Best concealed carry weapon???

tec69 · Jan 10, 2016

Best overall cc weapon?
Best overall caliber for ccw?

I've been around guns for all of my life, mostly shotguns and rifles for hunting. I know almost nothing about handguns. Having recently completed the CCW course and applied for my carry permit, I was wondering what the experts feel is the ideal carry weapon for a newbie like me? I have a couple of junky
9mm semi-autos, but after both of them jammed several times at the range the other day, I figured a revolver would be more reliable in the event of a true life or death encounter. I'm not trying to start any arguments here

, just want some ideas, especially with respect to caliber. Thank you all!

CH4 · Jan 10, 2016

I had a salami and Swiss sandwich for lunch...

Jimmyjones · Jan 10, 2016

The one that's with you, and hopefully the one you shoot the best.

I prefer revolvers.

Gamecock · Jan 10, 2016

I voted for best overall weapon.

Anywho, with double ought zero knowledge of your lifestyle, I suggest a 642-1 as a start.

murphydog · Jan 10, 2016

Short answer - there isn't "one"

.

Long answer - it sounds as though a range trip (one that rents guns, or with your experienced handgun using friends) is in order. If you are of average size and skills, you will probably decide on a 2-3" barrel .38 Special or .357 revolver, or a (reliable!) 3-4" barrel 9 mm/.40/.45 semi-auto. There isn't much to choose between these chamberings in terms of effectiveness with proper marksmanship.

Whichever you shoot well and will carry regularly is what is best for you. Good luck in your search.

petepeterson · Jan 10, 2016

The amount of choices can be overwhelming. I usually start someone out with a Glock 19 and a 3" Model 60 (provided they have been shooting before, or, if they haven't we start out with a .22 auto and wheelgun), just so they can get a feel for both types. Then I'll show them a DA and a SA auto.

Arik · Jan 10, 2016

Asking which gun is best is like asking which automobile is best.

Revolvers can jam like semi autos. I own 5 S&W revolvers and have owned 2 that I sold. Out of 7 revolvers. ...all older where quality was good.....2 of the 7 have had problems.

If you buy NOT JUNKY autos you may won't have problems. It's like buying a junky Corvair and claiming all cars are bad

Blackshirt · Jan 10, 2016

This question cannot be answered with the information provided. There are many factors to consider: who you must protect, ergonomics, weather, where you live...all these things will play a part in your decision. However, I generally say that if you are just protecting yourself and need something to help you break contact, a J-Frame snubbie in .38+P is tough to beat...

Old cop · Jan 10, 2016

I've been carrying a J frame of one sort or another for well over 40 years. I recently purchased the M&P .380 and carry it often but my comfort lies with the revolver. It's not perfect but nothing is. I had to use my issued revolver during my LEO career and it saved my life so some of this is emotional. Try them all, that's the fun part, and then buy and carry what works best for you. Once you decide, make regular range time a priority. Being a good shot under extreme stress is part luck, part skill, but is a perishable skill.

shotgun693 · Jan 10, 2016

The gun you chose is up to you. I saw dozens of people who had been shot are killed or wounded. I don't carry anything less than a .38 spl or a 9mm.

STEVESKI · Jan 10, 2016

You're in a revolver forum so you'll get a lot of revolver responses but I have a hard time believing any revolver would be better than a full size Glock in 9mm. Higher capacity. Reliability is there and 9mm is plenty powerful for self defense.

USAF385 · Jan 10, 2016

Best concealed carry gun?

Excluding reliability questions (each potential carry gun I get has to pass the same tests)...

It's the gun that you shoot the best with the most "potent" caliber and highest capacity that you will actually carry. The last part is the most important, followed by the firs part.

DR505 · Jan 10, 2016

A 1911 in .45 ACP. Or something else.

Pisgah · Jan 10, 2016

You want us to choose a wife for you, too? That's about what you are asking us to do.

For Pete's sake, man, get out there and date around.

ContinentalOp · Jan 10, 2016

Too many variables to give a concise answer. I'll share some of my thoughts in case it may help. Of course, my opinions are worth what you paid for them.

You said you're a novice when it comes to handguns. To me, that means you should get a gun that's easy to operate under stress, so I would go with a gun that doesn't have a manual safety and uses the same trigger pull for each shot. Obviously, this includes DA revolvers, but also semi-autos like Glocks, M&Ps, or even DAO/DAK Sigs. Of course, if you're willing to invest the necessary time, it'll open up other options like 1911s or DA/SA pistols.

I think any reliability differences between revolvers and semi-autos are negligible, if you pick good quality guns, feed them good quality ammo, and perform regular maintenance with them.

As much as possible, get something that you will 1) enjoy shooting and 2) will actually carry. You may enjoy shooting a full-size semi-auto, but if it's too big for you to carry regularly it won't do you any good as a carry gun. Similarly, if you get a small, deep concealment pistol that you can carry all the time but you HATE shooting it because of recoil, slide bite, etc., you're not going to practice with it as much.

Picking a carry gun is an exercise in compromises. The best advice I can give is to keep these thoughts in mind and try some different guns, either at a rental range or borrowed from other shooters you know, to find something that works for you.

JJEH · Jan 10, 2016

tec69 said:
Best concealed carry weapon???

The one that you can't see

Everything else is user preference.

jframejoey · Jan 10, 2016

I like em all. But if pick something from a major manufacturer starting with at least a .3 (i.e. .380, .38, .357 or 9mm) you should be well served. Dr.Lou has a good tactic as well: salami and Swiss sandwich for lunch..... flatulence .... its silent but deadly!

robertrwalsh · Jan 10, 2016

If there was "ONE" that is what everybody would carry. A lot of things come into play. How large a person are you, what will be your method of carry, are there caliber restrictions where you live, how recoil sensitive are you. etc etc etc. It is kind of like comparing a pickup truck to a Prius, they will both move you down the road but there are different in many ways. Revolvers are more operationally simple, if you are not a mechanical person they may be the way to go. Semi-automatics are easier to shoot well with practice, hold more ammo and are generally easier to conceal. Caliber is a consideration too. It is an immensely personal and practical set of variables to shuffle to come up with an answer.

Blackbarry · Jan 10, 2016

This poll makes no sense......

Brasky · Jan 10, 2016

Mg42 is all you need

Best concealed carry weapon???

What do YOU consider to be the ideal cc weapon?

Best overall cc weapon?

Best overall caliber for ccw?

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