Originally Posted by
Rob in VT
When you were considering a concealed carry, what was most important to you in making your decision? Are there other considerations besides what I listed below? How did you prioritize these?
1. Size of weapon for ease of concealment.
2. Carrying capacity (number of rounds).
3. Caliber (for knock down power).
4. Comfort in shooting (large bore on a small frame kicks a lot).
5. Accuracy.
1. Accuracy/Shootability - all of them are accurate, but not all are equally shootable I want a pistol that points naturally and hits what I need it to hit.
2. Manual of Arms - although not on your list, I pick my carry weapons based on their function, using a pretty simple rule: I want as little time and as few operations as possible between "oh $hit" and "bang" as possible. No manual safeties, no racking the slide to chamber a round, not overly heavy or overly long triggers, no cocking the hammer, etc etc... It should clear leather and then save my life, with nothing in between.
3. Size of weapon for ease of concealment - I've carried big, I've carried small, I know how I dress and how I move, and what works for me to carry. Small is good.
4. Caliber (for knock down power) - the cartridge has to be able to do the job. I carry a .380acp mostly, I've killed game with it, it does the job. I would not carry a 25acp, 22lr, 25acp, 32acp... But I'm comfortable and confident in the .380acp.
5. Carrying capacity (number of rounds) - I have absolute confidence in 5 shot revolvers for carry, as well as 6 and 7rnd pistols
NOT RANKED IN MY CONSIDERATION: Comfort in shooting (large bore on a small frame kicks a lot) - Carry pieces are shot often, but not shot a lot, they don't have to feel good under recoil, they just have to do the job.