I need a new Concealed Carry pistol..opinions please

Hey everyone, I will be receiving my concealed pistol license this Friday and plan to go to Cabela's immediately afterward to buy a new pistol as everything that I have is either a full framed semi automatic or a revolver. I think that I have it narrowed down to the pistol that I want but am a little up in the air about the caliber. I am going to get the Springfield XD and am wondering your impressions between the 40 S&W (Service 4 inch) and the .45ACP. (Compact 4 inch). Anyone own these pistols that can give some real world feedback, at the moment I am leaning towards the 45.

 

While I have several pistols, my favorite to carry in my pocket is my Kel-Tec 380. It has plenty of power yet small enough to fit un-noticed in your front pocket...c

 

I thought about going ultra small with a Kel-Tec or one of the new Ruger LCP's but really don't like carrying things in the pockets of my pants. I don't even carry my car keys or my wallet in my pants pockets. They all go into my jacket pockets. With the new pistol I plan on carrying it in IWB in a Galco holster, I like the idea of the Skyops holster as it allows me to tuck a shirt over the gun.

 

I have the XD40 and love it. Haven't fired the XD .45, but I used to own a Glock G30 .45 and now have a Glock 27 .40, and the XD is by far my favorite. very accurate, comfortable, recoil is very manageable, and it can take a beating.

 

If it is a everyday carry piece I would go with the .40 or a 10mm it delivers a good punch and knock down on first hit. a .45 is too heavy to carry around. Those purse guns with .380, 32 ACP and 9mm are just lip stick on a pig and you will have to rely on that 2nd and 3rd shot to end the dance, those guns look good on TV and that is where they belong. Bullets are life and don't waste them unnecessary.

 

Right after I got my CCW I went out and got a Glock 27. (mini-frame 40 cal) Although it's only 1" thick, it really is still too big and too heavy to carry IMHO. I ended up with a Keltec P-380 that fits anywhere and kicks like a mule. Many police officers carry one for a back up gun. You can simply put a piece of velcro on it and stick it virtually anywhere.
Remember, you really won't shoot this concealed gun at a range much. It's just for close range (less than 6 feet) insurance, and if it's not convenient, you will not carry it in the end. After all, when the barrel is only 1-2" long, what can you really hit with it farther than 10 yards out?
My advice is to go very small, and very light. A Keltec P-380 with a waist band holster would be ideal.
You can get them for around $235, so it's not a big risk to try one. If you don't like it, just keep it in your car or next to your night stand.
Be sure to carry using high quality jacketed rounds if you get a Keltec. I have had jamming when using cheap stuff, but not with the good ammo.

The Glock is very cool used with a Lasermax internal laser sight. It has a blinking red dot. In low light situations, you just point and click, no need to even raise the gun.

 

Can't do the Glock. Tried it out and didn't like it at all. Grip angle is too aggressive for me and I tend to shoot it high. I have a friend who owns a Kimber SIS and I love the grip angle of this gun, XD feels very close to this to me. Whatever gun I carry I want to be able to shoot on a regular basis. I want to be proficient with any weapon that I own and if the recoil is too crazy I fear that I won't shoot it, if I don't shoot it I have no business carrying it. It is not that I mind heavy recoil guns, but it it is going to kick like a bastard it better stop like one too.

I called the local gun range and they have both the XD40 and the XD45 as rentals. I will probably head over there on Friday morning and shoot both and figure it out from there. I will let you know what I decided later this week. Thanks for all the input!! Feel free to keep up the .45 vs. .40 debate (or any other calibers for that matter).

 

Do yourself a favor. If you are serious about carrying, and ALL that entails, then get a REAL gun to carry. (Sorry, guys but a Kel-tec/LCP?!? Really? That is a backup gun to your primary carry piece at best) 9mm, .40, .45 should be your ONLY choices for a PRIMARY carry weapon. Springfield XD/Glock/Hk/Beretta are all good places to start. Personally, I carry an Hk P2000SK .40 with a Taurus Mod.85CH in .38 as a backup.
Now, let the flamefest begin!
Glock > 1911
Hk > Glock

 

I carry my Hk in a Skyops. While it's a very good holster, I find myself adjusting the cant of the pistol repeatedly because it only has a single point attachment to the belt. It does make my P2k disappear though, so it still gets used. I've heard good things about the CTAC/MTAC from Comp-Tac, (http://www.comp-tac.com/) and may try one of these next.

 

Dang, you know things are bad when funeral directors have to carry. Then again, in the case of the zombie invasion, a funeral home might become ground zero.

 

Dude, you can NEVER be too careful when it comes to the Zombie Apocalypse!

 

Did you raid my gun closet? When I was in law enforcement field, this was my exact CC set up! IMHO, the HKP2000sk is the finest CC handgun available.

Now that I have a new line of work I simply carry the Taurus. Why? because its light, comfortable, and reliable as hell. My lifestyle seldom poses anything more than the most mild of risks and, on those rare occasions I do carry, I am willing to compromise a little power for some added comfort.

 

1911 .45 in a Colt Officers ACP style. many companies make good copies of it.

.45 or nothing for me.

 

I carry a 3" 1911 in .45

I like the HK p2000sk in .357 also

When I can't carry a holster I take a P3AT in a pocket holster.

All my guns are loaded with CorBon DPX

 

In this economy, don't you know the only business owners with money are funeral directors and bankruptcy lawyers.

Seriously, we have a location in a 'changing neighborhood' that I often go to afterhours. I need to be safe in these situations. I also take funerals to cemeteries in some areas that are not safe to say the least. That and as you guys mentioned I am the first responder to the zombie apocalypse so keep that in mind when suggesting a caliber.

 

Are you going to take some 'executive defense' training and such?

I am also thinking of carrying because I do work in a rough part of Vegas, but I feel that without some proper training on some escape scenarios and urban shootout situations, it won't be much use as I'm not a Bob Munden super-quickdraw. I grew up on a farm and know some shooting fundamentals, but obviously close-quarters engagement is a whole 'nother animal compared to plinking cans and inanimate objects.

 

PKKs

 

I plan to take continuing defense classes. The guy who hosted my CPL class does continuingly advancing classes. Some of these classes use airsoft guns for live fire training.

 

Shoot a few different makers of .45 1911 commanders as there are some differences. If you choose to go down the 1911 path, consider yourself warned...they're addictive and make nasty drug habits look affordable.

My carry 1911s are a Kimber CDP I like alot and a Wilson Combat CQB compact I adore. I carry either in a Milt Sparks Versa Max II. With that holster, they're unnoticeable with just a T-Shirt on.

Continuing classes are a great idea! Also, competition, IDPA/IPSC are a great training tool as well. Get a system, learn it and practice it. Also, if you don't have good hearing protection, buy some.

Most of all, have fun and be safe!

 

I got tired of all the ***** rounds and conceal carry a S&W 686 L Frame 6' bbl with 158 grain .357 Hydros. When I want to go light, I carry a Glock 29 in 10MM. Working around the yard, I have a .44 mag because there is nothing but black bears here.

The downside of the 686 is that I'm only good with it at short range; anything beyond two football fields and I am guessing. At that range, I guess a .357 bullet has a STOL kit and fat tires so it don't matter anyway.

Home defense I use a Colt Trooper Mk 4 with 4 bbl because I put roughly 7500 rounds through it and I'm good to about 150 yards with it. My other home defense part is a 375 H&H Mag Sako that I use for squirrels, bee hives and errant MIGs.

 

150 yards...... 4" Come on Lee Harvey!

 

Where do you take classes at?

P.S. You have a PM

 

Some airsoft guns are pretty really when it comes to firing.

 

Or you can use wax bullets and play gunfight in the house just don't use those large magnum primers they smart!

 

Haha