Selecting a Handgun for Concealed Carry

[tarosean]

At least if renting first isn’t an option.

Even renting a gun will not tell you how it is living with it on your hip.

You have to put in the time and effort to figure out what is going to work the best for you, and if youre the least bit serious, its likely going to be a never-ending quest.

esp. now-a-days with the vast array of choices that we didnt have once upon a time.

 

[Old Dog]

Yep. Most of us that have been carrying for a minute or two have probably gone through at least ten or twelve different carry handguns over the years … and some of us, even more.

It's just one of those ever-evolving lifestyle choices, really

 

[94045]

Yep. Most of us that have been carrying for a minute or two have probably gone through at least ten or twelve different carry handguns over the years … and some of us, even more.

It's just one of those ever-evolving lifestyle choices, really

A word of advice. Until you find something as reliable, you can shoot better and conceal as well or better don't change. The grass is always greener.

PS I envy the guys that bought a G19 Gen 2 and have never found a replacement.

 

[Old Dog]

Heh, my first (concealed) carry pistol was a Combat Commander, and yeah -- in between, untold numbers. Love the M&P 2.0s, especially the Compact.

 

[94045]

Heh, my first (concealed) carry pistol was a Combat Commander, and yeah -- in between, untold numbers. Love the M&P 2.0s, especially the Compact.

First - Colt S70 LW Commander .38 Super
Current - M&P M2.0 Compact .40 S&W

I keep trying 9mm but I can't see any difference in my times and I still get practice ammo locally for $0.16 a round and carry Ammo for $0.40 so I just can't make a case (14 vs 16 rounds?) for changing.

 

[GEM]

Here's story on small gun carry. It's been out before but an informative read.

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/blog/is-a-pocket-gun-enough/

Obvious point, if you do carry a small gun - you need to come up to speed with it.

 

[bdickens]

....PS I envy the guys that bought a G19 Gen 2 and have never found a replacement.

Hey! I resemble that remark!

 

[tomrkba]

I bought several VM2 holsters.

Perfect for carry.

Not the best for drawing under stress or returning to the firearm to the holster.

They draw and holster just fine even after thousands of draws . Positioning makes for speed unless the holster is incorrectly built. I have several leather holsters that do not release the gun properly. But, I use kydex too. I like both materials.


"Third mag up front"

May I ask why?

I prefer to have three mags in "low capacity" states or for 1911 carry.

 

[Garandimal]

Still having little faith in that Glock-type "safety"...

Knowing your affinity for poignant and informative vids...

​

GR

 

[Mike J]

Knowing your affinity for poignant and informative vids...

​

GR

I like his truck. I haven't seen one of those old Internationals in a long time.

 

[george29]

I've gone through dozens of handguns in as many years trying to find my perfect carry gun. I started with family heirlooms (Colt 1903, 1911) to the 66, 686, 60, BHP MKIII, Mouse Guns, CZ's, Jericho, Beretta, Phoenix, NAA, Glock and Rugers. Never quite found my path until the M&P340 and the G48 crossed my path. 20 years ago the M9A3 would be my always gun but age and creeping disability make that very uncomfortable.
OTOH, somewhere around 1985, My brother bought a Beretta FS (compact) 13 shot, wood stocks, ambidextrous decocker; and carried that gun until he died in 2012. He owned no other handguns. He also had only one girlfriend who became his wife and never had the pleasure or nuisance of multiple relationships. I've had as many wives and sweethearts as I had guns, must be a correlation somewhere.
The shorter gripped Beretta worked for him, I couldn't stand it and my carry gun at the time was BHP MKIII which I truly liked.
I think until you don't carry the gun you think you want you'll never know. Be prepared to lose money.

 

[LaneP]

Once I got my hands on a Sig P365 my search stopped.