What is the most formidable looking carry gun?

Any teenager gang-banger can get a hold of a Glock … But if we're not talking about the average street thug, I'd worry about the guy with the 1911, since (in my experience) 1911 owners/shooters tend to be a bit more dedicated to shooting their handguns with actual proficiency.

'Course, in the immortal words of the legendary band Lynard Skynard, "... and I'm telling ya son that it ain't no fun staring straight down a .44 …"

Innocent victims who have found themselves on the business end of an unlawfully-used handgun are a lot like fishermen; they'll all say, while holding their hands apart "it was THIS big!"

Pretty much all the ones that come to my mind have been covered, but I agree that a Commander-sized 1911 in .45ACP does a good job of covering the "intimidation" goal about as much as can be practically done by a "routine" carry gun. My Kahr CW45 does a pretty good job, too; its thin build makes the muzzle hole appear huge in comparison.

I like 1911's, but forum member S&Wfan's S&W Model 25-2 is one of my favorite's.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/big-bore-favorite-for-ccw.812687/page-2#post-10417162

Well of course they are all scary if pointed at you....

But I find 1911 the most intimidating. If they know what they are doing, it'll get the job done. If they don't, they might accidentally shoot you with that light SAO

I got shot with a snub nose .38 in an attempted robbery... They aren't the most intimidating to see on a shelf but it damn sure did the job so don't let looks fool you.

I recall reading that Elmer Keith (44 mag guy) said a 22 was small until it was pointed at you.

Trey Veston said:

Anyone carrying a Hi-Point and is now pointing it at me has made some very bad decisions in life and is likely about to make another.

Click to expand...

And now that you have seen his Hi Point he'll want to keep you quiet.

If I saw a Fitz Special Colt New Service in my enemy's hand I would flat out turn tail and run.

Anyone who carries one of those is a person not to be messed with even if they are unarmed.

All of them but especially the ones held sideways.

Any gun pointed at me would be a bad day, but especially these:

Any revolver with a cocked hammer

Any 1911/BHO/SAO autopistol cocked and safety off

Any gun where the idiot holding it has their booger hook on the bang lever!

i gotta go with the 1911 in 45 acp... But if any gun is pointed at you, they have the drop on you..... you are already in deep poop.

Whatever is in someone's hand.

At least I would die laughing hysterically.... this seems specifically geared toward the fanny pack crowd. I want to get a look at the team who brought the task forward on this... I would expect gumballs to come flying out of this thing.

bikerdoc said:

All of them but especially the ones held sideways.

Click to expand...

And being referred to as "Gats?"

I have had two handguns pointed at me and neither time did it alarm me. (cops) But one that really did get my feathers ruffled was when an old man and his grandson who were sitting under a tree across a field waiting on a deer to come out used his scope to glass me. I had already spotted him with my binocular and was watching him.

When he pointed his loaded deer rifle at me it made me madder than hell. I thought about walking across the field and giving him a few instructions on rifle etiquette. Instead I stood up and right or wrong made a big show of pointing my UNLOADED rifle at him. Then I found another area to sit and hunt.

But to me a big bore snubby looks pretty wicked.

alfsauve said:

I got to redo this picture with my 69, .44mag. But for now this is a 4" 625, .45ACP, that I use to have.

View attachment 839631

Click to expand...

Smile, wait for flash.....

Armored farmer said:

In your opinion, what is THE most formidable looking carry gun?
No wrong answers....but must be edc carry sized.
Semi auto, revolver, or other. Any caliber, any option.
What would you NOT want to see in your enemy's hand?

Click to expand...

I have THE answer.

In the movies when whoever is displaying an impressive pistol, the gun of choice is the Magnum Research Desert Eagle. I would recommend the one in 50 AE. In that gun, the 44 Magnum cartridge is too wimpy.

Yes, it is possible to cary one concealed if you're big enough and wearing a coat.

Mine:




Bob Wright

10x25 aka 10mm (edited)

Not great for carry, but a crossbow would be pretty bad too.

Since you said a real carry gun and not something like a 10" S&W 500 Magnum I'm going with a 1911 in .45 ACP. Looking down that barrel in a full size pistol is very intimidating. It's for real.

DeepSouth said:

But if you hit the first guy in the head from down the hall with a tomahawk they’ll KNOW they’ve got the wrong house.

Click to expand...

Yes, yes they will.

Personally I'm more worried about the addict so addicted to drugs that he or she will do just about anything to stay high. Or the violently insane. Or the criminal predator who's been killing or hurting people for the last 10 to 20 years than I am the vast majority of people who've made a life's work out of training with firearms.

Such people are generally pretty law abiding and I'm not very likely to have any conflict with them.

In short any person pointing a gun at me who's crazy, drugged or evil enough to use it on me for very little reason.

Nothing strikes the fear of God in someone like a 8 week old sleeping springer spaniel, carried in my man purse.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?attachments/attachment-jpg.715019/
snuggled in with this of course,
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?attachments/001-jpg.208172/

Chevelle SS said:

The 3" Model 69 Smith. 44 Magnum L Frame

Click to expand...

That's certainly very high on my list.
But I think I'd hate to see a 1911 in the hands of the wrong person.
Being a heavier gun, the follow-up shot will still be FAST & ACCURATE.
(Atleast it is in my hands )