Hello, Just got my concealed carry permit just wondering what you all think is a good ccw pistol. Thanks,Jon

I would start off with a M&P9c

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Don't look, reload and shoot!

Thankfully there are no one-size-fits-all guns. There are way too many variables to give you a single definative answer.

The concealed carry/self defense equation is made up from several different decisions which you must make.

Areas of consideration are training, practice, a good holster and belt, decent caliber, situational awareness/mindset, and tactics.

The only way for you to make a GOOD decision is to go and rent some guns and see what you like.

How does the gun fit your hand? Can you handle the recoil and get back on target quickly? Is it what you want to conceal? Can you conceal it? Is it accurate and reliable? Can you afford to shoot the gun regularly?

Make a list of guns that you like and then ask for opinions.

Good luck!

My most often carried ccw is an all steel snub nosed revolver. However, there are many good concealed carry options. The previously mentioned M&P9c is an excellent choice, that would be relatively inexpensive to shoot.

It depends more upon your training and preference in hardware, myself I feel comfortable carrying anything I own. While some are better suited than others, I.E. size and weight wise I have absolutely no issue with carrying a 4" 357 or a full size semi. Holster selection and method of carry I feel play more of a role for toting around the extra weight.

I personally don't think it gets much better then a S&W 642-2 with your choice of grips and holster loaded with good quality +P 38spl ammo. JMHO, YMMV.

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S&W M642-2,
ATI 1911a1, 4.25"

Take Kanewpadle's post to heart. Well said!

I would add that J Frames are great to carry - and are relatively hard to shoot well as compared to many larger handguns. Good training and correct practice are key - especially with a J Frame.

I carry a Glock 26 and/or a J Frame daily. But you must make up your own mind.

Short answer: Whatever reliable gun you shoot well and are willing and able to practice with and carry consistently.

Kanewpadle has some good advice. Ultimately you will just have to try a variety of guns (and ammo...and holsters...etc.) to find out what works for you. We've all been through the trial-and-error process to figure out what works best for us. For some of us we were able to figure it out fairly quickly. For some of us the process never ends.

Welcome to the club!

The suggestion to rent various firearms to check out
your likes and dislikes is right on the money. It would be worth
travelling quite a ways to do so. Money spent on gas doesn't
come close to the amount you'll save by not buying something
that doesn't suit you. I found That out, the hard way!
Good luck, and I'm glad you got your permit. TACC1

I have the 637 and................
Ruger lcp
Ruger lc9
Ruger sr9
Ruger sr9c
Springfield XD 40 subcompact
Not sure any ONE is perfect but they all serve an intended purpose. Ask me how many holsters I have after 8 months of carrying concealed.

A Glock 27, you can buy them all day long and they go bang everytime you pull the trigger.If you have to use it and it gets locked and craved up by the police...its no big deal,just go buy another one.Just my thoughts,Good luck

Where will you carry it?
What do the local laws require?
Is there any literature on line from Local Law Enforcement about their carry rules?
Body type, common dress and location are a major factor. Do you have multiple seasons which require different weapons? A guy working alone in winter bear country has a whole different outlook that a bloke in KeyWest whose crews swab out the local gin joints at Oh-Dark-Hundred.
Geoff
Who uses small flat automatics in the land of shorts and spandex. ;-)

+3 on the "go rent a few and see what you like"! Gas is much cheaper than the wrong weapon! Once you nail that down (it will change hundredy11 times) then you start with holsters.
Whatever you decide, make sure YOU are comfortable with your choice! Because if something you had to settle for, you won't be happy with it, then you won't carry it and you just wasted your money!
On the Choices, So many weapons, so little time! ENJOY!!!!

Glock 36 a 45acp for belt carry.

S&W Mod 60 357 with a 3 inch barrel for belt carry when I want to change up and carry a revolver.

S&W Mod 638 with CT lasers grips for pocket carry.

I just got my permit a year ago also and never really had any interest in pistols until then when things started taking place and my interest peaked . So I looked around and found a s&w sigma 9ve . I carried for a while concealed IWB works but not comfortable so now carry openly . I like the gun ,trigger takes a little getting used to though . I also carry an xd 45 .. I regularly shoot both but my 9 more often due to cheaper ammo .I decided what I wanted to shoot and never really talked with anyone , just jumped right in , so far works for me . Just went by how it fit and felt in my hand . My Wife carries a Ruger LCP with a sidemout lazer , way to small for my hand but fits har well and will do the job well when required. That is how I did it ,to each his own. Good luck .

Make SURE IT FITS YOUR HAND. Next, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE with it. If the situation would ever occur, God Forbid, it will occur FAST, UP CLOSE and PERSONAL. It it may be SHOOTING at YOU and ADRENALIN will play a very active part in your reactions.

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

+1 on the M&P9c....such a sexy gun

Agreed... my carry piece is my trusty Makarov in 9x18....fits very well inside waist band....has been my sidekick since '94...

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Guns,Harleys,Jeeps. 'nuff said

There is a lot of good advise here and nothing I can really add as to gun selection. CCW carries with it an awsome responsibility and toward that end I recommend a couple of things. First, get a copy of Mass Ayoob's "Gravest Extrmeme." Although a bit dated it is packed with things most people do not consider before packing a gun, but should. Next get a copy of his (same author) "Ten Commandements of Concealed Carry." Again, excellent info especially for those new to CCW.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Way to many variables to answer your question. How are you going to carry (pocket, back pocket, IWB, OWB, tucked, untucked, etc.). Where are you going to carry? What is your wardrobe of choice/required wardrobe for work? I could go on and on. Go take a CCW class from a reputable purveyor in your area and experiment with as many guns as possible.

Sig P229R, Sig P6, Beretta 92fs Centurin, and a S&W 5903TSW are in my rotation and occcasionaly a Bersa Thunder 380. I guess it all depends on what you feel comfortable with and, as someone else already said there is NO one size fits all type.

Don't want to mis-quote, but someone said your CCW should be comforting, not necessarily comfortable. I take it to mean what you feel competent with. Have only had my CHL little less than a year now. Like others have said, I carry whenever I leave the house (sometimes in the house, ha ha!). Cant carry at work (chem. co.). Have been working on carrying my Sigma at all times, just cause I like it! ALWAYS be safe, study state laws, keep looking at this (and other) forums for ideas, etc.

Find a pistol that suits you, and then find a way to conceal it

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Just the opinion of a kid

I have gone through a few. If I could have only one it would be a M&P 340 with crimson trace grips.

It may not be for everyone, but the gun that I carry all the time is a 9mm Makarov. Sometimes a Bulgarian, sometimes an East German. They are very reliable, very accurate, and very affordable.

Hands down.....
S&W M632