How to Choose a Carry Weapon

A loyal reader wrote to me to ask my opinion regarding a carry weapon.  He is considering purchasing a new weapon for carrying concealed and wanted some advice.  Here are my thoughts on the matter, but I thought that some of our other fantastic readers might also have some advice to offer. 

Here are the things that I would consider when choosing a carry weapon:
1) Caliber. If, God forbid, you ever have to fire your carry weapon, it will very likely be in a tense situation when your adrenalin will be pumping.  In other words, odds are that your aim will be horrible.  Because of this, I’d go with a large caliber.  First, it will be louder and will hopefully scare my attacker.  Second, if I hit the bad guy - even in the pinky toe - I want to cause as much damage as possible.  Third, if the bad guy is doped up, want to make sure that I have the best opportunity to stop him and that requires maximum force.  I’d pick a .45.  The downside is that higher caliber guns usually hold fewer rounds, but the odds are that you’ll never need more than a couple of shots.  If it’s a concern, carry a second magazine too. 
2) Weight/Size. I used to carry in Texas and I can tell you that weight is an important consideration.  A couple of extra ounces pulling you down all day can make a difference.  The downside is that the smaller and lighter the gun, the more difficult it is to shoot accurately at any great distance.  Realistically, you should never fire your weapon unless it’s at close range, so this isn’t much of a concern.  I don’t like the really small frame pistols, so I would choose a medium-to-small frame.  Also, don’t forget to consider the materials making up the gun and the size/weight of the magazine. 
3) Action. There are a lot of varying thoughts on what kind of action is best and what state a gun should be in when carried.  For example, some people prefer to not carry a semi-auto with a round in the pipe.  Nobody wants to accidentally put a bullet in their butt and they figure that they will have time to load a round into the chamber if necessary.  Some would rather keep a round in the chamber to save time if they need to use the weapon.  If you plan to carry your weapon with a round in the chamber, then I would highly recommend a single action pistol with a good safety.  For the gun to be accidentally fired, the safety would have to fail AND the gun would have to be cocked.  If you plan to leave the chamber empty, then any action will do.  If you plan to carry a revolver, I’d probably still go with the double action so that you don’t have to cock it for each shot, but I’d leave the first chamber in the rotation empty for safety. 
4) Make/Model.  Once I’ve decided on the specs for a weapon, I’d move onto the make/model decision.  There are a few great manufacturers out there, but they all have their own way of doing things.  I’d look to a manufacturer with a good reputation for making good guns.  This gun will be your last defense in a life and death situation.  It’s not a gun on which to be cheap.  In general, I have heard very positive things about the carry weapons made by Kimber, Colt, Kahr, Springfield, Beretta, and Glock.  Many of these manufacturers have pistols specifically designed to be carried that have smoother edges, bobbed hammers, and other features designed to make sure you can get the weapon out fast and reliably. 
5) Test.  All of the research in the world will never replace personal experience.  If you are considering a gun, take one out to a range and put some rounds through it before buying it.  Some guns look great in the display case, but don’t fit my hands or shooting style.  Most reputable gun dealers that also have a range will allow you to test the gun on the range before purchasing it. 
All that being said, if I were to buy a carry weapon today, I’d go with either a Colt Defender

or Kimber Ultra Carry II in a .45.

1. I dunno.  Pound for pound and size for size it’s still tough to beat the venerable .357mag, BUT with a modern load.  125g jacketed hollow-point bullets and hot loads can put almost 600ftlbs into a target.  And talk about noise and muzzle flash!!

   Personally, I think a revolver is safer for folks who dont shoot often. 

   Finally, if you do roll your own, with a revolver, you dont have to chase your brass down after it’s fired.

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 12, 2008 at 1533 hrs




2. I’ll admit, my wrist is might sore after putting a box of ammo through my good ol’ S&W;.357 revolver.  It’s as heavy as a brick, though.

   Posted by Owen on January 12, 2008 at 1540 hrs




3. Carry something you are willing to take to court.

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 12, 2008 at 1553 hrs




4. for carry i would consider a .38 or if memory serves me right a .357 can shoot a .380 caliber for less recoil.
   then you have a the knock down caliber when you need it or a lighter load in the .380.
   a revolver will not jam and good shot, but if you need it its only close range anyhow,

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 12, 2008 at 1914 hrs




5. I like a big ole arse kicking big bore as much as the next guy, but if I could carry I would probably have a good semi-auto 22 with good ammo.  Any pistol is going to make a lot of noise.  Any pistol!  We’re not talking about a rifle here. 

   I think the obvious thing to do is look at the people who carry and conceal every day.  Not the police because you won’t have it on your hip.  The secret service carried a sig 357 (not the same as a 357 mag) and almost all of law enforcement carry a .40, either Glock (I have one) but I would like to have the H&K;.  Ruger makes a nice one at a good price. 

   Less important than what you carry is how many rounds you can put through it before you HAVE to use it.  Another good reason to have the 22.

   Practice does not make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect!

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 12, 2008 at 1916 hrs




6. I know it would take a .38, but I don’t think a .380.  Someone let me know if I’m right

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 12, 2008 at 1925 hrs




7. I think the obvious thing to do is look at the people who carry and conceal every day.  Not the police because you won’t have it on your hip.

   Good point, but I’m not sure that it’s completely accurate.  Those agents don’t really get to choose their weapon.  The agency chooses it and issues it to them.  The agencies involved certainly considered a lot of factors, but those factors also likely included weapon cost, ammunition cost, maintenance cost, political considerations, etc.  For personal use, those factors matter much less. 

   But I do agree that it’s worth weighing.

   Posted by Owen on January 12, 2008 at 1927 hrs




8. Hello,

   You are correct.  A .357 will take a .38 round, but not a .380.

   Posted by Owen on January 12, 2008 at 1928 hrs




9. Last time I had my .357 at the range the pressure knocked the cover off the motor for the target.  Every time I shoot it it changes the pressure in my sinus cavities.  By the way I love taking liberals to the range.  They always have a great time and want to come back.

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 12, 2008 at 1935 hrs




10. At this point, I’d probably take a .40 S&W;(I’d need something a bit more user-friendly than the S&W;Sigma I have now if I were to carry).  It has a bit more punch than the .45 (faster bullet) and a slightly-larger magazine (14-round here).

    Posted by steveegg on January 12, 2008 at 1945 hrs




11. I like Kimbers a lot, although I prefer the Pro Carry.

    Posted by elliot on January 12, 2008 at 2002 hrs




12. “Practice does not make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect!”

    For sure!  Ammo is expensive unless your roll your own, and even then it aint cheep, especially if you include the equipment to get in the game.

    I much recommend that anybody who buys a pistol ALSO buys a good pellet pistol like the Daisy 717.  Practice in the basement or garage every day with the pellet pistol.  From time to time, verify your technique, accuracy and improvement with the firearm.  Best of both worlds.

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 12, 2008 at 2002 hrs




13. Just as important as what you carry is how you carry it. The method of concealed carry/holster is a science in it self.
    I sat though a a session on holsters when the NRA was in town a few rears ago. Lots to consider for best concealment, comfort and ease of use when needed.

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 12, 2008 at 2130 hrs




14. Dave,

    That is an interesting point.  I would like to learn more.  I would like even more to be able to put it to practicle use.

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 12, 2008 at 2223 hrs




15. Lots of good info here.
    http://www.usconcealedcarry.com/index.cfm?affID=uscca

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 13, 2008 at 0850 hrs




16. For persons with little or no experience in shooting a pistol, I would stay away from a Glock.  Too many self inflicted gunshot wounds with them among those that use them every day….POLICE OFFICERS!  For safety’s sake, consider something else.

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 13, 2008 at 0912 hrs




17. Pfft!  Your first piece of advice should have been….move to a state that actually believes you have a right to defend yourself!

    

    Posted by Kate on January 13, 2008 at 1054 hrs




18. http://www.guntechinc.com/SW163062.jpg

    Airweight 357 with a laser sight.  Yeah, its not a gun you’re going to want to go put a hundred rounds thru at the range (though you can run 38 thru it to take some of the heat off)

    When wisconsin passes CCW I will be picking up one of these for daily carry.

    Now when I carry its only when traveling out of state and I just use my Glock.

    Having said that, that Kimber is DEAD sexy!  I could be tempted!

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 13, 2008 at 1213 hrs