What Is the Best Conceal Carry Weapon?

[hogger129]

In your opinion, what is the best pistol for conceal carry and why is it the best...

I would almost say some kind of sub-compact Glock or a snubnose revolver.

[red14]

I have a mini-revovler from North American Arms. 6 ounces, 6" long, 22lr. Sits in my pocket, no one ever sees it. It is not very powerful, but it is concealed, and always with me.

[carver]

Originally Posted by hogger129

In your opinion, what is the best pistol for conceal carry and why is it the best...

I would almost say some kind of sub-compact Glock or a snubnose revolver.

In my opinion the first thing to consider is caliber. Hand guns are not all that powerfull compared to rifles. You want the largest caliber you can comfortably shoot, and carry. I carry a 1911A clone. Why? Because I know this gun really well. It shoots anything I feed it, and is one of the most accurate hand guns I own. .45 +P Corbon JHP are what I am carring at the moment. When I find some Hydro Shocks, I'll switch carry ammo. Again, in my opinion sub-compacts, and snubnose revolvers are just fine as CCW's, but they lack the power, and range of the full sized pistols, thus, I believe that they make great BUGS, but fall short in the SD catagory compared to full sized hand guns.

[bcj1755]

I carry a Walther P99 in 9mm loaded with HydraShoks.

[Slabsides]

Lately, my choice is a Glock 26. I carried a 5 shot .38 forever until I got the 26. Comparing the two, the 26 is actually smaller and carries 11 rounds and remains safely ready with a simple pull of a trigger just like a revolver. I keep it full of Hornady FTX 115gr. It is also just as safe to stuff down your pants or in a pocket. I use a Disantis concealed holster and I often find myself feeling to make sure it's still there. Very comfortable.

At 50 feet, I can keep all shots in the -0 ring of an IDPA target freehand which is more than enough considering the average gunfight is around 7 yards. As for lethality, a double tap of FTX rounds center mass is going to stop the clock of any attacker, unless you are attacked by a grizzley at the ATM and I don't see that happening.

My weapon of choice is and always will be a 1911, but I cannot comfortably conceal one of those year-round....but that's me. I'm not built for it and my climate prohibits more than a t-shirt and shorts for most of the year.


You will get as many opinions as there are stars in the sky, but thats mine and I would highly recommend it to anyone.

[questor]

[quote=Slabsides;569033]

Lately, my choice is a Glock 26.


[quote]

For additional safety, I was thinking about installation of the heavyweight 8 pound and or 11 pound "police" triggers.

You have any experience with them?

[tcox4freedom]

On one hand there is NO answer to this question. On the other hand there are almost as many answers as there are handguns. (Hunting hg's excluded)

The point being: ALL handgun purchases require some form of compromise.

Affordability; Comfort, Function, Usuability, Caliber, Capacity, Action and Brand Reliability are just "SOME" of the factors that have to be considered. Absouluetly NO handguns can be considered perfect in EVERY "carry" situation.


I think "any" caliber is better than NO caliber.

Shot placement trumps caliber AND capacity every time! So having a large caliber handgun you can't shoot well is worse than having a small 380acp or even a "rimfire" that you can hit where you aim every single time.

I would say start with a handgun you can shoot well. Then see if it is a possible choice for a CC weapon. If not, seek out something smaller; but similar in function and perhaps the same caliber.

IMO; Comfort, Function and Usability should be the over-riding factors to considered.

If a hand gun is comfortable in your hand, functions well AND is easy for you to use you will be more likely to practice with it to the point of proficiency. You will also be more likely to carry it everyday and continue to practice with it regularly.

Caliber, capacity, action and brand name should be only secondary in your choice of a CC weapon.

That being said: Calibers above 380acp/9mm "short" but no bigger than 45acp are the most recommended "defensive" calibers.

If a person is a brand new shooter or an experienced handgunner are other factors. What may be "best" (NOT perfect) for a new shooter will most likely NOT be the "best" CC choice for a seasoned handgunner.

SOoooo! IMHO; There are NO perfect handguns; PERIOD!

[pinecone70]

It is a very personal choice, and can be based on body type and concealment requirements primarily, after caliber size. I initially carried a .380, but moved up to the .40 EMP, which makes me feel safer.

[graehaven]

The ONE that you will actually carry. If it's too much of a bother, you won't carry it. Likely different for everyone.

I regularly carry a 9 mm, or my .357 (with .38 +P loads) or even my .32. All are easy to carry, just depends on what I'm wearing.

[Slabsides]

For additional safety, I was thinking about installation of the heavyweight 8 pound and or 11 pound "police" triggers.

You have any experience with them?

I do not. To my understanding, the heavier trigger was used to eliminate accidental discharges when pulling the weapon on a perp for compliance. There were documented cases of suspects getting plugged and it was blamed on the Glocks not having a high enough pull to prevent ADs during tense situations. For the most part they were upgraded to prevent lawsuits. A load of BS if you ask me.

Higher pulls are not for additional safety of the carrier, they are for the additional safety of the person on the muzzle end......the way I see it, if I draw my weapon, the reason is to use deadly force to defend myself. At that point, I most certainly do not care about their safety...quite the opposite actually. I do NOT believe in threatening by pointing a weapon at someone.

Police operations are very different than a citizen's. Police need to have their weapon ready at times, like when making a felony stop. Citizens should only pull their weapon when there is no other choice and they feel that their life is a stake and there is no other solution.

As for your own safety, you have nothing to fear as long as you obey one of the cardinal rules of firearms...."keep your finger out of the trigger opening until you are ready to fire". Follow this and the Glock WILL NOT fire.

[sweetokole]

A lot of great answers... and my 2 cents... whatever it is you decide to carry... please be as proficient as possible with it.... in other words... practice practice practice... nothing worse than carrying something you can't shoot.

[bestseller92]

There is no "one best".

I have several CCWs that I carry, depending on the situation.

If I had to pick only one, I'd go with my Glock 26.

But I don't have to pick only one, so I don't.

[user]

A gun.

[cakes]

For the sake of conversation my vote is for the Kahr series of carry pistols. They are designed from the start with concealed carry in mind and are high quality firearms.

[bestseller92]

But they are not as out-of-the-box, stone cold reliable as the baby Glocks.

[terryu1]

Taurus really corrected some of the problems with earlier models with the 24/7 series. I bought a PT 24/7 Pro C in .40 and love it. 600 rounds with not a misfire or jam. Coupled with Remington 180 gr hydra shocks makes it a great carry weapon. Even in compact it is a little large but then so am I LOL.

[hogger129]

Originally Posted by carver

In my opinion the first thing to consider is caliber. Hand guns are not all that powerfull compared to rifles. You want the largest caliber you can comfortably shoot, and carry. I carry a 1911A clone. Why? Because I know this gun really well. It shoots anything I feed it, and is one of the most accurate hand guns I own. .45 +P Corbon JHP are what I am carring at the moment. When I find some Hydro Shocks, I'll switch carry ammo. Again, in my opinion sub-compacts, and snubnose revolvers are just fine as CCW's, but they lack the power, and range of the full sized pistols, thus, I believe that they make great BUGS, but fall short in the SD catagory compared to full sized hand guns.

What kind of 1911A clone do you have? I have the 5" RIA 1911 and I think it's heavier than he\\ to carry in an IWB holster. I have one of those Uncle Mike's IWB holsters and I'm sure it's the right size for my gun. It just seems to weigh down my pants and stuff to much. Who knows? Maybe I just need to drill another notch in my belt. It could be that my holster is like this nylon stuff. Maybe I need a leather one. BTW, I'm not planning on breaking the law because conceal carry is illegal where I live. Just so we're clear on that. This is all purely academic.

[graehaven]

Originally Posted by hogger129

What kind of 1911A clone do you have? I have the 5" RIA 1911 and I think it's heavier than he\\ to carry in an IWB holster. I have one of those Uncle Mike's IWB holsters and I'm sure it's the right size for my gun. It just seems to weigh down my pants and stuff to much. Who knows? Maybe I just need to drill another notch in my belt. It could be that my holster is like this nylon stuff. Maybe I need a leather one. BTW, I'm not planning on breaking the law because conceal carry is illegal where I live. Just so we're clear on that. This is all purely academic.

A proper carry rig will probably help, but, a brick is still a brick.

[carver]

Originally Posted by hogger129

What kind of 1911A clone do you have? I have the 5" RIA 1911 and I think it's heavier than he\\ to carry in an IWB holster. I have one of those Uncle Mike's IWB holsters and I'm sure it's the right size for my gun. It just seems to weigh down my pants and stuff to much. Who knows? Maybe I just need to drill another notch in my belt. It could be that my holster is like this nylon stuff. Maybe I need a leather one. BTW, I'm not planning on breaking the law because conceal carry is illegal where I live. Just so we're clear on that. This is all purely academic.

Mine is a Norinco, bought it back in the late 80's when they were popular with the professional shooters. In my opinion the 1911A is a heavy pistol, so I try to lighten things up by using the smallest holster I can find. For me that is the Yaqui style holsters. Mine is the Gould & Goodrich belt slide, or the paddle style holsters. I also ballance things out by carring 2 extra mags on the left side, also Gould & Goodrich mag holders. You must also always use the widest belt you can get that will fit thru the loops on your pants. The wider the belt, the more support you get. I carry this rig year round, even though I usually am wearing shorts and shirt for most of the year.

[hogger129]

Originally Posted by carver

Mine is a Norinco, bought it back in the late 80's when they were popular with the professional shooters. In my opinion the 1911A is a heavy pistol, so I try to lighten things up by using the smallest holster I can find. For me that is the Yaqui style holsters. Mine is the Gould & Goodrich belt slide, or the paddle style holsters. I also ballance things out by carring 2 extra mags on the left side, also Gould & Goodrich mag holders. You must also always use the widest belt you can get that will fit thru the loops on your pants. The wider the belt, the more support you get. I carry this rig year round, even though I usually am wearing shorts and shirt for most of the year.

Picture is a Glock 19?

[ARB]

A gun.

[Terry_P]

I carry a 2 1/4" SP101 in 357/38 and have holsters for 3 carry options, OWB, IWB and pocket. I prefer a revolver for carry and at 24 oz it isn't a burden to me.

I believe the best is what is best for you. What do you shoot accurately and feel comfortable shooting and carrying. I would rather get used to something a little heavy than carry something I wasn't comfortable with the stopping power.

[hogger129]

Originally Posted by Terry_P

I carry a 2 1/4" SP101 in 357/38 and have holsters for 3 carry options, OWB, IWB and pocket. I prefer a revolver for carry and at 24 oz it isn't a burden to me.

I believe the best is what is best for you. What do you shoot accurately and feel comfortable shooting and carrying. I would rather get used to something a little heavy than carry something I wasn't comfortable with the stopping power.

Yeah that has to be alot easier to carry at 24oz. My 1911 is pretty heavy for a conceal carry. Could be that my belt just isn't wide enough though, so I am going to try to find as wide of a belt as I can for more support. My 1911 is the full size too. I'm saving up for another pistol and I'd like to get a Glock 19. I've heard they are light and comfortable to carry. A Glock 26 is cool, but it seems really small. I'd feel like I would break it because it's small. Wouldn't that affect accuracy? Then again at the range you'll need it, accuracy really isn't an issue I guess. Proficiency is what matters. It would be nice if they made a polymer framed 1911. Lol. I know I'm going to catch he\\ for saying that.

Anybody have any experience with like Walther PPK's for conceal carry pistols?

[focusmaniaczx3]

it depends on what setting you will be carrying in. if you are in very close quarters i would have to say the judge would be the best. im biased tho. i love my judge. 2.5" cylinder holds better accuracy over the 3" imo

[Slabsides]

Originally Posted by hogger129

Yeah that has to be alot easier to carry at 24oz. My 1911 is pretty heavy for a conceal carry. Could be that my belt just isn't wide enough though, so I am going to try to find as wide of a belt as I can for more support. My 1911 is the full size too. I'm saving up for another pistol and I'd like to get a Glock 19. I've heard they are light and comfortable to carry. A Glock 26 is cool, but it seems really small. I'd feel like I would break it because it's small. Wouldn't that affect accuracy? Then again at the range you'll need it, accuracy really isn't an issue I guess. Proficiency is what matters. It would be nice if they made a polymer framed 1911. Lol. I know I'm going to catch he\\ for saying that.

Anybody have any experience with like Walther PPK's for conceal carry pistols?

If you took a Glock 17 or 19 and sawed a bit off of the barrel end and sawed a bit off of the lower end of the grip, you would end up with a 26. Same upper grip, same fire control, same slide rear. Anything that would break a 26 would break ANY Glock and you have to work at it. Accuracy? I'll perferate a soup can at 50 feet all day long with it.