Concealed Carry: Advice from a Cop

Am Shooting Journal ^ | 1/15/21 | N Perna

[w1n1]

Large-frame handgun? Small? What caliber? Glock? S&W? It's all about balancing 'Comfort vs Lethality,' says longtime Policeman.
One of the best parts about being a cop is HR 218. This law allows officers to carry a firearm in practically every locale in the United States. "Carrying on your badge," as it’s referred to, is one of the few perks law enforcement still enjoys. In 2020, the job lost a lot of its appeal, but I still appreciate the fact that I can carry concealed to protect others and myself. In a perfect world, these rights would be afforded to every law-abiding citizen. Maybe someday.
I remember as a new copper, excitingly carrying my department- issued Glock 22 in a Desantis black leather holster while off duty. Of course, I was packing an extra mag or two, a pair of cuffs, pepper spray and an incredibly shiny new badge. I had to buy an extra-large shirt to cover all of that gear but, by god, I was armed and prepared for the worst!

THAT WAS 20 years ago. A lot has changed since then. For starters, I dumped the Glock 22. I'm not a huge fan of .40 caliber. The recoil is sharper than what I would like it to be and there are better options out there. Now I carry a .45 (Glock 21), the official caliber of old cops. I'd consider switching to a 9mm but I don't feel like shelling out the dough for a new gun, magazines, duty holster, tactical holster, mag pouches and so on. With the gun and all of the necessary accessories, you're looking at a few thousand dollars to make the switch, so I'll stick with the trusty .45.

Large-frame guns are the way to go while working the streets, but these days I don't generally walk around with a large-frame handgun while off duty. It's not practical and, obviously, difficult to conceal.
I am very picky, though, about what I choose to carry for protection. To me it comes down to comfort versus lethality. I want something that conceals well but will still do what it's designed for if I need to use it. Something that won't jab me in the ribs every time I sit down. Before I get into my choices for concealed carry, I want to point out some common errors I see.

• Fashionistas: For some, a concealed carry gun is more of a fashion statement than a practical means of defense. “Accessorizing” a weapon to match your outfit is not a good idea.
• Gun of the month club: The only thing better than owning one gun is two guns (or three, seven, 15). We all like buying and owning guns, there’s no denying it. But just because you own it does not mean you should carry it. You need to carry the most reliable, deadliest weapon you own.
• Getting too comfortable: If comfort is the biggest concern in terms of what gun to carry, you are making a mistake. A .25-caliber semiauto or a five-shot titanium-frame air-light revolver is like “wearing nothing at all,” but if you have the option to carry a more lethal firearm, you should do it.

I RECOMMEND CHOOSING a handgun make and model that comes in small, medium and large frames. Just about every successful handgun on the market today comes in these varieties – the Smith & Wesson M&P series, Springfield XD and so on. Basically, the same gun, just in different sizes.
My preferred carry weapon series is the Glock. I’m not advocating for it over the aforementioned brands or others. On the contrary. I carry Glock weapons because that’s what I was issued many moons ago, so I’m familiar with them. Read the rest of everyday carry gear.

[AAABEST]

I started out my concealed carry 'career' with a Gen 3 Glock 26 with a hybrid IWB holster. Great gun, but I hated having to drop trouser in order to get the holster properly placed on my pants waist.

I love the G26 as a carry gun. It's small and smooth yet carries enough 9mm to be gunfight worthy.

I use an IWB too, mine goes in the small of my back. I never have to unloosen anything because it's a clip-on that fits right on my leather belt.

[AAABEST]

If the gun shoots .357 or .38, how does that affect the recoil? And if another gun shoots only .38, would that mean still less powerful recoil than the heavier weapon? (In other words which gun has less recoil with .38 round?)

Your recoil is mostly dependent on the round. That said, from what you're writing, sounds like you have a .357 that also takes .38 special. I have an S&W like that.

Yes, you will usually have less "felt" recoil with that gun than a regular .38, only because your .357 is probably a little heavier and more dense than a regular .38, so it absorbs recoil better.

[vigilence]

I, as probably most of you, have multiple weapons in my safe. But I carry the same one every time because I believe familiarity and proficiency go hand in hand. I don’t need any doubts or last second paralysis of analysis generated by previous practice sessions from one gun to another’s idiosyncrasies. I use 9mm +P when carrying but in each practice session I shoot standard ammo in volume, using +P in final two mags for “muscle memory” and ammo rotation. Although with current ammo availability issues I’ve cut back on +P practice.

[Yo-Yo]

I keep reading about people using pocket carry but don’t really get how that works for people.

The Glock 42 is slightly smaller than the 9mm Glock 43. If you wear cargo pants ( I generally do) then the pocket carry works just fine, as long as you use a quality pocket holster that 1) completely covers the trigger guard, and 2) is sticky enough or has a 'tailhook' so that you can draw the firearm but leave the holster in the pocket.

The LCP is even smaller and slimmer than the 42, and I can easily pocket carry it in any blue jeans front pocket, and it practically gets lost in my cargo pants front pocket.

I didn't get it either until I tried it. But after I tried it, I ain't never going back.

Just for old time's sake I strapped on my Glock 26 the other day and carried it for the entire day. I have an IWB holster that is comfortable as far as IWB holsters go, but not nearly as comfortable as my LCP in a pants pocket. But then I do have 12 rounds on tap (I use a Peirce Grips mag extension for 11+1) plus I carry a Glock 19 magazine in a mag pouch, so I have 27 rounds of 9mm Horaday HST on me, vs 13 rounds of .380 Horaday HST when I carry the LCP. So there is that...

I also have a Safariland ALS retention paddle holster for the G26, and it is much more comfortable to wear, and I use that when I am up north on my property. But it's much harder to conceal carry an OWB holster for me, especially in the summer time.

Have you ever tried pocket carry of a micro pistol? Just going by dimensions on paper isn't the same thing.

[teeman8r]

equal protection under the law... i am going to carry all the time now.

[olepap]

What about a pistol to sleep with? One strapped on the body somewhere.

[vigilence]

I would add: Some cover beats none.

[A Cyrenian]

bttt

[Buttons12]

It’s been recommended but I’m leery of anything heavy. Already carrying an anvil of a handbag :D
Mini revolvers may not have much stopping power, but they do have a certain discouragement power. Shrimps like me, not to mention elderly people, have to compromise in some things.
Still, friends at the range seem to think I’m missing out.

[Tommy Revolts]

What about a S&W 442 Airweight, NO LOCK .38 Special? Uh huh.

[zeugma]

Sigs are great. I used to have a 225, 226, and 229, before my tragic boating accident.

[William Tell]

"Have you ever tried pocket carry of a micro pistol?"

I carry my Sig P238 .380 in the front right pocket of my jeans in a Galco pocket holster. The butt sits about an inch below the pocket opening. The opening is a little tighter than I wish but I will either get used to it or perhaps modify the pocket.

[Kommodor]

Your ‘friends’ at the range should let you borrow and try out their favorites. If they are unwilling (they should gladly help you out if you ask), try going to a range that has rentals.

On a more personal note, I have an aunt who is a bit on the small side and does not have strong hands. Her thoughtful son bought here a Smith & Wesson aluminum framed 38 special revolver. She loves it. I would recommend it, or something similar, like the Ruger LCR in 38 special.

Semi autos are nice, but the advantage to the small revolver is that you can load it and months to years later, it will still be ready to fire. No worrying about racking a slide, etc.

Also - I do not know where you are from, but there are probably freepers in your area who would be glad to help you out. Don’t be afraid to ask questions on threads like these. There will always be plenty of people who are willing to help.

Best of luck to you!

[Yo-Yo]

I carry my Sig P238 .380 in the front right pocket of my jeans in a Galco pocket holster.

Sig P238 is a very nice firearm. I love the 'baby 1911' functionality.

[offduty]

I know exactly what you mean. I think I may be having one of those accidents soon myself.

[Svartalfiar]

Oh wow this is the most coherent, decent English article I’ve ever seen from you guys!

I’d say good job, but w1n1 is just a bot pasting every single crap article from that site, so not much point in talking to it.

[No.6]

>Have you ever tried pocket carry of a micro pistol? Just going by dimensions on paper isn’t the same thing.

Yes (he writes while not typing out what he carries). Must just be a mode of dress thing — I never like the feel of anything in front pockets, even a phone or keys.

By the by I haven’t the slightest what Hornady (or Horaday) HST is. HST is Federal, and Hornady makes excellent XTP and HCD (Critical Defense, the poly-tip ones) rounds. All are fine choices IMO but it was a bit unclear what you meant.

[razzle9251]

Am I the only one that carries a Walther?

[Yo-Yo]

Sorry, I meant XTP. I have some Critical Duty, but don’t like the polymer plug, so I switched to XTP.

Don’t know what I was thinking with HST.

[Natty Bumppo@frontier.net]

I have the hands of a 10-year-old girl.

You may wish to consider the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ Series in either 9mm or .380 Auto.

It was designed for those whose size, strength, or physical conditions (i.e. arthritis) make racking the slide or loading the magazines of most semi-auto handguns difficult. It has a micro-compact sized polymer frame, and a very easy to rack slide. The magazines have "tabs" that make them easy to load.

It has a built-in grip safety and can be ordered with or without the ambidextrous manual thumb safety. It weighs 23.2 ounces, is well-balanced, with minimal recoil.

Mrs. Bumppo is 5'4", 104 pounds, with delicate hands, and swears by hers.