what influenced your ccw choice?

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Preferred revolvers, so wound up with an S&W 642. I also tried a NAA Black Widow, thinking it would go places the 642 couldn't. Decided I didn't have faith in the Black Widow because of the caliber, and that I could carry the 642 in almost all of the same situations.
 
1) must be reliable & accurate
2) must be a caliber with "stopping power"
3) needs 8rd capacity or more - most shots will miss target facts show
4) must be comfortible to carry any time - all the time
5) must hold up to sweat & general hard knocks
6) must have a safety or decocker - I want no bad surprises
7) must have fixed sights - I want no misaligned sights during time of need

My present choice: S&W 3913 bought used for $325 from gun shop

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=68215831
 
For a while, I carried a 9mm Beretta 92FS with 15 in the clip and 1 in the barrel. After a couple years, I started noticing that I was starting to leave it at the house more than carrying it due to its weight and bulkiness.

I then started carrying a Walter PPK-S .380 since it was smaller. It had quite the bite when it was shot and once it jammed on me at the range once, I lost confidence in it.

Went to a gun show 10 March 2007. Wasn't planning on purchasing a gun at the time but I noticed the S&W Ultralights. I could not believe how light they were. As I was looking at them, the gentleman beside me started telling me how great a carry gun the 642 was and then proved it by showing me his in his pocket. He said it has become an extension of him because it is so convenient to carry. I then asked the dealer to show me more and he placed a 642-2 in my hand with laser grips. That did it for me. Light, easy to carry, large enough caliber to do the job, and laser grips for precise bullet placement in both day and night shooting.

Looking at little more than a week later, I have tuned in the laser and carry that 642 everywhere I go. I can also proudly say that after adjusting the laser for me, I can shoot this gun more accurately from 1 to 8 yards than I could my old heavy Beretta with only iron sights. Basically whereever that little red dot is sitting so will the bullet. So now I know that when the SHTF, I do not have to worry. I have a little homing pigeon in my pocket that can sniff out a target in any position and deliver the package to that spot. I haven't felt so confident in a carry weapon since I got my CCL.

:)
 
With California, you are required to list up to three pistols that are to be carried. My very first choice was to carry the platform I was most familiar with. I shoot and compete with 1911s, so it only serves right that I carry one also. My Kimber Classic Royal fullsize was going to be it.

But, the weight wore me down by the end of the day, so a new lighter and more compact pistol was to be searched. I had a few criteria that I required: polymer, compact, and in SAO, DA/SA, then DAO in that order. Reliability, and durability were already a must. Lastly, either in 9mm or .45 since I have standardized all my pistols to those calibers.

A few came to mind: HK USP compact, HK P2000, XD9, Glock 19, and the Walther P99. The XD and G19 were already out since I preferred a manual safety or a DA first shot. I trust my trigger finger discipline, but I still had a mental block much like how others don't like to carry cocked and locked. What it really came down to was the USPc, P2000 and the P99. I didn't like the new P99s, and the older ones were nowhere to be found.

The USPc and P2000 were neck and neck. There are numerous USPc vs. P2000 threads on here, and I've given my 2 cents on it since I thought about it heavily.

The USPc had the capability to carry C1, and was available in .45ACP
The P2000 was slimmer, more ergonomic, felt more compact, better pointability, and had a smoother trigger. When it came down to it, it really fit my CCW needs.

I ended up with a P2000 V3 in 9mm and can't be happier. Obviously my thought process and back and forth thinking was a lot more strenous, but I'm glad I took my time to decide on the weapon that fit me best. No regrets.
 
The biggest risk I have in my Florida neighborhood is being wacked by some octenagerian's cane, so my need to carry is infrequent.

But on those occasions when I need to venture outside my bubble of relative safety, a J-Frame in a pocket holster, dropped into a pair of Cargo shorts/pants, wins the convenience award.
 
tbreed725,

I carry a Taurus Millenium Pro 145C. Here's why I chose it:
  • It's a compact .45ACP.
  • .45ACP makes a big hole, the right ammo makes the big hole even bigger
  • It has a 10 round double stack magazine, but the grip is still slim
  • It fits in an IWB holster with no problems
  • I didn't buy a "cheap" gun, I bought an inexpensive reliable gun
  • It's slim
  • It is SA, yet goes to DA if there is a misfire. This allows for a re-strike capability
  • There is a manual safety, so it's safe to carry with one in the chamber

That's it for now. My BUG is a KelTec P3AT. I chose it because it is thin, small, and can fire a minimal Self-Defense cartridge. Would I bet my life on this pistol? Probably not, but it's a nice secondary arm.
 
I grew up shooting a 1911 and still find them to be the easiest pointing and controlable handguns for me. So, I carry a 5" 1911 in .45acp.
 
Well, my first gun that I bought to serve as my HD gun (lived in CA, so no CCW for me) was a SigPro 2340. It was a GREAT gun. I carried it for a couple years when I moved to Texas and I really liked it.

Then...my needs changed a bit. I went to my first IDPA match and shot that gun and just found out it wasnt the best gun for games. Nearly everybody I knew at the time (and much before) were heavily into Glocks. It was of course also recommended for IDPA games. So, about a year ago, I started to transition nearly all of my autoloaders to Glocks. I was up to 10 and am down to 8 now. I sold off a couple duplicate models etc...It is still my main carry when I am not carrying my 642. I have to admit, my 642 gets MUCH more carry time than my Glocks but, its because of the clothes I wear to work. I can pocket carry the 642 SO much easier than any Glock. I wear a shirt and tie, but no jacket.
 
Hk's reliability and ruggedness does it for me. I lead a pretty active life, and a cute hi-tech pocket gun wasn't going to do it.
 
I started carrying a Kel-Tec P-11. Small and light. Then I got a Smith and Wesson 39-2. Not a bad choice really.

But years ago I had a Colt GM that I shot when I competed in a local IPSC club. I always liked that gun. This year my wife gave me a 1991A1 Commander. That's my carry gun now. Probably will stay that way.
 
1) must be reliable & accurate S&W 642 or Glock 26
2) must be a caliber with "stopping power" .38 or 9mm
3) must be comfortible to carry IWB or pocket carry
 
Well, I'll go ahead and say what everyone else has already said.
decent caliber (even though I carry a NAA .22mag sometimes)
reliable
easy to shoot
affordable ammo (not worth missing to have a bigger bullet)
felt good in my hand

Started with what I could afford, Rossi snubbie .38
Then I started to want more capacity and faster reloads, 5 rounds is a gamble is some situations that I can dream up.
Then went to what felt best in my hand, made by a reputable company, and had more rounds in it, M&P9c.
It really came down to how it felt in my hand and the extra 2 rounds over the G26 and XD9sc.
Now it's so comfortable I actually forget that I have it on. That's nice until I go to the bank.:banghead:
 
Taurus Millenium Pro

I bought my ccw gun about 6 months prior to getting my permit. I had a Firestar M-40, it was too heavy to carry comfortably very long. I was looking for the best price to performance ratio. After handling several compact semi-auto's, I settled on the Taurus Millenium Pro in 40 S&W. I like the 10 round capacity and slim grip. I am very pleased with this pistol, its been 100% reliable after shooting 1500 rounds, its plenty accurate, and it feels great in my hand. I got mine in Jan '06 for $369 out the door. I carry IWB and this gun rides nice.
 
Concealability and idiot proof. Taurus 605 snub. Something else I have thought about, and maybe this is something to consider, Do you really want to carry that $700 trophy pistol on your hip everyday? What happens in an auto accident if you are incapacitated for instance? You don't think it's going to get confiscated? Or if it's in your car and it gets towed? You don't think stuff disappears in the storage lot? For this reason I don't CCW anything I will cry over if I lose it. I'm not saying you should carry junk, but there are lots of guns that are very reliable and accurate that won't break the bank.
Food for thought.;)
 
For me, capacity.

I carried the Browning HP when it was one of the very few auto loaders with over an 8 round capacity. I've carried the Glock 19 since the early/mid 90s when it became a lighter, and higher capacity, choice to the Browning.

I've tried LOTS, and I mean LOTS, of handguns. Some good, some not so good. I gave up the "search for the perfect handgun" several years ago; although I do like to experiment and probably always will.

For me, capacity is the HIGHLY deciding factor. How much ammunition can I carry in a relatively concealable package? Shots between reload, to me, is very important.

Now I'm sure people will chime in with the whole 3 shots, 3 seconds, 3 yards thing. But, my opine is that statistics will get you killed.

It's better to have more rounds on you than more rounds in you.
 
I am currently carrying a HK P2000. I'm a HK fan and liked the compact frame of the P2000 (not too big, not too small) and the tapered slide design allows it to be easily concealed. But then I bought a S&W M&P for my wife and that has changed everything. I'll be selling my P2000 for a M&P. Why? I like how it shoots and I like the consistent trigger pull. So now I don't have to deal with the DA to SA transition. The trigger is much better than a XD, IMO, and Glock is out mostly due to grip angle. I also like the interchangeable backstraps and low bore axis making it such a fun gun to shoot.
 
I did not want to get a CCW permit. My work takes me to places alone that many would consider dangerous. Police suggested I get the permit, but they said they would never prosecute if they caught me without the permit. I also liked the idea of being able to have a loaded handgun "legally" in my vehicle and not having to explain WHY. I chose a small pocket carry revolver, the Smith 442 as I wanted a very reliable handgun with flexible carry without a lot of cost. In an auto, I'd go with a Glock.
 
I chose my Kahr because I have carried many others and none of them worked as well. I can't shoot J frames very well and I couldn't carry others that I could shoot well effectively.
I the Kahr isn't as shootable for long strings but for a few mags worth that thing is as accurate as a full sized gun (it may do better in someone else's hands).
I have broken 9" balloons with it at 50 yards. It is small enough and light enough that I can stick it in a coat pocket or go IWB with a dark t-shirt and it doesn't show.
 
Like several others in here (Holydoc, Aguyindallas...), mine is the 642.

My choice was strongly :uhoh: influenced by this thread.

Readers beware: longest thread on THR :what: , but worth every word. ;)
 
Influence...reasons...

My reason for carry is defense of me and mine.

My deciding factor was the meth users who burgled my home and got my guns.

My sense of security requires it now. It works better than a blanket. haha

My sense of reality remembers that evil does not go on vacation.

As far as the actual weapon of choice... Para Warthog .45acp 20% of the time...Taurus M605 .357mag and/or S&W 317-2 .22LR for 70% of the time...Grendel .380acp 10% of the time. I prefer the reliability of revolvers and I have absolute faith in these two auto loaders. All others are range/fun guns.
 
I did not know the shooting part would be so easy, so I used the 45 ACP as most pistols are small in my hands. When I do carry, it is a PPK my wife carries the 45 and to be honest, i really don't need to carry here because there is very little crime
 
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