Originally Posted by Nomercy448

For concealment, less is more.

I've spent a lot of time over the years "packing", and spend a lot of time now instructing ccw classes and handgunner classes. Between my wife and I, we have (and/or have had) a stable of concealable handguns: Kel-Tec P-3AT, Jennings J-22, S&W 60 Ladysmith, Taurus 85 x2, Ruger SP-101 x4 (2 357's, a .32H&R, and a .327Fed), Ruger SRH Alaskan x3 (a .44mag, 480ruger, and a .454), Springfield Micro-Compact 1911, Springfield EMP x2 (9mm and .40), Ruger LCP, Ruger LC9, Ruger SR9c and SR40c (both are my wife's), Wather PPK/S, Kahr PM9, Glock 19, Glock 33, Glock 27, Bersa Thunder, Sig P238, Cobra Derringer, Bond Derringer, HK USP Compact, and a Kimber Ultra Carry II (man, I hope I'm not forgetting anyone!!)

Out of this long list of options, my daily carry is between the Ruger LCP and the LC9. I'll occasionally pack another one along, but these two are my "go-to" choices. (The Kel-Tec P-3AT used to be my "go-to" option, before that, it was a Jennings J-22).

Ultimately, I prioritize two things from my concealed carry pistols: 1) it has to be lightweight and compact, so it's comfortable and easily concealed, and 2) I want as little time and as few steps between "oh $hit" and "bang" as possible. If it isn't easily concealed, I won't carry it every day, and if it takes more than just pulling the trigger to defend myself, I don't carry it (double action, or safe action only for me).

In my experience, anything over 24oz is too heavy, and anything over 5" x 1" x 6.5" is just too hard to conceal comfortably every day. The baby glock is a great weapon, as is the compact 1911, but frankly, they're still too big. Similarly, concealing a Taurus 85, S&W Ladysmith 60, or a Ruger SP-101 (or LCR) is difficult. With this size of weapon, my only REAL option is IWB SOB and an untucked shirt or jacket, which isn't always possible (I'm 5'10" and a lean/muscular 180lbs). My wife's only REAL option for these weapons is in her purse (5' 3" and 125lbs).

The ULTIMATE concealed carry weapon, in my opinion, is the Ruger LCP. Even loaded I'm looking at less weight than a snubnosed revolver, and it's under an inch wide. The Sig 238 is a fantastic weapon, but I am not a fan of single action/manual safety weapons for ccw (see my Priority #2).

Specifically, I really like the Kahr PM9. It's a little thicker than the Ruger single stack LC's, but still very concealable. It's not as comfortable in my hand, but my wife prefers it over the LCP. She does prefer the LC9 grip over the PM9 though.

When guys get "mid-sized" pieces as CC weapons is 1) they either think they need a "battle weapon" with a lot of power, so they replicate what a cop or soldier would carry (different paradigm than civilian CCW), or 2) they want a weapon to pull double duty as a plinker AND a CCW.

Personally, pleasure shooting and CCW demand such different weapons, that I'd never recommend getting 1 weapon for both of these tasks. A great plinker is NOT a good carry weapon, and a good carry weapon is NOT fun to shoot. Buy one in this size class, and I almost guarantee you will end up wanting something smaller for ccw, and something bigger for plinking, and you'll end up leaving it at home in the safe rather than carrying it.