I'm ending the voting today at 6:00 p.m. EST, 2/2/10. Get your votes in and I will tablulate the winner/winners of your opinion of best CC/beside gun.
Thanks,
Steve


Question: You own the following handguns. Which would you consider to be the best one to depend on to defend yourself as a general all around concealed carry/bedside handgun? Also, which factory load would you use in it? You can only pick one!


WALTHER PP BLUE .32 ACP
WALTHER PP HARD CHROME .32 ACP
KBI BABY BROWNING .25 ACP
NORTH AMERICAN ARMS GUARDIAN .32 ACP
SMITH & WESSON MODEL 60 2 INCH .38 SPECIAL
SMITH & WESSON MODEL 640 2 INCH .38 SPECIAL
SMITH & WESSON MODEL 640 2 INCH .38 SPECIAL
SMITH & WESSON MODEL 18 4 INCH .22 LR
SMITH & WESSON MODEL 66 6 INCH .357 MAGNUM
SMITH & WESSON MODEL 66 4 INCH .357 MAGNUM
SMITH & WESSON MODEL 66 2 ½ INCH .357 MAGNUM
SMITH & WESSON MODEL 686 4 INCH .357 MAGNUM
SMITH & WESSON MODEL 686+1 3 INCH .357 MAGNUM
SMITH & WESSON MODEL 629 6 INCH .44 MAGNUM
SMITH & WESSON MODEL 629 4 INCH .44 MAGNUM
SMITH & WESSON MODEL 63 4 INCH .22 LR
SMITH & WESSON MODEL 4506 .45 ACP
SMITH & WESSON MODEL 4566 .45 ACP
SIG SAUER P228 9MM
SIG SAUER P228R 9MM
SIG SAUER P6 9MM
SIG SAUER P230 .380 ACP
COLT COMMANDER SERIES 80 .45 ACP
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MIL-SPEC 1911A1 .45 ACP
GLOCK MODEL 19 9MM

Thanks for the imput!
Steve

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Steve

4" 629 with short barrel loads.
I can also use it to hunt and take game.


Jim

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Big bullets leave big holes

Four-inch M-66. Federal Hydrashok 158 JHP for most .357 use. I have some Remington 165 grain hunting loads for bears and the like. For indoors and congested areas, Remington .38 lead HP's.

T-Star

Perish the thought, but if I could only have one it would have to be a 4" M66 .357 Magnum. Short enough to conceal fairly easily, long enough barrel to get good velocity. Can shoot full power magnums or .38s. Stainless so no corrosion worries. It's as close as I can come to meeting all needs.
Now I don't want to think about it any more.

Why the .22s? I'd go with a 640....something I can have with me all the time...

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

4" M66 w/158gr .357 mag. & any major factory SJHPs

Glock 19 would be a good choice...



I carry one with a Kel-Tec back up.

GF

2" 60.......................

IMHO?
The 4" 66 or 686 for the reasons already listed above. It'd be a choice between the two on your part, for which is your personal favorite?
A 158 grain in one of the big 3's JHP's. But for that caliber, I'd be just as pleased with a 158 LSWC or LSWCHP.

I'd pick the Sig P230 for CC and bedside.

686+ dash 4 with 3 inch tube

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Sure you did

686 4", though I'd prefer the 6" tube.

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Regards, Ron
USASA 1965/69

Sig P228 or the Glock 19

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not limited by 30 characters

Quite a mixture of opinions! So far the 4 inch model 66 is in the lead.
Keep 'em coming!
Steve

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Steve

I'd have to settle on the Mil-Spec 1911a1, packable, powerful, and repairable by my self, with an aboundant supply of spare parts, and ammo out there.

My choice would be the 4 inch 629.

629 4" with specials for defense and mags for everything else

todd

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Blessed, not lucky

4" M66 or M686

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A real gun is a wheel gun

686+ 3". 7 shot, concealable, powerful, ammo available most everywhere. Would be loaded with 140 to 158 gr JHP.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

SMITH & WESSON MODEL 66 2 ½ INCH .357 MAGNUM 158 gr JHP..
should get the job done each and everytime you need it too.


Visit.

Pro-Gun Forums - Home

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John 3:16

If I can have long guns too then a 4-6" K-38 FBI load, If not, then a Thompson Contender.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

I would take the 686 4'' pre IL if it had the IL than the Springfield 1911 Mil spec would do.

I love the Colt 45, but they're too heavy for CC. I'd have to go with the Glock 19; I only own 3 of them. Federal 230 gr HPs for the Colt, Speer Gold Dots for the Glock.

Either the Colt or Springer. My personal go -to gun is a Kimber BP Ten II.
14 rounds of 45 a.c.p. light weight and quick. With trijicon T.F.O. sights and tuned for reliability.
I've just never been able to get further than the logic of a hi-cap 45.
No doubt I could hunt with it too.

Regards ,, Allen Frame

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NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

Model 66 4 inch...IMO

Four inch 629, Hopefully it's a Mountain Gun

Glock 19 9mm

4" M66, hands down.

T.

Of those listed, I'd probably go with the Glock 19 and load it with Speer 124 grain +P Short Barrel Gold Dots. However, it'd probably be a toss-up between the Glock and the 640 loaded with either Speer 135 grain +P Short Barrel Gold Dots or Buffalo Bore's FBI load. It's hard to beat a gun that can be slipped into one's pocket. I'd probably go with the 640 if I can have an XS Big Dot tritium front sight and a set of Eagle Secret Service grips.

Sir, FWIW, I'd pick the Commander, with Speer 230-grain Gold Dots if it'll feed them, hardball if it won't.

JMHO, and YMMV.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

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Wishin' don't make it so.

Given the parameters, I'd have to be blasphemous and go with the plastic gun. I'd pick some dependable 115 hp's to go in the mag, and carry two extra just in case. The thing will run forever with little or no maintenance, and truth be known you can use them for small game if need be. You can get 9mm ammo just about anywhere, and cheap (comparatively, anyway) to boot.

2" Model 60 .357 with Pac Compaqs and an XS Big Dot front sight, small enough to conceal easily and potent enough for serious social work...

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"Shall not be infringed"

Colt Commander with hardball.

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Georgia On My Mind

2.5 model 66 first choice
3" 686 second choice
Glock 19 third choice

Mod 60 2" .38. For self defense, I would/do use Nyclads.

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Misty

SMITH & WESSON MODEL 686+1 3 INCH .357 MAGNUM

Why? Adj. sight, one shot more than standard revolvers, huge ammo-field from 38 Special to .357 Mag., stainless material.

Swissman

M66 2.5" For carry and a nightstand gun, I think it'd be hard to beat it. It would conceal much better than the 4", and it ain't gonna matter on the bedside. 686+ 3" would be a close second.

Best CC or bedside gun from your list... not one gun for everything changes the game. I think some thought different here.

I own most of what you list or the equivalent have shot the ones ya mention that I don't have.

I was an anti Glock guy until a couple years back when I bought one... the first was a 17 then a 19 then a 26 They work and I don't feel bad carrying them or scratching them etc.

They spend A LOT of time in the roles you asked about. They work- are relatively cheap and if I loose one to the court system the next/replacement will be the same. They are the closest to a tool I own in a handgun. No real sentiment.

Local training has shown quite a few of us that used to keep a model 10 or 13 on the nightstand that the hit probabilities in the dark go way down even though we shoot those guns great in the light. Just about everyone who has gone through the classes/excersize now keeps a high cap and a light mounted or not. My Glock nineteen is the same size as the 3-4 inch k frame but holds almost three times the rounds... my little 26 holds almost double and reloads can be done with the 17 rounders on those frames.

Likely I will be getting another glock or three in the bigger calibers one of these days and I sure as heck am not gettin rid of my revolvers but the polymer auto's are staying too....

My M1911A1, but given your parameters the .45ACP Commander

I'd have to go with the Commander, plus anything I choose to feed it - it loves them all.

Good afternoon
I would have to go with the 629 with the 4". As a handloader & caster I could load round ball for bunnies and a 260 grain + for serious hunting. If I had to live "Off the Shelf" of stores I think I would be able to scrounge enough ammo to stay viable. Plus if I just have a mold I can use any other large primer cartrige to get componets and again reload my own with just a sharpened nail and a hammer of any type.
Sadly the model 57 was not included to pick from.

From the list...The one that I would pick, (drum roll please) The Colt Commander!!!




Load 'er up with Winchester Ranger 230gr. SXT +P for (AAA-O)

JMHO

Su Amigo,
Dave

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

oh, you found my shopping list. thanks !

4 inch 629. or colt commander

Dave, that Colt looks like it could tell a story or 3... nice grips !

I'm impressed that so many of you can CC a 4" L or N frame . Frankly I'm too short and fat to pull that off, which is why I chose the small semi-auto.

SMITH & WESSON MODEL 66 4 INCH .357 MAGNUM

Nothing else even comes close!

A good, stout 158 grain jacketed hollow point .357 Magnum load of some description.

629 no dash 4 inch, i could get by with just that, hope i never have too!

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WILL WORK FOR AMMO!

If I were choosing out of my own gun safe, it would be a 627 Eight Times Performance Center 357 magnum.

If I have to choose from your list, it's the Glock 19.

Out West

The Commander with 230 grain loads

God Forbid! But if I had to choose, model 66 4" with 125 grain +P's. Glad this is hypothetical, I could never give up my 1911's.

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Regards, Kent J

Since it has to do everything... the 66 2 1/2" loaded with Winchester Silvertips.