Help me decide what to carry

[sta500rdr]

I am trying to narrow down my choices of what to carry as an everyday concealed firearm. I have looked at all sorts of stuff. CZ, Ruger, S&W M&P's, Glocks, Sigs, Kimbers, Walthers, etc.... What does everyone carry out there? My budget is under $600. Don't just say Glock or Sig, tell me why you choose a specific model or brand. I appreciate the help! Thanks!

 

[Mad Magyar]

Let me know what style of carry you might use: IWB, Pocket, OWB, Shoulder Rig, BOB, Ankle, "Mexican Carry", etc....
Also, your body dimensions, physical conditioning, etc.. Just couple of variables one needs to know just for starters....

 

[sta500rdr]

I am looking to carry it in an inside the pants holster at about an 8:00 position (due to being left handed). I am 6'2" and in relatively good shape. I work outdoors by myself in relatively remote locations all day every day. This was what inspired me to carry in the first place. I do not care for the pocket guns, because of all of the other stuff that I have in my pockets. It could damage it or make it difficult to remove in case of needing it. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

 

[KenW.]

Something nice & flat like a 1911. My Kimber is great to carrry IWB.

I carry a XD45 compact a lot now. It is surprisising how well it disapears.

 

[Mad Magyar]

For $600, you certainly have a lot to choose from. I veered away from revolvers due to cylinder bulge, and with your choice of IWB you might look more to slimness & perhaps single-stack.
Your physical attributes will eventually lead you to experiment with all types of carry. I'm probably older than you, but in similar shape and for me I just had a difficult (probably mental) with inside carry.
Good luck in your search. I'll let others recommend their favorite models...

 

[JDGray]

I stopped looking for a CCW, when I bought a Kimber UCII. Slightly higher than $600, paid $689 from Buds. Throw on a set of slimline grips, and they all but vanish

Second choice would be a Sig 239, was the second most comfy for me.

Last choice, a big a$$, bulky Ruger. Just didn't do it for me.(YMMV)

 

[Keoni]

My two favorite carry rigs are Kimber Ultra Carry and Kahr P9, in Alessi WSDT's. They are both accurate, dependable and very concealable. Either one can be worn all day in comfort. If I could only have one, it would be the the Kimber, being .45ACP and more accurate in my hands than the Kahr,especially with the first shot drawing from holster.

 

[benderx4]

1. HK P7 PSP - 8+1 of 9mm, very slim, very concealable, unbelievably accurate, awesome resale if you don't like it
2. Walther PPS - either 9mm or 40SW, fairly light, similar dimensions to P7, great modern design, nice gun
3. 1911 Officers Model - 7+1 of 45 Acp, legendary gun, slender, alloy frames available (eg Kimber Custom CDP II)

Good luck!

 

[everallm]

Definitely look at the CZ range

Smallest and flattest......................RAMI or RAMI-P (9mm)
Medium sized and railed...................P-01 (9mm) or P-06 (.40)
Full sized, railed and light................SP-01 Phantom in polymer (less than 2 ounces heavier than the P-01)

 

[sta500rdr]

I recently compared a SW MP40c and one of the Walthers (don't remember the model) It was also a .40, but considerably slimmer than the S&W. I looked at the springfields, but they seemed pretty blocky and big. Being left handed, ambidextrious safetys, and mag releases are nice, but not a deal breaker. I will look into the CZ's, I was thinking that .40 was the caliber I would stick to, for some reason I am not comfortable carrying a .45. I have a .45 baby eagle, which I love for at home, but seems a bit much to carry in public.

 

[gym]

Pick up a PF-9, it holds 7+1, and is flat as a pancake. I have several weapons, that are nicer looking hold more rounds, 40, or 45,and are more powerfull, but if it's slim and still 9mm, "that's the smallest I will carry for survival', it may work for you. Antyhing that is really a quality weapon, is usually going to be a bit larger. Unlsee you go with a Seacamp or that Roegaur, here is a clip I googled for you, I carried the AMT 45 for 2-3 years. DAO, trigger pull was extreme I did an action job on it
Kel-Tec PF-9: Haggle Price $280-$310
Polymer frame. Weight: 12.7 oz., Barrel: 3.10", Magazine: 7 rounds
The PF9 is the lightest and flattest 9 mm ever made. Firing mechanism is Double-Action Only with an automatic hammer block safety. The PF-9 will be available in blued, parkerized, and hard chrome finishes. Grips will be in black, grey, and olive drab.
hxxp://www.best9mm.com/compact9mm.html, remove the xx in hxxt, apply tt, so as not to make it a live link, as per forum rules

 

[kitsapcharly]

Xd-45c 4" from Springfield Armory is favorite gun. I can carry it all day in a SmartCarry totally concealed. An inside or outside waistband holster would also be fine if not quite as concealable. If your outside their can be 4-legged trouble as well as 2-legged and anything less than a 45 would be pretty useless. I have Double Tap ammo with a "woods load" on order to use in place of regular FMJ when hiking...Otherwise will probably stick to standard velocity. FWIW

 

[wtfd661]

While I love carrying my Kimber, for your needs (working outdoors everyday in remote locations and being left handed) I would suggest one of the compact or subcompact Glocks in what ever caliber you feel you want.

Yes I do believe that all while all guns are tools to be used I know I'd rather see something happen to my Glock 26 than my Kimber. As a further plus with a Glock 27 and a spare magazine you have 21 rounds of .40 cal. ready to go as needed.

The left handed comment is due to not having to worry about making sure you have ambi controls so that you have no problem manipulating them. As far as the width is concerned, again your outdoors in remote locations working so you shouldn't be to worried about printing and for the comfort part of carrying I would recommend a OWB Blackhawk Serpa holster, kydex so, depending on what type of work you do, no worries about scuffing, scratching or dinging up a nice leather holster and can be easily covered with a loose t-shirt.

Don't let anyone fool you, thousands of people conceal carry Glocks everyday. This is just my opinion, take a good look around there are a lot of good quality firearms out there by quite a few quality manufactures so find the one with the options and fit you like best. Good luck

 

[Lookn4Brass]

I second the motion about the Springfield XD .45 compact. I shot one recently and it was easy to control and hid very well. Wish I had bought one back when I was swapping out some of my handguns recently. Enough power to handle 2-legged or 4-legged critters, and light weight, concealable, and comfortable enough to not frustrate you about your type of clothing or what season of the year it is. NOTE: the XD magazine release works either right or left handed, right out of the box. DO find yourself a good holster and belt combo. Without a good holster and belt, you are wasting your time and energy. A gun is only as good as the way you carry it and have it ready.

 

[cliffy]

Kimber is unbeatable

BUT many other good choices are available. If my life depended upon performance, Kimber has never let me down. Kimber makes three sizes of .45 ACP, so depend your life on the size that fits your life-style. cliffy