CCW - Action Type and reason(s) for the preference?

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AlBaron

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What is your preferred action type for CCW? Why do you prefer one over another?

I'm new to this (just got my CCW certificate a couple of weeks ago), but its never to early to start planning :). Everything I"ve been reading so far was about the choices of the gun itself, but mostly driven by the comfort of handling and the ease of concealment.

I'd like to ask the fine members of this forum if the action type contributed to the decision what to carry.

Alex
 
Double action, double action only or "safe action" type striker fired guns. I will not carry a defensive piece with a safety engaged, so single action is out.
 
It depends on the situation. I have a Sig p938 SAO for certain situations, a NAA 22 mag for others, and an SP101 in .327. I personally am not a fan of carrying a striker-fired pistol with one chambered. Plan to get an LCR in .327 when they come available.
 
MachIVshooter said:
Double action, double action only or "safe action" type striker fired guns. I will not carry a defensive piece with a safety engaged, so single action is out.
Click to expand...

Not sure I understand the "safe action type striker fired" - could you give me an example?

Alex
 
I carry a Sig p238. Its SAO, and I carry it cocked and locked. I don't mind the safety one bit. I train with it an I'm comfortable with it. Its highly concealable also, which is critical to me, as I am more likely to carry a gun all the time if it is easily concealed and comfortable.

I have been wanting to pick up a J-Frame recently that is double action only. I would feel comfortable with it also after adequate practice.

It really comes down to personal preference and competency. If my wife carried, I would want her to have a double action/no safety firearm for simplicity's sake so she wouldn't have to fumble with a safety when the pressure is on. Myself on the other hand, I don't feel like a safety is a problem in a high stress situation (for me), and I have been in a few situations like that before.
 
AlBaron said:
Everything I"ve been reading so far was about the choices of the gun itself, but mostly driven by the comfort of handling and the ease of concealment.
Click to expand...


I carry a striker fire but it's not so much because of the action as much as it is about reliability, although it is nice having every trigger pull the same. Keep in mind as you make choices related to carrying a pistol regularly that good training is far more important than the type of pistol you carry. Very, very few CCW classes count as sufficient training IMO. They're usually an ok basis at best.
 
Here are my criteria for a CCW pistol

DAO - double action only is preferable
no light trigger (heavy is better)
safe action triggers are permissible
no safety
no grip safety
no magazine disconnect
the only control I will have is a slide stop/release

I carry with one in the chamber and I don't want anything hindering me. I know people that want to carry 1911s, great, my feeling is the less stuff on your CCW pistol, the less that can go wrong.

The nex thing to do is to run at least 100 rounds through your CCW gun to make sure it is reliable, this will also allow you to become familiar with its functions.
 
Over the past 5 years or so, I've carried a DAO snub revolver, a SAO semiauto, and a Glock. The Glock gets far and away the most holster time these days. I considered the type of action in selecting various pistols for carry, but it was pretty far down on the list of priorities. Higher up on the list for pistol selection were things like: size, weight, reliability, capacity . . . listed here in no particular order, mind you. For example, when I went looking for a polymer 9mm, my considerations were:
Spats McGee on TFL said:
Requirements: First, reliability. As a carry piece, obviously, reliability is the paramount concern. It must go bang every time.

Second, controls. I am already familiar with the 1911 and its controls. . . . Under that theory, if this pistol is going to have a manual thumb safety, it must flip down to fire, not up. A pistol with a thumb safety which must be flipped up into the fire position is not acceptable. A pistol without any thumb safety is acceptable. A decocker might be acceptable, depending on its operation. . . .

Third, price is an object. . . . . I’m looking in the ~$500 range. Used is fine. . . .
Click to expand...
I've edited the above for brevity, but at no point did the type of action ever enter into it. In fact, I went on to ask for opinions on the then-current list of pistols on The List. Four were striker-fired and one hammer-fired. I think that has more to do with my price range and the fact that I was specifically looking for a polymer pistol than anything else.
 
My personal favorite is DA/SA that can be carried coniditon 1 in the form of the CZ82/83 and CZ75, but I also like carrying SAO in the form of the 1911, and more than likely BHP in the future.

Personally, I feel as though the best autoloader to carry would be a DAO striker fired design. It gives you the advantages of the second strike capability with the advantages of not having an external hammer. However, my comfort zone is with hammer fired guns with single-action triggers. That, however, is completely predicated by a lack of training with other actions as well as personal preference.
 
I carry a double action after carrying a DA/SA for about 6 years. It was fairly large and not very light. The reason I changed was size/weight and the fact that most small semi-autos are DA really didn't enter in. I'm confident in it after 500 rounds and I shoot it well even in moving and firing drills. The trigger is a long smooth pull. It is polymer with a steel upper and I conceal it with ease inside the waistband. With 5+1 .45ACP rounds and a spare magazine it makes me practice because I want those shots to stop any threat.
 
BLUF: I'm not a fan of DA/SA Triggers. I prefer a consistent trigger

For about 20 years I was die hard SA with safety carried Condition 1 (= 1911) as I could get used to any other safety in order to disengage it as part of my draw stroke (2nd step)

Past 6 years I've been carrying striker safe actions (Walther PPQs and a PPS) and am perfectly comfortable with them due to the pre-travel of their triggers.

I do miss the comforting feeling of re-holstersing with my thumb on the hammer though. So lately I've been working with the HK LEM trigger (HK45T and a P2000) which I believe to be a great SD trigger, combining the longer pull of a DA, but with the consistent break of an SA.

In the P2000, this equates to a pistol that is about the size of a G19, with a hammer, consistent trigger pull and no safety.

Chuck
 
The only action type that I refuse to carry is non-safety striker guns like Glocks or M&Ps. For autos, I want either SA with a safety or a full weight, full travel DA stoke, NOT a 5 lb trigger with .25" of travel.
 
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The gun you like best. I carry a PPS (DA striker), P99AS (DA/SA striker), Sig P239 (DA/SA), and occasionally a 1911 Commander. I prefer heavier first pulls, but that's my preference. To each, his own.
 
I like striker fired, specifically Glock, only Glock. I carry them at work (17) competition (34) hunting (21SF) home defense (17, 19) and CCW (19C "winter", 43 "summer"). They are safely carried and instantly ready to draw and fire, accurate, reliable, durable, and affordable at a more than competitive price for the quality. They are the overwhelming choice for law enforcement and other armed professionals (something to consider if you have top explain your choice of firearm in court one day) and they are made in many shapes, sizes, and calibers for nearly any taste. My second choice would be the S&W M+P, which is also a fine gun, but I'm set in my ways.
 
FWIW, these are the pistols that I was issued at various times in my mil career: M1911A1, Berretta M9, SIG 228 (M11), HK MK13, Glock 19. The 1911 was/is a good gun, but outdated in a world where you can use what you want but have to pay for it. The M9 was the worst pistol I ever had. The 228 was better than the M9 because it din't break as often, had a better trigger, and the only mags were all made by SIG. The MK13 was a good gun, but HUGE (would have rather had a USP) and the Glock had none of the problems we had with the other pistols. 1911-SA. M9, M11, MK13- SA/DA. Glock- striker.
 
For CCW and Home Defense. DA or DA/SA. Stick with the heavier trigger and longer action. Leave the light trigger for targets. If i am in a self defense scenerio the stress is high and adreniline even higher. For home defense where the precieved intruder may be family or friends, i do not want a light trigger. Sleep walking child, daughters boyfriend, drunk friend stumbling in because GF booted him, etc.

I also do not like mounted lights for the same reason, you have to point the business end where you want the light.

Practice, Practice, Practice with any weapon. However most of us don't practice under high stress and adreniline rush. There is a reason most service weapons are DA.
 
On my right hip, I'll carry almost anything. For the last 5 years or so, I've gone appendix carry exclusively, off duty.

Appendix carry for me means DA only. Sig P239 DAK or a DA revolver are my choices.

I will not carry a cocked pistol pointed at my femoral artery. So, 1911's and striker fired are out. (Well, the only striker fired I would carry is a HK P7).
 
Sig (8+1 capacity)

--Decocker/No safety

Why are some bothered by (DA/SA) heavier trigger pull on first shot? Perhaps they've never seriously trained in combat shooting, and/or they think it will make a big difference in a high stress situation.

Get super comfortable with your handgun, and adopt/adapt to the trigger pull in DA, SA, or DA/SA as equipped. Use a reliable handgun, and practice, practice, practice in many shooting scenarios with live ammo.
 
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