Be smart with what you carry

[10yrCCW]

I'm glad to see California joining the CCW states.

Here is some advice for those considering a weapon... largely based on the mistakes I made a LONG time ago when I first received my CCW.

Do some research. Consider your needs. What type of firearm do you want, and why? Semi-auto or revolver and why? What caliber and why? What type of ammunition will you feed it and why?

When I first obtained my CCW, I was carrying a .45 ACP Colt Commander. I then switched to a .40 S&W SIG P229.

Both are great firearms and chamber a first rate cartridge... but over time, carrying these handguns became a chore... and neither were really capable of being comfortably and concealed at all times. So what happened? I stopped carrying them.

So much for my CCW... as the firearms I was carrying were just too heavy to carry comfortably at all times.

Are there "chopped" versions of 9mm/40S&W available for carry? Yes... but in my experience, none comfortably (I'm not a fan of DAO designed handguns).

Over time, I learned to select the weapon I wanted to carry based on dimension and weight. If a firearm is too big and heavy for comfortable carry over 12-18 hours, you will leave it at home, so what good is your CCW?

I then decided the number of rounds of ammunition (tempered with caliber) I wanted to carry... understanding that in a high stress situation, you will probably miss your target a third of the time, at least. For me, that sorta 86'ed the 6 round semi-autos.

So, over 10+years experience carrying a concealed weapon what am I carrying?

German made Walther PPK/S, .380 ACP caliber, loaded with Federal Hydra-Shock ammo. Recent statistics show this round as a 70% 1 shot stopper. Additional statistics don't show that I can place a follow-up round very accurately in an area that will disrupt the central nervous system.

Is this perfect? No, but it is a 70%er... and is small, carries 8 rounds, is very concealable, light weight and, as such, something I carry with me 99% of the time I leave my house.

It is very accurate, pleasant to shoot, is light-weight and carries 8 in the mag. It also feeds MagSafe and Glaser Safety Slugs well.

The best thing about this firearm is that it is so concealable, so lightweight, so accurate and so capable of digesting a variety of ammunition that it is gives me what I need... confidence that it will work when I need it to... and in a comfortable, concealable frame.

Bottom Line: CCW really means a mix of caliber/accuracy/magazine capacity/concealabilty and willingness to live with, trust (and carry) your firearm. I made my choice in the .380 ACP Walther fed with Hydra-Shocks and Mag-Safe ammo.

The smaller/lighter firearm is the one you are most likely to carry all the time. Feed it with tested, high-power ammo, practice frequently and then then never leave home without it.

That's my 10 years CCW experience, and 30 years experience with handguns/balistics.

[BonoVox]

There are some very nice compact and sub-compact models out they will still allow you to carry a decent duty cartridge. "9mm and above"

I try to find the smallest and lightest package that carries 10 rounds in it's respected caliber.

For me:

Glock 26 10+1 "9mm"
S&W M&P 40 Compact 10+1 "40S&W"
M&P 45 10+1 "45 ACP" You could get a Glock 30 and have a smaller package. This is going to be my winter time gun or for when I travel to a 3 gun neighborhood.

There are some awesome 1911 based handguns that get 7+1 of 45 ACP in a small package. You can't beat that either! I will let the experts on the board talk to that.

[SierraNevadaCCW]

I started out carrying a full sized Glock 17 with an AMT .45 backup and .38 snub as alternatives.

Now I carry a Glock 23 .40 cal 99% of the time.

[CCWInstructor]

I currently carry a Para P10-45, Ultra CDP and a Colt mustang 380.

[K-dog.v3]

When I first obtained my CCW, I was carrying a .45 ACP Colt Commander. I then switched to a .40 S&W SIG P229.

Both are great firearms and chamber a first rate cartridge... but over time, carrying these handguns became a chore... and neither were really capable of being comfortably and concealed at all times. So what happened? I stopped carrying them.

Proper belt and holster combo is the key. Also if you are going to IWB and you wear size 32 pants/shorts expect to get 34 or 36.

[THaves]

Kimber CDP II 3" IWB. Perfect.

[cockedlocked01]

The original poster made some great comments. I know from personal experience & 13 or so yrs of carrying, that lighter is more advantageous. I now choose between my Glock 36 (Sometimes), Taurus Mil Pro PT145 (Most of the time), & Kahr PM9 (Practically all the time).

Modern gun making provides us with some small, light, but powerful firearms. I just wished Californians could buy Kel Tecs, I love the little P3AT for anytime carry.

[dbltap]

Originally Posted by CCWInstructor

I currently carry a Para P10-45, Ultra CDP and a Colt mustang 380.

I like your Colt mustang 380 cause I carry a FI Model D .380 cal and have had it since 1974 and finally got an extra mag for it from Gunclip Depot.

[CCWInstructor]

My 380 is my coastal gun. South of the 405, Huntington Bch, Seal Bch, Costa Mesa etc. I cross the 405 it's a 45.

[X-ffdo]

I'd like to get a Makarova in 9mm.

[dbltap]

Originally Posted by CCWInstructor

My 380 is my coastal gun. South of the 405, Huntington Bch, Seal Bch, Costa Mesa etc. I cross the 405 it's a 45.

If you had a choice, which one of the 4 would you carry all the time and my main carry is FI Model D 380 with a thumb safety lever.

CZ USA 2075 RAMI 40cal 6.57" length 4.72" height safety lever
USP compact 40cal 6.81" length 5.0" height safety lever
HK P2000 SK 40cal 6.42" length 4.62" height
HK P2000 40cal 7.0" length 5.04" height

Your comments and suggestions will be appreciated. I am 5'3" tall and weight at 134 lbs, thanks --- Ray

[X-ffdo]

In my humble opinion.....Whichever fits your hand best.....whichever you can shoot best. The purpose of it all is to be able to hit your target.
See if you can test drive your choices and see which one has the magic!
Guns are like feet and shoes, very personal. Narrow it down to two that are closest to your personal ideal. Then you can list both on your CCW license when you get it. Most counties normally allow you three weapons you can list on your CCW permit!
I hate the looks of Glocks, yet when I shot them, I was extremely accurate with them. After fighting this issue, I realise that hitting the target is the end game, who gives a damn what the gun looks like! I had an H&K USP Compact, LEM trigger. I could not shoot it as well, I liked it but could not establish a romance when I went to the shooting range. Your mileage may vary! Others swore by it!
The next issue is reliability, the gun must have a reliable history of performance. If you can not trust it to work flawlessly when you need it, then it is no good. It must work each time, every time, flawlessly. You can not afford to have technical issues to deal with as the BG bullets are zinging by.....very bad for you. You will see your life pass in front of you in super fast forward speed, in VistaVision and CinemaScope, all at once! An experience you are never bound to forget! Guaranteed!
So shoot what makes you accurate and what works without a hitch. You have a lot of guns to choose from that are available to you. Good Luck.

[CCWInstructor]

Originally Posted by rvillador

If you had a choice, which one of the 4 would you carry all the time and my main carry is FI Model D 380 with a thumb safety lever.

CZ USA 2075 RAMI 40cal 6.57" length 4.72" height safety lever
USP compact 40cal 6.81" length 5.0" height safety lever
HK P2000 SK 40cal 6.42" length 4.62" height
HK P2000 40cal 7.0" length 5.04" height

Your comments and suggestions will be appreciated. I am 5'3" tall and weight at 134 lbs, thanks --- Ray

If I had my choice, I wouldn't carry any of those or any other 40 Cal. I am privvy to a corners report from back east. No 40's for me ever.

Being a "loaded, locked and cocked" guy. The USP would be my choice. The HK 45 is to big for my hands. I carry "O" frames 45, feel real nice.

[spc]

Originally Posted by CCWInstructor

If I had my choice, I wouldn't carry any of those or any other 40 Cal. I am privvy to a corners report from back east. No 40's for me ever.

Being a "loaded, locked and cocked" guy. The USP would be my choice. The HK 45 is to big for my hands. I carry "O" frames 45, feel real nice.

Curosity about the report from the corners report. Would that be from the Tales from the morgue post or another source.

What is it about the 40 and the report that discourages you from that calibur? I have always considered the 40 to be one of those acceptable caliburs for self defense.

spc

[CCWInstructor]

No, it is not that source, this is a shooting in PA, the FBI has a powerpoint out. LEO only. Sorry