I know that this is an extremely broad question but I was hoping some you guys could let me know what you suggest for a carry gun. I have been looking at the SIG P226 in 9mm, the Kimber Pro-carry II, and the XD .45. So just let me know what you would suggest.
Suggestions for a carry gun
- Thread starter Reedo
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C-grunt
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All three guns are good weapons BUT the XD would be harder to conceal than the other two. Id say which ever one strikes your fancy the most.
camp_gunner
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Get somthing in 45, plan on actualy aiming, hit them with all seven or eight rounds, and be happy.
If you want a large cap mag, go get a Calico in 22, then you can throw lead in their general driection for a long time.
If you want a large cap mag, go get a Calico in 22, then you can throw lead in their general driection for a long time.
Ditchtiger
Member
bigger bullets make bigger holes. I'd lean toward Kimber
A carry weapon has to fit you and your style of dress as well. While some carry full size guns many others carry compacts or small frame weapons.
IWB - OWB - shoulder rig, pocket carry , belly belt, whatever fits your frame ,lifestyle , and method of dress will dictate what you'll end up with.
IWB - OWB - shoulder rig, pocket carry , belly belt, whatever fits your frame ,lifestyle , and method of dress will dictate what you'll end up with.
Mnrivrat has good suggestions. I would choose which one feels the best and shoots reliably. I would go for the Sig myself of the 3.
I have a number of different carry guns of different sizes. Most often carried are my Kel-tec P32 and P11 (9mm). Why? They are light, easy to conceal, reliable and fits my mode of dress.
I have a number of different carry guns of different sizes. Most often carried are my Kel-tec P32 and P11 (9mm). Why? They are light, easy to conceal, reliable and fits my mode of dress.
Cousin Mike
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So... you're looking at a Sig in 9mm, and two .45's?
Let me suggest you get the best of both worlds.
Get a Sig P220 in .45ACP.
Seriously though, if you have it narrowed down to those 3 choices, I'd probably go with the Sig, although it seems like you really can't go wrong with a Kimber, either. I don't own any of the particular guns you mentioned, although I've fired 2 of the 3 (have yet to get my hands on a P226) - and still IMHO, nothing beats a Sig for function, reliability, or accuracy.
Kimber comes damn close though.
obiwan1
Member
They're all good. Get what you like. The reality is that there is no one gun for all circumstances. I carry my H&K 99% of the time, but when I HAVE to dress up I'll go to a KT P11 in a pocket holster. Just food for thought.
dairycreek
Member
Of the three pistols that you have identified all would be good CCW's. I would take mild exception to the following statement though
I carry an XD and have a SIG and a Kimber. The XD is no harder to carry concealed than the other two. What is true of any carry combination is that the carrier has to do whatever it takes to pull it off. With the XD a good belt, a good holster, and it is no more (or less) difficult to carry concealed.
Here is mine in a FIST #43 which allows for either IWB or OWB carry. FWIW
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I carry an XD and have a SIG and a Kimber. The XD is no harder to carry concealed than the other two. What is true of any carry combination is that the carrier has to do whatever it takes to pull it off. With the XD a good belt, a good holster, and it is no more (or less) difficult to carry concealed.
Here is mine in a FIST #43 which allows for either IWB or OWB carry. FWIW
I am waiting on my Broomeland Max Con V and double mag pouch for my XD-45 to start carrying it concealed so I have no pics there...but I do have one of my favorite carry combo to date.
A Wilson Combat Stainless Professional (which is similar to the Kimber Pro Carry 2) in a Milt Sparks Versa Max 2 and 2 Wilson 47D Mags in a Don Hume Double Mag Pouch worn inside the belt.
A Wilson Combat Stainless Professional (which is similar to the Kimber Pro Carry 2) in a Milt Sparks Versa Max 2 and 2 Wilson 47D Mags in a Don Hume Double Mag Pouch worn inside the belt.
Harold Mayo
Member
Of the ones you suggested, my personal choice would be the Kimber.
Why?
XD is not as concealable though I have nothing against the gun. Despite what other posters have said, none of your three choices will conceal as easily as the Pro Carry you mentioned. I'll qualify this by saying that it all depends on how you want to conceal the gun and how much you want to "dress around" it, but the Pro Carry is easier to do than the other guns.
The Sig is big, too, and I would reject it for the same reasons as the XD.
bigmike's carry set-up is probably the best way that you can go, at least IMHO. Of course, I have a tendency to think highly of anyone who agrees with my own methods...
Why?
XD is not as concealable though I have nothing against the gun. Despite what other posters have said, none of your three choices will conceal as easily as the Pro Carry you mentioned. I'll qualify this by saying that it all depends on how you want to conceal the gun and how much you want to "dress around" it, but the Pro Carry is easier to do than the other guns.
The Sig is big, too, and I would reject it for the same reasons as the XD.
bigmike's carry set-up is probably the best way that you can go, at least IMHO. Of course, I have a tendency to think highly of anyone who agrees with my own methods...
Phantom Warrior
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How much do have you shot? Do you know anything about guns? Have you actually shot any of this guns?
Suggestions for a carry gun are pretty moot. I suggest Glock, Kimber, Colt, SIG, Para, H&K, Browning, Springfield, Ruger, or whatever. Find something you like the feel of. Shoot it. See if it works...for you. Shoot it until you are sure it's reliable. Find a holster that work...for you.
I carry a Glock 23 in a Fobus paddle holster loaded with Federal 165-grain Hydra-Shocks. *shrug* Maybe the Glock doesn't fit your hands. Maybe you don't like the feel of Fobus holsters or don't wear a cover garment. Maybe you need a bigger gun because you have big hands. Maybe you need a smaller gun because you have small hands.
Find something that works...for you.
Suggestions for a carry gun are pretty moot. I suggest Glock, Kimber, Colt, SIG, Para, H&K, Browning, Springfield, Ruger, or whatever. Find something you like the feel of. Shoot it. See if it works...for you. Shoot it until you are sure it's reliable. Find a holster that work...for you.
I carry a Glock 23 in a Fobus paddle holster loaded with Federal 165-grain Hydra-Shocks. *shrug* Maybe the Glock doesn't fit your hands. Maybe you don't like the feel of Fobus holsters or don't wear a cover garment. Maybe you need a bigger gun because you have big hands. Maybe you need a smaller gun because you have small hands.
Find something that works...for you.
Poohgyrr
Member
I always suggest shooting one as much as you can before buying. The bottom line is putting rounds on target, and some pistols may work much better for you than others...
All three have good reputations, I haven't shot the XD, and Kimbers do much better for me than Sigs.
But then, I also like revolvers, so what do I know..
Of your three pistols, I'd prefer the Kimber 1911 in a Sparks Summer Special 2, with a good belt and Mernickle mag pouch, similiar to bigmike's picture.
Speaking of carrying heavy things, it is much easier with good belts, holsters, and appropriate clothes. This 4" .44 Special does pretty well:
All three have good reputations, I haven't shot the XD, and Kimbers do much better for me than Sigs.
But then, I also like revolvers, so what do I know..
Of your three pistols, I'd prefer the Kimber 1911 in a Sparks Summer Special 2, with a good belt and Mernickle mag pouch, similiar to bigmike's picture.
Speaking of carrying heavy things, it is much easier with good belts, holsters, and appropriate clothes. This 4" .44 Special does pretty well:
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Well when it comes to all of the different factors that go into picking a carry gun I have tried to incorporate all of them into my decision. This is why in my original post I talked about how I knew how broad a question this was, but just wanted some insight into whether others have found any success with the three choices I had narrowed it down to. As a younger guy (In my 20's) I admit I am new to concealed carry, that being said I have been on the range since I was 11 and have a good amount of expierence with handguns. Thanks for all of the suggestions I do appreciate them, this had been very helpful.
LCConrad
Member
I carry a S&W 1911PD in a IWB holster. It has proved to be a very accuate handgun, light weight, and is in 45 ACP.
1911 guy
Member
Fit and function.
The grip angles of the pistols you mention are different. I'd suggest you borrow or rent one of each, and see which feels best for you. All 1911's will have the same grip angle, a Sig will have the same angle as another Sig, etc. The P226 is a fullsize pistol, the 1911 is slimmer. But it might not point well for you while the Sig may feel like magic. The XD has a similar grip angle to a 1911 with more capacity, but it's not as thin.
There's a hundred things that go into the decision. Caliber, action, fit, ease of concealment, ease of draw from concealment, how and where to carry reloads, how much to modify dress to conceal, the list goes on.
The grip angles of the pistols you mention are different. I'd suggest you borrow or rent one of each, and see which feels best for you. All 1911's will have the same grip angle, a Sig will have the same angle as another Sig, etc. The P226 is a fullsize pistol, the 1911 is slimmer. But it might not point well for you while the Sig may feel like magic. The XD has a similar grip angle to a 1911 with more capacity, but it's not as thin.
There's a hundred things that go into the decision. Caliber, action, fit, ease of concealment, ease of draw from concealment, how and where to carry reloads, how much to modify dress to conceal, the list goes on.
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