another gun? what do you conceal carry and why
 

OK, I'm trying to learn as much as I can. Fortunately, I think you guys like (love) to talk about guns (except maybe folks from Canada and Oz ;) j/k guys)

So, what do you carry (concealed) why, how, what do you like about your gun. There are so many options. I'm not too worried about caliber, I figure most stuff comes in anything from 9mm to .45. I'm more interested in construction, ease of concealment, ease/comfort of use. I think I'd go for a full or compact model, not subcompact. Now I'm reading thinking about the action/safety style. It seems that there are several DAO guns out there. I'm sure I could get used to it, but I do prefer da/sa. Is there an advantage either way?

Anyway, that's why I'm asking for basic generic info about what you carry and why.

DAO is not as nice when target practicing, but necessary for very compact design. The SA trigger pull is shorter and keeps you on target more easily that having to stroke the trigger to cock the hammer then releasing it. DA/SA is a good IMO... I wouldn't worry about a decocker too much. After you own a pistol for a while you'll be able to decock it more comfortably with your finger. The decocker is just more parts. It may be just me but it doesn't inspire confidence in me to decock with a decocker. So a compact DA/SA may be what you want if you only have one pistol. I think a lot of guys have a deep conceal (subcompact) and a full size pistol at minimum.

Edit - Sort of Ans to the Q - My opinion on carry piece - lightest pistol that is most comfortable (not too small) in one's hand. Mouse guns are too small for my hands ( I don't want to be fumbling with it when I need it most), but could be a great 2nd or 3rd goto in an ankle holster. For IWB carry...I don't think it has to be so small that one has to be able to hide it in the front pocket of ones jeans. Light is the most critical factor IMO...if it's too heavy it won't be comfortable..and you'll most likely not carry it. Some may not seem heavy when handling it....but try walking around with it for a couple of hours straight and a 25 oz pistol may seem pretty heavy. of course with light comes compact...

Thanks, my wife is also wanting to get a CHL, so I'm sure we'll end up with 2 guns (3 or 4 seems more likely to me ;) )

Whatever I get, it seems like a good idea to have the action the same on all. Seems it would suck to try to kill the safety on a DAO, or forget the safety on a SA/DA.

Ease of concealment gets top priority from me. I see guys all the time with fresh chln's looking for the 'right' 9 or .45. The next time you see them they aren't carrying anything but the permit.
Then there's guys who've been carrying a .22 or .380 for twenty years and you'd never know it.
I'd say look at a Keltec or Ruger LCP.
Jim

Springfield XD 45, Colt 1911 or FN FiveSeven are my choices for Conceal Carry.

No special why on any or which one I will be carrying at any given time. Usually the Colt is my 'old-trusty-one' has been with me for long time and is part of the 'family'.

Yes, all 3 choices are BIG weapons and not easy to conceal in Las Vegas weather, but I am a big believer of the .45 caliber for self-defense, the FiveSeven caliber is also something not to mess with!!

Stop by your favorite gun range and rent as many guns as they let you, try all calibers, SA and DA and see which one do you like the best. There is no right or wrong with any choice. My only advice is to practice, practice, practice once you have made your choice.

If you come by Las Vegas we can go thru that 'exercise' together.

I carry a .38 SPL snubnose Smith & Wesson Model 442. This is one of the "Airweight" models, scandium (aluminium alloy) frame, five shot. Weighs about 14 oz empty (if memory serves). [correction - 15 oz] Internal hammer so DAO. Reason - very light, decent caliber (not great), rides well in a pants or jacket pocket (with a thin sleeve holster to cover the trigger), simple operation, not too expensive, and I like the reliability of revolvers. They make a model w/ titanium cylinder for even lighter weight [12 oz - but expensive], also models in .357 Magnum if you want more oomph. You can get one with a laser sight if you expect to do any sniping - I don't. You can also get one with a grip safety - Model 40 (steel) and 42 (aluminium), I think one or both have been re-issued by S&W. Downsides - only 5 shots, not that much fun to plink with.

If I hadn't bought the Model 442, I'd probably get a subcompact Glock in 9mm, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP. But they are substantially heavier than the Airweight snubby.

Here you go: 15.5 oz loaded with 7 9mm rounds. Less than 1" thick.

http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/pf9.htm

Rick will surely come on and say it's junk ;) , but for $265 retail and a little slide tuning and ramp polishing, the thing shoudn't have any reliability issues. DAO though...with the belt clip it disappears in the waist...can fit in the back pocket of jeans in a pocket holster without printing.

It has a kick though so your wife would probably not like it if she used it.

I have a S&W 442. It is a hammerless, snub nose .38. I can't say I would recommend it. Like all revolvers it is fat, and the fact that it does not have a hammer on the back drastically limits your hosltering options. I don't carry much, so I doubt I will upgrade, but I do have to pick my wardrobe carefully when I want to carry.

EDIT: I see JYL and I have rather different views of our gun!:D

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...eryAgentRT.jpg
S&W 5903/6906 custom hybrid 9mm. 5 magazines, total 76rds.
US Armor Class IIIA vest with class IV inserts.

The 5.7 is cool and certainly effective, but it's over-rated. (unless you happen to have a source for the good ammo, then it's a freakin beast)

I carry a Gvt. 1911 in a Slide holster, strong side with a sweat pad to protect the weapon, a loose t-shirt to break the angles and a hawaiian or camp shirt to complete the concealment. A lot of people frown on having a T-shirt and button up over the weapon, but I draw just as fast as anyone at my range with that set-up. It's a matter of repetition. I carry a full size 1911 because it's a tried and true design that has been getting the job done for nearly a century. Also, I can't hit the broadside of a freakin mountain with a Glock.

Sometimes I carry spare mags and a .32 Kel Tec as a BUG. I'm much more likely to have the Kel Tec than spare 1911 mags though. It's light, goes anywhere and gives you a different platform should your primary have a critical malfunction. A good knife shouldn't be underestimated either. Spyderco has great knives that can save your ass in a pinch ranging from $50-250ish depending on blade pattern and size. I have either my spyderco or my Reeve with me nearly every minute of the day, both have seen tons of abuse and held up incredibly well.

I have never had a CCW permit, but would probably go with the airweight, which I purchased for the very reason that it is so compact. Got it for my wife for our first Christmas after we got married. When she got the paper off it, her father recognized the S&W box immediately.

I held one of the titanium ones, so light it does not seem possible it is real.

I kinda view the caliber to be pretty stupid unless you expect to be shooting at guys with class IIIA ballistic vests on.

I have a IWB holster for the 442. It has a retention strap, which works fine. But I don't see the point of "holstering" the gun, since it fits in a pocket just fine. I agree, the cylinder is kind of fat if you do actually holster it.

.38 or .357 snubbie is awesome for the back pocket in a pair of jeans with a long tee-shirt on.

SW Mod. 60 - .38 cal. - 5 shot revolver with 2 inch barrel. Carry it only because I've had it 34 yrs, have at least 2,000 rounds of ammo given to me and it's easy to conceal. Boot holster.

Taurus 24/7 -45 caliber Fits in my front pocket with little showing and I can hide that .

My P239 in .40 is my main, small of the back and car carry gun.

http://www.fototime.com/689A06FDAC775B1/standard.jpg

When I don't care about being totally concealed (open carry is fine around here), I have my P220 Carry, seen below before I had it redone in reverse accents.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1248761871.jpg

Looks sort of like this now.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1248761888.jpg

Kinda bulky, but a lot of gun and very comfy and accurate.

Not to threadjack, but has anyone tried a Fist Kydex pocket holster?

http://www.fist-inc.com/holsters/k1/k5.htm

I still don't get the 5.7. Funny how I can buy an AR pistol and run steel-core 5.56x45 in it but, as a civvie, can't run a worthwhile round in a 5.7 "rifle". Don't get me wrong, I kinda like shooting the PS90 (and my friend's P90--what a hoot!) except the ejected brass always hits me right on the belt buckle.

At any rate. My favorite pocket gun (right now) is the Kahr MK9. Very, very smooth DAO trigger. Handles 9mm +P with aplomb. And it's heavy enough with the all-steel frame to not be too snappy for good follow-up shots.

Steve, you've already heard enough of my recommendations