Advice needed: Best guns for concealed carry and best ways to carry

Vanity

[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.

[Uri’el-2012]

Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction

Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot

Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use

[CaraMiaR]

You might want to look at a Kimber. Smaller in size, easier to conceal. Expensive.

[GRRRRR]

This is the greatest question regarding CCW in all the world.

“What will happen to me after I shoot and kill someone...?”

I have taken several CCW classes from three different instructors.

My first class was taught by an ex-Chicago Cop who was involved in 3 shootings in 7 years on the job. His wife told him...NO MORE BEING A COP. So, he became a defense lawyer.

My other two instructors were ex FBI and ex police.

All three of them made it very clear about what will happen to you after you shoot that firearm and kill your target.

FIRST:
YOU ARE GOING TO JAIL. For at least one night, probably more until the shooting details are cleared. Your life will never be the same.

SECOND:
Do not say anything to the police other than, “I was in fear for my life”, or similar statement that that you were acting in self defense or protecting the life of another person. That’s all. Do NOT talk about the incident any further. NOTHING until you have your lawyer present. The police are NOT your friends at this point.

Also, my classes made it very, very clear that you could not use a handgun to protect yourself from fists, knives or other lesser forms of assault, unless you were in fear for your life. You can’t brandish a weapon.

Finally, the most successful action when faced with the possibility of having to kill someone was to GET OUT, GET AWAY from the situation in any way you can. The DA lawyers will plague you with questions about why you didn’t leave the area instead of shooting.

I still haven’t applied for CCW, partly from laziness and partly from uncertainty about putting myself into such a position. Situational awareness goes a long way to prevent yourself from being in a bad place too...

[rlmorel]

Open Range is one of my favorite westerns...the scene in the jail house when they wake up and he cloroforms them agin is priceless...Great actor.

Good thread too, good advice.

[PapaBear3625]

The problem with a CC handbag is that the handbag is the first thing a mugger will grab. At that point he's got your purse AND your gun, and hopefully that's all he's after.

I like little snubbies.

One can fit in the coat pocket in winter (where it are immediately and discreetly accessible -- nobody thinks it odd that someone walks with her hands in her pockets in cold weather, and the fastest draw is to already have it in your hand).

You can find cargo-pocket shorts that allow you to totally conceal one in summer.

You can also use an inside-the waistband holster that totally conceals it when you just drape a t-shirt or vest over it.

As others have noted, the best gun is the one you're likely to routinely have with you. Just train yourself into the habit of continuing to fire until the bad guy goes down.

[dangerdoc]

It all depends on your size.

When I was young and doing manual labor, I could carry a full sized 45 goverment model in an inside the belt holster and then just leave my shirt untucked.

My brother has a tiny 380 and a holster that looks like a wallet. I would be concerned about how quickly I could get to the weapon and effectiveness of the round, but it sure doesn’t look like he is carrying.

[FateAmenableToChange]

I agree with this — I bought a S&W 642 .38 revolver earlier this summer and have found myself switching to carrying it almost exclusively. It shoots really well (although the recoil is brutal with +P rounds, not something I ever expected in a .38spl) but at the same time is amazingly concealable. My other carry gun is a glock 29 in 10mm, but it’s bigger and requires more attention to the holster than the revolver does. The .38 revolver, in contrast, as Hugin says, can just be slipped into a pocket and the lack of a hammer spur means it can be drawn instantly. it also works really well for appendix carry, meaning that the pistol is always in the most available position for defensive use.

Accuracy is excellent but takes practice on the long hard DA trigger pull.

[Hammerhead]

Sig P250 subcompact. Holds 13 rounds of 9mm

Double action only...smoothest DAO trigger on the market.

It is without a doubt the most accurate easy to shoot handgun I’ve ever owned. It is also the most reliable.

I have sinse sold all my .45s, .38s, and also a Sig P229 fullsize (in 9mm).

All I carry anymore is the P250 subcompact.

[DarthVader]

I concur and I have the same chambered in 40 S&W and .357 SIG.

[stuartcr]

I don’t have one because my job won’t allow me to have one on a military base and I figure, it’s just one less database to be in. VA is open-carry, but I’m hoping they will get on the concealed carry with no license bandwagon.

[dangerdoc]

I had a 686, it was a nice gun but definately beefy.

[dangerdoc]

For concealment, skinny is better than fat.

Start wearing large sweatshirts and you can pack a machine gun.

[Sudetenland]

There are a lot of answers to this question. If you want an automatic there are plenty of choices but first you need to decide between calibers. A lot of folks are comfortable with a .380--Ruger LCP and Kel-tec P3At are both very concealable pistols. If you want a little more bullet, a Walther/Smith & Wesson PPS is a high quality very thin 9mm, along with the Ruger LC9, the Kahr CM9 and the Kel-tec PF9 are also fine, small pistols. The Glocks are as reliable as a revolver, but as a bit thicker.

If you want to go even bigger, the .45 is always an option, though concealability becomes increasingly problematical as size increases, but the Glock 36 is one good choice--there are of course others.

If you want to go with a revolver, there are plenty of good recommendations in this thread. Many people are concerned about having only 5 or 6 rounds available, but it is unlikely that a person will ever be involved in some sort of prolonged shoot out.

One thing to know, is that "printing" (showing your carry pistol through your clothing by shape or bulge) is not as big a concern as you expect it to be. Most people are pretty much oblivious and will be unlikely to notice. This is especially true if you wear reasonably loose clothing.

Last, as has been said here often, practice is more important than caliber. Hit what you aim at under stressful conditions and your problem will go away. Also know that you don't brandish your weapon in hopes that it will intimidate someone. If you pull your weapon, it should only be with the intent of using it.

Good luck.

[hope]

Yes, this is true. But, I never, ever go where I can be mugged.

[PapaBear3625]

Do not say anything to the police other than, “I was in fear for my life”, or similar statement that that you were acting in self defense or protecting the life of another person. That’s all. Do NOT talk about the incident any further. NOTHING until you have your lawyer present. The police are NOT your friends at this point.

A very important point. I would modify the statement to "I was in fear for my life. I wish my attorney present before speaking further". See video by lawyer: don't talk to police.

In any situation where you had to draw on a thug and they run, it's good to call 911 and report that you were attacked. One tactic by thugs is to call 911 and claim "this crazy woman drew a gun on us". Whoever makes the call controls the narrative.

[JenB]

Again, it depends on the woman. I wear long skirts with no belt, no coat most of the time here in Florida. No pockets and really how many women do you see with cargo shorts?

Better on you than in a purse, yes, but I’ll risk having one in my purse than go unarmed.

[mamelukesabre]

I’ll narrow it down to 3 for you

1. charter arms undercover .38

2. ruger LCP

3. diamondback 380

[Hugin]

Costner did a great job in that movie too, both as a director and actor. Never liked him much before that, but Open Range more than made up for Waterworld and The Postman.

[Niteranger68]

Lots of good comments here, so I'll just throw in some filler.

- The best tactical advantage of a hammerless revolver is that it can be fired, repeatedly, from directly inside a purse or bag with a minimal chance of loose items interfering with the action of the gun.

- If you plan to carry in a purse or bag, remember that it might be one of the first things a thief grabs or demands. You may not want to put all your eggs in one basket

- If you are finding it difficult to adapt a firearm to your wardrobe, change your wardrobe. The more comfortable you are while carrying means you will carry more often.

Good luck and stay safe!

[NavyCanDo]

I own a few good guns for the purpose of carrying, but my favorite and most often used gun is the Beretta 3032 Tomcat, because of its real concealability in almost anything I wear. It’s small and light so you barely even know its there, and it doesn’t spank your hand on the gun range like most other compacts.

http://www.berettausa.com/products/3032-tomcat-wide-slide/

When I prefer taking something bigger, I like my oldest gun best, my Ruger P89. I have become quite accurate with that old favorite over the years. Though because of its size and weight, if its not heavy jacket weather the P89 stays home, and I take the Tomcat for a walk.