Need help selecting the right CCW...

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JoNate

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What is a good CCW for a very active person i.e. I sweat a lot. I want to pack it when I go running, mountain biking, fishing etc...

I absolutely love the way the Sig P238 shoots, so accurate, but it seems a little heavy for carry while being active. Maybe I am wrong. I have not shot it, but the Ruger LCP seems like it may fit the bill.

I have listed .380 b/c they seem to be smallest caliber that I am comfortable with and would be light for enough activity on a hot Texas day.

BTW how do pistols stand up to sweat and maybe a little rain or a splash of gatorade?

P.S. I am not new to guns, but have never owned a pistol, shot plenty though.


Thank you for your help.
 
If you like the SiG, then go to High Noon Holsters and get a nice Down Under IWb rig with a Rock Steady gun belt, and carry with confidence. Seriously, a good holster and a belt designed for a pistol make a huge difference. The sweat shield on the Down Under is thick enough to qualify as medieval armor! http://www.highnoonholsters.com/
If going with the pocket gun like the LCP, Mika's pocket holsters are cheap and worth three times the price, and very sweat resistant.
 
Are you comfortable carrying the 238 with a round in the chamber, hammer fully cocked with the thumb safety on? If so, you'll need a lot of practice so you're safe.

If you're not comfortable or won't practice, get the Ruger.
 
I have an LCP and I love it. Can't go wrong with it, and it's pretty reasonably priced.
 
"Are you comfortable carrying the 238 with a round in the chamber, hammer fully cocked with the thumb safety on? If so, you'll need a lot of practice so you're safe.

If you're not comfortable or won't practice, get the Ruger."


Now that is something I could use some education on.

From what I understand, it is not an easy gun to master, but what is the dis-advantage of a the safety on the Sig?
 
JoNate said:
From what I understand, it is not an easy gun to master, but what is the dis-advantage of a the safety on the Sig?
Click to expand...

Many worry that a manual safety is something you may forget to switch off under pressure, but I believe that is easily overcome through proper training. It's really not that big of a deal to learn how to properly handle a a single action gun like the P238 as long as you take training seriously.

I love my P238, it'll outshoot the LCP anyday. I've carried it in my pocket all day working in the sun and it's survived my sweat just fine. The weight never bothered me, but I've never gone running or mountain biking with it.
 
If you aren't 100% comfortable wearing your chosen gun eventually you won't wear one (like me....I know, I know). The main thing is you shouldn't have to revamp your entire wardrobe and make life decisions on how to dress and where you go and what you do based on whether or not your gun fits you. I bought a Glock 26 because I thought it was "small enough"...turns out any holster gun won't work for me. So really it's 100% up to you and your level of dedication but after a while a gun becomes just one more thing you have to put on and the novelty of a CHL and corresponding CCW wears off. At least that's my experience.

To that end today's shooters are spoiled with small, potent choices. Ruger LCP, KelTec P3AT, etc.
 
The plastic fantastic guns will fair better with getting wet, being sweated on and weight of carry. I stay fairly active running, biking, weight lifting, hiking and coaching my kids sports. I use a Kel-tec .380 or a Glock 19 in a Pistol-Wear PT-One holster. It is made out of neoprene and water (sweat) resistant. You don't have to carry a pocket gun to stay active. The holster conceals very well while having gym/jogging/workout clothing on. Retention is fantastic.

I took this photo right after running three miles with a Glock 17 in the Pistol-Wear holster. I also lift weights with it on. I can't recommend this holster enough.

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Kel Tec P11 with 12 round mag. Not much for a range gun,for the long trigger. But makes for a good CCw......
 
This past summer I logged around 100 miles per week on my road bike and I carried a Ruger LCP most of the time. I usually carried it in a leather IWB holster and quickly found it would be covered with surface rust after a day or two, so I switched to a pocket holster, but still had some surface rusting on the left side.:(

LD
 
I carry my P3at keltec with slide mounted clip to my mountain bike shorts about 4 oclock,jersey covers just fine.
 
LCP is great, BUT shoot a friends before you buy. I love mine, so my buddy bought one and sold it a week later. Do to the long trigger pull, he couldn't hit a can a 7 yards.

As far as Gatorade and sweat and heat and stuff: I'd go with a compact Glock. They can be neglected and still function fine.
 
Autolycus said:
I would consider a Glock 26 myself. It packs a great deal of firepower in a small package.
Click to expand...
I have a Glock 26 and back when I wore baggy clothes it worked fine, but once I decided to dress like an adult with jeans that fit pocket carry became impractical.
 
Thank you for all the input, fellas!

I may lean away from the Sig at this point, I would hate to ruin a nice gun b/c of my activities.

The SP101 seems like a rugged choice, but I may look at the the Glocks. I have never been crazy about a Glock, but if the shoe fits... Now I understand the Glock 26 is their smallest offering, is that correct?
 
Maybe I'm just lazy, but I want the smallest, lightest choice if running or active. I use a Kangaroo belly band to carry. I upgraded from a Keltec P32 to a P3AT when they came out. A .380 in that small of a package is hard to beat; the LCP is basically the same thing with a slide lock. Put an LCP or P3AT next to a Glock 26 and decide which you want to run with.

Our governor here in Texas jogs with an LCP, he killed a coyote while on one of his runs.

The Glock sub compacts, Kahr PMs, S&W j-frames, Sig 238s are great guns...just more than I want to run with.
 
JoNate said:
Thank you for all the input, fellas!

I may lean away from the Sig at this point, I would hate to ruin a nice gun b/c of my activities.

The SP101 seems like a rugged choice, but I may look at the the Glocks. I have never been crazy about a Glock, but if the shoe fits... Now I understand the Glock 26 is their smallest offering, is that correct?
Click to expand...
The G36 (single stack .45) is a tad smaller in width the G26 is slightly shorter in height and length (fraction of an inch).
 
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If you decide to stick with the 380, I HIGHLY recommend the S&W Bodyguard 380. To me, this is the most comfortable shooting 380 I've ever shot. Again, to ME. I find it easier to shoot and hold than any other 380 i've owned (Ruger/Keltec/Bersa/Etc). I've tried pretty much 380 available but the BG is the nicest. Most companies are making holsters for it now. I got one from Comptac and it is great.

I would also recommend moving up to a 9mm. If you like the 380 profile, I recommend the Kahr PM9 or even the P9. Small thin frame but still a bit more firepower in the same amount of rounds.
 
Vail2073, do you have the Body Guard semi-auto or revolver? I looked at the semi but can only find them with cheesy laser on it. That laser doesn't work for me.

P.S. Kahr PM9 is nice, but I don't want to spend that much on a gun that will see a lot of "moisture" :)
 
Would a XD hold up the same as a Glock? I checked out the G26 and the grip is a little wide for me. Small hands..
 
JoNate:
I spend a lot of time trying to figure out what I can run with. My answer so far is it has to be under 15 oz. I carry a .357 mag S&W 360PD when I'm in a bad area, running.

I use thunder wear, or a fanny pack. Pocket carry is out, since it bounces around too much while running.
I'm going to have to try and get one of those neoprene belts. Not only are you saving your gun, but it will help you firm up your stomach by the heat it's going to generate.:D

Blocks are too heavy and too thick for what you are after. You may need two guns, a mouse gun for running and something bigger for the other activities.

Other then the fanny pack, I haven't found a holster that is comfortable to run with. Thunderwear is marginal.
 
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