function, but I must also be able to reliably hit with it. To me they are of equal importance.

I think I will always have a hard time shooting 2 finger or 1 finger guns well if time stress is introduced to the drill.

So 1& 2 are very much at odds and I can’t say I’ve found my perfect ccw yet. Been making due with some imperfect choices.

3. Hedged against freak accidents. For me that means: Not require any manual safety to worry about. Must have good holsters available. I prefer a double action triggers for ccw. Must be from a quality manufacturer, and not cheaply made.
 
  1. Reliability - It's tough to shoot somebody in self-defense if you can't shoot.
  2. Accuracy - You can't defend yourself by shooting uninvolved bystanders. You CAN get sued.
  3. Stopping power - When "car and knife jihad" became a thing on this side of the pond, I went from a Glock 19 to a 3 1/2" M1911 loaded with 200gr. Gold Dots.
 
Well, "Mo powah to ya.":p

Ya couldn't pay me enough to carry a cocked and locked SA.

It's interesting, though, that no major military or LEA issues any SA as a primary carry weapon. Ya reckon there might be a reason for that?:uhoh:

I am for folks carrying what they can have the best chance of success with.

I happen to carry a striker fired, no thumb safety 9mm. But in my neighboring county, appx 17 miles outside a Major sized city, the LEA carry Kimber .45 C&L.

The reason more don’t? I have to believe due to lawyers illiterate in the world of firearms, leftist media, and perhaps governmental failings in providing training.

But just guessing.

Happy Holidays to all and Stay Safe!
 
Ya couldn't pay me enough to carry a cocked and locked SA.
That's fine but C&L carry has obviously been going on for a long time. If it was inherently unsafe, it would have been eliminated long ago. Accidents can happen, but I see nothing more dangerous about a cocked and locked 1911 in a suitable holster than an XD or XDm with a fully cocked striker in a similarly appropriate holster. But by all means, do what you are comfortable with. I'm not trying to convince you to change your carry habits.

It's interesting, though, that no major military or LEA issues any SA as a primary carry weapon. Ya reckon there might be a reason for that?
Yes, those reasons are cost of the guns, modularity, and politics.

Plastic is cheaper than steel. Plastic guns are easier to toss and replace. Modularity makes them more suited to multiple skill levels and shooter sizes. There's a host of reasons SA guns aren't chosen by LE or Military organizations. None of those reasons are really pertinent to the average citizen carrying a gun.
 
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Hammer-fired, DA/SA (I believe in the concept of "threat management" which means a nice, longer DA trigger pull, I've drawn on other humans far more often than I've fired).
Caliber: minimum 9mm
Capacity: at least 15 rounds
Barrel length: 3.5" to 4.25"
Good night sights (Trijicon, Meprolight, SIGLite)
Decent trigger (by my personal, entirely subjective standards)
Accuracy: rested 2.5" @ 25 yards standard
Weight: I could care less; a good belt and holster set-up lets this average guy conceal anything under the sun up to and including a Desert Eagle .50AE
 
Confidence in my Series 70 1911, and myself.
A different size firearm for carry, and capacity are of no consideration.
Usually a spare mag, but I'm happy carrying five in a Chief.
 
I would say reliability and mechanical accuracy are given in any modern, quality fire arm that I would even consider.

Beyond that:
Proven Track Record (nothing new and shiny for me)
No external Safety or internal lock.
.38SPC, .357 or 9mm (My level of comfort for both effectiveness and accuracy)
Easily concealable in my normal attire.
Shootability -Something I enjoy shooting and practicing.

Lastly, I look for a little "it" factor that makes me want to own and carry the gun. There are plenty of options that fit the above criteria, so I pick options that appeal to me.
 
1. Reliability/Safety: must feed a variety of ammo, but most particular my current flavor of SD ammo; SA/DA or DA for my everyday carry weapon.
2. Concealability: I have two different carry weapons for this reason: CZ PCR and LCP
3. Power/Capacity: what do I have at my disposal when things get interesting
4. Shootability/Accuracy: can I draw and shoot it well, most interactions accuracy isn't going to matter as most situations are bad breath distances, but in today's current situation there might be cause for a far shot on a terrorist/lone wolf type scenario
5. Cheap to practice: 9mm serves that purpose.
6. Good selection of SD cartridges: pretty much every caliber has good options
 
I would say reliability and mechanical accuracy are given in any modern, quality fire arm that I would even consider.

Beyond that:
Proven Track Record (nothing new and shiny for me)
No external Safety or internal lock.
.38SPC, .357 or 9mm (My level of comfort for both effectiveness and accuracy)
Easily concealable in my normal attire.
Shootability -Something I enjoy shooting and practicing.

Lastly, I look for a little "it" factor that makes me want to own and carry the gun. There are plenty of options that fit the above criteria, so I pick options that appeal to me.
Don't you have any range toys? How many small, easily concealable guns does one person need? Beyond that, to enjoy any of the magnums, one needs a gun with some size and weight to it.
 
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Don't you have any range toys? How many small, easily concealable guns does one person need? Beyond that, to enjoy any of the magnums, one needs a gun with some size and weigh to it.

For sure, I love shooting full size guns and "use" (thankfully not use them) for home defense and range fun. I was responding to my criteria for CCW considerations... Looking back at it though, most of that criteria still stands for my larger guns with the obvious exception of size :thumbup:
 
1. Reliability. It's got to go bang! every time you pull the trigger, or it's nothing but a funny-looking club.
2. Shootability. Given it went bang! it has to have a very hit probability.
3. Power. Given that it went bang! and I got a hit, did it do the job?
 
My carry gun is selected to have a similar manual of arms to whatever I am currently shooting a lot of in competition. When I was using an XD-40 Tactical in USPSA I was carrying an XD-40 Sub-Compact. When I switch to primarily a revolver for USPSA and IDPA competition my carry gun became a revolver also.
 
My first concealed pistol was a PF9 at the time it was the smallest 9mm. So I fell in love and bought it. I still use it when I need a gun to go with dress clothes. But overall it’s a horrible gun for beginners. The good thing in my case is that it’s helped me learn good technique, and by being able to shoot it well I can shoot my other guns well.

From that I went to an XDs 45. I wanted more “fire power” in not much size loss. I figured if I’m carrying about the same number of rounds why not carry ones that make bigger holes.

Now I’m seriously thinking of getting a S&W 9 compact. The thought is that for me most of the time size of the gun isn’t a big deal so going a little larger and having a lot more rounds is very appealing. This was brought about by the mobs blocking interstates and city streets. So I figure it’s best to have more that 6 or 12 rounds on hand. 15+1 and two 17 round spare mags should be enough to be ok in such an event.

So the thinking is number of rounds for when I’m out in the more populated areas. Small when I wear dress clothes. And of course reliability and how I shoot them are a give. So more practice with them all.
 
I have to make concealability a very high priority.
My daily uniform includes a tucked-in city-standard golf shirt and slacks.
Normal temperature is near one hundred degrees over most of the year.
This limits me to a small pocket carry autoloader.
I just try to carry the most reliable small autoloader that I can find.
 
Reliability--simple and self-explanatory. It has to go bang when you pull the trigger. No excuses. No apologies. It just has to work.
Shootability--more difficult to define, yet generally understood by most. This includes not only ergonomics but also sights, trigger, and overall feel of the gun. It has be big enough for me to get a full hand on and have enough sight radius for me to be able to hit something on purpose with it.
Capacity--no one ever got in a gunfight and wished they had less ammunition.
Availability/market acceptance--this includes not only magazines, holsters, and parts for the handgun, but also availability of decent defense ammo from a reputable SAAMI participating manufacture, so that if I end up using the thing I can point to a standard and say my ammunition meets it.
Concealability--not the highest concern on my list because I live in a gun friendly state where open carry is protected and concealed carry only requires a permit inside city limits. I am actually not a fan of "mouse guns" or pocket pistols because they compromise too much shootability for the sake of concealability. Right now I carry a Glock 20 strong-side OWB in Bianchi leather. It conceals well enough for my purposes under the denim patch jacket I wear.
 
Hammer-fired, DA/SA (I believe in the concept of "threat management" which means a nice, longer DA trigger pull, I've drawn on other humans far more often than I've fired).
Caliber: minimum 9mm
Capacity: at least 15 rounds
Barrel length: 3.5" to 4.25"
Good night sights (Trijicon, Meprolight, SIGLite)
Decent trigger (by my personal, entirely subjective standards)
Accuracy: rested 2.5" @ 25 yards standard
Weight: I could care less; a good belt and holster set-up lets this average guy conceal anything under the sun up to and including a Desert Eagle .50AE

I choose the gun and then modify my dress to conceal it. I'm in an open carry state so I added some large, very light weight vented fishing / outdoor shirts as conceal over garments.


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I have to make concealability a very high priority.
My daily uniform includes a tucked-in city-standard golf shirt and slacks.
Normal temperature is near one hundred degrees over most of the year.
This limits me to a small pocket carry autoloader.
I just try to carry the most reliable small autoloader that I can find.

Same here. Some folks dress around their guns, and I can dig that. I do that in the winter months when my attire is either a flannel shirt or jacket/coat. I can afford to tick off the boxes of stopping power, firepower, accuracy, etc. I would just as soon carry a SIG p320 over anything else I own just because of how nice it shoots for me. That said, my busy work months find me wearing nothing more than a polo and jeans. No dressing around anything. It goes in the pocket or it doesn't go at all.

So for most of the carry year my primary requirement is that it needs to be easily concealed. No ifs, ands, buts, or anything bigger than a mouse gun need apply. I made the move to start carrying a gun with a laser so that I can dump rapid fire from the hip if need be, but I always practice with iron sights. Combat ranges of 10-15 yards, I'm pretty good with a .380.
 
Hi...
For my primary carry gun I have two criteria...1911 and .45ACP. Mine is a full size Springfield Armory. My backup carry gun is Colt Combat Commander in .45ACP.

On the rare occasions, I carry something else it is either a Colt Trooper in .357Mag or a Taurus DA in .44Spl. I only carry them in cold weather in a pocket of a heavy coat when I make a quick trip to the local convenience store. Happens maybe once or twice a year.
 
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