Have You Found Your Perfect Handgun?

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

A handgun itself is a compromise. An EDC handgun for sure is a compromise. In my relatively low-to-no-threat environment, my Improved Model 56, AKA 2" Model 15, is the best compromise, loaded with Nyclad FBI loads. My second best gun is my other Improved Model 56, same loads.

If the threat from humans seems greater than near zero, my stainless Gov't Model Series 80 has proven reliable and tolerable all day long. Likewise my BHP Mk2, but its safety does not disengage automatically like the John Moses Browning design. It can probably be altered to do so, but I have not yet done that.

In my home environment, I sometimes carry only a 642 in the summer. That has nothing to do with perfect.

 

[ruger 22]

If you allow me three: When I worked---BHP and model 36 backup. Now retired---649-2 pocket carry.

 

[deputy584]

I carry an M&P45 on duty and off duty I carry a Model642, I just got a holster for my newly acquired Model65-3 and plan on carrying it as my "cooler weather" gun.

 

[Guevera]

Here lately, I have been relying on an ex-PD 3953 and am taking a surprising amount of pleasure in the DAO action. This is one of the surplus "N.P.D." guns sold recently:

 

[JaPes]

I've recently reconsidered my choice in carry pistols. In cold/winter carry I'm carrying a CZ 75D PCR.

My warm/hot weather carry gun is a Glock 43. I can shoot it well, but I don't enjoy it one bit. I liked the G43 over the Sig P938, but I've come to realize that a small semi-auto might not be for me.

 

[otasan56]

My perfect CCW gun is my Glock 17. Long sight radius, 17-20 shots, hard-hitting. I OC here in VT/NH.

 

[OLDSTER]

Perfect handgun

As far as self defense is concerned, hands down, one of these two

 

[JaPes]

I would also posit that the right holster relative to the carrier is a major contributing factor in the perfect carry handgun debate. Given the wide variety of handguns, it is possible for anyone to find the handgun that feels perfect in their hand. Put that pistol in a holster that does not fit the user just right, and that that perfect gun in the hand won't carry well.

 

[BB57]

My 2 1/2" Model 66 is very close:

But I don't mind the 4 extra ounces, extra round and the (aftermarket) Meprolite Night sights on my 686+, which gives it the edge for revolver carry with .357 Magnum loads:

For semi-auto carry my favorite is the CZ 75 Compact:

Although I carried and FN SFS Hi Power for years and I still like it a lot - it's just a little too large for concealed carry.

However, when size does matter and I need something smaller under a tucked dress shirt with no jacket, these two are my favorites. I prefer the accuracy of the PPK/S, but the compactness and weight of the Kimber Micro:

 

[Bill Bates]

Have I found the perfect handgun maybe but I doubt I'll ever stop looking.

I have found one for everyday carry that is darn near perfect and that is the new Smith & Wesson M&P 45 Shield. I bought a 9mm Shield for the wife and it is okay but just never fit my paw. I've had a S&W 642 for years which is just so nice to toss in your pocket but I've always felt just a little under gunned.

The 45 Shield is one of those guns that when I first held it it felt just right in my hand. The Browning Hi-Power, along with commander size 1911s with a Ed Brown bobtail and my old 4 inch S&W transition .44 Special all have that feel. They all just feel comfortable and right; like an well worn pair of boots or dungarees. It shoots as good as it feels. It has a caliber that begins .4 which is what I prefer. On my belt it disappears.

 

[mrchuck]

Ok, here is my daily concealed carry, but first let me describe why.
I'm a 78 year old retired Federal lawman.
I got to keep my duty weapons when I retired.
My daily carry concealed weapons were the ones I carried on the job.
They are old and reliable.
I wear bathing trunks, T shirt, sneakers, and a ball cap with my favorite tractor on it everywhere I go unless it is something special like a County Meeting or an Alumni meeting.
My old issued KEL-TEC P-11 has their waistband clip on it.
It clips securely and does not fall off or anything.
Mt "T" shirt is never tucked in, but worn over the waistband.
That is 12 rounds of 9mm Luger hypo hollow points available instantly.
That is a lot of firepower.
If I feel the need for more "oomph", then I carry my Kel-Tec P-40 with waistband clip, holding 10 rounds of 40sw hollow points. I have qualified with both.
They are my old friends from the early 1980's and used by me back then.
In my collection, I have other weapons that qualify as a "carry" piece.
But for my daily attire, I trust what I has protected me in the past and let me be able to attain my present old age.
Yes, I have other snub-nose revolvers and holsters for concealed carry, but my favorites are the "Kel-Tec's" with the waistband clips.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Kel-Tec didn't start making the P-11, or anything, until 1995 . . . ?

Also, I'm unaware of a federal agency that has ever issued Kel-Tec. Not saying somebody didn't, just curious to hear who it was . . .

Ok, here is my daily concealed carry, but first let me describe why.
I'm a 78 year old retired Federal lawman.
I got to keep my duty weapons when I retired.
My daily carry concealed weapons were the ones I carried on the job.
They are old and reliable.
I wear bathing trunks, T shirt, sneakers, and a ball cap with my favorite tractor on it everywhere I go unless it is something special like a County Meeting or an Alumni meeting.
My old issued KEL-TEC P-11 has their waistband clip on it.
It clips securely and does not fall off or anything.
Mt "T" shirt is never tucked in, but worn over the waistband.
That is 12 rounds of 9mm Luger hypo hollow points available instantly.
That is a lot of firepower.
If I feel the need for more "oomph", then I carry my Kel-Tec P-40 with waistband clip, holding 10 rounds of 40sw hollow points. I have qualified with both.
They are my old friends from the early 1980's and used by me back then.
In my collection, I have other weapons that qualify as a "carry" piece.
But for my daily attire, I trust what I has protected me in the past and let me be able to attain my present old age.
Yes, I have other snub-nose revolvers and holsters for concealed carry, but my favorites are the "Kel-Tec's" with the waistband clips.

 

[Amp]

I keep going back to a j frame for carry.
But inside my home there are other choices.

 

[BigCityChief]

No - and I hope I never do. It will justify further acquisitions as I continue my "quest."[emoji846]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

No Mickey mantle home run Louisville slugger with a ball and glove in the back seat of the car?

My buddy had a 2" box wrench. For tightening up 2" nuts.

Does hickory count?

 

[OLDSTER]

Perfect hand gun

Hand gun perfection defined

 

[getoff]

an LCP is a daily and constant in my EDC. that said, a Glock 36 with +1's on mags is my go to these days. love and cherish my Hi-powers, 1911's and J's, but like the warm fuzzy i get from .45acp...

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

My best carry gun is confidence, caution, being aware, practice to the point it comes natural, speed, agility, reading a situation, and whatever I have with me.

 

[diyj98]

I've wanted to carry 1911's, various Glocks, Sigs, 357 mags, 38 specials, etc., but for my lifestyle an LCP in my pocket has proven to be the one. I just don't want to carry fanny packs, or wear vests, funky cover garments etc. And hard as I try, a 38 snub in most of my paints pockets just bulges too much for my tastes when I'm sitting.

 

[cstep]

Dont think i have found my perfect carry gun but have found some that come darn close for my purposes. My lcp w/ crimson trace laser is my go to carry gun. Kahr K9 is my second most carried. My Glock 19 is probably next in line.