What are your primary considerations in gun selection for CCW?

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Trunk Monkey

Trunk Monkey

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What are your primary considerations in gun selection for CCW?

I just saw this on an Active Self Protection article and it occurred to me that I never really made a list. I started with a 1911 and over time progressed to a Glock. Each transition was an attempt to simplify the process. I went from 1911s to TDAs to Striker Fired to specifically A Glock 19.

I finally chose a Glock 19 for the following reasons:

Common caliber. I'm already into 9mm I don't want to branch out in to other calibers.

Capacity. 15 rounds is the highest capacity magazine I can legally buy. 15 rounds is the standard size magazine for a 19.

Simplicity. I don't want any extra controls on my gun. All I want is a trigger and a magazine release.

Size. A Glock 19 is a very concealable gun but it's big enough to use effectively.

Compatablity. My secondary gun is a Glock 26. I can use 19 magazines in a 26. There's not a huge learning curve switching between the two.


I'm not saying everyone should go get a Glock 19 I'm just saying I carry one and this is why.


So what are your primary considerations when selecting a carry gun?
 
Reliability then accuracy then conceal-ability.

I went from Glock 17/19/26 to Glock 22/23/27 with 40-9mm conversion barrel option to practice with cheaper 9mm.

Recently I added M&P Shield 9mm as smaller carry option.
 
For me, it's:
  1. Reliability. It must go bang when I need it. No ifs, ands or buts.
  2. Concealability & Weight: I started with a gov't profile 1911 and have consistently moved towards smaller and lighter. I don't foresee another move, though. For belt carry, I went 1911 --> G19 -->Shield. I have an LCR for pocket carry.
  3. Common caliber: I stick to pretty common calibers in all of my guns, truth be told. I'm boring like that.
  4. Capacity: One reason I went to the G19 was to increase how many rounds I had on me. My 1911 + 2 spare mags was 24 rounds, if memory serves. My G19 + 1 spare mag was 30 or 31 if I topped off. Now I'm back to 24 with the Shield+ 2 spares. I'm good with that.
  5. Compatibility: Magazine compatibility would have been nice, and I considered the G26. As is fairly obvious, I sacrificed this one in favor of some combination of the other factors when I went with the Shield.
  6. Accuracy: I edited to add this one, because I forgot it on the first go-round. I figure that most modern handguns are mechanically capable of better accuracy than I am and under the most likely SD circumstances, it won't make that much difference.
 
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I will add one that many will deny; but I consider it to be true. The firearm has to be pleasing. First there is a tactile sensation, it has to feel good in the hand. It also has to have an aesthetic appeal.

Even though almost no one will ever see it, it needs to be something that makes the owner feel good. It is a bit like wearing a good, but not well known, watch. This is where my Glock failed. Yes, it provided utility. There was nothing wrong with it; however, it did not appeal, it provided little pleasure. That is not to say that no one can derive pleasure from their Glock, it is only saying that I didn't.

I do realize that what I am describing is hard to quantify. From an economics point it view, it can be quantified; however, that takes a lot more effort than I will put into it (all decisions can be quantified; yet some are harder to quantify than others). There is probably an art term for what I am describing, but I am a Business/Econ guy. For that reason I am using the term that I suspect the great Stoic thinkers would have leaned on. That word remains "appeal."
 
What has been said, plus Pointability. When I am selecting a new CCW, I point it at a spot on the wall, move my head to align the sights, verify that it is aiming at least roughly where I pointed. Close my eyes, count to 3, open my eyes, and verify that the sights haven't moved (much). When I need to draw a CCW, I expect the ergonomics to allow me to point it close to my target, and just have to "clean-up" the picture a little if more precision is needed.
 
1. Reliability
2. Concealability (pocket carry)
3. Caliber, 9mm minimum
4. Accuracy (CoM at short range, not target accuracy)

5. Weight, capacity, simplicity (manual of arms), appeal, pointability, etc. are factors of which I am flexible and to which I can adapt
 
First is concealability. I don't care how perfect the gun is, if I can't carry it all day it's not going to be my carry gun.
Then, it's:
Reliability
Reliability
Reliability
Accuracy (Both inherent in the gun and my ability to hit point of aim)
Enjoyable to shoot (makes me practice more)
Reasonable cost of ammo (9mm is more reasonable than .38 SP or .45ACP)
 
John_R said:
First is concealability. I don't care how perfect the gun is, if I can't carry it all day it's not going to be my carry gun.
Then, it's:
Reliability
Reliability
Reliability
Accuracy (Both inherent in the gun and my ability to hit point of aim)
Enjoyable to shoot (makes me practice more)
Reasonable cost of ammo (9mm is more reasonable than .38 SP or .45ACP)
Click to expand...

That's me. If I can't carry it, then I never get to the reliability check.
 
Reliability/Durability
Accuracy
Concealability
Shootability/ergos
Cartridge
Capacity
Parts/Factory/After Market Support
Looks
 
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First and formost it’s weight. I started with metal DA/SA semi-autos and I was comfortable with platform, caliber and capacity but the weight was an issue even with thick leather gun belts.

So I tried pocket carry and that works for me but as I’m aging I believe the small gun is good for a BUG but I want something bigger to grip.

So far I’m pleased with a Shield9 I got this summer it’s light enough to carry yet large enough to grip with my big hands.

As for the G19 I might just try one, now I carry my G23 to church and I’m confident with the accuracy and capacity in the event of an active shooter scenario.
 
Hi...
Reliability, first and foremost.
Second... I am a confirmed 1911 user.
Third....45ACP, ''nuff said"!!!

I carry a full size blued Springfield Armory 1911 and sometimes a nickel Colt Combat Commander.

I will admit to on occasion carrying a .44Spl stainless Taurus revolver in my coat pocket and rarely, a Colt Trooper .357Magnum.

When hiking or hunting, I might carry one of any number of revolvers in calibers from .38Spl up through .44Magnum as the mood strikes me, depending on where I am, type of animals likely to be encountered, the weather, likelihood of human interaction and the phase of the moon.
 
I don't care about looks. Its a tool not an expression of my personality and esthetics.

I would say the next three things are so important that they are deal breakers if a gun does not have it. Reliability, ease of carry and accuracy. When it needs to go bang then it really needs to go bang, that simple. I'm not going to carry something everyday that is uncomfortable and hard to conceal. Reasonably accurate, fortunately today almost every gun is more accurate than I am. But I do shoot some guns better than others.
 
Reliability first and foremost. Good feeling in hand and points well for me, and then subsequently proving I can shoot well with it. I think one EDC is a little too much compromise, so I have two - a Shield and 2.0 Compact, both in 9mm. The Shield is great when I want to conceal deep or under light clothing and be comfortable all day, the Compact works better if I have a little more clothing, am wearing it for a specific event or have reason to want a little more firepower. I also revert to the Compact in the outdoors unless I am carrying a rifle. They are different guns but similar enough that training with one translates well to the other. I went with 9mm because I think it's as effective as the other two common defensive rounds with good ammo, while being cheaper to practice/plink.

I am toying with adding a pocket carry option for those times when I can't carry on my belt but I haven't done it yet.
 
1. Weight and size - I know the max weight and length that I am willing to carry.
2. Trigger reach - can’t pull the trigger if I can’t reach it.
3. Accuracy - might as well be unloaded if I can’t hit anything with it.
4. Reliability
5. Customer service
6. Other stuff - preferred features
 
The Largest pistol with the biggest bullets - that is still Concealable, Comfortable, and Reliable.

And that is not a fixed point.

For General carry, the GLOCK G36 .45 ACP is my first choice.

For shorts or a suit, the SIG P938 9mm goes.




GR
 
Hasaf said:
I will add one that many will deny; but I consider it to be true. The firearm has to be pleasing. First there is a tactile sensation, it has to feel good in the hand. It also has to have an aesthetic appeal.

Even though almost no one will ever see it, it needs to be something that makes the owner feel good. It is a bit like wearing a good, but not well known, watch.

This is where my Glock failed. Yes, it provided utility. There was nothing wrong with it; however, it did not appeal, it provided little pleasure. That is not to say that no one can derive pleasure from their Glock, it is only saying that I didn't.
Click to expand...

I have drawn a handgun in self defense three times in my life. I didn't notice any tactile sensation except that my full sized gun felt awfully damned small.

I didn't give a damn about its aesthetics either.

All I remember was Godpleasemakethisstop, Godpleasemakethisstop, Godpleasemakethisstop, Godpleasemakethisstop. Going around and around and around in my head.

My Glock is ugly as hell and I couldn't care less.
 
1. Reliability. It's got to go bang! every time you pull the trigger. If it doesn't, it's just an oddly-shaped club.
2. Shootability. Given that it went bang!, did you get a hit?
3. Power. Given that you got a hit, did it do the job?
4. Concealability.

When I put those all together, I come up with the M1911.
 
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A few points:
  • I tend to think that, in the unlikely event I am ever in a situation where I need to draw and use a gun I am carrying, it will be in a situation where I need the person I am shooting at to stop what they are doing immediately. So I tend to want as robust a caliber as I can manage at combat-shooting speeds.
  • Similarly, I want to be able to shoot well and quickly.
  • Obviously it has to be reliable with the relevant ammo.
  • I need it to be concealable. I don't generally wear a lot of tight clothing, and I have some amount of bulk, so that's not too restrictive.
  • While I am very unlikely to ever need to draw the gun in anger, I am certain to be administratively managing the gun as often as I carry it. For me, that makes an "off switch" - an external safety - non-negotiable (if I ever CC'ed a revolver, I would probably be comfortable relying on that level of trigger length and pull).
For me, this ends up with guns like a commander-sized 1911 in .45, or a double-stack 10mm Tanfo'.
 
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High on my list is no potential energy stored in the fire control system while carrying.

This pretty much limits my choices to DA/SA or DA only handguns.

Otherwise, all of the above is part of my list.
 
Reliability. the same as a duty weapon.
Quality of weapon
Proper selection of ammo
9MM or larger.
Capacity
No manual safety of any kind.

Concealability is moot. Any quality service pistol can be concealed with the proper holster.

Accuracy is moot. Any quality service pistol has more than enough accuracy for the distances involved.

If your weapon is high quality, reliable, has reasonable capacity (8 rounds or more) 9MM or larger, you're good to go.
 
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