Looking for a CCW...

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Nick1911

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Ok, I don't have the permit yet, but that's ok, becasue I don't have the money for another gun yet either. :eek: So I'm in the market for a reliable, concealable, probably 9mm (although I'm open to other suggestions) semi-auto. Right now I'm leaning twoard a Sig P239, but I haven't gotten to a shop to finger one up. yet... :D

So lets hear it, what do you carry in the summer, and why?

Nick
 
S&W SC360 "Scandium" .357 ~15 oz fully loaded with 158 gr Hydrashoks and CTC lasergrips to help out my old eyeballs.

Second choice, Kahr PM40 wtih night sights, sometimes the buldge of the cylinder and larger overall size of the snubbie is just a bit too much. Kahr is about 22 oz fully loaded with 180gr Golden Sabers.

Distant third choice Kel-Tec P3AT ~11 oz fully loaded with 102 gr Golden Sabers.
Significantly thinner than the Kahr.

During our ~4 months of "not summer" Kimber Ultra Carry 45ACP is my first choice. Also has CTC lasergrips.

--wally.
 
Do they even have summers in Pennsylvania? :)

If I lived there, a full sized gun might work for me too, but here, starting about two weeks ago, two layers of clothes == drenched in sweat if you have to walk 100+ yards outdoors.

The dry spot where the gun is, really gives you away :)

--wally.
:) :) :)
 
I have two guns I'm planning on evaluating this summer. The first will be a Colt XSE LW Commander lightly worked by EGW (Novak tritiums & a carry bevel). The second will be a Tripps hardchromed HK P7M8. They are both way lighter and more compact than my standard carry, a 5" Govt Model.

The advantage to the LW Commander is that it's very close to my standard carry, and I like the oomph of the .45 round. The downside is that it kicks a good bit more than a 5" steel gun, and my splits are slower with it.

The advantage to the P7 is that I can shoot it faster than my Govt models, but you're going down to 8 rounds of 9mm.

I will have to carry both in the heat and think about it more, I'm not sure which is the better option right now.
 
I'm currently waiting on my carry permit to come in (applied three days ago). I plan on trading or selling my Glock 21 and am considering the Sig 239 in 9mm and the CZ Rami in 9mm. If the Rami fits my hand good enough, might have to go with it due to its small size. I'm also considering the Sig 228. It just doesn't seem that much bigger than the 239 and is an awesome weapon.

So, even though I haven't carried it yet, I think the 239 is a nice choice.
 
The two that I will probably be sporting this summer are either a Kahr PM9 or Kel-Tec P-3AT. Luckily summers up here in Northeastern Ohio don't get too bad.
 
I carry my Springfield MilSpec all year 'round.
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Wow, it seems to me that carrying a ful size 1911 wouldn't be concealable (let alone being very heavy)... dare I ask what holster is used for that...?

Nick
 
I have no problem concealing my full size 1911 year round. I'm 5'7", 140 lbs. All I need is a pair of shorts and a relatively loose (preferably button down) shirt and I'm ready to go. The trick is a nice IWB with offset retaining straps that can keep the gun close to your body. I have one of Gary Brommeland's Max Con IWBs, and I am VERY satisfied. I've yet to have anyone even notice I've had it on. It's comfy, too. 1911s are flat guns, so they're great IWB carry guns. If you're in a sweaty environment (like MD is in the summer... 100% humidity 99% of the time) go for a stainless gun. I have a stainless SA Milspec 1911-A1.

If I'm wearing pants or shorts with belt loops, I take the 1911. It conceals better than everything but a J-frame, and is much more comforting to be able to call on in a time of need.

I still carry my beater revolvers in the off-season, (when concealing is a much easier task) but summer is definately 1911 season. With an IWB there is no reason to go with less than a full-size gun.
 
Carry guns regardless of weather:
Commander-sized 1911
Browning HiPower
Kahr K-9
I really can't say that a Kahr or Sig 239 are so much more concealable than a Browning or 1911.
 
With the right belt and holster.......

one can carry just about anything within reason all year around. I have a 642 that is pretty much an always gun. It's like carrying your wallet in your front pocket. I also have a G26 that happens to be an outstanding gun. I can get a box of 100 rds. of Winchester FMJ's from wall-mart for under 11.00. That's cheaper that most makarov ammo and, that is why I sold my maks and went with the glock. I'm even going to strap on a 4in GP100 when my new holster and belt come in from Fist. If all goes well, the GP100 should conceal pretty good under a pair of jeans and a loose fitting T-shirt.

Robert
 
Try a CZ PCR 9MM. 14 round mags are easy to find and its an incredibly accurate and reliable weapon. If you can afford it pick up one of the recent German import BMI HK P7 PSP's. $700 - $750 will get you an all steel, slim, beauty that you will not want to put down. I carry both the PCR and PSP depending on mood and clothes.
 
I want something that fits in my front pants pocket. I know this is a semi-auto forum, but I decided on an old model Charter Arms Undercover .38 in a Mika pocket holster. Bad thing is that capacity is five rounds. (.38 special S&W models such as 37, 38, 42, 442, 638, and 642 are same size, weight, and are also 5-shots.)
 
Interesting, I've got a good pool to draw from.

HK P7M8 hard chromed. It really doesn't get much better, IMHO
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Wow... Those ARE nice! A tad bit out of my price range though. ( I was thinking $500ish)

Try a Makarov if cash is an issue.
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I havent had the pleasure of even handling one of these yet. Though for the price... I *might* need one just because :p .

It's like carrying your wallet in your front pocket.
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Funny you should mention that, I do carry my wallet in my front pocket.

So what names in holsters are worth the money? Does it vary dependent on the gun? I am thinking about IWB carry, who makes a good, solid, durable product with that use in mind?

Thanks,
Nick
 
I carry a Walther P99 year round. I usually use a BladeTech IWB, but I also have a Graham's Falcon leather holster. I'm 6'2 175, so a loose shirt conceals the gun no problem. I wear the P99 at 4:00 (right behind my hip bone) with a pretty good cant. I'm waiting to check out the P99 subcompact, though. The SW99 subcompact I have handled seemed very nice.
 
Right now I'm leaning twoard a Sig P239, but I haven't gotten to a shop to finger one up. yet...
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Not a bad way to lean...I see the P239s at a lot of the ranges that rent guns; I tried one out before I got my Sig P228; the P228 and P239 are two that you should try out & see if they work for you.
 
Kahr K9, it is small, thin and shoots accurate. Very little recoil. Feels great in my hand. The night sights on mine are tremendous.

Makarov, it is reliable, cheap and a great shooter. It also feels great in my hand. The sights need some work, but nothing that $2 in paint can't correct.
 
I carry my full size 1911 year round. Get a good holster and a good gunbelt and you will be amazed at how easy you can conceal it. In fact, I've carried a Sig 228 before, which would seem to be easier to conceal than a full size 1911. The 1911 is hands down easier for me to carry and conceal. The thinness of the 1911 makes it very concealable. 90% of the shooters I've met think that it would be difficult to carry everyday, but after they try it with a good holster and gunbelt, only about 25% still find it unmanageable. YMMV but it would really be cheaper to get a top of the line holster and belt for your 1911 than buying a new gun/holster/belt/ammo. Plus you're already familiar with the 1911...
 
I carry my Kahr PM9 almost everywhere/anytime easily and I have a 5'10"/155# frame. I have a Sig P229 .40/.357 and a Combat sized 1911 .45 but both are just a bit too much for my frame, and for me to easily conceal except in COLD weather. My PM9 is smaller, lighter and thinner than my old Beretta Tomcat 3032, and a full +P 9mm capable pocket pistol.
 
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