I just applied for my conceal carry permit. Which handgun is best for your first conceal carry?

Answer 1

Well most people don't recommend you carry anything below a 9MM, but I find this odd seeing that most S.W.A.T. and Many Military Forces are carrying 9MM these days.

First you need to figure out which tier you are in for concealed carry. Do you think you can comfortable conceal a normal side handgun? Are you a bigger guy? Or maybe you need a Sub-Compact to feel more comfortable. Maybe you are going for a pocket pistol that is very easily concealable and can be carried with any attire.

I personally carry a Seecamp .380 with a back right pocket wallet "Holdster". Very comfortable, easy to conceal and I feel pretty safe with a .380. Like my Father (State Officer) always says " A .22 is better than a .357 if you carry it 100% of the time". If you aren't going to carry it all the time, then you really might as well not have the permit.

As for regular hand guns I always suggest 1911's. Granted they are hard to conceal, but some people do indeed pull it off well.

As for Sub-Compact Guns, I would check out Kahr, or the Spriingfield XD series of handguns.

Pocket Pistols is more of my niche and I reccomend the Kel-Tec .32 & .380, NAA Guradians, and the Seecamp .32 and .380.

Find something that is comfortable and that you will carry all the time regardless of the clothing, and occasion. Don't try to stuff a .44 Magnum in your pants all the time as you will tend to leave it in the car.


http://www.Seecamp.com
http://kahr.com/
http://www.springfield-armory.com/xd.php
http://www.kimberamerica.com/pistols/
http://www.artofthehide.com/
http://www.smartcarry.com/
http://pagerpal.com/

Answer 2

I have first carried a Glock 17, but bought a Glock 19 for better concealment.

Do not listen to people that say 9mm does not have adequate stopping power. With the proper expanding ammunition and proper training, 2 rounds into the center mass of a target is adequate to incapacitate a target 96% of the time, the other 4% is when adrenaline or drugs in the opponent's system keeps them alive temporarily. That's when you take a carefully aimed shot to the cranio-ocular cavity.

As for your gun, if you feel that 9mm is not adequate enough, then get a .40 S&W or .45 ACP. Whatever is comfortable and doesn't advertise the fact that you have a gun, as well as the proper killing power is adequate enough.

I would not recommend anything smaller than a 9mm and I find it the bare minimum, so don't expect to get a Kel Tec .32 ACP and expect to win a gunfight.

Here's a list of guns that won't let you down:

Glock Compact or Subcompact models
Sig Sauer P228
H&K USP compact
Kimber compact 1911

You can also try full framed weapons if you are comfortable carrying them.

Answer 3

I can answer this question because I have been carrying a concealed handgun everyday for 10 years.

The big difficulty is ballancing stopping power with comfort in an all day carry situation. Don't buy a heavy gun if you intend to carry it. It will end up in the glove box. That rules out, most 1911's and nearly all steel revolvers.

You will want to carry a gun that has stopping power. That rules out anything under a 380. That leaves 380, 9mm, 38sp, .40, 357 mag., and .45.

Here is where the dance starts. You can buy a small gun that is light and you will carry it in your front pocket or you can buy a medium gun invest in a good holster and learn to carry concealed.

If you go the small in the pocket route I suggest featherwight titanium .38 revolver from Tuarus or SW. Or you could look at polymer frame single stack auto loaders like the offerings from keltec or Khar. Buy a good pocket holster and your good to go.

If you go the Medium sized holster route keep in mind this will effect the way you dress. You will have to wear a jacket or a long overshirt. You will have to be aware of things like the wind blowing up your shirt or you shirt or jacket hiking up when you sit down.

If you go this route then you will need to purchase a good holster and gun belt to support the pistol. I would go with a leather or Kydex IWB (inside the waisteband holster). If you go with a outside belt holster make sure you buy one that holds the gun tight to your side most tend to wobble and flop. Eitherway make sure the holster and belt are mated. The holster loops must match the size of the belt or flopping will occur.

The best medium sized carry guns are the Glock compact, 19 in 9mm is a good choice, or any other caliber in that size. Avoid the baby glocks you can't hit well with them there just too small to get a grip on.

Other choices, kimber alloy frame carry guns in .45, Khar polymer frame auto loaders. Sigs and Berettas are too heavy and they will end up in the glove box. Titanium revolvers in the K frame size in .357 or 44 special are also an option for revolver carriers.

Remeber carrying a concealed weapon is not just a choice of gun but method, holsters, and wardrobe. It takes the developement of a system to do it everyday, allday.

May you have it but never need it.

Answer 4

whatever you do, don't get a 9mm. everyone says that a glock 9mm is a great defense gun, but the fact is its too small with not enough stopping power. the reason its so popular is because you can find the ammo anywhere and its cheaper than the others. also the only other good thing about the 9mm is it can hold 10 or 11 shots in the clip, whereas the bigger calibers like the .38 or the .45 hold 7 or 8. there is no true first concealed carry gun. if you are gonna be getting a gun, get either a .38 or a .357 magnum. the .357 has very good penetration, and has good stopping power. the .38 is similar. the .40 cals and the .45s have good stopping power, but not good penetration, resulting in not as much blood loss and therefor the person will be able to pursue you farther.
if i were to get a defense gun, i would get a .357 magnum in a 6 shot revolver. a lot simpler for a beginner, and if you cant stop someone with 6 of those big bullets, you aren't gonna stop someone with 10 9mm bullets, either.

Answer 5

1st things first. Before we go on the choose that or that brand stuff,examine your needs & lifestyle.

A office type worker & a construction guy both need ccw. Both have different needs however. Indoor work vs outdoor( affects size, holster choice & clothing). If you wear a suit like James Bond every day you have many choices vs Bob the builder in the t shirt and jeans.

One size does not fit all. A full size duty gun ( a 1911, a glock 19, etc. is great in Dec. Not so much in August. A smaller gun may be the thing when less is more & a jacket or sweater is not going to cover the piece.

Then there is price? A factor for all. Judge those factors first then shop.....

Answer 6

For easy concealed carry, and it gets the job done, look at the Keltec P11; a ten shot 9mm pistol that sells in the 240 dollar range. It is light and easy to carry and gives you ten good answers. There are many handguns available; and if my wife knew of even a small portion of the number I have acquired she would make me buy her a new cadillac this fall; but the Keltec is my favorite everyday carry piece.

Answer 7

Yes, a .357 revolver should work just dandy! Also this gun can chamber the less potent .38 specials, which have less recoil but still more than enough power to kill someone! Screw the statistics! Say someone is attacking you and you shoot them and they still aren't incapicated. Are they really gonna think, "Oh, statistics say I have to be shot twice for a 92% chance of incapacitation?" NO! There if they have any brains at all theyre probably gonna turn and run if they're able! (Unless there on certian drugs!) Also revolvers will not jam as semiautos might, and there is no saftey to fumble with, or checking the breech! The only advantage autos have is higher ammo capicity, although unless you plan on a full on gun fight, 6 shots should be much moore than you need! Hope I halped!

Answer 8

Try Springfield Armory XD sub-compact. Get it in .40 cal. Also look at the compact which is a 4" barrel but shorter handle for concealable carry. Get that in .45ACP. Sig 239 are great, Taurus Snubbies are awesome for .38s or .357 mag.
Just go to a gun shop and start holding a few that the shop has in stock and see what you think. Ask questions and defiantly get training. Happy and safe shooting.

Answer 9

Go with the .38 Special stub nose. You can buy that gun from pretty much anywhere, and can carry it pretty much anywhere on your body. It also has plenty of stopping power, and you never have to worry about jamming with the revolver.

Side note- are you in Texas? Be sure to apply for a semi-auto license even if you plan on carrying a revolver. With an auto license, you can carry whatever type of gun you want, but if you get a revolver license, you cannot carry an automatic.

Answer 10

S&W makes some nice revolvers for C&C, but stay away from their autos. A good DA revolver will be your best friend if you ever need it. I'd say take a serious look at the J-frame models with the low or enclosed hammers. There are quite a few options with these for how they're holstered and concealed, and the low or enclosed hammer will reduce snagging. Find one in the most powerful caliber you can fire it in effectively.