What is a good handgun to carry for protection with a concealed carry permit.?

Question

I am leaning toward the .45 or .44 but that may be a bit to big.

Answer 1

Bound's hubby here:

What you carry for personal protection is truly a personal choice. There is no wrong choice other than not having a gun when you need it. Basically, carrying a gun is like having life insurance. You're betting that something is going to happen and, when it comes to a carry gun, 99 times out of 100 you're anticipating running into a social misfit who has no regard for your personal safety. One of the nice things about living in a state that allows it's residents to carry a handgun concealed is that the criminal minded offender knows this and realizes that virtually every potential victim could shoot back, making that state somewhat safer. [Statistics show that violent crime in states that issue carry permits is markedly lower than in states that deny that privilege.]

When I retire and move to a carry friendly state, I anticipate being in more rural areas, where most likely it'll be individual predators and maybe escapees. Not roving bands of drug dealers and punks. My primary carry gun will be a .45 auto. Either a 5" Govenrment Model or a 4 1/4" Commander Model that I will build. While a .38 protects the house (for strictly personal reasons), the .45 will be on my hip. I can clean a police combat course (PPC) with either the .45 or a .38 revolver. The .45, for me, is controllable and reliable. It is my hope that the .45 by it's size, and it's reputation will be intimidating enough to deter an offender without my having to take a shot or take a life.

My alternative to a .45, if I can find it, will be a 4" barrelled Smith & Wesson Model 57 .41 Magnum revolver. Again, it's large size, the large gaping hole of it's barrel, and a cylinder full of lead staring a potential offender in the face will, hopefully, intimidate him or her to change their criminal ways and their underwear.

When I go out into town, or out to the local dairy for milk, etc. I will not be an infantryman and do not plan to carry a belt full of extra magazines or bandoliers full of ammo. I expect to carry an extra magazine or an extra speed loader. I am a cautious person and try to be aware of my immediate surroundings. I trust my senses when I get bad feelings about my surroundings. I do not intend to let someone get the drop on me. Based on my skill and my ability, I should not need more than one shot to stop a threat. A second shot might be warranted insurance. More than that is a waste of bullets and I am cheap. I do not intend to spray a wall of lead towards a threat and pray that I hit them. There may be other people in the area beyond my target.

For me, a large capacity crew-served 9mm will not do the job. A .38 or 9mm will be marginal. I believe when you need to defend yourself you need to send the biggest chunk of lead you can accurately.

Good luck and may you never have to break leather.

Answer 2

I liked to know what the person who thinks getting a conceal permit means you need an ultra-clean background or that you're in law enforcement or something.

My background isn't ultra-clean and I have had a permit for 8 years. For protection you will want a handgun that you can handle and can use efficiently. I carry a Ruger P89 9mm. It is all you need for protection. Clip holds 10 rounds, it's lightweight, it's trouble free, it's easy to tear down and clean, and it's cheap to shoot.

I don't care for the snub nose, or belly busters too much. I own several revolvers, but I just prefer the 9mm to carry.

If you wanted something a bit bigger, go with the S&W 40 cal. 45s are sweet, but if you're worried about it being too much gun, then go smaller. Either one of the two I mentioned is more than enough to do their intended job.

Answer 3

Try to stay away from small calibers. 9mm is as light as you really should go. I like the lighter frames of semi autos. I have tried revolvers but the hammers and cylinders are uncomfortable. Use the pistol you like to shoot and that your comfortable with.
The big thing is to find a shoulder holster that fits your needs. I have had some that were miserable. Nylon web jobs that twisted and pinched. leather that makes you sweat and rides sideways or up.
A 45 acp or a .44 mag in a good easily pulled frame. The 1911 is great because of it's slender build. I don't personally care for glocks . Taurus and Sig make affordable pistols. Just find something that fits.

Answer 4

38 special 5 shot S&W air weight snubnose. Most defensive shooting happens at 20 feet or closer. The snub has plenty of accuracy for this type of work. Smaller barrel and concealed hammer will not snag on clothing and won't print either. Very light weight, can be carried all day . No safties or buttons to worry about during an already stressful situtation, just point at the center of mass and pull the trigger. With +P hollow points you are very well armed. This is a defensive weapon not a target gun.

Answer 5

Depends on what you'd like to spend. I think the best value for the money on the market is the Taurus PT 145 PRO 45.acp. It's compact, safe and highly lethal. You'll be able to drop an attacker with this gun with 1 shot, where a Kahr PM9 might take a couple more shots. You want stopping power at a great price ($319 on sale) this is the gun. You can read the reviews and see photos at gunblast.com. You could get a Kahr PM9, Glock or Springfield Armory compact, but expect a $500+ price tag. For CCW, odds of you using the gun often is slim and if you do need it, you'll want great stopping power. They also have an unlimited lifetime warranty against defects and wear! That's why I bought two of them. I have Glock 17, Springfield XD 45 acp Tactical, XD9, 1911 and so on, but these powerful 145 Pro's are sweet!!!

Answer 6

My thought is large caliber low velocity. If you ever have to use it you want some knock down power, but something like a 44 mag has the potential of creating a lot of collaterial damage.

I'd like to use the 45 APC but havn't found one thats really concealable. So I've got a 380 auto. The gun I have is a Walther knock off, but I've shot Walthers and my gun is no where near as good. I'd recommend the Walther 380. Its light, accurate and at self defense range, has plenty of stopping power.

If you don't like automatics a 357 subnose would be good, but I'd use 38 special ammo.

Answer 7

A compact 45. I have a Kimber CDP Pro II in Bladetech IWB holster that pulls it in close behind my right hip. It's not too heavy and all the sharp edges are smoothed off so it doesn't hang up on anything. I added a flared magazine well and switched to Wilson Combat magazines which seem much smoother than the originals. I also have a Galco shoulder holster but it flops around too much so it's a bit obvious, or at least I fear it is.

Answer 8

Well, I can't recommend the Glock 36. It's a concealed carry .45, but jammed something awful, both mine and my buddy's. We both got rid of them and went 9mm for carry, a Glock 19 in my case. I can easily carry 3 15 round mags, giving me a lot of shots.

P.S. For maddog, carry permit requirements vary from state to state. My state required an 8 hour class and $120, IIRC. Plus a clean background check. No special reasons other than I wanted one.

Answer 9

Basically the best answer that I can come up with is, whatever you can handle. Go to a sporting goods store that will allow test firing or range rental guns and shoot away. If you hit your target multiple times then that is what you want to look into.

You have to be able to hit your target!
5 well placed rounds with a .22 is better than 5 missed shots with a .44 or any other caliber gun that anyone carries.

The answer is.... The biggest you can handle!

Answer 10

I carry a 1911, but if you want combat tupperware I would look at the XD line. The XD .45 has had really good reviews.

There are limitations with single action revolvers, especially if you go with a Peacemaker clone where you would want to be two gunned because you aren't going to do a tactical reload.