what influenced your ccw choice?

[tbreed725]

what influinced your choice in ccw ? did you go to a range a shoot a few different guns? did you see it on a tv show/ movie?a writer from a gun magazine/ book ? i chose my glock i had expireince with shooting other peoples glocks so i knew id love them, my xd i chose because of reading on here , gun magz,other xd'rs, and my cousins old hs2000,my sig was from expireince with other sigs, shooting and trying out other sigpros, and reading all the good writeups on them on here.

 

[DDrake]

I am from the Richmond VA, and the need to protect yourself is pritty strong. I know people who had their house broken into, one who got killed picking up his girlfriend, and one who had about 7 bullets hit his car at McDonalds. Luckly, violence never happened to any of my close-friends or family. Because of those factors, I am going to get a CWP when I turn 21.


There was a recent article in the Richmond Times Dispatch, apparently you have a 2/3 chance of murdering someone and getting away with it. Nice to know eh?

 

[slow944]

Several years back a friend of mine and I were discissing CCW's and I asked what he carried. He said I carry a 45 cause they don't make a 46. Any way I bought my first 1911 and really liked it until I made the decision to not carry "cocked and locked". But I still wanted 45, so I looked a several mfg's and models and settled on the Taurus MILPRO PT145. 10+1 capacity and very light, rides in a Don Hume holster and I can wear it all day. Just completed my CHL renewal and it shot perfect. When I can't wear the PT I slip my little KT P3AT in my pocket and go. and 7+1 in 380 isn't a bad choice.

 

[ball3006]

I am a powerlifter so I have.....

muscular hands, along with short fingers. I had to find a gun that I was able to get a square pull on the trigger...If you don't have a square pull on the trigger, all the practice in the world won't help.....chris3

 

[nathan]

Rising crime and living in a big city . The love of guns as an added factor in getting prepared. The need to propery prepared to defend self and family esp kids. The tradition to be a armed and dangerous to felons if time comes.

 

[mljdeckard]

I tell everyone who is thinking about it to go to a rental range and base their choice on experience rather than advice.

I carried several different guns, including a Glock, a Beretta, a Para-Ordnance, and a S&W Sigma before I came back to a Kimber 1911. I now KNOW I have the gun that fits me best.

 

[Jamie C.]

In the 30+ years I've been shooting, I've probably fired about every kind of handgun there is, and most every caliber.

So when I choose a Concealed Carry Weapon, the criteria is one, how well do I shoot it? And two, how tough is it going to be for me to conceal it?

Caliber isn't an issue, provided I have confidence in placing the shots where I want them. .22, .45, and anything in between works just fine, IF I can get the bullets to go where they're aimed/needed.

I didn't list reliability in there, for the simple reason it's both expected and demanded.



J.C.

 

[ghettofab]

I liked autos and anything in .45, so I chose a Springfield mil-spec. A well-adjusted Desantis holster allows it to hide under a button up shirt. As to why I have a ccw, I suppose its a "semper paratus" thing. That, and the ever-increasing number of meth heads in my neck of the woods. I'd like to have more than fists and a pocketknife if some of those tweakers decide they don't like me much.

 

[fattsgalore]

Most people purchase out of want more then need. 17 round 9mm's/45's they can't handle/ or gun's so small you might just lose it like a pair of keys.
It's all about feel; controllability; affordability; and some time taste. I can only suggest go with a reputable company, try to fight for a good price, and be safe. Forget what you hear in the magazines; movies; and on TV. Shoot all the guns you can get your hands on and see what fits your needs.

I picked my carry piece out of popular opinion and word of mouth instead of my shooting preference. Glock23 is a great gun, just not for me. Test the waters.

But with all that crap said in truth it doesn't matter what it is. As long as it goes boom when it's suppose to and not when it's not, it's good to go.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Tried CCW with a sidearm I already owned. Realized that if it was 1/2 inch shorter it would carry much better. Bought a gun that fit my hand well and was still within the required reduced dimensions. Have been happy since.

 

[BADUNAME13]

I have always carried a 1911. it was my first pistol (Type, not the one I CCW) and after trying as many others as I can get my hands on, I truly believe it to be the best.
I am a proponant of using the best tool for the job.

As for my BUG (S&W .357 SS with Shrouded hammer)
I first carried a NAA .22MAG revolver. (Ever try to get off multable shots under pressure?)
I upgraded to a Kel Tec .32 when I turned 21 and was old enough to buy one.

Then one day I was in the unusual (But still ocasionaly occuring) situations where I had to leave the .45 in the car.
I thought to myself: "Here you are carrying around a .45 and right now all you have is a little .32."

I looked around and I like the Shrouded hammer model, not only for the single action capability, but the hammerless models don't have enough griping area.

It has the added advantage of being able to arm someone else with a decent weapon. (Most of the people I associate with know how to shoot but only CCW ocasionaly) -Had this necesitated last week. Fortunately no shots were fired.

 

[usp9]

what influenced your ccw choice?

Reliability. I carry a HK P2000SK. My other HKs have never failed to work. I carried a Beretta 84 and it too was a perfect gun. I pocket carry a Seecamp sometimes. These are all UBER-reliable guns and to me that is almost all that matters.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

My uncle (his name is Sam) used to let me carry one of his guns, and I got used to it, so I carry one like it all the time. (M1911A1, that is.)

 

[nathan]

The refusal to be a victim of senseless crime. The right to be able to defend against would -be attackers be it for the money or want to take your precious life and family away.
Remember last week this centenarian old woman being hit for her $35 . SHe ended with a broken jaw. SHe was an easy target.
I read a news back home when these two fresh retirees who planned all their lives to peacefully retire in a small town. One night a thief came, armed and robbed them and not only that they were both killed. Sad story indeed. Goes to show these people will do whatever it takes to make sure no witnesses are left. They are the new breed of criminals.

 

[DMK]

Mine just evolved

When I first got my carry permit, I started carrying a CZ70 because that's all I had that was suitable at the time. Then I went with a 1911 full size Govt. because I wanted something more powerful, but thin. That's kinda heavy, but I didn't want a short barrel for 45ACP. When I read about the smaller and lighter 4" barreled Colt CCO, I searched high and low for one. Finally came across one at a gunshow and it's been my primary CCW ever since.

The little S&W J-frame came about because I saw so many recommendations for one here and TFL. The recommendations were good; it is handy, small and light. Plus there's something cool about a 'Snubbie'. I guess old cop movies and TV shows did influence me there.

 

[M2 Carbine]

what influenced your ccw choice?

Big caliber = 45ACP
Reliable pistol = Kimber
Small pistol = Kimber Tactical Ultra.
Accurate pistol = Kimber

I have dozens of pistols that would make decent carry guns, so I picked the best I had and added a Crimson Trace laser.

 

[nathan]

A S W J Frame 640 .357 cal is a nice CCW. No hammer snugging on shirts and stuff. Holstered in a Bianchi Pro 100 IWB, cant be any better.

 

[rhubarb]

1) Caliber
I chose 9mm as it is a suitable caliber for self-defense and practice is relatively cheap.

2) Dependable
My Ruger P95 is as dependable as the day is long while being inexpensive. There are more glamorous and smaller pistols, but it conceals just fine.

With unlimited funds for a fancy gun and expensive ammo, I might choose something else, but I am satisfied with my choice. Dependable is the most important factor as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Lonestar.45]

Size. Size and "carryability" (reliability should go without saying). I don't get the guys that carry full sized 1911's everywhere. Some can pull it off I'm sure, but I can't. And I don't want to. The KelTec 3AT goes everywhere in the pocket. The PM9 gives more fire power, and goes in certain pockets, but usually IWB or Smartcarry. The G36 goes IWB. Once in a blue moon I'll carry the Champion in a VMII and Beltman Belt, when the weather is cooler and I don't mind carrying the weight. But honestly, I don't feel the need to lug around a 2lb+ gun when I can carry something lighter.

 

[nathan]

A makarov IWB is easy to go along. But in your car have something of bigger punch.

 

[gggman]

I've had my carry permit for twenty five years, and have used many different methods, different weapons, etc. What works for me is OWB with a sturdy belt/holster rig, and usually my SP101, though I sometimes carry something bigger if I feel the need.

 

[Sean85746]

Different factors are always influencing what I carry.

For the last few years it has been some flavor of Glock. I LOVE the 1911, and the Hi Power...I still own them, and will NEVER give them up. That being said, and liability being what it is nowadays, I carried what I carried for the last 7 years I was LE...a Glock.

Local PD's issue it and as their issue piece, and it is eminently defensible in court.

The manual of arms is the same for ANY Glock I happen to be carrying. From my itty bitty G26 up through my G20.

I know their are gazbillions of other guns that are just as good from Ruger to HK, around the block to Smith & Wesson, upstairs to Sig and down the lane to CZ....etc...etc...etc.

In literally tens of thousands of rounds through Glocks, I have had ZERO malfunctions of ANY kind. I trust them.

The pic is my carry rig of late...a G21 3rd Gen in a holster of my own design and making, along with the Kel Tec that is often in a side pocket.

 

[jlbraun]

I chose the CZ P01.

1. Reliability. CZs have a rep for reliability that's on par with Glocks.
2. Fit. CZ just happens to have the best grip for my hand.
3. .22LR conversion kit available.

 

[Jacka L Ope]

what influenced your choice in ccw ?

Having trained with and carrying it on duty for many years while in the military, it was rather natural to select the .45 ACP, though in a 4" version these days, for concealed carry.

 

[Hawk]

Trial, and a great deal of error.