Weapons Bill in WI means WI Boy needs CCW Advice

JGON

JGON

Joined
Mar 12, 2010
Messages
975
Hi All,

So it appears that within the next month or two WI will join 48 other States in recognizing the 2nd amendment and allowing WI citizens to get a permit for concealed firearms carry. Since this has not been legal before, I have given no thought to this topic at all and I need some advice.

I understand small conceals better but can be more challenging to shoot. Because of my experience with firearms and my lack of a need to conceal in the past, I have usually owned medium to large guns. My experience with small guns is very limited. Would I be better off concealing a one of mine that I already own, such as a Springfield XD .45 or a S&W 686 3"? I know those are on the larger side, but concealable....

If a smaller gun would be better, I still want a capable round, which means more recoil for a smaller gun. What is the best compromise? I was in the market for a new revolver, but I'm unsure of if that would be the best choice for CCW.

I know nothing about holsters, IWB or OWB, or any of that. I was considering a Versipack from Maxpedition though. Any feedback?

Any info you have would be great.

JGON
 
The most important thing is to get what you actually will carry.

I often see guys bragging, "I won't be caught dead carrying a gun smaller than my .45 1911."

And that's probably true. He'll be found dead carrying no gun at all having left the 1911 iron tumor in the safe at home because he was just running to the store for a loaf of bread.

When the proverbial SHTF, it's better the .22 you have with you than a dozen .50 Desert Eagles at home in your safe.
 
Carrying a large gun really isn't all that difficult with the right holster. I can easily carry my full size 5" S&W M&P year around. A good IWB holster by Comp-Tac is well worth the expense.

If you want something really small, I'd highly recommend a Ruger LCP. Yes, it's "only" a .380 but it is extremely easy to carry.

Lots of options, but buy a gun that you will actually carry.
 
My advise is to carry a gun that you know & are comfortable with & confident with. Practice, practice, practice. Practice reloading drills, gun jam drills, point shooting, weak hand/eye shooting, low light/no light shooting. Practice these until they become second nature. When you know you got it down pat, practice some more. KNOW THE LAW, when you can & can not use deadly physical force. Make SURE you are prepared to use DPForce & the consequences that go along with it. Make sure you have a lawyer that knows what they are doing when it comes to self-defense cases. Better to be judged by 12, than carried by 6, especially when you KNOW you did the right thing according to the law.
 
I've been in search for the perfect carry rig for a lot of years now, and have, as most who have a very low perception of threat (retired school teacher) have been downsizing the blaster.....for a good first rig, as Mr Finkenstein commented a S&W J frame is a pretty good start for a wheel gun.... I use a 442 (aluminum frame) with Federal 125 Nyclads in a Fobus paddle or Sparks IWB for my "winter" carry when out for a walk... in summer (it was 94 yesterday) a KelTec 3AT in an Andrews Leather pocket holster....my car rig is a G17 in a JanSport bag
 
Another vote for the S&W J frame (442 or 642.) It'll be small enough and light enough for the pocket, and yet still have enough wallop. Pocket carry is SO much easier than on the hip. You can also have your hand in the pocket and on the gun during questionable circumstances.

A revolver is a mechanical device so it can still break or jam. That said, while I've had plenty of jams and stoppages with various autos, I've never had a problem with a revolver.

Google "Mika's pocket holster." I've been using this particular holster for the last couple of years. I can't say enough good things about it. The only bad is that it took months and months to actually get it. Robert Mika is in Wisconsin so maybe he's close enough for you to get one right now.
 
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Mitchell Knives said:
Carrying a large gun really isn't all that difficult with the right holster. I can easily carry my full size 5" S&W M&P year around. A good IWB holster by Comp-Tac is well worth the expense.

If you want something really small, I'd highly recommend a Ruger LCP. Yes, it's "only" a .380 but it is extremely easy to carry.

Lots of options, but buy a gun that you will actually carry.
Click to expand...

I agree about the holster. Here in Michigan I can carry a H&K USPc .45 all day long under a tee shirt. in my M-tac. Very minimal bump, extremely comfortable. And I also carry a Sig P238 .380 in my pocket, "when I run for bread." Would like anyones advice regarding a P238 holster. Haven't found a good choice for belt carry yet. I can't say enough good things about the Sig .380. I know it weighs a touch more, but I held a LCP, and it just felt like a toy. Just my two penny's worth...
 
Out of all my pistols I find myself grabbing my Taurus 185CH most. 2" snubby with no hammer,5 shot-.38 +P. Very easy to carry and access.--KV
 
I Personally both open- and concealed-carry. Kel-Tec P3AT IWB and Glock 34 on the belt. I have a shoulder holster for concealing the G34 in the city, and it works well. In more rural areas I OC the G34 because it's faster to get to and I'm not worried about getting lectured by hippies/soccer moms/other morons about how I shouldn't have an evil gun with me (also dealing with a cop who gets complained to by some pansy is always time-consuming and annoying).
 
Smaller guns are easier to carry and conceal; larger guns are easier to shoot, plus larger caliber and capacity.
Under a jacket, you can conceal almost anything.
Try mexican carrying one of your unloaded guns, if it seems like it will work, then get an IWB holster for it. If it seems too big, then look at smaller guns.
I carry an XD subcompact and it seems like a good size for me.
Off body is not recommended unless absolutely necessary because of the slow draw and how easy it would be to get separated from the weapon.
Definitely get a purpose built gun belt, makes a huge difference.
OWB is more comfortable, IWB is more concealable.

I highly recommend hybrid holsters as the most comfortable type of IWB holsters. The one I wear is from here: http://www.shieldedholsters.com/

Some reading on the carry forums on the gun boards helps a lot, e.g.,
http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=21
http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=5&f=10
http://thefiringline.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=18
http://concealedcarryforum.com/forum/
http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum/forum.php
 
JGON,

Before you buy a new pistol, buy a few good holsters for the pistols you already own and shoot well. I conceal carried a Glock 20 (yes that big square pistol) on my medium sized frame. The key was the right holster and a good belt.

The belt that keeps you shorts from falling abound your ankles won't support a small or large pistol. Assuming it isn't already around your ankles, you will probably need draw into your arm pit and then grab the holster with your free hand wrestle the pistol free. Exaggeration? Not really if you are shopping at a gun show from the people that sell cheap gun cases.

For the holster, I quickly figured out a Small Of Back Galco was a waste of $65. Cross draw, Inside the Waste Band, different cants, etc. all have fans but, not me. I went old school with a Bianchi leather hip holster that was low but in front with a thumb break. I could draw from it while seated in any chair I normally used, while seat belted in pickup, etc. Its smooth flowing lines kept it from "printing" through a black T-shirt in summer and was super easy to draw and present from.

My recommendations: start with a double thickness 1 3/4 leather belt cut on a bias. This will let it drape over your hips without pinching up like a straight belt will. This will be stiff enough draw from and support the weight of a heavy pistol without being overly stiff and uncomfortable. For a holster, I don't know what you currently have (if any) so consider getting a Blade-Tech hip holster for you favorite handgun and start wearing it around the house/farm to learn what you really like. If you want leather find a standard thumb break hip holster from Bianchi, Galco, or Safariland.
 
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