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

[cpaspr]

For your size, the LCP may not fit your hand well. Definitely try before you buy.

The Walthers have a nasty reputation, deserved, of causing slide bite on people with meaty hands. Ditto the Sig P230/232. If your hand gets right up by the slide when you hold it you will be drawing blood. My 232 got me twice the first session I fired it, before I changed the grips out.

 

[desert gator]

I ccw a walther pps 9 and a glock 23. I like the walther better. It is slightly more comfortable, and I am more accurate with it. I agree though that while being thinner than the glock 23 its only about a half inch shorter in length and I use the largest magazine making it the same height. I hands down love the Walther and no matter how many guns I go to for ccw I always find myself coming back to it.

 

[cyclopsshooter]

haha, im built just like you and carry a full size government 1911 all day at work-

suspenders are your friend!

 

[ichiban]

Definitely try/rent everything you can get your hands on.

Also consider the Ruger SR9. Very thin for a double stack 9mm. Not the worlds most elegant gun but it gets the job done.

 

[ku4hx]

If picking a carry piece is driving you crazy, more than likely any one you choose will sooner or later become a "bad choice". The more you shoot any weapon, the more it's limitations will become obvious. And ALL guns have limitations. No gun is going to fit all carry situations perfectly.

Most people I know who carry have simply picked a gun they like, trust and understand and then have become proficient via practice, practice and more practice. I have several guns I consider "carry" weapons and each is used as the situation dictates: Glock 27, Glock 23 with laser beam, and Glock 20 primarily. But my Ruger KP-90, Glock 30SF, and Ruger GP-100 get the duty from time to time.

Picking a gun is like picking a mate, you have to learn to live with and learn to overcome the limitations.

 

[earlthegoat2]

380- Beretta Cheetah of some persuasion
9mm- HKP7, CZ 75 PCR, Kel Tec PF-9
45- Commander 1911, Kahr, S&W M&P 45 Compact, Glock 36.

 

[PT1911]

Look at the Khar cw series, you will not be disappointed.

 

[wbwanzer]

I'm in the Peoples Republic of Maryland also. I got my Utah non-res permit a few months ago. I have not carried yet. I probably won't get to carry until I go to Virginia next Sept. Unless you travel a lot to our neighboring states, I wouldn't drive myself nuts over this. I don't know about you, but I'm the most unsafe when I'm in my home area near Baltimore. I can't wait to leave this state.

Anyway, don't make too big a deal out of it. Then again, it's always fun to search for another gun.

 

[Mastifflover]

What about a Glock 36 slimline. It's a .45 single stack that's supposed to be thinner than normal Glocks.

 

[desert gator]

I love my buddies glock 36. That was initially what I wanted to buy over my glock 23, but I could never find a used one for sale so I ended up getting the glock 23 which was my next choice. To me the glock 36 is a perfect size, slightly bigger than the subcompact, slightly smaller than the compact, and slightly thinner than both. Now if only it came in .40 and 9mm

 

[BlayGlock]

Small, Thin, Reliable, and less than $550, get yourself a Kahr CW9 or CW45. You wont be sorry.

 

[benderx4]

You like thin? You will LOVE the HK P7! Besides being thin, this baby is incredibly SAFE to carry and totally reliable. It's what I carry in the winters. (Second choice would be a Walther PPS)

 

[RevDerb]

As long as you are still in the search stage, may I suggest that you consider a Kahr? I have owned three (CW9, PM9) and am currently carrying a TP45. It is chambered in .45acp. Holds 7 +1, shoots really nice. I have around 300 rds through it now without a single issue. The grip is long like a 1911 but thin. I carry IWB in a Holster Store Pro Carry.

Here's a couple of pics.







BTW, it's available to buy if interested. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=488155

 

[Blind Bat]

I shot a PPS a couple of months back and fell in love with it. For a small gun it made me look really good and recoil was non-existent. My only gripes would be the price (mags are expensive too) and they need to make a 10 round mag for IDPA use.

 

[aliasneo07]

Alright well I've narrowed it down to the PPS or the G26.

I think I'm going to try the PPS. The only things about the PPS I don't like are the expensive flippin mags, and my best friend has one and his is extremely finicky on ammo. I'm thinking he just has a lemon though. The other thing is i've heard that in extreme instances the backstrap can come off, rendering the gun inoperable. Don't know whether thats just some rare BS though. If that happens I guess the LCP in my pocket wil have to go to work lol.

Now to find one for a decent price....bah.

Thanks so much everybody for your help!

 

[CHEVELLE427]

i love my xdsc40

 

[Big Bill]

The LCP seems to be the least reliable of the bunch.

Where did you come by this info.?

 

[pete f]

Ok, at 6 foot 300 we are similar build, iam just shorter, I carry daily a full size Govt or a Commander with no issues at all, I have had my P2C for nearly 20 years, and never once have I been busted except for one time when my shirt pulled loose after helping an invalid man use a accesable bathroom. Get a GOOD IWB holster and you can hide it. the system is already there, you probably do not dress in "Athletically Cut" clothes anyway, and the extra padding on you works like the Tempra mattress's and just molds around the gun. I use a Schleif's "gunny" model, its not on his web site, but its the best fitting and most comfortable IWB ever.

If anyone notices the bump, just say its your work cell phone, and they insist on having it on your belt.

If you do not wear tucked outer shirts, then you can carry anything. and I mean anything, and get away with it. I have a good friend who has carried a 5 inch S&W N frame in 41 mag for the last 20 years. IWB, with just a polo or T shirt cover.

 

[Lou McGopher]

I'm 6'2", 230lbs.
I carry a S.A. XD .45 compact, 4" barrel. I carry it at about the 4 o'clock position in a Kholster. I have no problem concealing it, provided my shirt is long enough in the back (short shirts ride up when bending over). Once I found the right position and cant, I don't notice it's there most of the time. It doesn't feel too thick to me. I carry it IWB, but haven't had to go up in pant size, and my pants don't fit loosely without it.

A Kahr is certainly going to be thinner, but not so much so that it will make a noticeable difference for a fella your size. Unless you're one of those people who goes to Walmart dressed in all spandex, I'd recommend you take advantage of the potential for concealment your size offers, and go with something that holds more rounds. And after seeing gelatin tests, I would not recommend carrying .380 unless it's the largest caliber one can conceal.

 

[bb21]

A few things, first of all others have touched on concealing a larger handgun without any problems. I am not a Glock fan by any means but the G19 is probably one of the best in my opinion for a carry gun. The reason I say that is it has a small enough grip you can keep it concealed with the right shirt, yet with the barrel length it will shoot like a regular full size handgun, plus it still has a decent capacity. Try it, you will find with a good inside the waist holster it is hardly noticeable, the same can be said about the similar sized Glocks in different calibers. I carry an XD 45 compact much of the time. which is very similar in size, yet has the 4" barrel and shoots like a full size. If you really want a slimmer gun the PPS is probably a better way to go than the G26, but the advantage of the G26 is interchangeable mags with your 19. Also the same manual of arms which is also great if you have to use it. All that being said I can conceal my duty weapon a M&P .40 with a Polo shirt just fine. I wouldn't over think it too much, choose which ever you shoot better and have the confidence and peace of mind with. Good Luck and Be Safe!