What do you carry?

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Ash_J_Williams

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I'm taking my CC class tomorrow. I've got a few pistols that would work for CC... I NAA Mini Master, a Phoenix (my only auto), but those are both .22s. My larger DA revolver is a .38, but it might be too big for most of my clothes (I'm a young guy, I dislike loose-fitting clothes). So, I'm considering something else that isn't a .22 that'd be small enough. I don't wanna spend a whole bunch, but I'd consider whatever. I just wanted to see what other people carried and how, and if anyone else disliked loose-fitting attire and still carried.
 
Kahr P9 in an IWB holster. Kahr .380 in a pocket holster. For a lot less money, check out Kel-Tec. They have a single stack 9mm pf9 that retails for around $300. People either love or hate Kel-Tec. They have a poor trigger pull, which can be improved by the buyer. I don't have the pf9, but do have a p11 (double stack 9mm), a .380, and a P40. Revolvers are harder to conceal in tight clothes. You can sometimes find used S&W J frames for reasonable prices.
 
My husband has a Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm. Its a little bulky for lighter weight clothing and he now wishes he had bought the compact instead of the full-size.

I've got a Taurus 709 Slim, which he kidnaps when the M&P won't fit under his lighter clothing and which I can only conceal under my heavier clothing. I like my Slim very well, but had the Ruger LC9 been out at the time I'd probably have bought that instead.

I also have a MPA Protector .380 because I needed something very, very small for at work (funny how that company "no weapons" policy didn't prevent an angry guy who had just been fired from grabbing a nearby piece of pipe and putting a supervisor into the hospital*). I prefer a 9mm, but if I have to have a .380 I'd have liked to have a Sig 238 because I'm in love with a Colt Mustang that I borrowed a couple times and the Sig is a clone. Alas, I couldn't afford it.

I took my Concealed Carry class with a borrowed .22 -- a Ruger .22/45. Then I researched the daylights out every pistol I could get my hands on and made my choice after a lot of back and forth over different options. Unless your state requires that you qualify with the specific gun that you'll be carrying, I'd suggest that you use your .22 or your .38 for the class then take your time figuring out which carry method and which gun best suit your needs.

The Cornered Cat website www.corneredcat.com is oriented to women, but the information is equally useful to anyone new to defensive carry.



*I work in a factory. Within arm's reach of any workstation there are at least half a dozen objects, blunt and sharp, that could be used as weapons. Box cutters, scissors, pocket knives of every size and description, metal rods, steel yardsticks, heavy things that could be swung on cords and lines, chunks of 2x4, hammers, wrenches, ... .
 
Either an STI Shadow in a Tucker Gunleather Cover Up, or a slightly modified Springfield Range Officer in a Silent Thunder or Texas Heritage(not shown) holster. Both are .45ACP. I often have an NAA Pug .22 magnum in the pocket.

STIloadout2.jpg

SAROwSilentThunder.jpg
 
3KillerBs said:
Unless your state requires that you qualify with the specific gun that you'll be carrying, I'd suggest that you use your .22 or your .38 for the class then take your time figuring out which carry method and which gun best suit your needs.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the post! I'll be taking two .22s and a .38 to the class. I picked the class where we basically get free range time after the course.

I dislike autos, so that kinda makes the search for a CC weapon a little more difficult. But if I find an appealing auto in maybe 9mm, that might help. I wouldn't mind having a 9mm since they're such a common round.
 
Ash_J_Williams said:
Thank you for the post! I'll be taking two .22s and a .38 to the class. I picked the class where we basically get free range time after the course.

I dislike autos, so that kinda makes the search for a CC weapon a little more difficult. But if I find an appealing auto in maybe 9mm, that might help. I wouldn't mind having a 9mm since they're such a common round.
Click to expand...
There's no reason not to carry a revolver is that's what you like best and shoot best. Take your time, do your research, and accept that your first decision might or might not be your long-term decision. :)
 
There's no reason not to carry a revolver is that's what you like best and shoot best. Take your time, do your research, and accept that your first decision might or might not be your long-term decision
Click to expand...

Good advice.
 
.

A SW Bodyguard .380 in a Galco pocket holster.




Used to carry a Springfield Champion 1911 .45 in a Crossbreed Supertuck.
.
 
Where you live matters.
In TX, you cannot take the class with a caliber smaller than .32.
If you qualify with a revolver, you may not carry a semi-auto.
We are not the only state with these laws, but if you have not done your homework yet, and it is the night before your class...you have put it off a bit too long.

Once you have your permit you will have all the time in the world to find out what really suits you. But if you limit/dlsqualify yourself by showing up with incorrect equipment...sorry 'bout that.

Live and learn.
 
I carry a Kel-Tec PF9 in an IWB holster worn between the belt and pants; this is known as "inside-the-belt" carry. It is frequently accompanied by its little sister, a P32, carried in a pocket.
Occasionally, I'll feel a little nostalgic and carry one of my two Charter Arms Undercover .38 snub revolvers. One is circa 1987, bought the day I was sworn in as a LEO in that year. The other is circa 1967, owned by my father before he died; he carried it as a OD gun when he was a LEO, too.
 
I recently replaced my Kahr cm9 with a Glock 23 as primary to accompany my S&W 642 B.U.G. Also I carry a good folder. I currently use Don Hume, Uncle Mike's, and Crossbreed holsters.
 
3KillerBs said:
My husband has a Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm. Its a little bulky for lighter weight clothing and he now wishes he had bought the compact instead of the full-size.

I've got a Taurus 709 Slim, which he kidnaps when the M&P won't fit under his lighter clothing and which I can only conceal under my heavier clothing. I like my Slim very well, but had the Ruger LC9 been out at the time I'd probably have bought that instead.

I also have a MPA Protector .380 because I needed something very, very small for at work (funny how that company "no weapons" policy didn't prevent an angry guy who had just been fired from grabbing a nearby piece of pipe and putting a supervisor into the hospital*). I prefer a 9mm, but if I have to have a .380 I'd have liked to have a Sig 238 because I'm in love with a Colt Mustang that I borrowed a couple times and the Sig is a clone. Alas, I couldn't afford it.

I took my Concealed Carry class with a borrowed .22 -- a Ruger .22/45. Then I researched the daylights out every pistol I could get my hands on and made my choice after a lot of back and forth over different options. Unless your state requires that you qualify with the specific gun that you'll be carrying, I'd suggest that you use your .22 or your .38 for the class then take your time figuring out which carry method and which gun best suit your needs.

The Cornered Cat website www.corneredcat.com is oriented to women, but the information is equally useful to anyone new to defensive carry.



*I work in a factory. Within arm's reach of any workstation there are at least half a dozen objects, blunt and sharp, that could be used as weapons. Box cutters, scissors, pocket knives of every size and description, metal rods, steel yardsticks, heavy things that could be swung on cords and lines, chunks of 2x4, hammers, wrenches, ... .
Click to expand...
I know to well about the company no gun's policy.
 
One of the things that may be brought up in your class is that you are going to have to change the way you dress all the time to carry a weapon. It really goes along with the territory. If you wear tighter clothing, I think you will be stuck with IWB carry. Which means that you're still going to have to buy new pants. Pocket carry in tighter jeans will not work without printing like crazy. OWB carry will work, but you will have to wear a good cover garment.

As far as gun choices go, pick what ever feels the best in your hands and what you are the most familiar/comfortable with. If you want to switch to a different platform, make sure that you get plenty of range time in with it first.

As far as calibers, I would not limit yourself to 9mm based on availability. 9mm, .40s&w, and .45acp are all very common and easily available. .380 is getting better now as well.

A revolver make a great ccw, but you have to work a bit harder to conceal one.
 
I really hope you didn't go to the CCW class with a .22

That would be embarrassing.

My recommendations for you would be a .380 pocket gun such as the Taurus TCP, Ruger LCP, Sig p238, or p290, or the KelTec p3At. I own the Keltec pf-9 and it does not fit in your pocket. You must wear it in a holster under the waistband. It can get uncomfortable. Plus I personally don't trust my PF-9 anymore. My pf9 rusted when I sweated on it a bit. Not good. It's recoil is a little too snappy for a 9mm, and its inaccurate.

There are a lot of great choices out there, just get what you like, and remember that you can always buy more guns later.
 
I do not wear loose clothing. I find it extremely easy to conceal a S&W 442. A .38 special isn't my first choice for CCW but it's there when the clothing demands it. I tend to conceal larger revolvers when I can given the attire of the day, and I feel like the longer you learn to carry and the more comfortable you get with it, your skill will improve. Just be confident that most people don't know you have anything on you, and try not to fidget (i've seen people pat the area with the firearm/constantly check or adjust clothing). Once you get the hang of it I dare say you'll be able to conceal larger firearms with ease. But, I know for sure I can conceal this 442 in something as simple as an undershirt and a pair of jeans.

I guess you could say I have a preference towards carrying revolvers.
 
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For one, don't be embarrassed by taking a .22 to your CCW class. Doesn't mean that's what you'll be carrying. In my CCW class, we all actually qualified with .22's for lower noise as we weren't at a range.

I went through a few CCW guns before I found what fit me well. Personally, I went with a .357 revolver (Ruger SP101). I would say to give the .38 wheelies a try. They're not difficult to conceal, you just have to get very used to having it on. Plus, I feel wheel guns are more forgiving as they have no safties, can't be taken out of battery, won't jam due to ammo, etc.

Comfort will come in time. It takes a while before you stop feeling like everyone knows you're carrying, but experience is the only way to get over that feeling of always "printing". And I have went through holsters like motorcycle helmets. You may go through a few to find what's right for you.
 
Go to as many Gunshops that you can and handle all the guns you can. When you are done you will have the best idea of what will work for you. Buy that one. Then look into all the carry options. Somewhere there you will find what works best for you.
 
orionengnr said:
Where you live matters.
In TX, you cannot take the class with a caliber smaller than .32.
If you qualify with a revolver, you may not carry a semi-auto.
We are not the only state with these laws, but if you have not done your homework yet, and it is the night before your class...you have put it off a bit too long.

Once you have your permit you will have all the time in the world to find out what really suits you. But if you limit/dlsqualify yourself by showing up with incorrect equipment...sorry 'bout that.

Live and learn.
Click to expand...

In WV, we don't have to have any practice or practical experience to take the class and qualify. The friday night class has no shooting, Saturday has optional.
 
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