ScareyH22A
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Imho, Glocks are a little thick for IWB carry, especially with light summer clothes. I really like the slim profile of Kahr firearms. Ofcourse, they're not much cheaper than your P30.
Best Carry Gun
- Thread starter TannerLane
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raskolnikov_22
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- May 16, 2009
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Check out the P239. It was a gun I never even thought about buying until I held one at a show. Works great in an IWB.
sohcgt2
Member
I like the Glock model 22, its reliable, has 16 round capacity, and its not too bulky or heavy for all day carry.
jad0110
Member
You may find that you try a few different guns and a number of holsters before you find the ideal carry gun for YOU. Just a word of caution. Just be sure you get a good quality gunbelt.
I myself have found that I prefer S&W J Frames (model 642) for pocket carry and S&W K Frames and 1911s for IWB carry. My favorite carry guns overall are a pair of Model 15 38 Specials, one with a 2" barrel and the other with a 4".
YMMV.
I myself have found that I prefer S&W J Frames (model 642) for pocket carry and S&W K Frames and 1911s for IWB carry. My favorite carry guns overall are a pair of Model 15 38 Specials, one with a 2" barrel and the other with a 4".
YMMV.
easyg
Member
In my opinion, anything over 20 ounces quickly becomes a pain in the butt to carry all the time, everyday.
I've tried to CC a full-sized service pistol many many times, and I always find that they're just too bulky and heavy.
I love my Glock 22, but there's just no way I'm going to carry 33 ounces on my side all day long.
Instead, I can carry my 17 ounce S&W 637 5-shot .38 revolver.
So I recommend a light-weight pocket autoloader or a light-weight snub-nose revolver.
I've tried to CC a full-sized service pistol many many times, and I always find that they're just too bulky and heavy.
I love my Glock 22, but there's just no way I'm going to carry 33 ounces on my side all day long.
Instead, I can carry my 17 ounce S&W 637 5-shot .38 revolver.
So I recommend a light-weight pocket autoloader or a light-weight snub-nose revolver.
friscolatchi
Member
ditto that last post. I pocket carry the M&P340CT all the time. Except while actually working. However, if I lived in a high crime area AND could CC there, this would be my back up. This gun has been a real pleasure to own and to carry. I primarily practice with factory loads in 38 and I am getting comfortable with the recoil from the 357 full house rounds and accuracy has improved. If I lived in the North Country here in NY I would most likely purchase a 329PD and practive, practice, practice.
As far a cheap goes, only a rich man can afford to buy cheap tools. Hope that this helps. Frisco
As far a cheap goes, only a rich man can afford to buy cheap tools. Hope that this helps. Frisco
chuckusaret
member
I have many handguns that are "good" for CC but they are not perfect for CC. My recommendation is a Springfield XD40 sub compact. This weapon is my most fired handgun with over 6,500 rounds thru it without any type of failure.
MCgunner
Member
I agree with Uncle Mike. You will find yourself collecting carry guns and you can't have too many choices. I find myself relying on or Kel Tec P11 9x19 and a Taurus M85SSUL most of the time, though. Both are powerful enough, accurate, and very reliable. I really cannot IWB most days. I am active and outside in my job, bending over, rolling under tractors, etc. Right now, it's been hitting 100 degrees out there with humidity in the 70 percent range. I measure the job by the number of T shirts I soak with sweat.
So, anyway, it's a pocket for me if I want to carry 24/7. I have IWB options, but they don't get carried real often. I still have options I wish to buy, actually. I'd like to have a Taurus PT145, real small, light .45ACP. And, I'm still wanting a Ruger LCP to fill that size niche between the KT/Taurus and my little .22 mini revolver which I do not like to rely on for primary.
Every individual will have a preferred mode of carry. Those that have office jobs, wear a business suit, never go outside or live in cold climates where a decent cover garment is possible, IWB or even a shoulder holder could be an option and a bigger gun possible. You build will also dictate carry sometimes, like for me, I couldn't do the belly band thing. LOL For me, carpenter's jeans and a T shirt every day, it's a pocket that works. I guess, what I'm sayin' is, it's a personal thing with a lot of variables. You're going to have to figure it out on your own.
So, anyway, it's a pocket for me if I want to carry 24/7. I have IWB options, but they don't get carried real often. I still have options I wish to buy, actually. I'd like to have a Taurus PT145, real small, light .45ACP. And, I'm still wanting a Ruger LCP to fill that size niche between the KT/Taurus and my little .22 mini revolver which I do not like to rely on for primary.
Every individual will have a preferred mode of carry. Those that have office jobs, wear a business suit, never go outside or live in cold climates where a decent cover garment is possible, IWB or even a shoulder holder could be an option and a bigger gun possible. You build will also dictate carry sometimes, like for me, I couldn't do the belly band thing. LOL For me, carpenter's jeans and a T shirt every day, it's a pocket that works. I guess, what I'm sayin' is, it's a personal thing with a lot of variables. You're going to have to figure it out on your own.
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whippoorwill
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Kahr PM9. If you want .40, Kahr PM40. Maybe a tad expensive but underrated and under noticed.
Pistols are like clothes, one size does not fit all.
You need to spend time trying-out various brands, styles and calibers to compare how they feel in your hands, while hanging on your pants and when firing downrange.
Don't let anyone tell you that one specific gun is "best". Run away from anyone that does.
You need to spend time trying-out various brands, styles and calibers to compare how they feel in your hands, while hanging on your pants and when firing downrange.
Don't let anyone tell you that one specific gun is "best". Run away from anyone that does.
chromerunner
Member
love the G27.but for CC i love my keltec PF9...its just so thin and lite.
spyderdude
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- Sep 8, 2006
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- 315
+1 to the above replies.
I went through a very expensive process of trying to find the right carry gun for me since no range around my area rents guns. I finally settled on the Glock 19 and really haven't found anything better. Since you're looking for something in .40 might I consider the Glock 23!?
There are tons of choices out there, it certainly doesn't have to be a Glock, but I do highly recommend it!
I went through a very expensive process of trying to find the right carry gun for me since no range around my area rents guns. I finally settled on the Glock 19 and really haven't found anything better. Since you're looking for something in .40 might I consider the Glock 23!?
There are tons of choices out there, it certainly doesn't have to be a Glock, but I do highly recommend it!
cubesmoothie
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- Jun 26, 2009
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhmnPrf9Xsc
GLOCK 27.
Taurus PT24/7 PRO is a good choice if you dont want to spend a lot of money on a .40. It is accurate however not nearly as concealable or comfortable to conceal as a g27.
GLOCK 27.
Taurus PT24/7 PRO is a good choice if you dont want to spend a lot of money on a .40. It is accurate however not nearly as concealable or comfortable to conceal as a g27.
Walther PPS
+1 to all posts encouraging you to search until you find what works best for you.
That having been said, what I've found works best for me, and a pistol I'd recommend anyone looking for a CCW sidearm to try, the Walther PPS, shown here with the 7-round magazine (that gives you a little more grip). You can also get 6- and 8-round magazines. And it comes with two thicknesses of back strap, which also helps you to fit the pistol to your grip.
Very thin. The "S" in PPS is for slim. Very discrete. Handles comfortably (for me). And shoots very accurately.
Didn't someone once say, "You can never be too rich or to thin."
+1 to all posts encouraging you to search until you find what works best for you.
That having been said, what I've found works best for me, and a pistol I'd recommend anyone looking for a CCW sidearm to try, the Walther PPS, shown here with the 7-round magazine (that gives you a little more grip). You can also get 6- and 8-round magazines. And it comes with two thicknesses of back strap, which also helps you to fit the pistol to your grip.
Very thin. The "S" in PPS is for slim. Very discrete. Handles comfortably (for me). And shoots very accurately.
Didn't someone once say, "You can never be too rich or to thin."
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kda
Member
I was searching for something light and thin enough that my wife would actually carry it when she was out. She has a S&W 357 L frame Mag for her night stand and a Glock 19 for her "around the house" weapon, but she was not anxious to carry either around in her purse while shopping.
I had been similarly perplexed with finding a gun I could actually hide while in CCW mode. I had dropped a few bucks on OWB, IWB and elastic band carry methods and I never could find a way to carry any of my Ruger Autos or my Glock 19 so that I felt like it was really "hidden". I'm not a 'beefy' fellow and anything hanging on my frame just seemed to stand out and advertise I was carrying. So I found I didn't carry.
My wife and I were at a gun shop and I spotted a S&W Airweight Snubbie in 38 spl ... and it had already been factory fitted with CT laser sight grips. Knowing it had to be light weight, I had her drop it into her purse. Just like that, the search was over. Her eyes lit up and I knew she would be OK. It took up surprisingly little room, much less than one would guess by looking at it. It was so light she could hardly feel the weight. Her smile said it all. That revolver was going home with us.
I had not thought much about getting a 'revolver' for my own CCW. I guess I figured with the cylinder, it would simply be to thick to conceal well. Still, since the gun was out of the case and we were looking at it, I dropped it in my front jeans pocket. IT SIMPLY DISAPPEARED. I was amazed. My wife was amazed. I mean I found you just could not tell I had a firearm in that pocket.
We now have a matched pair of SW 38 spl Airweight snub nosed revolvers with factory fitted Crimson Trace Laser Grips. And a pair of pocket holsters that work well in my pocket and her purse. I find I can sit, drive, squat, bend over ... and not even know it is in my pocket. But I do tend to wear loose clothes anyway ... not baggy but far from skin tight.
My point is that you may not want to rule out the smaller revolvers like I had mistakenly done for too long. Load them with Hornady Critical Defense +P ammo and you are good to go. Five shots is plenty for the places I plan to go, but Bianchi speed loader stips are cheap and with practice, fast and easy to use. Speed strips are easy to conceal also.
I found that one cannot evaluate these small light S&W revolvers by just looking at them. But hold one and actually try to conceal it ... and the miracle unfolds.
Most importantly, since they are so concealable, dependable, light and versatile (with the CT sights for inside a building or night), they actually go with us just about everywhere. You can get this weapon with concealed or exposed hammer (S&W 637) and, of course, with or without the laser grips. Certainly worth a look as you search for something that will work for you.
Good luck in your search. Keep an open mind. Try lots of things.
I had been similarly perplexed with finding a gun I could actually hide while in CCW mode. I had dropped a few bucks on OWB, IWB and elastic band carry methods and I never could find a way to carry any of my Ruger Autos or my Glock 19 so that I felt like it was really "hidden". I'm not a 'beefy' fellow and anything hanging on my frame just seemed to stand out and advertise I was carrying. So I found I didn't carry.
My wife and I were at a gun shop and I spotted a S&W Airweight Snubbie in 38 spl ... and it had already been factory fitted with CT laser sight grips. Knowing it had to be light weight, I had her drop it into her purse. Just like that, the search was over. Her eyes lit up and I knew she would be OK. It took up surprisingly little room, much less than one would guess by looking at it. It was so light she could hardly feel the weight. Her smile said it all. That revolver was going home with us.
I had not thought much about getting a 'revolver' for my own CCW. I guess I figured with the cylinder, it would simply be to thick to conceal well. Still, since the gun was out of the case and we were looking at it, I dropped it in my front jeans pocket. IT SIMPLY DISAPPEARED. I was amazed. My wife was amazed. I mean I found you just could not tell I had a firearm in that pocket.
We now have a matched pair of SW 38 spl Airweight snub nosed revolvers with factory fitted Crimson Trace Laser Grips. And a pair of pocket holsters that work well in my pocket and her purse. I find I can sit, drive, squat, bend over ... and not even know it is in my pocket. But I do tend to wear loose clothes anyway ... not baggy but far from skin tight.
My point is that you may not want to rule out the smaller revolvers like I had mistakenly done for too long. Load them with Hornady Critical Defense +P ammo and you are good to go. Five shots is plenty for the places I plan to go, but Bianchi speed loader stips are cheap and with practice, fast and easy to use. Speed strips are easy to conceal also.
I found that one cannot evaluate these small light S&W revolvers by just looking at them. But hold one and actually try to conceal it ... and the miracle unfolds.
Most importantly, since they are so concealable, dependable, light and versatile (with the CT sights for inside a building or night), they actually go with us just about everywhere. You can get this weapon with concealed or exposed hammer (S&W 637) and, of course, with or without the laser grips. Certainly worth a look as you search for something that will work for you.
Good luck in your search. Keep an open mind. Try lots of things.
My 0.02 - naturally "avoid gunfights" is rule 1, but if that fails...
* pick a gun you'll actually carry, for most that means "comfortable to carry", "convenient to carry", "easy to put onto body and take off body".
* pick a gun you can shoot effectively and that you will practice with regularly.
* pick a gun that's reliable, it goes bang when it should and no bang when it shouldn't.
At the end of the day, the major things people talk about like ballistic performance and mag capacity are nice, but if the gun doesn't fit the above 3 criteria (esp #1) you won't have it with you when you need it OR you won't be able to use it effectively to stop a threat.
I think for most people, it converges to pocket carry of a snubnose revolver or small frame semi auto.
* pick a gun you'll actually carry, for most that means "comfortable to carry", "convenient to carry", "easy to put onto body and take off body".
* pick a gun you can shoot effectively and that you will practice with regularly.
* pick a gun that's reliable, it goes bang when it should and no bang when it shouldn't.
At the end of the day, the major things people talk about like ballistic performance and mag capacity are nice, but if the gun doesn't fit the above 3 criteria (esp #1) you won't have it with you when you need it OR you won't be able to use it effectively to stop a threat.
I think for most people, it converges to pocket carry of a snubnose revolver or small frame semi auto.
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Telesway
Member
I second the last post.
Pick a gun that you will carry and that you will like shooting A LOT. A lot of gun owners I know have many guns, pistols, revolvers, long guns, and how often do they go shooting? Maybe once a month, if even that. How often do they do dry firing drills? Practically never. A few times a year, max.
So get a gun you will LOVE, you know, just to hold it, look at it etc. When I'm at home alone with nothing to do I love watching TV and doing dry fire drills at the same time (granted, the TV usually goes ignored exept when I take a break or practice trigger control).
Get a gun you feel you HAVE to get to shoot once a week. Like an endorphine addiction with gym and other sports junkies: they have to have their daily/weekly fix, otherwise they get antsy. Having that with your gun means you'll dry fire it regularly, shoot it regularly, and maintain it regularly... oh yeah, and carry it regularly with pride (even when concealed).
I don't think it matters if it's a Glock, and XD, a 1911, a snubby revolver, a SIG, whatever. Caliber... .38 special, 9x19, .40, .45... again, doen't think it matters at all if you shoot the hell out of it, live and dry fire. Just get a gun that will get you "hooked".
Pick a gun that you will carry and that you will like shooting A LOT. A lot of gun owners I know have many guns, pistols, revolvers, long guns, and how often do they go shooting? Maybe once a month, if even that. How often do they do dry firing drills? Practically never. A few times a year, max.
So get a gun you will LOVE, you know, just to hold it, look at it etc. When I'm at home alone with nothing to do I love watching TV and doing dry fire drills at the same time (granted, the TV usually goes ignored exept when I take a break or practice trigger control).
Get a gun you feel you HAVE to get to shoot once a week. Like an endorphine addiction with gym and other sports junkies: they have to have their daily/weekly fix, otherwise they get antsy. Having that with your gun means you'll dry fire it regularly, shoot it regularly, and maintain it regularly... oh yeah, and carry it regularly with pride (even when concealed).
I don't think it matters if it's a Glock, and XD, a 1911, a snubby revolver, a SIG, whatever. Caliber... .38 special, 9x19, .40, .45... again, doen't think it matters at all if you shoot the hell out of it, live and dry fire. Just get a gun that will get you "hooked".
LeverGunJunkie
Member
chromerunner and I are on the same page. Nothing against any of the tools mentioned above, but I favor the Kel-tec Pf-9. Light thin, accurate, and above all, perfectly reliable for me. Used to carry a Kel-tec P11, but went to the PF9 b/c it is a thin single stack, and you only lose 3 or 4 rounds.
The only draw back is the trigger. 8-10 lbs is a lot, but once used to it, it can be fired quickly and accurately.
The only draw back is the trigger. 8-10 lbs is a lot, but once used to it, it can be fired quickly and accurately.
jackstinson
Member
Lahti L-39 ..... A bit large for IWB carry, but get a good belt and leather holster.
You might need a cart for the ammo though.
Seriously.....there is no BEST ........ other than the gun that you WILL carry.
You might need a cart for the ammo though.
Seriously.....there is no BEST ........ other than the gun that you WILL carry.
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