Best Auto Pistol for CCW

[dbl tap]

The bigger 1911's, sigs and Glocks are great choices for the cooler states. Here in Florida the small .380 sigs and (Kel-tec's on a budget) are better choices. I know several people that get there ccw and go through holster after holster trying to find the comforatable and discrete way to carry and end up leaving it in the car for the thief to get. I have to clean my carry weapon monthly if I fire it or not.

[kings]

many a good answer posted. as many have said, the best pistol to carry is the one you feel comfortable with and the one you take with you.

but just to add to the mix, my two choices right now are the bersa 380 and the glock 31. both are carried strong side in a uncle mikes inside-the-pants holster. mind you, i carry the full size glock easier then most because of my size(6'5", 250 lbs), but still find it completely concealable with the uncle mikes holster, even with just a tee-shirt and shorts.

and as has been said, i test fire ALL my mags with the ammo i use(double tap) for carry before they go into use.

cheers,

kings

[nitrox]

I prefer the walther P99 or the SW99 for my carry.
the safety feature is great ,the design makes it so compact its easy to conceal and ease to take out, it holds alot of ammo, i can choice my own grip size and I dont have to be a slave to it due to its material.
I used it in our monthly club shoot.
Its my carry and my competiton gun in one.

[ironsight65]

I like the mini glocks although mine is a Glock 30 in 45 acp. 10 rounds of
45 in a smaller package. I never really liked Glocks until I got this gun. I was impressed with the accuracy right away.

[Pistolenschutze]

I have a G30 also Iron, and I agree, it's a great pistol. My only complaint with it is the size of the grip because my hands are rather small. I've been thinking about getting a G36 with the smaller grips for carry purposes.

[ironsight65]

The grip is a little wider but fotunately it fits me pretty well.
The G36 might be better for you. They are great pistols. Like
I said, I never really liked them until I got the G30. I was so
impressed with it I got a G17 also.

[southernshooter]

I picked up a XD today and it is comfortable, feels right, and fits my hand great.

[rondba]

Carry the largest cal. you can shoot well and the largest frame you can comfortabley conceal. Carry it until you find one you can shoot better.

[Ursus]

Wellcome rondba!!! And well said!!!

[Pistolenschutze]

Originally Posted by Ursus

Wellcome rondba!!! And well said!!!

I second the motion!

I've followed your guideline, rondba, for quite a number of years. The only downside is that I keep finding new handguns that I think might be better and then I buy them! Gets expensive, but what the heck, it's only money!

[rmeron]

I have an Astra A-75 in 45 ACP DA/SA,it only has a decocker,one of the easiest pistols to use.Just remember it's loaded all the time,aim and squeeze the trigger.

[shooter]

for me ..if i get my CCW..a sub compact springfiled xd9 would be "my" choice

[Pat Hurley]

Originally Posted by nitrox

I prefer the walther P99 or the SW99 for my carry.
the safety feature is great ,the design makes it so compact its easy to conceal and ease to take out, it holds alot of ammo, i can choice my own grip size and I dont have to be a slave to it due to its material.
I used it in our monthly club shoot.
Its my carry and my competiton gun in one.

Beautifully put.... and I couldn't agree more. The SW99 (and its sister gun, the Walther P99) are grossly underrated. It's no wonder 007 favors the model. And look at all the chicks he gets!

Try an SW99 (P99) and you'll buy one.

Pat Hurley

[tucsonpilot]

Glock 19 no question.

[Shooter45]

I've carried this old Colt Combat Commander for years.

If I need something smaller, I'll carry this Kimber.

Both are .45 ACP.

[358 winchester]

I have to say that the Para Ord. LAD 7 is the only one I carry any more 45acp slim light Stainless and dead on accuarte. I like it so much that I have my 2 & 1/2 inch 357 S&W 686 up for sell.
the back up is always a full size Springfield 1911

[Marlin]

As I have said before many times, I would opt for either my Springfield 1911 or my Browning Hi-Power Practical. Either one would do an adequate job.

[smallblock]

I carry a kimber 3" CDPII, real nice and comfe, light ,45, in a paddle holster ,would not trade for anything, shoots great too, feels real nice in your hand. thats just what I carry.

[smallblock]

forgot to add, I think thats the only way to carry 45 cal.

[IBFrank]

It has to be smallish, hold more than 6 rd.s, powerful enough, be easy to use, inexpensive (not cheap), be easy to hide/carry, easy to clean, strongly built, quick to draw and shoot fast, and inherently safe. Hmmm. That describes my Makarov to a "T"!

[LeSabreUltra]

This is my personal favorite:



Just because it's so freaking small. Holds six .25 caliber rounds and can be concealed...anywhere.

Not the most powerful one for sure but perhaps the most versatile?
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[stash247]

Le Sabre, I see but one small problem; six tiny bullets, in a weapon the won't make it as an 'impact weapon', once shot dry.
The little bastard who shot me, and three others, in a bar in Nha Trang, died under the wheels of a 2 1/2 ton (M-35 A1) as we chased him out of the bar, with murder on our minds; he, literally, 'never knew what hit him'!
In truth, he killed a Marine in the bar, with a shot that clipped the Renal Artery, and the guy 'bled out', and died.
For my part, it was three days before I got to work, sick call, and had the bullet dug out of my butt.
Not exactly "Stellar" performance, from the shooter, or the round!
Had he shot a Tokarev, or a Colt, he'd have knocked my skinny backside off the barstool, as it was, he only really pissed me off. Turned out to be a very fatal mistake.
I'v seen many men killed with such puny weapons, and have no grief with the tool, IF you do your homework, and regularly; my choices would be a CZ-M45,(.25 ACP, double action only, second strike capable), or a Walther TPH, in .22LR, or .25 ACP, (Double /single action, available in alloy(Euro) or stainless,(domestic).
But, you have to know anatomy, and do the homework on a regular basis, or such weapons may lead to serious anal burns!
Get a bigger hammer, for a 'primary', and leave that in your pocket for emergencies, friend; I've already done enough funerals, for the year.

[LeSabreUltra]

I've got a .38 that I carry around too.

The .25's surprisingly diminuitive size makes it an easy to tuck anywhere backup or to carry when a larger size just isn't feasable.
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[obxned]

What size??? The best pistol for when shorts and a t-shirt are worn is not the best when you are wearing a big winter coat. The biggest you can comfortably conceal is just barely big enough.

[LeSabreUltra]

Because pictures are better than words, it's this size:



Shown just after a thorough cleaning. It's a pretty big honker for a snubnose. It also has the added advantage of being obscenely heavy, which would come in quite handy for use as a punching aid should the need arise.
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