Best CCW?

[CropDuster]

I'm a guy, but I'm only 5'6 and 120lbs, so I'm probably pretty proportionate to you. I carry a Kimber Ultra CDPII 9mm in a comptac mtac IWB holster. No one can tell with jeans and a tshirt. A good holster makes a lot of difference in my experience.

 

[wrs840]

korraley... Surf around this Gal's YouTube channel:

http://www.youtube.com/user/faliaphotography?feature=mhw4#p/u/8/ogGBPVk5GQk

http://www.youtube.com/user/faliaphotography?feature=mhw4#p/a/u/2/ShG0LK4MJII

My wife found it helpful.

Good luck,
Les

 

[bobnailer]

Korraley, lots of good suggestions here though the three pistols you listed seem to indicate you pretty much know what you're looking for. There is no way on Earth you can possibly know how a pistol (or revolver) will look under your clothing until you actually carry it with you wearing the style clothing you normally would be wearing. Being that thieves steal purses, ya, don't put it in your purse. Bring along the clothing you'd normally wear and brandish the pistol/revolver to see if it hangs-up on your clothing and whether it can be drawn easily without snags/hitches. Look for smooth rounded edges, deburred, rather than angular edges, hammer spur that can get caught, etc. Holster is critical, find one that feels good where you plan to carry the gun. I carry a single-stack 1911 mostly because of it's really slim profile, coupled with it's power, a compact/officer's .45 may be for you. I have also carried the Ruger LCR .38 +P 5-shot revolver with extra speed loader, very very light, deburred, no hammer spur to worry about, I put an XS Sights tritium front sight on it, and when I carry it, I can't even feel it. Hope this helps.
Bob

 

[riseagainstforme]

Check out the LC9. That's what i wanna get my wife. She always wears pants though, so a ankle holster is great for her. I don't know what your wardrobe entails to but they also have thigh holsters you can wear under a skirt or something. Just google "chick holsters"

 

[Casefull]

I shoot a lot of large pistols but I love my pf9 and carry it everywhere. I do not carry it to practice with.

 

[wrs840]

Check out the LC9. That's what I wanna get my wife...

Really? Based on what?

Les

 

[fullhouse]

Kahr CW40 goes everywhere I go. Small, light, & plenty of horse power.

 

[jon86]

I know this is the autoloader section, but don't rule out the smith and wesson j frame. Very easy to conceal for me, either IWB or front pocket.

 

[Hawaiian]

I usually carry something larger, but when I want to go small on the belt or in the pocket, it is a Kahr PM9.

Which one is best is the one that YOU are most comfortable carrying and that YOU shoot best.

 

[ajoker31]

If you prefer Glocks and Sigs you'll probably prefer the Walther PPS. It's slim, has a more comparable trigger take-up and break of a Glock trigger. The PM9 is nice and has a real smooth trigger, actually a little smoother than I prefer on a carry piece. You might compare them to the LC9. After trying many different carry pieces I can't imagine having one that's any more concealable, reliable or accurate than the Walther PPS.

Jerry

 

[Erik M]

The first thing I tried was "the smaller the better in an acceptable caliber" route and ended up with a bersa thunder, then a keltec p11. after getting my money back out of those I invested in a J frame, which will forever retain a spot in my stable. Looking for an auto to fill my high-cap preference of edc needs I leaned towards the Glock 26, but went with a 19 instead due to earlier dislike of small framed guns. Word to the inexperienced : the holster is more than 50% of the CCW equation no matter the size of the gun. Dont skimp on your carry methods. I carry a G19C with a G17 mag, all day everyday and its perfectly hidden.

 

[Remo223]

So far, the absolute easiest thing I've found to carry is a NAA mini revolver. Probably not what you wanted to hear tho. For you I'd probably recommend a ruger LCP. It's not a 9mm...only 380. 9mm is more power than a tiny gun can handle. Usually.

 

[Shelstin]

CCW, Buying First Gun. I have tons of questions.

First of all, I live in a rural area where rentals are not an option. That's out. I do, however, live in an area where several friends have guns they will shoot with me at large thick metal plates of varying sizes and colors, at varying distances, and for scores and bets. It's a blast. The SW Sigma 9 I shot has a horrendeously long DAO trigger, in my opinion, and because of that not very accurate for me. Here is what I am looking at, and here are my thoughts and concerns.

I am going to IWB carry, so I would like a small pistol with a manual safety system and a decocker. That may be difficult to find, and I may have to go a different direction. If all else fails, I may go with the glock 26, even though it has no external safety. The HK P2000 is probably my dream girl, but a little too pricy perhaps. We may come back to that. Help me out here! I have confidence in the glock, because almost every LEO that I know personally swears by them in every way and claims that safety is not an issue as long as proper handling skills are aquired and followed. Fair enough. My first desire is a short, crisp trigger, on a gun with with good concealibility, I would actually prefer a good DA/SA trigger set up, with a decocker. I've been told that I am too concerned about safety. If I ever need to pull, God Forbid, I will not aquire my safety, the gun will be pulled from me, and I will be shot with my own gun or worse! I kind of doubt that, but ok. I like the SW M&Pc, the Springfield XDMc, the HK P2000, and a few others. What are the triggers comparable to? I could buy any of those and be happy IF the trigger was right. What grips would fit a smaller hand best? The Glock is a slightly wider grip and I hear complaints there. I have a SW 22 that is awesome to plink with, and if I could find that trigger on a CC gun, I would like that a lot. Any help or thoughts, or recommendations would be appreciated. I might throw in that I am new to this world, either in experience, hunting with bow or gun, or blowing big things up on the fourth of July. I am just not familiar with this specific market and lifestyle. But it's time!

 

[Remo223]

A decocker limits your options considerably. The only smallish gun out there currently in production that I know of with a decocker AND a safety is the sig 239.

At one time, beretta made a compact version of the 92 with a single stack mag. I think they called it the "92 type M". Good luck finding one. They also made a miniature version in .32 or .380 but I don't remember the model name/number.

S&W may still have a compact variation of their old model 39. Some years it was called a chiefs special or CS9, some years a 3913, and some years a lady smith or 3914. The 39 had a decocker and safety. These are 9mm guns with single stack magazines with a beretta style decocker. Some versions may have double stack mags and some may be 40 caliber.

Beretta makes a compact version of the PX4 but it's a double stack mag and may not be suitable for really small hands. It does have a decocker and manual safety, iirc. It's a pretty thick gun and so not as easily concealed as a single stack mag gun.

 

[Johnny Lightning]

I was actually in a similiar situation about a year ago. I had a g27 w/ the works...night sights and a Crimson Laser all ready to carry IWB until I actually tried it. I am a pretty big guy and when I attached the g27 IWB (Galco holster) I thought it looked visiable and was not comfortable. To the defense of the g27 I did not have a good carry belt but even w/ that I cant see it being comfortable. I reciently purchased a used LCP and purchased a Uncle Mikes pocket holster and now carry all the time and it is comfortable and no one can tell i have a pistol on me. My friend has a Galco IWB holster that he let me try and that was also very comfortable. I don't think there is a 9mm out there nearly as small as the pocket .380 and believe me I looked for one! Even the smallest 9mm look huge next to a LCP. I feel that the LCP is no worse to shoot then the g27 (I didn't like to shoot the g27 much either) I had. It isnt a range gun in my opinion but makes a fine reliable carry piece that is in no way uncomfortable to carry. I have currently shot 200 rounds of different ammo w/ no problems out of the LCP.

 

[mbruce]

I just read the OP again and noticed that price is not a factor...with that said....

R9

Or

Archangel would be cool if u could find one

My wife carries a PM9...I carry a PF9....the first is pleasant to shoot -the later is very unpleasant...but works.

 

[mister2]

To OP

CCW to me means not only having it but also using it well, which means proficiency through practice. I say this only to establish my basis for my choices. You like SIGS? Well, so do I.

SIG P239 and P228 are the smallest I can shoot accurately and comfortably while retaining some reasonable stopping power. That's very subjective, of course, but it also gives me a working range of summer/winter, when clothing styles offer less/more concealment.

My .02 YMMV

PS. one of my pet peeves is the hooked trigger guard (catches everything) and these 2 SIGs don't have it.

 

[Hedgemeister]

I have the PM40 and would recommend the PM9. The .380 is just not enough IMO. I live in AZ and just 2 months ago we had a jewelry store get robbed the bad guys had .380's and shot the owner in the face. His glasses stopped the bullet and he was able to peel the bullet out his eye socket with little to no damage. The emp's are great as well. One other idea is a 3" 1911. My wife carries one in a Crossbreed supertuck and she can wear jeans and a tank top no problem.

 

[Rich223]

Can't beat a keltec pf9 for ccw, i guess you could go with the p3at but i dont like 380's, feels too much like a noisy bbgun - I hear ruger is coming out with a copy of the pf9 called the lc9. i think they are both less than an inch wide so check them out. But - keltec's is still the lightest and skinniest 9mm u can get.

 

[Pilgram]

This will seem like odd advice for "the best" CCW.

The best CCW is not the smallest gun or the one that is the most comfortable in your concealment truss.

The best CCW is the weapon you are comfortable shooting and practicing enough with to become proficient. In my experience, the smaller the weapon, the more it hurts to shoot (especially the really popular 380s) and it's no fun to go to the range to practice pulling a micro-cannon out of your underpants or belly band. If you don't practice, and the gun's no fun to shoot, it (the weapon and the concealment holster you carry it in) won't be worth a damn when you need it.

 

[NMGonzo]

Depends ... what are you wearing

 

[QUICK_DRAW_McGRAW]

ive had both a keltec PF9 and P3at, the pf9 i wish i still had (gave it to my brother) but no more.

anyways both were 100% reliable, they would eat any ammo i would feed them, very slim, light, and easy to shoot. with the belt clip you can just tuck it into your pants and forget its there. i prefer a pocket holster but i can see were a woman would have a issue with that (i wear loose fitting seven jeans or the like, and my wife wears tight fitting jeans).

good luck with what ever you choose.

 

[pjohnmart]

I haven't shot this weapon...but it might be a good option for you.
A close friend who owns one said it is a beast to shoot. If you stay with a 9mm and go smaller than your G26, you've got a lot to handle.

http://www.rohrbaughfirearms.com/products

 

[omu]

Well, from one gal to another...

My first gun was a Sig 239 in 9mm. I loved the gun and the idea of a de-cocker for safety. I have night sights, and can shoot it pretty handily. However, I ended up also getting a Sig 238 because I felt that in summer and with slimmer line women's clothes, the 239 was a bit hard to conceal.

The 238 has night sights, and it feels solid, more like the Sig 239 than the way too light and kicky LCP I traded in for it. To me it's an itty bity gun that feels and shoots more like a full size. It's easy to conceal in just about anything. It's got a safety, which I really wanted. I'm also pretty handy with it too. For my money, it's a great gun.

 

[Joker19]

P3AT

Stay away from the Sig P238 as of now. Way too many problems that have come up to be very reliable and Sig admits it. Kind of an expensive Saturday Night Special at the moment and maybe 8 months from now they will be worth a second look. My backup that has never, ever failed me in over 2000 rounds (not one FTE or FTF) is the Kel Tec P3AT. I carry a glock 30 SF for power but will NEVER give up my little backup!!!!!!!! Anyone that has purchased a Sig just bought an expensive paperweight, the new versions will far surpass what the P238 is currently! New designs are forthcoming and will be amazing!