CCW--what you're best with or what is best?

[JNewell]

Well, lessee...

Can you miss fast enough to stop a lethal force threat?



There, I didn't think so...you already knew the answer.

That doesn't mean that more training isn't good, or that you might not move up to der grossenboomerstick...but...see above...

 

[Hatchett]

Just try to find the middlepoint. You want the biggest thing you can, that you can shoot the best with.

If you have trouble with big rounds in little guns, you might also want to consider simply using big rounds in big guns. I never had much trouble concealing a .45 Government Model IWB. I personally like the LW Commander more now that I'm not quite in the same shape I used to be, but I never had any trouble with it.

I imagine that it wouldn't be that hard to hide a slightly larger piece under all that winter clothing you must wear to keep warm in Alaska. I concealed a full-size .45 in a state where we seldom wear pants in the winter.

 

[JohnKSa]

As with any question that tries to reduce a complicated topic to a single point, the answer is more complicated than the question.

It's not just what you're best with.

It's not just what you can carry easily.

It's not just what is most effective.

You should pick something for CCW that has ALL of the following characteristics.

A gun you WILL carry.
A gun you WILL practice with.
A gun you can fire accurately.
A gun you can operate easily and consistently.
A gun that is reasonably effective given your level of proficiency.

If you ignore or discount ANY of the above qualities, you're going to perform less than your best when the rubber meets the road.

 

[BluesBear]

Good points John

 

[ceestand]

Cosmoline, I think I have the same issue as you. I find recoil one of the determining factors when deciding my CCW. Many guys I know, and even more on this forum have no problems with .357Mag, .44Mag, .357Sig, 40S&W, etc., but I do. I find I could get two well placed shots of .38 off in about the same time it would take me to get off one good .357Mag shot and line up another good shot. So I carry a .38.

I'm surprised that you have a problem with 9x19 though. I find it to be on par with regular .38 as far as recoil goes. Maybe a heavier 9para gun would make the difference?