shopping for a conceal carry handgun

[jason41987]

well, ive finally moved out of state where you practically have to bend over backwards, kiss a lot of rear end, and beg local authorities in order to get a CCW permit.. im now in wisconsin state (yay).. and ive decided to buy a new handgun for the purpose of conceal carry

so.. im looking for some recommendations, as of now, the one im considering most is the commander size 1911.. reason for this is that its single stack, slimmer, very easy to find parts for, and customize for concealed carry, and it seems i can get one in any caliber i choose.. but a big reason is i think theyre safer.. hammer down, they simply wont fire, no need for an external safety and due to my experience with revolvers, i already naturally pull a hammer as i draw

other guns ive considered are the ruger SR9C or SR40C, the makarov PM (would make a nice companion to my AK rifle as well, and is inexpensive, reliable, and very small)

what are some other options i should look at?, and id prefer an automatic for conceal carry due to the thinner, lighter profile they offer over a revolver

oh.. i forgot to mention my price limit is $500

 

[HexHead]

Get a Glock.

It is never recommended a 1911 be carried in Condition Two, loaded chamber with hammer down. Glock 36 is single stack, .45acp and works just like a revolver. Just pull the trigger. If you put in a NY1 spring and a "-" connector, the trigger will feel just like a DA revolver too.

 

[Tomac]

Have you considered the Kahr line? Light, flat, singlestack, variety of calibers, long but smooth/light DAO-style trigger (so no hammer or manual safety to remember/find/manipulate under stress), comes in a couple of different sizes and price is around $400 (night sights optional). My first range trip w/the CM9, I was hitting tin cans at 10yds which is much more accurate than I was expecting from such a small pistol w/DAO-style trigger.
Wife has a P380 for her CCW and I have a CM9 for when I simply can't carry anything larger.
Kahr CW9 (7+1), CM9 (6+1) and P380 (6+1):


My preferred CCW is the SIG P250 in 9mm. The P250 is also available in a variety of calibers and sizes, has a DAO-style trigger like the Kahrs (also long but smooth & light), is greater capacity (12+1 to 17+1 depending upon the size) and is modular so you can swap different size frames/calibers around a single serialized fcu (fire control unit). Price locally is $499 w/night sights.
SIG P250 compact, P250 subcompact, Kahr P380 & CM9:

SIG P250 subcompact slide on a bobbed compact frame (15+1):

Tomac

 

[jason41987]

aah.. actually looked at the overall width of a 1911.. even a double stack 9mm is more compact.. the ruger SR9C is slimmer than a 1911 and can hold 17 rounds, so clearly double stack.. so i should be focusing more on the overall width (of course).. but one other reason i was considering a 1911, is the possibility of 10mm so i could use for outdoor defense as well, in case of bears

 

[M2 Carbine]

oh.. i forgot to mention my price limit is $500

In that price range I have several Ruger LC9, SR9C, SR40C, a S&W 9mm Storm, 17 Makarovs, a Bersa BP9cc and a couple 9mm Beretta Nanos.

All are excellent carry guns at a decent price.

 

[Hanzo581]

I would highly recommend the Ruger SR9c. It is slim, rock solid reliable, excellent trigger, takes the 10rnd conceal carry mags as well as the 17rnd SR9 mags and at least for me is supremely accurate for its size. Only downside is the external safety you don't seem interested in.

That said, I would see if there are places to rent them and try different options for yourself, or at the very least fondle them all.

 

[Eldraque]

Get a Glock.

It is never recommended a 1911 be carried in Condition Two, loaded chamber with hammer down. Glock 36 is single stack, .45acp and works just like a revolver. Just pull the trigger. If you put in a NY1 spring and a "-" connector, the trigger will feel just like a DA revolver too.

I must disagree...you can draw and cock the hammer with your thumb just as quickly as drawing a Glock, the advantage with SAO hammer down carry is if someone were to grab your gun from you and pull the trigger, nothing would happen, then in their moment of confusion you could take them down


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[jason41987]

external safety is probably best for double actions, i could get used to dropping a safety before firing.. but, ive been looking at the width and weight of a few different guns, and one i like that i feel i could comfortable conceal is one of my favorite handguns.. the CZ-75 series.. specifically the CZ-75 compact or P-01

im more prone to liking handguns with metal frames and wooden grips, i like the feel much, much better than i do plastic.. what is the width of a 1911 with the slim grip panels?.. but, another issue to consider is that i have pretty large hands, what might be slim and easy to conceal might be too small and akward to handle.. for example, i cant use a ruger SP101 revolver

 

[Eldraque]

Check out a P224


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[VetPsychWars]

#1 is what fits your hand. A gun that doesn't fit your hand is worthless to carry.

You don't say where in Wisconsin you are, but the Gander Mountain in Germantown has branded itself "Gun World" and has just about any pistol you want to name. Might be worth your time to go there and handle a bunch of different pistols to see what feels good to you, and you can go from there.

Tom

 

[jason41987]

im near madison.. germantown is pretty far, maybe during one of my trips to milwaukee i can stop there, or at the cabelas to try some out... this is the sort of thing im not going to order online and have shipped to a local FFL as i need to be sure it has a proper fit first.. and my big hands could be a concern with those sub-compacts.. but im really thinking that CZ-75 P-01 would be my top pick right now as i have handled these and i like them a lot

 

[ku4hx]

In that price range I have several Ruger LC9, SR9C, SR40C, a S&W 9mm Storm, 17 Makarovs, a Bersa BP9cc and a couple 9mm Beretta Nanos.

All are excellent carry guns at a decent price.

^^^ This. My wife really likes her SR9c and shoots it very well; she's looking to get an SR40c. She has the SR40 and likes it so the companion piece works for her. Who am I to argue?

I like the SR9c too; my carry piece is a Glock 27.

 

[Goblin]

My Bersa is light and I really like the dble/single action.

 

[moxie]

Eldraque,

Have to disagree on carry in condition 2.

Your logic also applies to carry in condition 1. If someone grabs your gun and pulls the trigger nothing happens. The safety is on.

Cocking the hammer while drawing from condition 2 with a 1911 is nothing like drawing and cocking a SAA-style handgun. Doesn't work well at all. Very difficult with many 1911s. Have you actually, really, tried it? Also, if you cock and draw at the same time you're going to end up "muzzling" yourself or something else well before you get on target. While this might be OK for quickdraw artists at the range under controlled conditions, it certainly doesn't meet safety requirements under any other circumstance.

Condition 1 is faster and safer, especially with 1911s that don't have a firing pin safety. I can't think of a single firearms trainer or school that teaches carry in Condition 2. The overwhelming majority advise Condition 1 carry.

 

[needmorecowbell]

Go with the P01. To me, about the perfect all around handgun.

 

[beatledog7]

I would not enjoy carrying any SA pistol, but if I did it would certainly be cocked and locked.

There are only two other ways I've ever known anyone aside from military personnel under orders to carry an SA pistol:

1) Round in the chamber, hammer down, as Eldraque suggests. That requires manually lowering the hammer on a live round, which I can safely do but choose not to do, and then thumbing the hammer to make it fire. No, thanks.

2) No round in the chamber (safety off). That requires racking the slide before being able to fire. Again, No, thanks.

Both of those are in violation of my personal carry gun #1 criterion: One switch to Bang!

I will happily carry a DA revolver, a DA/SA pistol with decocker, or a DAO/striker-fired pistol either with no manual safety or with the safety off. All can be safely carried one-switch to bang.

 

[BlindJustice]

+1 Moxie on COndition One.

O.P. - I'd like a bit of background on your
handgunning experience. you're kinda all over
the place in terms of what to get, how to carry it, etc.

I think if you're in a more gun friendly state, get a Commander of some sort
and go shoot it a lot, practice practice practice



I have a full size 1911 I carry in a Milt
Sparks Axiom Holster A Commander length
slide/bbl would be a little better but it's
the 1911s 5.5" Hieight - Griplength that
'prints' concealed. A Bobtail MSH on a
Commamder -or- Full size 1911 rounds off
the rear bottom of the grip frame

The imo ideal 1911 carry variant I believe is the
Concealed Carry Offiecers aka CCO.
4.25"' Cmdr Bbl./Slide on the Officers Frame which
is 4.75" inheight 3/4" less than the full size frame

I've got a CZ 75B 9mm Luger and it's grip is
every bit as wide as my 1911 which has the roundy Hogue
wood grips probably 1.4" each. A slim grip on the
1911 can get the width to 1.28" as DW specs it.

Randall

 

[tydephan]

I've carried full-size and commander-size 1911s. Glock 19. Glock 26. M&P40. M&P9c. And a Springfield EMP.

For me, the best concealed carry I've found and continue to love is the M&P Shield 40. I carry it daily in a Comp-tac CTAC holster and forget it's there sometimes. It's single-stack so it's very slim. Very accurate out of the box. It doesn't have the same trigger, of course, that you'll find in a 1911. But it's a decent pull. The extended mag holds 7 rounds of .40.

The gun has an external safety that can be used if you like, but perfectly safe to carry without safety on in a proper holster.

I love the combination of this package, and don't see me changing anytime in the near future.

$399 in my area, and the CTAC is $80.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[jason41987]

i guess im probably going to go with the CZ then.. comfortable grip, im used to the extra weight from using revolvers, i have huge respect for the CZ company and they do make a quality product.. ill get a P-01 most likely.. probably in 9mm, i dont see ENOUGH of an advantage in .40S&W

 

[moxie]

Good choice!

 

[jason41987]

yeah. the CZ should do well.. ill probably get a larger 44 cal revolver for open carry during outdoor activities as well at some point, but, i wouldnt try to conceal anything like that

 

[WRGADog]

Check the Walther PPS. The PPS is the thinnest of guns, and comes with 6,7,or 8 round magazines. Really a great gun for concealed carry, easy to conceal, reliable and accurate.

 

[BlindJustice]

O.P said he has big hands
said he's getting a CZ P01 whichshould
allow his little finger to dangle below the
grip/frame

R-

 

[Roadking Rider]

Great choice. The CZ PO-1 is my favorite CZ of them all. I chose the PO-1 over the PCR because it has a light rail which gives me options for later on, should I ever decide to go that route. I shoot my PO-1 every bit as good as I do my 75B.

 

[Flash!]

for CONCEALED carry, I would recommend the S&W Shield in .40. You should be able to get one brand new in the box for a little over $400....