[Phriend]

I am looking for a weapon that would be highly effective when it comes to self-defense. (Highly accurate, no misfires or failures, etc).

That said, I am also looking for a weapon that would be very safe to carry full time. (No accidental firings, mishaps, accidental cockings, etc).

Can someone recommend a weapon for concealed carry that is both highly effective and that has outstanding safety features?

Thanks! :)

[<SLV>]

That is a huge question, phriend. According to your criteria, this gun should be:

1. At least .380 if not .38 Special or 9mm minimum
2. Double action (no gun is idiot proof -- you always have to excercise caution)

I recommend:

1. Glock 19 (9mm - not a lot of buttons - just a trigger)
2. CZ-83 (.380)
3. CZ P-01 (9mm)
4. Smith & Wesson airweight .38 special (hammerless)

(no particular order)

Good luck!

[QUICK_DRAW_McGRAW]

really your asking alot. its a mechanical device, there will always be the possibality of malfunction, some more then others and that doesn't mean brand wise but rather gun to gun.

look into a revolver, good and reliable, easy to conceal. also a back up to what ever you decide upon (auto or wheel gun) so that if you have a problem with one malfunctioning you can switch. dont limit yourself to one.

1gun = 0
2guns = 1
3guns = best.

as well as back up amunition.

[DougDubya]

Smith and Wesson Model 10 Military and Police. Simple. SUPERBLY safe. Effective. Has over a century-long track record of reliability and facility in combat situations.

Everything else gets harder to shoot effectively (smaller .38's like the Airweight mentioned) or more complicated (any auto, even the Glock).

This is all assuming the base minimum of skill.

Given proper training, the 1911 falls into the best ergonomics and stopping power, but it requires proper firearms handling.

[critter]

Take a look at an HK P7 M8. It is 9mm and is not cocked UNTIL you squeeze the squeezecocker handle. Then it is ready to go. Relax your grip, it uncocks and won't fire.

They are VERY accurate and as foolproof a feeder as you will find. Little pricey though.

[Javelin]

Get a compact Glock. You cannot beat the reliability.

:)

[Silvanus]

Training is far more important than the type/brand of firearm you choose. Get something with a good track record, like Glock, H&K, Beretta, Colt, SigSauer, S&W, ect. and train with it. Something in 9mm would be a good choice. It's an effective caliber and a lot cheaper (=more training) than most bigger calibers.

[Grizzly Adams]

You might want to try the Ruger SP101. It will shoot 38, 38 +P, and 357, and comes in hammer and hammerless. It's about as uncomplicated and reliable as the come. No matter how good a semi-auto is they are more complicated then a revolver. Take that fromm someone that carries a semi.

[HM2PAC]

I will 2nd what Grizz said.

I carry a 1911 or USP daily.

However, I bought a SP101 for me and one for the wife. She loves the little thing. It is a bit of a monster in .357RM though. New Hogue grips help with the recoil.

[12131]

If you do your part, all guns are "very safe".

[TBT]

^^ yeah that.

I don't think one gun is safer than another. I've carried 1911's and Glocks and both are equally safe.

[LKB3rd]

Springfield xd's fit your requirements as well.

[Autolycus]

This is way to subjective. Define safe? Meaning point and shoot or manual safety device?

Most modern guns will work just fine. I would suggest, as others have, training and shooting a few different guns.

[spiroxlii]

Your question opens a can of worms. Both of my Bersas (check sig) would fit the bill.

[-terry]

I'll add my carry, the Walther P99c in 9mm. AS trigger mode. Absolutely reliable, conceals pretty well, 10+1. Accurate. What's not to like except maybe the price.

-terry

[Tokugawa]

I chose the HK P7 many years ago. 9mm, 9 shot. Gun is 100% ambidextrous. Gun will not fire with a trigger pull until you manually cock it, with the squeezecocker. So in normal handling, a trigger pull will not fire the weapon. Very reliable, accurate and fits my hand. Very thin and smooth. About $800 for a nice condition German Police unit.

[Bearhands]

a Revolver fits your bill .... "(Highly accurate, no misfires or failures,)"........ 38spl/357...... probably a Ruger Sp101 or Smith snub.

[Bezoar]

Theodore Roosevelt came to a good conclusion on those requirementsm

"carry a big stick and walk quitely"

[DougDubya]

The two most important safeties are the one between your ears (your brain) and the booger hook on your dominant hand.

Barring the extreme cheapness of the HiPoints or single action derringers, everything else has proven safety for carry.

[5Wire]

Take a look at an HK P7 M8. It is 9mm and is not cocked UNTIL you squeeze the squeezecocker handle. Then it is ready to go. Relax your grip, it uncocks and won't fire.

They are VERY accurate and as foolproof a feeder as you will find. Little pricey though.

Plus one on that. S&W 640, 642, 638, too.

[gcrookston]

hard to go wrong with a smith

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/7624/dsc00016ow3.jpg
Shot with DSC-W50 (http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=DSC-W50&make=SONY) at 2008-01-17

[Drail]

Get good training. Get revolver. Forget about a "safe" gun. Is gun. Is dangerous.

[clang]

Phriend should carry a Phreedom Arms or maybe a Phabrique Nationale Hi-Power...

[takhtakaal]

Phred carried an AK, as I recall!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3e/Phred.jpg

[Brian Williams]

Highly effective and Very safe... Get a single barrel shotgun and carry it unloaded.
There is no Highly effective in the realm of handgunning and very safe is an oxymoron when talking about firearms.

Find a good quality gun from any of the well known makers and get some, no, Lots of training.

[makarovnik]

Is a phriend like some kind of special friend?

[ArchAngelCD]

I would suggest a S&W M442, M638 or M642 in a 15 oz .38 Special +P Airweight.
OR
I would suggest a S&W M640 or M649 in a 23 oz .357 Magnum.

If you are looking for something VERY light a S&W 12 oz Airlite is the lightest. Even though they are .357 Magnum revolvers I personally wouldn't fire anything over a .38 Special +P in it. There are 5 or 6 variations in both the Model 340 line and the Model 360 line.

You can always go retro and buy the newly re-released Model 40 (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=64978&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15704&isFirearm=Y) It has a grip safety so there's no reason for it to contain the hated ILS. It's available in Blue, Color Case and Nickel finish and has a concealed hammer which is perfect for pocket carry.

If you don't mind something a little larger and a little heavier you can't go wrong with a Ruger SP-101. It's a great revolver and it's available in .38 Special +P, .357 Magnum, .32 H&R Magnum and the NEW .327 Federal Magnum. It's available with a 2.25" barrel, a 3.08" barrel and a 4" barrel too.

[Thefabulousfink]

Phriend,

Every gun will fire if it is loaded and the trigger is pulled, learn that rule first. If you want to have safe gun handling, learn the 4 rules and take them to heart. Every time you pick up a gun check to see if it is loaded (even if you set it down 5 min ago). Never pull the trigger unless the gun is pointed at something that you intend to shoot.

If you obey the above, any decent gun should be safe.(P.S. most accidental shootings end with the phrase: "I didn't think it was loaded.").

As far as guns go; S&W, kel-tec, and Khar all make quality guns that can be easily carried in a pocket or IWB (inside waist band). Try them all and find the gun that you feel comfortable with. If you want to move up to a mid size gun, Glock makes a fine firearm...but also look at the Springfield Armory XD. For steel guns, there are dozens of standard and compact 1911s, also look at the CZ-75 clones.

There are lots of good guns out there, and they all can be concealed depending on your wardrobe. Find a size that you are comfortable with, pick a gun that you can shoot well, and then come on THR and see what the Haters have to say about it.... if it's nothing too bad, buy it and call it your own. :D

[Dravur]

is a Glock Blue gun. It is the safest gun ever made. It is also solid plastic so you can get it past metal detectors.

:neener:

[kludge]

Safety is in the mind of the holder.