Recommendations for concealed carry

[1775usmc]

@nammac I wouldn't mind carrying a small pocket gun in my back pocket as a secondary. I carry my wallet in my front pocket. Nothing in my back pockets. Could be a nice surprise for a person trying to rob me, asking for my wallet. I don't sit much at all throughout the day. Other than driving to and from work. May be a possibility. I just don't know how I feel about having a gun behind me.

 

[1775usmc]

Go to a range with rentals and try them until something clicks.

Then there is almost always a way to adapt it to a carry gun.

I'd go Glock 19 or 17 as well.

I'm fond of the noisy cricket snubby 6 shot in a pocket holster for around the house and short errands out as well.

A G19 really isn't a big gun to carry at all. It's just the new hotness of subcompacts make it look much bigger than it really is.

 

[nammac]

@nammac I wouldn't mind carrying a small pocket gun in my back pocket as a secondary. I carry my wallet in my front pocket. Nothing in my back pockets. Could be a nice surprise for a person trying to rob me, asking for my wallet. I don't sit much at all throughout the day. Other than driving to and from work. May be a possibility. I just don't know how I feel about having a gun behind me.

Depending on the location and activities, I can see this. Would be a heck of a surprise indeed. Here's my wallet, pew, pew…

 

[1775usmc]

Depending on the location and activities, I can see this. Would be a heck of a surprise indeed. Here's my wallet, pew, pew…

If I sat all day I don't think it would work. But with my lifestyle it may be functional.

 

[Rat44]

A lot depends on your daily attire.
Jeans and a T shirt has been my regular dress as long as I can remember so unless I am carrying more than my Ruger LC9S I have to wear a jacket.
Cooler weather allows me to carry a full size firearm since a coat becomes daily wear.

 

[1775usmc]

A lot depends on your daily attire.
Jeans and a T shirt has been my regular dress as long as I can remember so unless I am carrying more than my Ruger LC9S I have to wear a jacket.
Cooler weather allows me to carry a full size firearm since a coat becomes daily wear.

Depends on how you carry. Personally my carry set up stays the same year round. I don't have to downsize when in jeans and a T-shirt.

 

[Forester]

My $0.02
Train…train…..then train some more.
Success in a SD situation will be determined by the operator of the gun. Not the gun.
The pants, belt and holster have more of an influence on the comfort than the gun.
I often carry a steel framed full size 2011 with an optic. No problem.

Wrong belt and holster, then nothing is comfortable

I would suggest to get familiar with several size of guns to make an informed decision.

In a high stress situation you want one that you can operate. That generally rules several of the smallest ones out. But not for everyone.

Regarding red dots. They take practice to use efficiently but I don't think they hinder concealment much.

Mine are in the field daily and I've never had an issue with them.

Regarding.40 caliber: live fire training is important. If your on a budget .40 is going to reduce your live fire training.

The ammo cost is much higher than the gun cost if you train.

 

[AshWilliams]

My $0.02
Train…train…..then train some more.
Success in a SD situation will be determined by the operator of the gun. Not the gun.

I'm a big believer in this philosophy. People get so wrapped around the axle over gun choice, caliber, and gear, when in reality consistent, frequent training will do far more for you than any piece of kit.

I've used this analogy before, but it fits: a truly skilled billiards player can still run the table with a broomstick. Kit is nice, but it will always play second fiddle to a well-maintained skill set.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlV3N_NmzQA&t=0

 

[Forester]

I'm a big believer in this philosophy. People get so wrapped around the axle over gun choice, caliber, and gear, when in reality consistent, frequent training will do far more for you than any piece of kit.

I've used this analogy before, but it fits: a truly skilled billiards player can still run the table with a broomstick. Kit is nice, but it will always play second fiddle to a well-maintained skill set.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlV3N_NmzQA&t=0

%

 

[dangerranger60]

A G19 really isn't a big gun to carry at all. It's just the new hotness of subcompacts make it look much bigger than it really is.

I remember when the G19 came out it was considered a sub compact. DR

 

[1775usmc]

I remember when the G19 came out it was considered a sub compact. DR

Which is funny cause now people consider is compact to full size.

 

[bradsteen]

I wouldn't overthink it. What works for you now will almost certainly change within the next few years as you grow more comfortable with carrying and learn to better identify your own specific needs.

So, my recommendation is pick a general category of gun that you think will work for your situation (i.e. compact semi autos in 9 or .40 with manual safeties) try a bunch of them out, and buy the one you like best from that group. Then carry it every day, even if it sucks, and train as much as you can with it.

You'll probably find a million things you don't like about your setup, you'll buy a dozen different holsters, decide they all suck, and eventually buy a different pistol. Then the cycle will repeat. But instead of finding a million things you don't like about it, your list of complaints will be smaller. And when you repeat again it will be smaller still.

Eventually you'll realize that everything is a tradeoff, and either (a) just stick with whatever one or two options suck least for you, or (b) go full autism and maintain a handful of different setups carefully optimized for specific scenarios and environments.

Carrying a gun is a wonderful learning experience, so enjoy the ride and don't get wrapped up in trying to get the perfect thing (because it doesn't exist, regardless what you hear on the Internet). At the end of the day it's just a tool that you hope you never have to use to do a job that a responsible person will try very hard avoid if at all possible.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

I wouldn't overthink it. What works for you now will almost certainly change within the next few years as you grow more comfortable with carrying and learn to better identify your own specific needs.

So, my recommendation is pick a general category of gun that you think will work for your situation (i.e. compact semi autos in 9 or .40 with manual safeties) try a bunch of them out, and buy the one you like best from that group. Then carry it every day, even if it sucks, and train as much as you can with it.

You'll probably find a million things you don't like about your setup, you'll buy a dozen different holsters, decide they all suck, and eventually buy a different pistol. Then the cycle will repeat. But instead of finding a million things you don't like about it, your list of complaints will be smaller. And when you repeat again it will be smaller still.

Eventually you'll realize that everything is a tradeoff, and either (a) just stick with whatever one or two options suck least for you, or (b) go full autism and maintain a handful of different setups carefully optimized for specific scenarios and environments.

Carrying a gun is a wonderful learning experience, so enjoy the ride and don't get wrapped up in trying to get the perfect thing (because it doesn't exist, regardless what you hear on the Internet). At the end of the day it's just a tool that you hope you never have to use to do a job that a responsible person will try very hard avoid if at all possible.

Well said.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

Re glock 19 sized guns, my recommendation would be a grand power Q1. It has thicker grips so if you like thin grips you may not like it. It has a rotating barrel system so it's ultra smooth. Incredibly simple mechanism so almost nothing to go wrong.

But where it shines is it makes you a much better shooter than you actually are. Partially due to grip and trigger, but mainly due to lack of recoil. I've shot it head to head versus many guns costing up to 4 times more and shooting fast it's at least as good or better than all of them. The older non-optic ready model is $350ish while the newer optic ready in is $600ish. I have the older one and it's my first choice for edc for that size pistol. The reason is it's extremely confidence inspiring cuz so easy to shoot well.

They also make slightly smaller versions called Q1s and p1s. Different calibers also. If you do a search a global ordnance for "grand power" you can see all the available models. Some are hammer fired and some are striker fired. Only downside is grips are a bit slick, so I put grip tape on them.

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/qFOD8H6UbKc?si=AEHsxrYDZIbA6fc5

Size comparison of GP Q1 (same size as Glock 19), p365x (with smaller grip), p938 fyi:

 

[circle_shooter]

Just got a s&w bodyguard 2.0 and am enjoying it.
Nice and slim and still 12+1. Appendix IWB in a kydex holster doesn't print under a T-shirt and is comfortable until I sit down and the slide pokes me in the gut (maybe its a sign to get back in the gym).
Opted out of the manual safety because it was too small and stiff to use under duress.
Recoil was equivalent to a full sized (compact?) .380.
I personally think .380 is adequate, others will disagree.

 

[Rat44]

Just got a s&w bodyguard 2.0 and am enjoying it.
Nice and slim and still 12+1. Appendix IWB in a kydex holster doesn't print under a T-shirt and is comfortable until I sit down and the slide pokes me in the gut (maybe its a sign to get back in the gym).
Opted out of the manual safety because it was too small and stiff to use under duress.
Recoil was equivalent to a full sized (compact?) .380.
I personally think .380 is adequate, others will disagree.

I carried a Colt Mustang for 20+ years every day .
There is a good assortment of effective ammo out there for the 380 now .

 

[orygun]

Just got a s&w bodyguard 2.0 and am enjoying it.
Nice and slim and still 12+1. Appendix IWB in a kydex holster doesn't print under a T-shirt and is comfortable until I sit down and the slide pokes me in the gut (maybe its a sign to get back in the gym).
Opted out of the manual safety because it was too small and stiff to use under duress.
Recoil was equivalent to a full sized (compact?) .380.
I personally think .380 is adequate, others will disagree.

I've heard nothing but good things about that Bodyguard.
I was very interested in a S&W Shield Plus with the thumb safety until I checked one out. That thumb safety lever is as small, if not smaller than the already difficult to manipulate slide stop! I have a Shield EZ 380 with the thumb safety and that lever is a lot like one on my 1911s, decently sized and useable.
I think S&W f-ed up with those dinky, nearly unusable thumb safeties.

I carried that Shield EZ for a while pretty consistently. I think it's a great gun and I'm not opposed to a 380 in many urban uses. Did I look for a small 380 when I bought my 365? Nope, most of the reason for buying the 9mm was ammo selection and price. A really good deal on 380 ammo is $16 for a box of 50. A similar deal on 9mm is $11 or even better. The other reason for looking at a different gun was the ability to add an optic.

This 365 with the 12 round mags fits my hand well.

 

[Salmonman]

Hi all,

Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I'm a semi-experienced shooter with little knowledge of concealed carry and am looking to start carrying. I don't have much cash, so need to get it right in one shot (lol). My concern is that if I get something too small, it won't be accurate, but too large and I'll be flagging. I've heard it's best to carry with one in the chamber. Makes sense that you wouldn't want to rack the slide. However, I'm not sure I'd be comfortable carrying without a thumb safety with a round chambered. I'm open to community experience surrounding this. Currently, I'm thinking standard length barrel/slide with short thick grip would be good. Thoughts on this? Is the handle the most difficult part of carrying/concealing or is it the overall picture?

I am at square one... any advice on the items below is much appreciated.

1. Specific models (ideally with thumb safety, but I can be talked out of it)
I'd prefer a thicker grip. I've shot a skinny little 9mm and hated it.
The model needs to be mid-range on pricing. Around $500. Perhaps one that can be upgraded down the road.

2. Caliber recommendations.
I shoot and like .40SW, know that 9mm is really popular with better capacity. However, with 114 on the horizon, I'm guessing we won't be able to carry more than 10 anyways. Should I go with a larger caliber?

3. Holsters and attachments
Red dots are popular, does this affect carrying? Thoughts on light/laser on a carry?

4. Other considerations
I dont know what I don't know. Any advice is welcome! Thank you.

II have no idea why people have an insistence on fancy red dot displays for concealed carry. In a critical situation, gun sights are not an issue! Use common sense; it is a simple point and shoot 99.999% of the time. This is NOT target shooting, it is life or death!

 

[NeoBlackdog]

This is NOT target shooting, it is life or death!

Exactly. That's why it's even more critical that you have the ability to put the rounds exactly where you want them.
I don't run red dots on any of my pistols, yet, but with my aging eyes it is becoming more attractive as an aiming solution.

 

[orygun]

Exactly. That's why it's even more critical that you have the ability to put the rounds exactly where you want them.
I don't run red dots on any of my pistols, yet, but with my aging eyes it is becoming more attractive as an aiming solution.

I don't think I've owned the optic on my Sig 365 1 Month.
It made hits easier, a lot easier, and I'm not a bad shot to start with!
Finding the reticle isn't all that hard, and daily practice with presentation is proving to be a good thing.
Buy one. I bought a Holosun 507K and am seriously impressed.

I once had an AMT Backup 45 which used a groove along the top of the slide for sighting. The Colt Agent used a similar setup. Supposed to be snag free and "good enough".
Snag free? Absolutely. "Good enough"? Absolutely not! If you were at belly or point shooting distance it was fine. If you wanted to use the sights, like shooting at 10 yards or farther? Absolute junk!
We will never know the distance we will be using our defensive gun at, but why limit yourself to belly poking distances?