If you read my post about the OSU/ISIS shooting you know I am in the market for a true concealed carry gun. Trying to determine if a 9mm or 380 with the right ammo and numerous rounds would be best or something with a tremendous amount of heft such as the Bond Arms Snake Slayer.
The Bond Arms has a 4.25" barrel in 45 Long Colt. Only two shots, but I think I would use the Lehigh Defense Multiple Projectile offering in 45LC.
link here - [size=78%]http://www.lehighdefense.com/collections/ammo/products/45-colt-300gr-multiple-projectile-ammo?variant=1066181812 (http://www.lehighdefense.com/collections/ammo/products/45-colt-300gr-multiple-projectile-ammo?variant=1066181812)[/size]
I have a Glock 20 G4 and a Sig 229 SAS in 357 sig (which I am trying to carry). But I think I need something smaller.
Suggestions?
Pat
Glock G-42 (380) or G-43 (9mm), Ruger LCPII, LC9 for easy concealment
There are plenty of options out there, .380s, micro 9mms, .40, 45ACP,( and plenty in between and on either side) sub compact, compact, MS, and FS. Caliber is pretty easy to, since with a good SD ammo the caliber wars are pretty much moot. Single stacks are thin and easy to conceal, but double stacks are handy for multiple BGs. There is only one secret to CCW...carry the damn thing. Everywhere. All the time.
If you haven't carried much in the past may I suggest a .380 or single stack 9mm. When paired with a good holster and good belt, either will be more comfortable and will conceal easily. Kahr is a good choice, Glock, Springfield, and Beretta as well. You will have to decide your budget. As to the ammo, most modern hollow point SD ammo will work and as you seem to know Lehigh makes some amazing solid. Be aware that there are plenty of ammo manufacturers who use their bullets in their offerings. Over time you wish to try something else, but this would be a good start(remembering of course that this advice is worth exactly what you paid for it :)) :))). I, myself, started out carrying a 5" 1911, I switched to a 3.5" 1911 and now carry a 4.25" polymer 10mm. It's a journey.
My glock 23 conceals better than the bond derringer I had and even with a spare mag the glock feels lighter. That bond felt like a steel block in my pocket.
I have an lc9s now but it's for sale, going back to a glock 26 or 27
M&P Shield 9/40/45, Glock 43 with +1 mag floor plate. That's if you want really small.
I'm 6'0" 170 lbs and I have no trouble concealing a Glock 19/23/32/38 with just a t-shirt, and I could when I was 135 lbs.
I'd avoid 380 like herpes, but that's just me. In Lucky Gunners test, the 380 struggles to even reach 12" of penetration. Lucky Gunner Ballistic Test (http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests) You mentioned the 45 colt Derringer, so I think you want some power. So check out a Glock 27 .40 S&W, or Glock 33 .357 SIG. I bleed Glock though. But also check the Ruger SR9C and SR40C. They come with a flush fit mag, and an extended mag with a mag sleeve to make a full grip.
:-)
If you go with the LC9, go with the striker fired, LC9s. Big difference in trigger pull! Had both. Trigger on the LC9s is much, much better. Shorter and about 5 lbs compared to the LC9 which is loooong and over 7 lbs.
+1 on the M&P Shield in 9mm (as the minimum).
No intent to disparage others electing to carry 380 (still hell of a lot better than throwing rocks); but 9mm in a 3" barreled gun is the minimum for me. YMMV.
Had mine for 4 years and depending on season, clothing, occasion, etc.carried it often. Both IWB and OWB holster (prefer OSW but not approproate for all occasions). For maximum concealability and comfort in the smallest caliber I'm comfortable with, my experience with the M&P Shield makes it an easy recommendation.
Going up in caliber or capacity, many other options come into play for me. Here are the 4 bigger options I've carried depending on occasion & garb.
M&P Shield
Sig P239 in 357sig
H&K VP9
CZ P-09
Glock 20 (Gen 3)
Good luck
One thing I recommend being in the business for 20-plus years is carry as much gun as you can possibly carry. If you are a medium frame you can probably get away with a Glock 19 which will give you 16 rounds of 9mm in a small concealable accurate extremely reliable package.. The small micro9s like the khar or Shield LC9 or Glock 43 or the ultra concealment but they only have about 6 rounds of ammunition. I would not carry the silly Snake Charmer whatever two-shot Derringer gun, that is worthless in my opinion but all this is just my opinion and every one is different. If you are looking for a larger caliber handgun, guns like the Glock 30 is a pretty concealable package with 11 rounds of 45 ACP. Springfield XD or even compact Smith M&P guns smaller sigs anything that you can carry that you practice with a lot and you plan to carry a lot that's the most important thing.. practice practice with the gun you carry most of the time. My issue off-duty weapon is a Glock 30 with Federal HST hollow points. I carry that in a patriot concealment inside the pants holster. The hard carbon-fiber inside the pants holsters nowadays are made very well. they do not collapse when you draw therefore you can reholster with one hand. Just suggestions, lot of good ones on this board as there are lot of smart guys on here. Take it for what it's worth, always get what's absolute best for you.
Given that we are a 10mm forum.....
Glock 29 appendix carry. I was not a believer until I tried it. I was shocked at how well concealed and comfortable it is. And you will have magazine compatibility with your G20, so 10+1 + (15X2) = 41 rounds ready to go. Or 26 with only one spare mag.
Edit - I would look hard at an SP101 before I got a two shot derringer. Very, very hard.
Thanks everyone. Does anyone have experience carrying the Springfield XDm compact 45? It SEEMS about the size of some of the other guns but I am a little concerned about carrying the heavy 45 ACP bullets which add to the total weight.
Pat
I'll be honest with ya, I've helped in my friends gun shop since 2005,and the XD-M & XD-S both feel so blocky, makes me think of holding a 2x4. Plus, I had an XD-357 when the XD first stopped being the HS-2000, and that thing left a bad taste in my mouth. It would fail to go into battery after every shot. I sent it back, they said it was fine. It came back still doing it. I'd shoot and have to smack the back of the slide. Shoot-smack-shoot-smack. I tried everything but could not fix it. I've never heard of another one with that problem, but I was jaded by then.
If you want a 45, I would seriously consider a Glock 36 (slimline) 6+1 rounds, Glock 30 10+1, Glock 30s 10+1 (Glock 30 frame with a 36 slide), or a Glock 39 .45 GAP the frame is the size of a Glock 26/27/33, with a little wider slide and it is 6+1 rounds. Also, as I mentioned before, the M&P Shield in 45. It has a great feel in your hand, and the trigger was smooth as glass on the one I played with.
True concealed carry, hmm. Needs to be small, needs to be light. I would rather have a slightly less powerful cartridge that I can shoot extremely accurate. Most Times I carry a Ultra Carry in .45acp semi small, not light but extremely accurate. Love it feel pretty safe with it. Sometimes it just wont work with my wardrobe- summer gym shorts,tank top etc. Got an LCP super small, super light, 7 rds. pretty much hate it. Cant hit anything at over 20ft reliably. Got a Mustang, its a tack driver loaded with 7 Black Talons and an extra 6rd mag in the other pocket- it will do. It also does double duty in an ankle holster as a back up to the Kimber. Sounds like you have some larger weapons already- I would not overlook a bitty .380, they can be quite handy at times.
In the summer months here in WI I carry a Colt Mustang .380 loaded with Underwood +P 90 grain XTP, never know that I am carrying :)
Also the gun I do carry the most, and it's the only plastic gun I have or will ever have is the M&P 9 mm Shield, it's a good knock aroud gun that dosen't need to get wipe down or cleaned up alot.
Now lately I have been carring my Colt Delta Elite with Underwood 180 Gr XTP the good ones that are 1300 fps as I have a sweet shirt or a jacket on and feel very armed.
Quote from: Buckeye 50 on November 30 2016 08:43:10 AM MST
Thanks everyone. Does anyone have experience carrying the Springfield XDm compact 45? It SEEMS about the size of some of the other guns but I am a little concerned about carrying the heavy 45 ACP bullets which add to the total weight.
Pat
Buckeye,
Tic Glock just gave revealing advice. I don't agree with him 'cause I think Glocks are a very blocky, but highly effective solution, to the problems nobody wants. I like the feel of an XDm much better. So, I disagree but that doesn't make either of us right or either of us wrong. It just means that our handgun preferences are different.
You asked about the weight. I will tell you weight is not an issue unless it's an issue. My apologies for the half answer, but in most cases, weight can be managed. Your gun belt and holster are investments. The decision to carry full-time even altered the pant size I purchase. I carry a 5", steel framed 1911 which is 3lb of nothing thanks to quality gun belts and quality holsters.
I'd tell you to rent or borrow all of the pistols you think will handle the threats you want to be prepared. Then shoot them. Buy the one that you shoot best. If you are lucky you will land with something smaller than a DE 50.
Hopefully, you decided on a pistol you can count on to be ready. I had a Lorcin blow up in my hand and I've seen/touched more than one Taurus that failed gloriously. You will need to actively maintain your pistols readiness - loaded, cleaned, lubed etc. But, most importantly, you need a pistol that is dead reliable - this is where Tic Glock's wisdom is most valuable. Glocks tend to function reliably even when subjected to the polar opposite of care and maintenance. I put a Glock in my father's hands for this reason - he'd kill a 1911 in less than a year of neglect.
Once you have a pistol you can use effectively ... you can find a carry style and rig that distribute the ~3lb onto your entire waist.
Got that settled and it'll be time to construct a wardrobe that comfortably conceals your piece of mind. The rest will be up to you and your situational awareness.
So, if I did this correctly I haven't pushed you at a specific firearm - I don't know you and we aren't military so embracing individuality is acceptable. But, I will add that I carry a variety of calibers. I don't believe in .380ACP, but I do carry 22TCM, 9mm, 10mm and 45ACP. In order of likelihood, my piece of mind is 9+1 of 10mm, 8+1 of 45ACP, 10+1 of 22TCM and only occasionally 10+1 of 9mm. Quick math and lots of training translate those load outs to a minimum of 3 Mozambique's before my reload is necessary. I'm not a LEO and I make plenty of compromises since my objective only requires survival. Neutralizing a threat is strictly bonus in my big picture. This leads me to my decision to carry my leatherman and my vape rig holster on my weak side where many would carry a mag holster. I generally have to make it to my vehicle to accomplish a reload, so my reload is only useful so far as it helps ensure my escape.
So, I strictly do 1911 koolaid. I put my father in a Glock. I put my gf in a M&P Shield 9mm. I put my gf's 6'7" son in a double stack 1911. I didn't make any of the choices beyond promoting they be armed. I simply asked leading questions as each of them got outfitted.
I have 4 carry guns.
Summer months, I carry a Glock 43. In the spring and fall I carry a Glock 29. In the winter I carry a Glock 20.
At the gym or out jogging, I have a tiny Taurus TCP .380 in a IWB.
I had to take some classes for work-No firearms was clearly posted on the front door. The Mustang in my pocket was a perfect solution. As stated better than throwing rocks lol.
Dred, very well said, GREAT POST. I forgot to mention the pants size thing. I have pants a size bigger than I need, just to fit an inside the waist band holster in them. A good holster is CRITICAL to being able to carry all day. A Comp-Tac M-Tac was one of the best investments I ever made, period.
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I suggest not looking for a smaller gun.
I used a Sig 229 as a carry gun for years. It's a thick gun, so I carried it in a thin Kydex IWB holster (a Comp-TAC CTAC) with a good gun belt (The Beltman). That concealed better than my Glock 29 in the same type of holster and belt.
My Sig 229 is my EDC
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I carry one of two guns year round... a sig 220 45acp or a G20 10mm ( mostly the glock )
As mentioned, the right equipment makes this easier...ie; belt and quality holster and yes pants size too.
I carry a IWB Supertuck holster for both with a full sized leather belt... the pants , are a waist size bigger ( jeans ) for that reason.
I have no problem hiding the gun and it doesn't print...it's all a matter of what you wear.
Great thinking on the pants size, I am about ready to go up a size anyway lol.
All;
I am trying to carry my Sig 229 SAS/.357 sig. Just found a holster that for the first time, makes it less than awkward. I will keep wearing it to see if I can get accustomed to it.
Thanks for the input!
Pat
Buckeye, iwb carry is very awkward at first. But as the holster forms to your body, and you find that right spot for you (I carry at 4 o'clock). As you get more hours in carrying it, it starts to disappear. You find ways to sit in the car to keep it comfy and even alter the way you sit at the doctors office. It gets to a point where you feel awkward or naked without it.
Do some good hard work with your IWB holster on to speed the break-in process. Body head and a little moisture move things along in that regard.
I also agree about moving it around some after you get the holster broken-in good. I carry at 4:00 and at 1:00. The G20 at 1:00 is sometimes a bit of a challenge, especially if I am doing carpentry work where I bend over at the waist alot. But for sitting in a car, 1:00 is great.
I forgot to say, the most important thing, is practice drawing from where you wear it. Even when open carrying, if I practice drawing, I still grab for my shirt from muscle memory.