Gonna buy a new carry weapon, need recommendations

[bigvalkriefan]

I'm in the market for a good carry weapon with some stopping power. I have a .380 LCP now but want something bigger. I'm thinking Springfield XD 4 Inch Black Service Model .40 S&W but would a .38/.357 revolver be a better choice. I live in South Florida so we usually don't wear the type clothing that makes it easy to conceal. I'm open to suggestions.

[big turkey]

Inside the waist band of your trousers or bermudas.

Straight waisted shirts or T-shirt worn over the pants.

Anywhere you live,, you can do this, except when you jump in the pool,

you'll have to remove the weapon for that.

Automatics lend themselves to that sort of carry, they are slimmer.

Now just about any kind of weapon you can stuff in a waist type holster, in the trouser, will work.

I use the Bersa 380 Concealed Carry model, but also carry a plethora of 9mm models as well.

Your choice.


Do you prefer a wheel gun or a automatic?


AL

[big turkey]

The 380 model you carry,,, will stop somone bent on destruction better than the 45 you left at home.

Smith Wesson came out with the Lite Weight aluminium revolvers in 22 long rifle, due to the fact it

would encourage people to carry more often and get into the habit, than a bigger caliber that

would not lend itself to easy light weight carry as the 22 would.

The gun you leave at home will not help you one iota if you get into a situation.

You may as well carry a stick or rock if you don't have it with you.

Al

[JimC]

I just bought my first concealed carry gun in anticipation of Wisconsin finally passing it into law.

As a cop I carried a 9mm Smith for years, and got great use out of it. I switched to a .40 cal. Smith and got great use out of it, in fact I still have the .40cal. but  both are a little large for concealed carry.

I just purchased a 9mm KelTec, and have just finished breaking it in and so far I really like it. It is small, (lightest and narrowest 9mm made to date) It is not a weapon for most ladies though, it does have a kick due to its size.

 http://www.keltecweapons.com/our-guns/pistols/pf-9/

It's not expensive, it cost me less than $300 and that included the tax and the FFL transfer fee.  (plus, IT IS MADE IN THE USA)

Jim

[stormrider]

Really like my SA XD 40 Sub-compact. On the heavy side but that doesn't deter me from being armed.

[Spirited-6]

Big; Why do you feel your LCP 380 is not large enought ? How close do you want to be to your target ? 

[doubletee]

Really like my SA XD 40 Sub-compact. On the heavy side but that doesn't deter me from being armed.

If I had it to do over again, that's what I would've bought. I went with the XD 40, but not the sub-compact. The SC would be much easier for me to conceal.

[Sorcerer]

I have a XD 45 service 4". It is a big gun. The XD 9mm and 40 are a little smaller but not much. They do come in a compact with a shorter barrel and less capacity, but are the same thickness. I normaly carry A cw9 khar.

[Crazy Miles]

I'm sure you'll get plenty of response! There is a lot of very good carry guns.  My choice when wearing a sport jacket or blazer type coat over a tee shirt is the  1911  45 acp which I have  choices of size. If I'm in a boat, canoe, bike, hiking. I'll take my ported  Ruger sp 101   357. Again it's nice to have choices. 

[solo1]

it's always size and weight vs caliber.

Many choices.  I seem to always go back to a Smith .38 special Centennial hammerless airweight.  A good compromise.  Another last minute carry for maximum concealment even in a pair of shorts is the LAA Black Widow .22 Mag.  For those that say it's a sub mouse gun, yes, it is but still has good penetrating power at very close range.  The accuracy is surprising, much better than a Keltec 3AT that I had and much more reliable. Of course, only 5 shots and you're done.

[Garland]

I'm in the market for a good carry weapon with some stopping power. I have a .380 LCP now but want something bigger. I'm thinking Springfield XD 4 Inch Black Service Model .40 S&W but would a .38/.357 revolver be a better choice. I live in South Florida so we usually don't wear the type clothing that makes it easy to conceal. I'm open to suggestions.

I live in South Florida also. I own both .38 and .357 revolvers but consider those house guns rather than carry guns. I carry a Kahr P380 and am pretty happy with it. I can drop it in my pocket as an easy part of my edc and forget about it, vs. putting on a holster every day. If I felt I had to go bigger, than I would buy a low-profile compact single stack 9mm.

[Bama Red]

I like the Commander size 1911 in .45. Carry it most days, other carry guns are either a Taurus PT145, also in .45 ACP, or a Ruger LCR in .38 special with laser grips.

[Titan]

If you see me, you see me with my .380 KelTec.

I have many others. Have carried many others.

[bigvalkriefan]

Big; Why do you feel your LCP 380 is not large enought ? How close do you want to be to your target ? 

It's not that it's not big enough, it will do the job when needed. I would like another option. That's pretty much it.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

There are lots of good carry guns being made now. There is a new one being advertised you may not know about though. Ruger is making or will be soon their great little polymer .38 revolver in .357 with factory laser grips.

[Spirited-6]

it's always size and weight vs caliber.

I agree, if there is a danger close enought to be a "danger" than the 380 LCP will handle it. Let someone come in range to me or mine and be a threat and they will be fired upon.

[Pete]

+1 on the Colt Defender  (or something like it)
Light weight, easy to conceal yet full power .45 ACP.
Reliable, stainless and aluminum, rubber grips.

Would suggest that you also look at the SFS systems modification.
As it allows fully loaded carry with the hammer down and the safety on.

When the safety is moved to fire, the hammer automatically cocks.

Cylinder and Slide has the SFS kits.

[Serk]

...and here's another "Heck Yeah!" for the Springfield Armory XD Sub-Compact .40 S&W...

[Trynt]

Mine is a Glock 26.  Quite accurate considering the barrel length.

http://www.glock.com/english/glock26.htm

[Jess from VA]

Take a look at this for an economical but reliable CCW with more power and accuracy than your LCP.

http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=588&category=Pistol

Gunblast.com - Taurus PT709 9mm	powered by Aeva

http://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.htm?T=taurus+slim

[paps350]

The easiest to carry for me is my S&W 642 38 Special.To me it is a pain to carry any handgun in the summer with a pair of shorts and a tee shirt on.This hammerless gun fits neatly in my pocket and is easy to pull out. I know some will say that 5 rounds may not be enough but what is nice about a revolver is it will shoot everytime the trigger is pulled and that may not be the case with an automatic. When clothing makes it easier to conceal a holster I may carry my S&W 40 cal. with 13 rds.
One other thing about an automatic is if you own more than one it is very easy in time of need to get confused as each gun has a different safety or some have a safety and some do not so whichever you carry learn to be proficient with it.

[Chattanooga Mark]

Sig Sauer P239 in 357Sig, even better in SAS, Gen II. 

Mark
Sig Sauer: it changes everything.