Please Recommend a Concealed Carry Pistol

[Kalifornia]

Im relocating to a state that is "shall issue", and one of the first steps I intend to take upon arriving is applying for a ccw. The issue is, none of my weapons are particularly easy to conceal, and I'm considering investing in a pistol which I will use as a daily carry. Whatever I buy will have to be comfortable, moderately sized, easy to use, and relatively cheap to practice with. I see no point in carrying a weapon that I cant afford to put at least a hundred rounds a week through.

I think, all things considered, even though I love the .45acp, that the a 9mm is a better choice. Practice rounds for .45 cost almost twice as much as 9mm, a good quality 9mm +p jhp seems to have sufficient stopping power (if I was limited to fmj, Id probably have to stick to the .45, but Im not), the average 9mm compact has 15 rounds where the average .45 compact has 8-10, and the .45 was designed for a 5 inch barrel, the 9mm was not. Adding all this up, unless someone can convince me otherwise, I think the 9 is the best choice.

Now, the real question is, which one? I like the XD, but it has some weaknesses. Its bulky. The mag releases sometimes stick. Its really a service pistol design, as opposed to being built for concealability. The Glock I like less, but it has smoother operation, though the handle angle makes it not so concealable as well. Im wondering if HK or SIG might be a better choice, but I hear bad things about their customer service.

What do you all carry, and what do you recommend? Im a big guy, so I dont need a derringer or a 2" revolver or something, but the idea of hiding a big .45 tactical in my waistband probably isnt the smartest one ever.

 

[Dr.3D]

I really like this combination.

http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/p3at.html

And this holster.
http://www.pocketholsters.com/Kel-Tec_Pocket_Wallet_Holster/kel-tec_pocket_wallet_holster.html

Fits well in the back pocket like a wallet.

 

[porcupine]

What state are you relocating to?

The XD's rock!

 

[AFM]

http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=28
Have only heard good things about CZs.

 

[Cogz]

A recommendation I have heard multiple times is a compact revolver in .357 Magnum. You can practice with .38 rounds or something like that) which are much cheaper.

Also, the profile of a revolver is less "gun like" and thus easier to conceal.

Eventually I will be getting me one.

 

[Cleaner44]

A .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, it can blow a head clean off.

 

[yongrel]

A .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, it can blow a head clean off.

 

[madengr]

I like my 3" 1911 however my wife has a 9mm HK P2000SK (they also have the larger version). It's got a nice pull for a DA however my hands are too large to effectively work the magazine release. The SK holds 10+1.

 

[Kalifornia]

What state are you relocating to?

The XD's rock!

Washington.

 

[Doktor_Jeep]

As Jeff Copper used to say: "A gun should be comforting, not comfortable."

 

[GunnyFreedom]

I like several for CCW, but here are two I like for serious concealment that I will provide just to be different:

Plastic:
The Walther PPS in 9mm
http://www.waltherpistols.com/item/...S_9MM_Pistol_-_Semi-Auto__DAO__Compact__.aspx

Metal:
The Walther PPK/S in 380 ACP
http://www.waltherpistols.com/item/...K_S_2-Tone_-_VAH38007__380ACP__Semi-Auto.aspx

Both of these are little, but pack a real punch. The PPS only carries 6+1 but it is frelling tiny yet comes with an adjustable grip to fit any hand. The PPS is also supposed to be more accurate than a 'normal' pocket pistol.

I have a Walther P32 that has not malfunctioned in 1000's of rounds, and it is the ultimate for accuracy and concealment. That's why I also linked the PPK/S in .380, same design as the P32 but in a larger caliber.

the P99 (plastic) is also very nice in 9mm, but avoid the P99 in .40 S&W as it has been known to have slide-lock issues.

If they offered the PPK line in 9mm then I'd say the choice was too obvious to be believed. IMHO, the PPK line was made for 9mm; but Walther has not seen fit to produce one. the .380 is a good round though - just not as common as the 9mm.

but then, in my world, the only real purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to your Main Battle Rifle (MBR).

My personal choice in pistols? The Smith & Wesson M&P .40
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...angId=-1&parent_category_rn=26807&isFirearm=Y

Now the Smith and Wesson M&P line also includes a compact 9mm here:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...angId=-1&parent_category_rn=26805&isFirearm=Y

(Avail in 9mm OR .40)

which looks good but I don't have any personal experience with one.

 

[Kalifornia]

I like several for CCW, but here are two I like for serious concealment that I will provide just to be different:

Plastic:
The Walther PPS in 9mm
http://www.waltherpistols.com/item/...S_9MM_Pistol_-_Semi-Auto__DAO__Compact__.aspx

Metal:
The Walther PPK/S in 380 ACP
http://www.waltherpistols.com/item/...K_S_2-Tone_-_VAH38007__380ACP__Semi-Auto.aspx

Both of these are little, but pack a real punch. The PPS only carries 6+1 but it is frelling tiny yet comes with an adjustable grip to fit any hand. The PPS is also supposed to be more accurate than a 'normal' pocket pistol.

I have a Walther P32 that has not malfunctioned in 1000's of rounds, and it is the ultimate for accuracy and concealment. That's why I also linked the PPK/S in .380, same design as the P32 but in a larger caliber.

the P99 (plastic) is also very nice in 9mm, but avoid the P99 in .40 S&W as it has been known to have slide-lock issues.

If they offered the PPK line in 9mm then I'd say the choice was too obvious to be believed. IMHO, the PPK line was made for 9mm; but Walther has not seen fit to produce one. the .380 is a good round though - just not as common as the 9mm.

but then, in my world, the only real purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to your Main Battle Rifle (MBR).

My personal choice in pistols? The Smith & Wesson M&P .40
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...angId=-1&parent_category_rn=26807&isFirearm=Y

Now the Smith and Wesson M&P line also includes a compact 9mm here:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...angId=-1&parent_category_rn=26805&isFirearm=Y

(Avail in 9mm OR .40)

which looks good but I don't have any personal experience with one.

That PPS looks like it could almost go in the pocket of a baggy pair of jeans or ride an ankle. No?

 

[ronpaulblogsdotcom]

I had a Walther P99 with a 4" barrel. My favorite gun so far. 9mm. THe new compacts are nice. Smith 38 or 357 would be a great option

If you have some money a rohrbaugh 9mm or seecamp are damn nice. Seecamps need expensive mainteneance to be real reliable.

 

[weslinder]

I've only carried a Glock 19, but I'm looking to move to something thinner. I think I've settled on a Sig Sauer P225, and have been searching for one. If I can't find a good P225, I may get a Sig Sauer P239. My other handgun is a Para Ordnance Government Model sized M1911. I love it, but it is quite large to carry concealed without a jacket.

 

[acptulsa]

A .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, it can blow a head clean off.

It isn't how much lead you sling, it's where you put it. In my opinion.

For concealed carry, target practice, using the same ammo in your pistols and your rifle, there's nothing like 22LR.

 

[Dr.3D]

It isn't how much lead you sling, it's where you put it. In my opinion.

For concealed carry, target practice, using the same ammo in your pistols and your rifle, there's nothing like 22LR.

That is pretty much true. It is better to have a smaller pistol than one you are apt to leave at home because it is too big to go where you are going. A head shot is apt to get the job done no matter how big the caliber.

 

[Kalifornia]

Thanks, keep the suggestions coming guys. So far from what Im seeing, Im beginning to think that I should carry my .45 service model when I can wear a jacket or something to cover it up, and then get a 9mm pocket model for when a jacket wont work (or as a backup).

Im kinda interested in the walther, but also maybe a baby glock or a xd subcompact. Big enough to throw a 9mm +p jhp, small enough to fit into the front pocket of some roomy pants or shorts.

the xd sc is especially interesting because the second mag is 16 rds. I would think that 26 9mm +P jhps should be enough to get me out of any trouble that finds me, or at least get me to my car for a reload or upgrade.

 

[GunnyFreedom]

That PPS looks like it could almost go in the pocket of a baggy pair of jeans or ride an ankle. No?

Yes, I believe that's the idea behind it's designers.

 

[UnReconstructed]

H&K USP Compact .45 ACP

ht tp://www.hk-usa.com/usp_compact_general.html

 

[midevilmark]

http://www.steyrarms.com/index.php?id=4
Please take a look at one of these. I have one and love it. The shooting angle and trapezoid sights allow for the fastest target aquisition I have yet to experience.
That's all for naught here in the peoples' republic of nj. Good luck friend.