Yuri of The Real Gun Guys fame is wondering which caliber you favor for concealed carry.
I'm kind of different in that, like any firearms instructor, I have a lot of experience with a lot of different handguns. I look at my guns as tools, and I choose the tool for the day that I think will do the job in the best way.
My hands down favorite caliber for concealed carry is the 9mm Parabellum. Usually this is a small polymer frame job that neatly fits inside my waistband. In cold weather I will switch to a large duty sized 9mm that rides in a shoulder holster.
Why do this? The smaller gun is best for keeping hidden, but the larger gun is more accurate and has a larger magazine capacity.
The 9mm is a pretty good choice to be used against human attackers, but you need something with greater lethality when animals become threatening. I carry a .357 Magnum revolver in a shoulder holster when I travel to a wilderness setting.
Double Tapper has given me some grief about this. In his home country of Israel, handgun carry licenses are issued for a specific gun. You simply are not allowed to switch off whenever you feel like it, and the license also allows you to carry openly.
I think it would be pretty cool to be able to carry my handgun in the open. It certainly would be more comfortable than having to tuck it away out of sight, like I do now. But I wouldn't be too happy about being confined to a single gun.
Comments (9)
I got my .45 for wilderness travel, and since it is my only handgun right now, I use it for regular carry as well. Money permitting, I intend to get something in the 9mm/.38 range, maybe a compact XD or a 4" wheel gun (or both).
Posted by MadRocketScientist | April 7, 2008 9:31 PM
Posted on April 7, 2008 21:31
If I'm wearing a jacket outside, I'll carry an XD40 subcompact--I'm willing to give up a couple of rounds for a bit more power, and in that particular gun you only give up one round to go to .40. I'd be fine with 9 in a longer barrel, but prefer .40 with the 3", although I don't have evidence to back that up.
In shorts (or shorts weather) I usually carry a .38+p J frame in a pocket holster. I don't ever carry the J frame if I have to wear gloves--When I tested it on the range, my glove got caught at the top of the trigger and kept it from resetting.
Posted by Sevesteen | April 7, 2008 11:33 PM
Posted on April 7, 2008 23:33
Strangely enough, even though FL seems to be mostly hot weather, I carry a full size 9mm Ruger P95. I've found a type of shirt that hides my waistband, and since I could only afford one carry gun at the moment, I wanted something I'd be comfortable carrying into any situation.
I remember a number of years ago being in a situation where I was hoping that I wouldn't need my gun, because I had a seven shot .380 and only one spare clip. There's nothing like once having the feeling of not having enough ammo to make you appreciate 15 round clips.
Besides, I haven't found it that much more difficult to carry a full size auto. You just have to dress for it, and since I have to dress professionaly anyway, I may as well make use of that.
Posted by Phillip | April 8, 2008 1:58 AM
Posted on April 8, 2008 01:58
I like 8x18 makarov. I can conceal the p64 "polish pounder" easily, and carry the cz-82 in its issue holster openly. (Legally in my state)
Posted by vinnie | April 8, 2008 12:59 PM
Posted on April 8, 2008 12:59
My background, experience and training are strictly "old school." I favor and carry revolvers, almost always a .38 Special carrying "six for sure." With proper ammo and either a second backup gun or spare ammo, I still believe that fast, natural, instinctive pointing in DA fill the bill for the majority of civilian CCW scenarios. If confronted by multiple armed criminal actors a gun is only to buy escape time, to shoot and scoot. If you try to stand and fight you'll never live to shoot'em all.
Posted by ke4sky | April 8, 2008 1:05 PM
Posted on April 8, 2008 13:05
According to an article in The Columbus Dispatch on March 30, you CAN openly carry, unless you are a convicted felon.
I dare you to try it, though...people do freak out.
I'm not savvy enough to put links in, and the url is a mile long, so I'll not put that here either.
Posted by April | April 8, 2008 4:49 PM
Posted on April 8, 2008 16:49
Anything from a Walther PPKS .380 in summer pocket carry to a Glock 20 in winter open carry...until my coat covers it, then VOILA! concealed carry! (I
Posted by Cowboy Blob | April 8, 2008 5:20 PM
Posted on April 8, 2008 17:20
"According to an article in The Columbus Dispatch on March 30, you CAN openly carry, unless you are a convicted felon."
True you can open carry in Ohio but you cannot have a loaded firearm in your vehicle unless you have a ccw permit.
Posted by Chris | April 10, 2008 1:16 AM
Posted on April 10, 2008 01:16
Well, James does have the permit, so he can carry in his car and elsewhere, openly if he prefers.
There's a fair amount of recent activity at OpenCarry.org's forum for Ohio:
http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum43/
Posted by Kirk Parker | April 14, 2008 4:04 AM
Posted on April 14, 2008 04:04