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.