Chose a carry gun

[Pony Express]

Hello everybody,
I am in the process of choosing a carry gun. This gun will be used for open and concealed carry. I have decided on a full size gun for the longer barrel and sight radius. I have only room for one of these, so, while it would be nice to "buy all of 'em" I cannot for fiscal reasons. What would you choose and why?

 

[ckone]

None of those choices are large enough for carry... you should probably get a .50 Desert Eagle.

Seriously though, sheesh, ever heard of a Glock 19?

 

[wyocarp]

Why do you need a full size gun for carry? My opinion is that if you don't like carrying it all the time, it won't be long until you don't carry it at all. Get a compact and carry an extra mag or two.

 

[kingmt]

Think about the Springfield XD .40 Sub Compact. It is still a 3" barrel. I have been looking at it but I think I will go with a Taurus 9mm. Taurus has a nice .45 ACP also & a lifetime warranty.

 

[hirundo82]

As much as I like my SIGs, I have to go with the 1911 due to the ease of concealment. A 1911 is simply one of the thinnest full-sized guns out there, and for most people is easy to conceal with a good IWB holster and gun belt.

Get the SA 1911 Loaded Stainless--you won't regret it. I love mine, although I carry a Glock 19.

 

[Pony Express]

Seriously though, sheesh, ever heard of a Glock 19?

Yeah, I've shot a few and held even more and they never quite fit my hand right. That and I would be excommunicated from my family for owning a glock

 

[SigP229R]

I voted for the P226 because I have a 229 an it is as they say a tack driver and, also because I have no experience with any of the rest.

 

[c919]

I went with the Springer on the simple notion that there is no way I could conceal any of the others.

 

[ckone]

If a G19 doesn't fit your hand you may want to hold a Steyr M9-A1... Like a G19 with a better grip built as good as an H&K.

Or...

Maybe an M&P (saw you're from CT, you could drive up to S&W in Springfield MA if you had any problems!).

If you get a carry gun that's too heavy, after a while, you won't carry it...

 

[FatGeek]

With half your options being Sig, and 3/4 being .45 ACP, interesting that you don't have a Sig 1911 isn't on the list. A 1911 is much easier to conceal than the other 3 because of the width, and the Sig compact and C3 are much easier to conceal than the fullsize.

 

[c919]

^^^ Maybe it's because of the external extractor.......

 

[Jed Carter]

All are fine pistols, but there is only one "weapon" on the list, the SIG P226. It's big and ugly, it is built to last and fire under all conditions and it's accurate. It's one of a kind, not polymer, not a 1911 clone, only the Beretta beat it (they cheated IMHO) for US military use.

 

[TexasBill]

Gotta agree with Jed; the SIG actually outperformed the Beretta and is one of the finest autoloaders one the market today. Great grip, great balance, durable, accurate and all the other attributes that make up a fine handgun. IMHO, it's the top of the SIG line in terms of handling the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.

 

[71Commander]

Get the 1911. Get a good quality holster for it and you're good to go.

As to the Glock, if he would have tought that an option, he would have listed that POS. He didn't. I would think that the OP is smart enough to make up his own list or prefered guns.

 

[wnycollector]

I own both a SIG P220 and P226 (in 9mm). The P220 sees more time on my belt. It is tough, accurate and reliable...plus its a .45 I wouldn't feel undergunned with a P226 in 9mm or .40 either.

 

[MTS840]

I am in the process of choosing a carry gun. This gun will be used for open and concealed carry. I have decided on a full size gun for the longer barrel and sight radius. I have only room for one of these, so, while it would be nice to "buy all of 'em" I cannot for fiscal reasons. What would you choose and why?

Of the ones you mention, I'd go with the Sig 226. If you're going to carry it, it has to work. Reliability with a wide variety of good hollowpoint may rule out a 1911 and the Sig carries more ammo in the mag.

 

[johnnylaw53]

Beretta cheated? funny how the loser always claim the winner cheated. Sig classics are good weapons but they rust too easly. Nothing beats a Beretta but they are not good ccw as they are big.

be safe

 

[AK103K]

The SIG's no longer have the rust problem. Their slides are now stainless.

The P220 and P226 are Colt Commander sized pistols, and while just slightly larger in the grip, are actually smaller than full sized 1911's. Full size guns are not hard to carry or conceal, and all of the above are good candidates. With proper gear, you can easily wear one every waking hour, all year long. Why short yourself with a compact that has a reduced capacity and is often harder to shoot well with? They do work well as a BUG "with" your full size though.

The P226 also has the ability to be a 357SIG, with a simple barrel change. I have .40 barrels for each of mine, and they are interchangeable at will with no fitting. Use the same mag and springs too. Hows the availability of .45 in your area? Even when all the other pistol calibers were gone from Walmarts shelves, they usually always had a couple of boxes of 357SIG. Its cheaper too.

 

[Arthur2001]

I did not voted I would rather propose another one. Springfield XD 45 acp.
-It will provide 14 rounds of 45 acp.
-Light as a Glock 19 but not a Glock..
- Handle safety will make the loaded usage safe and easy

 

[NinjaFeint]

If a G19 doesn't fit your hand you may want to hold a Steyr M9-A1... Like a G19 with a better grip built as good as an H&K.

Or...

Maybe an M&P (saw you're from CT, you could drive up to S&W in Springfield MA if you had any problems!).

If you get a carry gun that's too heavy, after a while, you won't carry it...

I second trying an M&P even though I am a Glock guy. Take a ride up to the Smith & Wesson shooting sports center in springfield. $20 lane rental with no time limit, $5 rental of any gun they have (all smiths) and reasonable ammo. Good way to test an M&P and some snub revolvers

 

[BlayGlock]

I chose the 1911, I think it would be the easiest to conceal due to its slim profile. Plus you get the advanatges of a great SA trigger and good ergonomics, Also you can carry 8 +1 rounds of .45 which is nothing to sneeze at, even though it may have less capacity than the other choices. Extra mags are plentiful and easy to come buy, SIGs not so much. In addition, if you carry and extra mag it will not be as bulky. My $0.02.

 

[T.A.Sharps]

I carry a Springfield XD 45ACP 5". I've never had a problem with the size I fits me completely comfortably and half the time I forget it is even there.

In situations I can't wear a second shirt I tuck the shirt in and you can't see the XD at all.

I will be getting a full size 1911 for carry as well, also a smaller weapon like a Glock 30, or a .38 air weight revolver for the hot days, or dress up times.

 

[Rexster]

I really have a hard time understanding how someone can use a poll to decide his carry gun. I say, get the one which fits one's hands the best, which includes how naturally it points. Even if one believes in ALWAYS using the sights, one is ahead of the game if the pistol points naturally.

Oh, I know which one of the four listed pistols fits MY hands the best: P226, by far. No contest. A P220 points a bit off. A 1911, unless it has a high-cut front strap/undercut trigger guard, is not a good fit. An HK is an ill fit, period.

As for rust, one of my co-workers was in the Navy, assigned to the small boat guys who work with the SEALs. They use SIGs, and get salt water all over them. The key is maintenance! If your SIG is rusting, you are doing it wrong.

 

[dennisH87]

Taurus PT145. Excellent gun. Affordable price. subcompact with 10 + 1 capacity. what more can you ask for... Oh ya, a unconditional lifetime warranty. Trust me you'll like it.

 

[JWJacobVT]

I voted SIG 220 45ACP. I would carry this one of all your choices. I would really love a SIG 220 in the right caliber, 10mm. I currently carry a S&W 1006. I used to carry my S&W 4506. Fell in love with 10mm and haven't gone back. Why no 1911 you ask? I have them and have shot and carried them, just prefer the S&W / SIG autos better. Oh my SIG 229-40 has never rusted.