The Ultimate Carry Gun?

I think that I saw the S&W Shield Plus described as the “Ultimate Carry Gun” on S&W’s website. I saw them describe the CSX the same way. I like a LOT of different handguns but having limited financial means, I often find myself selling one gun to purchase another. I sold my Ruger LCP II because after trying a S&W Bodyguard, I liked the feel of the Bodyguard much better. After a month of owning the BG380, Ruger came out with the LCP Max. So I sold the BG380 to a friend who wanted a pocket pistol and I purchased the LCP Max for its increased capacity. I sold my Sig P365XL because I was able to break even on it. I used the money to purchase a Kahr K9. I owned one years ago and I like the feel of an all steel pistol and I compare it’s ergonomics to that of a Browning Hi Power. It just feels great in the hand.

So, what features do you consider “the ultimate “ in a concealed carry handgun? What features in a handgun would make you say “this is enough, regardless of whatever else they come out with “?

Assuming for a moment that all guns are equally reliable, the following are things I consider a “must “:

Ergonomics, it has to feel good in the hand. To me, the Kahr K9 is about perfect. Both in feel and I like the extra weight of an all steel pistol. It carries well with a good belt (Kore) and holster.

Capacity: the gun gods are doing great things getting increased capacity in a small package. At 10-12 rounds I feel that I am adequately armed, especially with a spare mag. I don’t think that increased capacity is enough to sway me away from the excellent ergonomics of the K9.

Materials: my preference is for all metal construction. Never thought that I would own a “Tupperware” handgun. I did own a Shield for a while. I think that the Shield and Shield Plus make excellent concealed carry weapons.

I am intrigued by the new S&W CSX. If it’s ergonomics are up to par, I might be tempted to “upgrade “. I think that the CSX misses “the ultimate “ mark because it’s not DA/SA. Good ergonomics and DA/SA might be the pistol to make me say “this is good enough; no matter what else they come out with “. Excepting a phazer ala Star Trek!

A man wiser than myself once said the perfect carry gun is the one you have in your hand at the right time when the need arises.

I’d prefer the M&P 2.0 Compact 9MM but sciatica limits me to a 340PD. The “perfect” gun is the one you have with you when the ballon goes up. Select something that can always be with you. If you’re a newbie get some professional training and commit to regular range time.

It’s a P365 or P365X, with the frame mounted 1911ish safety.

The trigger on my 365 is remarkably nice, and gets better with more use. The 365X trigger isn’t quite as nice, yet.

I would love to carry a SA/DA pistol but the striker fired P365 or X with safety is quicker to get off a well placed first shot, no matter how much I’d prefer one of my SA/DA to win that important race.

I keep coming back to my 642.

Sig 365. Smooth trigger, VG sights, moderate recoil, accurate, an inch shorter than a 642, 2x the capacity for just 3 more ounces. Sig Sauer P365 vs Smith & Wesson Model 642 size comparison | Handgun Hero

Buy the gun, not the marketing.

It’s the one you shoot well and meets your needs.

Ruger LC9s Pro. Very reliable, plenty accurate and and easy to carry.

Plenty of choices and wish I could try em all but not possible. Will stick with my CS-9 which I am used to since 99.

There will always be new guns and new offerings. I just don’t have the time or desire to try out and upgrade to the latest and greatest.

So I carry a sw 637 aiwb or a colt defender 9mm aiwb. If I had no guns and was just getting started sure I might go with something else. But evertime you get a new gun to carry you need to practice a lot, get a new holster, which may take several tries to get it right, and so on. Time and money.

I’ve went through a lot of handguns over the years, and I still own many of them. If my agency allowed it, I would carry a lightweight 4” 1911 in 9mm. A 2” j frame had been my carry piece more than any gun without complaints. The second most carried handgun over the years has been a Glock 26/27, but once I went to a 43x I no longer like the old baby Glocks. I actually shoot a p365 a little better than a 43x, but I feel the 43x is a better fighting gun. I do own a 40 Shield just so I can have something in 40, and it really doesn’t feel much different than the 9mm shields that I used to love so much.

If I had to commit to one carry gun for the next several years, I would pick the p365 for its versatility even though I carry a 43x.

Pef said:

There will always be new guns and new offerings. I just don’t have the time or desire to try out and upgrade to the latest and greatest.

So I carry a sw 637 aiwb or a colt defender 9mm aiwb. If I had no guns and was just getting started sure I might go with something else. But evertime you get a new gun to carry you need to practice a lot, get a new holster, which may take several tries to get it right, and so on. Time and money.

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So what features would you look for in a ccw that would make you say “this is good enough “. The one that is good enough no matter what new pistol comes down the pike?

Any one of the guns you bought and traded or sold would work just fine for your purposes.

There’s no ultimate. Whatever somebody says it is will be eclipsed by something else later. The current groupthink says the 365 is today’s It-Girl. Before long the bloom will be off the rose on that one too.

The hardware - guns, caliber, bullet construction, sights, grips, capacity - is the least important part of the self-defense equation to me. The software - awareness, competence, cool headedness, and knowing when and (especially) when not to do anything - is what carries the day. Just my opinion, of course.

Personally, I think they could have stopped in 1903! But buying new guns is fun and I like it as much as anybody.

I have to agree with the comment about the best one being the one you have when you need it. The one you will carry and not leave at home. For me that went from a Sig 238 to a Ruger LCP and now a SA 911- pretty much a 238 clone- in the pocket for warm weather and a j frame in winter. I admit to being lazy about it. But at least I'm consistent......

9 years ago my pocket carry gun and I exchanged vows.

I promised my carry gun that I would never cheat on it and I haven't.

That j-frame in your pocket is much better than the fancy high-capacity polystriker that decides to eject its mag or have something inadvertently depress its trigger.

Depends on the "mission"..................


3" S&W K-frame since 1986 ....... Models 65 then 66..... 1980s CC and todays " Penn's Woods" guns

Beretta 92 Compact since 1988....... now a 15+1 gun.

W German Sig 220 since 1989 ..... added a Sig 245 in 94

3913/3913NL since 1990.......... my most common EDC

Shorty-9 since 1995... when I feel the need for more than 8+1

3" S&W Model 60-10 ...200ish


I own a number of other handguns ...... and have owned others that got traded off including three Glocks.

As someone said above ..... carry to address the "need" and one that works best for you!

The largest handgun, with the greatest capacity, and in a bonafide service caliber, that you can successfully carry and shoot well.

I'm not a fan of micro pistols.

The question of the best carry gun was figured out way back in the 30s. A Thompson sub machine gun under your long over coat

My Ruger LCP 380 in my pocket holster and either my Kahr or my Kel-Tec mini 9mm clipped inside my waistband at the small of my back using its integral clip. I'm a lefty, so the normal right-side clip works great for me that way. With the clip itself between the waistband and my belt it's hard to spot even when I'm wearing a tucked-in shirt.