What were your first carry weapons?

[hogger129]

I'm helping a friend of mine pick out his first concealed carry weapon and I'm just looking for some ideas. He isn't really sure what he wants yet. He likes the Kimber Pro Carry II, but wants to see some other options.

[carver]

My first CCW was a Davis Derringer in .38 caliber. That was 40 years ago. I also like the Kimbers, they would make him a good choice. Today, I carry a 1911A, or a Charter Bull Dog Pug, depending on where I'm going. Usually have an Off Duty in my pocket as a BUG.

[Old John]

My first Carry guns I got back in 1980. I had a Taurus model 85, .38 special and an FIE, .38 special derringer.I carried them for a few years.
I sold them both after I'd accumulate a few other carry guns, One was a Ruger KP-90, .45acp and one a Makarov 9mm made at Tula. I carried them awhile too. I thinK I went from them to the Colt 1991A1 Commander, 45acp.
Over the years, since then, I have bought & sold several other handguns. ETA...And I kept a few.
Presently I carry a Ruger SP101, .357 magnum.......for the last 8 years.l

[The Duke]

Model 36 Chiefs Special .38 Spl and Walther PPK/S in .380 back in the 70's.

[AmmoForSale.com]

My first carry pistol wasn't the best choice in the world. I carried a S&W 442 for 2 years. I didn't like shooting it very much and didn't take it to the range as much as I should have.

My current carry is a Glock 19 and it's a solid performer. I wouldn't mind checking out a couple different firearms but I'm waiting on some funds.

__________________
45 auto ammo for sale

[American Leader]

First gun I bought just for carry was a .38 Special Taurus 85 Titanium because it was so lightweight and still decent round. I have been carrying a Beretta Tomcat .32 for the last few years because it conceals a little better, but it is pretty heavy and I would prefer a more robust round. I've tried others but they seem too bulky for me, like a 1911 .45 compact. I have been considering trying one of them new Ruger LCP's. Let me know what your buddy ends up with hogger.

[fleetwood1976]

1903 colt pocket hammer. first year near mint condition. my dad bought it for $20 in the 60's. Best shooting semi-auto i have ever carried. then I found out how much it is worth and it became a safe queen.

[6x6pinz]

My first Carry weapon was an Omni 45 but as I grew up I came to realize that the larger caliber only weighed more. Now with full conceal carry (times have changed and sadly open carry is frowned upon now) I have chose to carry a Sig P238.

[savage170]

Ruger sp101 still use it quite a bit

[hogger129]

Originally Posted by American Leader

First gun I bought just for carry was a .38 Special Taurus 85 Titanium because it was so lightweight and still decent round. I have been carrying a Beretta Tomcat .32 for the last few years because it conceals a little better, but it is pretty heavy and I would prefer a more robust round. I've tried others but they seem too bulky for me, like a 1911 .45 compact. I have been considering trying one of them new Ruger LCP's. Let me know what your buddy ends up with hogger.

will do... i'm gna take him to some of the local shops so he can get a feel for the guns. trouble with the kimbers is that the only ppl in my area who i know deal them is gander mountain and their prices always seem a little high. i think he's leaning towards a 9mm or a .45. few weeks ago i had him come on the range with me and he tried the springfield xdm 9 and my springfield. i don't think he's too concerned about price either.

if i had an extra $888 sitting around, i'd get myself a Pro Carry II. i was very impressed at the quality of the kimbers i've handled. that tactical custom ii i shot down at the range was a cool gun. seems like their prices are a little lower than springfield's too and they offer more of a selection. i like both personally. TRP is one gun i have to have in my life time.

[PanhandlePop]

My first was a Kahr CW9. I still have it, but don't carry it too much unless small size is essential. It sounds like your friend may be a bit short on experience with handguns. If that is the case, consider steering him toward a revolver--something like one of the small frame S&Ws or Rugers.

[lonewolf204]

Smith and Wesson 5 shot model 36 38 spl sweet little gun, but really to small for my big hands. Now I carry a Kimber 45 4" barrel and it's very reliable and a good shooter!

[Gun Geezer]

My first carry piece was a used S&W .38 S&W snubby I purchased from a pawn shop for $25. Even way back then .38 S&W ammo was expensive so I replaced it with a Hi-Standard .22 mag. deringer. It became a safe queen for over 20 yrs. I just sold it this year to help fund other projects.

[Airdale]

Currently carry a 9mm Springfield Armory XD SC. Accurate, reliable from day one and plenty of capacity. Will probably replace it for the summer with my EMP. Both gun's clips filled with 147 grain hollow points. The XD is my first carry weapon.

[RunningOnMT]

I just acquired my first two CCW weapons. Though I completed the required course some time ago I never submitted my application til now.

I got an S&W M&P compact for when wearing a coat and a Kahr for summer, both in .45 acp.

[Country101]

I started carrying a Kimber Gold Combat Stainless .45. It never bothered me to carry a full size. Love the gun and I love to carry it. Now I carry a Sig 226 DAK .40 when I am not carrying the other.

[Double D]

I first got a carry permit in the late 80s (I think) when fla started them. I have carried several. This is my input.

When you first start carrying, no matter what it is, it will feel "out of place" and you will think everybody can see it. You may carry for part of the day and take it off. You may have bought a holster that flops around. The gun may "dig" into your side. All I can say is, go get you a real belt, and dont give up. I have a leather guy that makes me belts that are 1/4 to 3/8 in thick and I use a leather, NOT a nylon holster. That in itself will cure just about all of your problems. I carry a commander 1911 scandium frame or a compact 1911 lightweight and it stays firm by my side, but could carry any gun I wanted without trouble.

Now that I hyjacked the thread, I have carried snub nose revolvers, compact autos, and full size 1911s. But I think I started with a 38 snubbie. I carried guns in my truck prior to the permit though.

[RunningOnMT]

My problem is frankly...I'm fat. Concealment is difficult. My first choice would be an IWB holster, but that just wont work cause my flabby sides cover it up. So, I'm limited to what a t-shirt will cover. But then it has to be small enough not to print.

I also want a caliber that I am comfortable with. Yeah a small .380 would be a lot easier to conceal, but I just don't feel confident in the .380's effectiveness. I'm not going to get into another debate about calibers because I know many people disagree, and in the end it all comes down to the individuals perspective, right or wrong.

So I chose a Kahr CW45 and I've ordered a Fobus Evolution holster. Not the ideal set up, but the best I can do right now.

[Salvage33]

My first carry weapon was a HiStandard 22 Mag derringer. I have also carried 1911's, S&W Mod. 27, 38 Special snubbie, Star Firestar 9mm, and my latest is a CZ75 PO7 Duty model in 9mm Para.

It depends on what I'm wearing, such as time of year (hot or cold) and some are more easily concealed in cold weather (1911's), or warm weather, Star 9mm or the new CZ.

My recommedation to your friend is find what fits his hand, and pocket book, and then worry about carrying it concealed. You can always find a way to carry it without it printing.

John

[Jim Hauff]

My first CCW was an AMT BACKUP in .40 S&W - seemed like a nicely made gun and it was fairly small, but heavy being all stainless, it fit my hand well. Took it to the range and fired a box of ammo - the recoil was a bit nasty but I learned to control it. One thing that I couldn't ever get used to was the pinching of my trigger finger between the trigger and the trigger guard on almost every shot. Finally traded it in on an ASTRA 75 in .40 S&W. ASTRA self destructed within 1000 rounds. Traded the ASTRA for a EAA/Tanfoglio WITNESS compact .40 S&W - much better gun IMHO.

[AL MOUNT]

My first carry weapon was a Remington Rand 1911.....

Cuz I had to carry a miserable "Thumper", M-79 Grenade Launcher...

Hated the thing... was happy to get my "jammin" M-16 back..

We couldn't carry Buckshot or Flechette Rounds, only HE.

[Inthewind1976]

My first carry gun was a S&W 10-7 4" 38spec. Not perfect, but damned reliable. Of course, I'm not a small guy, and 7-9 months of the year, in the north east US, a jacket is an option. Over the years, I progressed (or regressed, depending on your POV! ) through a CA Bulldog 44, an SP101, a Star BKM, a Colt DSpecial, and finally settled on a S&W 37 airweight 38Spec. I would carry an LCP, or KelTek, or similar 380, and not really feel that I was undergunned, on a regular, daily basis, but also, if I knew that trouble was almost "for sure" I would have my 1911 full of flying ashtrays, AND the Smith 37 BOTH on my person.

[north tex]

Back in 1967 I carried an EIG 22LR derringer that I paid I think $28 for brand new. It was all I could afford at the time. It did stop an attempted assault on my GF and myself the one time I had to draw it. Since then I've put about 5k rounds through it 2 shots at a time. Take it to the range every time I go. Now I carry 9mm or 380

[Bigbill]

My very first carry was a colt python 357mag w/6'' barrel in blue back in '74. I carried the 44mag for most of my CCW life. I been thru the 9mm's and the 45's too. Now i carry the S&W Model 58 in 41mag 4'' barrel in nickel. I like the 800ft lbs of stopping power.

[Rugermanws]

I used a .38 special Smith and Wesson Airweight. Boy I wish I still owned it. The only down side was it was a 5 shot not 6.