Carrying advice

I'm going to get my concealed permit next Saturday and I'll be looking around for a few months for a handgun to carry. I like the Glock but it's a bit too big. I don't want anything as small as the Ruger LCP though. What between the two? I plain to hold it in my pocket with a sticky holdster.

Any tips?

 

Im a big fan of a .380 or small 9mm, pick your poison on brand.

Kind of crazy but I use to carry a Makarov 380 which was a .380 caliber pistol that held 7 rounds. It was the side arm for infantry for over 70 years throughout the world. Its considered the AK-47 of pistols, extremely reliable.

I fired almost 3000 rounds before it jammed. Cleaned it and did it again. Theyre all over the interwebs for $350, found mine in a pawn shop for $170.

 

I'm a fan of a 9mm over the .380. 9mm is much cheaper and more plentiful. I've got a Glock 43 and a Ruger LC9s. Both great. Glock feels a litter better in the hand. Might be a touch too big for pocket carry though. I'd reccomend a good IWB holster. Much more secure, and easier to draw.

 

Look at the Glock 43. It's a single stack 9mm. Small handgun, and very reliable. Could be my next acquisition. I frequently CC a pre-lock S&W 442 in 38 Special. Just buy a name brand gun with a good reputation, and run 100 rounds of target ammo through it to function check it and become familiar with it's manual of arms. Next, fire about 25 rounds of the ammo you will load it with when you carry it. Also, don't forget to function check the magazines you plan to use while carrying. And Scoobarooo, if you're new to firearms, get some training. Then practice, practice, practice. CCing is a huge responsibility that will force you to think through virtually everything you say and do while carrying. It's definitely not for everybody.

 

9mm is cheaper and more plentiful for sure, good point.

 

G43

/thread

 

I have a G43 and G26, love them both, the 43 is slimmer than the 26, the 26 holds 4 more rounds in the mag otherwise they're very very similar.

 

M&P Shield 9mm.

 

Your options are pretty limited if you're insistent on comfortable pocket carry.

I'd suggest the Sig P938 (9mm if you didn't know) for this specific situation. Compact, reliable & accurate.
1911 style, so carrying it is cocked & locked. Just my 2 cents.

 

I know you said you didn't want something as small as an LCP; however, the LCP custom is a great deep carry gun and the mods over the standard LCP make it easier to shoot....and they are basically invisible in your pocket....

 

Kahr ct 380 is a nice pocket pistol you can actually get three fingers on. I IWB mine actually, but it is very small (but not as small as a ruger)

 

Since you asked for tips, I'll go a little more than what you actually asked about. I'm not a great fan of pocket carry. When I do need to carry that way, the ruger LCP is as good as any. What is it you don't like about it? Much more practical, comfortable, and user friendly is IWB carry. Pistols the size of the shield or G43 are ideal. they are really too big for pockets unless you are putting them in a cargo pocket. I love winter time as that means OWB carry. A 1911 lightweight commander fits the bill for me.

Whatever you plan on getting, you should borrow one and put it in your pocket for a day and see how practical it really is. That is my least favorite way to carry and the slowest to engage if I ever needed it. IWB can almost always be included with whatever clothes you have, you just have to get used to wearing a belt.

 

They make different sized Glocks. Big and small. Look at the Glock 43. There's also the Sig p938 and Smith and Wesson Shield. Those seem to be the most popular.

 

This is a good idea to get a list of guns to look for. But as I tell every new gun owner (or person looking for a specific gun for specific purpose) dont buy based on anyone elses opinions. Go actually hold the guns and even better is if you can shoot them.

Everyone always raves about Glocks. But i cant stand them. Great guns but the grip angle and feel of the gun just isnt there for me. I have no problem recommending them but I wont own one ever again (i owned a G20)

 

And you can get yourself a grip extension for the 26. A lot of people don't like their pinky hanging lol

 

Yup, I have the pinky extension on my Glock 27. I've never really thought of my handgun being too big to carry comfortably. And I'm a small guy at 5' 4" and 120lbs.

 

Yeah I've heard that from a few different people, i tuck my pinky under and love it

 

I think a Glock would be a good choice for concealed carry. The 43 wasn't available at the time I started carrying so I ended up going with a Kahr P9. Later on I bought a Kahr P380 for pocket carry, because even the P9 is way to big for that. I would advise you to give some careful consideration to carrying IWB. With the right gun, holster, and belt combo IWB can be an extremely comfortable, safe, and effective method of concealed carry. I have carried my Kahr P9, in a Milt Sparks Versa Max II holster, and just a regular old leather 1.5 inch belt at least 4-5 days per week for the last 4 years. That rig is also very comfortable to carry, and easy to access while driving. The Milt Sparks VM II looks just as good as the day I received it. Also, and you probably already realize this, make sure you practice, practice, practice with whichever setup you decide on.

 

Although the shields are excellent and have great reputation (people shoots thousands of rounds through them without having issues with jamming/malfunctions) I just like the idea of basic mechanics of a revolver. I carry a SW 686+ 4". Not as compact/light as everyone else but I love it. Don't let size be an ABSOLUTE determinant, try a couple out. It's a great all around carry from the city to the mountains and trails.

 

I grew up shooting single actions so it's natural to have the pinky under the grip.