Best Gun To Carry

[crandallbrent]

I will be 21 in Oct and have been looking at guns for probably a year now, but more seriously now as it wont be long before I can buy. I'm looking for a gun that will be the best for me to carry after I get my CCW permit.
Where I'm at right now is the XD-Subcompact, or a Sig 229. Ive shot both, and I was much better with the Sig, although that could be because virtually my first
50 rounds through a high powered a pistol were with the XD and several hundred rounds later I was shooting the Sig, which could account for the accuracy difference. Though it could be because the person I was shooting the sig with suggested I use the tip of my finger as I was starting to do with the sig what I had done with the XD and that is shoot in the Bottom Right quadrant of the target. My 50 rounds through the XD were all grouped in the area of the page, so I was consistent, just off. My concern is that the XD has the safety in the Center of the trigger, which hinders the tip of the finger technique. So in the end, im looking for a gun I can conceal easily, but that I can shoot strait with. Im not limiting myself to these two guns, but after looking at many options these are two of the top. Not sure how coherent that was but I welcome the opinions of people who are more experienced than i am, i.e., anyone who has put more than 500 rounds through a pistol.

 

[fletcher]

Make sure you choose one that is reliable, you can handle well, afford to practice with (ammo $), and can conceal it well. A full-size gun won't do you any good if you don't end up carrying it because of size. If you can conceal it, all the better.

Both of the guns you currently mention seem to be good choices.

 

[Jiml3]

I have a Sig P229 and it is a great gun, but it is thick and heavy for concealed carry year round. Take a look at a CZ PCR. It has an alloy frame and decocker.
It is lighter, and holds 12 in the mag plus one in the barrel in 9mm. and is considerably cheaper and easier to conceal.

 

[Breakdaddy]

I agree, try to get something you can conceal well and will carry consistently. I have the XD9SC and it rules, but I carry my Kahr PM9 a lot more, because it's simple to just drop it in my pocket and roll out.

 

[prolanman]

You may want to take a look at the HK P2000. I have both the P229 and the HK P2000 and find the HK easier to conceal due to it being thiner than the P229.

 

[Alphazulu6]

All of those firearms listed above are great choices. If you want to know I carry a Kel-Tec P3AT for times that I cannot wear heavier or concealing clothing (then I use a Glock 23). Try it out but understand that its not just the size of the firearm that will be cumbersome but the weight as well... heavy firearms even when smaller do not conceal very well as they pull your dress clothing down or swing when walking.

Kel-Tec P3AT (.380): 5.2" long, 11oz loaded only and .78" Wide!!

Kahr PM series (9mm, .40, .45) 6.57" long, 24oz loaded and only .96" -1.1" Wide depending on the caliber!!

Other firearms you may want to take a peek is Bersa, and H&K series, Walther and possibly Ruger. S&W 642 and their titanium/scandium airlight and featherlight series are nothing to snuff at. Though they are not high capacity they do offer "5-for-sure" and I think its a good idea even though I do not personally subscribe to them. Anyway its a very difficult decision as unfortunately Kimber 1911s and Wilson Combats are unreasonable to conceal during everyday activities most of us have to perform in our lives.

Hope this helps. Good Luck!

 

[1BLINDREF]

If you liked the P229, look at a P239. Its got a single stack magazine so the grip is smaller and the barrel is a little shorter which makes it easier to conceal, but they shoot just as well as the P229s. They are heavy enough to absorb the recoil of .40S&Ws and the 9mms are simple to shoot. The controls are the same as the P229 as well.
What ever you decide to buy, make sure you try it before you buy it.
Good luck with your choice!

 

[md7]

OWB carry with a cover garment is what i prefer, and do it as often as i am able. A Sig 229, CZ PCR, or the Glock 19/23 are all good for that. I prefer the G 23, and am becoming quite a fan of the CZ PCR because it feels great, is slimmer than the glock, and doesn't weigh alot. But for everyday, go any where carry, the Smith Wesson 642 is a tough act to follow. light weight, and carries easliy in the front pocket. no experience with the xd's. And welocme to THR!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

crandallbrent,
First, welcome to this forum. I'm sure you will learn as much as I'm learning from all the knowledgeable people here.

Like said above, make sure you buy a gun that you are willing to carry all the time. A defensive handgun does you no good if you leave it at home.

If you like the Sig and shoot it well buy it as long as you are willing to carry it always. I’m a revolver guy myself and I carry a J frame but Sig has a great reputation for reliability so you won't go wrong with Sig. I guess the .40 S&W is as good as other SD rounds but the ammo might be a little on the high side. Remember, you need to practice a lot to shoot well and you have to practice to keep your skills so ammo price is important.

You might want to consider going with a pistol in .45 ACP. There is surplus ammo available in that caliber which will save you money. Also, the .45 is time tested as a good SD round. (not that the .40 Cal. is bad)

Bottom line, buy something which feels good in your hand and you can shoot well. There is no substitute for a well placed shot.

Enjoy shooting and be safe!!

 

[D-Man]

^ If you say that .40 ammo cost might be a little bit on the high side, I'm not sure why you would recommend a .45. What .45 surplus ammo are you getting that costs less than .40?

A couple of good points have already been made regarding picking something that you can conceal, as well as one that you'll be able to afford to feed. The whole process is a major balancing act with all the other factors (gun feel, manual of arms preference, etc.), and it may take some time to try out a bunch of things and see what you like.

Just take your time, check out the various forums for help, and most of all handle and if possible shoot a wide array of guns. You never know - in a months' time you might be looking at completely different options than you are now.

 

[10-Ring]

First off, welcome to THR!
I will chime in since I meet the minimum std -- I have shot more than 500 rounds through a handgun
Honestly, it will come down to a platform you are willling to dedictate the time & practice necessary to become proficient with it. Me, I would recommend either the USPc 9, P2000 or the G19 and a good basic class so you can apply good technique while you learn to properly use your firearm
Good luck!

 

[PCRit]

Highly recommend the PCR. It's very accurate, reliable, and great for the range or carry. The Sig is good too, though heavier and more costly.

 

[Kawasabi]

I like the G27 and the HKP2000SK.

 

[stormspotter]

Best carry gun

You will get a dozen answers from a dozen people.

Find one that feels good in the hand and points naturally, then practice, practice, parctice.......

To me the Glock feels more natural than a 1911, but for someone else it will be the other way around.

No one can tell you what will work for you. You and you alone must make that decision.

 

[FieroCDSP]

I have to mention the S&W M&P series compacts. There are currently isolated issues with mag-drops, but Smith is on it and I'd imagine will have it sorted out by October. They're a fine shooting firearm, and have ergos that swayed me away from the Glocks. There are so many designs out on the market now, really the only thing you can do is blow almost as much on rentals finding one as you'd pay for one. Welcome to THR, BTW.

 

[trueblue1776]

Best gun to carry?

How far do I have to walk with it?

 

[crandallbrent]

I thought I might get a reply or so in a day or two, so imagine my surprise when I got about a dozen replies after I got back from work! Thanks for everyones input, Ill take some time and go over them. I havnt considered some of these guns, other i have. So thanks again for the replies, Ill keep reading....and shooting.

 

[Mortech]

Normally I carry a M&P40 in an IWB kydex holster but during the really hot part of summer my S&W 3913 rules .

 

[biggiesmalls]

i don't own a kahr and i have never owned one ever. but i've handled many and in my opinion if you want to carry concealed, especially IWB, you owe it to yourself to at least check them out.

there are things about the XD that i like, such as the loaded chamber indicator and the exposed pin. but mostly i like the grip angle and i think it is superior to the glocks. but that's personal preference too. i'm actually deadly accurate with a subcompact xd up to 25 yards. that's what i carry some times. but most of the time i just carry a bulgarian makarov with a tanfoglio pocket pistol. the sig229 is a great gun and it IS a compact, but i've always found it to be on the "fat" side and definitely harder to conceal. maybe its just the hogue grip i had on mine back when i owned one...

 

[saltydog452]

It depends on lots of stuff...

There is no 'best', just what suits you and your situtations.

Other than a mouse gun, the most discrete carry gun that I am aware of is a J frame Smith or Colt's DS/Cobra platrorm.

Other choices may/may not suit your needs, but the 2" 'belly gun' has a lot of attraction for balancing the requirements of accessability and effectiveness.

Clothing, climate, and carry options figure into the decision making process aslo.

Quality pocket holsters w/Dockers, the Kramer t-shirt carry, or Birami Hip-Grips make the belly gun 38 Spcl pretty dang accessable even if you're sitting at a traffic light. Well, maybe not the pocket holsxter when seated. But maybe you get the idea that the 38 is a versatile platform and made even more so by carry options that suit your needs.

That said, a Commander is usually closer to hand than than my revolvers.

When deep summer finally gets to my part of Texas and I don't need scuba gear to get out of my driveway, the revolvers will, most likely, see more carry time.

salty.

 

[Polish_Pounder]

I don't dress around the gun, so I go with an IWB. At 6'0" 165#, bulky I ain't. I carry a full-size 1911 (45 oz. loaded, but flat as a pancake). At 4 o'clock it hides like a dream under even a tight t-shirt (25 degree cant). All of the guns you mentioned are thick and blocky, which makes for hard concealment. If you like the DAO autos, take a long look at the Kahr P9.

-Polish

 

[Ford]

Best gun to carry,
Well for me thats the Kahr PM9 in a Fist Ultra thin Kydex holster.

1911 is easily my favorite platform, and I like a .45 better than the 9mm.
In the end though about all I carry anymore is my Kahr. Its just so thin and light and It doesnt bother me at all if I carry it all day.

I found myself sometimes not wanting to put on the 1911 if I where just going to run out for a quick errand. (My favorite ccw 1911 btw is my Kimber Compact CDP in a Versa Max II.) WIth the Kahr though because of its weight and one of my FIST Holster has a clip I can even carry it If Im not wearing a belt IWB.

 

[spankaveli]

The best gun to carry is the one you shoot the best with.

 

[ajoker31]

I agree the best carry gun is the one you shoot well and "will carry". Too many folks get a full sized gun for carry and stop straping it on because it becomes too cumbersome. If your new to CCW I'd just recommend you start out with a pistol that has more than just a trigger safety.

joker

 

[Wayne G.]

I've found that service-size pistols conceal quite well with a good belt and good hoslter. I prefer IWB which further aids concealment. Good holster and gunbelt will be well worth the investment.