Choice Carry Guns - Concealable Carry

[KimberDude]

Originally Posted by AMS MIKE

Start saving up Its definately THE firearm to own...when you're ready!

+1 for the Kimber Ultra CDP II. It's worth every penny! It is very accurate.

Also, if you don't mind the 4-inch barrel, the Kimber Compact CDP II is also an awesome firearm. It is the same height (4.75 inches) as the Ultra CDP II, but has a longer barrel for easier sight/target acquisition.

[NSP]

I'm a big guy and have been carrying for a bit now. Plus I have an XD on my permit so I shall throw my .02 in.

The XD is a thick gun, when you add a holster to the thickness it becomes pretty noticeable and additional care has to be taken in your clothing options. I'd like to get a Kahr or a slim 1911 as they are much easier to conceal. Still my favorite carry weapon is my airweight S&W j-frame .38 +p. It's small and light. With an iwb I can wear it almost every day. On the days I cannot iwb carry, it sits invisible in an ankle holster and because it's so light it really is no burden at all. .38 +p is also an excellent round for defense IMHO because of the additional power it's as close to a magnum round as you can get out of an easily concealable gun.

[AuburnHunter]

Originally Posted by NSP

I'm a big guy and have been carrying for a bit now. Plus I have an XD on my permit so I shall throw my .02 in.

The XD is a thick gun, when you add a holster to the thickness it becomes pretty noticeable and additional care has to be taken in your clothing options. I'd like to get a Kahr or a slim 1911 as they are much easier to conceal. Still my favorite carry weapon is my airweight S&W j-frame .38 +p. It's small and light. With an iwb I can wear it almost every day. On the days I cannot iwb carry, it sits invisible in an ankle holster and because it's so light it really is no burden at all. .38 +p is also an excellent round for defense IMHO because of the additional power it's as close to a magnum round as you can get out of an easily concealable gun.

+1 for the S&W J-frame. I have one for pocket carry and ankle carry as well.

[BigStudent]

Originally Posted by NSP

I'm a big guy and have been carrying for a bit now. Plus I have an XD on my permit so I shall throw my .02 in.

The XD is a thick gun, when you add a holster to the thickness it becomes pretty noticeable and additional care has to be taken in your clothing options. I'd like to get a Kahr or a slim 1911 as they are much easier to conceal. Still my favorite carry weapon is my airweight S&W j-frame .38 +p. It's small and light. With an iwb I can wear it almost every day. On the days I cannot iwb carry, it sits invisible in an ankle holster and because it's so light it really is no burden at all. .38 +p is also an excellent round for defense IMHO because of the additional power it's as close to a magnum round as you can get out of an easily concealable gun.

Interesting. My wife got me the XD. I wondered about people's experience concealing it.
Can you post a pic or linke of your .38+P S&W J-frame?

[ptbarnacle]

I own both the Kimber Ultra CDP (3 inch), and the S&W 340 PD 357 Mag (loaded .38 +P).

I like them both. Last night I carried the Kimber IWB, and today the 340 Pocket Carry.

It's all about wardrobe.

[NSP]

Originally Posted by BigStudent

Interesting. My wife got me the XD. I wondered about people's experience concealing it.
Can you post a pic or linke of your .38+P S&W J-frame?

Sure
In the iwb holster


and without

[libertarian]

another +1 for the Kahr for small carry

If you can't afford a CDP, get an Ultra Carry 2 Kimber or a Glock before you get a Charles Daly - the CD are not the most reliable of weapons, I've been told.

[X-ffdo]

Hi.
No 10 + rounds mags allowed in CA. Unless you had them before that law went into effect.
I meant that you can get a Glock 27 used, or if you dig hard enough, you could find a deal through the net on a new one. Glocks are hardy and even if it is a used one, there is not that much you can do to them, they are most of the time reliable.
I was amazed at the Charles Daly, looks like a lot of rounds for such a small gun.
Anyway, if I may take the bull by the horn. Shoot the gun before you buy it, specially if you are on a tight budget. If you buy the one that does not seat well with you, then you are paired with a gun that is not you. Rent it at the pistol range, if they are available for rent. If a pistol range has guns for rent, they will have a gun people beat around and won't require that much maintenace, ( that is how I discovered the Glock 27! ), they will be probably mostly Glocks. They wont get cleaned after each shooting session, etc...
You are the chooser! Carry whatever you can shoot well, ( hit the target ) the smallest gun you can shoot well, (concealment) the largest caliber you can shoot well (Fire for effect).
When you find that one gun that fills the need, then that is the one, and you will know it! That will be your personal choice!

[Glock32]

Welcome to the forum BigStudent.

My opinion is a j-frame (if you like revolvers and are willing to practice) makes a great gun for those few days where you can't carry a real gun. A 2-inch revolver with a lightweight frame and small grips is not the easiest gun to master and it takes a few rounds before you'll be able to place your shots right. Even at 7 yards. I carry one some times, but it is a close to being unarmed as it gets IMHO. I carry one cylinder of spare ammo, but the truth is should I ever need it and not be able to neutralize the thread with the 5 rounds in my cylinder I will be in big trouble.

This is where the little Kahr PM9 shines Some members here carry it daily. It is a step up form the j-frame and it easily conceals in even a pair of shorts.

Make sure to use a proper holster for whatever gun you carry. Even pocket carry will require a holster. The only exception may be a j-frame with internal or bobbed hammer. I would not recommend it, though. On the low end there are companies like DeSantis or Uncle Mikes, who make decent pocket holsters. Start off with one and if the gun you purchased is a keeper order yourself a Milt Sparks pocket holster. The pocket you carry your gun in will never have any lose change, car keys or any other objects in it!

On you 'real' carry gun(s): Carry what you feel most comfortable with in regards to caliber, magazine capacity, grip/frame size. Carry the gun you trust the most. If it happens to be a 1911 you will carry a gun most of us like. A Glock is also a great choice as long as you keep it in a holster in a good quality holster. Milt Sparks VM-II is the way to go.

Good luck and let us know what you'll end up with and now the most important part:

Training! We have a firearms instructor here. He teaches all levels from recreational, beginner to advanced and beyond. As a bare minimum you should take the first three handgun classes before even thinking about stuffing a gun in your pocket. That of course, is just my personal opinion.

Good luck and stick around.

[BigStudent]

thanks for everyone's help on this. It is nice to be a part a community that is not only supportive but knowledgeable. I feel the need to express this since I have recently lined up my references and realized they are the only ones that know about my involvement in shooting sports and self-defense. Everyone else around me, family and cohorts, have a stridently low opinion of the aforemtioned activities.

Anyway back to business.
I've shot the Kimber CDP, Glock 27, and some revolvers. My main concern been ease of carry and concealment. I guess for my third, I will save up for the Kimber and get a Kahr or Glock 27 now.
While my first is an XD40 (4"), I opted for animal protection in the 454 casull (2.5") for my secnd.
The Kber CDP is a real beauty. Everyone vouches for its reliability so that is also a plus. I just wish I could snap it up. I have a pretty large credit account with BudsGunshop, so technically I can snap it up, but
that is not the most fiscally responsible move.
So Glock 27 or Kahr PM9(or 40). Is PM40 any different to carry than the PM9?

Oh, and yes I've shot for a few years now, always borrowed rented. but I'm definitely interested in taking a course.
Can you give me the info of the instructor you just mentioned? Much appreciate it.

BigStudent

[Glock32]

Contact

greg@firearmstraining.com. Greg as a web page, too.

GREGBLOCK.COM

You will not regret it.

Shoot the PM40 first before you buy it. The 9 is snappy enough for my taste, but then again if you plan on carrying or shooting a 454 with a 2.5 inch barrel your tolerance for recoil may be different from mine.

G32

[X-ffdo]

Yeah, I agree with the consensus that .40 S&W are snappier than the 9mm.

[akulahawk]

Originally Posted by X-ffdo

Yeah, I agree with the consensus that .40 S&W are snappier than the 9mm.

That's a pretty good description of 9mm vs .40 S&W.... Snappy.

[BearFlagger]

Having 3 of the one's mentioned you really can't go wrong. I have the 27, the SW snubby and they're great but.... as other have said, the baby of the collection is that damned CDP II Ultra. I was concered about the price too but once I put up one of my son's kidney's on ebay.... it was all down hill.

[BigStudent]

Sounds like you guys like the 40 cal.
For the Kimber fans, what is the difference between a Ultra CDP II and an Ultra Carry II. Link below:
Kimber Comparisons
I think I can swing the Ultra carry II and it seems to have pretty much the same specs, except its not as pretty as the CDP II.

Also, do you think its too much to carry a 454 casull for camping.
I have three little boys (my sons) and I want to protect them and myself from predators while camping. Yet I mulled over selling it and getting a Kimber and a Glock 27 as my 2nd and 3rd gun.

I'm probably overthinking it.