[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

I was just thinking, why do folks like their CCW so well?
Is it the one gun that you shoot best? Or is it based on
the manufactuer's reputation? Maybe its their customer
service? Or the availability of commerical manufactuered
ammunition? How about, "I like its better than brand X,
cuz most police officer's use this kind"? Or maybe
its cuz of those real pretty pics of your favorite weapon
in gun magazines? Could it be the cost of the weapon?
Or maybe the QUALITY (Craftsmanship) of the weapon?
Last but not least, is it cuz your wife and/or girlfriend
(you ladies may insert the words husband or boyfriend)
liked it?

I won't make a poll on this because of all the variable
answers that are possible; but I would like to know
your HONEST answers? By the way, MY HONEST answer
is I like the SIG-SAUER "Classic P-Series" self-loader's
because of their extreme RELIABILITY!:D ;)

Thanking You In Advance, I Am-
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Bobarino]

i like mine the best because after renting everything i could get my grubby hands on, the H&K USP compact was the one i shot best with, fit my hand the best and met all the criteria i had set forth for my carry gun. i like H&K's reputation and the fact that they put functonality and reliablilty first, and put asthetics second. its ugly, but its a fighting pistol, not a beauty queen. i wanted a gun that i could carry for ten years or more. it gives me that feeling. i have complete faith that my little USP will not let me down when i need to rely on it to save my skinny butt.

Bobby

[ACP230]

I like my Smith M649 best because, of the snubs available, I shoot it best.
It is the snubby that shoots Cor-Bon 158 grain LSWC + P ammo best. (I wish I could get more of this load!)

For me the M649 is more concealable than some other guns, including some smaller semi pistols.

It is stainless so I don't have to worry as much about carrying it in hot weather.

[Logistar]

I bought my first (and still my primary) CCW gun before I was aware of the computer BBSs like the old "TheFiringLine" board. (Otherwise this might be different).

I chose a Taurus PT-111 for the following reasons:

1. Price (I know that wasn't a good reason but at the time...)
2. I WANTED the Taurus lock! I occasionally had the need to
travel out of town and stay with relatives.
They have some VERY inquisitive children and
if I cannot CCW, I feel better with it locked.
3. Felt GREAT in my hand!
4. 10-round mags (even though gun is small).

Why does it remain my primary CCW?

1. Small and light... EASY and comfortable to conceal.
2. Very accurate for it's size.
3. Drawing quickly, it is more accurate for me than any handgun I've tried.
4. It has never failed in any way for me.

Many say I should switch to a gun with a better reputation for reliability. Maybe they are right. However, since this gun feels like an extension of my hand, I can shoot it quickly and still retain accuracy.... it has NEVER failed me... I have the option of temporarily disabling it when necessary..... if it was stolen or destroyed,,, well... it wasn't so expensive (1/2 to 1/3 the price of expensive guns).....

All that makes doing regular CLOSE inspections worth it. If anyone knows of another gun that can do all this for me.... let me know.

Logistar

[Mike Irwin]

For me?

Mine's an S&W 042.

It's small.

It's lightweight.

It's accurate.

It conceals well in my pocket, which is where I choose to carry.

It's hammerless, which makes it even better in my pocket.

It's .38 Spl.

Best of all, it's an older S&W revolver.

[Chugach]

SIG-Sauer P220, P226, P225
I shoot it well
High reliability
Simple, manipulable controls that can be reached by right thumb
Relatively streamlined...low snag and "ouch" factors
Grip fits my hand well
Points well
It's accurate
DA/SA helped me bridge from the world of revolvers, and I like the decocker
Good workmanship
Conceals well
Good choice of calibers
Good assortment of holsters available

Other models in the SIG P series work well. Other manufacturers' pistols (and revolvers) work well, but the SIG works best for me.

[incursion]

HK P7M8

Thin
Lowest muzzle flip out of any 9mm for its size
Extremely safe due to squeeze cocker
Accurate
Reliable
Unusual manual arms may confuse bad guys in case they get a hold of it

[Rob96]

My primary CCW is a Colt Series 80 1911.
Reliable
Accurate
Ergonomic
Very thin

I also have a Glock 19 that I like for the same reasons. I carry that when I can't carry the 1911.

[Skunkabilly]

Everything Incursion said, because he's just so damn studly and smart... ;) plus the ambidextrousity for lefthanded backupabilly....

[pax]

I have a Glock 26. I like it because it
is reliable.
is small and easily concealed (and cute -- but I know that's in the eye of the beholder).
is very accurate for its size.
fits my hand well. FWIW, every man I know who has tried it hates it, but most the women I know who've tried it like it.
is extremely simple to operate; I know it will go 'bang' when I pull just one little lever.
is simple to assemble and disassemble, with no itsy bitsy parts to go flying all over the room when I take it apart for cleaning, and nothing complicated to figure out when I put it back together.
is water resistant. I live in the Pacific Northwet and intended to carry the gun with me even if I was out in the rain. Water resistant was a major selling point.
Did I mention reliable?

pax

My own idea of a $5,500 .45 auto is a used Volkswagen with a Glock 30 in the glove box. -- Massad Ayoob

[Blueduck]

Though my currently personally owned one has some issues that need addresed at present:( ...

I like the 2 1/2" K Frame revolvers (19/66) because they are small and light enough to carry comfortably concealed, but are still big enough to be low recoiling over extended sessions with great sights to make hitting easier.

Not the best CCW, not the best choice to give match results at the range, but pretty darn good compromise at both jobs :)

[Edward429451]

[QUOTE]My primary CCW is a Colt Series 80 1911.
Reliable
Accurate
Ergonomic
Thin

Reputation
Caliber
Familierity
Abundance of parts, ammo, mags, brass etc. domestically.

I think I read somewhere that;
And God said let there be Colt, and it was good.
Then God said let there be Sig, and it was sauer.

So I chose Colt.

:neener: :D

[sm]

Mr. Ala Dan,
My guns have to fit a criteria for me. I've said it before:

"Gun must fit shooter in a platform of largest caliber with reliable ammo that works everytime affording quick accurate effective hits".

I use 1911 styles, K frames and one niche gun-Keltec P-11.

Obviously I don't follow trends...If the gun is reliable and the shooter accomplishes what I feel is a good rule of thumb--criteria . I feel they have made the right choice for them. Hey, live long enough and stuff comes back, like 1911's and J or K frames :)


Oh pax....cute quote my friend...what I want built I can get for less--for that kind of money I could gets lots of CCWs fitting my criteria. The one I want built you'd call "cute"...being a guy and all well to me its got "character". :D

[Bulldozer]

I like my 3-inch SW 66-2 best b/c it puts each and every 158 LSWC-HP (+P) exactly where I want it, every time, is utterly reliable, easily carried, and doesn't draw unwanted scrutiny or extra "tacticality."

[boing]

Any gun I carry will be reliable enough, accurate enough, and powerful enough.

The Kel-Tec P11 is all those things, but carries everywhere due to it's size, weight, profile, and trigger action. It's also very low maintenance in it's hard chromed configuration.

I don't shoot "best" with it, though.

[David4516]

I carry a Makarov, and this is my list of what I like about it:

I trust it. This is the most important thing in a carry gun IMHO, you want to be confident that it will work when you need it

It was cheap. I can't afford a $500 gun, I'm trying to put myself thur college...

It's small

It's single-stack (I don't like double stack autos as much, the grip is much fatter)

It's different. Seems like everyone carrys a 1911 or a glock, so it would be boring if I carried one of them, right?

It's fun to shoot

It's accurate (I'm not, but the gun is :( )

It's easy to reload 9mm Makarov (aka 9X18 )

And it's just plain cool :cool:

[Ky Larry]

I carry a full size Kimber .45ACP. The weapon-cartridge combo has proven it's self to be effective and reliable for almost 100 years in every climate and condition on God's earth. When the Wunder-9's have a hundred years of proven track record under their belt, I may consider changing. Until then,I'll stick to what I know works.

Shoot well.

[c_yeager]

Most of the time i carry a Ruger SP101

I prefer it because its maximum power in a minimum package. If i do my part i cant think of any situation that 5 rounds of .357 cant take care of. With the proper leather i can conceal it in virtually anything i would choose to wear. And i have full confidence that if will fire when i pull the trigger EVERY time.

[WhoKnowsWho]

I carry a Kahr K40 Covert or Kel Tec P32.

Kel Tec, ton of people seem to carry it.
I can easily hide it.
Been reliable for me in every range visit.
Wasn't very expensive.

Kahr, bigger, heavy, easier to control due to weight.
I already own it.
Good reputation.
Been reliable also.

Originally, I didn't start buying with the intent to carry. Then I got a Makarov to carry later, but the sights were too small for quick draw and fire, and a heavy DA pull. Kahr, too hot for most of summer, but okay for cooler nights.

I think if I had a choice of anything right now, I would like to try a Para CCW 7.45, the one with the beavertail shortened, and bobbed hammer. But what I have works, and I trust them to work, and I can use them well.

[Jeeper]

I believe that any gun will work. Having that said I carry two different guns depending on the situation.

Para P-13
I like 45 and dont like single stacks since they dont feel right.
I liked cocked and locked adn the feel.

SW 640
Smallest 357 I could find
Stainless which is nice for carry.

[12-34hom]

My reasons =

10mm in a 1911 platform.

Any questions?

I thought not.

12-34hom.

[JCM298]

In descending order:

1. S&W Model 340SC,

2. S&W Model 649,

3. Colt Magnum Carry,

I bought the 340 because of its weight. Its comfortable in any holster I've got: IWB, pocket, or ankle,

John

[MikeJ]

Great question!

My honest answer has to be divided into two categories for CCW; my pocket pistol when I can't conceal anything larger and my favorite gun when I am wearing an outer garment.

I initially began carrying a Beretta 950 (.25) many years ago but realized that I wanted something with a little more power than the .25 could deliver. I then bought a S&W nickel 37 Airweight that worked fine as long as I had an outer garment on. I never got use to pocket carry for that gun although there are many folks that do carry a J frame in their pocket. I retired it to the safe when the Kel-Tec P11 (9mm) came out but never quite liked the Kel-Tec all that much, eventhough it performed flawlessly. I also bought a Kel-Tec P32 (.32) and a few months later a NAA Guardian 32. After much comparison of shooting both guns I chose the Guardian for pocket carry for these reasons:
1. I liked the feel of it more - the P32 always felt like a toy gun to me.
2. I liked the look of it more - yes I am that shallow!:rolleyes:
3. It "felt" more reliable to me - I did have to send the P32 back for warranty work one time.

I then went looking for a replacement to my P11 and began considering a J frame again but didn't want to go back to the Airweight 37 because it wasn't rated for +P ammo and they were not making these in nickel anymore so I wanted to keep it in pristine condition. I chose the S&W 640 .357 Centennial and have never looked back. I shoot it extremely well, for me that is ;) , and am totally comfortable with 5 rounds of .38+P for my needs. I like the simplicity of revolvers, stainless finish and ease of maintenance. I carry it in an IWB holster between my pants and belt when I am wearing an outer garment.

Regards, Mike

[jon1481]

Beretta 950bs, for it's concealability and reliability. A Colt lwt commander XSE for reliability, easy carry, and the proven 45acp. Both are accurate and single action. Jon

[10-Ring]

The guns I use for concealed carry are all 100% reliable, easy for me to shoot well & comfortable to carry around. Lately, that's been my USPc 9

[Carnitas]

Its simple.

Because if the did not like it so well it would not be their CCW. A gun that someone maintains as their CCW will necessarily be one that the like better than others.

[V-fib]

Ruger Sp101 .357 3” with CT laser

1. I like revolvers for their reliability
2. great caliber
3. well made gun
4. allows practice with cheaper .38 ammo and fun to shoot too.
5. good looking gun!
6. easy to conceal
7. stainless steel
8. I shoot it well
9. easy to maintain
10. Doubles as a flamethrower with 110gr jhp’s :eek:

:cool:

[mainmech48]

Para Ord C7.45 LDA. Replaced a Springfield Champion because it's smaller, has thinner grips, and the LDA trigger action is sweet.

Same great cartridge in a handier package. Accurate, reliable, and with the XS tritium sights extremely fast to hit with.

[themic]

I love my RAP 401.

1) I pull the trigger, it goes bang. that's it. boring.
2) single stack 9mm, short barrel, conceals WELL.
3) perfect length for me to squeeze three fingers onto it, w/o a single wasted millimeter of grip length
4) im getting damned good at shooting it from a draw, in even my usual deep deep iwb concealment
5) DA w/safety. can carry cocked/locked but i prefer DA. i also sort of like second strike and superheavy long first pull. and believe me, this is one of the heaviest pulls ive ever seen.
6) it just plain fits me well, both in concealment, and in my hand.

[Jack19]

I carry a Glock 19 pretty much everywhere except to the bathroom. It's tough as nails, I don't worry about what happens to it, it's generally not ammo sensitive, goes bang every time, and I can hit at what I shoot.