CC guns. What do you recommend?

[JAMMER55]

I'm in the market for an everyday cc.  Looking at small semi-autos like Ruger LCP, glock 26/27, Kahr...  What caliber to go with, 9mm, .40 s&w, .380?  What do you guys recommend?

[ICEMAN]

Apparently a 9mm will not kill anybody dead enough (say a few folks...)  .... but that is what I carry anyway, 9mm Keltec PF9. Pocket size 9.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Oh.. A 9 will kill. But the action of double tapping wasn't ever standard procedure until the 9 was accepted. Now if ya think about it... Why's that?  Never a need to double tap when shooting a 45! I don't like the 40. (I don't like the 7mag, but I like the ole' fashioned 30-06) There's nothing wrong with a 38spl revolver. Technically less potent than a nine, but shoots a much heavier bullet than the 9. 380 isn't big enough for me to carry. I carry a 45acp or a Ruger SP101 snubby in 357mag.  (Possible SS Officers ACP (1911) for sale)

-Steve

[CAMPMEAT]

Model 23 Glock 40 caliber. I think most cops are turning to 40's. It's a baby 10mm.

[FC]

LoL Steve, I have a full size .40 that I carry, a S&W 638 Airweight .38Spl +p and a kel tec P3AT (.380). That little .380 is a pretty cool little gun, very light and easy to hide.

 As far as double taps go? Anything worth shooting once is worth shooting a few times , I practice double-taps and failure drills with all of my handguns.

To each his own, Jammer you should definitely have a look at the P3AT as well as the PF9 but get out and shoot a few mouse guns first just to make sure you can use them effectively.

[high country]

for my every day every time carry I have a smith bodyguard auto in 380. some guys don't like the safety and prefer the ruger....but remember......you do not have to use the safety, then it is esentiallty the same as the ruger with a built in lazer. all the combat drills I have done tought me to shoot center of mass and evaluate, if two shots did not change things from any gun.......crainial occular time! so, I too carry a 45.....but I always can carry the bodyguard.....not so in a pair of swim trunks and no shirt with my 45.

[carpsniperg2]

My primary cary gun is a springfield xdm 40 and a very custom smith 357. Both offer high capacity and are guns i trust.
My secondary weapons is either a ultralite taurus 38spl or and bond arms snake slayer 45-410 with 410 oobuck. There are tons of choices. ALWAYS get what fits you best. If you shoot a handgun a lot then i would look at the bigger cals like 357-40-45 but if you are new to handguns there is nothing wrong with the 38cals for cc.

[Wanttohuntmore]

I don't know how people carry such large pistols.  I have an XD9 Sub, but never carry it except fishing or hiking.  For CC, it's the keltec 32... Not much power, but better than nothing.  I forget it's in my pocket....  a little over 6oz.

[Rick]

Ruger LCR or Smith 442/642.

13.5oz and will fit right in your front pocket.

[Gutpile]

I have a Smith 642 for in town carry.

[Wacenturion]

I have a 5 inch Kimber .45 that I carry.  Inside waist custom holsters for the most part.  Not that uncomfortable in my mind, but then again I'm 6' 2" and large framed.  The right holsters do make a difference. 

[Tony 270]

I have the G19. Reason for it, it is light, comfortable, fits my hand very well, is easy to shoot. As for the 9mm, ammo is cheap, it is fun, accurate, and should I ever need to actually use it - it will get the job done. Hopefully that never happens though.

From the holster I always practice a double-tap. If you want some more power use the +P stuff.

This site gives good info about calibers, ammo and one-shot stopping success rates
http://www.internetarmory.com/handgunammo.htm

[Straight Shooter]

Apparently a 9mm will not kill anybody dead enough (say a few folks...)  .... but that is what I carry anyway, 9mm Keltec PF9. Pocket size 9.

Another vote for the Keltec... I carry the P11 model.  I also have an XD40 but, I don't consider it a year-round CCW.

[bearhunter59]

just picked me up the Ruger LCP about two weeks ago from Sportsco, when it was on sale.  I like it because I'm a small/medium build and have fairly small hands, in relation to most guys, and the LCP is just the right size.  And it is so small and flat, I can carry it my front pocket and it doesn't look like anything more than a cellphone.

[Heredoggydoggy]

My CC gun choice changes with the seasons;  Summer, jeans and t-shirt, it's a Ruger LCP.  Fall, vest or light jacket, it's a Kahr P-40 with Crimson Trace laser inside-the pants holster.  Winter, heavy coat, I now carry an FNX-9 in a Blackhawk CQB holster.  Love that FNX-9!
I also have XD-40 and XD-45 Sub-compacts, but I consider them too bulky for a person my size to carry concealed.
You can argue the advantages vs. disadvantages of the various calibers all day, but the bottom line is, getting shot with ANY cartridge will be a life changing experience for anybody.  Carry what you are comfortable, confident, and proficient with.

[Copperwood]

Smith and Wesson Lady smith 357. The best for conceal in my opinion

[mebco09]

Can't beat a Ruger SP101, .357 mag.  If you don't like recoil or you are a woman, you could load .38s.

[deerbandit]

I have been carrying a Glock 27 for at least 15 years.  I broke the pinky and ring finger on my right hand many years before I bought the gun, and they never healed correctly.  As a result I use the glock 22 and 23 mags in the 27.  I know you can buy the little add ons for the mags to fill in the open space but I found that the area fits my two crooked fingers perfectly.  The gun is great and I have no fear that the gun will not stop any threat.  Good luck.

[wadu1]

Springfield Companion .45, no double tap, I also hace a CZ-75B in 9MM with a .22 conversion I carry for grouse. I'm an old Army guy who was trained with a 1911 and will continue to use them because they are the best. 

[Angus]

Can't beat a Ruger SP101, .357 mag.  If you don't like recoil or you are a woman, you could load .38s.

I almost bought the same gun but really wanted a 6 shooter, went with the SP in .327mag., great gun, great round

[mjbskwim]

Well the 40S&W is probably the best round out there.Most police forces switched to that from the 9,with some going to the 45ACP

First thing to do is go to a gun range that rents handguns and see what YOU shoot best.
Because it all comes down to shot placement
A454 casull is a man/elk bear/anything stopper....if you can hold it on target and aren't afraid of the recoil

A 22LR doesn't seem like a good round (and I wouldn't recommend it either) but if you can put all 10 rounds in the 10 ring at 20yards,I guess you can stop a man too.

So YOU need to try out as many guns as possible to see what fits YOU best.

There are plenty of great guns that will do the job.Glock.Karh.Springfield XD (my son loves this) and 1911s,Ruger WHEELGUNS (personally I wouldn't buy their autos),KIMBER,Sig,H&K and some Smiths

I just sold my 45s and I am going to a high cap 40s&w.I don't really carry very often but a compact or a sub compact seems to carry the best,with the subcompact having more recoil.
I'll probably get another Glock 23.You can find them at good prices,the extras a re everywhere,spare mags are cheap,easy to shoot.
I will look at the XD in 40 also.My son has been shooting since around 3 and loves his XD(he's 28) If I find a great deal on a Sig or H&K,I'll jump on it.

Now the real business.If you are just starting to carry,the first thing you need to do is be sure you can kill someone.If you can't,they will take the gun and kill you.
I know I said this in the other thread,but it needs to be said again.

Be safe and good luck

[wildmanoutdoors]

I carry a SP101 stubby, H and K USP 40 compact or a Glock 26.

[Jamieb]

I shot and liked a S&W j-frame hamerless revolver in 38speacial yesterday.
I think the model is a bodygaurd.
Cabelas has J-frame in thier add, $50. rebate until the end of the month.

[mjbskwim]

$50 rebate from Cabella's makes the gun almost as cheap as a normal shop

Is Larry's guns still down there in Olympia?They should have some good prices

[raekmike]

Larry retired,
It's called Cascade Arms Company now..
Service and prices are as good as they ever were.
Friendly and knowledgeable..
Bought 2 rifles there so far.
I may go other places to look at guns and handle them and things for selection, but when it's time to buy something that's where I take my 

[mjbskwim]

I knew he retired,but didn't know they changed the name.

I got a Python there a while back and they were great to work with.
Glad to see they did survive.

[Elk-aholic]

The Glock 19 has all the features to make it an ideal carry pistol. Slim, lightweight, Hi-capacity and awesome reliability. I carry a 19 in a Galco IWB holster its a fine carry weapon.

[dad98684]

kahr cw 45. thin light and relyable

[724wd]

i carry a Diamondback .380.  some have had issue with them, but mine has been great. 

i had a Kahr CW 40 that carried awesome, but i couldn't hit a darned thing with it!  also carried a P-64 in 9mm Mak but being all steel, it was a bit much for pocket carry. 

[Mossy]

Can't beat a Ruger SP101, .357 mag.  If you don't like recoil or you are a woman, you could load .38s.

Loving mine!

[wapiti hunter2]

I'm old fashion.  I carry a S&W Model 39 9mm for everyday.  I have loved this gun for 30 years.  When I'm really going somewhere riskey (south Tacoma or the like)  I carry its big brother, the S&W 5906 in 9mm with a 15 shot mag.

[ADAMS]

I carry a Glock 27.  Great gun but frankly a little too large and bulky for my liking.

I would recommend looking into the Rohrbach R9.

http://www.rohrbaughfirearms.com

[Alchase]

Carry what you own, meaning if you have a Kimber special .45 then carry that, if you have a XD then carry that. Obviously a slimmer package (single stack) will usually be easier to conceal. I myself carry a XD .40, 4 in, a little larger then some like but it conceals just fine. Some people can't carry at say 2:30 -3:00 position and some can. Some prefere 4:00 - 5:00 position, or a pocket gun.
Research carry options, IWB or OWB verses open carry. Either way it takes a little getting use to not thinking that everyone around you knows you are carrying. In reality enthusiast will notice sometimes but the average person is usually clueless. So then ask yourself what you can afford, what size and caliber you want. Once you figure that out......dress accordingly, lol

[Alchase]

For caliber, my favorite is the 10mm. The problem with the 10mm is cost of ammo is close to twice what the .40 ammo cost is. If you take a good look at a ballistics chart the difference between 10mm, .45, .40, 41, sig 357, there is not a whole lot of difference between them. Anyone who says a 9mm, won't kill is foolish. Find a range in your area that will allow you to rent guns and try as many as you can until you find one that you are comfortable with.

[FC]

Either way it takes a little getting use to not thinking that everyone around you knows you are carrying. In reality enthusiast will notice sometimes but the average person is usually clueless.

That is the hardest part there but in reality most people won't notice even if you are open carrying.

[Alchase]

LOL, true

[thinkingman]

Apparently a 9mm will not kill anybody dead enough (say a few folks...)  .... but that is what I carry anyway, 9mm Keltec PF9. Pocket size 9.

Yeah, I read the same stuff....Kahr PM9 wherever I need to be concealed.
I would not buy a dbl stack for cc.

[hoosier85]

Just talking about this the other day at work. The best thing to do is find one that fits your hand like a glove. Get the clerk to put it in the holster and strap it to the part of your body were you want to carry it. think of getting in and out of the car and truck and everyday movement, all that good stuff. Then if it passes those tests then draw to your midsection (third eye) then push your hands straight out. when you make the push go slow the first time to get the feel and speed it up. if you can keep your eyes on the sight when you push and feel comfortable then that makes picking easier. Half the people that get rid of there handguns I would say is because they held it for 10 mins at a gun store and liked it then bought it. Or becase they want to go to a larger round. There is nothing wrong with a 9mm. if you dont like the normal size rounds for it then get the 147 gr. hollow points or the other man killers. Sorry if I sound a little salty about this but my organization had the beretta 9mm as the standard issue forever. Now we have the sig 40s. Not many people like them. The reason is because with the 9mm we could get more rounds off faster and she was more accurate and forgiving. If you find yourself in a pinch and you have to draw, the guy who can fire faster more accurate is going to come out on top. I love the 45  but in the smaller barrels that you find for CC that barrels spends more time above the target then center mass. I know people wont agree with some of this but we are all different and have different preferences. oh and my personal preference is the xdm 9mm. All you have to do is point and click. hope this gets the ball rolling.

[Alchase]

The best thing to do is find one that fits your hand like a glove.

I agree, I would also go so far to say that is more important then caliber. My hand just prefers a double stack. Not everyone is like that. Even with two different manufactures like Glock and Springfield of double stacks there is a big difference in the feel. Find one that fits you, then pick a caliber that you can shoot consistently well.


then research which holsters are good at concealing that weapon. You will find that a few holster types keep coming up out of the thousands out there.

[littletoes]

Regardless of what anyone says, any gun is better than no gun in a bad situation.


Whats the old saying? A .22 in the hands of an expert is better than a .45 in the hands of the inexperienced/unwilling.

consider it like this; Any gun purchase-you win.

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

Talking with a co worker about what hand gun to buy and he recomended a 40. During the ammo crunch he couldn't find 9mm rounds but he found a ton of 40 ammo.

[JAMMER55]

Hey guys thanks for all the replies.  This has helped me a ton

[jsteplee]

So it probably sounds too big, but I carry my Glock 17.  It's great in the Pacific NW because only in the real heat of summer do you really need to worry too much about it being too big, at least when not wearing dress clothes.  Recently I picked up a Kel-Tec P3AT for carry during the summer and when I'm dressed for the office.  It's hard to carry the Glock in business casual.  Like someone else said, carry what you have.  Now I can carry almost 100% of the time.

[Kain]

Apparently a 9mm will not kill anybody dead enough (say a few folks...)  .... but that is what I carry anyway, 9mm Keltec PF9. Pocket size 9.

Is this gun a good choice for my wife?  I really want to get her a CC gun for when Im not around but have concerns about number of rounds the small revolvers have.  This gun seems to fits all my concerns including the price tag except I am concerned that such a light weight gun in 9mm is going to be to snappy for her.

[FC]

Is this gun a good choice for my wife? 

A definite try before you buy IMO, see if you can rent one somewhere for her.

[Kain]

Is this gun a good choice for my wife? 

A definite try before you buy IMO, see if you can rent one somewhere for her.

Anyone know of rental shop around Portland/Vancouver area?

[FC]

Most of the ranges around Seattle have rentals I believe, Sam's in Everett does as well. Call around and make sure they actually have the exact gun you want to shoot too.

[YoungBuck]

Glock 22 4th  Gen

[dad98684]

Is this gun a good choice for my wife? 

A definite try before you buy IMO, see if you can rent one somewhere for her.

Anyone know of rental shop around Portland/Vancouver area?

i think these guys can  http://www.theplacetoshoot.com/TPTS/Welcome.html