What to carry?

[ZeBool]

A XD40sc in a Crossbreed Supertuck in conjunction with a Sig P238 has worked very well for me. I was initially hesitant to buy the Sig, as I had heard several accounts from trusted individuals on this forum in regard to poor reliability. However, I figured if I did buy a lemon, Sig would fix it for free, or send me a new gun. Fortunately the P238 has been 100% in the 500 rounds I've put through it.

The XD in my opinion is an absolutely stellar gun, if you like 1911 style grip angles. I do. It works. I carry it. That particular gun has been 100 percent in over 3,000 rounds. It does a very good job of turning money into noise.

However lately I've been considering buying a G26. It never ends.

E.T.A Actually, yes it will end eventually lol either when my bank account itself finally says no or the accountant at home says no

 

[augustino]

What should one carry????

I would not trust the defense of my life or my family to a .380.
If you want thin go for a 9MM HK P7 M8. Slicker than snot on a glass door knob and in my oponion THE safest pistol one can carry chambered. Thin as thin and typically FAR more accurate than the person shooting it can ever hope to be. I'm not a great shot but I can drive tacks with this pistol.
Okay so it may not hold enough rounds you say. Then there's the Glock 19. FANTASTIC 9MM pistol that's fairly thin for a 15 round capacity pistol. Quite accurate, probably more accurate than the person shooting, especially under stress conditions. Easy to conceal and very light weight.
So 9MM just isn't a man enough round one might say... Well today there are some sweet 45ACP models out now that single stacked are fairly thin and more than ample for self defense.
But you mentioned that a J frame was too thick and you didn't like the 5 round capacity. So I'm not sure you would like the "limited" capacity of a single stack 45.
Personally I have a Model 60-15 357 mag that holds 5 rounds. Fits my hand like it was made for my hand. I carry it concealed and have it ocassionally on my night table. Pretty accurate out to 15 - 20 yards for my liking. With 38+P rounds I am quite secure in it's ability to stop the threat. With 357 mag rounds... No problemO!!!

 

[Prosser]

What to carry?
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.




So what are suggestions?

considerations are:

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

what say ye?

Ok
I have a 360PD, and I have the same concerns you do. Yesterday, I carried a PM9. Very thin, three mags, 20 rounds?

I would also look at a Star PD, in either 45 or 9mm.
Detonics CombatMaster is also a flat, concealable, powerful, 45 compact.

Get any full sized 1911 for the other category, and, I think, if you get a .45 Detonics, you can use the same Wilson mags in both guns...

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors //In warm weather, my EDC is a J-frame 442 and 2 speed strips .
I use a simple Quest IWB holster and for a slimmer and longer grip I have added the proper Houge's.

When I can wear more clothing my CZ75B .40 OWB is easily concealed. With the right belt and holster the weight is not a problem. I carry two mags weak side to sort of balance the load on my belt.

I also like two snubbies either S&W.38s or , DW .357s one IWB (ws) the other OWB (ss) once again with two speed strips.
I carry an 8" barrel and tool in my glove box so a Dan Wesson .357 can be quickly reconfigured for hunting.

IMHO if you are already comfortable with the J-frame and the CZ75B all you need is the proper belt and holster.( muscle memory is a great asset ) Of course these together might cost more then a .380.

Good luck finding what works for you.

 

[TheProf]

Here's my thoughts...

1. Keep the j frame. You could carry that IWB. Have an LCP (or a Kel Tec .380) with a spare mag in your pocket...as back up.

2. Or.... carry a Glock 26 IWB and a spare mag. Try carrying the Glock 26 in the 1:00 position. You may be surprised that it is more concealable than the usual 4:00 position.

 

[Vector]

Ok

I would also look at a Star PD, in either 45 or 9mm.Detonics CombatMaster is also a flat, concealable, powerful, 45 compact.

Get any full sized 1911 for the other category, and, I think, if you get a .45 Detonics, you can use the same Wilson mags in both guns...

I had a Star PD45 and it was dependable.

 

[Girodin]

For me a carry gun needs to be A) reliable B) a gun I can shoot and run well, particularly under stress C) a gun I can conceal and carry reasonably D) a gun of suitable caliber and capacity for SD.

I have a LCP and like it for what it is, a very deep cover gun or a BUG. It fails on point B above. I simply cannot shoot and run my LCP like I can a larger pistol. That isn't to say I cannot make hits at 7 yards, I can, but there is an enormous difference in drawing firing, followups, reloads, clearing malfunctions etc with the small gun versus even my medium size compact weapons.

Given your particular concern for width I suggest you look at a Kahr. Given your concern for price I suggest you consider the CW9. The Kahr has a lot going for it as a carry gun. It is very thin in the grip and easy to conceal. It is large enough however that it is not overly difficult to shoot or run the gun well. In fact I think the size strikes just about the ideal balance. The 7+1 capacity is not a nice to have as a 15 round wonder nine but that is the trade off for a thin grip and 8 rounds on tap is not a deal breaker.

If you are looking at a sig p6 do yourself a favor and look at a glock 19 or steyr m9 or something like them. They are roughly the same size as the P6 but with double the mag capacity and less weight do to the polymer frame. They also have reliable magazines readily available. I personally also prefer the lower bore axis and the consistent trigger (I do like the DA trigger more for dry fire practice though).

I am also a big 1911 fan, given a particular gun is reliable then they meet my other criteria.

In reality there are plenty of very good carry guns. More than the gun itself are the issues of a good belt a good holster and the acquiring the skills to run the gun be proficient in using it defensively. Those are not innate skills and take lots of practice. One reason I think about ammo price of a gun and I also like if guns have 22 conversions/and or airsoft counterparts for training purposes.

I stressed out a lot over my first carry gun only to realize later that I probably would have been happy with any of the guns I was considering. They all have a following for a reason, becoming proficient with the one you get matters more than which one you get.

 

[Glockurai]

Sounds like a Kahr pm9 or cw9 would fit the bill.

 

[Bill B.]

What should one carry????
I would not trust the defense of my life or my family to a .380.

Depends on the .380. I have no trouble at all trusting a Sig P230. I also carry a S&W 649 & a M36. Given some situations I would prefer my 1911 but I do trust a .380.

 

[Guillermo]

Given some situations I would prefer my 1911 but I do trust a .380.

I would argue that 9MMs have gotten small enough that the only thing reason to go 380 is to go LCP/Kel-Tec small.

I traded off my Guardian 380 to get a PM9. Similar size, PM9 is lighter and shoots just as well.

 

[robdnor]

Id also say to look into the Kahr pistols, great guns. i personally own an mk9 which is extremely beautiful and accurate as can be, but is heavy for the size (though it makes recoil bout non-existent)... also got a pm40... great gun, little 'snappy' as others will say... but by the end of your recommended break in you'll be fine n dandy
as for an p3at or lcp, if you really want a baby 380, go lcp better fit and finish. I got one for swim trunks,... (not to preach) but i find my kahrs fitting in my levis in a wrb or nemesis easy and im only 6' 178lbs and i still find myself checkin to see if i got it 8)

 

[vaa]

My vote is a PM9. 7 or 8 rounds depending on the mag. and it's really easy to cc with it. You can even pocket carry with it pretty easy. Like some have said, people just aren't as observant as they should be. The ones that will notice are the ones that carry and know what to look for.

I pick one with a trigger, one folder and one non-folder to be with me everyday.

 

[Ohioan]

My lgs had a wilson combat adp used for somewhere in the upper 4s. I liked the feel of the gun, plus it has a manual safety.

I went out and shot the j frame some more. I just can't reload the thing with any speed of reliability. Id hate to see what's happens when my hands are shaking and a bad guy is after me.

I think I'm going to go with a RIA compact in a cross breed supertuck and a couple spare mags. Also, a kabar tdi carried at about 10 o'clock weakside.