Gap in my CCW guns?

[ugaarguy]

Of the handguns I currently own, I have two that I personally feel comfortable with as carry guns: A BHP and a Kel-Tec P3AT. The Hi-Power hides easily under a jacket in a belt slide holster, but isn't much for CCW once the weather warms up. The little Kel-Tec goes anywhere in a cheap pocket holster and disappears in even lighter summer weight shorts and slacks. Is what I have sufficient for carry needs so I can stick to buying whatever in handguns and buying strictly fun stuff? Or do I need a "mid-size" pistol to fit between them? If you say yes I need something to fill the gap, what do you recommend? Please keep in mind that while I can shoot Berettas and Rugers just fine I don't care for the first shot DA then subsequent shots SA. I like consistency; DAO or SA, hence the P3AT and the BHP. Therefor SIGs, Rugers, S&W Autos, Berettas, etc are less desireable for me. I'm open to wheel guns too. So what do you folks think?

 

[Cosmoline]

I can't see any need for more than what you have. I consider the BHP a mid-size handgon. You could conceal it in an IWB with a light covering shirt. People are concealing full size 1911's these days.

Do you have a long gun for home defense? If not that's where I'd put my money.

 

[bpisler]

Yes,why not have a j frame sized revolver in your
carry rotation.BTW all the auto's listed have
versions that are DOA,the beretta's have really
nice triggers in DAO.

 

[Mizzle187]

I say theres a gap but thats me. Regardless of how mabny of whatever guns I have I will think there is a gap so take it for what its worth. I have numerous carry guns. Pocket revolvers,pocket pistols,full sizes, and compacts/sub-compacts(usually the same or damn near the same as one another). My main carry is a Walther P99 compact 9mm with a S&W 642 w/Laser Grips. I love compact/sub compacts especially for carry. Do you "NEED" one what do I know probably not but you wont be dissapointed.

 

[Vitamin G]

I find my full size 1911 actually easier to conceal than my BHP's. The doublestack makes a big difference to me. Since you have a BHP, you might want to look for an officer's sized 1911, or (gasp) subcompact glock. I think those would fit in nicely. I'd personally go for a CCO if i had the money, or a glock 29.
I have no issues with carrying 9mm in a full size gun, but if its a short barrel, i like to move to a more effective caliber.

 

[Ala Dan]

A wheelie, in the form of a S&W 642~!

 

[mdao]

I like my S&W 3914, and it slots in neatly between your two carry pieces, but it is DA/SA. There is a DAO version though. The Sig P239 with the DAK trigger is also DAO and is about the same size. The Kahr K9 is another DAO choice in that size range. All of these are single stacks and can be easily, and comfortably, concealed in tuckable IWBs.

 

[the naked prophet]

I'm at exactly the same place as you! I've got a .40 Hi-Power that I usually carry (even during the summer, when I'm not on campus) or a .38 snub that I usually carry as a backup or when it's particularly hot and I want to just drop it in my pocket (again, whenever I'm not on campus). The Hi-Power is fairly heavy, and a Glock 23 is just about the same size but half the weight! The Hi-Power is just so pretty, I'd feel better about letting the Glock get holster wear. That's what I'm saving up for, a Glock 23.

 

[Soap]

Yes, you have a gap in CCW pistols. I recommend getting...

...a good IWB holster and belt for your Hi-Power.

 

[bratch]

I'd recommend a compact or even subcompact as a tweener.

I have a Kimber Compact that I carry most of the time. Ocassionally dress or mood dictates something lighter a PM9 fills this role.

I'd look at the Kahrs in K/P or even MK/PM. This would give you a 9/.40 caliber weapon that is a good middle ground for carrying light IWB.

Keltec has their new 9mm coming out as well or perhaps the old P11.

 

[carnaby]

Sig makes some nice DAO pistols in .40sw that are single stack, very thin, dehorned, excellent looking carry pieces.

 

[MikeJ]

I pocket carried a NAA Guardian .32 for a long time but always felt slightly undergunned. I have since begun carrying a S&W 442 in my pocket the great majority of the time and feel it is a vast improvement. I think the Airweight J frames are ideal as a CCW and think you should take a close look at them. IMO they fill a much needed niche.

 

[Majic]

So what do you folks think?

Rather than what we think what do you think? After all you are the one who have to carry it.

 

[Manedwolf]

I like the Taurus MilPro PT745 as a CCW for even hot weather. Only 20oz unloaded, can get the stainless model for that "train tunnel" view for a BG, it's thin, small, single-stack, vanishes completely in either a Smartcarry or Thunderwear, and...well...it's a .45 ACP. Load it up with Rangers, and I doubt you'll ever feel like you don't have enough gun.

 

[10-Ring]

To me, you are okay...unless of course, you are looking for an excuse to add a new gun to the collection in which case I say, you are dearly lacking in a good quality mid sized gun to fit you CCW needs

 

[Valkman]

I must be weird, as I carry one gun year-round. But by all means buy another!

 

[jeepmor]

Gap in CCW

I've considered this very fact. I am going to personally just stick with ONE gun and get good with it. Familiarity is going to be paramount should you ever "have" to draw your CCW in my opinion.

I would choose a .45, well, because it's a .45.

jeepmor

 

[ugaarguy]

Thanks for the comments thus far. I'm thinking a Glock 19 or 26, 4" XD 9, 3" K Frame Smith, 3" or so SP101, Commander size 1911, or even a Argentine FM "Detective" Hi-Power (cheaper Hi-Power, shorter bbl, saves wear on the browning) would all be good options.

Rather than what we think what do you think? After all you are the one who have to carry it.

True, but hearing you folks' opinions is more fun.

 

[Marshall]

Model 60 S&W J Frame .357 Mag.

 

[azredhawk44]

The only gun I have that is truly a CCW piece is a SP101 3" .357 magnum.

If I know for a fact that I am going somewhere that is a bit more... unsettled... than I normally go, then I will pick up an automatic (XD9 usually). If hiking outdoors, it's either the sp101 or a 44 redhawk.

I firmly believe, though, that typical CCW roles can be filled by 1 gun, all year. If it can't, then you may have chosen the wrong gun.

Now, if you live in alaska and in the winter you can carry a full sized desert eagle under your moose-down coat / fur igloo, then in summer you can switch to a 454 SRH carried IWB with your blue jeans.

But for the rest of us, 1 gun should be able to cut the mustard. Not saying that you're not allowed to have more than one, just that you can probably get by just fine with 1.

 

[MCgunner]

There's an obvious gap IMHO. You NEED either a compact 9mm of the PF9/P11/PM9/Rohrbaugh/PT111 persuasion (G26 I is larger/heavier) or you need a nice little J frame light weight gun like my Taurus M85UL or one of the various aluminum/titanium/scandium Smith J frames in .38 special +P rated. You COULD go for a .357 J frame, but I'd get it in steel.

These guns aren't as portable as the P3-AT, but they're concealable in either a large pocket or IWB without printing in hot weather and much more comfortable to carry than that Browning. Your Browning will become a safe/range queen once you get used to carrying a lighter weight 9 or a .38. Personally, I have one of each, a compact 9 and a lightweight .38 snubby J frame sized gun.

I don't trust .380 completely in a self defense roll, though sometimes you just have to when the situation says you have to be discrete. I'd definitely keep the little P3-AT for that reason. There are times when it will be the only logical choice. But, if you have a compact nine or a lightweight .38, you need not resort to the heavier Browning for a decent level of power.

Actually, you COULD identify another hole here between the pocket sized 9s and .38s and slightly larger guns that won't print IWB, some of which are available in .45 auto and .40. But, I'm perfectly happy with a 9mm or .38 in my pocket or IWB. If you got one of them, you really wouldn't need anything else for CCW.

 

[Manedwolf]

I've found a lot of the newer things to be far more suitable for carry than the Glocks, which are just too THICK...they've not thinned them down at all, and the competition has breezed by them with many models of comparable and superior caliber that are a full .25" thinner. Kahr, Taurus and Springfield have definitely left them behind in CCW innovation.

 

[steveracer]

You don't have a 1911.

I recommend commander sized, stainless. Caliber of choice is up to you. You have a 9mm, so maybe a 9mm commander.

 

[C-grunt]

I think a good compact 9mm/.40 would be a good choice. I think I would feel undergunned with a .380. My friends Glock 27 is accurate and surprisingly its not to bad recoil-wise.

I also think you could carry the BHP all year round. I live in Arizona and I use to carry a Glock 22 and a 4"XD9 before I got my Glock 23.

 

[Dr_2_B]

small 9mm like a Kel-tec P11 or the newer PF-9. Don't rule out S&W442 revolver either.