I took my concealed weapons class this week-end. We had the opportunity to shot a Springfield XDM 9 mm during the class, I thought it had to much kick and was not comfortable with it. Please, any recommendation would be helpful as I am trying to decide what handgun to buy to carry. I was going to try a .380 at the range, but I am not sure of the kick or recoil. If I am not comfortable with it, I will not practice with it. I have even thought of a .22.?
best concealed handgun?
- Thread starter awpov
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justxboxin
New member
Can't go wrong with a ruger lcp . I have been told on this site it's a packet of ketchup lol. I own one its so small n light you forget where you put it. Keep in mind the recoil of a small gun if it's a .380 or higher will b more in a compact gun.
Kalamity023
New member
You're going to get lots of opinions from a lot of different people. The only way you will answer your question is to go to a range that rents and try some. Different guns of different calibers have different recoil properties. The more you try them the more you will figure this out. You may find that a full size .45 has less felt recoil than a .380 LCP. In short find something you're comfortable with as that is the best carry gun for YOU... Then work on concealment...
nobody can pick out the most comfotable shoes for you ... same goes for a weapon.
made the mistake of trying to do so for my wife ... 4 guns & 10 months later, she found what works for her. after trying the lcp, liking the caliber, but not the gun, she tried a Sig 'Lady' in .380 & loves it.
do your homework on gun, holster, way to carry and try to shoot the weapon before buying.
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made the mistake of trying to do so for my wife ... 4 guns & 10 months later, she found what works for her. after trying the lcp, liking the caliber, but not the gun, she tried a Sig 'Lady' in .380 & loves it.
do your homework on gun, holster, way to carry and try to shoot the weapon before buying.
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justxboxin
New member
99% of the time a fobus paddle holster out in the open . But if I pocket carry its in a leather pocket holster
hyundailarry
New member
I agree you need to fire several guns to pick best for you. The heavier it is the less kick but I am not comfortable with anything less than 9mm or 38+p minimum. One thing to consider is you have to carry it all the time so your carry should be light weight. I carry as my primary all the time a S and W airweight at 14oz emptiy. Not the best to shoot and enjoy but I have practiced and become proficient with it and it is easy to carry. And if I have to use it the threat will be gone and my wrist will be sore. Fun shooting and practice is done with several guns as well as this one. Rule#1 always have a gun in a gun fight.
NotTwoShure
Well-known member
I wish I had that problem. I would like to have my wife start over, that way, we could go from the small Glock to the large, a minimum of .40 S&W (For my belief) to a super 10 mm. Then I would go the full 1911 range, small, medium and large and the revolver (Smith &Wesson) in .38 Spc. to .357 Mag. In this way, I would be buying for her and not selling but keeping. To assist and to be forum correct, may I suggest the Lady Smith, a K frame in .357 Mag. If just beginning and to ensure no problems a revolver is my recommendation. No “Stove Pipe” or other issues. Just six good rounds from .38 to 38 +P+ or mags. With six good hits you may be better off than with 19+1 poorly placed rounds from a semi, with a belt or purse full of spare mags.
stepside454
New member
I love my Bersa Thunder .380cc, I find it to big & heavy for pocket carry, but I shoot it well, it's reliable, so it's my edc. My wife has a Diamondback DB380 that she really likes.
hestes
New member
If the XDm 9mm had too much recoil for you, you will not enjoy the LCP either. It is a smaller caliber, yes, but it is also a smaller framed gun. I actually enjoy shooting a 3 in 1911 in .45 more than I like shooting the LCP. Like a few others have said, rent or borrow as many different guns as you can. You will find the one you like, it may just take a little time. 
Happy shooting!
Happy shooting!
SWIll
New member
Everyone is different. My daughter liked the fit and feel of a revolver better than an auto; she said "it just feels better!". She is shooting my GP 100, but it's heavy for her (40 oz empty). Most likely we'll get her a SW model 64 in .38 spl. There are great values on this gun right now as LE trade-ins in 4' and 2".
fudo
New member
You have received excellent advise so far. I would add that, even though a .22lr would not be my choice for a CCW gun, they are excellent guns for learning tools for trigger control, and sight picture. They have low recoil, muzzle blast, they are cheap to shoot, which means that you can practice cheaply. There are many lightweight and reliable .22 pistols out there, made by the major manufacturers.
For a carry gun, you might try a .357 Magnum. A carry gun will be carried a lot, and shot little. You can practice with cheaper, light .38 Specials and save the Magnum loads for serious social work. If you train well, you may not even hear the boom when you shoot to save your life.
Once you have chosen a gun, you need to choose a holster and belt. It is of great importance that you choose a good quality belt that is stiff enough to support the weight of the gun and/or extra magazine, light,etc... The holster needs to cover the trigger guard completely and still give you a proper firing grip on your gun. Do not cheap out on your belt and holster. You can expect to spend $150 for a good set, more if you want fancy ones.
A problem that you have is that men are comfortable wearing clothes that are very alike, and generally, don't pay much attention to what other men are wearing. On the other hand, men are generally, acutely aware of women, and their appearance. This makes carrying a concealed firearm a bit more difficult for women than men. Women are mostly seen with a purse, so men generally ignore them, unfortunately thieves also know that they are a bag for valuables. Try to avoid the temptation to carry off body. If you are carrying a gun it is important to make sure it remains under your control at all times.
Belt holsters tend to jab women in the ribs because women generally are shorter between the waist line and the lower ribs than men. There are a number of quality manufacturers of civilian versions of belts made for police women, such as Galco, Bianchi, Safariland. The same for belts. I prefer belts from Looper Leather, in Oklahoma City.
If you wear business suits to work, Men's Wearhouse is very gun friendly and offers alterations for CCW. They do reinforcement of waistbands, extra protective patches on the inside of pants, jackets, etc. These keep the gun from eating a hole in your clothes. You can wear your gun into the store for measurement, no problem.
Finally, there are a number of manufacturers of very specialized female gear for CCW. Congratulations to those ladies who have taken responsibility for your own safety, and the safety of your loved ones. Welcome to the club!
For a carry gun, you might try a .357 Magnum. A carry gun will be carried a lot, and shot little. You can practice with cheaper, light .38 Specials and save the Magnum loads for serious social work. If you train well, you may not even hear the boom when you shoot to save your life.
Once you have chosen a gun, you need to choose a holster and belt. It is of great importance that you choose a good quality belt that is stiff enough to support the weight of the gun and/or extra magazine, light,etc... The holster needs to cover the trigger guard completely and still give you a proper firing grip on your gun. Do not cheap out on your belt and holster. You can expect to spend $150 for a good set, more if you want fancy ones.
A problem that you have is that men are comfortable wearing clothes that are very alike, and generally, don't pay much attention to what other men are wearing. On the other hand, men are generally, acutely aware of women, and their appearance. This makes carrying a concealed firearm a bit more difficult for women than men. Women are mostly seen with a purse, so men generally ignore them, unfortunately thieves also know that they are a bag for valuables. Try to avoid the temptation to carry off body. If you are carrying a gun it is important to make sure it remains under your control at all times.
Belt holsters tend to jab women in the ribs because women generally are shorter between the waist line and the lower ribs than men. There are a number of quality manufacturers of civilian versions of belts made for police women, such as Galco, Bianchi, Safariland. The same for belts. I prefer belts from Looper Leather, in Oklahoma City.
If you wear business suits to work, Men's Wearhouse is very gun friendly and offers alterations for CCW. They do reinforcement of waistbands, extra protective patches on the inside of pants, jackets, etc. These keep the gun from eating a hole in your clothes. You can wear your gun into the store for measurement, no problem.
Finally, there are a number of manufacturers of very specialized female gear for CCW. Congratulations to those ladies who have taken responsibility for your own safety, and the safety of your loved ones. Welcome to the club!
CRW
New member
If the XDm 9mm had too much recoil for you, you will not enjoy the LCP either. It is a smaller caliber, yes, but it is also a smaller framed gun. I actually enjoy shooting a 3 in 1911 in .45 more than I like shooting the LCP. Like a few others have said, rent or borrow as many different guns as you can. You will find the one you like, it may just take a little time.
exactly what I was gonna say. If the 9 is too much for you, the smaller 380's will be much more uncomfortable for you recoil wise.
Here is a thought, look to a smaller caliber in a heavier gun. The weight will help offset the recoil.
Also, try to find lower velocity ammo. That makes a pretty big difference believe it or not. Might wanna check out the Walther handguns
K-Products.US
Just Joe
I'm not sure of your stature, but my wife is very petite, with "Child Like Hands". Her issue was lack of upper body strength to pull the slide, most were too heavy, and the grips were very awkward. She finally settled on a Sig 238.
I recently am in the process of opening an online store.... (I have now my FFL) and I wish to focus on guns for women, holsters, accessories ect.
Hope this helps.....
I recently am in the process of opening an online store.... (I have now my FFL) and I wish to focus on guns for women, holsters, accessories ect.
Hope this helps.....
While I am still awaiting my CCW permit here in CA, I can tell you that if you are in CA cannot put a .22 on a CCW(not sure of other States). I have an XD9 sub and am picking up a Sig P239 9mm soon. The Sig has a thinner grip but about the same recoil as the XD but I don't think it is that bad. We had our "surrogate" daughter at the range this weekend teaching her to shoot and she started on the .22 and then used my husband's XD40 and she handled that just fine and loved it. She is only 4'10" and weighs about 92lbs.
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