new to concealed carry

[usmc927]

I'm looking at concealed carry pistols and I was just wondering if there was any difference in carry between a gun that's 1.28"wide or one thats 1.68" wide? Or am I just being picky?

[VBshooter]

Your being picky.,..Get the one you like and the hell with how wide it is...Has no effect on the guns operation anyway,,,,,,

[gunderwood]

Measurements can be misleading as they don't spec what is actually that wide. A slide or grip that is 1/2" wider is a big deal IMHO. If it is just because of a manual safety or something, it probably isn't. What are you looking at?

[cabrera]

Your best approach is to first find one the feels good in your hand. Comfortable & ergonomically good...FOR YOU!
Next decide where you are comfortable carrying (mostly) and try them on. If you will be carrying IWB a thicker gun may be an issue, You may like an LCP, again preference.
Lastly, if possible go to various ranges that rent guns & see if you can find any of your selections & see how you like the action, recoil etc.

My wife has been doing this for a few weeks now. She wants to make sure her choice of ccw is comfortable.

Good Luck

[ProShooter]

Your best approach is to first find one the feels good in your hand. Comfortable & ergonomically good...FOR YOU!

Spot on answer! I always tell my students the same thing - the gun has to fit your hand correctly. That is decision #1 when choosing a handgun.

[Diomed]

Your best approach is to first find one the feels good in your hand. Comfortable & ergonomically good...FOR YOU!

Spot on answer! I always tell my students the same thing - the gun has to fit your hand correctly. That is decision #1 when choosing a handgun.

And it is important to remember that the process doesn't stop there. Just because a gun fits your hand and feels comfortable doesn't mean it's actually any good for shooting. Take, for example, the Charter Bulldog in .44spl. Fits my hand like a glove. Unfortunately, it's unpleasant to shoot and a pile of crap besides. Or the Sig P232. My mom tried one in a gun shop and loved it. I warned her that it's probably not much fun to shoot, blowback .380s being what they are. She didn't hear me, still loved it and wanted it. So it was her Christmas present. She learned the first time shooting it that it's very unpleasant to actually shoot.

So, good fit is good ... but it's not the end. It's the start, and possibly a false start.

[CowboyT]

I suggest trying several models of various types. Several ranges (e. g. Sharpshooters, formerly Gilbert's) make guns available for rental. Some like snubnose revolvers; others like compact semi-autos. Yet others prefer service-sized firearms for CC (yes, this can be, and is, done with the right holster). One guy I know CC's a full-size 1911, comfortably. He looks kinda like Jared Fogle from Subway after losing all the weight.

[gunderwood]

Your best approach is to first find one the feels good in your hand. Comfortable & ergonomically good...FOR YOU!

Spot on answer! I always tell my students the same thing - the gun has to fit your hand correctly. That is decision #1 when choosing a handgun.

And it is important to remember that the process doesn't stop there. Just because a gun fits your hand and feels comfortable doesn't mean it's actually any good for shooting. Take, for example, the Charter Bulldog in .44spl. Fits my hand like a glove. Unfortunately, it's unpleasant to shoot and a pile of crap besides. Or the Sig P232. My mom tried one in a gun shop and loved it. I warned her that it's probably not much fun to shoot, blowback .380s being what they are. She didn't hear me, still loved it and wanted it. So it was her Christmas present. She learned the first time shooting it that it's very unpleasant to actually shoot.

So, good fit is good ... but it's not the end. It's the start, and possibly a false start.

Finding a few guns that feel good in your hand is a good idea, but the problem with new shooters is they don't really know what it is they are holding. E.g. a Ruger LCP might *feel* good in the hand because it is small, thin and light. Diomed is right though, it isn't a good range gun and it definitely isn't a good gun to learn shooting technique with. I've put nearly 200 rounds down range in one sitting in mine, but I'm definitely not a new shooter. The same thing could be said about automobiles and new drivers.

Find something that feels good and then ask your self why it feels go in your hand. Then explain your perception of the firearm and why you like or dislike it to people who have been shooting a while. An opinion that gun X is "good" is worth far less than a reasoned answer as to what makes gun X "good."

[ProShooter]

I find that most people have no idea how to size a gun up for themselves, how to hold it, or how to choose the correct defensive caliber for themselves. That is why it is a good idea to find a good firearms instructor and get some quality instruction.

[Vahunter]

Yet others prefer service-sized firearms for CC (yes, this can be, and is, done with the right holster).

Did you happen to notice the 4" XD 45 I had IWB holstler ? I know, you were really looking foward to those possum steaks for supper, so you didn't notice.

[zeroselect]

Conceal Carry Firearm Requirements in order for me:

1. Accurate
2. High Capacity
3. Comfort in hand
4. Comfort in holster
5. Size
6. Weight

I would rather not have a gun than have a gun that I can't shoot and possible hitting a bystander.

[user]

Given your first criterion, I'd say you want the Kahr K9; it's not what I'd call "high capacity", as the gun holds 7+1. But you can get it with nightsights and Crimson trace makes a laser grip for it. Actually, I'd say to spring the big bucks and get the "Elite 2003 NS" model. Other than "high capacity", I'd say that one meets all your other criteria. That one is super accurate, but you can't drop it in the mud and expect it to work right. It's a DAO, pull trigger, get bang, and not available in single-action.

If, on the other hand, number 2 is really more important that number 1, I'd say get a SigSauer 229; also available with nightsights, also has lasergrips made for it. I'd recommend the DAK version, myself, because I think all the external safety, decocker, and exposed hammer is too much to worry about. And I like consistent, if elongated, trigger pull. That's the one the Navy Seals use, but then, they need a gun they can drop in the mud and still expect it to be functional, and "groups" of three inches at ten yards is good enough for the likes of them.

Items one and two represent a trade-off between the kind of precise machining that results in superior accuracy on the one hand, and carry-it-anywhere reliability on the other. The double-stack "high capacity" magazines only run in the latter group (Sigs, Glocks, and such).

Of course, I'd really prefer a nice revolver, such as the S&W PC627, 5.5" barrel, 8 round cylinder, .357 magnum. Combines superior accuracy with reliability. But then, it ain't exactly teeny-weeny. But it would give you the opportunity, perhaps, to someday say, "I know what you're thinkin'... Did he fire eight shots or was it only seven? But, seein' as how this is the .357 magnum, and will (at least) take the back of a man's head clean off (given a entrance wound of a bit less than half an inch and hollow point bullets), you got to ask yourself one question..."

[gunderwood]

Conceal Carry Firearm Requirements in order for me:

1. Accurate
2. High Capacity
3. Comfort in hand
4. Comfort in holster
5. Size
6. Weight

I would rather not have a gun than have a gun that I can't shoot and possible hitting a bystander.

Any gun I can think of that anyone around here has ever recommended sufficiently satisfies #1 for CC. Having carried for nearly 5 years now, I'd have a vastly different ranking.

1. Reliable, particularly with HPs.
2. I am a good shot with it/have practice a lot.
3. The most powerful caliber I can use and not degrade #2.
4. Size.
5. Weight.
6. Round capacity.
7. Everything else.

Accuracy never is an issue IMHO for any quality CC gun. The difference between 2" groups at 25 yards and 6" is irrelevant. Most peoples shooting skills, especially under stress, are the limiting accuracy factor vice the firearm.

[zeroselect]

I forgot "Reliability" notch everything back and put reliability at #1.

As for accuracy I had met some people with pocket pistol at the range that couldn't hit a paper plate at 15 feet and this was there primary CCW. Now to me that person would more harm than good and a moment of high stress it is most likely you will not be thinking about what is behind the target nor what is around him/her.

If i get shot i get shot and the story ends for me but if i ever end up shooting someone else that I wasn't intending to shoot i don't think i could live with myself.

Just my own $0.02

[gunderwood]

As for accuracy I had met some people with pocket pistol at the range that couldn't hit a paper plate at 15 feet and this was there primary CCW.

I'd put money on it being the shooter and lack of practice. Mechanically, even a average pocket pistol, should easily be capable of holding a paper plate at 5 yards. Lack of practice is a major concern with pocket pistols because most people hate shooting them. Throwing in a long trigger pulls and mediocre sights doesn't help either.

[zeroselect]

I am sure it was the shooter but also the gun itself. The gun in question was the Ruger LCP. The trigger on it made you pull so hard and so far back that you be pulling the shots all day. When i first initial pulled the trigger it didn't go off. This was from the trigger needing to be pulled "all the way back" it felt like i had to travel back in time to reach the point where the hammer dropped.

[ProShooter]

I am sure it was the shooter but also the gun itself. The gun in question was the Ruger LCP. The trigger on it made you pull so hard and so far back that you be pulling the shots all day. When i first initial pulled the trigger it didn't go off. This was from the trigger needing to be pulled "all the way back" it felt like i had to travel back in time to reach the point where the hammer dropped.

The LCP is another one of these "limited use" guns that are available today, like the Taurus Judge. The best use for the LCP is that you are rolling around on the ground, being choked by Slappy the crackhead, and you reach down, grab your LCP and put 2 directly into his heart. It is not a good gun for shooting that bad guy who is standing 10-15 away from you, waving a Louisville Slugger and calling you his biatch. Any gun is better than no gun, but its not one that I suggest to folks as a primary carry gun. Hell, my buddy just had one crack in the chamber area while target shooting....makes one wonder.

[gunderwood]

I am sure it was the shooter but also the gun itself. The gun in question was the Ruger LCP. The trigger on it made you pull so hard and so far back that you be pulling the shots all day.

How fast were you shooting? Aimed target practice or timed/rapid fire?

When i first initial pulled the trigger it didn't go off. This was from the trigger needing to be pulled "all the way back" it felt like i had to travel back in time to reach the point where the hammer dropped.

No offense intended, but this sounds like shooter error. What you have described is absolutely how every DA pistol works. DA pistols have long, heavy triggers because they have no safety. The LCP is long, but so are my SIGs or Rugers.

If I can make it to SEG tomorrow, I will try my LCP out. I haven't shot it in a month or two, but last time I had it out I was able to hold rapidly fire the entire mag and keep it on a piece of paper at those distances. I had trouble going past 10 yards with it though. If I make it I'll post groups.

Proshooter is right though. The LCP is not the best gun to CC and learn on.

[gunderwood]

I made it out today. These were done with a Ruger LCP and Seller and Bellot 380ACP ammo at 15 ft (5 yards). The first is slow target fire and the second is reasonably rapid fire. I don't claim any special skills with a pistol. Both targets are regular 8.5"x11" pieces of paper.

[allingeneral]

That is why it is a good idea to find a good firearms instructor and get some quality instruction.

I've heard that a couple of good ones can be found within these boards somewhere