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

I carry one of the following in custom IWB holsters I had made for each of them:

Sig P228 - 9mm

HK USPc - .40 S&W

Colt 1911 - .45 ACP

Here you go ... you answer your own question.

And yes, I do have sources for the good ammo

From Jordi, I do believe and agreee

If I expected to be going up against body armor, I would be bringing rifles and friends with rifles

As most of you know by now, I'm a pretty hard core "revolver guy". Several of you have already mentioned various .38 Special snubbies; my primary carry piece is similar, but in .44 Special. It's an old Charter Arms Bulldog Pug.

I believe revolvers to be far more reliable and useful under heavy stress than any auto, especially for a casual shooter. Not mechanically reliable, as they function as well as any revolver, but "reliable" in the sense of being usable under heavy stress. There is just too much to do on an auto, even if it is only releasing a safety. The extra capacity of an auto is pretty much useless in a civilian self defense situation - history has borne this out. Hell, Sgt. York took out a German machine gun nest and I'm not sure he even emptied the first mag on his 1911. Don't worry about capacity - "only" five rounds in a little snubbie is more than you will ever need to defend yourself.

agree on this. ..........5rds is fine for self defense. its all SHOT PLACEMENT!

lil mouse guns...........aim for head.

big guns aim anywhere!

i over the years have made a lil game of watching people re: CCW and how many PRINT THEMSELVES! the biggest dead giveaway is a goofy assed fanny pack turned frontwards. the next biggest give away are full size anythings. the next give away are ill fitting ankle holsters.

crap holsters combined with dress combined with improper locating are a dead giveaway. i have even commented to people much to their surprise and embarassment "what cha carrying/packing" and really got their attention as to HOW OBVIOUS IT WAS!

i dont want anyjuan knowing im carrying ever. i have watched people freak carrying open. what they dont know is wayyyyyy better and honestly its none of their damn bizzness.

the chances of getting jacked are very very slim if you keep your eyes on yer surroundings. nobody here in their right mind wants to get in a gunfight EVER! i sure as hell dont. bullets HURT..........ALOT! buttttttttttttttt................crime despite FBI reports of going down in certain areas continues. desperate times = desperate people.

phx. is on track this year to eclipse last years bank robbery numbers! OH BOY thats sumthang to be proud of???? bank robberies/carjackings/armed robberies/kidnappings are known for people getting dead.


what makes the paper has to be pretty bizzarre now a days to make 10pm news. yesterday we had another home invasion. they seem to be the fashionable/popular crime here these days. be it drugs/guns/money/illegal aliens/turf wars etc. it still goes in in some very different zip codes. ie. they are not all in the bad side of town.

keep your eyes open and watch your surroundings at all times is the best advice and go with your gut feeling. the other morning at 430am i had to get cash from an ATM on the way to the combat wombat range shooting match. do ya think i was carrying???? HELL YES! i was putting myself in a possible bad situation and i was prepared.

ATM's/convienance stores/liquor stores/quickie cash stores/gas stations etc. are all possible bad situations including underground parking lots,mall parking lots. anywhere bad guys think they have an opportunity for a quick cash advance, should be suspect in your mind at all times.

I do have a CCW (I live in a different county) and the air weight was my choice too. I got a seven shot 22 mag. No recoil to speak of compared to a center fire....and 22 Mag will open a big hole.

I certainly prefer having my "mouse gun", to nothing.

What I want to know...where are the 0.50 cal recoiless semi-auto pistols, that "Harrison" always talked about? Those were supposed to be the "mouse" guns, compared to the 0.75 cal recoiless semi-auto pistols that most people carried.

I typically carry a .40 Cal Glock mid sized frame model 23 with night sights. The reason for the glock is that I like the polymer frame because its light and the finish on the slide holds up well with little to no maintenance. Also you have double action on the first round and night sights. My second choice is usally a tie between my 2 inch snub 357 Mag or a Sringfield 1911 .45 ACP The main two drawbacks to my 1911 is weight and single action. You CAN get a double action 1911 in a Para model LDA. Third choice or backup is usually a S&W light weight .38 Spl Snub. The .38 makes a great carry piece, it doesnt weigh anything and its double action.

If you're anticipating going against men in class IIIA vests wtf would you ever use a pistol for?

Precisely.

Sgt York had a semi-automatic...

;)

I live in a state that believes I only have the right to self defense within my home, and only when already threatened with deadly force.

Why do you subject yourself and your family to that? Further, why do you contribute to said state's tax base?

Move.

Mostly because I do not anticipate anything but rather plan for it. Also carrying my Class III SBR HK51 does not seem a very popular Conceal Carry choice.

Someone ask for ideas and opinions about Conceal Carry, I give mine. Probably our backgrounds are different, some day over a couple of beer I can tell you about mine, or you can ask Rick Lee or red-beard .. they have some of my background.

Otherwise ... snow tires.

Or you could shoot me a PM if you wanted to. ;)

The problem with the 5.7 to me is what it does when there is no vest present as opposed to a 9mm (or larger) JHP.

I would anticipate a much smaller, less destructive wound.

I've shot Jordi's 5.7. It's a cool gun, just not my cup of tea, as the ammo is expensive and hard to find.

BTW, didn't H&K just come out with a smaller round, something in the 4.6 range?

I have two guns in .357SIG and that's about as exotic a caliber as I want. Its ballistics are also probably overkill for CCW and it ain't cheap to buy. But it is a super round.

That applies to 9mm now days! SmileWavy

5.7 is expensive even when it's not hard to find. 9mm will eventually come back down to Earth.

BTW, the first time I met Jordi, it was in the low 30's outside and I was wearing very full, layered riding gear on a motorcycle. I looked like the Michelin Man, so a 5.7 would have been perfect for penetrating such an outfit. I often carried a .357SIG when I lived on the east coast during cold weather because any potential assailant was likely wearing thick, layered clothing. I don't have to worry about that around here too much, but you need some penetration power in cold weather times and areas.

But he didn't empty it. Even once. Coulda used a New Service and accomplished the same feat.:p

My point is that he didn't get confused as to his 1911's operation. ;)

I think what you say is possible- to get confused in the heat of battle- but i think the people most likely to have that happen to them are the people with a myriad of different weapons in their arsenal.

As Jeff cooper says, "Beware the man with just one firearm, for he probably knows how to use it."

I've carried the same S&W 9mm semi-auto for over a decade. I assure you, i won't forget how it works if the time comes. ;)

Loaded with my round of choice, the 115gr Cor-Bon 9mm+P+, it's the equivelant of packing a 16 shot .357 magnum.

I think owning a wide array of dissimilar weaponry is probably not that great an idea.

I have no problem with your .44 special revolver either though. Seems like a solid choice as long as there are only a few badguys.

It seems that a quite a few of you guys are carrying a concealed weapon. I was wondering what made you decide to get a CCW or just carry without one....that is assuming you're not in law enforcement. Are you armed ALL the time? Do you live in or spend time in rough neighborhoods? Do you often find yourself in threatening situations? Have you ever been personally assaulted? Have you ever drawn your weapon in self defense? Have you ever had to actually shoot someone on the street?

Let me say here that I am ex-military and have used many different weapons, ranging from hand guns to shoulder-fired anti-tank rockets. I don't carry a concealed weapon myself but I'm not anti-gun and stand by our 2nd amendment rights. Just curious...that's all.