Concealed carry thoughts

[Jessie]

It's a known fact that handguns are an inferior means in a gun fight.
That being known, caliber and capacity is important. I don't think that a duty size weapon is critical to the concealed carry civilian.
Concealabity is the most important factor. Shootabilty is next.
Barrel length is not really a factor unless you're talking 6"+.
Slide width and grip length determine a guns conceal ability.
The grip length is most important for concealability.
Barrel length really doesn't matter much.
Consider whether capacity or caliber is your determining factor.
I like caliber, so I have chosen .45, but that's me. YMMV, but barrel length should not be a factor. You can hide a long barrel down your pant leg with the right holster.

 

[PPS1980]

Reliability is the #1 prime consideration without exception. A weapon, of any type, that is not serviceable for whatever reason is more dangerous than being unarmed in many circumstances.

 

[BAM-BAM]

YMMV, but barrel length should not be a factor. You can hide a long barrel down your pant leg with the right holster.

LOL..............unless you have to sit down!



I can do a 4" 19/66 but prefer a 3" or 2 1/2......... no way I could do a 6"barreled revolver IWB....... that said I can do a 5" 1911 or 4.7" Beretta 92........... but barrels measure differently..... A 6" revolver (barrel and cylinder) would be equivalent to about a 8" auto "barrel" which includes the chamber.

 

[Rowlette]

Any weapon in good operating condition is better than nothing. The rest is just preference.

Laughing at oneself and with others is good for the Soul!

 

[Mainsail]

It's a known fact that handguns are an inferior means in a gun fight.

Well known by whom exactly? What kind of gunfight? Who is involved in this gunfight; military, police, or citizens?

That being known...

It's not.

...caliber and capacity is important. I don't think that a duty size weapon is critical to the concealed carry civilian.

As opposed to military concealed carry? I carried the M9 concealed from the time it came to the AF until I retired. Now as a citizen I carry full size pistol daily.

Concealabity is the most important factor.

Hogwash.

There is no law whatsoever here in WA that requires concealed carry. I may carry openly, poorly concealed, mostly concealed, and totally concealed all within the same hour.

If concealment isn't required by law, why on earth would I prioritize it higher than how well I can shoot my carry gun? I would rather poorly conceal a gun I shoot well, than completely conceal a small gun I shoot poorly.

As this is entirely dispositive, the rest of your post is moot.

 

[BAM-BAM]

It's a known fact that handguns are an inferior means in a gun fight.
.

Mainsail; my take on the comment; I think he means stopping power vs a long gun in a rifle caliber.

I do agree with your comment on concealment. Half the folks you see have a bulge on their belt..... a phone or smart device........ and most folks LOL are mostly oblivious to what's going on around them as they are looking at their cell phone or smart device.

 

[NYlakesider]

First rule of a gunfight is bring a gun.

When I lived in the city and now on the rare occasion I go to the city a .45 is with me (Today a Springfield XDs, back when I live in the city a full size 1911)

Now for just casual carry I am carrying a Ruger LCR .38) Its small and light and I just grab it and the holster and stick in my pocket when leaving house. I'm not a cop I'm not looking for trouble so unless the situation worsens the little gun is what I carry.

 

[Jessie]

Bam bam you are correct. A handgun beats a knife but not a long gun or shotgun.
As far as concealabity, Virginia is also open carry. So what? I'm talking about carrying a usable handgun that no one knows about.
Carry what you want on your belt. We can and do, I'm talking about carrying the best gun that's not obvious.
I'm not talking about the law.

 

[federali]

I'll have to Disagree

The miniaturization of handguns has, in some cases, crossed an imaginary line where shootability is seriously compromised. Obtaining a quick grip on a gun that only allows a two-finger grip is much more uncertain than with a three-finger grip. The little finger instantly tells you exactly where you are on the grip.

In calibers like the .45 ACP, barrel length matters. The bullets are more difficult to accelerate and hollow points sometimes have insufficient velocity to perform as advertised. The .380 ACP, generally considered the minimum effective SD cartridge, cannot afford to lose velocity by whittling the barrel down to nothing for pocket carry.

The average citizen does not have as much need for high capacity as would a uniformed police officer who would more likely face determined criminals not likely to back down upon receiving return fire. Hence, the resurgence of both the single-stack semi-auto and the five and six shot revolvers.

 

[Walkingwolf]

Bam bam you are correct. A handgun beats a knife but not a long gun or shotgun.
As far as concealabity, Virginia is also open carry. So what? I'm talking about carrying a usable handgun that no one knows about.
Carry what you want on your belt. We can and do, I'm talking about carrying the best gun that's not obvious.
I'm not talking about the law.

I can conceal a LAW rocket under a trench coat, that would not be obvious. OTH a woman, or sometimes a man, can conceal a Desert Eagle in a large enough purse.

Can't remember where, but somewhere overseas a terrorist concealed a semi auto rifle in a beach umbrella. Nobody knew until he started cutting people down.

 

[dben002]

Mainsail; my take on the comment; I think he means vs a long gun in a rifle caliber.

I do agree with your comment on concealment. Half the folks you see have a bulge on their belt..... a phone or smart device........ and most folks LOL are mostly oblivious to what's going on around them as they are looking at their cell phone or smart device.

You are so correct !!!!!! I do believe you could walk around with 2 pearl handle 45's (General Patton Style) and never be noticed by the cell phone addicted textaholic's and game app players everywhere.......

 

[Mister X]

A handgun beats a knife but not a long gun or shotgun.

Not always IMO.

 

[Mainsail]

Bam bam you are correct. A handgun beats a knife but not a long gun or shotgun.

Except a handgun has beaten a rifle and/or shotgun (long guns collectively). It may not be optimal, but you use what ya got.

I'm talking about carrying a usable handgun that no one knows about....I'm talking about carrying the best gun that's not obvious.

OK, but why is that important? How does someone knowing or not knowing affect your ability to stop the threat if you have to go to guns? If 'usable' is your criteria, then the gun is going to be harder to conceal.

Not trying to beat you up but you're presupposing a lot of false facts and you aren't making a logical argument.

My question remains: If concealment isn't required by law , why on earth would I prioritize it higher when choosing a carry gun?

 

[BAM-BAM]

. A handgun beats a knife but not a long gun or shotgun.
.

The choice of the "best weapon" is a little like a game of "Rock-Paper-Scissors"


A rifle is better than a handgun in''stopping" power and at distance

a handgun is better than a knife ( most of the time)

and a knife can be a better weapon than a rifle at bad breath distance.

and so on and so on..............................

 

[TomkinsSP]

Guns in general...
1. If it don't go bang, its just a poorly designed club.
2. If you don't (composure or training) or can't (ergonomics or recoil) hit the target its just a loud noisemaker.
3. If you can hit the target where you aim (ie left eye socket), a 32 s&w is as deadly as a 460 Roland.
4. If you can hit the target where you aim, having four left-over bullets (J frame) is good. Having fourteen doesn't help that much more.
5. Practice makes it easier to hit where you aim.

Specific to consealed carry...
Remember #3

On the job the most .38 special LSWC I needed in a fight was 12, against 3 armed assailants. Duty load was 23. Civilians should be ok with fewer. Say two loaded J frames and 5 loose rounds unless you plan to miss a whole lot.

 

[Ray1970]

I see it as a pretty basic thing when it comes to carrying a handgun.

1- carry the weapon. It obviously won't do you much good if you're not carrying it.

2-reliability is the most important fact in a defensive sidearm. You can draw it fast as lightning and get it pointed where it needs to be but if you squeeze off a shot and all you get is a "click" and not a "bang" then it's pretty much pointless.

3- you must be as proficient and accurate as possible with whatever it is you're carrying. One good shot with just about any caliber is likely to save you better than three or four bad placed shots with any whiz bang magical man stopping caliber.

Oh, and the best shot you'll ever have to make in defense of your own life is the one that you never have to take. Situational awareness trumps just about everything when it comes to staying safe.

 

[eb07]

Shot placement

Shot placement

Shot placement

Caliber be damned

 

[Jessie]

Well known by whom exactly? What kind of gunfight? Who is involved in this gunfight; military, police, or citizens?

It's not.

As opposed to military concealed carry? I carried the M9 concealed from the time it came to the AF until I retired. Now as a citizen I carry full size pistol daily.

Hogwash.

There is no law whatsoever here in WA that requires concealed carry. I may carry openly, poorly concealed, mostly concealed, and totally concealed all within the same hour.

If concealment isn't required by law, why on earth would I prioritize it higher than how well I can shoot my carry gun? I would rather poorly conceal a gun I shoot well, than completely conceal a small gun I shoot poorly.

As this is entirely dispositive, the rest of your post is moot.

Handguns are inferior to long guns. Do you argue that?

 

[Walkingwolf]

Handguns are inferior to long guns. Do you argue that?

Yes, I will even argue a ice pick is superior to a long gun once jammed into the spine. We call that pithing, a technique used to put animals down for slaughter.

If you get pithed before you can shoot your long gun is worthless. It is not a matter of what, but who wins first.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Handguns are inferior to long guns. Do you argue that?

See post #14