What do you "Carry"?

[Sod Farmer]

I started a thread a couple of weeks ago about concealed carry on your bike. I was initially a little suprised with the number of people that do carry. After listening to all of the input from that thread, I am considering getting my concealed carry permit activated again, and Carrying a pistol again. If I do decide to carry, my next question is what will I buy to carry. I'm not a big fan of the 32 auto because of it's very modest power. If I do decide to go forward with this I would like to stick with a 9mm or better, with my favorite being the venerable old 45 acp. If the need to use it ever did arise, I would want to know that I have an adequate firearm for self defense. With that being said, the llarger calibers naturally come in a bigger package, which makes concealment a bit more difficult. My question is, what caliber and model of pistol do you carry, and how do you carry it? There are some pretty nice pistols out there in 9mm, 40 S&W and 45 acp that are reasonably small.

[rfb92345]

44 Bulldog

[SeanMTX]

Hey Sod...good question and one that you'll get a slew of opinions and answers on.

First and foremost, I believe the issue isn't so much the caliber of the round, but shot placement. Shoot on the platform you're most comfortable with and you'll be best off.

That said, I'm a big fan of the .40 SW round. It has more stopping power than the 9mm in a little less velocity (meaning less overpenetration issues), but still allows you to stack the rounds (meaning 10+ rounds in most cases vs 8 in a .45 single stack) and recoil is reasonable.

The one drawback to this round is that it's often 'snappy.' Muzzle flip can be greater than in other rounds depending on the gun you choose. A .45 'pushes' where a 9mm has little recoil at all.

I personally carry a Glock 27 with pinkie extensions on my magazines or a HK USP Compact. The Glock is my preferred carry because I don't have to worry about carrying Condition 1 such as a 1911 .45. (Round in the chamber, hammer cocked, safety on. I personally don't like the idea of a thumb safety with a hair trigger.) IMO, a weapon without a round chambered is little more than an ugly rock that I can throw at a bad guy...I carry chambered or not at all. (Sidenote: The Israelies are trained to draw and work the slide back in one movement, but no one I know is able to do this one handed.)
I carry chambered because I don't know if I'll have both hands available to work the action, or if I'll be in some sort of distress when the SHTF.

So...back to my point, the Glock has the Glock trigger safety, which means that's one less moving part for me to worry about in any possible bad scenario.
Also, the Glock carries 10 rounds of .40SW in a very small, light package. I use a Crossbreed Supertuck holster, which makes the gun VERY concealable, and VERY comfortable. I carry at about 3:30 on my strong side, and with or without my jacket, it's darn near invisible.

I like the HK, and it holds 12+1 of .40, but it's slightly larger frame means it's slightly less concealable. I don't have the Supertuck for it, which would help a ton, and the heavier weight of the slide means less muzzle flip from the HK, but I shoot well with the Glock and will stick with that for the time being. (That and the fact that I don't care if the Glock gets holster wear or scratched etc. The HK I care a little more about.)

If money wasn't an object and I was able to conceal a slightly larger frame, I'd LOVE to get a Dan Wesson Commander Bobtail 1911. It's beautiful and one of the best .45s I've ever seen for the price. Great pistol.

Hope this gave you some points to ponder....feel free to PM me or post with any questions.

Remember...whatever you choose to carry, do so responsibly and practice with it. Carrying a firearm is a serious decision, and you should be proficient in whatever you choose.

[aaronrkelly]

I rotate between about 4 different carry guns.

Either a Glock 19, Glock 26, M&P 9.....or my current favorite.

Kahr CW45 - thin, relatively small, 7 rounds of .45acp....good times.

[kzslider]

Have had my CWP for more than 10 years. Been through a few different weapons....mostly Glocks.

I finally settled on a Glock 40 Model 23C.

I am taking a good look at the Ruger LCP .380 though. With good ammo I think it would be ideal?

Whatever you decide on become profficient with it and pray you never have to use it.

Being a long time Military guy I would have to say that generally speaking if you point a weapon at someone without out one then you won't have a problem, If the guys got a knife or something else, shame on him for bringing a non-gun to a gunfight. If your advesary is also armed with a gun make sure your first shot is well placed and then depending on the level of threat keep firing until your assured of the outcome.

[rfb92345]

Most gunfights, are within a relatively short distance......We aren't in a war here. We want quick knock down power. A revolver in 38 or even better, 44 fits the bill. Draw and shot......no safety, no racking a slide and no need for more than 5 or 6 shots. the Glock and 1911 are good weapons, but in a gunfight, the time it takes from your hand on the weapon to bullet impact is survival. You want simplicity and effect.

[MB08]

S&W 40 works well easy to cary in shoulder holster under jacket

[bluestringer]

I carry a Witness 45 full size. It's SA/DA, also comes in a compact. I shot IPSIC, IDPA and Combat Pistol Matches with it for about 5 years. Many rounds have been through it without a problem.

[artz]

depending on wear and where I'm going, I'll carry a .22 mag NAA revolver, .38 snubby, Colt mustang .380, or Glock 21 .45acp.

[tekrsq]

At work, Sig Pro .357
For Fun, GLock 23
On the bike, Glock 27

[trugudguy]

I am a HUGE fan of any caliber that begins with a ".4". I think the 40's are gr8 but don't like the muzzle flip. I absolutely love the 1911 style 45's but to each his own. I personally carry either a 5" 1911 or a 3" 1911 depending on the situation and season. I also reload my own ammo and like a 185 JHP. It has plenty of "umpf" on the receiving end and very minor recoil and almost zero flip on my end.

[Chondro]

Springfield XD-40. It has the same grip and trigger safety as the Glock so there is nothing to have to remember to flip or or off in the moment of need. I tried both the 9mm and the 40 and they were almost identical in size, so I went with the 40.

Shot placement is important but so is the type of round. I carry law enforcement type hollow points. I would not rely on target grade round point ammo to protect myself.

[bluestringer]

Most gunfights, are within a relatively short distance......We aren't in a war here. We want quick knock down power. A revolver in 38 or even better, 44 fits the bill. Draw and shot......no safety, no racking a slide and no need for more than 5 or 6 shots. the Glock and 1911 are good weapons, but in a gunfight, the time it takes from your hand on the weapon to bullet impact is survival. You want simplicity and effect.

Yes, most gunfights take place at 7 yards or less, but I still prefer a semi-auto with at least one recharge in case of multiple targets. SA semi-autos are carried cocked and locked, meaning all you do is draw, click off the safety and pull the trigger, and they don't have the long trigger pull like the revolvers. DA is carried with one in the chamber, hammer down, the first shot will have the long trigger pull of a revolver, but after that they are SA. Of course revolvers are fine also. With proper training the semi can be presented and fired just as quick as a revolver for the average shooter. Of course they are exceptions, like Jerry Miculek.


YouTube - Fast Shoot

[SeanMTX]

Most gunfights, are within a relatively short distance......We aren't in a war here. We want quick knock down power. A revolver in 38 or even better, 44 fits the bill. Draw and shot......no safety, no racking a slide and no need for more than 5 or 6 shots. the Glock and 1911 are good weapons, but in a gunfight, the time it takes from your hand on the weapon to bullet impact is survival. You want simplicity and effect.

Totally agree.

That's why I carry the Glock. Draw and shoot. No muss, no fuss.

The only contention I have with your post is the .44 comment....IMO, that's too big a round to have a follow up shot be easy.

Out of a revolver, .38 (especially the +P) or .357 (depending on barrel length) are the best options.

I am taking a good look at the Ruger LCP .380 though. With good ammo I think it would be ideal?

IMO, and this is directed at Artz as well, anything below 9mm is too small. .380, .32, .25, .22 etc are too small to be effective.

Most rounds, .45 and the like included, are not going to have a one shot stop. The problem is exacerbated with smaller rounds.

Using a hollow point in a smaller round (i.e. .380) only makes the problem worse. Taking a round with little pepper behind it and creating a cavity that absorbs energy upon impact means less penetration.

All that said, your comment on 'with good ammo' is the key. .380 is one of the few rounds that I recommend FMJ. You NEED the penetration in a .380, especially if you're shooting through clothing like leather or denim jacket, etc. A hollow point in this caliber would have a hard time doing much damage through these clothes.

Kahr PM9 is a good option in inexpensive 9mm that is easily concealed, as is Glock. I personally wouldn't use a North American Arms (NAA) or Jennings for much more than a paperweight.

[rldowns3]

I carry one of two pistols usually, either my Springfield XD 9mm or my Para Ordnance .45.

[Z-In-Jax]

The best of both worlds... Shotgun and .45.....The Judge

[Idaho]

I have a permit but choose not to carry for a few reasons. And I don't have enough money to have more than one kind of make/model/caliber to choose from either. But I am happy with my Beretta .40, I like the way it shoots and I guess I don't know enough about guns to be familiar with the "muzzle flip" that others have mentioned. The few times I have had it in the shoulder holster it was quite comfortable.

If I had enough money to buy another pistol for protection/just fun to shoot then it would be the .38 super auto. I have shot that caliber several times and it is very comfortable to shoot and will certainly get the job done if you had to use it for self defense.

Have fun.

[9511234]

Have had my CWP for more than 10 years. Been through a few different weapons....mostly Glocks.

I finally settled on a Glock 40 Model 23C.

I am taking a good look at the Ruger LCP .380 though. With good ammo I think it would be ideal?

LCP 380's recently had a recall... might want to think about that one. They are easy to conceal but no safety. And they go off if you drop them... at least until you mod the hammer apparently.

I will carry my Springfield XD 40 SC... nice 3" barrel. Have 10 or 12 round capacity. Also has the grip safety, I'm a little concerned about carring a round in the chamber. Apparently people shoot their legs and stuff and it's more likely to happen if you play sports. lol.

Also, for the added accuracy and to lessen the time it takes me to find my target I installed a Lasermax Guide Rod Laser... this thing is the ****!

Like everyone else says it's all about hitting your target and where you hit them. Try a couple rental guns, it's the cheaper way to try things out without having to buy every gun you want to try. Most ranges have rental equipment.

[kumite]

As you can see.. many opinions here.

I would love the high capacity magazine of the glock or other of the semi autos. I would love the ease of shooting these as well as I am a decent shot with my 1911 and Sig 230. With all this being said though.... I carry a Smith Model 642 with +P rounds.

I have three carry methods. Given the fact that I am a bank executive, I keep my coat on all day. As such, I usually carry IWB at the 4 o 'clock position. If I can not do that, the smith is easy to conceal and carry with a pocket holster. My third method is with a Belly band and the gun positioned under my left arm.

For me concealability is the key. I would not rule out the 380 if it is the only one that you can conceal well. (the plus P rounds give adequate penetration). The 38 does very well but it has only five shots.

YOur choice. BUt a 45 in the nightstand is much worse than a 32 that you carry.

R. Todd

[rfb92345]

By the way...I was talking 44 Special, not magnum. My bulldog is a 5 shot, alloy frame and magna ported. Very light, small and deadly reliable. I love my autos, but in a dark alley or parking lot, I will take it over an auto.