ccw opinions

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Larger calibers in smaller gun does not a pleasant range trip make....

Shoot what you think you want to carry, before you buy
it's a personal thing, and really, what works for me won't work for you.
 
My every day carry is a G30 45acp. My second go to gun is a Kel Tec P11. Both great pieces, I would try and find a range that you can rent a few that have been mentioned and give em a try before you buy.
 
The best bet in a 9mm compact is a da only single stack compact that will fit easily in your pocket and doesn't need a special holster to carry it in. This eliminates most of the competition your down to a keltec pf9, ruger lc9, or a compact kahr.

While it seems cool to carry a single action 1911 9mm compact, they really aren't that practicle and safe to carry, it also must be carried cocked and locked in a safe belt or outside waist band holster.

Also avoid the striker fire glocks and MP, XD etc. all these pistols must be carried in a holster at all times to safely carry them.

What you really want for ccw is a compact gun that you can carry year round in any type of clothing summer or winter, and that can be safely carried in a pants pocket or small belt or clip style holster. You really don't want a gun that you have to wear special clothing to conceal it.

You will hear a lot from the CCW Rambos that will tell you, that you can conceal any type of gun you want, but in reality there are only a few gun designs and calibers that can be easily carried and concealed for every day use.

Choices usually are 5 shot 38 spl revolvers, compact 9mm single stack DA only autos, and 380 pocket autos, 32acp beretta tom cats, or beretta 22lr SA/ Da auto, taurus also makes some compact autos, but I don't feel that they are that reliable.
 
Glock 19 or 26.

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Don't forget the P32, small, lite, compact, easy to shoot, goes anywhere, and short of you wearing a speedo (not European are you?) hide easily.
 
JOJO try to deside how you dress and how you will carry. I own a pf-9 a kahr cw9 and a glock 27. The glock is buy far the easiest to shoot swell and nice short pull on 2nd and all other shots with a good first pull and more rounds in the mag. It's just a thick pistol. The kahr is a little lighter, handles very well and carries well . Trigger is smooth DA type pull ever time and easy to shoot. My Kt pf-9 is my goto almost ever time. Lite enough for pocket carry and works 100% with several thousand rounds fired. Carried it for 2 1/2 years and run 600 rounds through it before I carried it the first time. Price of glock at my down the street general store is 505.00. The kahr is closer to 430.00 and the pf-9 is 245.00.
Try all you can before desideing. The lighter they are the easier to carry but they can nasiter to practice with
 
JO JO: Any firearm you carry is going to require some compromise in how you dress. You have to balance concealability with accessibility and firepower (including magazine capacity). If your standard daily garb is speedos and a muscle shirt or a typical superhero costume, even an LCP is going to require some changes. If you routinely dress like Nanook of the North, you're probably good to go with a Desert Eagle with laser sights.

As far as the "pocket pistols" go, get an S&W J-frame. Compared to most of the really small pistols, you give up a round or two but have five more powerful ones. If you are a complete glutton for punishment, you can get one of the Scandium .357 Magnums (you won't shoot it very often and you'll regret it when you do, but it will handle a Magnum round). Believe it or not, my two J-frames are just 1.3 inches wide. A local gun shop is advertising the S&W 442 in .38 Special +P for just under $400 and Bud's has it for $367.

Incidentally, if you go with a small gun, one trick to consider is carrying your pistol/revolver in a pocket holster in your back pocket. Get a nice business card case for your driver's license, CHL and a few credit cards and carry that in your front pocket. Cash goes into a money clip in the same pocket. People are used to seeing a man with a thick wallet bulge and won't think twice about it.

Otherwise, if thin is in, consider the Walther PPS: they don't come much thinner in a 9mm pistol. Want inexpensive to carry inside a waistband? Consider a SIGPro 2022 in 9mm - list price is $494.00, but Bud's will sell it for $399.00. Once you're talking about an IWB carry, barrel length is less of an issue.
 
When I first started carrying I really didn't know I could conceal half the stuff I conceal. So my usual advice of *shoot some guns, then come back* aside ....
I really liked my Kahr and I still do. They're easy to hide and make the average new CCer not nearly as paranoid and funny looking because of it. 8) Any other pistol of similar size would probably do the same thing.
Once you find out your personal "hidey" threshold, you can make a much more informed decision as to caliber, size, action whatever. But I think initially size and weight are probably the most important two attributes about a "first conceal carry gun." then you can go out later and buy what is right for *you.*

Oh yeah and uh ... shoot some guns and then come back. 8)
 
I love my "block" G26 ... never leave home without it!!! :D

One day I'll get it's bigger brother the G30 and they'll have to fight for my affections :rolleyes:
 
I'll throw another vote in for the Kel-tec PF-9. I REALLY like mine, and you can't beat the price.
 
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