I am looking for the right carry gun currently. I am considering weight as the biggest factor (I've already settled on 9mm), and size - particularly width (sorry Glock). However some advice received at the gun shop has me reconsidering both as the main factor in selecting a carry gun, namely that a 6'1" 180# man like myself shouldn't have any concerns about weight or size as long as it is a compact/subcompact model. Is he correct? What things about daily carry are most important to you?
Advice needed in choosing a carry gun.
- Thread starter tschmid3
- Start date
Just for a point of reference... I'm 6'5"/205lbs and have no problem concealing a .45. That being said, my rule of thumb is carry the largest caliber you're comfortable with. And by that I mean the largest caliber you can "accurately shoot." There's nothing wrong with a 9mm and if you can handle the pistol well, carry it with confidence. I would advise an IWB holster for concealed carry... seems to work best for me, even with shorts and a t-shirt.
The_Outlaw
~The Dude Abides~
If you 'really' don't like the width of a 9mm Glock, then I would probably recommend the Ruger LC9 for you. It's a 'very popular' & slimmer concealed carry 9mm. But you will definately lose some round capacity with it's single stack magazine.
I'm only 5' 8" tall and I absolutely love my Glock27 for concealed carry.
The width on the sub compact glock is not a problem for me whatsoever, and the Glock is 'so light' that I sometimes forget that I'm even carrying a sidearm.
I'm a big fan of the sub compact Glocks, so I personally would recommend the Glock26 over the Ruger LC9 if you want to carry 9mm.
But Ruger's are also excellent weapons in their own right. -Good Luck-
Nightmare45
NRA LIFE MEMBER
I am 5'9" 185 lbs and carry a 1911 Combat commander 45 and at least 2 spare mags. No problem, carry what fits your hand and lifestyle, I carry full time including at home. Carry what makes you confortable and shoot it often with your carry ammo.
America First
American121
Which Firearm Should you Carry
Carry the firearm that is comfortable to carry, that you can control, and the one you will consistently carry.
Carry the firearm that is comfortable to carry, that you can control, and the one you will consistently carry.
I have both a Springfield XD9sc and a Kahr CM9 that I use for my carry weapons. Living in SC, I tend to favor the Kahr for summer carry since it is much lighter, 14oz unloaded. I carry in a Galco Kingtuk iwb holster and it easily disappears under loose fitting t-shirt with shorts. The XD weighs in at 28oz and due to its slightly wider width I like to carry under a jacket in a Don Hume owb holster. Love both guns and practice equally with both. At least once a month. Btw, I shot a buddies Kahr PM45 yesterday at the range. Loved it, maybe an upcoming addition to the collection.
Yes, the advice from the individual at the gun shop is correct, you could easily carry whatever you want!! But, to stay with your initial thought of a lightweight 9mm......another vote here for the Kahr pm9. Accurate shooter, can even carry it in pocket holster in jeans as well as IWB, and quality merchandise. Let us know what you settle on!!!
SGB
New member
#1 - Pick a firearm that fits your hand and is comfortable to you. A poorly fitting firearm is much like poorly fitting underwear, uncomfortable and irritating. The 9mm double stack compacts on the market today are excellent choices as they give you a balance between concealability and magazine capacity. Today's 9mm ammunition choices such as the Federal HST, Winchester Ranger/PDX1, Speer Gold Dot loads in 124 +P & 147 gr as well as the Corbon DPX loads offer excellent terminal ballistics, so caliber isn't the factor it was a few decades ago. As long as you carry the right ammo
#2 - Pick a QUALITY Holster. A holster is not the place to cheap out. A good holster is going to set you back about $100. Stay away from the production holsters like Galco and Don Hume etc...... think Milt Sparks, Kramer, TT Gun Leather. You can find lots of QUALITY holster makers through Google, just do a little research.
#3 - BUY A GUNBELT Yes you need a QUALITY belt specifically designed to be stiff enough to carry the load of your firearm. A quality Holster and Gunbelt will make carrying a concealed firearm a much more comfortable and comforting experience, which will result in you actually carrying your firearm instead of it sitting at home on top of the refrigerator.
As to picking a compact 9mm try looking at the S&W M&P 9/9c, Glock 19/26 and the Springfield XDM 9/9C
My wife went with the M&P 9c
A Beltman belt and a SGB Holster
I on the other hand am an OLD fart set in my ways from decades of old habit and I'm still packing a 5" 1911 every day.
#2 - Pick a QUALITY Holster. A holster is not the place to cheap out. A good holster is going to set you back about $100. Stay away from the production holsters like Galco and Don Hume etc...... think Milt Sparks, Kramer, TT Gun Leather. You can find lots of QUALITY holster makers through Google, just do a little research.
#3 - BUY A GUNBELT Yes you need a QUALITY belt specifically designed to be stiff enough to carry the load of your firearm. A quality Holster and Gunbelt will make carrying a concealed firearm a much more comfortable and comforting experience, which will result in you actually carrying your firearm instead of it sitting at home on top of the refrigerator.
As to picking a compact 9mm try looking at the S&W M&P 9/9c, Glock 19/26 and the Springfield XDM 9/9C
My wife went with the M&P 9c
A Beltman belt and a SGB Holster
I on the other hand am an OLD fart set in my ways from decades of old habit and I'm still packing a 5" 1911 every day.
Iam2Taz
New member
Welcome to CCW....
5'11 225lbs - I carry a full size 1911 - Weighs a ton. That is what they will tell you. Check the weight against a fully loaded Glock. - They are not that far apart. (I also have a lightweight commander and tupperware gun.) The 1911s are slimmer than my tupperware gun. They hide better for a fat guy! LOL.
KEY as noted above - A GUN BELT and GOOD HOLSTER. Check the survey - Crossbreed ST will be at or near the top. Horsehide will allow for more sweat. - Beltman Belts, Bullhide Belts, Wilderness Tactical and many others are well thought of.
Carry everywhere. Don't leave home with out it as the saying goes!
5'11 225lbs - I carry a full size 1911 - Weighs a ton. That is what they will tell you. Check the weight against a fully loaded Glock. - They are not that far apart. (I also have a lightweight commander and tupperware gun.) The 1911s are slimmer than my tupperware gun. They hide better for a fat guy! LOL.
KEY as noted above - A GUN BELT and GOOD HOLSTER. Check the survey - Crossbreed ST will be at or near the top. Horsehide will allow for more sweat. - Beltman Belts, Bullhide Belts, Wilderness Tactical and many others are well thought of.
Carry everywhere. Don't leave home with out it as the saying goes!
weekendskp
New member
The EMP in either 9mm or .40 makes a wonderful companion. A gun belt (stiffer the better) is essential. IWB holster with a rigid opening so you re-holster when required, also a plus.
Football_Bill
New member
Kahr CW series, I carry a CW45.
Carry what you shoot well. That being said, I carry a Glock 26. At 5'5" 143lbs., IWB is not a problem at all. They say that carrying isn't suppossed to be comfortable, it's comforting. Well my 26 is comforting(10 plus 1 in chamber with an extra mag). Obviously carrying nothing is more comfortable physically, but carrying my Glock is not uncomfortable enough to make me want a single stack. Just my thoughts.
trophyhunter
New member
It's not about your height, or weight.
Your decision on what you should carry, should be based on what you are most comfortable carrying, and how well you can handle that weapon.
One should never carry a weapon that you are not 100% confident with. Bigger is not always better.Some poeple shoot, and handle smaller weapons better.
Myself I carry .45ACP Para Hawg out of all my weapons I handle my.45 the best, therefore are most Confident with my.45
I wish you well on selecting your perfect weapon to carry.You will know, when you find the weapon thats right for you. Good luck to you.
Your decision on what you should carry, should be based on what you are most comfortable carrying, and how well you can handle that weapon.
One should never carry a weapon that you are not 100% confident with. Bigger is not always better.Some poeple shoot, and handle smaller weapons better.
Myself I carry .45ACP Para Hawg out of all my weapons I handle my.45 the best, therefore are most Confident with my.45
I wish you well on selecting your perfect weapon to carry.You will know, when you find the weapon thats right for you. Good luck to you.
fudo
New member
I started CCWing in 1975. I carried a Colt Gov't Model for 14 years. I carried a Colt Satin Nickel Commander for 6 years after that. I carried a Colt LWT Commander for 16 years after that. Now I carry a Colt New Agent. Normally I carry guns in pairs, or at least a primary and back up gun, but they get lighter as I get older. The Glock 36 is an excellent EDC gun.
SBG has given excellent advise as well.
SBG has given excellent advise as well.
Treo
Bullet Proof
A .380 LCP in your pocket beats a .50 cal Desert Beagle in your gun safe every time
SGB
New member
TlWheatley
New member
carry gun
M&P compact .Cal I'll let you decide.I like the 40. I'm 5'8 iwb galco holster.No problems,
M&P compact .Cal I'll let you decide.I like the 40. I'm 5'8 iwb galco holster.No problems,
You should decide on the largest caliber you can handle and be consistent with.
Then, look at comfort and reliability. Handle some pistols. See which ones melt in your hand. Look at brand. Stay away from the toys. You want to (a) be able to grab the gun and not have to "adjust" your grip and (b) the gun needs to fire when you pull the trigger.
As far as holsters go, I've carried the same kydex Uncle Mikes paddle for almost 10 years. No problems at all.
Try before you buy. Find a store or a friend who will let you shoot the one you've narrowed it down to.
Then, dress around the gun. Might have to give up basketball shorts and tank tops. Or carry a man purse!
Good luck and be safe!
Then, look at comfort and reliability. Handle some pistols. See which ones melt in your hand. Look at brand. Stay away from the toys. You want to (a) be able to grab the gun and not have to "adjust" your grip and (b) the gun needs to fire when you pull the trigger.
As far as holsters go, I've carried the same kydex Uncle Mikes paddle for almost 10 years. No problems at all.
Try before you buy. Find a store or a friend who will let you shoot the one you've narrowed it down to.
Then, dress around the gun. Might have to give up basketball shorts and tank tops. Or carry a man purse!
Good luck and be safe!
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