The Perfect CCW Weapon

[Rick]

I have no doubt that this subject is going to be a lot like the perfect knife. But I'm looking for some input from those of you that carry. My CCW is an H&R .32 wheel gun but I can't find a holster that fits the H&R comfortably (it's not a popular caliber) and the .32 is a little light in stopping power. So I'm in the market.

I looked at the Beretta Cougar in .45 but they no longer make it so I will be stuck with a used, which I don't like, or a new in box for which I'll pay a premium I'm sure.

I would prefer something in .45 or even .40 because I want to have the final say in things and not stand around and discuss it by using a lighter caliber. I've looked at the Colt Combat Commander and Glock 23 both of which seem to fit the bill. However, I'm heavily leaning toward the Springfield XD 45.

I'll talk with a gunsmith and handle each one before I buy, of course, but would like some input for those of you that carry.

The other part of this is the saddle. I prefer to carry Inside the Waist Band (IBW) so if you have a preference on holsters I'd like to hear that, too.

[Stony]

I dare ask why anyone would need to cc?
most of cc's don't have the guts to actualy shoot after the draw.
is it not high time to strike cc of the books?

[Rick]

Right. Whatever. If you can't contribute to the post why bother?

[rebel]

Any of those you listed would be great. They are proven designs and have reliable performance.

[rebel]

I dare ask why anyone would need to cc?
most of cc's don't have the guts to actualy shoot after the draw.
is it not high time to strike cc of the books?

Do you carry around a 5 gallon bucket of sand?

[Alpine_Sapper]

I personally prefer the .40 to the .45. I have a shooting buddy at work that is the exact opposite. I don't have a problem with the .45 or course, but when doing some reading on Wikipedia I found the following which prompted me to seriously check out the .40. After shooting several models I never looked back.
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The energy of the .40 S&W exceeds all standard-pressure and +P 9x19mm Parabellum loadings and many standard-pressure .45 ACP rounds, generating between 450 and 600 foot-pounds (550 J and 800 J) of energy, depending on bullet weight, with mid to high 500 foot-pounds typical. Both the .40 S&W and the 9 mm Parabellum operate at a 35,000 psi (240 MPa) SAAMI maximum, compared to a 21,000 psi (150 MPa) maximum for .45 ACP[9]. Some small ammunition manufacturers offer .40 S&W ammunition consistently developing energy well above 500 ft·lbf (700 J) in all their .40 S&W ammo as off-the-shelf items.[10]. While SAAMI has not established a +P standard for the .40 S&W, there are companies marketing ammunition claimed to be +P, but they do not provide pressure data to support +P labeling.

The .40 S&W is considered by some[citation needed] the best cartridge for law enforcement use available today, combining superior stopping power when using expanding ammunition and manageable recoil in a package that remains compact, even when using a double-stack magazine.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.40_S%26W

[Rick]

That is interesting. I had always considered the .40 to be in between the .45 and the 9mm.

[rebel]

Just another drive-by shooting post.

I use the H&K USP compact in 40 cal. I've put thousands of rounds through it without a single malfunction. The one thing about it that feels uncomfortable is the mag release. The release is not the push button that we learned on and takes some getting used to. You also have to watch your magazine shoe plate. If the shoe plate is not on the mag correctly it will not fit into the weapon.

I used to carry a Gov 45. It was a great weapon. Just heavy.

So, I like the polymer framed autos for the weight.

I've heard the glocks are nice. A friend of mine swears by his 357 sig.

I hope this helps.

[Sourdough]

You will still get 800 strongly held opinions, but all holsters suck if you carry enough hours per day. PERIOD. Some are much better than others, but they all are uncomfortable if you wear them long enough. The heavier the carry firearm, the more uncomfortable the carry experience will be. The best is a 11.5 oz. to a 14 oz. wheel gun in .38 +P or if you can afford it just get the .357 mag. and have the option.

The number one choice "if" it is free is the S&W model 340, $1,019.- list price. However I changed the grip, as that so called boot grip is to small for my hand.

The bottom line is that there is no perfect carry gun. That is why I have 11 carry (Hand) guns, and a box full of holsters. Some days I like the 10 MM Kimber, and some day I just drop the .44 spl. Bull pup pug in my back pocket.

If you have a "COP'SHOP" near where you live, I would talk with them.

There is no answer.

What is interesting is how many people, have a altercation, and totally forgot they were backing.

Somehow I think I was not much help. But the thread will be lively.

[Buddha443556]

When I had my CCW permit I carried a S&W .357 686 or 45 ACP in a shoulder holster, being big I could get away with this. Those are not a light weapon, but that didn't bother me and I did carry for about a decade every day. IWB? Do you wear suspenders? Something light like a Glock sounds better to me maybe in a 40.

[Sourdough]

I dare ask why anyone would need to cc?
most of cc's don't have the guts to actualy shoot after the draw.
is it not high time to strike cc of the books?

One way to find out if someone has guts to actually shoot after the draw. Do you feel lucky.....?

[Rick]

No suspenders but I'm a good sized kid. My main concern is summer clothes (probably everyones). I like shorts and a T shirt in the summer for casual, which isn't bad. The T-shirt on the outside does a nice job concealing but you can get some grip outline. Casual dress clothes are the pits unless it's a pull over. Dress shirts force me to leave the weapon at home, which defeats the whole purpose. Hiking is no problem. I can use a concealment butt pack.

[Rick]

I would never pull a weapon unless my intent was to use it. The only time it would show is if I truly believed my family or I was in peril. And you can bet your sweet azz I'd use it. In a heart beat.

[Sourdough]

No suspenders but I'm a good sized kid. My main concern is summer clothes (probably everyones). I like shorts and a T shirt in the summer for casual, which isn't bad. The T-shirt on the outside does a nice job concealing but you can get some grip outline. Casual dress clothes are the pits unless it's a pull over. Dress shirts force me to leave the weapon at home, which defeats the whole purpose. Hiking is no problem. I can use a concealment butt pack.

Can we say: Summer gun, and a different Winter gun. Fanny packs work, but everyone knows the only reason to wear a fanny pack is to hide a gun.

I got to wonder if everyone was required to wear a firearm fully exposed, everyone, everywhere, every place outside their home. Would crime go down?

[Sourdough]

How many states other than Alaska do "NOT" require a permit to carry concealed....?

[Tahyo]

I live in Illinois and we don't have a ccw. Illinois and Wisconsin are the last two holdouts. Due to the strong liberal weinees here, it's doubtful we'll ever see it. I'd like to though.

Rick, not sure this will do you any good, but here's a link to a cr@p load of links for holster manufacturers. There are a lot of crappy ones in there, but I did manage to find a few decent ones. The link says "Beretta" and that's because I found it on a Beretta forum.

http://www.berettaforum.net/vb/showthread.php?t=27864

[Chuck]

I think Vermont is the only other one.

[Rick]

Here's a link to CCW laws by state:

http://www.handgunlaw.us/

Great link, Tahyo. I bookmarked that one! Thanks.

[Sourdough]

[QUOTE=Tahyo;43274]I live in Illinois and we don't have a ccw. Illinois and Wisconsin are the last two holdouts. Due to the strong liberal weinees here, it's doubtful we'll ever see it. I'd like to though.


Tahyo, NO.......What I mean is every body can Carry "without" a permit, "we don't need no stinking permit's".

[Tahyo]

[QUOTE=hopeak;43279]

I live in Illinois and we don't have a ccw. Illinois and Wisconsin are the last two holdouts. Due to the strong liberal weinees here, it's doubtful we'll ever see it. I'd like to though.


Tahyo, NO.......What I mean is every body can Carry "without" a permit, "we don't need no stinking permit's".

Are you talking about the way some here in Illinois carry in a specific kind of pouch?