Best CCW - OT

SGH

Here is my carry weapon. Nothing fancy, just a stub nose Smith.

Caymanite

Kahr CM9 here and love it, the trigger is like butter!

SGH

Bbquru said:

Wow @SGH I shouldn't be surprised given your ridiculous grill collection, 

Brother you should see my gun collection. You really would not believe it. 

ksmyrl

Ya'll may laugh at me, but I love the S&W M&P 22. It's lite, less expensive, easy to shoot, ammo is cheap, I can shoot it on the back of the property without alarming the neighbors, and I can teach my 10 year old to shoot without him fearing the recoil or noise. For CCW I love .22's. But my S&W 357 revolver w a six inch barrel is my home protection. That is after I run out of shotgun shells.

pescadorzih

9mm Shield here. Handled quite a few guns before purchasing. Shield fit my hand better than any others. If you decide on pocket carry, get a .38 snubby with bobbed hammer.

55drum

WC1

@SGH, just like you to get the NFA stuff going. Love me some stamps.  I will throw my votes in for the Glock 26 with mag extension for pinky and Smith MP360 in 357 as an ankle gun. But do try to test them out. I like not having a safety but don't love the Glock trigger. Sig makes a phenomenal gun and while it is more expensive you get what you pay for.

hapster

Got them both at the same time... About 20 years ago. The 915 is up top and is a 9mm 15+1, the 3913NL is the little one and is a 9mm 8+1... Hogue Grips and upgraded the sights, had the feed ramps and triggers worked as well when I got them. Carry the little one often, the bigger one occasionally. Very comfortable, reliable, and easy to maintain.

tarheelmatt

I carry a .380 Keltec with a front pocket holster.  Nothing fancy, but small, compact, and fires when pulled.  

SGH

WC1 said:

@SGH, just like you to get the NFA stuff going.

I have always been a huge fan and collector of the class III devices.

weekender

Again thank you to all who responded and it shows that many do carry.  Very nice guns BTW. 

What I have decided to do as I researched this more and more is to use my .38 special right now and then soon take some training from a local group which can teach me more about CCW.  They will train on the legal aspect of CCW, awareness of predatory techniques, gun selection, holster selection, and of course range drills plus alot more.  This way I can try different guns along with holster styles so I can chose my best EDC CCW.   By taking the class I will also be much more aware of the law and my situation so I can hopefully avoid trouble before it may even begin.  

tarheelmatt

Doesn't hurt to do all those things above as you noted.  All this really depends on the person really.  I personally do not want to be weighed down, so weight and compact were high on pritority.  

I bought a M&P 40c to carry too, but personally could never carry it.  It is too heavy to carry.  

The Keltec is great.  Many others have copied their compact design.  Had mine for almost 10 years now.  

This is a picture of the Keltec.  This isn't my picture, just from Google.  

With the Desantis Nemisis holster...

johnkitchens

I have carried a little 22 Magnum in my pocket for years. People laugh because it is so tiny, but it is still a 22 Magnum!

stlcharcoal

SGH said:

WC1 said:

@SGH, just like you to get the NFA stuff going.

I have always been a huge fan and collector of the class III devices.

You mean "Title II devices".  

Sorry, pet peeve of mine.  Class III a dealer's annual special occupational tax paid to transfer Title II (NFA) stuff.

Dobie

weekender said:

Again thank you to all who responded and it shows that many do carry.  Very nice guns BTW. 

What I have decided to do as I researched this more and more is to use my .38 special right now and then soon take some training from a local group which can teach me more about CCW.  They will train on the legal aspect of CCW, awareness of predatory techniques, gun selection, holster selection, and of course range drills plus alot more.  This way I can try different guns along with holster styles so I can chose my best EDC CCW.   By taking the class I will also be much more aware of the law and my situation so I can hopefully avoid trouble before it may even begin.  

Good, do your research and be informed. I attended a siminar this past Sunday with Massad Ayoob and if you ever get the opportunity to do so jump on it. He is the authority on personal defense and a personable guy.

Capt7383

Keltec 3AT. If I want bigger then sig 229

shucker

Another vote for the shield.  Mine is 40 cal.  Ive carried a Kahr k40 and a Glock 27.  So far the shield is the best all around for quality, reliability, comfort, and concealability.

AUCE

weekender said:

Again thank you to all who responded and it shows that many do carry.  Very nice guns BTW. 

What I have decided to do as I researched this more and more is to use my .38 special right now and then soon take some training from a local group which can teach me more about CCW.  They will train on the legal aspect of CCW, awareness of predatory techniques, gun selection, holster selection, and of course range drills plus alot more.  This way I can try different guns along with holster styles so I can chose my best EDC CCW.   By taking the class I will also be much more aware of the law and my situation so I can hopefully avoid trouble before it may even begin.  

I owned a gun shop for 25 years. You just gave yourself the best advice Ive seen. If your not familiar with an automatic it'll get ya killed. A wheel gun is a no nonsense.no brainer squeeze the trigger personal protection weapon. Been away from it for.many years but the principle remains. Personally id.never get a cwp. Big brother just draws.another bullseye on ya. I frankly don't much care if carrying a concealed weapon is permissible. I do and will regardless.

henapple

flyer_egger

Just my two cents, a carry gun SHOULD be laser equiped.  If a red dot on a perps chest ends the confrontation a lot of paperwork can be avoided. I hate paperwork!

henapple

Respectfully, I disagree. In a confrontation I'm not worried about their feelings, instilling fear or their perceptions. Split second decisions will be made and either the shooter or perp will not notice or recognize a laser. By my research most shootings happen at close range and actual sight aiming won't happen. I have a Ruger .380 with a Crimson Trace. ..cool to play with but I hardly see using it other than punching paper. Again, jmho.

stlcharcoal

flyer_egger said:

Just my two cents, a carry gun SHOULD be laser equiped.  If a red dot on a perps chest ends the confrontation a lot of paperwork can be avoided. I hate paperwork!

You may be putting a red dot on them, but you're also showing where it came from. Maybe an infrared one on a SBR/CQB if you're using NVG's, but otherwise, no thanks.

shucker

Ive always been of the mindset that if I have to pull my pistol, its going to get shot.  Using it for intimidation will get you killed.  If youre pulling your pistol in a situation other than a life-threatening one, you are in the wrong.  I have a laser on my glock, but have trained myself to only use it for reference.  If you rely solely on the laser and it malfunctions, youre screwed. 

KennyLee

Like others have mentioned, the Glock 26 or other Glock sub models is a great carry pistol.  I just picked up a Beretta PX4 Storm Compact in 9MM that I really like too.  It's possible to carry, but they make a PX4 Storm Subcompact too that would be better for carry in my opinion. 

KennyLee

Carolina Q said:

CCW? I had to look that one up. Seriously? $450 for a gun?!!! And that's cheap?! Sure am glad I have no need or desire for such a thing. Honestly, what do you guys DO with these things? I am far from a youngster and I have never owned or wanted to own a gun. Not trying to start an argument. I truly have never understood why anyone would want a gun. Except for hunting I guess.

Tons of reasons from hunting (my biggest reason and most vast array and what you mentioned) to target/skeet/trap shooting, recreation, family heirlooms, collecting, and yes, even personal protection, whether carry, vehicle or homebound. 

Like others, I was raised around them and have owned them pretty much all my life and never have considered not owning one....or many actually.  However I totally get it if someone doesn't want to own one and respect that to the highest order.   

RiverDoc

FWIW I agree with the range, you need to handle, fire, and get familiar with several ones and you will find one that you shoot well and feels good. Lots of great guns listed above but try them out some factors will be your holster and body type. Comptac makes a terrific IWB http://www.comp-tac.com Whatever you choose make sure YOU are comfortable and proficient with it, good luck and have fun.

JohnH12

AUCE said:

Again thank you to all who responded and it shows that many do carry.  Very nice guns BTW. 

What I have decided to do as I researched this more and more is to use my .38 special right now and then soon take some training from a local group which can teach me more about CCW.  They will train on the legal aspect of CCW, awareness of predatory techniques, gun selection, holster selection, and of course range drills plus alot more.  This way I can try different guns along with holster styles so I can chose my best EDC CCW.   By taking the class I will also be much more aware of the law and my situation so I can hopefully avoid trouble before it may even begin.  

I owned a gun shop for 25 years. You just gave yourself the best advice Ive seen. If your not familiar with an automatic it'll get ya killed. A wheel gun is a no nonsense.no brainer squeeze the trigger personal protection weapon. Been away from it for.many years but the principle remains. Personally id.never get a cwp. Big brother just draws.another bullseye on ya. I frankly don't much care if carrying a concealed weapon is permissible. I do and will regardless.

I'm not sure just how wise it is to admit, on a public forum, that you routinely violate the law. Florida is a pretty gun friendly state but so I can't see the wisdom in your statement.

55drum

matt121966

Smith and Wesson M&P Shield 9mm

henapple

I've heavily considered the Hk 45. Research the difference in a 9 and 45. There's not much between a 9 and 40. Usage is usually close range, few shots. The military carried 45 forever but went to a 9mm. Maybe travis will chime in.