Looking to get my everyday carry gun as finally got NY restrictions lifted. I had a p3at but cant seem to get it back from my lil bro. I also have a chiefs spec but I think thats too nice to carry. Found an older stainless bulldog 44 spec or thinking the pf 9. Just thought would be an interesting thread on everyones "human" gun choice!!

I feel the same about two legged critters as four, bigger holes hurt more. I really like my new Kahr CW45. Not really for the pocket but easily concealable. The CM9 will be my next pocket gun.

Autos are generally thinner than revolvers so are easier to conceal. I prefer to carry my Taurus PT 745 45 acp, but usually in the summer carry a Ruger LCP .380 that can be easily carried in my pocket. I do carry Corbon hollow points in the .380 to give it a bit more power compared to the normal .380 fodder.

full sized carry, glocks rule imho. for a daily carry i have several small revolvers and semiautos and i'd have to say that i'm really liking the ruger lcr right now.

full sized carry, glocks rule imho. for a daily carry i have several small revolvers and semiautos and i'd have to say that i'm really liking the ruger lcr right now.

I still believe it is hard to improve upon the 1911. It just feels right in the hand and was designed for combat. Oh, and it's a .45 -- what's not to like?

I got a Taurus TCP 380, but don't carry. Cute little bugger, and reliable so far. Bout the size of a wallet.

I would like to get my cc though. 1911 is the next gun on my list...

The CW9 is a great accurate and reliable gun. Its big enough to fit your hand and small enough to carry all day and not know your wearing it. Great gun to throw inside the waist band or a cargo pocket in cargo shorts. I also carry a 1911 custom with 3.5 barrel.

1911's are hard to beat. my mp40C has a very close grip size even though it does not look it. MP40c when its hotter and I wear less over clothes and my SW1911 when its cooler

Agree on the 1911, which I have a couple of, but they are heavy. What I like about the Kahr CW45 is that the grip angle and size are the same as a 1911 Officer model, just DAO with a shorter barrel, and much lighter. In fact you can use 1911 officer mags in the Kahr.

Ruger LCR. Get it in .357, at 17 ounces it disappears in your pants pocket but has enough weight to control those double taps. The sights are simple but i can hit a steel silhouette 3 times out of 5 with mine at 100 with any load I choose. That is with elbows rested on a truck bed and the little revolver clutched between my giant mits. I have big hands, palm a basketball big and the LCR is comfortable for me and my wife, she's 5'2 about 140lbs. (Don't tell her i said) Then only time i shoot the little rascal with both hands is when i'm betting people I can hit silhouettes at comical ranges. I have really liked this gun, i carry it as back up for my contender or lone eagle when I hunt, it travels the country in my front right pocket when I work. The only reason it isn't in my pocket right now is that I'm out of the country. LCR in .357 suits me better than anything else I've tried. S&W J frames are to expensive for a gun that will be confiscated if ever used deffensively, and they aren't anywhere near as smooth in the trigger pull. Typical i think smith's are smoother but certainly not in the pocket revolver game now that the LCR is out. Play with one. Seriously.

I have a Kel Tec P3AT in 380 with the nickel slide and a blue frame. I have it loaded with Federal Hydra Ssocks. Good personal defense load.

I carry the Springfield XDM in .45 and its been awesome. Never had a failure of any kind what so ever. However, that gun is about to share carry time with the new Springfield TRP I just ordered. Once comfortable with it, the TRP will be my go to gun. I've wanted that gun for 6 years!

I vote for anything in a .45 in my opinion (See statement below underneath the black line!).

The 1911 platform is nice and narrow and not too bad once you get used to the weight. 45 cal. helps also.

I would go with a S&W 696 44SPL
http://lonelymachines.org/2007/09/08/sw-696/


or the old COP

This one may be new to a few of you--My buddy carries this in his store-NICE

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COP_357_Derringer

Love the LCR. But why put up with all the recoil, flash and noise of the 357 when modern 38 Special will go clean through a guy. The LCR has a sweet DA trigger, and I came real close to going that route. May still.

A 40 cal Walther PPS is in the small of my back 16 hours a day.

Sorry guys. I'm done with the mouse guns and their questionable stopping power. I have just hired a guy to make me a special shoulder holster. I'm packing the BFR 45-70 from now on. I'm sending the gun to Rod to shorten the barrel to 2 inches I figure I can stop any would be assailant and If I miss him I can club the heck out of him as a backup. Ok back to the mouse gun channel.

While Rod has it you should also have it converted to .50 Alaskan instead of that just barely above mouse gun 45-70 caliber.

Haha!! Well said!

Seriously now, if you are capable of concealing a full-sized handgun, a .45 ACP of some type seems logical to me.

The students at the Police Academy debated this for some time. When they asked me what I wanted to carry I just simply stated that I would carry what ever I was issued by the department I was working for…

About that time the professor, a 25 year police vet and competitive shooter, made a couple observations. Taking in the facts of in which most confrontations usually in shorter distances than most people want to admit, he would go over reliability over any other factor. He then stated that if you needed precise shooting or more oomph there was a reason you cared a 223 rifle… We even debated caliber and other statistics of handguns including ammo, however I can go bla bla bla all I want and I know it isn’t going to change the fact that this is a forum and we are all going to do what we want anyway… … …

I stick to the old adage. The most important thing about a gun in a gunfight is "have one." Any is better than none. Bigger is better than smaller, but if the bigger one gets left at home or in the vehicle --- smaller is better than none.

Absolutely - my LEO buddy refers to the smaller packing pieces as "GET OFF ME Guns". Small enough to pack but definitely would make an attacker give pause.

I carry a Taurus M1911 .45 in a fanny pack under the wheelchair and a S&W M60 .38 in my pocket. As a retired LEO I would not consider myself dressed without them. I ordered a Kimber stainless TLE/RLII .45 and am awaiting its arrival.

Most of the time my carry choice is a Glock Model 26 9mm. Yeah I know it is a mouse caliber / cartridge but I sure don't want to get hit a hand shaking distances with a 9mm Hollow Point or anything else either for that matter.

When dress premits I carry a full size Glock Model 21SF.

Larry

Nor would I!

Ya know, I discovered something today as I was out and about with my springfield GI 1911. I had it inside my waist band and not in a holster. I ran with it and everything and it stayed perfectly where I placed it. Then I practiced quick drawing and realised that where I had it it was just like a level 2 retention holster. See my love handles overlapped the grip perfectly and kept the gun firmly in place. To remove it I had to lift the love handly and draw the gun. This is now my new mode of carry. Thought I would just share that with the rest of the class.

1911...enough said.

They have been trying for 100 years to improve on the perfect fighting man's gun and have not gotten it done yet.

Dan

Glock 27 or a 642 airweight, if dress is a issue a Ruger LCP is in my pocket

Exactly!

I'm actually more of a wheelgun guy but because of circumstance I ended up owning a glock 22 which is one gun I said I'd never own and I actually like the gun. It's not fancy but it has proven to be a very functional tool with more punch than the 9 but the same capacity. I changed the disconnector in it to lighten the trigger pull just a little and it's very accurate and lightweight. I used to carry a 1911 but I like the idea of 16 vs 8 rds although you hope it will take only one the insurance is nice. The weight difference between an all steel GI model 1911 and the Glock is very noticeable. I just installed one of the after market clips on it and wear it in the small of my back and I don't even notice it even when I'm sitting down. I'm also a little old fashioned too though as I have two derringers, one is Rohm which is a German Remington replica in 38 and the other was a cheapo Cobra in 380 but the rimmless cartridge bugged me so I reamed it to 38 also so I have 4 hidden back up shots if I'm going to go to portland or some other hell hole that has nightly shootings.

I'm 6'2" and just over 200 lbs. I can conceal a full size 1911 pretty easy. I carried a Colt Goverment for a long time till I got my new Springfield XDM with a 4.5 inch barrel, and that is about as "small" as I want to go. My hands are bigger than average, and anything smaller than that XD feels like I'm holding a twig. I like the extra weight that the longer barrels add as well. (In case you are wondering, my wife now has the Colt!!)

I've always liked the .45 caliber. And I'll be honest, its partly about the way the end of that muzzle looks if you are looking at the business end of the gun -- pretty impressive and persuasive. I'm anxious to get my TRP, and get back to the 1911 style. Nothing wrong with the XD, just prefer the 1911. The XD will still see some time while I am hiking though.

That being said, I completely agree with the statement that ANY gun is better than NO gun.

I say carry what you trust!

Oh Yeah. Another 1911 man here.

I like that holster Gregg. Who made it?

SWEET PIECE Gregg!!! Cocked, locked, and ready to rock! That's how a gun SHOULD be carried. Otherwise you're just carrying a bullet holder in my opinion!

That wouldn't be a Springfield would it??

Holster looks a lot like a milt sparks version that my buddy has.

i carry my kimber 45 most of the time and summer months i carry my walter 380 when wearing shorts.

The holster is a Galco Royal Guard; it is made of horse hide, rough side out. The .45 is a Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry; I added laser grips. You know the inside joke about Kimber as bringing out the "Gun of the Week" (every week a new model?) Well when I was at the SCI Convention in Vegas this February I met Dwight VanBrunt of Kimber at their booth and I asked him about that. Apparently they are doing something right because he told me that they are selling them as fast as they can produce them; that the factory has NO INVENTORY! I sure like mine!

Check out this other post on concealed carry:

http://www.handgunhunt.com/forum/ubbthre...true#Post104364

And that is how the 1911 was designed to be carried. IMHO

sorry im not luggin a full size gun anymore. ya i know all the whys and what nots but i just dont have it in me anymore. carry a gun all day at work... crimes not bad here so ill roll the dice. though do like the looks of that kimber solo, but for now 38 darringer dose the trick. if i need a duty gun, spare ammo, backup gun, knife, flash light, mace, ect, to go get a loaf of bread.....maybe ill just stay home. WITH A SHOTGUN

I agree: for a loaf of bread.

My preferred first-line home defense is a Remington 870 pump 12 gauge stoked with buckshot. (That's not to say that I don't have my 1911 handy by the bedside for quick access.)

But when I need to be away from home in an uncertain world and I feel the need, I feel more comfy carrying my Kimber 1911.

I have read lots of trash here. Try packing a big bad 45 or any full size gun in any holster on the belt and you will have back ache, side ache, etc. Try sitting in the car for a couple hours and see if that metal stuffed down your pants feels good. Opt for your model 36 with moderate loads in a high ride pancake or a good shoulder. But you will look funny with a hot jacket or vest on in dead summer.

I carry a big, bad, 45 every day; all day. Sometimes I have to check to make sure it's still there and alot of the time, only have a t-shirt on.

Sadly this decision was made easier for me. My wife has been out of work for a while and I have had to sell all but two of my handguns to stay afloat. I kept my Kimber Pro Carry II HD, and my Sig p238. I carry one or the other everyday, and know I don't feel undergunned with a 380 in my pocket.

Exactly KRal; wonder who that guy is. Nothing wrong with carrying a Chief's Special; he just shouldn't assume.....er...well, I think we all know what I am trying to say...

Now you guys know that getting a concealed carry in Jersey is like hitting the lottery for $10,000,000, however, there was a
time that I carried my Colt Defender in 45acp on some of my hunt trips and I would have to check to see if the gun was still there because it was so comfortable....

I carry full-sized guns in shoulder holsters all the time and they are very comfortable. Not quite sure where you are going with this.

can we start talking cast bullets or something safe. me thinks someone is trying to start trouble. if not then let me say sorry now. lamina1982 carry what ya can hit with, that gos bang 100% of the time. weight size shape are all talk for lazy people like me.

I was thinking we could discuss primers.....

Well said, bluecow!

Why don't you just take it off, while in the car, or are you stealing it.

WOW, I missed all this stuff and I'm normally in the middle of the controversy.

I used to carry my 1911 and it wasn't too bad I just switched to the Glock because it is a little lighter even with 16rds of 40. The thing though is this is a 22 which is a full size service weapon and isn't much different in size from my 1911, in fact it's a little wider and I carry it with a gun mounted clip in the small of my back and never have a problem. I've taken 5 or 6 hour trips with it in my back while driving and forgot it was there so I don't think the physical size is an issue.

I missed all of the controversy but that's good. I have a small assortment and carry whatever is comfortable. Most of the time it's my Taurus TCP. Next often is a S&W 638 but it gets used less and less as It prints too much in my pocket and If I have to carry IWB I usually carry a Beretta nano. Wouldn't mind a 45 but waiting to get my hands on the ne XDs to compare it to the Glock 36 and Kahr's small 45. I am happy for those that can carry full size but I already stick out at the waist.

Hip displacement of as little as 3 mm can have drastic effects on your bone stucture. Driving a vehicle with a semi- thick wallet can cause this. Weapons can cause the same issues. When choosing a cw, try numerous weapons and holsters. Drive with the weapon in place. Choose a weapon and system that you can carry all day long. I have a friend that stashes his weapon under the seat when in the car and forgets to place it when he gets out. What good is a weapon if you have to run back to the car to retrieve it prior to the fight?

I agree that a person is probably not undergunned under normal situations. If he is fighting off an entire army, then he would need more than the normal person is going to have.

I have read and heard it all. Over the years, people have told me that a person needs at least two full mags of ammo, calibets to rip huge holes, etc. I had the "honor"of watching one person pull a gun on a bad guy, and it wasn' t his fight. The bad guy was bad talking another and this man butted in. No other weapons were produced. Wyatt Earp spent the next few hours in jail and tons of money fighting. He was in the right? Along with concealed carry is responsibility and a lot of soul searching when and how much of an ass kicking would one take before drawing and shooting. For me, maybe the ass kicking would be easier on me and the family than all the bs with a shooting. One has to decide for himself who, what ,when he is going to protect with a cw.

Good comment

Campbellkids, good comments, but it would help if you quoted the person to whom they were directed… It would help us try to discern this already complicated road map…

What surprises me is no one has brought up ammo. It not only plays a huge role in this argument, but ammo choice is very important for self defense, at least it is legally. And I know some one is going to stat that it isn’t, well, let me just say I encourage you to choose wisely and never carry handloads… You can, but it is going to cost you more in on the other end in lawyer fees… … …

What is really funny, statistically, there is only 5% difference in a 9mm and 40 on paper with self defense loads. Interestingly, more people who carried 45 were shot because they only shot an assailant once. The assailant was knocked down, but got back up and returned the favor.

In any situation the biggest issue with any caliber, IMHO, is knowing its limitations. No matter what you shoot or carry.

I have carried everything from a 9mm High Power to a H&K USP 45… LOL

My carry load is the .45 a.c.p. 230 grain Speer Gold Dot. I carry what my old Sheriff's Dept. issues.

I carried a full size colt for YEARS. Now my wife who is 6' and 125 pounds carries it all day without complaint in a Milt sparks versa Max II just like I did.

Maybe you misunderstand what we mean by "full size" on here Campbell. We're talking full size 1911 types -- not 460 X-frames!!! :-)

TCTex brings up some valid points; RE: AMMO.

FWIW: I have a friend who is ex-marine recon and Vietnam sniper; he tells me that .45 ACP Hardball is all you need and it does the job very fine. And that if you carry "self defense loads" that have the special noses and low flash powders and HP's etc. that if you ever shoot someone with them, that you had better get a good lawyer and borrow some money...

my carry loads are 185gr factory Hydra Shocks although I also have handloaded and factory FMJ flat points for my 40. My 45 I feed handloaded 230gr ball and 255gr lead RNFP. I have 10 mags of 40 loaded and 8 mags of 45 not to mention 20, 30rd mags of 7.62x39

of course that only gets carried in case of home invasion or severe civil unrest although if I ever see the "Earth First" or "ELF" people again I may reconsider

I normally only carry the one mag in my 40 unless I'm taking a trip and I'll carry two extra's. Around town here I figure if 16rds isn't going to fix the problem until the cops get there then it's already either hopeless or they need to fire the cops which is probably the case.

I am a retired Army, Viet Nam vet - former sniper and competitive shooter. I like the 1911 but these days I prefer the M9. A little on the large side for CC but it is an easy gun for almost everyone to master/shoot accurately. Both the Marine Corps and the Army long ago replaced the 1911 with the the Beretta M9/M9A1. Try the two side by side and see what you think.

A good friend of mine has had a similar career and he has two sons in Special Forces; one whom was possibly in on the capture of Saddam Hussein. He tells me that they can carry any handgun they want and that they carry Kimber 1911's.

My son was also in Special Forces. He has nothing good to say about the 9mm and much praise for the 1911 .45.