EDC Handgun Help...

T

TFin04

Joined
Aug 21, 2005
Messages
1,494
Hey guys,

I'm 20 years old, turning 21 next April and I'm starting to save for a handgun. I've been shooting firearms since I was a kid, my grandpa bought me my first .22 when I was 10 I think. Since then I've shot everything from a .22 to a 50 cal.

I'm trying to decide what I want to get as far as a concealed piece. I'm leaning toward a compact revolver right now, but really would like some opinions from you guys who have been carrying for a while.

My main concern is finding something thin. I dress very casual when not at work, and I would like something I can conceal with a pair of shorts and tshirt on. I probably wont be carrying this on my person very often, but I would like to have that option if I wanted to.

So far I'm looking at a compact 357 revolver. It would be versitile enough to shoot .38's when I want to plink at the range or teach my girlfriend to shoot, but also able to pack a punch if I wanted to.

What are your thoughts? Auto/Revolver? Caliber? Brand? I know a lot of these are opinions, I just want to hear yours.

Thanks!
 
I rotate between 7 different handguns for carry, depending on what Im doing and what Im wearing. All are autos ranging from .380 to .45. The only one I can conceal, no matter what I wear, is a Kel Tec. I carry the P3AT on me at all times, from the time I get dressed until I get undressed. I carry it on a Kel Tec clip inside my waistband without a holster. Its my "go to" gun for carry. Its definitly not a range gun. Its design is for close range shooting, in a very compact and lightweight gun.

I have nothing against wheel guns. Theyre especially good for people that dont have much experience handling firearms because of simplicity. A Smith .38 Airweight is great for a carry revolver. I just prefer a lighter, more powerful, higher capacity auto.
 
I like the S&W 340PD series of revolvers. Small and light enough to carry without being too obtrusive (which means I'm more likely to actually bring it all the time). Also, it has a concealed hammer, facilitating drawing from a pocket or from under clothes.

Having tried numerous guns for concealed carry, I've discovered my build just doesn't allow for any handgun of much size.
 
I'm in a similar situation, TFin04. Now that I'm (finally) moving out of the house, I'm looking to get a firearm for concealed carry. I'm also sort of leaning towards a small revolver, particularily the 5 shot .38+p/.357mag S&Ws (scandium framed, even if I have to buy a SS framed one too just so I can practice), although I'll also have to look at smaller autos like NAA Guardian/Seecamp, Keltec P3AT, Kahr PM9, etc. There's no way I could carry anything wider than a single stack.

One thing to remember is that in addition to the gun and holster, you might also have to buy a new wardrobe full of pants, a size or 2 "too big" so you can comfortably conceal the gun.

My dream gun is a HK P7M8, but even if I could afford it, I'm not sure I could conceal it.
 
Dont get something that you are going to leave at home because it ends up being to BIG. Dont rush and get what you can shoot well. There are a lot of good ones out there but what might be right for me may not be right for you. THANK YOU! Kevin
 
You would be surprised how easy it is to carry a large auto like a 1911. I usually dont carry IWB. I carry OWB, Florida style, in a pancake holster. A good gun belt is the key to carrying a large gun. Ive been carrying for 20 years and you get used to a big gun.
 
Get yourself a Glock 27. I pack one of those, IWB, with just a T-shirt for cover with no problem.
 
"Thin" generally equals...Autopistol. As Glockman says, the "baby" Glocks are concealable and pack a lot of firepower.

The small-frame revolvers are fine as well (I've carried one for years) but I always found the super-light alloy jobs to be absolutely painful to fire. Mine is stainless, and I have the rubber Pachmayr grips.

Be sure to carry a speed-loader....Only 5 rounds.

Back when I was with the local County PD, I carried a 2" .357 for a couple of years. (Colt "Lawman") I was a tad skinnier, so I used to just use a waistband rig, with my t-shirt or polo pulled over same. However, I found that my left leg would get tingly if I sat too long with this rig!
A big, heavy gun that get's left at home is of dubious usefulness.
 
Springfield armory XD. (auto)
They have several model sizes and barrel lengths.
One for everyone!
Good luck
 
a small frame revolver is hard to beat for self defense. an auto is a good choice if you want to devote time and effort to get thoroughly familiar with it. todays autos are pretty good but they are still subject to problems that a revolver isn't. auto's can be ammunition sensitive, magazines can become dented or dirty, if you have a dud round you will have to manually cycle the action to clear it, if you don't have time to get a good grip the auto can jam due to lack of resistance{weenie arm}. of course a revolver is not perfect but if you have a dud just pull the trigger again to fire a fresh round. any bullet shape will function as well as any power level{38,38+p,38+p+,357}.
in a small frame wheel gun i would stick with 38 or 38+p, 357 is pretty brutal and not that much more effective. I like the j frame smiths{older} the ruger sp101's, and i've been told the taurus line is pretty good although i don't have a lot of experience with them. and finally a warning from an old guy whose seen a lot of people screw up. the decision to carry a pistol is one that should be thought about very seriously it can save your life or ruin it. if you still do the party thing then i would for sure think twice about it. If you do have to use it your problems are just starting in all probability you will end up in court, either civil or criminal and you may be found innocent or not responsible but it may cost you thousands of dollars. end of speech
as far as autos go glock would be my pick, bulletproof. good luck,ahgar
 
I wear "the invisible holster" that goes under your pants and carry either a glock 20(10mm) or 21(45 acp) depending on my mood. You cant tell I am packing a full size auto and a spare mag even in dress clothes tucked in or gym wear.I used to carry a Colt 1911(NOT an A1 its old as all hell) but it is retired to the safe now. The glocks dont rust and always fire for me thats great. I even jump in the water wearing my pistols when camping and dont worry about emergency gun cleaning to keep from rusting to pieces. I also carry a Makarov in an ankle holster if I feel I need to that day.Check out the invisible holster made in largo,fl. I love mine. Replaced the IWB carry a long time ago.
 
i think that revolvers are great for people who either can not or wont regularly clean a gun and mantain it. that said my carry is a springfield 1911 .45 with a few mods (tritium sights, combat trigger/hammer, replacment guide/hammer/mag springs, wrap around grips) i carry IWB and it has worked very well for me. i also put at least 200 rounds through this gun every week at the range and i am very comfortable out to 50 yards or so.

but i think that if you can shoot good with a revolver then that would be the right choice. to me they are too thick and i dont like the usual lack of saftey and long DA trigger pull
 
As a couple of folks have mentioned, the purchase of a S&W Model 340 revolver will solve all your problems. It's small, compact and powerful (.357/.38+P). And best of all, especially when it comes to concealment, it's scandium/titanium construction makes it ridiculously light. It weighs 12 oz. unloaded. You won't think it's a real gun the first time you pick it up. And yet it's more than accurate enough for self defense work in the 10 to 15 yd range. Also, being that it's built on the standard J-frame platform, it can be fitted with the laser grips which add almost zero weight or bulk to the package. About the only thing it isn't is cheap.
 

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i would get either a kahr P9 or PM9 (first choice) or a glock 26/27/33 (second choice) also good to have a small pocket .32 like the keltec 32 or .380, or a seecamp/etc, while a S&W snubby is ok i would rate it near the bottom as its only a 5 shooter, no easier to conceal/carry than a kahr P9 or PM9, lots harder to shoot, esp. with +p loads, imho the very best edc pistol in a decent calibre is the kahr P9 or PM9, they are reliable, very accurate, light, small, very easy to shoot/carry, i dont like the .40s though, at least not as much as a 9MM, the 9MM is just so easy to shoot, and with good ammo (ie speer gold dot, ranger SXT) not really much difference in the 2.

my PM9 is so small/easy to carry i RARELY carry my keltec P32 anymore. ya can put the PM9 in your SS front pocket just like the keltec,

if ya do want a snub i wouldnt get a J frame scandium .357 mag, FWIW. not too long ago revolvers were a little cheaper than most good autos, they are not anymore, if anything some of the scandium/Ti J frames are higher than a kahr/glock/etc, i'd just rather have a kahr/glock myself.
 
I've had the same bobbed hammer model 60 J frame Smith and Wesson since 1977, and its been carried alot and shot alot. In 29 years of use its never had one single malfunction of any kind. I don't know of any auto that can do that. Plus it fits in the side pocket of my Wrangler shorts in hot weather.

If I were doing it again today I'd go for one of the alloy revolvers with less weight than my stainless steel one.
 
Kahr Arms are excellent firearms. They are thinner than Glocks, which are a wide, blockier, if you will.
 
1911's carry flat and will feel less bulky than most revolvers. The key to carrying any firearm is a good IWB holster like a Lou Alessie and a good belt by the same maker. There are several makers around that make similar products as Alessie such as Bulman.
 
I'm in the same boat. I'm looking at my size, whether I want auto or a snub nose (I want something small), want something that packs a punch(knock them down and make sure they're not getting back up), you're going to have weight but make sure it doesn't drag your pants down and isn't uncomfortable, is the brand reliable. I've narrowed it down to a Ruger snub nose 357, and a Kahr 9mm compact.

Now I just have the small matter of getting the permit :D.
 
I'd get a nice little concealable Ruger Alaskan in .454 Casull with a 2.5 inch barrel.

Great guns that can also fire cheaper .45 cal colt ammo (like .357 can fire 38 special ammo), IMHO.

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-SRHAlaskan454.htm

These are definately a "man's gun". If you absolutely, positively, for certain want to stop something that is attacking you, this is what you want.

If you just want something small, and very concealable get what the Israli CIA-type guys use. A Beretta .22cal with stingers. I think it is called a Bobcat. Your hand will cover all of it, it is that small.
 
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