Since we have all this activity on concealed carry, I think that we extend the discussion to personal preferences and why. Many of the libs who lurk and sometimes comment have little idea of what we know and why we make good decisions on firearms. I have 3 weapons that I commonly carry for a variety of reasons. I also have a number of others on my wish list. 1) Ruger LCR 38 Special. It's no secret that I love snubs, especially lightweight hammerless versions. Nothing is faster, quicker or more reliable. A total belly gun, wonderful for pocket carry and contact. It often rides with on a Remora ankle holster with the pocket carry option. Usual ammo is Hornaday 110 +P's. Usual load out is two 5 Star speed loaders and a speed strip. 2) S&W 3913 9mm. One of the best 3rd gens made and no longer in production. If I ever find another I'll buy it. It has that horrible DA/SA operation with the retarded safety/decocker that takes some getting used to. However, it does enable it to be pocket carried if you really need to. Usual set up is standard Remora IWB concealment holster. I like the extended thumb grip mags. Usual ammo is Remington 124 gr +P Golden Sabers. Load out is 2 extra mags. 3) Glock 26 9mm. I use the extended 12 round mags and carry 2 others, loaded with Federal 115gr +P+ 9BPLE's. Usual holster is a Bianchi Tuckable. It's not perfect and still looking for the optimal combination. Plenty of firepower. For practical purposes as accurate as its larger sister the G19. Scotland Yard Protective Services female officers use this one to protect the Royals. Wish list includes the S&W 538 snub, Walther PPS, SIG 239 DAK and the H&K P39 SK. Comments and additions along with the why's are appreciated.
Currently-SIG 938 in 9mm in a STONER (Local guy) IWB strong side carry Alternative a SW Shield in 9mm, same brand holster- if its cold and I am wearing a heavy coat or sweater, I will carry a SIG 229 in 40 in a GALCO belt holster. I use 135 grain border patrol loads-the heavier stuff is a bit hard on my surgically repaired elbow. I have been known to carry a SW J Frame in a jacket pocket or a SW BODYGUARD in 380 in a pocket holster (DeSantis) loaded with golden sabers. the J frame-Hornady Critical Defense 30 years ago I carried a 469 (second generation) SW that I used effectively to stop a mugging.
I prefer the shield 9mm. Full grip compact, trigger kit upgrade, some trijicon night sights. Lehigh max expansion JHP in the mags. Also makes a great night stand weapon that the wife is comfortable with. She doesn't like trying to reload revolvers.
my wife has had lots of carry guns. she had a KIMBER SOLO which she really didn't like after waiting a year to get it. her first carry gun was a "Paxton Quigley" SW PC J frame 38. Its what she grabs when she drives the trash down to the end of our 300 yard driveway at night. a few years ago she started collecting the SIG 238 380s. She has a bunch and has one in her car, her truck and a couple purses. they all work the same and all are loaded with Hornady CD loads. They are very reliable and she likes the single action trigger. she shoots lots of competitions with SA pistols (A CZ TS is her main and she used to shoot IPSC/USPSA Limited with a Les Baer 1911 20 years ago) so wiping the safety off is second nature. It also means she can use my 938 easily since they are basically the same beast in different calibers. our "night stand" weapon is for her-a GLOCK 19 in a lock box or her Kimber 1911 ONYX in 9mm (aluminum frame compact 1911-slightly smaller than a commander) and I have an M4 and a SLP-1 shotgun. I am probably going to put the SP-01 I recently got (De-(*)(*)(*)(*) version with night sights) as my main bedside pistol since I am competing with 4 different versions of CZ pistols (Cadet-22, CTS-limited-75 Shadow-stock and Czechmate-Open) and they all have the same basic grip and since I shoot about 1000 rounds a month out of these CZs I am pretty confident I can make a tough shot under pressure with that SP-01
My EDC is a Kahr CW-9 with a Hogue Handall-Jr slip on grip. It weighs less than a pound, is .9" wide, and I can get all 3 fingers on the grip. For deep concealment, I put an LCP in a pocket holster. My only complaint is the sights. I just got a CT laser, but the pocket holster drained the battery. I need to get another holster. I think my next purchase will be a Glock 19 or 26 with night sights. I'm leaning towards the 19. Glock accessories are much easier to find and I like the higher capacity. I use Hornady Critical Defense ammo.
I keep arguing with myself about whether to CCW. I thought my G19 would have that covered if I decided to go ahead, but I just can't find a way to conceal it comfortably. So I really struggled with shopping for something smaller. I HATE that hole in the breech that S&W uses as a loaded chamber indicator. I looked and read about virtually everything else that's available around here, and ended up buying the G26. It's amusing to me that the familiarity I've gained from years of shooting my other 9mm Glocks makes the 26 feel "normal" even with the short grip. Why bother with the 12 round mags, when it accepts the 15 and 17's just fine? Also amusing is that my other 3 Glocks have the 3.5 lb. triggers, and the 26 has the 5.5, but it still feels "normal". So far, I've only carried it OWB, and not much. So far, when I do carry, I carry open, out in the sticks, and I always opt for the 17L, since it makes sense out there.
The only CC I do is walking in the woods. It is a public area and there are occasionally some rowdy types. My idea of concealed is a long shirt that covers the hip holster. Alabama allows open carry too so I am covered either way. The gun is covered but it is noticeable if someone looks, very much so if I hike the t-shirt. Never had to pull it yet or even show it, but I expect in 99% of the cases showing would be enough, which is the whole idea, NOT having to shoot. Having said that I actually prefer my 22 magnum long barrel revolver. Point is with it I can hit what I aim at virtually every time. Small bullet where you want it to go better than a big one that misses every time. 22 magnums go through two 2X4's easily and tear out a big chunk on the backside. No worries.
Even though it is pathetic and underpowered, I'll carry this .380 on the few occasions I go walking around in Injun Country.
I carry a 380 sometimes and my wife almost always does. Modern golden sabers or hornady CD rounds are very good and a well placed shot will solve most problems short of being charged by a large elk
I put Hornady Critical Defence in that one and the 9X18 Makarov one of my kids carries. On longer trips I'll have a .40 or 9mm or .45 in the car with me close at hand. They are just too big to carry in the hotter climate I find myself in day to day.
I carry the Kahr CW-9. With no external safeties, I like the long trigger pull because I carry with one in the pipe. The trigger sort of acts like a safety. For a full size gun, I like the G-19 too.
M&P9C, IWB strong side. A single stack would be nice, but this seems small enough to carry concealed.
The "moonie" gun is well made, I just don't like those long trigger pullls those I see the point. For stem reason a SW double action revolver is much more preferable than those artificially long DA only self stuffers - - - Updated - - - plus you can carry the full size magazines for back up which is what I did when I carried a MP compact. Lots of USMS and FBI types have Model 26 or 27 Glocks and carry the Model 17 or 22 magazines as backup
I generally, carry a Kahr CM 9, IWB. Sometimes I carry my wife's North American Arms .32 as a pocket pistol. Both are hammer less double action.
Now there's a strange claim. How does one "over insert" a magazine? Once the catch catches it, it ain't movin' no more. Is this thing in the realm of zombie ammunition? "Just in case"?
I'm very intrigued about the 9mm snubs that load with full moon clips. I came very close to buying a Ruger LCR in this caliber. Very quick to reload, however there is the problem of bending the clips. Someone makes a holder that protects them.
Idk..I used to have a .25 for that.. Then one day i was walking into Albertson's and I'm like:"Do I need this"? eh..I sold it to a friend My buddy has a lil .380 LCP with laser for that. If I was to do it now,it would be a Hi-Point .40
Mr Rogers please. If you get a Hi-Point, you'll get baggy short, hike your underwear up to your chest, get some bling and wear your cap sideways.
I don't see all that happening..ever! If not that then a Ruger .22 magnum target. I'm not that into pistols. Maybe a Judge with random shells loaded...00 buckshot,magnum,special,slug
I don't think I would ever trust my life to the cheapest most poorly made weapon known to man, no offense. A plinker? Yeah, but that's about it.
I carry an M&P Shield .40, in the summer months. Small, easy to carry, packs a mean punch. Winter attire is that, or my Springfield XDm .40 if I want some extra bangs.
