Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

S&W M&P 9C and Shield.
XDM 9C

My usual conceal carry guns.

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Both my sister and her husband carry Taurus .38 revolvers. I'm not sure how she carries hers about; maybe tucked in her purse.

I know that he carries his in a fanny pack designed for such things. The way his clothes fit him, you'd never know the fanny pack was there, unless you were looking for it. Even then, anyone that doesn't know them well would never guess that they'd be armed. At a glance, they both look like young liberals.

Myself, I carry openly, so concealability is not a concern to me.

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I got small hands so the LCP is perfect for me.
Its reliable and has a smooth body. Never had an issue drawing from my pocket. Use a Desantis holster, sticks in my jeans real solid.

I would go 9mm over a 380, unless you are dead set on a pocket pistol, and even then you can almost have a 9mm pocket rocket in something like the Nano (in your price range), Sig P938 ($$$) or XDS (9mm/45acp recently recalled, but great shooters), M&P, and a few others. If dead set on a .380 mouse gun, nothing wrong with the LCP, Bodyguard, or my favorite the Sig P238.

I carry a G26 typically IWB, though I rotate in a couple other pistols (1911 compact, and FsN), the G26 is my work horse. Very accurate once I learned the pistol... Love the Glock now, as it is straight up business, relatively inexpensive, very customizable, wears well (as in close to 1000 rnds through it and cannot even tell), and parts/after market is huge if the need arises. I am a FNH and 1911 fanboy, but after owning a Glock I now would go with one without hesitation. Just carry it in a quality holster and never put a finger on the trigger unless ready to fire (duh). If I was doing it over, I would get the G27 (40cal) and then get a barrel etc for it for 9mm, so I could have both calibers available for the one pistol.

My wife has a Bodyguard 380 (her choosing not mine). She chose it over the LCP, and I liked her choice. Nice little pistol, the laser does work, but I wish I could remove it because it is honestly useless other then for me to help train her what she is doing wrong/right when shooting. Very concealable, has a safety, and better sights then the LCP. Got her some spare mags and an OWB holster. I have carried it and shot it a bunch also. The trigger sucks, just like most other mouse guns, but wife has gotten pretty good with it and has shown off her targets to her dad and our grown boys, which she should . And she is happy with the pistol, which makes me happy. I have read of a some issues with this platform though, broken firing pins from dry firing, laser coming loose, that sort of thing, though no problems here. Some things I do want to get across: You can double strike w/ the BG380, and we found out with certain ammo, it is needed. It seems to be reliable firing decent ammo and my handloads, but we have had many FTF with it with cheap target ammo. I trust it with the Critical Defense she uses for defense, and have had ZERO issues with it in the 380. So whatever ammo you would choose, shoot a bunch of it! to make sure it is GTG (as you should for any PD/HD weapon). However, finding 380 ammo locally is insane, I can't find it except in a few small shops, and it is as much as 45acp ammo. Ridiculous. I started reloading 380 because of this, and projectiles and brass are sort of hard to come by also in the current climate. All can be had via internet shopping though. I would go 9mm for other reasons, but since I have had issues sourcing ammunition for her little 380, that is another.

FYI, 380 is about half as powerful as 9mm. It is popular in small pistols because of they are hard to handle with the more powerful 9mm cartridge. Also, the 9mms have to be slightly larger to handle the pressure.

380 is an ok choice, but just realize the JHPs much less developed than the 9mm. The four main SD, semi-auto calibers used by Mil/LE/Civ are 9mm, .357SIG, .40S&W, & .45ACP. Step outside that and the performance and development of the HP is much less a known quantity. The bullet manufacturer should be able to make a quality product, but there is much less evidence that they perform as well as the common four.

I have a pocket 380, but I only carry it when a 9mm is too large. Just my two cents.

Since everybody else has beaten to death the fact the many other things to consider when purchasing a CC gun, I'll just relate my personal experience. I have four guns right now that were all purchased under $420 that I and my wife would (and do) CC:

S&W M&P9c ($349)
S&W Shield 9mm ($369)
S&W Bodyguard 380 w/laser ($400)
S&W Bodyguard 38 w/laser ($409)

All of the above pricing was at Quantico Tactical w/military or LE discount. Three were purchased during QT's tax-free weekends they do occasionally.

The two Bodyguards actually surprised me. I thought they'd be too small for me to enjoy shooting but they were not. And both are exceptionally easy to conceal. The two M&Ps are my preference to carry because they're 9mm and likewise easy to conceal with an IWB holster.

I've also shot Glock G19's and G26's and would recommend either. While I don't own one, my shooting buddies highly recommend them and I can see why. They are excellent guns and reliable ... and not too expensive. If you're military or LE, SSG Tactical in Fredericksburg sells blue label versions for much less than MSRP. If you're not in this area, try local Glock dealers and ask if they sell blue label ... again, IF you're military or LE.

Finally, be sure to invest in a good holster. There are tons to choose from. I carry CrossBreed and Hidden Hybrid Holsters. The CB is IWB only; the HHH is switchable from IWB to OWB. All are kydex and leather which can and will scratch up your gun over time. But to me a gun is a tool and I don't care that my carry piece gets scratched up.

Best of luck.

Leather will not scratch - it will wear finish. Horsehide will be more sweat rwsistant but at a cost premium against cowhide. Holster selection can be just as contentious as carry piece selection.

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GeneFrenkle wrote:Leather will not scratch - it will wear finish. Horsehide will be more sweat rwsistant but at a cost premium against cowhide. Holster selection can be just as contentious as carry piece selection.

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Not sure if that's directed at me, but you're correct of course ... leather will wear the finish. The scratching I was referring to is the kydex, which is really more of wearing down of the finish as well. One of my holsters is horsehide and does a great job of not absorbing sweat the way cowhide does. Point is, he should expect the finish to be compromised over time if cc'ing often. Don't buy a CC piece and expect it to look like a safe queen after 6 months of solid wear.

Lol not directed at anyone, actually. It was just a clarification. That wear adds character to a well appreciated carry piece. That is one criterion I mentioned about expensive pieces. They will get dinged, scratched and worn. Working pieces at the $2000+ side will get them just like $400 pieces.

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GeneFrenkle wrote:Lol not directed at anyone, actually. It was just a clarification. That wear adds character to a well appreciated carry piece. That is one criterion I mentioned about expensive pieces. They will get dinged, scratched and worn. Working pieces at the $2000+ side will get them just like $400 pieces.

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True that, Gene. I do have "myyyyy preeeeeecious" guns that I treat better than my daily carries, but my carry pieces have LOTS of character now. I've heard the finish on the Glocks holds up pretty darn well, but I can't say for sure. From what I've seen of them, they appear to be well-finished.

Has the OP made a decision yet? Or did I miss it?

SilentServiceVet wrote:I've heard the finish on the Glocks holds up pretty darn well, but I can't say for sure. From what I've seen of them, they appear to be well-finished.

The small parts finish starts to wear (e.g. slide release), but the primary finish on the slide is very heard and I've yet to see one with appreciable wear.

gunderwood wrote:

SilentServiceVet wrote:I've heard the finish on the Glocks holds up pretty darn well, but I can't say for sure. From what I've seen of them, they appear to be well-finished.

The small parts finish starts to wear (e.g. slide release), but the primary finish on the slide is very heard and I've yet to see one with appreciable wear.

Even with leather IWB holsters? wow! that's good stuff, then. Wilson Combat Armor-Tuff has noticeable wear after a decade in a leather holster.

You guys that CC in a pocket, which pocket and what type of pants do you wear?

Swampman wrote:You guys that CC in a pocket, which pocket and what type of pants do you wear?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

On the infrequent occasions I carry, I slip my little Sig P238 into my right front pocket, after discarding everything else like keys, penknife, chapsticks, etc. I wear baggy old man pants with pleated fronts. I love it. There's plenty of room for a pistol and EVERYTHING ELSE a feller needs room for in his britches; know what I mean? Hell, I could carry my Taurus Judge in that pocket if I wanted to.

Sorry if that wasn't the fashion advice you were looking for.

dormin - all advice is accepted. What I do with it is up to me! Thanks! I can't wear "old man" pants. They just don't do me any favors. Besides, I work outside so I need durable britches. Maybe I'll try some of those denim cargo-style pants.

Gotta find another carry piece, and I see tons of great suggestions in this thread. My Citadel .45 is just weighing me down too much.

> My Citadel .45 is just weighing me down too much.

I trust you realize in some circles that borders on heresy. lol

For pocket carry, some folks believe it's best practice to use a pocket holster. Be careful about the construction. It appears that if the pocket holster allows for the firing of the weapon, it is classified as an AOW. About 80% down the page at http://www.atf.gov/firearms/guides/iden ... earms.html But, ianal and i don't pocket carry.

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With a small enough gun, a wallet holster will work well in a hip pocket. The back (outward) side of the wallet holster is very stiff to hide the gun's outline. Ruger's LCP is a popular wallet holster gun.

LOL - I do realize that I could be buried up to the neck and stoned in some circles! I did have someone tell me once that the problem is my belt. Still haven't done anything about it.

Hadn't thought of the wallet holster, but that's not a bad alternative.

Chasboo - can you tell me what those weapons are from left to right? Thanks.

@swampman - i'll give the id-ing a shot. lessee... from left to right: a tiny gun, a little gun, and a small gun.

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Oh, I see! A comedian!