What would you carry?

[lambert151]

I'm just a bit curious about what all of you might think is the best firearm for conealed carry. What do you use, or what would you use if you had your way?

I carry the Glock 23C. The size is small enough to be easy to conceal and still big enough to be intimidating when the time comes. The trigger safety eliminates the need to manipulate a slide or switch, just draw, aim and fire. The .40S&W round is sufficient to provide ample stopping power. Being compensated makes muzzle climb nonexistant allowing for minimal recovery time. Plus, there is Glock's proven track record of reliability.

For me, it is the perfect choice. I know many of you may disagree, or at least you have your own choice. I want to know what it is and why.

 

[InfernoMDM]

If its reliable, fits your hand, and can be concealed then its fair game.

That being said I have a WALTHER P99 not a S&W . Anyways yeah whatever works.

 

[NMshooter]

The compensation does not bother you?

I always got a headache after a few rounds with those pistols.

Other than that I used to own a G23, and it gave service for many years and thousands of rounds.

Now I have a G19.

 

[kirkcdl]

Depending on the weather,either my Para Carry,or my Makarov MOB.Hot weather(T-shirt and shorts),my Kel Tec .380 in a pocket holster...

 

[Standing Wolf]

I doubt there is such a thing as the best firearm for concealed carry even for one person.

Most of the time, I carry a pre-agreement Smith & Wesson model 60 .357 magnum. If I'm facing a couple hours not quite flat on my back in my dentist's chair, I'll pack my Walther PPK in .380 A.C.P. If I plan to walk much, I'll pack a Colt Python with a four-inch barrel. If I'm in an open carry mood, I'll pack my pre-agreement Smith & Wesson model 29 with three-inch barrel. Once in a great while, I pack a model 1911.

You've got more than one pair of socks, right?

 

[P95Carry]

You've got more than one pair of socks, right?

That is about it! Well for me. My choice is very clothing oriented ... summer, very light clothing - SP-101 or even R9 in pocket.

Right now, large thick shirt - easy cover ... my fairly recent SIG 226 ... the weight is no problem and I do prefer full size. Sometimes tho M82-2 is suitable, as is also a BHP. Just depends!

It will (IMO) invariably be the old faithful - ''what works for you'' .... meaning suiting life style, dress etc.

 

[GreenFurniture]

Over the years I've carried everything from a P32 to a '5 1911 and I find that through the various Sigs, Glocks and whatever the flavor of the month might be there can one be one real choice for my personal carry and that's the 1911 in all its glory, 5' barrel, cocked and locked.

 

[Kamicosmos]

Currently my primary carry is a spurless SP101 .357 Magnum. I also carry a CZ97B and sometimes my Beretta 96FS. But, the SP is the 95% of the time gun.

 

[sm]

I am still waiting for a holster for what I would prefer to carry - to be made available.

Nobody lists a leather IWB for a full wood stocked 870 with 18.5" bbl - Yet. When they do...

Until then I carry / have carried the same platforms for CCW forever. I do single actions - 1911s and BHPs. I do OLD S&Ws K frames and J frames and have added a OLD Colt Revolver - a 1928 Det Spl.

I "toted" a K frame as a kid, before permission papers came about. I carried 1911s as a teenager. I am a '55 model for reference.

I own one plastic gun - I won't own another...gonna get rid of the one I have. I don't do DA/ SA.

Oh yeah my holsters have always been Leather. They always will be.

This is what I prefer. I just happened to make my choices a l-o-n-g time ago...nice to be comfortable all these years and see fads come and go.

 

[lambert151]

Wow, thanks.

Okay folks, first let me thank you for replying to this thread. I really do appreciate it. Most of you have answered that you prefer different fire arms for different dress or circumstances. This does make sense and I understand the reasoning behind it. But let us assume, if we may, that you were only allowed to carry a single firearm regardless of dress; that your permit limited you to just a single weapon ( I think this might be the case for folks in the Wolverine state, and possibly a few others but I'm not sure) what would that one firearm be and why that one?

 

[Jim PHL]

I just told my dad today that I thought his Glock 27 was probably the best concealed carry weapon around for strictly a concealed carry self defense gun. That being said, I don't like Glocks a little and can't bring myself to buy one. When clothing allows belt carry it's a compact 1911 .45. When pocket carry is the rule of the day, a j-frame .38. (My guns are not "strictly" SD carry guns, I insist on liking mine!)

 

[trickyasafox]

kel-tec p11 with a s&w 5609 mag for 15+1 capacity and a belt clip. im a big person so concealing the larger mag isnt a prob. now they have those flush fitting 12' rounders that look nice. maybe when budget allows ill pick one up!

 

[P95Carry]

Lambert - well if clothing allowed then I would choose my SIG 226 - particularly with hi-cap mag. It shoot so good, is quick to draw and get on target, plus with CT grips, even better and more effective with my tired eyes.

After a bowling pin shoot this evening I wanted to test a cheap mag that had been faulty - but which I had tweaked. It was much improved and with the CT's, albeit at only about 15 feet range ... most all shots were inside a 2 or so inch marker circle. Shot relatively fast but not max speed. Was OK by me.

Yep - for now anyways ... the SIG probably has that place ... if one and only.!

 

[sm]

I'm a bit onery - I'm consistent tho'

Pick one :

Gov't Model of the 1911 , 7 rd mags. Like a 1911 is supposed to be.

OLD S&W blue 3" RB K frame. .357 stoked with either OTC Fiocchi 357E or Win STHP. Then again I really like some home brews I am aware of.

Just because you said "one" don't mean there won't be a BUG. Concealed means Concealed.

There ya go, got a choice of semi or wheel . You do your part - they will do theirs.

Besides I am working on becoming a Reprobate. I am up to Grasshopper 1st Class, this post "might" promote me. Private Joke

 

[Standing Wolf]

But let us assume, if we may, that you were only allowed to carry a single firearm regardless of dress; that your permit limited you to just a single weapon...

I'd move.

 

[GaryP]

I own many more Semi Autos than Revolvers, but for CCW Revolvers rule most of the time! My favorite CCW weapon is a Charter Arms 3" Bulldog .44 Spl in a Bianchi 5BHL stoked with Georgia Arms 200gr JHP's at 850 fps or MagSafe SWAT Loads!

 

[HiWayMan]

sm-
You may want to check out this rig for your 870 dreams.
www.andrewsleather.com
search for "Firepower" rig in shoulder holsters.


As to what I carry. On very rare occassions I will carry a BHP with a shortened detective slide. My always gun is a Taurus 651 .357 snub. It will ride in OWB, Mexican, on the ankle, or in the pocket. My newest piece is a S&W 625-10 .45 ACP. At this very moment Robert Mika of Mika's Pocket Holsters is making a holster for it. Even with an N-Frame cylinder it still dissappears in my BDU pocket. The 625-10 will ride in the right pocket and the 651 will be in an ankle holster from now on.

 

[PaleRyder]

I'm now carrying the Bersa .380 Thunder. I am extremely accurate with it.

 

[pete f]

I carry either a p 12 para ord LDA or a Commander pre series 70



sometimes both

 

[Augustwest]

When clothing allows it, Pre Series 70 Colt Gov't Model, because I'm more accurate with it than any other handgun I've fired.

Colt Detective Special when I'm nekkider.

 

[myrockfight]

I carry a (Series I) Kimber Custom Shop Ultra CDP in .45, of course. Extremely accurate and always 100% reliable. I always carry Remington Goldens sabers +P 185 grain JHP.
I use an IWB Uncle Mike's neoprene holster. It is not very fancy, but it is one of the slimmest and most comfortable holsters I've come across.

The Kimber is really nice because it is light. It is a little bulkier than some carry options, such as the Kahr (which I like a lot), but my confidence the .45
round and my personal comfortablility with the 1911 more than make up for it.

I'm from the "better to have and not need, than need and not have" camp

 

[mjb]

I have four carry guns to choose from:
S&W model 49 .38 spl
Colt Cobra .38 spl
Colt 1908 .380 hammerless
Colt .45acp Officers model

 

[sm]

Re: CCW a Shotgun.

I was being tacky.

As I shared with lambert151 , in private, handguns are - well - handguns.

There is no Holy Grail in any firearm, or ammo.

I just happen to have a lot of trigger time with shotguns and have been real pleased with the versatility of slugs...from Field Mice to Ford Trucks.

Hard as hell to find mutant ninja zombie bears for testing - let me tell ya...

I also shared with original poster how I feel a great of pair tennis shoes are ...being as I don't trust crystal balls in allowing me to know "where not to be and when".

Gun fit to shooter, in a platform , with reliable ammo, in the largest caliber that allows shooter quick accurate hits - My criteria.

I don't do PGO shotguns. I have had to teach the Armored Car folks, I have had to / or kept one hidden in a business...in a pinch and nothing else - yeah I would use whatever I had.

I have used trash cans, car antenna's, glass soda bottles...fire extinguishers...

Remember there are places that one cannot carry. Oh and leather soled shoes on freshly waxed floors makes running around a corner - difficult.

That is what wall mounted fire extinguishers are for.

 

[sgt127]

I carry any number of guns. Depending on how I'm dressed, where I'm going and how seriously I need to conceal the gun. From a Glock 35 to a Kahr PM9. A S&W 642 and Seecamp .32. If I had to pick one gun and one gun only. That would have to protect me from 2-4 legged predators. Up close robbery distance to someone is holding one of my kids hostage 15 yards away, camping and hiking, cold and hot...etc etc. I would go with a 3" K frame smith .357. My current favorite is a 66 F comp. Or a 3" 13...or 65. In my humble experience, the K frame has class. Its utterly reliable. Stone cold accurate. The .357 has never been accused of being a weak round. From full house 158 gr SP for most any dangerous critter I'm likely to come across, to 148 wadcutters to plink with. And, of course...S&W no longer makes them. Go figure.

 

[HiWayMan]

sm-
I had to chuckle when I posted that link. I agree that the PGO shotties are one step above worthless. However, concealing a coach gun isn't too much of a problem given "proper" clothing. I showed up at my club's last sporting clays shoot in a duster (it was early december) and a stetson and stepped to the line. The trapper asked where my gun was and I had to show him. Opened the coat and there hung my trusty coach gun on the saddle ring sling I made for it. I shot the rounds that day with that coach gun for grins. Turned in the lowest scores of my life, but it sure was fun.