What to carry?

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I just took my concealed carry class this past weekend. Now I'm trying to decide what to carry. I'm 5'11, 170is lbs. Currently I have a J-Frame. Its too thick for pocket carry for me. The 5 round capacity bothers me also. I have a speed loader but that thing is thick also, and hard to conceal. So I'm planning on getting rid of it. The only other pistol that I have is a CZ-75b that I keep on my night stand, but is way too big for concealed carry.

Thickness is a big key for me. I don't really mind how long or tall a handgun is, as long as it's thin.

i'm thinking i'd eventually like to get 3 handguns devoted to carry. 1. A full size 1911. 2. A mid size compact. 3. and a pocket pistol like a p3at or a lcp.

I started out considering a pf-9. I trust kel-tec, I owned a p-11, but sold it to my dad. They're hard to find. I like the size, and it sure is light. But that raises another concern, recoil. I want something that my wife will not be afraid to shoot. and something i'll be able to practice with. this is still on the table.

I really like the size and feel of the Sig-Sauer p238 or a Colt Mustang. There are a lot of talk of issues with the p238, and I don't want to be a beta tester with something i trust my life too. Colt Mustangs are expensive. This would make a good pocket pistol for me.

The p3at and it's clone the LCP are both a good size. I would trust my life to a .380. a spare mag or two and there is enough firepower to handle about any probllem i might run in to. but it's impossible to find a good mold to cast 95gr round nose bllets.

For a mid-size Im thinking of a compact 1911 like the RIA or a Sig p6. This is the category I know the least about. but Im considering this size of gun as a first purchase since we're getting into winter and i'll be able to conceal it.

So what are suggestions?

considerations are:

price
reliability
thickness
weight
cost of ammo (i'm going to cast and reload)

what say ye?
 
So what is your question? Are you looking for recommendations on a mid size gun? I need to know what caliber/s you are considering. I'd say if you want something between a full size 1911 and an lcp then maybe get a glock 26/27. I don't know if you like glocks though.
 
Another Kel-Tec fan here. I'm 5'11" and 180lb and I carry a P-32 most of the time. I rather carry the P-32 over the P3AT because the P3AT is 6+1 and a standard 380's performance is not too much better than a high performing (if one can say that) 32ACP. Also P-32 is a little flatter/lighter & has 1 more round.

The PF-9 is a great little pistol and has a good trigger if you want 9mm. The P-11 is what I wear for bad parts of town. Though it is not what I would call a pocket pistol - although it can be done.

Ohioan
What to carry?
 
Somehow I get the feeling is about the platform vs. cappacity...

I would suggest better leather. I could easily care any CZ 9mm or other full size with a Milt Sparks holster and belt, and I am only 5'6"
 
my cz, fully loaded, is HEAVY. I want something a little lighter.

caliber doesn't matter. but most double stacks (glocks, xds, mps and the like) are really thick.

What is a good mid-size preferably single stack firearm? The p239 is out of my pricee range. a used p6 would work, if i can find one to handle in person.

i guess i'm trying to state my thought process, and see what people suggest.
 
What ever you are comfortable with, it's you, you need to try out the guns and find what you like

Hell there are 4' nothing chicks (as in attractive women) who can hide a Desert Eagle, and some big hulking guys who can't hide a P32

So the unfortunate truth is It all depends on you, so go try a few different methods of CC, with a few different gun you like and see which one follows you home.

A few that come to mind are Kahrs,
a P32, or any smaller gun, but remember that the lighter it is, the more the recoil, hence why I say a P32, instead of a .380
many people find that thinness is more important than actual length.

Check this out, Http://mouseguns.com, lots of info, and BOBO's chart around here somewhere.
 
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i'd love nothing more than trying different combos of guns and cc methods. But, unfortunety i can't afford to go around collect handguns and holsters.

I guess i was just trying to see if anyone had any recommendations beyond what i've mentioned.

SW Chiefs special 9mm looks intriguing.
 
The Kel Tec and Kahr products are not range toys, they are dedicated CCW. From what you are projecting, the Glock 26 sounds like a great fit. Just watch the lead build up from your reloads.
 
Thee oldest and worst question to ask on a forum like this.

You will get 1000 different answers,all that may or may not fill your bill.

The gun you should carry is the one you shoot the best and feels best in your hand .(Usually making it the gun you shoot best)

The rest if the points aren't as important.
Caliber comes into play after you have found a gun you shoot well.

For most of us,a 44mag won't be very accurate in a defense situation,cause it's too big and hard to bring to aim fast.
Now the 44 mag is deadly,but not much good for CC

Then most will say the 22s aren't worth carrying (me included).But if you have small hands or like a friend that can't take much more shock to his hands than a 22,it would be the best for you.
As long as you can consistently hit your target.

My suggestion is always find a gun range that rents handguns, and shoot as many as you can afford to try.
Then you will see what you shoot best.

Next and usually first in my posts about new CC people is

If you can't kill someone ,don't carry a gun.
Do not go at this like you will just wound the guy.
Yes you should call it stopping the threat,but in reality if you can't take a life don't carry.

Cause the guy you pulled the gun on? He won't have that problem and will take your gun and kill you and your family.

Good luck with your decision.

G36 in 45acp Just sayin'
 
Keep the j-frame. Get a good Holster(IWB/OWB) for it, speed strips, and practice. A p-32 or p3at are good backups(pocket carry). I prefer the .32 cause the .380 hurts my hand(I shoot .44 mags)
ll
 
I carry daily and how I have to dress that day dictates what I carry

My carry rotation is as follows

D Frame Colt is the norm (OWB, untucked shirt)

Kahr PM9 is when I need something really thin (.91 inches thick) (pocket or OWB)

Been in some rougher places recently and carry a 4 inch Python or 3 inch 686 (OWB)

Jacket weather a XD45 (OWB)

Almost always OWB carry except with the Kahr which rides in a pocket sometimes.

Hope this helps
 
What you describe sounds like the Kahr PM9 or PM40. Light, thin, decent for recoil and your woman should like it too.
 
I just got My CCW 2 weeks ago. I carry a LCP in a pocket holster. I carry it all the time. Most times I forget its there. Now a LCP does kick and the sights are terrible. I bought a Pierce grip extension and painted white dot sights . It's know target gun but pretty good for conceal carry. Lots of practice and you can get a pretty tight group laid down with it. I also have a SR9C for more power when I may be in a bad part of town. Much harder to hide. You know you have it because of size. Also have a NAA.22LR with a folding holster grip. Now I know people say it's not effective but it beats nothing and it is so small it fits in a pocket knife sheath. You can hide that thing any where and it is super light 4oz.

So being a new ccw myself. Take time to find what you like and can afford. variety is fun and practical for your clothing attire. Find holsters you are comfortable with. Choose a retailer you can return the holsters to. Some holsters just wont work for your comfort level
 
one of each

I have a sw 642 and a keltec p11. depending what i wear one will work. I also carry a speed strip for the 642, it is flat in the pocket. That gives me ten rounds with either one.
 
If you're focusing on a thin gun for concealment purposes, consider this first:

I, like many others, upon first carrying concealed worried a lot about the gun printing through clothing. After carrying for a number of months, you quickly learn some things.

  • A fraction of an inch in width rarely makes much of a difference
  • It's not as noticeable as you fear
  • No one else is paying attention anyway
The first one I figured out quickly. The color of your clothing and the lighting in your environment has as much or more of an effect on visibility as that fraction of an inch in width. Usually it's bottom of the grip jutting out that's the most noticeable.

After realizing the next two, I pretty much quit giving much thought to concealment at all. I try to wear a shirt that's long enough in the back to keep the gun covered when I bend forward at the waist (I carry a 4" XD45 IWB at the 4 o'clock position). But all those times I wore a shorter shirt, and it rode up for whatever reason... either no one noticed, or no one cared enough to say anything (and I live in a mostly leftist suburban area). I'm even thinking of switching to mostly OWB if I can find a holster I like, partly because I'm starting to not really give a damn if anyone notices, but mostly because I realize people don't pay much attention.
Think about it. How much attention do you pay to irregular bulges on others' pockets or waists? If it a black object on your belt does catch the attention of someone out of the corner of their eye, the first thing their brain is going to subconsciously match it to is a cell phone, and they'll forget about it without a second thought.

So looking at your list of criteria... if that's an ordered list, I'd swap the positions for weight and thickness. After carrying for a while, you'll soon care alot more about how heavy the dang thing is than how thick it is. Get a good belt and remember to keep a firm grip on it when it's time for #2. ;)
 
The first phase of carrying a concealed weapon is the paranoia that someone will see it. After carrying a weapon for 40 years now, I say just learn that all you have to do is to cover it from view and stop being paranoid about it. Especially in these times when people hang all kinds of stuff on their belts like blackberries and those insidious smart phones. Odd shaped bulges around the waistline is now socially acceptable. I really like an ankle holster, Yeah right! I just could never draw and run at the same time though and I really never wanted to go to my knees looking at a bad guy either. A CCW is not comfortable, it is comforting. I like a good old leather holster on the belt. You know you can twist and turn them to shoot a bad guy that has got around behind you and has his arms around your neck. He will let you go even if you just shoot him in the foot. Just saying.
 
I have a LCP but don't carry it much. Like my Kimber ultra carry better.
Not very heavy and I shoot it better than the Ruger. I think it's what
you are more comfortable with.
 
You had be better concerned with what you can draw and shoot comfortably. A lot of people have guns that carry well but when they draw and shoot cannot hit the target even with lots of practace.
 
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