What caliber do you prefer for conceal and carry?

My thanks to you guys!

So, one of my top priorities since getting home from hunting is getting my wife and I setup for pistol classes. We are also looking for recommendations for handguns.

I’m currently looking at 38 special revolvers for her. This gun will be kept in a biometric safe in our home. Likely never carried outside the house except to practice with.

I’m also looking for a cross between concealed carry and plinker. Something that I can take with me up north and do some plinking or back home to SD. I’d prefer something a little larger than a .380. However, I also want compact so I can conceal. Suggestions on a gun/caliber?

.40 is a nice happy medium in my opinion!

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.40 is a nice happy medium in my opinion!

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X2

I take a look at Ruger GP100 or SP101. Just look for a shorter barrel length to help keep it some what light for her. I would also think about going with .357 then you both could shoot it, cause if I remember right you can shoot the .38 specials out it as well as the .357

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I take a look at Ruger GP100 or SP101. Just look for a shorter barrel length to help keep it some what light for her. I would also think about going with .357 then you both could shoot it, cause if I remember right you can shoot the .38 specials out it as well as the .357

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X2 on the gp100 and sp101

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I take a look at Ruger GP100 or SP101. Just look for a shorter barrel length to help keep it some what light for her. I would also think about going with .357 then you both could shoot it, cause if I remember right you can shoot the .38 specials out it as well as the .357

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You could carry a GP100 in a pinch, but it is a pretty big gun to conceal, so it definitely wouldn’t be my first choice. You indeed can shoot .38 Specials out of a .357 Magnum revolver, but Magnums out of a gun small enough for concealed carry are a bit much for my liking. It doesn’t hurt to have the ability to shoot the Magnums even if you don’t shoot them, but you should be able to pick up a .38 Special for cheaper.

Revolver I’d go .38 Special.
Auto I’d go 9 mm (because ammo is cheaper than .40 S&W)

I’d like a Beretta PX4 Storm. You can get it in compact.

I can only speak to the guns I own and handle.
A revolver is a good choice for your wife. Double action only is safer but harder to hold still with the big trigger pull. I have a S&W snubby DAO. My first carry gun. 38+P is plenty strong but you cant aim those things much past 25 feet, if that. That was my biggest reason for getting away from it. Who wants to get that close to an adversary if you dont have too. I was thinking of mall shooter scenerio. My Glock Model 23 fits that bill. I can hit targets consistantly at 25 yards and beyond. Also it is thinner than a revolver cylinder and 13 shots is a little nicer than 6. I know there are a lot of nice auto’s out there. I’m just ignorant about all of them except my Glock.

I was going through this process a few years ago.

I bought a auto 380 for the fw. It just seemed to complicated for her if it didn’t feed correctly and just loading or unloading it.

She can handle a revolver much better. Speed is good, but accuracy is deadly.

All weapons have a trade off. Great conceal guns are terrible for plinking guns…good plinking guns are much harder to conceal…in my humble opinion.

Really comes down to your priorities.

9mm are less expensive

40 cal has more of an “impact” on your foe.

45’s are awesome, but with 13 rounds in a mag they are just too heavy for me to carry comfortably.

Shorter autos are better to conceal (don’t forget weight)

Longer barrel revolvers are better for plinking.

357’s get into the heavy frame, but in 4 or longer inch barrel, they get a little heavy and bulky to carry. But there is the convenience of shooting the less expensive .38’s and wad cutters for plinking.

Some of the above can be over come my how you are going to carry. The under arm holster will hold a larger frame revolver comfortably, but concealing it under a tee shirt is a problem.

Guess what I’m saying is don’t over look the holster and how you plan on carrying the weapon when making a cal. barrel length decision.

Awesome advice! I’ll definitely put some thought into that also.

I really like my Ruger LCR 38sp with laser hand grip sights. Weighs 13 ounces comes standard with two stage trigger which is very smooth and crisp. Easy to carry and conceal simple as all get out and darn accurate for a 2 inch barrel.

Glock 19 for you and SP101 for the wife. The little brothers wife has an Ruger SP101 and loves hers for concealed.

I carry the springfield xd9 (3inch), great gun but a bit heavy, especially with extended clip. However, the extended clip is really nice when shooting a compact gun like that with large hands. I have the xd 45acp also, 4inch, which shoots much better but way too heavy to carry. The nice thing with both guns is the way their built, easy to tear down, clean etc. never a problem with jamming. the 9mm ammo is appealing because the price point.

Right now I’m leaning towards these two weapons. I need to get the S&W in my hands though. I’ve shot the Ruger. I’ve decided this purchase will be for CC only. My next will be for fun!

S&W

or

Ruger

Although you didn’t ask for them, I’ll give you my thoughts on lasers.

I’ve had a Crimson Trace laser on my Glock 26 9mm for over 5 years now. I’m a true believer in the red dot.

With that said…

The user should not totally rely on the laser. Tape it off or otherwise disable it every time your out shooting. There are some conditions that will prevent the laser from being use. Don’t become totally dependent on any laser.

Most “good guys” that wear white hats think that “painting” a bad guys face might prevent the use of a hand gun. They are DEAD wrong. If you have time to use a laser to intimidate a bad guy, you have time to flee or you are giving the bad guy enough time to get the first shot off at YOU.
Most instructors will say, if your weapon comes out we should have made the decision to shoot and it IS the last resort. Any delay or second guessing and there’s a good chance we’ll be seeing you in the hospital….or worse.

Note: When LE’s “paints” someone’s face it’s a completely different scenario.

Practice shooting from your pocket draw and shooting from the hip. After you feel comfortable shooting it.

Pluses of the laser?

If your weapon is capable of dry firing. Use the laser to control your flinch. Each day on the range, I’ll tape up the Crimson Trace laser to ensure I don’t have a flinch with these smaller weapons. It’s amazing what you’ll find.

When drawing from your pocket or where ever decide to carry, your target acquisition is guaranteed 100% of the time when using a laser sight as long as the dot can be seen.

The same can be said for weak arm shooting.

LOW-LIGHT SIGHTING

Most armed self-defense situations happen in low light environments. You’re faced with making the most important shot of your life just when your iron sights are fading into the twilight. That’s when Crimson Trace laser sights earn their keep.

IMPROVED ACCURACY

Short-barrel snubbies and semi-autos are tough to aim beyond a few yards. Many lack sufficient iron sights. Lasers extend the effective range by projecting the point-of-impact onto the target.

QUICK TARGETING

Face it. In a life or death situation, you’re going to be looking at the threat, not at your front sight. Why not place a highly visible mark on the threat, showing you exactly where your bullet will land?

MOTION AND COVER

Participants in a gunfight are probably not going to be standing still, like targets on a range. Crimson Trace laser sights enhance speed and accuracy when moving and when aiming at moving targets. Plus, you can shoot from behind cover without achieving a traditional sight picture – the laser can find its target from any position.

With all that said, let me know which one you select. I haven’t held the Smith either.

Free dvd when a catalog is ordered.

Great stuff Brian!! I put half down on a S&W Bodyguard .380 today. I should be able to pick up in the next week. I handled just about everything in Cabelas today and this gun just fit my paw better. I’m ordering a Biometric safe this week also. My wife says she wants to start with this gun and decide if the a semi-auto is right for her or not.

I had a hard time deciding if I need a carry gun or home protection gun(larger caliber). I decided to start with this and if we decide we need a pistol for home also, I’ll probably get the SP101 mentioned above. A very nice pistol.

Let us know how you like it, Kooty! Looks like a nice little piece.

Glad to hear you changed Kooty. I cant stand how my LCP fits the hand. Very awkward even with Hogue grip. I felt the same way about the LC9 I shot.

Lot of good posts. Personally, I carry a Kel-Tec P-11. 20 ounces loaded 9mm. Compact small frame composite light weight 9mm DAO.

You will not carry if the gun does not totally disappear when you wear. And I mean you and everyone else don’t know it’s there comfy kinda fit. And I’m talking summer shorts and T-shirt easy to conceal gun. Match that up with an Uncle Mikes size 12 holster and you are set.

http://www.keltecweapons.com/our-guns/pistols/p-11/

-J.

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Lot of good posts. Personally, I carry a Kel-Tec P-11. 20 ounces loaded 9mm. Compact small frame composite light weight 9mm DAO.

You will not carry if the gun does not totally disappear when you wear. And I mean you and everyone else don’t know it’s there comfy kinda fit. And I’m talking summer shorts and T-shirt easy to conceal gun. Match that up with an Uncle Mikes size 12 holster and you are set.

http://www.keltecweapons.com/our-guns/pistols/p-11/

-J.

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Good point Jon. That’s why I usually only carry in the cold months when I have adequate clothing.

Kooty, how you liking the Bodyguard ? I handled one today… I like the safety, trigger seems a little heavy to me but……

Jon, does the Kel-Tec have a safety option ? I have just started looking, so any advice appreciated.

For guys our size, the Bodygaurd feels tiny in my hand. However, it conceals SO NICELY!! I’m now shopping for something more “midsized” for carrying and plinking. I bid on a Glock 19 today, in the hopes if I “stole” it I’d make it work for carrying or worse case it just became my plinker. Sadly the bidding went right up to retail pricing.

I will state, I’ve not shot the Bodyguard much. I’m hoping to get some more rounds through it this weekend.

G, You might want to check out the Taurus Millenium series also. Reasonably priced and the specs look good on paper. The 9mm or 40S&W are both about 10 ounces lighter than other economical models such as Bersa.

I carry the Sig Sauer P229 40cal. I’ve done a lot of shooting other gun and loved how this one felt and performed. If price is of concern then the Sig might not be the best choice. Mine is equipped with Trijicon night sights and love them. With all lights off in the house they glow bright and are easy to pick up and get on target. I’m not a fan of laser sights because they are one more thing that could go wrong when you need them, But your iron sights will always be there. I’ve shot around 400 rounds threw this gun and have been pleased with it very time. I’ve shot as fare out as 50 yards and am able to keep every round on target. As for concealment it carries real nice. Its about as heavy as I want to go but not to the point to where its uncomfortable. One other nice thing is with this Sig I can buy conversion kits and change the cal. all the way down to a 22. So if I want to save money a kits cost about half what a new gun runs.

Thanks for the info Bmaster!

I just got back from Cabelas and got to handle many different weapons. I would say the Glock 26 was my favorite if I had to pick one off the counter blind folded. The Taurus PT140 was my next choice. I didn’t care for the Springfield XD, it just seemed heavy.

It would be nice to be able to shoot all the pistols I handled today to see how they perform.

.45 Para hog

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I would say the Glock 26 was my favorite

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X2 I really like the feel of the Glock 26, I am also going to have to check out Jon’s Kel-Tec P-11. Thanks for the tip Jon!

I have a S&W model 915 great for home protection and plinking but not so great for C&C, easy to conceal in cold weather under a coat but too heavy to carry all the time. Here is a review of the 915.