What's the best concealed carry handgun?

[RBid]

Threads with data are fine and people thinking they need 17 rounds of ammo plus 2 extra mags are also fine for them, but not me. I'm getting very tired of all the armchair warriors who read forums for their information but have no real world experience. I refuse to carry a high cap semi-auto because someone or a lot of people on a forum tell me I should or I will die. I will continue to carry a revolver and if I get killed because of it you can come back to this thread and say you told me so, until then leave me the hell alone to carry what I please and you carry your semi-auto and 52 rounds of ammo! All the ammo in the world will do you no good unless you make good hit...

Personally, I carry 28 rounds (10+1+17) almost on accident. I carry my 10+1 pistol, with a spare magazine in case of malfunction. When you're going to carry a spare for that reason, it doesn't hurt to carry a full size spare. Of course, the first additional spare mag that I bought was another 10-rounder.

I don't think I've ever seen anyone on this board insist on carrying a ton of rounds in case the grocery store turns into the wild west.

I agree completely and will add something else. I personally think it might not be smart to carry 36 rounds on you. I have read plenty of opinions on how shooting someone with a handloaded round can get you in hot water with a prosecuter. Well, I wonder how the media and prosecutors would look the average Joe that had to shoot someone in self defense but had two "high capacity" evil ammo "clips" on their belt.

This is a very real consideration. It is a very good idea to prepare for these things in advance. Luckily, it's not as hard as people think.

 

[1911 guy]

The best concealed carry gun will fit these criterion:

Grip frame and angle that fit your hands.
Trigger reach that suits your hands.
Largest physical size that you can both manage and conceal.
Largest caliber you can both manage and conceal.
Sights you can see and use.
External controls that are operable (not vestigial tabs of sheet metal found on some low end (or high end wannabee) guns.
Trigger pull, takeup overtravel and reset you can live with.
Easy for you to reload under stress.

Obviously, this varies wildly from person to person. I carry a 1911. I convinced a friend to buy a Glock based on how it fit his hands and it's size relative to him.

Learn about handgun fit and function, then go to lots of shops. Handle, fondle, rent, etc. all the different pieces you can. One of them will come away head and shoulders above the rest. And it will be something nobody recommended. Because we are all slightly different in all areas. These slight differences compound to make radically different needs.

 

[222327]

For me, Glock 27 in a Remora holster.

 

[orionengnr]

What is the best car?
What is the best NFL football team?
What is the best choice in a wife?

There is no objective "best"...there is only what is best for you (subjective). And no-one can tell you what is best for you. We can only tell you what is best for me.

Then you can take all of our opinions, try out the ones that seem plausible...and...maybe... come up with what is best for you.

 

[Roadking Rider]

The question is impossible to answer. There is just to many variables. Me personally I carry a Kahr PM9. For me it's a good size for me and my lifestyle without being to big and it's comfortable carry. It's a good natural pointer with good ergos and long but smooth trigger. It has night sights on it for low light conditions which I like. I'm sure it's not the gun for everyone nor should it be, but it works for me.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

There is no "best concealed carry handgun". There are too many different handguns, too many different calibers and loads, too many different people, and too many different circumstances where one would be better than another.

My advice is simply for you to get out and handle/shoot some different handguns. If you don't have friends who own handguns you can shoot together at the range, then go to a range that rents handguns (there are plenty out there).

And don't forget...just because you eventually settle on one particular gun, it doesn't have to be your ONLY purchase over time. It can simply be your FIRST purchase. You aren't locked into one purchase in a life time.

As for caliber...it's hard to go wrong with a medium caliber, non-magnum round. 9mm, 10mm, .40, .45 are some common ones to choose from.

As for the gun itself, find one that:

1. Fits comfortably in your hand.
2. Has a "natural aim" to it when you extend your arm towards a target.
3. You like.

If the gun doesn't have these qualities, it doesn't matter about much else...a gun that is uncomfortable or a pain in the b*tt for you to shoot will be a gun you won't want to practice shooting or carry. And that pretty much makes it useless for concealed carry. Or anything else, for that matter, except as a show piece.

Don't get caught up in all the variety and confusion that may cause. Just go shopping at places you can handle and rent some for range practice and have fun doing this until you fine one you'd be happy with.

Good luck!