help me pick a CCW
- Thread starter jonfish
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ronto
Member
I carry a spurless 2 1/4" Ruger SP101 357 revolver in a Mika pocket holster year-round...I don't trust semi-autos for civilian SD.
propex
Member
Short and round also. In summer carry either a S$W Model 60 or a Colt Mustang in the pocket
bigfatdave
Member
I pack a Walther PPS in a Crossbreed Supertuck. But what works for me won't necessarily work for you. Search the countless threads on this subject and you will learn that what/how to CC is a question with more answers than responders. Find something that is happy in your hand and comfortable to shoot, and make that work. If you intend to carry in any method supported by your pants (IWB/OWB/pocket/etc) you need a real gunbelt of some kind. You need a good holster, generic holsters are simply don't work like custom-molded ones.
TOADMAN
Member
For all day everyday concealed carry, the Glock 26 or no dash S&W Model 60 (38 cal) work perfect for me.. If it is a pain to carry, you wont carry..
Pistol Toter
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Quack
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i'm 5' 11" (160lbs) and carry 1911's in a VMII's , but also use a SuperTuck when i want to tuck my shirt in.
whippoorwill
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I highly recommend the Kahr PM9. I like Glocks, but they don't make one small enough. The Kahr is a great balance between size and power and shoots well.
ByAnyMeans
Member
I carry a Glock 26. I like the ability to change capacity depending on the magazine I use. This way I can use the gun for pocket or iwb/owb carry. It can also serve as my nightstand gun with a fifteen round magazine. I can then use all of my practice on one gun, getting the most familiarity with it's trigger, sights/pointing and POA/POI. Some people have been trained with many different guns depending on their history but that's not me.
I use a Bianchi{?SP) Matrix belt with a Glock combat holster for OWB carry and a Hidden Companion from GrandfatherOak for IWB. I also use their pocket companion for pocket carry. I find when I buy pants that are a size bigger for IWB carry it gives me enough space to use the front pocket with a flush fitting ten round magazine. Sitting around the house or a last ditch gun when nothing else can be carried goes to a Keltec p3at with crimson trace laser grip.
I use a Bianchi{?SP) Matrix belt with a Glock combat holster for OWB carry and a Hidden Companion from GrandfatherOak for IWB. I also use their pocket companion for pocket carry. I find when I buy pants that are a size bigger for IWB carry it gives me enough space to use the front pocket with a flush fitting ten round magazine. Sitting around the house or a last ditch gun when nothing else can be carried goes to a Keltec p3at with crimson trace laser grip.
spyderdude
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- Sep 8, 2006
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I stand about 5'9" and weigh just under 200 lbs. I carry a Glock 19 with two spare 15 round magazines and been doing so for three years. The G19 IMO is one of the greatest concealed carry handguns out there. It's reliable, accurate, tough as nails, capacity is that of most full size 9mm service pistols, compact enough for comfortable everyday carry, and the price won't break the bank.
How I carry changes often depending on what I am doing and the weather. During the winter I tend to carry using a shoulder holster, but during the summer I use a Comp Tac MTAC or DeSantis Speed Scabbard. I occasionally open carry using a Blackhawk Serpa paddle holster.
How I carry changes often depending on what I am doing and the weather. During the winter I tend to carry using a shoulder holster, but during the summer I use a Comp Tac MTAC or DeSantis Speed Scabbard. I occasionally open carry using a Blackhawk Serpa paddle holster.
wvshooter
Member
It's really more about how you dress than your height and weight. If your shirt is always tucked in it can be difficult. In that sitiuation you are probably going to have to pocket carry. In a pocket holster of course. Having said that, it is true that there are IWB holsters that allow you to tuck a shirt in between the gun and your belt thereby hiding the gun.
If you wear an untucked slightly oversize t-shirt things get easier. If you can wear something like an untucked hawaii shirt that's about as good as it gets. If you wear a suit with a sport coat you're good to go also. IWB (inside the waist band) is probably the most common concealed carry method. It requires a slightly oversize pair of pants and usually involves an untucked shirt which falls just below the belt or a little lower.
When choosing a gun keep in mind that a smaller thinner gun is easier to conceal. However, with the right method of dressing you can conceal almost anything. I carry several different guns depending how I feel that day. The largest is a CZ75B. It's a full size combat handgun, heavy and large. I carry it IWB and have two different holsters for it. A slightly over sized t or one of my hawaii shirts conceal it completely. I have on occasion carrried two guns IWB at the same time and there's no way anyone would have a clue.
If you wear an untucked slightly oversize t-shirt things get easier. If you can wear something like an untucked hawaii shirt that's about as good as it gets. If you wear a suit with a sport coat you're good to go also. IWB (inside the waist band) is probably the most common concealed carry method. It requires a slightly oversize pair of pants and usually involves an untucked shirt which falls just below the belt or a little lower.
When choosing a gun keep in mind that a smaller thinner gun is easier to conceal. However, with the right method of dressing you can conceal almost anything. I carry several different guns depending how I feel that day. The largest is a CZ75B. It's a full size combat handgun, heavy and large. I carry it IWB and have two different holsters for it. A slightly over sized t or one of my hawaii shirts conceal it completely. I have on occasion carrried two guns IWB at the same time and there's no way anyone would have a clue.
Anytime one of these "what ccw should I buy" thread comes up, everyone (me included) just chimes in with what they own and after a page or two everything from a 50BMG to an NAA 22lr has been offered as the perfect carry gun. The truth is, you are admittedly heavy and this offers you some luxuries in your choice for CCW. You probably tend to wear baggier clothes and a loose fitting shirt. With this combination you can choose a larger gun than thinner people. Having some girth doth have it's privileges. Many people like single-stack guns like the Kahrs and the Keltecs and, while these are great guns your size allows for some leeway. If I were you I would look at "service sized" handguns with double stack magazines. Something in a 4" barrel in either 9mm, .40S&W, 357SIG or 45. If you want capacity get a 9mm with 15 rounds. The same size 45ACP will get you 7-10 rounds. Many manufacturers offer sub-compact versions of their service sized guns and have magazine extensions to give you more capacity when you want it. Springfield, Glock and S&W all have offerings in a subcompact that will allow this.
I recommend looking at
There are many others available in that same size range but these are the first ones that came to mind.
(My turn to recommend my carry guns
)
Personally, I am 6'2"/ 215lbs and I can comfortably carry my .40S&W Steyr S40 in a FIST Kydex IWB 75% of the time and a Polish P64 9mm MAK in a Don Hume leather IWB when clothing dictates. I chose the Steyr because it has a manual safety located in the trigger guard and that works for me. If this weren't a concern, I'd probably carry a Glock 19 or 23. I chose the P64 because I always wanted a PPK but refuse to carry a .380.
- Do you want a manual safety?
- Do you prefer steel or plastic?
- Will you shoot it at the range?
- Will it double as a home defense gun?
- How much are you wanting to spend?
I recommend looking at
- Glock 19/23
- Springfield XD-9, 40, 357 and same in subcompact
- Glock 26/27/36
- Steyr M-series / S-series
- Tangfolio (EAA, RIA, Armscor, CZ)
- S&W M&P
- Milspec 1911 (Springfield, RIA, Colt)
There are many others available in that same size range but these are the first ones that came to mind.
(My turn to recommend my carry guns
)Personally, I am 6'2"/ 215lbs and I can comfortably carry my .40S&W Steyr S40 in a FIST Kydex IWB 75% of the time and a Polish P64 9mm MAK in a Don Hume leather IWB when clothing dictates. I chose the Steyr because it has a manual safety located in the trigger guard and that works for me. If this weren't a concern, I'd probably carry a Glock 19 or 23. I chose the P64 because I always wanted a PPK but refuse to carry a .380.
Shadow 7D
Member
As one of the aforementioned skinny guys, well not as skinny as I once was (5'10", 180) I've been looking at mouse guns, mainly because I don't want to have a IWB when playing with my 1 yo at the park.
2 I already own a small size, CZ-83, gun, but it is too large for pocket carry, but I'm looking at small 9mm, ammo price throws out .380 (does it even exist anymore), and .32APC is shocking, between it and .380 I'd have to mortgage my second son.
3 If its at home, it's useless to you. That's my quandary, think I'll end up buying a P32 and start working my way though rigs for the CZ.
2 I already own a small size, CZ-83, gun, but it is too large for pocket carry, but I'm looking at small 9mm, ammo price throws out .380 (does it even exist anymore), and .32APC is shocking, between it and .380 I'd have to mortgage my second son.
3 If its at home, it's useless to you. That's my quandary, think I'll end up buying a P32 and start working my way though rigs for the CZ.
DeepSouth
Random Guy
That's what I was thinking.
Quack
Member
Thanks!
the 1st one is an Ed Brown Kobra Carry and the 2nd one is a Springfield EMP with Larry Davidson Horned Lizard grips.
oneounceload
member
for power in your pocket, a Rohrbaugh 9mm is the smallest 9mm on the market - not cheap, but you'll be able to carry it in a pocket, so it can work for casual to business attire
Following on Frank_Drebin's suggestion:
I've talked (raved) about this sidearm before on THR.
As pretty much anyone on this site will tell you, your mileage will vary. But the nice thing about searching for just the right CCW piece is: You get to play with guns.
I carried (concealed) the H&K USP Compact, in two different calibers (9mm & .45), for years. Excellent weapon. Extremely easy (and safe) to carry w/one in the pipe thanks to its DA/SA configuration with a decocker safety. A real shooter and imminently concealable on a full-sized carrier.
I've talked (raved) about this sidearm before on THR.
As pretty much anyone on this site will tell you, your mileage will vary. But the nice thing about searching for just the right CCW piece is: You get to play with guns.
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