Best gun for conceal carry?

[shortylickens]

I have an LCP and a 238. I carry the LCP cuz its streamlined and no safety.

 

[gorcorps]

People are giving the new XD-S really high marks. Even people who have been anti-Springfield have been surprised with it. I personally find it's easier to conceal single stack guns like the XD-S, LC9, P238/239, etc. I have an XDM compact and find it too wide to conceal comfortably, unless it's winter and I'm wearing a hoodie.

Also, just personal preference here, I just don't feel comfortable carrying anything knowingly cocked with just pins and safeties holding it back. Something either DA/SA or DA only is more my speed so I'd side with the Sigs overall.

 

[Jaepheth]

A1 Abrams

Keeps you completely concealed no matter where it carries you.

 

[PliotronX]

Ruger SR40C. Soft shooting mini fotay.

 

[HAL9000]

Walther PPK, if it's good enough for Bond...

 

[Pray To Jesus]

I recently picked up a M&P Shield and it's awesome for summer carry. Cost is around $400.

Liking this one so far.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

A1 Abrams

Keeps you completely concealed no matter where it carries you.

What about a APC?

 

[dr150]

Not only can you conceal it, but you'll have women approaching you for dates! :thumbsup:

 

[midwestfisherman]

Cheap and concealed carry don't go together. Find a gun that you're most comfortable with and practice, practice, practice and then practice some more. If you're going to carry a firearm it should be extremely reliable! This is no place to cut corners! A lot of gun clubs or stores will have gun that you can rent. Find them and rent a few that you're interested in. Buy the one that you're most comfortable with!

 

[PrinceofWands]

Caliber, hand size, safety preference, etc? Everyone prefers different things. I love full size Glocks for a duty sidearm, but would never carry a compact Glock as they don't fit me well (feel like a brick in my hands) and I like an external safety on my concealed piece. I also like to match calibers so I can buy just one ammo type and not have to worry about it.

If you aren't at a place where you've considered such things I don't know that you're ready to carry regularly.

 

[gorcorps]

Liking this one so far.

Shoot one first. I absolutely hated the m&p trigger.

 

[Jeeebus]

Once again, you failed Jebus.

Indeed he has.

That said, if my wife wouldn't kill me for buying another gun, it would be the M&P shield. I already love my M&P full size 9mm, so it's baby brother would be a great fit.

 

[boomhower]

Cheap = <$700 for everything including hoster. Pretty much want a reliable gun that won't jam on me and good stopping power but is comfortable enough to carry daily.

I stick with my Shield suggestion then. Gun $400, holder $60(MTAC or Supertuck), quality gun belt $80(DO NO skip this, look hard at thebeltman.net) = $540. Leaves $160 for ammo and range time to get you started.

 

[LTC8K6]

Walther PPK, if it's good enough for Bond...

Bond didn't like the PPK, he wanted to keep his Beretta 418 .25ACP.

 

[sourceninja]

I like my walther PPS, but I'm really excited about getting a SA XDS.

 

[onza]

I C&C the Walther PPS 9mm with some Hornady Critical Defense 115gr rounds.

550~ going rate + transfer fees.

 

[SlowSpyder]

Cheap = <$700 for everything including hoster. Pretty much want a reliable gun that won't jam on me and good stopping power but is comfortable enough to carry daily.

My Sig P290 was $550 (on sale) with a six and eight round extended mag, a holster, and the laser. The normal price is $700 at Gander Mountain. It is 9mm, I like it a lot and have no problem recommending it, but no one gun is perfect for everyone.

Looks like it is on sale again.

 

[QuantumPion]

The sig p290 along with the p250 have a lot of negative reviews for being problematic junk, although I have no personal experience.

For cheap & durable, get a kel-tec P3At/ruger LCP or kel-tec PF9/ruger LC9.

If your budget is fricking $700, that is not cheap and you can move up to top-of-the-line guns such as sig p238, sig p938, kahr PM9, etc.

 

[shortylickens]

What is your definition of cheap? Right now the best out there in a small CCW for a good price is the Smith and Wesson Shield. They run $400 and under, available in both 9mm and .40. It's a slim single stack for good conceal ability. The LCP is a good choice if your on a real tight budget but I don't consider .380 a good primary defense weapon, especially these days with everyone screwed up on meth and crack.

My CCW right now is a Sig P239 is .40. Great gun but it's expensive and heavy, but I have an affinity for all steel guns.

Go to Youtube.
Plenty of meat tests show a 380 hollow point rends just as much flesh as a 9mm hollow point. The only real difference is when the target is wearing a heavy leather jacket. 380's lose much of their energy when passing through and dont get proper expansion inside the body. 9mm's keep most of their energy and expand quite nicely. And again thats only hollow points.
I have no idea how a full nose does through leather into flesh. But you really shouldnt be using target ammo for self defense anyway.

 

[Triumph]

The best gun for concealed carry is the one you are most comfortable operating and wearing.

 

[shortylickens]

The sig p290 along with the p250 have a lot of negative reviews for being problematic junk, although I have no personal experience.

For cheap & durable, get a kel-tec P3At/ruger LCP or kel-tec PF9/ruger LC9.

If your budget is fricking $700, that is not cheap and you can move up to top-of-the-line guns such as sig p238, sig p938, kahr PM9, etc.

I have a P290 and it has been incredibly reliable even when not properly lubricated. If it were just a bit smaller I'd carry it every day.
The p938 is only slightly larger than the 238 and has a lot more stopping power (see above post). I think I might sell my 290 and 238 then buy one of those for daily carry.

 

[pontifex]

why not go test some out? you are going to get a huge bias in manufacturers, calibers, etc.

what might be good for me might not be good for you.
you might be able to handle a .45, someone else might not. gun A's grips might be too small for your hands, gun B may be too heavy for you to carry around all day.

guns are a very personal tool.

 

[shortylickens]

why not go test some out? you are going to get a huge bias in manufacturers, calibers, etc.

Probably cuz he doesnt have a place to play with a variety of weapons.
Virginia is gun crazy and I only know one place that rents good firearms. Blue Ridge Arsenal in Chantilly.

 

[alkemyst]

There is no 'best gun'.

How do you plan to carry?

Do you plan on wearing a jacket / coat daily?

Do you own guns already and want to share ammo?

Then it's about firing it. A 3" .44 magnum sounds great on paper...shooting one is a bit different.
etc.

 

[kage69]

For price and ease of concealment look at some .38 snubbies, although you will be limited to 5 or 6 rounds. Great guns though, there is a reason they are still probably the most popular backup among weapon cops. Great reliability too, probably the only thing I'd carry in ankle holster where accumulating lint and hair get all over the gun.

If a wheel gun ain't your thing or you def want higher ammo capacity, look at some Bersas and Berettas in 9mm (I'd pass on the .380 if I were you) on the lower price end. Keltec makes a nice thin 9mm, I know lots of people that carry and love them. Stay away from +P ammo tho. Glock, Kahr, and Springfield all make great smaller models that will serve you well. I've heard excellent things about the new XDS, going to investigate it myself soon.

I wouldn't bother with the derringer style "mouse guns," at least not for your primary piece.

Whatever you do go rent and try before you buy. Don't buy something and find out later you can't stand the trigger, or needs tweaks to carry comfortably. Also keep in mind that if you intend to carry one piece in all seasons that will limit your choices.