Best first handgun for CCW

[CZF]

Most people would say that a Revolver is a good starting point.

However, the DA revolver design is over 100 years old now.
Some shooters demand a semi-automatic for CCW. I have
to agree. We live in 2003, not 1933.

A perfect pistol for CCW is the PCR. Light, durable and very
safe, due to it's decocker design.

Will cost you a bit more than a 75B, but is designed for European POLICE duty and serves well in the USA for covert carry.

Same can be said for the CZ P-01, yet it has a blockier profile..
as the tactical rail is not really desirable for a CCW gun.

I carry mine with the M-3 attatched, but it is a quite bulky
setup.

In any event. don't overlook the CZ when you think of your
first CCW pistol.

www.cz-usa.com

 

[MR.G]

I would say a S&W J frame in .38 special.

 

[HadEmAll]

SIG 239, Glock 26/19 (if you have already mastered the don't put your finger on the t

I'd add a Kahr K9 or K40 to that excellent list.......

 

[22luvr]

I go "against the grain"

For a period of three years, my trusty P32 was my primary and only concealed carry piece. Do I recommend that? No, not really but my lifestyle and situation were such that my P32 was adequate.

I've also carried wheelguns in pocket holsters and everyone of them felt like a lump of coal in my pants! In my particular situation, I didn't find snubbies particularly concealable. If you can feel comfortable carrying a snubby, that's pretty close to ideal for self-defense.

Whatever you carry, make sure you can shoot it accurately and handle it safely. Also, for all-day carry, weight AND size matter greatly.

The P32 worked very well for me. I could draw/acquire/fire with great quickness. Stopping power? How about 8 rounds, one after the other? I don't buy into the "one-shot-stop myth, unless, of course, you're toting a rifle around.

 

[zorba]

For CCW, my minimum caliber is 9mm in semi auto, 38 in revolver. Pick from any of the quality makes, Kahr, SIG, Glock, S&W etc. Buy lots of ammo and practice, practice, practice! Also get a good holster & belt.

 

[Felonious Monk]

George H--

I think buying your "back-up" first makes sense. It will get you into the habit of being armed all the time. Once you have developed the habit of carring, then move up to your primary defensive handgun.

Amen, bro!
I bought the P11 first, and WISH I had bought the P32 first. As good/reliable/potent as the P11 is, there are just circumstances when I would NOT carry it.

Same with the J-frames and SP101. I LOVE my Ruger SP101 snubbie, but it's not a CCW...for me.

I would disagree that the P32 is a "nostril gun". Derringers and NAA mini-revolvers fit that characterization. Up to 11 rounds of Cor-Bon JHP or RBCD is potent enough in .32acp to neutralize a threat.

I started a thread a while back that I see a "gap" in revolver sizes, between the NAA mini and the small, light J-frames. While the Ti and Sc J-frames are LIGHT enough, it'd be nice to see a .32acp or .380 small enough to truly conceal, IMO.

The P-32 is a good first CCW.
Maybe not first GUN, but a good first CCW. First gun oughta be a J-Frame or SP101.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All,

Well, I'm sure there are a lot of different opinions out
there regarding the perfect CCW handgun. And,
I'm NO different cuz I have two in mind that I use on a
regular basis. Those two are: a) a Smith & Wesson J-
frame model 60 in .38 Special, with a 2" barrel and the
"R" serial prefix (1979-80 vintage) and b) a SIG-Sauer
.45 caliber P220A. These two work perfect for
me; easy to conceal, and RELIABLE as death and taxes.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Jedi_7.62]

I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned yet, my personal favorite is the 9x18 MAKAROV. Small and reliable easy to handle and acurate. Only draw back I know of is the 8 round magazine and the ammo isn't everywhere. You pobably won't find it at wal mart but about any descent gun shop.

Oh yea, they can be purchased for under $200.

I am considerig a P32 for situations where discretion is important

 

[sw442642]

How many folks have undertaking serious training with the handguns you recommend? Or are they paper punches.

After several different guns and a load of training, I settled on a Glock 19 if clothing allows. If it is a pocket gun - then a J frame.

I would gently suggest that a serious answer to the question implies some usage of the gun in training scenarios. Otherwise, it is just internet chatter.

 

[Master Blaster]

Snubbie Ruger sp-101, or a S&W in .357

You can always shoot .38 spl, no complex controls concealable.
concentrate on practicing draw trigger control and sight picture.

I can also snap shoot from the hip and hit the center of a B-2 (2 different b2 targets 5 feet apart at 10-15 ft distance with two shots each and a coupe de grace on the still moving one.)

Thats my recommendation.

after a year of weekly practice get a Glock G-26.

 

[justice4all]

Every other gun that's been mentioned, there will be times when it gets left home, because it cannot be carried discretely. No such problem with the P32.

 

[lostdog]

first ccw wisdom

Once again, from the newbie: First are you an experienced shooter or new to this? If you are experienced, the its simple; get a concelable version of a gun you are used to shooting b/c there is now subsitute for being intimately familiar with you firearm. Or if you are new to this, then congrats...I would advise a hammerless, j-frame size revover(CIA or chiefs special) in .357 shoot .38 untill you get used to it and then load up. I say that b/c with a gun like that there is no "murphy" factor...no hammer to snag, no slide to jam, if it doesn't work pull trigger again. put laser grips on it and practice till it feels good. That is my opinion, for what it's worth.

 

[Safety First]

SIG P-239 9MM

As noted by a few people before me the SIG is a great ccw gun..I have just purchased mine late last year and have no complaints.I did a lot of research and it was what worked best for me..It is slim,light,has a 8 rd mag,plus a 7 rd mag,but best of all I can shoot reasonably accurate with it. Oh yes,one other thing, I don't think anyone has ever questioned that it is reliable. So, check it out for your self... good luck...

 

[Kahr carrier]

S&W 649 J frame.

 

[Mikel]

I picked a Kahr PM9. Easy for me to conceal, I'm not a very big guy, I couldn't conceal anything larger in warm weather. (In Memphis, it's warm 9 months out of the year or so).

 

[GeorgeH]

The best CCW firearm is one you will carry. That may be different to the one that you want to carry. No firearm is going to do you any good in the glovebox.

 

[IEGPM]

I have to agree with master blaster. Although I use a S&W M&P 40. It serves me just fine

 

[PcolaDawg]

The first gun I bought for CCW was a S&W 642 and it is still my favorite CCW gun. HOWever, it simply didn't fit all situations perfectly as it was/is more bulky than I am comfortable with when I am at work and have to wear a suit (especially in the Summer).

For this reason, I bought a P32 and I have been very happy with it. I've practiced a good bit with it, and found it to be accurate and easy to shoot. And it is an 'anytime' gun. I can wear it no matter the situation - in church, at work, anywhere. Since I bought that gun I ALWAYS conceal/carry unless I'm going to court or my kid's school or something. If it's legal, I always have a gun on me now - no exceptions.

With that said, I still carry my 642 whenever possible. But you are correct, imo, that the P32 is a gun that can always be carried, and most guns are simply not that concealable. That is a HUGE plus for the P32.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Why in the world would someone bring back from the Abyss a thread that's over SIX YEARS OLD???
Seriously, this thread was started in late January of 2003!!

 

[ojibweindian]

Someone's been messing with the virtual defib machine again =)