Current thinking on best concealed carry firearm

[Vector]

For years I carried a compact Star PD .45 and really enjoyed it. However a few years back a good and responsible friend had a nut after him so I lent him my Star. After a few weeks he said he wanted to buy it for self protection, so I sold it to him. Since then I have either carried a 9mm or a 357, neither of which I have felt as comfortable with. So the question is, what is the common thought as to the best concealed carry firearm that is the best of all worlds? My main concern is obviously reliability and stopping power. However I do have a serious desire to have it as concealable as possible.

Thoughts and recommendations are welcome, but please nothing to exotic or expensive.

 

[oneshooter]

The "best" conceled carry firearm for you is the one that you feel comfortable with. Personally I carry one of several, M60-1, LW Commander, A-75, or P-220. Which one depends on how I feel that day. I practice 100-200 rounds from each monthly.

Oneshooter
Livin in Texas

 

[Eric F]

please nothing to exotic or expensive

oh well

try a smith j frame pocket gun or a charter arms 44spl pug

it really depends on you not our oponions. what can you conseal? I am a big guy so my 1911 can be hidden almost anywere.

 

[Winchester 73]

For me the best overall compromise has been the Glock 36(.45ACP) carried in a Milt Sparks Versa Max II holster.
The G36 allows for excellent concealment with its single stack 1.13 grip.
You are operating with only 6+1 but with an extra mag I feel very confident with this rig.
Over 4 years and 5,000 rounds with no malfunctions.
I stake my life on it.About $550.00 in most locations.
The Glock 30 ,thicker and harder to conceal, but 10+1 would be my next choice.
Price about the same.
You cannot go wrong with either model, IMO.

 

[GBExpat]

I current carry a Kel-Tec PF9 (9x19) most of the time ... but I still sometimes carry one of my Star PDs during the winter.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Taurus Millennium Pro

 

[DENALI]

The Glock G-36 is IMHO the best ccw pistol you'll ever lay your hands on, as to expense how important is your or your loved ones lives..........

 

[cobrian45]

I alternate between a Glock 23 when I need deep cover concealed (Kangaroo belly rig or TRUSS rig) and a Les Baer Custom Commander (sorry, it's just good) on strong side IWB. I've found out that it works with just a sweatshirt pulled over, but I usually go with untucked unbuttoned shirt or jacket cover for that.

 

[25ACP]

For me, it's a P3AT.

 

[Harry Paget Flashman]

Any no-rust J-frame in pocket carry would be my choice. I have a 342Ti. Second choice, if things were dire and I anticipated a crowd it's be a CZ-83. I admit, I don't practice near enough with either.

 

[doc2rn]

Gotta throw one of my favorites in the pot, Glock 32 in .357 Sig. 13+1 is more than enough.

 

[Vector]

....

 

[AlaskaErik]

I like the Glock 23 as my primary carry pistol. .40 S&W is a good round and the utterly reliable 23 carries 13 in the magazine. So with a spare mag you have 26 or 27 rounds available with plenty of stopping power. I use a Rocketman holster with a negative 5 degree cant in the crossdraw position. Very accessible in the winter when I'm wearing a heavy jacket or if I'm seated. The holster snugs right on up to my side and it's extremely easy to put on or take off.

 

[jrfoxx]

Sometimes I carry my 1911, sometimes my S&W 637 snub nose 38 spl.Kinda depends on where I'm going, and what I'm wearing.I prefer to carry the 1911 OWB.

 

[Vector]

To try and respond to several posts at once I will mention the following. While I am a big guy at 6' 7" 240lbs, I don't want a bulky gun. For those of you who are familiar with a Star PD .45 you would have a pretty good sense of what I liked size wise. However I almost always carried it with a shoulder holster, and wearing a jacket during the day in the summer time down here is not an option. So while I could look for another Star or compact .45, I figured some of you would have some good suggestions.

I wanted to also ask what is your favorite spot to carry concealed? Other than under a jacket, I rarely have carried elsewhere, so I am curious where others prefer to carry.

 

[tblt]

ccw

I say a 38 snubnose hands down S & W hammerless.Not the best stopping power but you can carry all day.Any other gun you won't carry as much.Trust me you will carry this gun over all the rest anything smaller does not have the stopping power.

 

[aerod1]

I have chosen the Smith & Wesson model 638 revolver.

 

[General Geoff]

The best concealed carry firearm is the one you have with you.


Anyway, if you're more comfortable with a .45, get a .45. There are dozens of manufacturers who make hundreds, if not thousands, of different varieties of pistols in .45ACP, of all shapes and sizes.

 

[tblt]

38

good choice

 

[Werewolf]

Deep concealment: Pocket Carry a J frame bobbed/shrouded hammer S&W in .38 or 357.

IWB for comfort - 3.25" barrel .45ACP 1911 (I carry a Kimber Ultra Tac II).

When the situation allows carry a full sized auto or revolver of your choice OWB (though I often carry a SIG P220 or CZ-75B IWB).

 

[sixgunner455]

S&W 642 is what I carry day in and day out. I have bigger guns, and really like my CZ75 when I want a bigger gun, but the one I always have is the little .38. If you're not confident in a .38/9mm, then get something that throws a heavier pill. I've just come to the conclusion that all reasonable pistol calibers are mediocre at best, so I carry calibers that are comfortable and economical to shoot, and then pick guns I like in those calibers. They all (.38 and up) penetrate about the same distance and tear up the same amount of material, so I focus on putting the bullets where they go.

I've never had any complaints from my targets that the bullets didn't do their jobs when I did mine.

"You do your job, and the bullet will do its job." -- IDF soldier, when questioned about the effectiveness of the 9mm FMJ. Had kind of a distant look in his eyes. He daily carried a S&W 638 -- because it was small enough that he never talked himself into leaving it home.

 

[bigun15]

I think if you had a Star PD .45 and loved it but no longer have it you should get another one and use that. You're already used to it, have ammo, and know you'll like it.

 

[tblt]

ccw

I have a taurus model 38(would not buy again)I removed the hammer spur because in the pocket it would hang up or in the waistband it would stick you in the gut ,now it works good only double action now.The quality is not there with a taurus, I would buy a hammerless S & W if I had it to do over.I only shoot the gun about 50 rounds a year any more and I don't know how it would last.I shoot my ruger 357 all day so much better quality in that gun.

 

[armabill]

I have a Sig 245 and a CZ 2075 Rami P.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Colt Agent or Defender .