Posted on 11/01/2011 10:01:15 AM PDT by Jean S
As you may know, concealed carry is now legal in Wisconsin as of today, finally!
I found this article at Human Events: Top 10 Concealed Carry Guns
My husband and I have had some training with our revolvers, I have a 38 S+W and my husband has two .357s. We've had some professional training and some training from experienced friends on how to shoot, clean the guns, etc. but not enough to satisfy Wisconsin's new law. We'll be taking a state required 4 hour class next week - with 98 other people. I am not expecting much from the class, I except it will cover basic gun safety and the new laws more extensively than anything else.
I know these questions are a bit vague but I'm not sure exactly what questions I should ask!
Thanks for any advice.
S&W Bodyguard 380. Built in laser, light, small, accurate. Most engagements with concealed carry are close in, .380 is good enough.
IMHO you have the best gun for concealed carry. Hopefully it is a hammerless snubnose. If not, you could cut the spur down on the hammer so it doesn’t snag on your clothes. Best method of carry, in your pocket, with or without a pocket holster. You can carry it that way even in hot weather, can slip your hand onto it without drawing undue attention, and you will be far more likely to carry it with you every day than other carry methods.
Grenades are easy to conceal. They fit easily in a parka pocket.
A .22 that hits, is way more effective than the .44 mag that misses. I know a grandmother that can empty her .22 LR revolver into your left eye at 25 feet and do it under combat shooting conditions. I did 6 years in the US Infantry and she is just scary good with that .22
That being said, if you want to know what is actually effective carry. .32 / .380 are all small and surprisingly effective. .357 (sig) / 9x19 and 9x23 are a bit larger, and more “BANG” requiring a slightly larger rig for control. However, they tend to do more damage.
Actual shooting reports tend to show that once you get into the .40 or 10mm range or higher, accuracy drops off and thus is not quite as effective as the smaller rigs.
As for carry, look at the cellpal rig (do a google search on the word, I'm at the office and they block "firearm" related sites). It is a cross draw but it can be worn in just about all situations and does not print.
If your standard clothing attire doesn’t really support carrying concealed, think about getting a conceal carry purse. Mine has a zipper compartment accessible from the side of the purse, which can be locked, and has a holster built in to keep the gun secure.
Carrying on your person is more secure, but I would rather have a gun in my purse than no gun.
I like my cc handbag. My glock 17 fits nicely. Also a ruger 380 for me works when I dont want to carry a purse.
However, for the CCL test, I always qualify with a semi-automatic so that I am not restricted to a revolver in case I ever do want to carry a semi.
The CCL class was actually pretty interesting. Not so much on handling guns, but on legal issues.
Glock 19 and M&P .45
LOL, I'll have to read the law again. I don't recall a mention of grenades.
Pulling a grenade out of your pocket with your right hand, hold the pin in your left - no one would shoot you if they also have a gun. I like it.
My new favorite is a the Kahr P380. Depending on hand size, it is a fantastic choice for men or women. Stoked with buffalo bore ammo it is a potent weapon in a “forget it is there, carry it everywhere,” package. I especially like the 100 grain hardcast flat nose and feel comfortable with it against most critters (short of a black bear : )
It is actually pleasurable to shoot at the range with regular (not buffalo bore +p or +p+ ammo). It is incredibly accurate which a lot of concealable pistols are not due to short sight radius. Big hands make this less of a choice.
For the husband I would suggest the smith and wesson 340 sc (scandium lightweight hammerless .357) It also is a forget it is there and carry it everywhere package and can be loaded regular .38 special, hot, .357 or Really hot with .357 hunting ammo depending upon your need. I would not make a practice of shooting the hunting ammo out of it but it can handle it if it needs to. I put hunting .357 in it around the farm and slightly less punishing ammo in it for city duty.
I have not yet tried out the beretta px 4 sub compact in .45 but I have a friend who has it and swears by it. It might be worth looking at.
Good luck!
bttt
Ask what happens when/if you shoot someone. Ask about different scenarios, locations, circumstances, etc. Ask the instructor what he suggests is the best.
That's the funniest damn thing I've read all morning!
Really like my Ruger LCP. It has a smooth shape that makes it very snag free. I have never had a failure to feed and am using Federal Hydroshocks that would not work at all in another .380 I had. I polished the feed ramp, but it fed fine before that. My .02 worth. The main thing is get what works for you.
Do a lot of research, taking everything with a grain of salt but eventually you will begin to figure it all out.
If you are lucky enough to be able to borrow various guns from friends, relatives etc. and even more lucky in having a nice place in the country to check them out at your leisure then do it.
If you can do neither, get the largest most powerful one you can conceal and carry comfortably. If that turns out to be only a .22LR that is OK. At least you will have a gun that is accurate.
Do make sure it is reliable before choosing it. That is not too hard to accomplish now as most name brand guns are reliable.
Ruger SP101 chambered in .357 Mag/.38 Special or .327 Federal Magnum.
Glock 26,27 or 33(9-mm, 40 S&W, .357 SIG)
Sig Sauer P250C or P250SC (9-mm, 40 S&W, .357 SIG, .45 ACP)
Ruger LC9
Kimber Pro-Carry or Super Carry (.45 ACP)
whoops, meant .40 not .45. My typo. He still loves it : )
I forgot to mention, heed the 10 commandments of gun safety and really become a fanatic in carrying them out. Never get so comfortable with your gun that you get careless.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.