Conceal carry weapon choice

• Fred Garvin

  I carry a Ruger SR9C (9 mm). I love it. It is small enough to carry easily.
  
  The Bodyguard would be a great choice for your wife. I am considering getting it for my girlfriend.
• Glassy

  

  Belly35;1008959 wrote:Kimber are very nice weapon with out question. I know a few who do have them (very nice). I have never carried a Kimber however a Kimber Custom II at 8.5 length and the Kimber Compact at 7.7 would seem a little uncomfortable to carry. The Sig P220 .45 at 7.1 sometime wish was shorter. But if you are good with it, then that is the only thing that matters...

  Kimber makes the Ultra Covert which is .45 ACP and is very compact. My Custom II is little big, but the gun shoots so well and is so accurate that it doesnt really bother me.
• brutus161

  

  I carry a Colt Combat Commander .45
  
  Wife carries a Bersa 380
• password

  

  I like the Glock 23, it is compact and light with great stopping power. You want something that is easy to control in a bind and in tight quarters.
• tk421

  

  IWB, OWB, pocket carry, how are you planning to carry the gun? I don't currently have a permit, but I do like the Glock 23. Real good for IWB or pocket carry even.
• iclfan2

  

  Fred Garvin;1008966 wrote:I carry a Ruger SR9C (9 mm). I love it. It is small enough to carry easily.
  
  The Bodyguard would be a great choice for your wife. I am considering getting it for my girlfriend.

  I was looking at getting either the SR9c or the S&W M&P 9mm. Probably going 9mm for its cheaper ammo, so I can shoot it more.
• tk421

  

  http://www.luckygunner.com/catalogsearch/result?q=Military+Ballistics+Industries
  
  Anyone looking for cheap reliable range/practice ammo, check this stuff out. MBI, factory reloaded ammo. Cheap and based on the reviews pretty damn good bargain. Of course, you wouldn't carry this in your gun while carrying, but good for fun/practice.
• WebFire

  tk421;1009409 wrote:IWB, OWB, pocket carry, how are you planning to carry the gun? I don't currently have a permit, but I do like the Glock 23. Real good for IWB or pocket carry even.

  Honestly I don't know yet.
• tk421

  

  Really depends on what you usually wear, I guess.
• iclfan2

  

  Belly35;1008907 wrote:If you live around the Canton area I can help you out or I suggest http://www.kamessports.com/

  Do you recommend any ranges around Canton/Akron/Cleveland?
• WebFire

  Looks like I just need to get my hands on a few and see what I like. Everyone has their favorite, and no particular brand seems to be the clear leader.
• dwccrew

  

  tk421;1009409 wrote:IWB, OWB, pocket carry, how are you planning to carry the gun? I don't currently have a permit, but I do like the Glock 23. Real good for IWB or pocket carry even.

  Glock 23 in your pocket would be uncomfortable. My preferred carry is my Glock 19 (IWB) and while it does fit in my pocket, it is not totally concealed, unless you have really big pockets.
  

  WebFire;1009523 wrote:Looks like I just need to get my hands on a few and see what I like. Everyone has their favorite, and no particular brand seems to be the clear leader.

  IMO, a few things one should factor when picking what type of weapon they want to carry:
  
  1. What type of holster will you use? Inside the waist or outside.
  
  -Personally, I carry mine for protection. I don't want anyone knowing that I am carrying, so I want it concealed as best possible. I have an inside waistband that I ordered from Don Hume. They have nice products, a little pricy, but reasonable.
  
  2. Any of the name brands such as Glock, S&W, Ruger, etc. are reliable. You want a reliable sidearm that will not misfire when you need it most. You also want something that you are comfortable with handling and is comfortable when you are carrying. Price should not matter.
  
  -My Glock 19 is very reliable IMO. I have never had a misfire or hangfire. They are reasonably priced as well. Sigs and Kimbers are higher end, and while they are excellent weapons, functionality is most important to me and Glock has always made a reliable weapon. Also, Glocks are very light. I really would like the Glock 17 as it is much more compact.
  
  3. The size of the weapon is important. If you are going to be carrying this, you shouldn't get some big gawdy gun. I know a few people who think just having a bigass gun is cool. But if you are carrying this gun, you should want it to be within a certain criteria as far as size goes. Don't get something big and bulky.
  
  4. Magazine capacity. I have a three 15 round mags for my Glock. You want a higher capacity mag just in the very low chance that you were in a firefight, you don't run out of ammo. 6 shooters are a bad carry option IMO, but it doesn't sound like you are looking at those.
  
  5. When deciding what firearm you will purchase, 3 key components(according to my CCW instructor) are in this order:
  
  i. Reliability- is it known for being a reliable weapon?
  ii. Feel- does it feel comfortable when you handle and carry it?
  iii. Price- is it in your range?
  
  Take your time and choose the right gun for you. There is a lot to factor when choosing a carry piece. Good luck!
• WebFire

  dwccrew;1009552 wrote:Glock 23 in your pocket would be uncomfortable. My preferred carry is my Glock 19 (IWB) and while it does fit in my pocket, it is not totally concealed, unless you have really big pockets.
  
  
  
  IMO, a few things one should factor when picking what type of weapon they want to carry:
  
  1. What type of holster will you use? Inside the waist or outside.
  
  -Personally, I carry mine for protection. I don't want anyone knowing that I am carrying, so I want it concealed as best possible. I have an inside waistband that I ordered from Don Hume. They have nice products, a little pricy, but reasonable.
  
  2. Any of the name brands such as Glock, S&W, Ruger, etc. are reliable. You want a reliable sidearm that will not misfire when you need it most. You also want something that you are comfortable with handling and is comfortable when you are carrying. Price should not matter.
  
  -My Glock 19 is very reliable IMO. I have never had a misfire or hangfire. They are reasonably priced as well. Sigs and Kimbers are higher end, and while they are excellent weapons, functionality is most important to me and Glock has always made a reliable weapon. Also, Glocks are very light. I really would like the Glock 17 as it is much more compact.
  
  3. The size of the weapon is important. If you are going to be carrying this, you shouldn't get some big gawdy gun. I know a few people who think just having a bigass gun is cool. But if you are carrying this gun, you should want it to be within a certain criteria as far as size goes. Don't get something big and bulky.
  
  4. Magazine capacity. I have a three 15 round mags for my Glock. You want a higher capacity mag just in the very low chance that you were in a firefight, you don't run out of ammo. 6 shooters are a bad carry option IMO, but it doesn't sound like you are looking at those.
  
  5. When deciding what firearm you will purchase, 3 key components(according to my CCW instructor) are in this order:
  
  i. Reliability- is it known for being a reliable weapon?
  ii. Feel- does it feel comfortable when you handle and carry it?
  iii. Price- is it in your range?
  
  Take your time and choose the right gun for you. There is a lot to factor when choosing a carry piece. Good luck!

  Thanks...all good points to consider. My main issue right now is I probably won't carry much, and my wife won't at all (maybe an extreme reason). But at the same time I want to able to, and would like it to be concealed as much as possible.
  
  If I wasn't worried about carrying at all, I'd get a .45. That's what I want. But on the flip side, I want her to be comfortable with the gun, and it may be too much. Realistically I'd like it to be available in the house where she could use it if needed (burglars, etc). What are your thoughts on .45 for carrying.
  
  As for holsters, do IWB holsters work ok for guys with tight waist bands? I'm 245 lbs and carrying IWB doesn't seem like it would be comfortable.
• dwccrew

  

  WebFire;1009561 wrote:Thanks...all good points to consider. My main issue right now is I probably won't carry much, and my wife won't at all (maybe an extreme reason). But at the same time I want to able to, and would like it to be concealed as much as possible.
  
  If I wasn't worried about carrying at all, I'd get a .45. That's what I want. But on the flip side, I want her to be comfortable with the gun, and it may be too much. Realistically I'd like it to be available in the house where she could use it if needed (burglars, etc). What are your thoughts on .45 for carrying.
  
  As for holsters, do IWB holsters work ok for guys with tight waist bands? I'm 245 lbs and carrying IWB doesn't seem like it would be comfortable.

  That would be for you to decide as far as the waistband goes. If you get a good holster, you'll be spending around or over $50. But IMO it is worth the price for how comfortable they are. OWB is more comfortable for me and if you can cover with a jacket, is a good option. But my personal preference is IWB because I can wear a t-shirt and the gun doesn't print much, if at all.
  
  For home defense, again, it is just what you are comfortable with. You don't want something so powerful that it can go thru your wall and hit someone outside (very unlikely). You are accountable for every round that goes outside your home. So if, in the very unlikely chance, an intruder is in your home and you fire at him/her and a round goes through the wall and hits your neighbor, you are liable.
  
  I personally prefer a shotgun for home defense since it can cover a larger area, but also is less likely to pierce through a wall and hit someone on the other side (could be a family member on an interior wall). There are many factors. Your instructor will give you answers to your questions and you can ask on here, but you are getting others opinions and preferences. Definitely research and experiment.
• WebFire

  dwccrew;1009568 wrote:That would be for you to decide as far as the waistband goes. If you get a good holster, you'll be spending around or over $50. But IMO it is worth the price for how comfortable they are. OWB is more comfortable for me and if you can cover with a jacket, is a good option. But my personal preference is IWB because I can wear a t-shirt and the gun doesn't print much, if at all.
  
  For home defense, again, it is just what you are comfortable with. You don't want something so powerful that it can go thru your wall and hit someone outside (very unlikely). You are accountable for every round that goes outside your home. So if, in the very unlikely chance, an intruder is in your home and you fire at him/her and a round goes through the wall and hits your neighbor, you are liable.
  
  I personally prefer a shotgun for home defense since it can cover a larger area, but also is less likely to pierce through a wall and hit someone on the other side (could be a family member on an interior wall). There are many factors. Your instructor will give you answers to your questions and you can ask on here, but you are getting others opinions and preferences. Definitely research and experiment.

  Thanks again. Good info. I guess I would prefer IWB for the reason you stated. Also, good points on the in-house use. I could use the shotgun, but wifey probably wouldn't. Though if she had too...
• WebFire

  The more I read and think about it, I may get what I want and get her something different.
• dwccrew

  

  WebFire;1009578 wrote:The more I read and think about it, I may get what I want and get her something different.

  .22, .9 mm or a .380 might be things to look into for the wife. I'd definitely get yourselves your own carry piece. You may end up carrying everyday. Your instructor will tell you to carry everyday.
• Belly35

  

  iclfan2;1009475 wrote:Do you recommend any ranges around Canton/Akron/Cleveland?

  I go to: http://www.midwestgunclub.com/
• tk421

  

  Depends on the pocket for Glock 23. Most of the time, I wear cargo shorts in the summer and jeans in the winter. The 23 would fit fine in a pocket in the summer time and most of the time in the winter, depends on the jeans. I don't wear anything that's really tight or that you couldn't fit a gun inside the pockets. Anyway, if you want some ideas on concealed carry, check out hickok45's videos. He's done a few on the subject.
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT3gkXyxhuA
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gjUknHqvGY
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cijFTIfDfwU
• tk421

  

  dwccrew;1009596 wrote:.22, .9 mm or a .380 might be things to look into for the wife. I'd definitely get yourselves your own carry piece. You may end up carrying everyday. Your instructor will tell you to carry everyday.

  I agree, it may be the typical answer, but a nice J frame S&W .38 would be a good choice for the wife.
• Glory Days

  

  I carry a Beretta 92FS (9mm). i like full size guns much better even though the smaller guns are better for concealment. IWB usually, sometimes OWB when i am just going to work. If i am going some place where i cant carry it on me or not in the proper clothing to conceal it, i atleast bring it my car so its nearby or i need it while driving.
  
  Working on find a 1911 I like and can actually find in stock. but the 9mm are nice for the cheaper ammo.
• tk421

  

  Glock 27, not the 23. I guess you could fit the 23 in a pocket, but I meant the 27. :doh.
• Belly35

  

  tk421;1009461 wrote:http://www.luckygunner.com/catalogsearch/result?q=Military+Ballistics+Industries
  
  Anyone looking for cheap reliable range/practice ammo, check this stuff out. MBI, factory reloaded ammo. Cheap and based on the reviews pretty damn good bargain. Of course, you wouldn't carry this in your gun while carrying, but good for fun/practice.

  if your in the area around North Canton http://www.kamessports.com/ is cheaper
• WebFire

  tk421;1009744 wrote:I agree, it may be the typical answer, but a nice J frame S&W .38 would be a good choice for the wife.

  I think I'm leaning that way for the wife. I asked her last night if she'd be interested in taking the class with me. She didn't even hesitate with a yes. I asked her if she would carry, and she said she might if she was comfortable with doing so.
• NYFan54

  

  I've got a .22 Deringer, couple .38's, couple 9mm, The Judge, and a few more I'm forgetting. It just depends on what I want to take with me that day. Sold my Deagle last year, but I'd hate to carry that mofo