Your opinion: Best for CCW and best overall package?

[Marshall]

The question's too ambiguous. CCW how? OWB, IWB, shoulder carry, pocket carry, ankle carry, what? I can make a whole lot of pistols work well for one or maybe two ways but not the others.

 

[Marcus]

I regularly carry guns ranging for an NAA .22mag. Mini revolver (6oz.) to a S&W 1006 10mm (around 48oz.),they`re all CCW guns. I have no problem concealing the big Smith under a T shirt in a good IWB holster. I think what you may be looking for is the best compromise between ease of carry, power,capacity and accuracy no? I`ve been working on that for years myself. My Keltec P-11 seemed about right for easy carry (small and light),has enough power (+Ps) and good capacity 10rds. It falls a little flat on practical accuracy though. It`s not really bad,but I can`t shoot it as well,as fast and as easy as say my CZ-75. I tried a S&W 4053 compact .40. Better practical accuracy,almost as good as a full sized gun but alas it also carried almost like a full sized gun. I think I finally found *my* "perfect" CCW gun in my Kahr P-40. It`s super slim and light. Carried in a super thin Springbok J hook kydex IWB holster it`s so comfy it makes my little P-11 feel chunky (and I carry that with the belt clip!). It`s about as small as you can get and still get a full 3 finger grip. The 6+1 capacity could be a big better but the power is there and it shoots for all the world like a full sized service pistol. The super slim mags are really easy to carry too. So my answer (today,heh ) for best overall CCW package, Kahr P-40 (or P-9) in a thin (Springbok or FIST) IWB holster. Marcus

 

[Devonai]

I advocate a mid-size polymer framed auto loader for CCW. Full-size Glocks and H&K USPs are tough to beat.

If I need deep concealment, I'll use my Kel-Tec P11. But this is a compromise and I would much rather be armed with my USPf .40.

Carry the largest pistol of the largest caliber that you can shoot accurately under intense pressure. Unless your job requires a certain mode of dress, you should be able to conceal a full-size or compact Glock (i.e. 17/22/31/19/23/32) or a full-size or compact USP under one overgarment.

I see my Kel-Tec as "better than nothing," but I don't expect to be able to take on multiple attackers for more than a few seconds duration with it. For that you need a larger pistol with better ergonomics.

 

[JMag]

At present, my P7M8 (Milt Sparks VM II) or my Sig P245 (Alessi CQC-S). My Glock 30(Sidearmor) is another which I sometimes carry.

 

[cratz2]

I've tried many different guns and have been pretty happy with several of them. The midsize Glock (19, 23, 32) is a fine platform. The SIG 229 worked well for me. I really liked my Kahr P9 Covert.

I'm currently infatuated with my CZ PCR. I think it, in 45 GAP, converted to DAO with about a 5 lb trigger pull and no decocker with XS Big Dot night sights would be my ideal carry gun.

I could also really go for the Kahr TP9 but in 45GAP.

And I could also deal with a commander slide on an titanium officer frame. In either 45ACP or in 9x23.

 

[SUE ROVR]

G19 or the noisey cricket -- the G29

 

[VG]

They're all fun at the range, but of a S&W CS9, S&W 3913, SIG P220, CZ 85C, and some military M1911A1's, the S&W 3913 is a great all-around pistol. Light, thin, reliable, accurate, and fits the hand and points well for many. It took over from the CS9, even smaller and lighter but not enough to make the tradeoffs worthwhile.

If you have small hands your choices are a lot broader. I don't and needed the Hogue grips on the 3913 for Nirvana.

 

[RugerOldArmy]

I don't carry. If I did, I think first choice would be a Sig P220ST, then a reliable full-size (5") 1911 like a Valtro, Les Baer, or Wilson. If the 1911's were too big, and the P220ST was still too big, I'd consider a P01 or a PCR (CZ), or a shorty S&W revolver in .357.

 

[mhpoole]

Kimber Custom II with a milt sparks vm2 is my daily carry, very accurate and a pleasure to carry.

 

[denfoote]

A Glock 36 in the pocket aint what I would call concealed

And on the ankle? Bowlegged are we?

Covered with a modest t-shirt, as I am wont to do, it's highly doable!!

You DO wear t-shirts up in the north 40, don't you???

As for the ankle holster. Ever heard of the concept of boot cut jeans?? After all, this is the southwest!!!

 

[buzz_knox]

Dont see the SAS carryin SIGs do ya........????

Uh, yes they do. They may have not completely retired the Hi-Power, but SAS carries Sig P226s.

 

[denfoote]

Even if you are in the Sonoran desert, that isn't exactly concealed from anyone at about your 5:30 or so. Around here, it would get you made in about ten seconds, not to mention the fact that the pants just scream TACTICAL.

That's why I wear t-shirt!!! I don't exactly go outside without one!! Here in the desert, that's a good way to get a nasty sunburn, even in the "winter"!!! Right now, it's 73 and sunny!!!

As for the "tactical" shorts...HECK YEAH!!!
I learned the real reason, long ago, why gangpunks wear them!!!

 

[22luvr]

gotta weigh in on this one....

I've carried a dozen different pieces over the years from revolvers to semi-autos.

If I had the money, I would love a Rohrbaugh R9 for pocket carry but since I don't, I carry the Kel-tec P-3AT in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster.

In my particular world, I'm pretty buttoned down so I simply must have a totally concealable pocket gun and the P-3AT does that better than anything else I have ever carried.

It comes "melted" from the factory; it is amazingly flat and light;i t has good capacity, the .380 is adequate, the gun is quick to draw and easy to handle with a finger extension. It is simple and easy to shoot in close quarters accurately. It has been dead-reliable just like my old P-32.

It is no wonder that Kel-Tec will probably sell 100,000+ of these little guns because just about nothing else on the market touches them for price, size, weight, concealability, and warranty.

 

[Goodshot]

My vote goes for the Kahr PM40. 17 ounces and a full mag of Cor-Bon 135 Grain JHPs. It's really the same size as a 9mm PM9 but is a .40 ! It's
my answer to the question. I'm happy......

 

[g_gunter]

Glock 19

I've been through a ton of em' and I can't seem to improve on the Glock 19 with my 15 rd. maganzines. I love my Kahr K9 but when it came time to go to my tactical pistol class I instinctively grabbed my G19. I tried to make myself use the K9 but when it comes down to it...I have to have the Glock.

g_gunter