What are the things you value most in a carry gun?

[wbraswell]

Maybe this would come under ergonomics, but ease of operation. There's a reason S&W makes an EZ line. The gun can't be totally reliable if you can't operate it in a pressure situation. Visible sights, at 70 years old, I'm not interested in what passes for sights on old 1911s, and mid century pocket guns. I believe in the reliability of a lot of our modern options. I collect I-frames and early Js, but I won't carry one. I think there are a lot better options today....like a Glock 48. I'm not one to carry something I have an affinity for. I want something that is cold, with no personality that is dependable as a hammer.

 

[max503]

Reliability. Everything else is in the rearview mirror.

I was going to say everything else is subjective.

 

[ColbyBruce]

"What are the things you value most in a carry gun?"

Cartridges

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Reliable large bore caliber.

 

[biku324]

Reliability.
Cocealable because of shape or size.
40 caliber or above
No magnum ammo. Carried it in uniform service for a decade or more.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

The main thing for me is not having to think about working the gun, it just comes automatically through muscle memory. For me that means a Smith revolver.

This is why I was so happy to get my 686 back. I traded it for a SIG P365 and cash, but never enjoyed the P365 even though it was easier to carry. I shot thousands of rounds through the 686 and it just became natural for me. I will be getting a S&W 43c for carry because the J Frame is closer to what I am used to than a P365 or FN Reflex.

 

[zeke]

That it is in a holster on my hip, and am willing to use it.

 

[ladder13]

I hear a 10.5" S&W 500 mag is reliable.

 

[gwpercle]

From Experience .

#1 - It has to be on your person .

If the gun is Too heavy , too bulky , too uncomfortable , too whatever the reason ... not to have it on your person , all day , everyday, then that gun is unsatisfactory .

The gun that goes with you , out the door , every day and stays with you , all day is the the one you want .

Having the gun on your person ... is THE Most important thing ...

#2 Importance ... shooting the gun accurately (in a gunfight only hits count) .

Gary

 

[jbull380]

Must have a cool name or model number

Must be so accurate, reliable and powerful that I never have to train with it. The fact I have it will deter all threats.

Chicks must dig it when I open carry.

 

[Nomadmax]

External hammer
Trigger capable of DA or SA fire
A rotating cyclinder that holds the cartridges, no less than 5
Barrel between 1 7/8" and 3"
Capable of firing .38 Special, .357 for a bonus.

 

[AJ]

External hammer
Trigger capable of DA or SA fire
A rotating cyclinder that holds the cartridges, no less than 5
Barrel between 1 7/8" and 3"
Capable of firing .38 Special, .357 for a bonus.

Mine holds six. It is a J Frame Model 30-1 reamed to .32 H&R Magnum.

 

[deputydon]

Reliability, Size, Power - in that order.

-don

 

[somorris]

Part of being dumb is you are eventually dumb enough to slowly acquire some wisdom hopefully. With enough problems and waffling I've come to prioritize availability above all as the best ability. A gun can be exceptional at all 5 of those things but it's meaningless if not on my person. This has become #1 for me now when considering a carry gun.

I think you have found your answer, Jay, and I agree.

 

[Smoke]

From Experience .

#1 - It has to be on your person .

If the gun is Too heavy , too bulky , too uncomfortable , too whatever the reason ... not to have it on your person , all day , everyday, then that gun is unsatisfactory .

The gun that goes with you , out the door , every day and stays with you , all day is the the one you want .

Having the gun on your person ... is THE Most important thing ...

#2 Importance ... shooting the gun accurately (in a gunfight only hits count) .

Gary

I agree with this, up to a point.

This is one of those things that I don't think it's a gun problem I think it's a you (not You specifically) problem.

If you're not willing to carry anything bigger than an LCP that's not the gun's fault.

We're talking about carrying a gun to defend our lives, not carrying a gun as a fashion accessory.

There's a guy who posts on several other forums that you should always "strive" to have the gun that you would want to defend yourself anywhere everywhere.

What he means by that is that you shouldn't walk out your front door without a gun that you would be willing to defend yourself with.

I can't say that the guy is wrong

 

[Ingramite]

When I see a handgun with a rail I know I'm looking at an owner who is taking the LONG way home. Same thing with an RDO. Eventually it will run it's course.

That's the maze that a newbie faces today. Advertising and marketing will have you wearing your straw hat to the Christmas party....and be proud to show it off too.

I don't want the needle to wear through the record, but again, I'll say PROFICIENCY. Above all else, be proficient with the handgun you are going to carry. That's hard because you can't buy it, it takes work. No other way to get there.

 

[Dio]

First and foremost is it has to be carried.
Whatever motivates you to have it on you. After that,
Reliability and accuracy are important

 

[Smoke]

When I see a handgun with a rail I know I'm looking at an owner who is taking the LONG way home.

What does that mean?

 

[ISCS Yoda]

LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!!

Such interesting replies, mostly parallel.

Concealability is my primary concern. If I can't hide it then it's useless except as a range toy or, maybe, home defense.

Reliability is critical but if I can't hide it then it doesn't matter. Since I carry guns that I have shot at the range I don't even think about reliability because I know it's there, done and done.

Accuracy, ergonomics, trigger, and sights are irrelevant. By default any gun I carry fits my hand comfortably and as a self defense tool I don't plan on long range shooting. Triggers are what they are; my preference is double action so I'm not worried about long trigger pulls; I prefer them. Which explains my affinity for revolvers and TDA pistols. I admit to generally having three concealed handguns for EDC and the one that is striker fired has the lightest trigger and it's not too light.

YMMV

 

[max503]

WWDHS
(What would Dirty Harry say?)

 

[jeffrefrig]

In what I want in my CCW is a magazine or cylinder full of bullets, as stated above. After that a stone drunk attacker that's sober enough to pull a trigger but too drunk to be accurate. On my part I want clean underwear.
Seriously, it/they must work every time of course and be concealed properly; preferably one close to each hand, if there are two.

 

[BKLooney]

First and foremost is it must be a firearm that is comfortable in my hand that allows me to hit what I aim at...it must be concealable (even if I have to work at it)...it must be in a caliber that has some power to it and has enough velocity to allow for good expansion.

That said, I usually carry one of my Glocks (23, 19, 26), a P365, or a .38/.357, and a LCP Max as a BUG.

 

[fiasconva]

It may be a little devil's advocacy here but accuracy and reliability are the top two in that order. You can have the most reliable firearm available but if you can't hit your target with it it's not going to do you much good.

 

[Rotorhead1026]

My smartassed answer to the OP's question … ammunition.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

1. Ergonomics, it must fit my hand and align with my arm, like pointing my finger. If I can't point it instinctively it's no use to me.
2. Conceal ability, small, light weight.
3. Reliable, never any doubt. Must have been proven over thousands of rounds.

You can take these in any order because all must be there or it's a range toy. There's only two I qualify with and carry under LEOSA. S&W 422 and a Glock 42. Quite frankly I prefer the revolver. I know it can bounce around the floor of my truck being lubed by French fries and if I need it, it will work. Even in the pocket of a winter coat.

I guess familiarity comes into play here too. I've been carrying J frames for fifty years now. They always go BANG.

 

[John Patrick]

I was reminded today, after 10hrs of a 12hr shift at the gun counter that weight is one of the critical elements. I was carrying my 386PD, an 18oz, seven shot L frame, and I was glad to be carrying it.

And, fwiw, my comment on accuracy: It takes an incredibly poor gun or incredibly poor sights or an incredibly poor trigger on a gun to avoid adequate accuracy at self defense range.

 

[AJ]

And, fwiw, my comment on accuracy: It takes an incredibly poor gun or incredibly poor sights or an incredibly poor trigger on a gun to avoid adequate accuracy at self defense range.

Inaccuracy at self defense/gun fighting distances is mostly folks getting excited and jerking the trigger instead of pulling the trigger.

 

[John Patrick]

Inaccuracy at self defense/gun fighting distances is mostly folks getting excited and jerking the trigger instead of pulling the trigger.

I agree, and the lighter the gun (and so easier to carry,) the more pronounced the issue. Jerking the trigger on a 36oz gun results in less error than jerking the trigger on an 18oz gun. Inertia being inertia.

 

[Old cop]

My list is the same as Post #1. To me ergos mean is the weapon small & light enough to be an always-gun, and I can shoot a qualifying score with it (we had to get written approval for & qualify w/our off-duty gun). Started carrying a J Frame in my 1968 rookie year and pretty much stayed w/that platform. I p/u the LCP along the way but my preference is still a J Frame.

 

[Valmet]

Light weight, ease of concealment and simplicity. If it had an external safety, I don't want it, I have no use for optics on a ccw, I prefer 5-8 rounds in a small, LW carry gun rather than 10+ in a bulkier, heavier "compact" handgun. I regularly ccw a Glock 43 and occasionally a J-frame.