[fxstchewy]

If YOU had in your possession this selection of sidearms which would you carry and why?

1. Glock 26
2. Glock 23
3. XDSC9
4. Ruger SP101
5. S&W 642
6. S&W 40VE

[gearchecker]

Of all the given choices I'd choose the S&W 642.
It's in the class with the best CCW revolvers on the market. Revolvers are still a top choice for CCW because of their reliability in adverse conditions.
2nd choice is the XDSC9.

[ebbs]

If YOU had in your possession this selection of sidearms which would you carry and why?

1. Glock 26
2. Glock 23
3. XDSC9
4. Ruger SP101
5. S&W 642
6. S&W 40VE
S&W 642 hands down. Well powered cartridge. Tons of holster options. Easily concealed. LOTS of variations available for grips, revolver reliability, etc.

2nd choice if size isn't an option, Glock 23. Love the 40 S&W, love glock simplicity and reliability. PLUS shot capacity and accuracy.

[jon86]

What do YOU shoot the best? Which one can you draw the fastest? Have you trained failure drills with the bottom feeders? What has proved more reliable? Which one can you reload fastest under stress?

Nobody can answer these questions but you. Therefore, nobody but yourself can make this decision.

However, you asked, so I would carry the glock 23 when wearing enough clothes to conceal it.

If I couldn't conceal the 23 I'd take the 26.
If I couldn't conceal the 26 I'd take the SP101.
I can always conceal a 642.
Sometimes I might carry the 23 and the 642, or the SP101 and the 642.

See where I'm going with this?
Why limit yourself? I'd let my wardrobe decide.

[GojuBrian]

I'd carry the G23 I guess. Atleast until I sold a couple to get what I want. :)

[AK103K]

I have 642's and Glock 26's, and my 642's only come out to the range anymore.

The 26's offer double the ammo in a gun thats very close in size, easier to shoot well with, easier to reload, easier to carry reloads, uses the same reload as my main gun, as well as has night sights, whats not to like?

[fastbolt]

I try to make it a habit to avoid making specific make/model/design/caliber recommendations to folks. I'm not them, and they aren't me ...

Questions I often recommend folks ask themselves include:

Which do you shoot best?

Which one is best suited to your current skillset and abilities?

Which would you expect to be able to shoot best ... (meaning most safely, accurately, controllably & effectively) ... under unexpected, physically strenuous and taxing circumstances, and which might involve low/reduced light and shooting 1-handed, or with your non-dominant hand, possibly while moving and/or having to fend off an attacker who has managed to get up close?

Which would you feel best fits your desired carry methods (presuming they're safe, secure & practical methods, of course)?

Which is most easily carried safely & securely when you're going about your daily activities and pursuits?

Discounting any personal 'pride-of-ownership' and 'brand enthusiasm', which one do you feel is most likely to prove easiest to draw, present and actually fire under stress, especially when dealing with the sudden onset of hormonal-induced fear response and it physiological effects?

Which one can you most easily stand the loss of if it's taken into evidence/property, perhaps for an extended period of time, or badly damaged during an incident?

Which one have you found to exhibit the most reliable, optimal functioning and operation in your hands, using your personal selection of good quality, factory defensive ammunition?

Which one do you want to have in your hand when the lives of yourself or your loved ones are imminently at risk for seriously bodily injury or death?

These aren't all the questions I suggest they pose to themselves, but they get the mental ball rolling and help get most folks thinking about more than just a "favorite" brand, model or caliber in many instances.

FWIW (not much), I own 3 of the handguns you've listed, and I sometimes carry each of them. A couple more than the other ... and others you've not listed more than those.

That's me, though, and I'm not you. ;)

[easyg]

Glock 23, no contest.

Small enough to conceal.
13+1 rounds of .40S&W is hard to beat.
Accurate, reliable, easy to shoot, easy to load.

[Comedian]

Of the choices listed I'd go with the glock 23. However, the one you're most confident with should probably play a bigger role than any opinion you can pick up on a forum.

[CZ223]

Is the best size/weight/capacity/caliber combination there is. It is easy to carry and conceal. The 26 might be a little easier to conceal but the trade off in in capacity and caliber is not worth it to me.

[SG1]

I choose the SP101 because after much research and searching in general for a better CCW gun, I finally found the (.357) SP101 DOA to fit the bill for me and haven't regretted it for a second. However, this choice suits ME and my carrying style, dress, etc. YMMV.

It is reliable, rugged, simple to use, extremely easy to conceal and in a respectable caliber.

[JohnBiltz]

The G26 is what I would carry. In fact it is what I carry. Reasons: because I think its about as small as you can get and still fight with it like its a full size gun. I can shoot it better than a G17 with or without a magazine extension. It has an adequate amount of bullets in a decent caliber in a small size. And most important, its reliable. I honestly don't understand why anyone carries anything else.

[MikePaiN]

If the only choices I had for CCW were the one's listed by the OP...I'd have to choose the Glock 26.

[MPDC411]

G26, its so tiny you never see it coming, reliable as all hell, and decent round size.

[mnhntr]

sp101 for the reliability, safety, and accuracy in a great caliber 357 magnum

[Winkman822]

If YOU had in your possession this selection of sidearms which would you carry and why?

1. Glock 26
2. Glock 23
3. XDSC9
4. Ruger SP101
5. S&W 642
6. S&W 40VE
As much as it pains me to say, I'd go with the Glock 23 of that bunch.

[stogiegila]

If I had to choose from that list for me it would be the G26 hands down. Saying that, my preferred 9mm is the Sig P228.

I sold my G26 during my transition over to 45acp. I'm now leaning back toward 9mm, but am totally in love with the P228. I would not hesitate in purchasing a G26 again down the road.

Definitely recommend a good gun belt and holster, as the G26 tended to lean away from my body while carrying IWB at 4-5pm.

[RinkRat]

OK :p what if I see your G26 and up it to a G30?? :rolleyes:

[iblong]

For me this would be the order of preference in Carry for your list.

g26
G23
Xd
642
SP 101
40 VE

[Zundfolge]

I like keeping my options open (and a little variety) so I'd probably end up with carry rigs for all the guns (except for the XD and the Sigma as I don't trust the XD not to break and Sigmas have horrible triggers).

I'd probably carry the G23 or G26 most of the time though (and there's a good chance you could use the same rig for both).

[TexasBill]

If I had that selection of guns in my possession, I'd carry most of them down to the gun shop and get something else. The SP101 would be a keeper. Enough weight to be credible as a Magnum handgun, well-made and dependable, an all-round good gun. A S&W Model 60 is in my rotation now.

[NMGonzo]

sp101 ... because even empty is still a formidable weapon.

[357SIG]

Glock 26. It will fit any role because its small. I prefer the G23 for its size overall, but it doesn't work in a pocket. I like the no frills of the Glock line.

[BossHogg]

I don't have any of the guns listed,but I would go for the S&W 642. The airweight in 38 spl is just about the right carry size,15 oz, and the 38spl is a great round for the gun. I have many J-frames just not a 642.

[ColtPythonElite]

Out of those guns? A SP101 in a Galco Speedpaddle makes a nice package.

[jad0110]

Of those, I'd go for the SP101 simply because I shoot it consistently better than any other gun listed.

That said, I prefer the SP101's older, bigger brother, a Police Service Six.

YMMV though, so we can't answer this one for you.

Since the first rule of a gunfight is to have a gun, select one that will get carried everyday. It may or may not be the one you shoot best, but it should be reliable. This is why many of us have more than one carry gun - a tiny everyday gun that can be carried even while doing the most rigorous physical activity in the warmest environment without the benefit of bulkier cover garments, and another that gets carried pretty frequently that we shoot better.

Having more than one carry gun can present training problems. I addressed this by carrying guns with a similar manual of arms (all DA revolvers for me), and I tend to practice on the harder to shoot smaller, lighter ones more frequently.

[357 Terms]

I carry a 2.25in DAO sp101 with a CT laser grip daily. I have no plans on ever changing that.

[heavyshooter]

Of all the given choices I'd choose the S&W 642.
It's in the class with the best CCW revolvers on the market. Revolvers are still a top choice for CCW because of their reliability in adverse conditions.
2nd choice is the XDSC9.

+1
Amen to every single word. This is exactly what I was going to say.

[AK103K]

Revolvers are still a top choice for CCW because of their reliability in adverse conditions.
Revolvers have their own troubles too, and when they do, its usually a lot worse than an auto to get back going, if you can at all.

[skoro]

5. S&W 642


It's what I carry.

[Arkansas Paul]

What do YOU shoot the best?


That is the question.

[fxstchewy]

I can shoot all about the same except the 642, i don't shoot it as well as the others at distance but up close the same...........

[LKB3rd]

Of those choices I'd go SP101. If I could substitute a G17 for the G23 I'd do that, or even the full sized grip in .40 (whatever Gxx that is).

[Deputy25]

Glock 23.

[makarovnik]

Glock 26. It's small and capacity is good.

[David E]

If I could modify the grip, then the Glock 23.

It's not at all difficult to conceal and is a good compromise between power, capacity and size.

If I couldn't do a grip mod, then the Glock 26. I'd have the Pearce extensions on the mag, tho. It points "right" as is, holds 10+1 and is very easy to hide.

XDsc is next, mostly due to the stock trigger. If I could have a triggerjob done on it, it would be my first choice.

[NMPOPS]

Glock 26. Good size and power.

[Jonah71]

Easy one for me now. The G 23 with the G 26 as a bug.

[Deanimator]

Glock 23
Ruger SP101
S&W 642(if no lock)

I routinely carry a Glock 19. If I'd been aware of the option at the time, I'd have bought the Glock 23 and an extra 9x19mm barrel.

The Ruger SP101 is a decent gun.

I would carry the 642 ONLY if it DIDN'T have the lock.

[bergmen]

Black version of the 642 (442):

http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/43921/2418172770053667879S600x600Q85.jpg

Nice shooter, very accurate, easily concealed, a joy to carry because it is light and compact. It's purdy too.

My wife has the 642 and it is her favorite carry gun.

I put an extended grip on mine for the pinky support and rubber back strap that cushions the recoil (makes it MUCH more comfortable to shoot) and fits my hand like the grip was custom made:

http://inlinethumb33.webshots.com/12832/2195079140053667879S600x600Q85.jpg

Dan

[NinjaFeint]

What do YOU shoot the best? Which one can you draw the fastest? Have you trained failure drills with the bottom feeders? What has proved more reliable? Which one can you reload fastest under stress?

Nobody can answer these questions but you. Therefore, nobody but yourself can make this decision.

However, you asked, so I would carry the glock 23 when wearing enough clothes to conceal it.

If I couldn't conceal the 23 I'd take the 26.
If I couldn't conceal the 26 I'd take the SP101.
I can always conceal a 642.
Sometimes I might carry the 23 and the 642, or the SP101 and the 642.

See where I'm going with this?
Why limit yourself? I'd let my wardrobe decide.
This

I carry my glock 17 OWB when I can get away with it, my PM9 IWB when that isn't an option (most of the time) and my p380 in my pocket when that doesn't work. I would carry my GP100 sometimes but I don't have a holster for it.

I always carry something, it's a matter of what I can with what I am wearing.