CCW advice wanted

[AJMBLAZER]

Yeah this is like asking which color hair is better on a woman but I'm in a quandary here. The wife and I are kinda stuck in Michigan for a few years longer than we thought so we've decided to get our permits and some CCW's. My problem is I'm sorta uncertain which way to go as far as choosing a CCW.

I'm 6' tall and range from 185-195 depending on how much I've been eating and if I've been walking the dog(s) regularly or not. In the winter I wear so much stuff that I could probably conceal my AK and no one would notice. In the summer I'm in jean shorts and a t-shirt. It gets hot enough around here that I really dislike the idea of having to always wear an overshirt or vest to conceal a holster and gun.
I'm considering inside the pocket carry and a smaller gun.

I like the idea of a small .38/.357 snubbie as they are inherently more reliable and either round has decent knockdown capability with modern loads. However they just seem a bit bulky (to me) for in-pocket carry.

I also like some of the modern, small autos like my dad's KelTech. He can slip that thing into his pocket and even without a holster you can't tell it's there. However I like low maintenance everything and I feel with all the lint and crap in your average pocket the revolver comes out ahead here. Not to mention .380 ACP falls short of the .38 Special and .357 Mag performance wise. There's always something like KelTech's PF9 in 9mm Luger/Parabellum/9x19mm but again the gun gets a bit bigger...

What do you guys do? What do you think? What do you carry, how do you holster it, how comfortable is it, any issues, blah blah blah...?

 

[glockman19]

S&W J-frame.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

What do you carry, how do you holster it, how comfortable is it, any issues, blah blah blah...?

 

[snewbie]

I carry a P-11 in an Unkle Mikes Pocket holster in my front right pocket with an untucked T-shirt. Jean pants/shorts are usually one size too big with a belt to hold the whole thing up.
A P-11 is the absolute largest gun I would try to pocket carry.

Most of the time, I just carry my Glock 20 IWB with a large T-shirt on.

 

[PressCheck]

Carry whatever your most familiar & comfortable with. For me; it's a Glock 21, or a Glock 30 in a Kydex OTWB level 1 holster.

OBTW be sure and get some GOOD training, and as much "holster time" as possible.

 

[Ala Dan]

Well, a lot depends on personal preferences~! Seems like you favor both,
the .38 Special or.357 magnum? Keep in mind, that NO handgun caliber is
a for sure, one shot man stopper. Shot placement is paramount here; if
a vital (essential) organ is not struck by the projectile to fully incapacitate
a perp, he/she may have the opportunity to stike back at you. The central
nervous system is an excellent place for your fired bullet to impact. For
that reason, I tend to favor the .45 ACP JHP's. Its big, massive, and in
most instances will knock a perp off his/her feet~! With thinking
along those lines, most days I carry a Kimber 1911 Stainless Ultra Compact.

 

[orionengnr]

Kahr PM9 for me. Real 9mm, thin (single stack), light (14.8 oz). Durable and well made, ultra reliable. Feeds anything I can fit in the mag. With a DeSantis Nemesis holster, it is my "always" pocket carry.

Smaller in length and height than a j-frame, and reloads are much quicker. Shoots far better (in my hand anyway). And the 127 gr Ranger +p+ is a potent round.

Some folks had problems with early ones, but I have not read of anyone having trouble with the later ones, and Kahr's Customer Service is excellent in my experience (yes, I bought one of the early ones, and suffered barrel peening).

BTW, I have owned three of the Scandium 357 j-frames. A joy to carry, downright nasty to shoot. All are long gone and nearly forgotten. Only the pain in my wrist remains.

 

[Andrew Rothman]

I have no problem carrying a Taurus PT111 Millenium Pro (9mm, 12+1) in the front pocket of either cargo pants or cargo shorts.

A pocket holster will keep out much of the lint. Don't carry anything else in the pocket, and clean weekly.

Works for me!

 

[Wedge]

Glock 17, jeans and t-shirt, Lou Alessi PCH holster.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Whoops...forgot to have the alerts sent when I got a reply...

Thanks guys. I'm still conflicted about all of this. Thought about a 9mm snubbie for a while but have not seen all that positive reviews of them, even from some owners.

Snub - pro - reliable and easier to use while being inherently safe. Also easier to keep clean.
con - slightly bigger (wider) and limited to 5 shots while the speed loaders are also larger and harder to conceal. Ammo also more expensive...much more so than 9x19mm.

Kel-Tec - pro - common 9mm round and more of them, seem pretty reliable, pretty low maintenance if you get the nickeled slide.
con - more complex and the associated potential issues. Stop, rack, bang instead of "keep pulling the trigger."


I dunno, I'm probably putting too much into these debates in my head.

 

[beaucoup ammo]

In The Pocket S&W Model 60 / .357 - .38 +P...or, much lighter Model 637-2 / 642 38 spcl. Both snubbies..ez to conceal in pocket.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&l

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=1000

Search Sight For Each Model If These Addys Don't Work

 

[mlandman]

In pistols, a Kahr PM9 or a S&W M&P9c are easily carried concealed.
just IMHO...YMMV.

 

[Alphazulu6]

Kel-Tec P3AT because it is so darn easy to conceal and super accurate! .380 is not a round to snuff at with Corbon ammunition

I am the same size as you and do not like my pistol to print with any clothing. This is one of the big reasons I use this .78" wide, 11oz fully loaded pistol

 

[Green Lantern]

I carry a Glock 19, Rocketman (RM Holster Works) "Low Rider" IWB holster. I can manage with just a dark, striped polo or button-up shirt. With a little trial and error in the wardrobe, you don't HAVE to go "mousegun" in the summer.

Sometimes I carry it in a Fobus paddle OWB instead, and cover with a 5.11 vest. "Shoot me first" vest? Maybe so, but a LOT of people around here wear similar garments, so statistically I should do pretty well! But even when I'm only carrying something for small weight like a set of keys in a right-side pocket and a flashlight in a left side pocket, that vest is kinda HEAVY.

I also own a Kel-Tec P3AT, great for those occasions (laundry day ) when I can't wear even something enough to cover the G19. If you ain't a fan of the .380, you might look to the PF-9 from them as a smaller alternative. Don't know how well that would pocket carry though.

My Bersa Thunder .380 is NOT a good pocket gun. It may be the weight, and maybe even the bulk of the grip panels...?

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Alpha and Green, have you guys looked at a PF9 or seen the picture floating around on the KTOG forum where there's a P32 sitting on top of a PF9? Amazing how much larger the PF9 ISN'T. Not that much heavier either. Like I said, I'm strongly considering it...but part of me keeps going "you like simplicity...revolver..."

I doubt I'd go smaller than a 9x19 or a .38 Special. I don't consider either a "mouse gun".


For the record in the winter I'm usually in a leather jacket or one of my Carhartt's so at that time I could easily conceal my 1911. However I'm the sort of person that as soon as I can be warm off goes the jacket and anything else. I want to be comfortable AND carrying.
Which I know is sort of an oxymoron but I am trying to not set myself up like so many people have done. They carry a big gun and then slowly start to not carry it for various reasons...and then never or only rarely carry it.

 

[rantingredneck]

My primary carry gun is a Ruger P345 that I carry appendix in a Bianchi Minimalist holster. I've also carried a P89 and P90 this way. They conceal well under just a T-shirt or short sleeve button-down.

Here is a now you see me now you don't with the P90

The P89 and P90 are far from compacts, but can be concealed under just a T-shirt. The P345 is much slimmer and conceals easier for sure. It is now my primary carry.

My backup or deep concealment when OWB carry of a P345 isn't practical is this little jewel. NAA Guardian in .32NAA with Corbon 60gr. JHP's at 1220 fps.

It carries well in this pocket holster from Ron Graham at Pale Horse Holsters.

 

[Time Thief]

I carry a Taurus mdl 85 in .38, titanium frame, 2" snubbie in a IWB holster. I love it but sometimes the thing can be a literal pain carrying it just above my right rear pocket. Sitting in my car it kinda gets uncomfortable. I like it there though as if asked for my money I could draw and it would look as though I was getting my wallet. With a t shirt on my wife half the time doesn't even know when I am carrying.

 

[mnrivrat]

A can of worms - you opened a can of worms ! LOL

In a revolver - a J Frame S&W or small frame Taurus ; either of them in the ultra-lite versions is a pretty good choice for pocket carry . In the lighter guns of this nature (under 20oz) I think you'll find the .38 Spl is enough gun with good ammo.

I started carry with a Kel-Tec P3AT and never felt unsafe , but always felt I was better with a revolver so went with a Titanium small frame snub. I carry in my front pocket using a quality holster. The revolver is in fact a bit more in the pocket than the P3AT was ,but I got used to it, and it realy doesn't print.

I by the way carry a 6 shot in .32 H&R mag. (13oz) my choice, and I don't regret it, nor do I feel underguned. You can in fact get a .357 Mag of about the same size and weight if you realy want to - your choice.

 

[BADUNAME13]

We are the same height and build.

I carry a S&W .357 Bodyguard in my pocket, and a 1911 in a Milt Sparks Summer special at the 4 o'clock position.

On the gulf coast, including during the summer. (Jeans and an untucked T-shirt.)

Sure a J frame is COMFORTABLE to carry, but ask yourself if that's what you want to have in a gunfight!

 

[PatPatPat]

GUNS, not diamonds, ARE FOREVER!!
Go to the gun shop(s) and try things on for size. When you find something you like (with holster), look online and buy the right ones for cheaper (or not). Shop around, important purchase.
If later you don't like it, thats just one more gun/holster you own.

Simple as that.

Any gun (cal.) will stop a perp or perps if you have enough rounds (and placement of the rounds) ready for them.
Some of these guys on this forum get crazy. Reminds me of 'Cobra' or 'Sledgehammer'.
COMFORT is the 'everyday', 'everywhere' key! When in doubt... buy a small package/small caliber back-up.!.!. (Now you have 2 extra guns and holsters if you don't like this plan)
Anyone who tells you differnet than this, is just trying to extend their manhood when they pack.

 

[eagle45]

For pocket carry, a Taurus 851 BUL (.38) in an Uncle Mike's pocket holster. Lightweight (17 oz empty), very comfortable, no issues.

I also carry a Springfield XDSC, in .40 caliber. I use a Don Hume JIT Slide or an H721 OT. I use the same model holsters for a Ruger SP 101, .357. Both of these can be carried OWB with just a dark t-shirt covering and conceal easily. The JIT is a bit more comfortable, especially when driving, but the H721 OT supports the gun better, and holds it closer to the body.

BTW, I'm 5' 11" and stay between 190 and 200.

 

[md7]

for go any where, deep concealed carry i ccw a sw 642 in a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster. if i wear loose shorts, it hides perfectly.

i prefer OWB carry with a Glock 19/23. with a good OWB holster and belt it shouldn't be difficult to conceal if your t shirts aren't really tight.

 

[Wayne G.]

Good, quality holster and gunbelt will make all the difference in the world. I carry a XD45 regularly with t shirt and shorts with no probs printing. I carry IWB and am about your same size--6'1" 190.

 

[Breakdaddy]

My normal carry gun is the Kahr PM9. As was previously stated by another poster it is easy to conceal, I just drop it in my pocket and it pretty much disappears. I have other guns I carry as well, but the PM9 is so reliable and simple to conceal that I just went with it. My dad has a S&W 642 but purchased a PM9 after he fired mine a few times and now carries the smaller PM9 over the 642 most days. Full 9mm (+P), 6+1 rounds of ammo, and both of ours are 100% reliable so far.

 

[Zen21Tao]

I'm considering inside the pocket carry and a smaller gun.

My pocket gun is a Kahr PM40. It find it to be a great pocket carry piece. It is incredible small for a .40S&W and being a single stack, really helps reduce printing. I put it in my pocket and really do forget it is even there most of the day. I should mention that I found this pistol so reliable and comfortable that I let it replace a J frame .38spl I had. In fact, I sold that revolver as I no longer found any need for it.