Carrying advice

I also like my

$16 sp101 CRL "sparkle" cleaner and stain remover - 8 oz. bottle

sp101. In an IWB holster is very easy to carry.

 

Mine is a 32H&R shooting 115gr speer gold dots at a little over 1000fps. I know there are bigger and better rounds for the gun, but I really like it.

 

I started with a ruger single 6 in 22

 

Or just open carry one of these and nobody will $#@! with you.


I digress!

 

My suggestion is a bit off track. I've owned a number of handguns, but there is one golden rule, if you don't carry it EVERY TIME you venture outside, it won't be there when you need it the most. That said, I carry a Smith 637 everywhere I go. With the newer crimson trace laser grips (not the old style that turned it into a full hand grip, but the new style that stops at the bottom of the frame, but has an air pocket behind the back strap that makes recoil (to me) unnoticeable firing hot +P rounds). This will drop right into a pocket, or an IWB holster, or an OWB pancake if you prefer. But the main thing is, you can carry it whatever you wear. (well, if you are big into speedos, you might look a little odd... but then again, you won't be looking odd for carrying the gun. )

The j-frame is plenty potent, speer makes some short-barrel ammo with faster-burning powder to get rid of much of the muzzle-flash, and if you are really serious, they make these things in .357 as well. The titanium frame ends up making the gun weigh about as much as the ammo it holds (it seems so anyway, the 637 weighs in at 15oz unloaded, the 337 (titanium) drops 3+ oz). So compact, can fire SA (exposed hammer) or DA. You can clean up the trigger rebound mechanism up with a hard arkansas stone, replace the rebound and hammer springs with lighter-pressure variants from Wolff, and end up with a lightweight, compact and utterly reliable carry weapon. The difference between the .38 special +p and a .357 is not that noticeable. But one nice thing is that you can actually fire this gun for fun and not get punished. Most that try the .357's (particularly the ultra-lightweight variations) despise the recoil, and never build any proficiency loading and shooting the thing. Mine has a bunch of rounds through it (I am a reloader to keep costs reasonable) and I feel completely comfortable having it always handy.

Everyone that shoots it raves about the Crimson Trace grips not to mention the laser sight which I adjusted to be parallel to the bore, so that the gun always shoots very slightly high and left, by exactly the displacement of the laser from the bore centerline. No jamming, failure to cycle, slide to get dirty, etc. It quickly becomes a favorite.

 

Fairly current:

http://www.handgunsmag.com/reviews/great-modern-day-pocket-pistols/

 

Good read.

 

I'm going to go hold some, but I wanted to get an idea on what to hold while I'm there. I'd rather narrow it down to a few guns. Shooters world here has a very extensive assortment of guns.

 

When out of the hot summer months, where I carry an LCP Custom, I carry a Ruger LCR in 9mm....love it...and I know it'll always go bang...or just squeeze again!

 

Alright, a good point has been raised. I may consider going with IWB to carry. My dad told me carrying IWB doesn't work and probably won't for me because were built the same. Can anyone recommend a good IWB? I saw the LC9s is 1 inch taller and longer than the LCP. Does anyone have an LC9s and can comment on this? Is it a comfortable gun?

Also, I am planning on carrying everywhere I go, aside from places it's unlawful of course.

 

OP if you're going to carry seek training. There are no legitimate instructors who advocate pocket carry, get a proper IWB holster. Not sure of your budget but recommend G19 or G26 in a Raven Eidolon. Check out G-Code Incog Eclipse as well.

 

I don't think you can do any better than Milt Sparks Versa Max II holsters for everyday concealed carry. I have them sized for a number of different pistols, and they all perform great. For lighter guns like my Kahr P9, and Glock 19; a simple 1.5 inch leather belt works just fine. However, for larger and heavier pistols like my Colt Commanders and BHP's; I like to use a more heavy duty belt like a 1.5 inch Ares Ranger belt. I may be the only man in this group, but I just don't really care for either the LCP or LC9. I'm sure they're fine guns, but I just don't like the trigger pull on either. There are dozens of viable options available for IWB carry, because almost any pistol can be carried comfortably IWB with the right holster and belt. Finally, in my opinion, no matter if you're carrying IWB or OWB make sure you're comfortable carrying the pistol with a magazine inserted, a round chambered, and the pistol in battery. For a DAO pistol like a Glock that means all you have to do is draw the pistol and press the trigger. For SAO pistols like BHP's that means carrying "cocked and locked", and requires sweeping off the safety before firing the gun.

 

I'm sure there are some people who might have difficulty due to body shape, but good holsters are adjustable and can be moved forward or backward to accommodate almost anyone. Like anything, it takes practice carrying and figuring out what works best for you. There are some really good IWB holsters out there and some not so good in all kinds of price ranges. Until you know what works for you, you might look at an aliengear cloak tuck because it allows a lot of adjustment and doesn't cost much. Probably not the holster you would want to use forever, but for small amount of money it will give you an idea of where and how you want to carry IWB.

As far as the LC9, I've never shot one but after handling one side by side with the shield and G43, I never looked at the LC9 again.

 

Some very good info in this thread! In fact, I bought a sticky holster the other day from Evans shooting world in the city of Orange. Works great for concealed carry with my Glock 19.

 

I'm taking training in the coming weeks after getting my concealed.

 

As long as it's got a heavy trigger I'm fine, I do plan on being chambered and ready to shoot.

 

I always wanted to carry the biggest baddest gun but as time went on I wanted something smaller...especially in the summer. This is my favorite gun to carry at this point and it's only $229 so not worried about scratching it up like I would if I was carrying a Sig.

 

I dont know if you have had the suggestion of a XDS, but thats what i just got. Very nice concealed carry gun, 9mm single stack. you can get it in 2 different sizes (i have 3.3) Check it out. Im a glock fan but this was going to serve my purpose better and a barely used one from a friend only cost me $350.