Advice on Best Concealed Carry Handgun

[rrc1962]

I had a Kimber Eclipse Custom II (1911-45ACP) in my hands today. It almost followed me home.

[jchantelau]

Glock 23 (Compact) or Glock 27 (subcompact). Both are extremely well balanced. My wife has no problem with the recoil of her G27 (.40).

[surfcc]

Originally Posted by jonathan

Just got my CC permit. Any advice from you folks on your recommendations on an ideal carrying pistol? I was thinking about a .357 or .38 SPL Airweight revolver or maybe a small Glock. Thoughts?

Thank you,

jonathan

I have a S&W 340PD, hammerless 5 shot revolver chambered for .357 magnum. I always shoot .38spcl with it at the range and carry it with .357. Here's why.....if you have to use it to defend yourself, adrenaline will take over and you probably won't notice the" bite" or recoil anyway. The other thing you can count on with a revolver is that when you pull that trigger (full cycle), it will go bang. The other advantage of a hammerless revolver is that you can shoot it from within a coat pocket and it will fire and it will not jam....unlike a semi auto that depends on the cycle of its slide to fire a round. Something to consider. As you struggle with the myriad of holster choices, as we all do, take a look at Smartcarry SmartCarry - Concealed Gun Holsters I use mine all the time when Summer rolls around. Best of luck!

[Tea For One]

Thanks again to you all, advice well taken.

[Ironhorse]

I'd like to second surfcc's opinion. All to often, people discount the good ole wheel gun in favor of newer, higher capacity autos. While I do, most of the time, carry an auto myself, my wife carries a revolver, which I helped her pick out - which means I trust her life to that gun - and that's not something I say lightly. The revolver has a proven track record, is chambered in one of the best "man stopping" calibers ever (.357 Magnum, which will also shoot .38 specials) and will Never EVER stovepipe, fail to feed, or some of the other mechanical malfunctions associated with autos. It does have a lesser capacity, but it's a rare thing to encounter a situation as a CCW'er where you'd need more than 5 or 6 shots (assuming you can place them well) anyhow.

Having said that, I'm not saying a revolver is the only game, far from it, as I said, I carry an auto myself. I just think you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you were to overlook the option of a revolver altogether. And buy the best gun you can afford, don't stake your life on a bargain gun unless that is all you can afford.

[daytonaredeye]

Jonathan,

I am going to chime in here with a different angle of recommendations. I think that if you shop round, you will find several autos as well as revolvers which shoot well and should fit your needs. What I would suggest is that you keep consideration of ammo source/supply in mind while making your choices. I know that in the area where I live (W. Georgia) .45 ACP and some 38 are difficult to come by; .40, on the other hand, seems relatively in abundance. Thus my .40 PT 140 has never gone hungry but the PT1911 .45 ACP had to be weaned off air to FMJ flavors then on to JHPs - but all much slower than his little brother where the .40s are abundant.

Just food for thought. . .

[johnsonabq]

Originally Posted by daytonaredeye

Jonathan,

I am going to chime in here with a different angle of recommendations. I think that if you shop round, you will find several autos as well as revolvers which shoot well and should fit your needs. What I would suggest is that you keep consideration of ammo source/supply in mind while making your choices. I know that in the area where I live (W. Georgia) .45 ACP and some 38 are difficult to come by; .40, on the other hand, seems relatively in abundance. Thus my .40 PT 140 has never gone hungry but the PT1911 .45 ACP had to be weaned off air to FMJ flavors then on to JHPs - but all much slower than his little brother where the .40s are abundant.

Just food for thought. . .

Let me add...

Since my last post on this thread I have purchased a .40 S&W Glock G23 that I have really come to like. More concealable than I realized; even in gym shorts and tank top with a Smart Carry. The beauty is that you can change a barrel ($100 from Lone Wolf) and now it will shoot .357sig. Or, change a barrel and mag and now you can shoot 9mm. That's what I call versatile! That way you've got three choices of caliber in one gun.

I'm not sure but this may also be an option with the G27 too.

[CapGun]

WOLFHUNTER >>> That deserves a star sticker. So true! After that it's all about the right compromise/combination of caliber and comfort! Just my $.02. What do I know!????

wolfhunter



Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Ft. Walton Beach, FL
Posts: 1,365



The best gun for CCW is the one you will have with you EVERY time you leave your house.
__________________

"I have a very strict gun control policy: if there's a gun around, I want to be in control of it." Clint Eastwood

[fredmaidment]

The other advantage of a hammerless revolver is that you can shoot it from within a coat pocket and it will fire and it will not jam....unlike a semi auto that depends on the cycle of its slide to fire a round.

Slight amendment: If you need only one round, you can shoot the automatic from your pocket. When carrying with a round in the chamber, you need not action the slide to fire once.

Of course, I'd rarely want to shoot from the hip that way. The first shot is not necessarily the best shot. The first shot on target is the best shot.

As for which gun to carry, the simple answer is the one with which you feel the most comfortable. Do you like the sure-fire security of a wheel gun, or the higher capacity of an automatic? Do you want something small and easy to conceal or are you more comfortable with something bigger that won't kick as much?

The best gun is the one you take with you. If it's a "cool" gun but you never take it anywhere, it's no good.

[utimmer43]

Originally Posted by johnsonabq

Let me add...

Since my last post on this thread I have purchased a .40 S&W Glock G23 that I have really come to like. More concealable than I realized; even in gym shorts and tank top with a Smart Carry. The beauty is that you can change a barrel ($100 from Lone Wolf) and now it will shoot .357sig. Or, change a barrel and mag and now you can shoot 9mm. That's what I call versatile! That way you've got three choices of caliber in one gun.

I'm not sure but this may also be an option with the G27 too.

Is that true? I knew you can go from 357 sig to 40 with just a barrel change, but I would have thought that there would be some difference in the breach face/ extractor claw between 357/40 and 9mm.

I have a G33 and already planned on getting a G27 barrel for it. If I can get a G26 barrel (and a couple mags) for it too, that will be a great way to deal with ammo availability.