Best Carry Gun

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TannerLane

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Hi All,

I am trying to decide on what my next purchase should be for a carry gun. I have looked at everything from 1911s to Glocks. I am leaning towards a .40. I currently own a P30 and love it but want something a little less expensive to carry concealed.

Would appreciate any suggestions!

Thanks

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the
people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves
against tyranny in government." - Thomas Jefferson
 
I just posted this for someone elses thread, and it relates.... although his question was about .357 mag in 8" barrel vs. 9mm).... hopefuly it will help you to see what others think and why they decide what they do..... heres mine....

I think you will find, as I did, that the really big guns don't make good concealed carry guns (6-8" revolvers)... you will find the 9mm much easier to conceal (unless you are large), and much easier to carry around (which will arguably prompt you to carry more)...

Everyone has their own reasons for the decisions they make, but I concluded that a lot of rounds (such as a 9mm/40 likely has) is probably better than a few rounds (considering each could do the job)..... I then later decided that I needed something smaller even than the full size 9mm I carried, because I found myself carrying less often because it was 'inconvenient'...

I have since moved to a 'concealed carry gun' in .38 special snub nose... 5 pretty decent hitting rounds in a real small package, so that I am more likely to carry it.... and so far I do, almost all the time... (have you considered a snub nosed .357 mag 5 shot?)

I may change my mind again later, but that is what is behind my decisions so far..... just to throw some of my reasoning behind it all to date.... for what thats worth...

You will no doubt go through your own process.....
 
Go with a good quality brand gun that fits you well. I'm partial to Glocks, but there are other brands that are just as good. And don't overlook revolvers. I think the Ruger SP101 is a superb carry gun, as are the lightweight Smith J frames and probably the new Ruger LCR as well, though I have not had the opportunity yet to personally try an LCR. One of the guns that I carry pretty often is a Taurus 85CH, and I it's been a good little gun.

This points up the fact that I have several carry guns that I choose from. Right now the one I carry most is a Glock 26, but at times I choose the Taurus (when I just have time to stuff it in my waistband in an Uncle Mike's holster) and often I carry my full size Glock 22, my SP101 or (less often) a Bersa .380 or Ruger P95. And at times when walking the dog or when tramping in the woods I pack my GP100. For me it's really a matter of carrying the biggest (up to full size) gun that I can comfortably conceal with what I'm wearing that day. As Clint Smith has said, if you ever have to use your CCW, you'll wish for a big one.
 
well you have to decide what you like, you have the revolvers, small, thin, adequate in power... then there is the short autos, keeping in mind the 'concealment' part mainly is the grip and width of the piece, not so much the barrel length.

Single action, double action, striker fired, traditional double action....
safety, no safety, decocker, frame mounted or slide mounted...
grip length... short, pinky dangler, medium or full length...
slide length... short,(para warthog) for the close range shots, medium length(1911 commander), long(Beretta 92 FS)...

I think the absolute best concealed carry pistol was the S&W 4013 with a spur hammer installed!
3 3/4" barrel, stainless steel slide with an aluminum frame, grip is long enough to shoot accurately and it is a 'flat' single stack.

That is another area of concern... single stack or do you think you will be laying down suppressive fire and need a hi cap.

Just remember... you are responsible for each and every one of those missiles you launch, so I should think you would not buy a hi cap handgun with the hollywood movie intention of blasting away at your adversary.

If you can't get to cover and or out of the fight with 6-8 rounds in your magazine... then your probably screwed to begin with!
Statistics show that 90% of all handgun shoot-outs end in 2 shots... total!

just a few for thought.... not in any order.
S&W 4013, 4513,3913,6906,410...
S&W Snubbies-
S&W M&P-
1911 Commander Length-(4 1/4" barrel)
1911 Officers Length(3 3/4" barrel)
S&W 686 with 2 1/2" barrel-
Taurus Millennium Pro...??? Careful!
Springfield XD's-
Glock 23-
Glock 27-
Khar Arms CW40,K40-
Charter Arms... I like the .44 Special Bulldog-
Bersa Thunder 40-
Para LDA's(The BEST double action 1911)-
SIG P229,239,250-
Walther P99-
Ruger Sp101 or the GP100-


Just a few- much to ponder...:D
 
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RE:

I am not worried about capacity. I figure if the time ever came upon me I would only need one well placed shot. I do like having double action/single action but am open to the idea of a double action only like a springfield xd or a glock. Like I stated earlier though I am partial to getting a .40 but I do love my 9mm.
 
I carry a G27 or a 642 both with lasers depending on what I am wearing. I am not the fantastic shot that so many on this board are, but while I am working on that I am quite confident in either gun and my abilities at the range of most likely SD encounters. Either gun conceals well and IMHO is more than enough firepower.
 
Just my dumb opinion, but unless you have shot handguns a lot, everyone's first CCW pistol should be a quality snub nosed airweight revolver. You can carry it in almost any position, easy to maintain and use, reliable, etc. It is perfect.

Then when you go to buy your next gun, get CT grips and a trigger guard for you snub instead.

Then after that get a reliable auto or another revolver if you have fallen in love with them like many of us have. :)

For the record I have way more autos then revolvers, but either as backup or main, that snub is along for the ride 90% of the time I walk out the door.
 
I prefer the Ruger p345, model KP345PR (the one with the rail).

Very little recoil for a .45. Accurate, comfortable, and slender enough to CCW.

It has a keyed safety which is great for those times when you have to leave your weapon somewhere (like in your car or desk) and need to disable it.

Throw a light on it and it's a good HD weapon.

I find the loaded chamber indicator to be comforting. I can feel it while to weapon is still concealed to reassure myself that it is chambered and ready to go.

Most edges are smooth, making it easy to holster and comfortable to wear against skin.

The first models in production had some teething issues, but those have been resolved now.
 
.40 carry gun

I suggest the SIG P229, good used and CPO's can be bought at reasonable prices.
 
TannerLane:

Hi All,

I am trying to decide on what my next purchase should be for a carry gun. I have looked at everything from 1911s to Glocks. I am leaning towards a .40. I currently own a P30 and love it but want something a little less expensive to carry concealed.

Would appreciate any suggestions!

Thanks
Click to expand...

It's a too open ended of a question to answer properly.:scrutiny:

Think about it!
 
Why go cheaper for the gun you really count on?

P2000SK for autoloader, M&P340CT for revolver. After a long time searching, that's my carry tandem and I love it!
 
The "best carry gun" is the one you have with you when you need it.
The term "best" is extremely subjective. What is best for some folks, may not be best for me, you, or someone else. Like the man said; "Opinions vary".
You might try starting with what you have. Then, after you have a personal reference to base another purchase on, look at what you'd like to change and what all meets your own criteria.
There are hundreds of threads like this to research.
 
I found the best carry weapon for Me to be the Kahr PM 9 . Lightweight, reliable and a 9mm platform that I feel is adequate for My defensive needs . Your needs may differ from mine but practice with whatever You choose .........WVleo
 
The best carry gun for YOU is the gun that you can carry the best; it's not necessarily the best carry gun for me or for anyone else on this forum ... or anywhere else in the world, for that matter. For me, the answer is a Walther PPK. For you, it might be something entirely different.

To figure out the gun that will work best for you, you'll have to do some trial and error with a lot of different guns. Start with the ones you think you'll like and rent them or borrow them and then take to the range and run some ammo through them. Once you find the one or two that best fit your hand and eye, run some more ammo through them, and then run some more ammo through them. Eventually you'll find the right one, but even that won't mean that you'll be able to carry the gun effectively. Youo'll have to figure out if the gun you select can be concealed effectively on your body. You'll have to determine the proper holster that best fits your frame and gun. In short, you'll have to be patient. Finding the right carry gun os a long process, done correctly. Be prepared to work at it, to experiment, to be take your time.
 
Getting back to what you originally posted. Your pretty sure you want a 40. I think that's a good idea. Also, you would like to have it in DA/SA. Again, I think that's a good idea. You want it to be inexpensive. Uh oh, we may have a problem here.

The only inexpensive one I know of would be Bersa's full size "High Capacity Thunder 40". It comes in DA/SA. Cost about $400 to $450 new. Of course you could buy used, but it is full size. I don't think it's available in a compact size. More expensive but a way better gun would be CZ's 75B compact in 40 with DA/SA. This is a superb weapon but will set you back $600 and change. Then there is CZ's chunky little Rami in 40 caliber. It's not cheap new but there should be a few used ones available.

If you were willing to go DAO there are the Glocks, XD's and of course the M&P's. Truth be told, DAO is probably a better platform for a self defense gun anyway. Just pull it out and pull the trigger. But I know where you're comming from re the DA/SA. There's nothing like having a light trigger pull every time. Personally, I'm lusting for the 75 compact mentioned above.
 
I carry a full sized 1911 all the time. Even when I'm just wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

It's easily concealed and totally comfortable as long as you have the proper holster.
 
CZ P-06 or a Sig P239 if you want a .40 carry gun.

My personal choices are a Sig 1911 C3 (Officers frame with Commander slide) for when I wear a belt, or a LCP when I don't.
 
I'm a pretty big guy @ 6'1" 250, so my pockets are large enough to swallow a G27 in a nemesis pocket holster. I keep a standard mag in the gun, + 2 in the off side pocket, both wearing Pearce Grip extenders. I would save the laser money & invest in a few upgrades to the gun, namely a stainless guide rod, extended slide release & low mount Novak Trijicons. These .40's are amazing shooters for their size, and I cannot imagine a better carry option of max power in a small package. I shoot this little Glock better than a recently acquired XDm. After several different carry loads, I now keep it fully stoked w/ DoubleTap 165 gr Gold Dots. Very hot load, requires pricey practice, but it is a confidence inspiring load & platform. This is my primary CCW. In lighter clothes, I switch to a Scandium SW .357 in a leather pocket holster; I keep it stoked w. .38 +p HydraShocks w/ an HKS speedloader in the weakside pocket. I do occasionally carry the XDm in a Crossbreed Supertuck, as well as a full size 1911 in a high rise open top pancake. It may sound counter intuitve, but the series 80 Colt in the OWB pancake is the most comfortable carry choice; the only one I regularly forget I have on. I would carry it more often, but can't go to work with an untucked shirt. Each choice depends on the weather & what I am wearing, as well as just wanting to mix it up occasionally.
 
Glock 19/23/25/32
glock_73215.jpg

http://www.glock.com

Comp-Tac C-Tac/M-Tac
CTAC.jpg

CTAC-Back.jpg

MTAC.jpg

MTAC-Back.jpg

http://www.comp-tac.com/
 
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