Which handgun for my first conceal carry??
 

I will be turning 21 soon, andam looking at buying a conceal carry handgun. I previously had my sights set on the Glock 30, but recently have second guessed myself. I've narrowed down my choices to a Glock 30 (45 ACP), Glock 27 (40 S&W), Smith and Wesson 649 (357mag/38 spec+P), or Heckler & Koch USP Compact (45 ACP or 40 S&W). How do these handguns compare for concealability (too fat to conceal, etc), reliability (I'm assuming nearly flawless), accuracy, recoil, feel, etc?

Which is better, 40 S&W or 45 ACP? The 40's tend to be slightly smaller handguns, which higher capacities. I do like the fact that the Glock has no external safeties to worry about. Does the H&K's safety create a problem during carry? I also like the S&W shrouded hammer, so it won't snag.I don't like the stainless steelthough, since the glare could give you away atnight. In short,help me decide?

Thanks

RE: Which handgun for my first conceal carry??
 

From the features you like,I think you would do well to check out a Kahr K40 or P9. The 40 can flip pretty good in a gun that small, so I recommended the steel framed K40 instead of the P40 (polymer). The P9 is a polymer framed 9mm that is light. Both are flatter than anything else on your current list.

Kahr also now has a new 45 ACP, and I'm sure the next few years will bring out a 45 GAP. That one should be about perfect, but for now my personal choice would be the K40.

How concealable a larger gun is depends on your build and how you intend to carry it. Leaner guys like myself, need to watch gun size pretty closely, but larger framed folks can hide a Desert Eagle.

One more hint. Don't skimp on a holster. Get a good one and wear a belt that matches the size of the slot in the holster so nothing can shift.

I'd also spring for night sights. If you ever need to draw that thing, you'll need every advantage you can get, and night sights can make a big difference. If possible, get the dot-over-bar, or dot-over-dotconfiguration. They are the easiest to line up quickly.

RE: Which handgun for my first conceal carry??
 

I have a glock .45 acp with a lasermax. Love it. Carry guns go through a lot of wear and a glock shows none and is known for always firing. CriminalsFEAR the black gun

RE: Which handgun for my first conceal carry??
 

I have 3 gun recomendations:

1) The Sig 229 would be a good choice for several reasons. One you can get it in .40 S&W with a 12 round capacity. You mentioned not having an external safety on the Glock. The Sig doesn't either, it has a decocker lever that allows you to carry with one in the tube. The trigger is a double action/single action trigger, so when you go to fire, the double action kicks in off the first shot and then automatically goes to single action after the first round is fired.

2) My second suggestion would be a Springfield Armory XD in .45ACP. The gun is awesome! It feels great in the hands and is incredibly light weight. The trigger is very nice and smooth, as well as the slide. It is a striker fired gun like the glock, so there is no hammer to snag. The gun is almost exactly like the glock, except for one difference. It has a safety in the pistol grip, making it much safer for concealed carry. The greatest thing about the XD, is that it holds 14 rounds of .45ACP and is still light!

3) My third choice for a CC pistol would be a 1911. The gun is a classic pistol in .45 ACP with a 7 shot capacity. It is much thinner, which makes it easier to conceal, so it doesn't "print". It is a tad heavier for wearing on your wasteband, but the added weight makes recoil much less felt. There are many different 1911 manufacturers out there, but the one I will be going with will be the Springfield Armory 1911 Mil-Spec in .45 ACP. The gun shoots very accurately and is really comfortable. Last week at the range, I shot 7 shots in under a minute with all the holes touching at 7 yards

Looking back at your post, I didn't really pick any of your choices, sorry about that. Many many people have chosen the three I've recommended including agencies like SWAT, FBI, and others out there. I will carry a 1911 for if, and God forbid when my life is in danger. Good luck in making your decision, and I hope you never NEED it.

RE: Which handgun for my first conceal carry??
 

Before I took my concealed class I purchased a Glock 26. My instructor was an ex Green Beret weapons expert and he didn't think to highly of them for many reasons. One reason was because of no safety and the rest were technical wear and tear issues. I never purchased a concealed holster but in my opinion the gun was still too big to conceal comfortably and I'm6'1" at 215lbs. I eventually bought me a Kel-Tec 32 which fitsnice in thefront or back pocket and allowsseven shots. It doesn't pack a lot ofpower but Ibelieve it could get the job donealmost as well as the 9mm would have done. I've since sold my26 and upgraded to aGlock 22 .40 for more knock down power but it usuallyjust stays in my truck while the smaller 32 stays on me. To each his own but since theGlock was so much thicker I found myself to not carrying it as muchas I do the 32.

RE: Which handgun for my first conceal carry??
 

I actually was considering the Sig 229. I have heardgood things about its accuracy and feel, plus the 12 rounds is really nice. But I decided to leave it off the list, since I posted a similar question on ar15.com, and most people recommended the H&K USP over it, saying it was superior. I guess it'll be easier to make my decision with these guns in front of me, and testing the feel and holster combos myself.

Thanks for all the advice and please keep it coming.

RE: Which handgun for my first conceal carry??
 

I would recommend the Smith 649 or the same gun in an airweight model (not sure what the current number is),and for me, that type handgun has been most easily concealable without having to alter my clothing. I have tried a Sig P228, Glock 17, Glock 23, and a Colt 1911, but Ihaven't found any as concealable as my Smith M38 or M637. I was talking to my brother in lawwho is a cop today about this very topic. A 5 shot revolver wouldn't be my first choice for a "combat" handgun, but for concealed carry/strictly personal protection, concealability is more important than capacity or fire power. For truck carry/fire power, I carry either my Glock 17 or 23 and a Colt AR and/or Benelli shotgun.

Truthfully, any gun that you are comfortable andconfident with will make you a good concealed carry weapon. Good luck with your choice.

RE: Which handgun for my first conceal carry??
 

For a c/c gun I personally feel the S&W is the best option.A revolver will not jam, misfeed or stovepipe. Not to mention the 38 special is a nice mild round with very little muzzle flash and won't destroy your ears if needed in an emergency.

RE: Which handgun for my first conceal carry??
 

No offense, but if I ever needed a gun for personal protection I couldn't care less if it makes my ears bleed or bruises my thumb so bad I can't write for a week. Having said that, I also think that carrying a gun you can't shoot accurately is completely pointless. The only advice I can give, if the gun is to actually be used for self protection, is get the largest caliber that you can shoot accurately...I'd even place it before the 'right' model because there are so many good C/C pistols out there.

RE: Which handgun for my first conceal carry??
 

The best gun for a gunfight is the one you have with you at the time.

While many of the suggestions here are excellent guns inregards toaccuracy, reliability, ergonomics, and capacity, some are just too big for most folks to conceal comfortably day after day. A gun that is too big or heavy will evantually wear on your patience, and after a fewmonths or years, it may persuade you to leave it at home or in the car. An ordinary citizen wearing a gun allday under casual clothinghas very different needs thana Law Enforcement professional who wears his piece on a duty belt or in a dropped thigh holster. Even an off-duty cop may choose to carry a different weapon for different reasons since his sworn duty may compel him to engage in a firefight that another armed citizen may be able to avoid.

I'm in favor of the biggest caliber, the most capacity, the best reliability, and accuracy, but CC is always a compromise that demands trade-offs, and the person carrying the gun needs to find the best balance for themselves.

Many, many people who have carried for years have gradually decreased the sizeof their carry gun to a J-frame sized 5-shotrevolver in 38 or 357, or stick with a subcompact sized auto that's flatter than most of it's competition.

I'd feel really stupid if the one time in my life I needed a gun was a day I got lazy and didn't have it. It would be heartbreaking if that same incident resulted in the injury or death of someone I cared about. Forgiving myself may be a long time in coming.

RE: Which handgun for my first conceal carry??
 

Buy what fits your hand and that you can shoot well. Any round is a good choice provided you are capable of doing what is needed under pressure. Six quick shots from a 22LR. with CCI solid stingers in a 3" group will stop anyone in thier tracks.
Practice,practice, practice is the key. Buy a GOOD HOLSTER and a BELT DESIGNED FOR A HOLSTER. The hardest thing to conceal on any handgun is the grip. A well designed holster and good belt you can carry a Govt Model 1911 or any other auto or revolver. People who complain about a firearm's weight or size 9 times out of10 have skimped on the holster and belt or went for a decent holster and skimped on the belt. The Uncle M's nylon and such holsters don't cut it and neither does a normal dress or sport belt.

RE: Which handgun for my first conceal carry??
 

Before you buy anything, look at the 7 shot Taurus 357 Mag in the Titanium. I believeitweighs one lb loaded. Nothing beats the 357 for one shot stops and this one is light enough to carry all the time. I believe S&W makes the same gun as well.

RE: Which handgun for my first conceal carry??
 

Another vote for a Springfield XD. I have the Tactical model in 40 right now, and if I had to do it over again I would probably get the 4" Service gun, just because its kinda hard to hide the 5" gun. If I could bring myself to do it I would buy an XD Compact an carry it 24/7.

RE: Which handgun for my first conceal carry??
 

I've carried handguns as large as a redhawk .44 (winter clothes for sure). I can tell you that a 48 oz revolver is a little too much for every day carry. In the cooler months I carry a ruger gp-100 3" or a Glock 23. In warm months I carry a airweight j-frame .38 spcl. I don't feel undergunned with five shots since I'm not reallygoing in to battle.

RE: Which handgun for my first conceal carry??
 

g19

RE: Which handgun for my first conceal carry??
 

Kal-tec, Kahr or XDSC. all good choices.

RE: Which handgun for my first conceal carry??
 

I carried a Kimber Compact for a long time in a Wild Bills Holster but I have to say that 45 got heavy.... I have sinced started carrying a Taurus CIA in 357 load with 38 special +P much easier on the hip....JMO....

RE: Which handgun for my first conceal carry??
 

This is my narrowed down list, theH&K USPc 40, Glock 23, or Glock 30. I liked the Sig's and what I've read from them, but the capacity isn't too great on the 239, and the 229 is too fat to carry. The S&W has poor capacity, and I don't like the SS. Basically, I'm going to try and rent these guns for my final decision. Who knows, maybe I'll pick something out of left field. Thanks for all the input.

RE: Which handgun for my first conceal carry??
 

If the "c" in "USPc 40" stand for 'compensated", you may wish to consider choosing a sidearm with a solid barrel instead. The reason is this... Compensated guns blast hot gas and small chunks of hot metal upward through the ports when the gun is fired. Self defense shootings often occur at very close range, and sometimes with the attacker within arm's reach or even touching you. The smart defender will need to keep their gun in close to their body to keep it from being grabbed and taken away by the bad guy. This firing position points the ports right into your face. Bad idea. The effect is made worse if your muzzle is already in contact with your attacker when you have to shoot. Just something to think about.

Everything you are considering is a quality product. If it fits you, and it has the features you want, get it.

RE: Which handgun for my first conceal carry??
 

I carry a Glock 23 40 s&w in a Don Hume holster it is a good set-up for me I am 6'4 240lbs. and my wife cant even tell I am carrying chad

RE: Which handgun for my first conceal carry??
 

Thanks for the input, it actually stands for compact.

RE: Which handgun for my first conceal carry??
 

Cool.
Make sure you like the way the mag release works on the HK.
I didn't care for how much I needed to change my grip to dump an empty.