From Keeping to Bearing

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
jcm71

jcm71

Member
Joined
May 5, 2011
Messages
1,723
Location
Chattanooga, TN
As the title suggests I am seriously considering taking the step from just keeping arms in my home to bearing them when I am out and about. I will naturally take all the required courses, etc. to be legal. I have a Ruger P90, which is for me too heavy and cumbersome for concealed carry. I'm considering a Sig P226, Glock 17, or Ruger SR9 9mm. Any thoughts on these weapons, or are there others you can recommend? Thanks.

John
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
If you are considering a Sig, one of the best manufacturers IMO, and you are looking at the P226, I suggest looking at the P229. It's the same pistol, but is slightly shorter. It makes it better for carry. Get a good holster, I prefer a good retention like Safari, and a good belt.
 
I have had three of the four you mentioned.....

I will say this. It will do you no good to not carry them....they are all too big.
Find a nice small LCP in 380 that doesn't pull your pants down every time you grab it...then it'll always be with you.




Scott (open carry a 1991A1 though) B
 
There are so many choices out there with so many different uses by so many different people. Hard to decide. Most licensed gun ranges have demo's you can test out.
My go to carry guns are a Colt Government .380 and a Kimber Crimson Carry II. Both are small, light and well made. I don't like bulky or heavy ones, something to consider when you decide to carry a weapon.
Interesting note (NOT POLITICAL)...in Utah, getting a concealed carry permit is easier than getting a drink. 32 states in the U.S. recognize our CCW permit as valid in their states thus people from those states can and do get Utah CCW permits, go figure. I think it has something to do with how close we are to South Dakota. I've heard there are some pretty shady characters up there and they're right next door to Minnesota....ekkkk! :eek:

Here's hoping you never need to draw your weapon....
Bob
 
Not sure how to take that. I have always been one of those shady characters you mention. But lately I feel the need for a little back-up.
 
One of my favorite jokes ...
A state trooper stopped a 95 year old woman on Interstate 20, and noticed as he was checking her drivers license, that she had a concealed carry permit. He said got any guns with you ma'am? She said yes, a 45 Smith & Wesson in the glove compartment, a 357 magnum in the console and a 38 special in my purse. The trooper said LADY what are you scared of. She said.... NOT A DAMN THING!
 
BURLMAN said:
As the title suggests I am seriously considering taking the step from just keeping arms in my home to bearing them when I am out and about. I will naturally take all the required courses, etc. to be legal. I have a Ruger P90, which is for me too heavy and cumbersome for concealed carry. I'm considering a Sig P226, Glock 17, or Ruger SR9 9mm. Any thoughts on these weapons, or are there others you can recommend? Thanks.

John
Click to expand...

John,

I started with a Ruger SR9C but found it too large to conceal discreetly. I tried a Sig Sauer P238, but found the kick more than I liked. I now carry a Walther PPK 380 which is very easy to conceal. It feels good in my hand and is fits inside my waistband very well.

Many believe that anything smaller the a 9mm is unacceptable. But as they say it's not the size but the accuracy that counts.

Check out some of my favorite forums:
DefensiveCarry Concealed Carry Forum
Concealed Carry Forum - Index page
USA Carry - Concealed Carry Forum
OpenCarry.org - Discussion Forum
 
My only advice is carry what you are comfortable with...One other piece of advice don't carry if you would not be willing to shoot. The reason I don't have a carry permit right now is that I couldn't be sure that I would actually shoot someone and would probably hesitate even if my own life or my wife's was at risk...
 
I've had a CCP for 17 years and I carried a Glock G27, it's subcompact, easy to conceal. It's a .40 cal, good stopping power, you can't go wrong. I'm also lucky enough to live in a county with a Sheriff that asked all CCP holders to carry at all times. you may have seen the video, it made the news right after the San Bernardino tragedy, had the anti-gun people going nuts.
 
Sig 380 for my stature was all that I want to put IWB. The new generation (I think someone mentioned above) Glock 9mm is supposed to be small (at least here, 9mm ammo is about 30% less than 380 ammo, which is nice). We have plenty of the Glocks available here. I am also looking for a slimmer IWB (behind the back) holster. DeSantis has some, but have bought yet. I have found the type of holster to make a big difference as to what I am comfortable with. I also like a safety which is on the Sig. Enjoy the purchase and let's hope it never has to leave your holster (unless on a range :-) ).

I should also add I don't nearly have the knowledge or experience that most have with types of guns given my 44 year in NY.
 
Last edited:
TonyL said:
Sig 380 for my stature was all that I want to put IWB. The new generation (I think someone mentioned above) Glock 9mm is supposed to be small (at least here, 9mm ammo is about 30% less than 380 ammo, which is nice). We have plenty of the Glocks available here. I am also looking for a slimmer IWB (behind the back) holster. DeSantis has some, but have bought yet. I have found the type of holster to make a big difference as to what I am comfortable with. I also like a safety which is on the Sig. Enjoy the purchase and let's hope it never has to leave your holster (unless on a range :-) ).

I should also add I don't nearly have the knowledge or experience that most have with types of guns given my 44 year in NY.
Click to expand...
I had a permit in upstate NY for 30 years but only carried conceiled during hunting season (usually under my hunting coat) it was a .357 Mag revolver with a 7 1/2 inch bbl so it really wasn't meant to be hidden. It was good anywhere in NY State but NYC, Buffalo and perhaps Rochester.
 
The Glock 17 is large & not as easygoing to conceal. Nice gun though. A Glock 19 is a smaller version of the G17 with 15 rounds into the mag. When running around with my cargo shorts on, I've been carrying my Glock 42...380 cal & very small size. I've just got to handle the new Glock 43 the other day. That will probably be my next purchase due to caliber & size. Glock 27 mentioned earlier is another very nice choice...

Best advise is to find what you are comfortable with shooting & go from there!
 
Choosing a weapon depends on what fits your hand, can you handle the recoil, is the firearm dependable. To each his own.

My recent carry is Remington 1911 R1 in a crossbreed deluxe holster on a crossbreed belt. I'm 5' 11" about 170 lbs. it is not a problem to carry. A strong belt with a good holster is invaluable, so is constant training for defensive shooting.

I took the 4 day defensive handgun training at FrontSite several years ago using my Glock 23 . 40 in a K&B holster (no longer in business).
I carry about 5 o'clock strong side and can draw from concealment and fire two shots center mass no problem.
 
I don't carry anymore (all my guns were stolen, and I haven't replaced them, since I'm retired now and not working in office buildings at night anymore...) but after I was mugged coming out of an office building one night, I got my concealed carry license and always carried when I was in any kind of high risk situation. Like going to the ATM at night or on a weekend when the bank was closed, or working in an office building at night. Now you no longer need a concealed carry license in AZ, anyone can carry concealed. With what is going on in the world today, though, I'm shopping for a new handgun. My old one was a Taurus 9mm with an 7 round magazine plus one in the chamber. (Mrs. Wertz, why did you shoot the intruder EIGHT times....because my gun only holds eight rounds!) I really liked it...I have small hands and it fit my hand well. And I have always lusted after the little Ruger Bearcat. It is JUST my size!

I've used a fanny pack instead of a purse for years (bursitis in both shoulders) so I got a fanny pack with a concealed carry pocket in the back.

For a house gun, though I lust after one of these

http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=199&category=revolver
 
Last edited:
I waited over a week to post anything on this subject to see what comments you got. Good to see honest opinions and no negative remarks from people that have a different outlook. Good luck on your choice, you have some good info to start with. My two cents is I carry a Sig P230 (380 cal) in a "Sneaky Pete" holster. The holster looks like a carry case for a cell phone, has magnetic flap for easy access, and does not draw any attention to your weapon.
 
Scotty said:
I would like to hear recommendations from left handed shooters. Any particular gun more comfortable?
Click to expand...
I saw a video on YouTube about guns for left hand carry a couple of weeks ago. Sorry I don't have a link. If you go there and do the search I'm sure you can find it.
 
I still haven't made the jump but am getting closer. I'm looking at getting a SCCY CPX-2 9mm. It also looks like it would be a good fit for my wife. The overwhelming majority of reviews/videos I've seen have been favorable. Any thoughts on this one?
 
The double stack magazine might be a problem for your wife. I found that a double stack magazine made it difficult to get a consistent grip with my smaller hands. When shooting my husband's Taurus 9mm (which was almost identical to mine except that his had a double stack magazine and mine had a single stack), I couldn't consistently put my finger on the trigger in the same place, and every time I picked it up I would have to carefully adjust my grip or my groups would be off center.
 
Terredax said:
If you are considering a Sig, one of the best manufacturers IMO, and you are looking at the P226, I suggest looking at the P229. It's the same pistol, but is slightly shorter. It makes it better for carry. Get a good holster, I prefer a good retention like Safari, and a good belt.
Click to expand...

Agree, I have a 226 and it is a bit too large for me to effectively carry it concealed. I'm strongly considering the P250, smaller and more compact, but still fits my hand well (cant stand it when you can grip with only 3 fingers). It is double action only, which may take some getting used to.
 
I carry a spin gun. S&W J frame .38. While the semi autos are really cool nothing is more reliable than a revolver. Doubt I'll ever be in fire fight at longer range. Most confrontations are at 10 feet or less. If I can't hit my target with 5 shots I guess I'm dead. Revolvers so simple and fool proof. I guess the Iron Order likes semi's as they do in Denver.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom