Six handguns: Pick one for CCW

[Marko Kloos]

I'm curious how the general tastes of this congregation run.

Below, you'll see an assortment of carry guns. The picture shows the following guns in left-right, top-bottom order:


Browning BDA: 13+1 rounds of .380ACP

CZ75BD: 15+1 rounds of 9mm Luger

Taurus 731UL: 6 rounds of .32 H&R Magnum

S&W 908: 8+1 rounds of 9mm Luger

CZ75PCR: 10+1 rounds of 9mm Luger

S&W 65, 3"HB: 6 rounds of .357 Magnum


If you absolutely had to pick a carry gun out of this line-up, which one would it be?

 

[blades67]

I'd get another six guns to choose from.



Of the guns in your poll, I'd choose the CZ75BD.

 

[P95Carry]

Yep .... it'd be CZ75BD for me too I think.

 

[gbelleh]

I picked the Taurus 731UL. It would be the easiest to conceal, and 6 rounds of H&R Mag is pretty good.

Why isn't your P7 in the group??

 

[Harbinger]

I'll take the Smith.

 

[Harbinger]

Sorry, I mean the model 65 smith.

 

[garrettwc]

I chose the CZ75BD because it has the most advantages.

Second Choice would be the PCR or the S&W M65.

The 908 would do in a pinch, but it is a distant third.

The other two are backup guns IMHO, not good choices for a primary CCW.

 

[Ala Dan]

1st choice: CZ-75BD

2nd choice: Smith & Wesson model 65

3rd choice: Browning BDA .380 ACP


Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[sm]

Model 65

 

[Jason Demond]

Model 65

I would go with the Model 65, because I am a revolver man.

 

[Ian]

I'd take the fullsize CZ, and get a couple preban 15-round mags for it.

 

[WonderNine]

Why not get a single action CZ-75 instead with some 16 round mags ?

 

[swifter]

model 65. .357 stops a lot better than 9mm,
When I was a kid playing "guns", I heard "Ya didn't get me. Nyaah!" Don't care to here it when its for real...
Tom

 

[Dr.Rob]

Model 65 or the CZ75 depending on dress.

Next choice would be the cz75 pcr.

Every CCW instructor says .380 is the minimum, 38 special is better (heavier bullets, more penetration) so i'd leave out the .32. The BDA is big for a .380, and about the same size as the PCR I don't like the safety on SW autos so I'd leave that one out. the slide on the CZ is skinny and would do well in a IWB holster or g-slide with the right clothes. The 65 is a medium frame and should carry well, but reloads in speedloaders are a bulkier item than a spare mag.

I had the same concerns/ideas about my viable carry guns.

 

[Brian Williams]

I picked the 65 cause it is similar to my S&W 13 which is what I carry

 

[jimbo]

Lesser of evils!

So is this a "High Road" psychological examination or did you sell all of your P7M8's because I know you have more ideal CCW guns than these.

 

[22luvr]

I'll make the less popular choice.....

being a full-time pocket-carrier, I'd opt for the Taurus 731UL. Having owned two Taurus revolvers, I'm sold on their quality, dependability and accuracy. The 731 would easily drop into a simple pocket holster with a minimum of fuss and the .32 H&R round as whole lot stouter than most give it credit for.

 

[WebHobbit]

Model 65 ofcourse.



32 & 380 shouldn't even be on the table for defense.

 

[Jim March]

If the goal is "pick one for CCW", and one ONLY, it'd be the 65 which is where I went.

But that's not how I shop for CCW. I view a CCW battery as being three guns:

1) Front-pocket mousegun, which is either a 22mag minirevolver of some sort, or a small 32ACP. It's always present, but is hard to get to unless you smell trouble and stand around with your hands in your pockets, in which case it's the speed king because you're already on the grip.

2) "The Always Gun": this is the small yet combat potent (200ft/lbs energy minimum) piece that you'll generally have on you at all times, and is "first at bat" when the balloon goes up. For me, it's generally a snubby-pattern of some sort, probably 38 or 357 but a damned fine case can be made for the 32H&RMaggie (or 9mm 5-shot w/moons). It's for fighting at close range, it resists being grabbed, it can't go out of battery on muzzle contact. I recommend IWB carry.

The 731UL is a fine gun for this role.

Most people stop there, or do so most of the time.

3) "The Genuine Fighting Handgun": this will be the size/power range of a full-size 1911 or K/L/GP100 4" class wheelgun. It's accurate, good for longer range, and is the *backup* gun once you've gotten to cover and extended the range with the first-at-bat snubbie. If the GFH is present, no reloads for the snubby are carried or desired, the GFH is the "reload". I don't think I'd carry this at all times, only where needed based on the threat level. It does NOT replace the snubby's carry position, it goes somewhere else (shoulder rig, fanny pack) so that your reach and draw to the "always" is 100% the same every time.

In a GFH slidegun, I have a lot of respect for the CZ-75 general pattern and operating drill. I'd stick with a wheelgun personally of course .

These three positions and roles correspond to the Tanto, Wakizashi and Katana of the Bushido, for similar reasons: "hideout surprise", "close quarters indoor fighter", "full combat piece" in that order (10", 18", 26" blades).

The general technique of going to a snubby first followed by bigger stuff comes from the playbook of Jim Cirillo of the NYPD stakeout squad. He survived a number of hairy fights in this fashion.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I voted for the .357 magnum, since it's the most versatile cartridge, although I'd recommend against buying a current production Smith & Wesson: I don't do business with companies that seek to subvert our Second Amendment civil rights.

 

[cratz2]

I'd probably take which ever you shoot better between the PCR and the Smith 908.

Assuming their both 100% relaible with your chosen defensive ammo. Since I'm slightly
prejudiced against Smith auto pistols, I'd pick the PCR as my first choice.

 

[Soap]

CZ-75BD all the way

 

[chaim]

Interesting thread.

I am probably going to be in graduate school next year and I hope to go to a school in a carry state (I'd say it is about a 50/50 chance). Just in case I am trying to acquire a carry battery (mostly based around what I already have), and most of what you list is what I have or plan to get (or is really close).

For me it is a 75B (though I'd like to add a BD), a S&W 65LS (though I may get another 65LS or other 3" K-frame and get it semi-customized for the job), and a Bersa for the .380. I plan to acquire the S&W 908 (or CS9 or 3913 depending upon the used deals I come across). For the snub I plan to get the Taurus 9mm when it comes out, but barring that it could be the 731 (I am starting to slowly pick up the equipment to start reloading ammo). I've also long been interested in the PCR. So, with minor variations, your list is almost a carbon copy of mine (I guess we all can say that, but mine barely even varies among the models).

In your case, since you already have them why can't you alternate. The 908, BDA, 75BD and PCR all have decockers so, assuming you don't use the safety on the safety equipped models, they all have essentially the same manual of arms (and with the exception of the 75BD they are also roughly the same size). Also, they would work with the same manual of arms as the revolvers. Kind of makes the choice easy.

That is kind of my plan at the moment. I really am a fan of condition one and I always used to think that I would carry that way. However, now that it may be getting close and I'm starting to think it out I'm beginning to see the value (for me) of starting with the double action pull. I am a big revolver fan and I will probably carry a revolver most of the time (at least as either the backup or the primary, sometimes as both). There is a big advantage to defensive guns with similar manual of arms. So for me, DA or DAO autos will be the order of the day (for carry guns) to keep it similar to my wheelguns.

If I had to chose it would be tough. I love my 75B but I'm guessing that it is big enough that it would probably get annoying as an everyday carry piece. I haven't yet tried the 908 or PCR so it is hard to chose a favorite between the two, though if forced I would have said PCR in the past, but right now I am interested enough in the Smith that I'd probably say 908. No way I'd want a .380 as my only carry caliber. So that leaves the S&W 908 or S&W 65. I am a huge revolver fan and the reliablity and simplicity is great, however there are times that the auto would be preferable so I really am not sure. I'd really try to cheat and at least be able to alternate between the two, but if I really had to chose it would probably be the 65 because I just love revolvers.

 

[WonderNine]

model 65. .357 stops a lot better than 9mm,

A .357 out of a 3" barrel stops alot better than a 9mm out of a 5" auto? Please

Not to mention the auto makes less noise.

 

[3 gun]

I'd go with the CZ 75 PCR. Good pistol, nice size, useful round. Not much of any real down side. They have 13 round mags for this gun, don't they? I'd get one.