Best gun for conceal carry?

[surfsatwerk]

Guns are for children, I carry sticks of dynamite in a bandolier across my chest.

 

[kage69]

The sig p290 along with the p250 have a lot of negative reviews for being problematic junk, although I have no personal experience.

For cheap & durable, get a kel-tec P3At/ruger LCP or kel-tec PF9/ruger LC9.

If your budget is fricking $700, that is not cheap and you can move up to top-of-the-line guns such as sig p238, sig p938, kahr PM9, etc.

errmmmm.....

 

[pontifex]

Probably cuz he doesnt have a place to play with a variety of weapons.
Virginia is gun crazy and I only know one place that rents good firearms. Blue Ridge Arsenal in Chantilly.

at least he can go hold them, feel them, etc. giving him random guns isn't going to help much.

 

[SlowSpyder]

The sig p290 along with the p250 have a lot of negative reviews for being problematic junk, although I have no personal experience.

For cheap & durable, get a kel-tec P3At/ruger LCP or kel-tec PF9/ruger LC9.

If your budget is fricking $700, that is not cheap and you can move up to top-of-the-line guns such as sig p238, sig p938, kahr PM9, etc.

I can tell you from personal experience that my P290 has been exceptionally reliable with many different brands of ammo. My only complaints are that the laser turns on too easily when the gun is in my pocket, so the battery dies. And, when loaded, even though the gun is small, it is rather heavy.

 

[Phoenix15]

NO one can tell you what will fit you. We can give you a list of things to try but that's about it. I personally carry a Ruger SR9C in the summer and a Taurus 1911DT in the winter. I have carried Springfields, Glocks, M & P's etc.. They each have there strong and weak points. Ask yourself these questions to narrow it down a little.

1. What kind of safety?

2. What caliber?

3. Size?

4. Ease of use?

You can whittle it down to 3-4 guns then see if you can rent or at least handle each of them. THe most important thing is to PRACTICE and be 100% familiar with the weapon before you ever strap it on.

 

[Possessed Freak]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/Mark_III_16_inch_coastal_defense_gun2.jpg

 

[ShreddedWheat]

http://www.berettausa.com/products/3032-tomcat-wide-slide/

 

[pontifex]

http://www.berettausa.com/products/3032-tomcat-wide-slide/

wouldn't recommend anything less than .380, but anything is better than nothing.

 

[kage69]

http://www.berettausa.com/products/3032-tomcat-wide-slide/

Don't get me wrong, I know it's all about shot placement, but a .32? Yuck.

Anything is better than fingernails, but I'd opt for Nano or a Bersa in 9mm all the same.

 

[shortylickens]

General consensus by cops, security, and misc. firearms experts is the 32 and 25 are NOT adequate for personal protection. You can get 380's in a pocket size gun, no need to compromise.

 

[BladeVenom]

Yet for a long time, .32 was the most popular caliber for concealed carry. While it was in production, civilian sales of the Colt 1903 were higher than those of the Colt 1911.

The only thing I don't like about the .32 ACP is that it's semi-rimmed.

When talking about the lower powered cartridges, it's all about shot placement. In this collection of shooting incidents, the .32 did surprisingly well. http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/7866

 

[shortylickens]

Yet for a long time, .32 was the most popular caliber for concealed carry. While it was in production, civilian sales of the Colt 1903 were higher than those of the Colt 1911.

The only thing I don't like about the .32 ACP is that it's semi-rimmed.

Popularity is the WORST reason to do anything gun related. The POPULAR carry ammo is cheap target stuff, which is not at all reliable in dropping an assailant.

 

[ViperXX]

I carry the Taurus TCP (.380). It comes with 2 magazines a conceal case and the slide stays open after your last round. The Ruger LCP comes with one magazine and the slide does not stay open after the last round.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

Ruger LCP, by far.

 

[shortylickens]

I carry the Taurus TCP (.380). It comes with 2 magazines a conceal case and the slide stays open after your last round. The Ruger LCP comes with one magazine and the slide does not stay open after the last round.

I keep hearing this but my LCP came with two. Apparently I got a hookup or something and didnt even realize.

 

[LTC8K6]

My co-worker bought a Ruger LCP a while back and it came with 2 mags.

The slide locking back just lets the enemy know you ran out.

 

[shortylickens]

My co-worker bought a Ruger LCP a while back and it came with 2 mags.

The slide locking back just lets the enemy know you ran out.

Agreed. Theres only 6 in the mag, you should be able to count that high.
And I dont think anybody carrying a pocket pistol should be engaging in prolonged shootouts anyway. Stop your attacker and haul ass. Though I will admit if I carried a 1911 daily I'd prefer double stack to single stack.

 

[MiniDoom]

Ruger SP101 357 snubnose.

 

[kage69]

Yet for a long time, .32 was the most popular caliber for concealed carry. While it was in production, civilian sales of the Colt 1903 were higher than those of the Colt 1911.

The only thing I don't like about the .32 ACP is that it's semi-rimmed.

When talking about the lower powered cartridges, it's all about shot placement. In this collection of shooting incidents, the .32 did surprisingly well. http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/7866

I hear ya, but popularity doesn't always stem from effectiveness. Look at how folks used to shoot at marksmanship events: laying on their backs with the barrel resting on the ankle of their crossed leg! People were doing this all over because that's how the shooting teams of Europe and the Americas did it.

I think people went for the .32 as it was seen as just right for civies, no need to buy The Hun special. But even back then the 1903s shortcomings were noticed. Not long after it's release, famous gun writer J. K. Wagar said the 1903 wasn’t powerful enough for “defensive purposes against great beasts or armed men of great virility.”


If recoil is a concern he could opt for a steel frame gun and shoot 90gr 9mm, not quite as light as a .32 but closer than a .45! I've been to plenty of shops that don't stock .32 as well. Can't say the same for 9mm or .45.

 

[kage69]

Ruger SP101 357 snubnose.

lol, BOOM

 

[shortylickens]

I saw a 1903 over at my local shop and considered buying it, just for the lulz. Then realized I cant be pissing away that kind of money until I get a job.

 

[CurseTheSky]

Asking "What is the best gun for concealed carry?" is like asking "What is the best car to go fast in?"

You need to add some criteria. What kind of experience do you have? Where do you plan to carry it on your person (inside the waist band, pocket, ankle holster, etc.)? Does recoil bother you? Do you prefer pistols or revolvers? Etc.

Personally, my vote goes to the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .380. It's small enough for pocket carry, slim, has a safety (my preference), is DAO (no hammer to get caught on the pocket lining), decent sights, and holds 6+1 rounds of .380. .380 is no powerhouse, but it packs enough of a punch, unless you're planning to go up against bears, mountain lions, or the Incredible Hulk.

For something with more stopping power, it's a trade-off with size and weight. My next purchase is most likely going to be a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield in 9mm. I have carried a full-frame 1911 and a service-size double-stack 9mm before, and they're not fun to conceal. Even my Bodyguard in an IWB holster gives me more issues with everyday clothes (jeans and T-shirt) than just sticking it in a pocket holster. I hate having to worry about whether or not my shirt rode up and flashed my gun to anyone around me when I bend down to get an item off a bottom shelf.

 

[RampantAndroid]

Dan Wesson CCO.

Oh, wait...cheap? Glock 30.

 

[Binarycow]

I got a S&W 642, it's a sweet, light, and fairly accurate revolver.

 

[kage69]

I saw a 1903 over at my local shop and considered buying it, just for the lulz. Then realized I cant be pissing away that kind of money until I get a job.

I'll presume you went .380 when you were still employed


The only .32 I have is a WWII FN (ok a Browning) produced when the Nazi's occupied Belgium. Had a Grand Uncle that took some prisoners in Normandy. I don't really shoot it at all, the Eagle\Swastika stamp kinda bothers me.

If I were going to spend money on a .32 at this point it would be something in .327 Fed Mag.