Best concealed carry pistol?

[ShortMan]

OP needs to tell us what he wants.
You have to make a tradeoff between size, quality, and price.
Assuming you want the best quality and money is less important, you still have to decide what kind of conceal you want. If it needs to be practically invisible, you would want a pocket pistol.
In that arena:
http://www.mouseguns.com/PocketAutoComparison.pdf

The Sig P238 is probably the best. If you wanna save a couple bucks and get something lighter, the Ruger LCP is a good choice. But you would be sacrificing a little bit of quality and reliability.

If you dont want a pocket pistol:
http://www.mouseguns.com/CompactCompare.pdf

[user]

The pistol/revolver of at least 9mm/.38 caliber that you shoot the best, is totally reliable, and one that you will actually carry nearly all the time.

... and any caliber in excess of that will give you a lot more flash/bang/recoil, but (assuming you can hit what you're aiming at) no real superiority in effectiveness. Willingness is first, accuracy is second (strongly correlated to physical comfort with the specific gun and adequate control), adequate penetration is third (strongly correlated with good bullet design.

It isn't always being fast, or even accurate that counts; it's being willing. I found out early that most men, regardless of cause or need, aren't willing; they blink an eye or draw a breath before they pull the trigger...I won't.

- John Bernard Books played by John Wayne in "The Shootist".

[user]

I started CC with a 1911 subcompact, and now use a single stack 9mm. The 9 is slimmer and the grip is shorter than a 1911, so it doesn't show through clothing. I also have a belt clip mounted on my pistol and I do not use a holster. The clip comes in handy for boot carry as well.
.

What kind of gun is this?

Excuse my ignorance, but would .38 Spl +p be sufficient stopping power? I'm considering a Ruger SP 101 or a S&W, maybe M&P 340 if the price is right.

1) The designation, "1911" refers to the Colt semiautomatic .45 ACP and guns derived from or modeled on it. The officer's sidearm you see in old WWII movies.

2) More than enough. .38 special with a good quality cartridge, e.g., Federal HST or Hydrashok, Hornady XTP, PMC Starfire, etc., will do everything you might want. I, myself, don't carry .38 +P, though I do use a 9mm+P in a SigSauer 226, which is big and heavy enough to stand up to the recoil. And I sure wouldn't use a .38 +P in a J frame S&W. I can control my S&W 49 with .38 spl's; but I had a 649 .357 for a while, and sold it because it was all I could do to hit an eight-inch paper plate consistently at seven yards. Itty bitty guns are too hard to control - I only use 'em when I'm dressed up for something and can't look like I've got a gun.

3) For a person who has sufficient grip strength to operate the slide on a semiauto, and who is only going to spring for one handgun that has to be his all-around carry/home defense weapon, I'd recommend (and remember, I'm a revolver guy) the Kahr MK9 Elite 2003 NS - 3.0" barrel. They're pricey but durable, accurate and reliable as all get-out. But, unlike Sigs and Glocks, made to very precise tolerances - not a good weapon for a cop who's got to catch drug runners in the salt marsh - you can't drop that gun in the mud and expect it to work right. I make that recommendation because it's very easily concealable in almost any situation, and has adequate capacity (6+1). No external gim-cracky like decockers, safeties, and stuff - double action only, striker operated, no hammer - you pull trigger, it goes bang. You want slightly larger, get the equivalent 3.5" barrel K9, but it only gets you one more round in the magazine, but it is easier to hold if you've got larger hands. Both are less than an inch across.

[Diomed]

Excuse my ignorance, but would .38 Spl +p be sufficient stopping power?

All the people killed with .38 Special are still dead. That's a fair number over the last century and (almost) a quarter.

[YuDanJa]

OP (SteveGT), I notice you have a Glock 19 listed in your arsenal...why not try carrying that for a while and see how you like it, first?

[gunderwood]

OP (SteveGT), I notice you have a Glock 19 listed in your arsenal...why not try carrying that for a while and see how you like it, first?

Good catch, I missed that. Yes, the G19 is one of the most popular models for CC. I think more people carry the compacts (G19, etc.) than the sub-compacts. IMHO, concealability has more to do with good CC equipment (belt/holster/clothing) than a fraction of an inch here or there on the gun.

[lonestarag]

I started CC with a 1911 subcompact, and now use a single stack 9mm. The 9 is slimmer and the grip is shorter than a 1911, so it doesn't show through clothing. I also have a belt clip mounted on my pistol and I do not use a holster. The clip comes in handy for boot carry as well.
.

What kind of gun is this?

Excuse my ignorance, but would .38 Spl +p be sufficient stopping power? I'm considering a Ruger SP 101 or a S&W, maybe M&P 340 if the price is right.

I carry a Kel Tec PF9. Here's some photos:
http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB. ... 1285786168

[SteveGT]

OP (SteveGT), I notice you have a Glock 19 listed in your arsenal...why not try carrying that for a while and see how you like it, first?

I feel like it's a little bulky for CC. Hmm, maybe it's just the holster I have for it? Once my permit arrives in the mail, I plan on trying it out for a little bit anyway.

[chfaunce]

OP (SteveGT), I notice you have a Glock 19 listed in your arsenal...why not try carrying that for a while and see how you like it, first?

I feel like it's a little bulky for CC. Hmm, maybe it's just the holster I have for it? Once my permit arrives in the mail, I plan on trying it out for a little bit anyway.

Probably your holster. It took me a little bit of experimentation to find one that worked, too. I have a G23; looks to be about the same size per Glock's website. IWB holsters seem to offer the best concealment; I have a belt / hip holster as well, and yes, it's slightly more noticeable, but not by much. To combat that, I usually carry it just slightly behind my hip (think of it sort of as the space between your front pocket and back pocket if you're wearing jeans, for instance). The upside to the waist holster (not the IWB) is that it's more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time, and it seems to offer better retention. My IWB is a simple thumb break. I think both of my holsters are by Bianchi.

In any case, I don't really consider the G19 or G23 exceptionally bulky unless of course you're comparing them to something with a single-stack magazine.

[gunderwood]

OP (SteveGT), I notice you have a Glock 19 listed in your arsenal...why not try carrying that for a while and see how you like it, first?

I feel like it's a little bulky for CC. Hmm, maybe it's just the holster I have for it? Once my permit arrives in the mail, I plan on trying it out for a little bit anyway.

What holster are you using?

[SteveGT]

OP (SteveGT), I notice you have a Glock 19 listed in your arsenal...why not try carrying that for a while and see how you like it, first?

I feel like it's a little bulky for CC. Hmm, maybe it's just the holster I have for it? Once my permit arrives in the mail, I plan on trying it out for a little bit anyway.

What holster are you using?

It is a JBP that has belt holes and a clip for IWB with thumb break. I think I've had it so long, that I got it at a gun show at Hugo's in '02 maybe?

[YuDanJa]

I feel like it's a little bulky for CC. Hmm, maybe it's just the holster I have for it? Once my permit arrives in the mail, I plan on trying it out for a little bit anyway.

What holster are you using?

It is a JBP that has belt holes and a clip for IWB with thumb break. I think I've had it so long, that I got it at a gun show at Hugo's in '02 maybe?

I don't know...I would have never thought a G19 as bulky.
I think if you love your Glock, trust it, and shoot it well, then carry it.
You seem to have good gear already; a high-cap, reputable, proven pistol with a strong, quality, retention, duty type holster. I say go with it and learn to adapt to it. To me one will never find the perfect CC gun and holster combo. There will (definitely) be days it'll be uncomfortable, and days you'll hardly notice it's there.

[CCFan]

Excuse my ignorance, but would .38 Spl +p be sufficient stopping power?

All the people killed with .38 Special are still dead. That's a fair number over the last century and (almost) a quarter.

All the people that were killed falling out of windows are still dead too, but I don't carry an empty window frame around...it just doesn't have that knockdown factor unless you can really heave it (and I can't...)

Like multiple others have said - carry what's comfortable for you. I've carried everything from the little Ruger .380 to a full size 1911 in 10mm... I typically carry a Glock 26, which can be a little thick for some people but I haven't had any problems carrying it even with shorts and a t-shirt, when done right.

Let us know what you decide!

[Diomed]

All the people that were killed falling out of windows are still dead too, but I don't carry an empty window frame around...it just doesn't have that knockdown factor unless you can really heave it (and I can't...)

Don't knock defenestration, it's an excellent way to get rid of political enemies.

[donmontalvo]

I started CC with a 1911 subcompact, and now use a single stack 9mm. The 9 is slimmer and the grip is shorter than a 1911, so it doesn't show through clothing. I also have a belt clip mounted on my pistol and I do not use a holster. The clip comes in handy for boot carry as well.
.

What kind of gun is this?

Excuse my ignorance, but would .38 Spl +p be sufficient stopping power? I'm considering a Ruger SP 101 or a S&W, maybe M&P 340 if the price is right.

I carry a Kel Tec PF9. Here's some photos:
http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB. ... 1285786168

Me too, I'm happy with my Kel-Tec PF-9 pistol. I was told to expect 200 or so rounds before it's broken in. Out of the box it jammed a couple times per 50 rounds. Then I remembered I read that I might need to do a "fluff and buff" to eliminate jams. I did it, took about an hour, now not a single jam in 500+ rounds. Very, very happy with the Kel-Tec PF-9.

Don

[CowboyT]

...which can be a little thick for some people but I haven't had any problems carrying it even with shorts and a t-shirt, when done right.

Oh, that's going to end up in someone's sig sooner or later. Just sayin'....

[TBob]

The most effective for you is what you shoot well and will carry consistently. A firearm in your safe will not save you WTSHTF. That said, here's my cut:

I've been carrying a Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry .45 ACP in a Milt Sparks Versa Max 2 for over a decade. I find it comfortable, easily concealable, reliable and very accurate. For concealed carry, you have to adopt your clothes to the task. That becomes second nature after a short time.

And yep, a perfect shot with a .22LR will get the job done. However, I'd like my rounds to be as effective as practical when the hits aren't perfect. Bigger hole in target = more damage and better chance of rapid incapacitation. Over 100 years of combat experience points to the .45 ACP as the most effective and practical overall. Check out Mas Ayoob's great article on the classic homeland security pistol.

[gunderwood]

The most effective for you is what you shoot well and will carry consistently. A firearm in your safe will not save you WTSHTF. That said, here's my cut:

I've been carrying a Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry .45 ACP in a Milt Sparks Versa Max 2 for over a decade. I find it comfortable, easily concealable, reliable and very accurate. For concealed carry, you have to adopt your clothes to the task. That becomes second nature after a short time.

And yep, a perfect shot with a .22LR will get the job done. However, I'd like my rounds to be as effective as practical when the hits aren't perfect. Bigger hole in target = more damage and better chance of rapid incapacitation. Over 100 years of combat experience points to the .45 ACP as the most effective and practical overall. Check out Mas Ayoob's great article on the classic homeland security pistol.

Don't get me wrong, I love my 1911/.45 and carry it, much of the data Ayoob uses is based on the military refusal to use anything besides FMJ. The .45 is a good choice, but it isn't the only good one IMHO.

[TBob]

The .45 is a good choice, but it isn't the only good one IMHO.

Agreed, but the .50 AE and .500 S&W Magnum offerings are pretty heavy and very difficult to conceal.

[SgtBill]

The most effective for you is what you shoot well and will carry consistently. A firearm in your safe will not save you WTSHTF. That said, here's my cut:

I've been carrying a Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry .45 ACP in a Milt Sparks Versa Max 2 for over a decade. I find it comfortable, easily concealable, reliable and very accurate. For concealed carry, you have to adopt your clothes to the task. That becomes second nature after a short time.

And yep, a perfect shot with a .22LR will get the job done. However, I'd like my rounds to be as effective as practical when the hits aren't perfect. Bigger hole in target = more damage and better chance of rapid incapacitation. Over 100 years of combat experience points to the .45 ACP as the most effective and practical overall. Check out Mas Ayoob's great article on the classic homeland security pistol.

Don't get me wrong, I love my 1911/.45 and carry it, much of the data Ayoob uses is based on the military refusal to use anything besides FMJ. The .45 is a good choice, but it isn't the only good one IMHO.

+ one

Shot placement can overcome mass of the projectile and weight of the projectile.
Bill