Help me find a carry gun before I go nuts, please :-)

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aliasneo07

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Hey guys. Well, in MD I cant CCW. But my FL permit should be arriving soon and that means I can pretty much carry in every surrounding state. Its time for me to get a carry gun. Any opinions are greatly appreciated.

I'm 6ft and around 300lbs, i'm huge, lol.

Conditions:

*Chambered in either .380, 9mm, or .45 ACP
* RELIABLE. I don't consider the Kel Tec P3AT as reliable as I need.
* Small, but mainly THIN. Single stacks or double stacks, doesn't mattter. But I want it thin. Walther PPS type thin would be good.
* Emphasis on thin.

I've been pondering the Walther PPS, G26, G30, or Ruger LCP. The LCP seems to be the least reliable of the bunch. I've also heard of some problems with the PPS in some instances. I have a G19 and G21 right now so I'm used to glocks, but I don't know, they might be too thick to CCW. The gun will probably be carried IWB at 4oclock.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated. I'm obsessed with reliability. If I could CCW my G21 I would, but I don't think I'm pulling that one off :p
 
I would go with the PPS. My friend bought a Walther PPS about a month ago as his carry gun. It is atleast 0.25" thinner than my G19, but weights about the same. Kinda pricey, but it does shoot well. It has a glock type action, so the trigger is pretty similar. I'm not a huge fan of the paddle mag release, but I think it works well on a CCW. There are 3 mag sizes available: 6,7,8 rounds. The 6 round mags just about flush with the grip (2 finger), then the 7 and 8 round mags have the finger extensions. Only thing I don't like about it is the prices: almost $600 for the pistol, and close to $40/ mag.

On a side note, I've found the the larger a person is, the easier it is to conceal a larger gun. I'm 5'10" 155lbs, and have trouble not printing my G19 with only a button up shirt over it with a Galco OWB holster at 4o'clock. I know a couple larger guys (say 250lb range) that can effortlessly conceal a 5" 1911.
 
I can suggest a few.
In .380 the Sig p238 is hard to beat.
9mm the PPS hands down winner.
And in .45 a 3" 1911 will be perfect.I have and carry a Taurus PT745 wich is half the price of the 1911 and has been perfect.Also the PT145 has a bit more capacity without making it overly thick.
 
Of those choices you listed the G26 is your gun.

I would also consider a browning hi power with slim grips and a nice IWB holster.

The Sig P238 is not what I would consider reliable.
 
Last edited:
aliasneo07 said:
Any feedback is greatly appreciated. I'm obsessed with reliability. If I could CCW my G21 I would, but I don't think I'm pulling that one off :p
Click to expand...

If you want reliable & prefer Glock I don't think I can give you advice but I would prefer 9mm for a few more rounds.
 
I have a G19 and G21 right now so I'm used to glocks, but I don't know, they might be too thick to CCW. The gun will probably be carried IWB at 4oclock.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated. I'm obsessed with reliability. If I could CCW my G21 I would, but I don't think I'm pulling that one off
Click to expand...

I understand about the reliability thing. I'm the same way.

I'm 5'7" 180 lbs and I carried my G19 and G23 IWB for awhile. I had a cheap IWB holster, so now I'm sticking to OWB, but it can be done, if you have the right rig.

Does it have to be IWB?
 
I happily carry a sig p230, and would definitely describe it as being utterly reliable, and extremely accurate.
 
Yes I would prefer IWB. I just don't know. If the glock is only SLIGHTLY bigger than the Walther i'd go glock, but it looked significantly bigger. Maybe I should go re-examine. The LCP I'll probably end up getting for deep concealment needs, but I want a IWB 9 or 45 for primary CCW.
 
What about a Kahr? I haven't owned one, but I've held a few and they're pretty thin. Maybe a CW9 or a K9 would be just the thing for you.

There's probably a good chance you could conceal a J frame revolver pretty well. They're not thin around the cylinder, but people often remark about how the non-blocky shape of revolvers makes them easier to hide.

Personally my experience with a CZ-75B would have me looking at something like a CZ Compact or P-01 (or Rami for subcompact), but those won't be as thin as a PPS.
 
Glock 26. You already have a 19 and like Glocks, the baby Glocks are great pistols, and the short grip of the subcompact Glocks make it extremely difficult to accidentally reveal. I don't think they are too thick, and they have nice flat sides, no protrusions, which makes them more comfortable to me. I'm 5'9", 160-180 depending on they year and have comfortably carried a Glock 27 or 23 often.

And I don't know your circumstances, don't take this the wrong way, but if you lose some weight it will make carry exponentially more comfortable and possible. Back when I was even skinnier, 145-150, I used to carry a fullsize USP .40 and it felt like I didn't have anything on at all.
 
Browning Hi Power is thin and reliable. So is the H&K P7, which can be found at decent prices nowadays with all the police trade ins. Kahr is another thin choice.
 
A LOT of people CCW your Glock 19. It is considered one of the best all-around guns on the planet. Being as big as you are, I don't see why you couldn't carry it, especially with the holsters available today.

Of course I'm the one in here who is always yelling at people to carry full-size autos. If it was ME, I would be thrilled to death to carry a G-21 in a shoulder, IWB, or fanny pack. If you think they are too thick or blocky, you might want to consider a 1911 or commander.
 
Just get a quality holster for your 19...rather than spending the money on a new gun.

I CCWed a Glock 17 for a while. Anything is going to feel thick at first carrying, but you'll get used to it after a while.
 
Any Kahr, Walther, and or Browning will do the trick.

Also the M&P models don't feel quite as thick!

I believe with the right belt, and holster combo, anything
can be made to work!
 
HK P7 w/ProTech Ciabatta b/u. :D
Best Wishes,

Jesse

P.S. Perhaps if you're so close to the "edge" that not getting what you want in a firearm means you're "going nuts" perhaps you don't need a loaded firearm?:what:

P.P.S. The HK P7 is so thin it could be a bulimic runway model.

Just kiddin'....;)
100_1549.jpg
 
NThanks for all the replies guys. I wanted to keep this purchase around 550 or less. Or else I'd get a govt length 1911 which would be by dream carry. I think I'm going go end up with a g26 or a PPS in 9mm. Once I shoot the walther ill make the decision. I know I can shoot glocks well, and most importantly. I trust them. I may just try the G19 and wait for January to check out the Gen 4 clocks.

As for holsters what do you all recommend? I will be carrying iwb at 4 o'clock probably. I've heard wonderful things about the CB Supertuck. Opinions?

I also love the idea of shoulder carry for when I'm driving. Can anyone recommended a good shoulder rig that would fit a big Guy like me, that isn't expensive as hell?

Thanks again everyone!
 
Patience. The carry gun you select should be a perfect match for your hand and eye, and rushing the purchase isn't going to help. Go to a range that rents guns and try out the two or three that you have in mind, and then add a couple/three more for good measure. Bring some friends along who have favorites, and try theirs as well. Eventually you'll find one to your liking. Whatever you do, don't rush the process. Your life could well depend on the choice you make, and that's nothing to race through.
 
For my 2 cents...I LOVE my Kahr CW9, BUT...I'm about 6 feet but not nearly as big as you and the grip feels fairly skinny. Not uncomfortable, but you notice it. The price you pay for the excellent concealability I guess; its less than an inch wide. I want to put a Hogue grip on it and see if it feels a bit better.
I live in Maryland as well, just moved here from MN and when I got here I could not believe that there are no options for concealed carry. Hopefully I'm only going to be living here another year or so.
 
+1 on the CW 9, It is a breeze to shoot and I have fallen asleep on the couch with it still IWB if that tells you any thing!!! Great pistol, I would guess the PPS would be real simmilar in weight and width.
 
LCP

see thread I posted LCP w/ laser and holster.

Not sure where you saw that the LCP is not reliable. I have put everything through mine with zero problems. I also would like something else for a war-zone carry, but for ultimate concealment the LCP is as good as it gets and looks so much nicer than a Keltec. :p

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=488719
 
I just got back from fondling the guns at the local gun store. IMO the G26/27 is the right length but seems really thick. I also didn't really like how short the grip was, though I know that can be fixed with a larger mag. I'm still looking for a G30 to compare to.

The M&P was a little longer, but the grip fit my hand very well.

They didn't have any XDs. I'm still looking for XD9sc to handle.

What surprised me was how well I liked the Springfield Armory EMP. It really fit my hand extremely well, seemed much thinner than the G26/M&P, and it wasn't much longer. Only problem there was the price. > $900! I need an unknown rich uncle to pass on....:)
 
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