What is the BEST Conceal Carry Firearm?

[Bman505]

I know you have run across this question on several forums but it should be addressed on this one. The question is, What is the Best Conceal Carry Firearm in your opinion. Please explain why you have chosen your firearm.

My favorite and what I feel is the best conceal carry firearm is the Springfield Armory XD Subcompact 40 cal. It packs the punch for protection, it is accurate , and easy to conceal. I also like the fact it has a trigger safety and grip safety . It has a loaded chamber indicator which lets you know there is a chambered round and indicator letting you know the firearm is ready to fire once the trigger is pulled. It has been named hand gun of the year (http://www.hunting-fishing-gear.com/article-display/94.html) by several organizations. You can get it in a sub compact 3" in a .9 mm or .40 cal. You can get it in a compact in a .45 cal which has a 4" barrel.

I truly enjoy this firearm and would recommended it to anyone!

http://www.hunting-fishing-gear.com/dbpix/XD9301-l.jpg
Here is more information on the XD. http://www.springfield-armory.com/xd.php

[Bman505]

Everybody must agree with me! HEHEHEHEH

[Colt 45]

Well I'm thinking that I agree with you. I think I want one of those!

Max

Everybody must agree with me! HEHEHEHEH

[Garcia]

Sorry, but I can't agree...

While there is nothing wrong with the Springfield XD, I prefer the Glock 19 or 26. The Glocks simply feel better in my hand and I am very comfortable carrying either one.

While I have an XD, I definitely feel the Glock 19 (or 26) is much better (for me at least...)

[Jizzle]

:D

amen

[jlsalc]

I believe that there are different purposes for each handguns when you conceal. I really enjoy carrying my Taurus Pro 145 with my IWB Crossbreed SuperTuck. It has a 10 + 1 capacity. A loaded chamber indicator. A manual thumb safety. And the compatc size is great. It measures: 5.125" high, 6.125" Long, and 1.25" wide at 22 oz. I think the .45 acp will have great stopping power if needed. Of course I own this weapon, the XD looks pretty nice too.

44

[Jizzle]

jlsalc, for every inch of a barrel you increase in a pistol you gain from 50-100 fps (its varied because of different powder burn speeds et). That also goes the opposite direction. So for instance if your pushing a 230 grain bullet at around 900ish fps in a 5in barrel, in a sub compact your pushing that same bullet at about 700 fps, you lost almost 25% in the 3in. But, hopefully you run +P for self defense loads. That makes all the difference in the sub compacts and puts you actually past regular 45acp loads.

If you wanted to use regular loads for self defense purposes it'd be beneficial to look at a 9mm sub-compact or possibly (gasp I'm going to reccomend .40) a .40 S&W. due to penetration issues that a standard .45acp will have once you slow the bullet down that far. However, both the .40 and 9mm have similar issues with light factory loads on self defense ammo.

Ranger SXTs for instance are known for having issues penetrating in the .40 S&W. And there are cases of an individual taking multiple rounds center mass without stopping (and drug screen came back clean afterward). So avoid that specific type if possible. I'm getting a bit off track. Sorry. Anyway. Load up your subcompact with some +P ammo and take it to the range if you didn't already know that (i'm sorry if i'm talking to hear myself) and check it out. The recoil will be a bit stouter but, it's managable in the sub-compacts i've shot in .45acp.

[jlsalc]

The Barrel length is 3.25" I read somewhere that it was around 900 FPS. I could be wrong though. I have the same setup for my Glock 23. I mean the same holster. I like carrying it too. I'm just a little apprehensive about carrying one in the chamber. I do like the feel of an actual safety. Not just safety features.

[Jizzle]

ya i looked up the specs for normal 45acp for your weapon prior to writing my post. wanted to make sure my facts where in order.

what ammo do you run for self defense if you don't mind me asking?

[sinclair]

Good discussion. Good way to beat the drum on the September Contest. Sounds like Garcia and Jlsalc are beginning to practice for it. I think Jizzle is gathering intelligence data by getting Jlsalc to reveal more about his obvious submission. (smirk)

So much fun, maybe I should give it a try. Problem is, most conceal self defense weapons give me the "jerks" when I see how the barrel has been reduced to almost nothing. It's like neutering something just to make it fit a smaller box. Having a cat de-clawed, that sorta thing. On the other hand, being so biased against the concept can be turned into an advantage. For example, if I were to desire a close in self-defense weapon, why neuter a perfectly good design ?

Caution: the following describes an AOW class that could not be legally obtained without prior permission under the NFA of 1934. I have seen a weapon confiscated from a prison inmate made from a short length of capped pipe. Paper clips from the open end held a 12 gage round snug against the capped end, which had a center hole drilled with a short, broad headed nail set in such that a slap to the nail head would fire the shotgun shell. It was intended to be slapped against a belt buckle (I presume a LARGE ONE). I do not need to compute the reduction in muzzle energy due to the "short" shotgun barrel to already know it would far exceed the muzzle energy of ALL conceal guns I have ever seen. And this one had been concealed in a prison from stringent searches. Price of weapon in resources used, less than $5.00 even today.

Moral of the story: If you just have to de-claw something and want it to still be really dangerous, pick a Grizzly. Even without his railroad spikes, he can still crush things.

[Jizzle]

Double post by accident...

[Jizzle]

Speaking of shotguns in regard to carry:

http://www.serbu.com/top/super_shorty_870.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_G-EWSfJ1PwE/SCHpZUbEvgI/AAAAAAAAAWY/_BchaGyYwjQ/s320/thigh_holster.jpg

They make other holster versions for this also. It's the Serbu 20 Ga shorty. Sinclairs story made me think of it. I'd be all about one of these babies.

[rof68]

That's just rediculious to carry, I don't care if it is "legal" to carry OC in some states.
It's more about showing off than protection.

[Jizzle]

it was just a joke.

[sinclair]

rof68, thanks for the best laugh I have had in a while. I see the self defense debates all over the gun world. Which gun and which caliber is best for self defense, which is more effective, which would you bet your life on. and so on ? Yet when someone actually suggests something that really would do the job and meet all the criteria, the reaction is the same everywhere. You put it better than I usually see it done.

It's more about showing off than protection.

Does anyone in the gun world understand their own irony ? To me, carrying in any form is all about showing off if you are not serious about the protection you think you need. If I really feel threatened enough to resort to carrying, I would take Jizzle's idea to a 12 gauge, since I do not think 10 gauge is available in that form. I find a short barrel to be acceptable in a cannon. Carronade is the proper historical term, I think.

[Jizzle]

Lol, that type of shotgun is not a smart idea for carry. It's got stopping power sure. But, how much do you need really? A 9mm works just fine in the self defense area and you can carry 17+ in the magazine and can draw is easily without unsnapping 4 clips to get access to it. It was a joke lol.

Anyway I don't think i'd honestly like to shoot it. It doesn't look kind to the person on either business end.

[sinclair]

Anyway I don't think i'd honestly like to shoot it. It doesn't look kind to the person on either business end.

There is a right and wrong way for everything. If you ever get the opportunity to fire one, do NOT try to sight down it and do not try to hold it with both hands. Either way is painful. A one hand hold, shoot from the hip, allows the strong hand to swing with the recoil and is a pleasant surprise, not painful at all. A true "point and click" interface. Point it like pointing your finger and close up accuracy is not a problem, except with slugs, which I would not recommend.

[rof68]

In that case, wouldn't "Owls Eyes" be MORE effective ??

[sinclair]

Not sure what Owl's Eyes are unless you mean double-ought Buck ?
If I am really concerned about defending myself and carrying something
like this, I would be equally serious about the ammo. Something along these lines:

http://www.deltaforce.com/catalog/pg31.html

[Jizzle]

its a 20ga.

[rof68]

Owl's Eyes = double barrell -- two for the price of one!!!!!!!!
One barrell filled with buckshot , the other with rock salt .
If you don't kill him , then the salt will hurt like hell for a while.

[jlsalc]

Of course I don't mind the question. I currently carry Remington Golden Saber HPJ. I've carried this ammo for about 4 months so I suppose I'll fire it off in about 8 and replace it. Any great suggestions? What type of ammo do you prefer? Do you have a preference that changes with caliber?


what ammo do you run for self defense if you don't mind me asking?

[Jizzle]

anything 230 grain JHP and +p for your 45 would do you good.

[sinclair]

its a 20ga

I never disagreed. You must have missed this before I posted the ammo:

I would take Jizzle's idea to a 12 gauge, since I do not think 10 gauge is available in that form

"Owl's Eyes = double barrell"

OK, now I understand the question. The "Mad Max" gun comes to mind. Probably equally effective. Given the short size of the weapon, the only edge difference would be if the pump gun has one in the chamber and could hold two (12 gauge I am referring to Jizzle) in the short tube. If the tube only holds one, then its the same with a slight plus to the double barrel for the extra weight. Looks like it could be employed as a "night stick" if necessary.

The point I tried so unsuccessfully to make is that after a person defends himself and survives, you will never hear that person say they had "too much" gun. But don't mind me, I will go back to listening to this conversation about "too much" magic bullet. Besides, you have all given me an incentive to try my hand at this contest, despite my lack of qualification.

[Jizzle]

its not that there is to much bullet. it's to much gun. if you can't pull it out and on target in a timely and accurate manner it's useless is all i was saying, you might as well not have it on you. otherwise we'd all carry around "ma-dueces" (M-2 .50 cal machine gun). I carry as powerfull a round as i can get in an auto loader (debatable, you could say .460 roland or DE .50 et and ya you got me, keep reading), and a controllable shooting platform as i can get in the G20 10mm. You have to have that mix for a carry gun, and I think everyone here would agree that those are probably the 2 of the most important factors they consider when chosing a carry weapon. I also am going to be getting the sub compact version in the near future.

[Descreet38]

Without doubt - the absolute best carry weapon is the one you are carrying. The item that seperates how good the system is depends on the individual proficiency with the tool you use.

[blkdragon1212]

Descret38,

I could not have said it better my self, and thank you sir for your service.

[rtuck77]

Descret38,
thats the only real rule to concealed carry,having it with you and being able to and knowing how to use it with proficiency. IMO

[calvin]

I would be careful with +P in your 145 PRO. I think the owners manual say's to shy away from the +P and +P+ ammo.

Of course me being a colt fan :) :) :)

[Tucson]

I'll weigh in on this one. I've selected the Glock 19 as my daily carry. Great compromise in terms of size and capacity, has long track record for performance, is low maintenance, easy to conceal, available at a reasonable price, and has plenty of parts availability OEM and aftermarket.

[Sam]

Whatever suits YOUR taste. Too personal of a call in function and psychological factors to make (or take) a recommendation on

[riggergreg]

My personal best is my Colt Defender in a Milt Sparks Versa Max IWB holster. Small, Lightweight, and the power of a .45

[handlebar]

my most concealable is my Beretta 22a in 22 lr. But, I most often carry my Kahr PM9. Sometimes for a change I will carry my S&W 637 in .38spl.

[Atlanta,Georgia]

Guncrafter Industries .50GI Commander.Two of em.I love steel guns that feel like they can take a beating (and they can)..45 ac is just a little short on comfortable bear power for me.So when i head up north to go on a hike,i dont have a strap on a big ol magnum to feel safe.