Concealed Carry

[robin]

signed up for a course next month for a Florida non resident cc gonna cost a few bucks but could not get one here in Jersey now i need to find a smaller gun than the 357 i have to carry with me on trips any suggestions?

[big d]

wow, you just opened up a whole big can of worms with that question. better get ready. only sugestion i have for you is to go to a gun store and figure out what feels right in your hand.

[MP]

Since it sounds like you are used to wheel guns, a SW Police Special in 38, 2" barrel, is a nice gun.  I have a used one I bought, conceals nice, carries good.

I know some will say unless you have at least a .45, you might as well throw rocks, but a 38 packs pretty good punch, is concealable is small frame size, ammo easy to get, and no mechanicals like an auto.

MP

[Fla. Jim]

For up close and personal, and looks like a pocket knife in your pants. NAA 22 mag 5 shot  revolver.

[gregk]

 I prefer a Ruger blackhawk 327 Mag.  but still havent applied for a permit yet and don't see why you need to have one on a trip. If your going to be scared of everything your probebly better of staying home.

[Pappy!]

X2 on what Jim has in his hand.....one of the very best. The magnum version can go through walls alot easier and depending on where you may have to use it you may end up hitting someone else by mistake. The standard .22 is all you need.
A buddy of mine has been carrying one of those for more years than I care to count. So concealable its amazing. The folding model is the one on my radar now. Just a little thicker but very small and lethal package.

[Jess from VA]

Revolver or auto?

I have a 5-shot J-frame .38, but they are really an experts weapons, and hard to be accurate with for any distance.  Though bigger and all steel heavier, I like the Mod 10 or 15 Smith 6-shot K-frames in 2" bbls.  You need to find one used. The K-frame trigger is far superior to any J-frame trigger (esp in double action shooting).  3-inch bbl K-frames are fantastic, but rare and expenisve.

Mod 10 fixed sights


Mod 15 adj sights
http://cdn2.armslist.com/sites/armslist/uploads/posts/2011/07/20/164990_01_smith_wesson_combat_masterpiec_640.jpg

For small (but not tiny) carry, I like Kahr autos...... P9 3.5" 9mm.  I like the 9 MM in small carry for lighter weight, easier recoil and back on target, and more rounds.  Right out of the box, this pistol if very accurate if I do my part.  All Kahrs are very accurate, and all are DAO with a revolver-like trigger pull.  You can get the PM Model shorter 3" bbl pistols for cheaper with traditional instead of the polygonal rifiling of the P9.  Also in .40/.45

P9


PM9


Whatever you get, I'd take the course with your regular larger .357 (with .38s), if you can.    

[Jess from VA]

The problem with 22 mag is it loses a great deal of its power in a short bbl.  I was looking at an 8-shot Taurus 2" snub in 22mag, then punted.  Once the bbl is at 2" the ballistics of the 22mag are only marginally better than 22LR.  The 22mag is really a rifle cartridge... to get everything out of it.

But note, Hornady and Speer now list 22 WMR ammo specifically for short barrel guns.

http://www.hornady.com/store/22-WMR-45gr-Critical-Defense
http://www.speer-ammo.com/products/short_brl.aspx

[Flrider]

I just took my CC course last month and sent all my paperwork in the first week of this month
They are saying that due to the amount of applications, it can take anywhere between 8 to 12 weeks for it to be processed.
Meanwhile, I got a Glock 26 9mm.
Shot it a couple of times at the range and feels comfortable to me plus is small enough to carry.

Good luck on your CC course, mine ended up costing me $78 plus $112 for the application.

[Denny47]

I shouldn't even bother to comment on gregk's post but, I would rather be armed and not need it than to need it and be without. Lots of nuts running around. I carry a Glock 27 in .357 S&W, very controllable and not too large. Qualified with it the first time I fired it. I would suggest that you check the rules on carrying. Here it Oklahoma, if you use a revolver to take the cc course, you cannot carry a semi-auto. If you use the semi-auto, you are licensed for the semi-auto, revolver and derringer. Don't know about other states requirements. Also a .22 for the course is cheaper and easier to shoot.

[scoobydoo]

Robin, I carry a Ruger 380 LCP. Can ride all day long with it tucked in the small of by back in a inside the waistband holster. Small enough just a shirt will cover it, just let it bag at the bottom.
Scooby

[WayneH]

This is my choice for a motorcycle carry.  S&W 38 hammerless (not exactly  Airweight.

Lightweight, small, and doesn't ever snag when being extracted from a motorcycle jacket pocket.

[NW roller]

Carry what you are comfortable with. Hell I have a friend who swears by his full size 1911. He is a big guy. Also carry what you can shoot and shoot well. Practice a whole bunch till it becomes muscle memory.

[Chattanooga Mark]

Sig Sauer P239 in 357Sig or a 2.5" Ruger SP101 in 357Mag.

All the best,

Mark

[RoadKill]

KelTec P3AT  

[Chiefy]

I carry a Ruger LC9.  It's small enough to carry in my pocket.   I also carry it IWB. 

[Phil57]

I prefer a Ruger blackhawk 327 Mag.  but still havent applied for a permit yet and don't see why you need to have one on a trip. If your going to be scared of everything your probebly better of staying home.

Read a story of a older woman interviewed about her choosing to CC. I don't reambering the whole store but it went something like this....
What handgun do you carry? Well I carry a Ruger 380 in my purse and a Glock in a waistband holster. I also have a 357 in my car. What are you afraid of? Older woman answers absolutely nothing.

[fudgie]

Do like big d says, go try them on, so to speak. What ever fits good in your hands and decide if you want auto or rev.

I got a Bersa .40  auto and Kit has a Taurus rev ultra light in .38. We both got a Taurus TCP as a BUG or when out at the club when our primary is not really a good idea.

[98 T]

 I like the Beretta Nano...a very small weapon- fits in a lot of places. Very slim with no exterior levers or slide release.  I shot a lot of small  9mm gun at the gun store (my store, you can try before you buy- $8 to rent any one of 40 different guns)..none of the small ones are "fun" to shoot, but the Nano was the more comfortable to shoot than about any other small 9mm semi-auto I tried. 

If I want more comfortable to shoot but  a step larger, but still pretty easy to carry--  Glock 19.

I'm looking at  a   S&W  Airweight .38 for my wife to carry - she doesn't want to deal with the slide on an auto.  A .38 is as simple as it gets to operate - you don't have to think about anything.    The problem is the local shops are all sold out ....shoulda picked one up 2 months ago when you could still find them on store shelves!

[Jess Tolbirt]

i carry a kel-tec p-32 on my belt and let my shrirt cover it,,, i wear a t shirt tucked in

[BF]

I've been looking at these.....

http://www.ruger.com/products/lcp/models.html

http://www.keltecweapons.com/our-guns/pistols/p-3at/

but I'm leaning towards the Ruger

[Doc809]

I carry a Baretta 32 Tomcat in a wallet holster.  Perfectly concealed. Looks like a wallet in my front pocket.  One round in the barrell (it pops up). Seven in the mag.  First pull is double action, next seven are single action. Not a range gun but perfect for personal protection.

[B]

Yep... the can-o-worms is open.

No 'one size fits all' here.
Try not to get 'bit by the bug'; "I want one of each!"   

[Spirited-6]

Robin, I carry a Ruger 380 LCP. Can ride all day long with it tucked in the small of by back in a inside the waistband holster. Small enough just a shirt will cover it, just let it bag at the bottom.
Scooby




Robin, if you don`t think the LCP will do the job. Go see "PARKER" . It`s not the size but how you use it.
OR, you could carry a 02 TANK like I do !!!!  I think the # 1 guy is OK. Wife said he was sitting up as we pulled out of the garage. I should have stopped and picked up his "blade"

[MAD6Gun]

 I carry either a Ruger LCP in a pocket or a Glock 36 45ACP in a inside the waistband holster depending on the situation. I also have a Ruger SP101 357 in my truck. Can still carry that if I needed to.

I had a pocket holster for the LCP but since I put a laser site on it,it will not fit in that holster anymore so I just drop it in a pocket......

[Phil57]

When I read posts like this I'm reminded of the Senator from the great state of Texas Phi Gramm when he ran for President. He was asked how many guns he owned and he replied "more than I need but not as many as I want" it didn't do him any good in the polls but it sure is the truth. Lots of great sugustions here I'd like to have one of each please.  

[czuch]

We went to the buy back here and I was lucky enough to get a .38 Lady Smith.
Brand new in the original bag. Sweet little old lady,,,$50.00 was good enough for her.
I like it alot. It dissapears in my pocket.

[solo1]

A Smith Centennial 38 Special hammrless, or a Bersa .380 semiauto, or a LAA .22Mag very small gun.

All can be carried in a pocket holster.   1911, Desert Eagle .44 mag, just about any big gun works.

Now that we got that out of the way, what about oil or car tires?

[Trynt]

+1 on the PM9.

[FLAVALK]

I've been looking at these.....

http://www.ruger.com/products/lcp/models.html

http://www.keltecweapons.com/our-guns/pistols/p-3at/

but I'm leaning towards the Ruger

I've got both and would advise the Ruger. Nothing wrong with the KelTec, it's just that the LCP looks better

[bigguy]

I started with a Ruger LCP .380. It's a nice little gun and has never given me any trouble as long as I keep the cheap Tula steel case crap out of it. It's a fun gun to shoot, but it's not fun to shoot. What I mean is that it let's you know when you're sending lead downrange with more recoil than you'd expect from a .380. After a hundred rounds or so, you're hand is going to be sore. Also, the sights look to be almost an afterthought. The LCP is really intended for extremely close, point and shoot.
After carrying it for a while I decided I wanted a little more punch. 9mm is cheap, common, and easy to get. I looked seriously at the Ruger LC9 because it is almost identical to my LCP. I started thinking about something easier to shoot and aim, but still concealable. The Ruger SR9 is easy on the hands and accurate enough for self defense, but just a tad large for my taste when it comes to concealing. Happily, there is a magic in between, the SR9c.

I carry it in a Deep Concealed Ultra Shoulder holster, under my shirt.
The LCP is my BUG, carried in the right hip pocket in a pocket holster.

I like them and will happily recommend them.

[fudgie]

I've been looking at these.....

http://www.ruger.com/products/lcp/models.html

http://www.keltecweapons.com/our-guns/pistols/p-3at/

but I'm leaning towards the Ruger

Check out the Taurus TCP also. Same as the LCP. The TCP seemed to fit my hand better then the LCP. Felt more like a 'gun' if you will.

[fudgie]

When I'm at home outside in the barn/field I'll carry a Heritage SA .22 6 1/2" Revolver. Very good gun for the price. I do get looks when I run into town with it on my hip.  

[Chillerman]

The Sig P290 is a great little gun. It's a little heavier than some CC weapons but is solid as a rock! I have the laser sights installed.

[Chrisj CMA]

This is my choice for a motorcycle carry.  S&W 38 hammerless (not exactly  Airweight.

Lightweight, small, and doesn't ever snag when being extracted from a motorcycle jacket pocket.

I have this exact gun.......its rated for +p and it comes in a no lock model which is what I have and recommend.  Very comfortable to carry and shoot and its very accurate

[Clark]

WOW ..A GUN THREAD!!!!  ON THE VRCC..IMAGINE THAT.. BERSA PRO THUNDER 45 IN A NATE SQUARED TACTICAL IWB HOLSTER..DONT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT

[Wetrudgeon]

Before you make a final decision we recommend you have a close look at the Glock 36.  Light and smooth of edge and easy to hide.  Six rounds of .45ACP.  We think it is about as good for carry as there is.

We trudge on.

[FLAVALK]

WOW ..A GUN THREAD!!!!  ON THE VRCC..IMAGINE THAT.. BERSA PRO THUNDER 45 IN A NATE SQUARED TACTICAL IWB HOLSTER..DONT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT

Your point?

[PAVALKER]

 My EDC is a KelTec P3AT in a rear pocket wallet holster (opposite my wallet of course)....Sometimes I have others carried along as well. But if you are liking wheel guns....  Taurus makes some nice small ones.    The ones pictured below are (left to right)    Taurus 455 .45ACP 5 shot Revolver.    Taurus 905 9mm 5 shot Revolver and  a Taurus M94 .22 9 shot Revolver.    They go with my semi autos quite well, and eat the same food.   I do have a S&W Model 10-6 .38 but  not shot that in quite a few years.

[lifguardct]

S&W M&P Shield, 9mm or 40, I have it in 9mm. Less than 1" wide, carry in or out of WB with a shirt over...

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_809560_-1_780153_757781_757781_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y