M&P shield is a great carry piece.
I never like the triggers on the Ruger guns, the LC9 being probably the worst production trigger I’ve ever felt.
I like the S&W airweight revolvers. 5 shot, very small.
Since I’m also in NJ, the conversation is moot, I don’t expect to carry here, ever.
I never discuss what I own or don’t own on the internet.
That’s not a good idea IMHO.
I had a Para Ordnance LDA 9. I loved the smooth trigger. I now carry a Kimber Ultra Carry II. I’d recommend either for compactness and reliability. The Kimber will set you back about 1K, though.
Added to title just to show this is pure speculation on your part.
Give the CZ82 a try. It hits harder than a 380, has a twelve round mag and is DA/SA so you can carry one chambered for DA first shot. Smooth trigger and very durable for carry.
My two cents: I like a simple J-frame .38 revolver, 5 shots, no laser or mods. Most (90%+) pistol engagements take place at less than 15 feet and fewer than 3 rounds (that is the statistic quoted to me by most firearms instructors I have talked to). Never jams. Just point & shoot center body mass. Hit the range with standard .38 rounds. Carry P+ self protection loads (even if your revolver is only rated for .38 special).
My daughter has one. Really neat gun. Fires well and very lightweight. Hers is pink.
When I took her to the gun shop, the counter guy names off 4-5 family members who had one, and that was before I told him what we were looking at.
Usually have a 12.5" AR in 6.8 in the trunk, just in case I have time to swing by the range.
As a second general principle, the better concealed, the less accessible. You never see a guy with an ankle holster win a fast-draw contest (well, not unless he's got REALLY long arms).
Factor in what you generally wear and where you spend most of your day. If it's on the beach wearing a tank top and Speedos, then you're probably not going to have room for that Desert Eagle. If you always have something loose over your belt, then maybe a belt holster could be considered. Inside-the-belt holsters are more concealable but I find them less comfortable. YMMV.
Don't rule pocket holsters out, especially if you like cargo pants. If you do decide on pocket carry, PLEASE use a holster. You don't need a firearm in Condition One with an exposed trigger pointed straight at the family jewels when you decide to draw it. Allow room for at least one extra mag if you're carrying a semi, a speed strip if you're carrying a revolver.
We haven't even discussed the gun yet. I had a scandium .38 five-shot that I loved to carry but found painful to practice with. Sure, you can move down to low-power ammo for the range but you're kidding yourself it you're not practicing with self-defense ammo at least part of the time. That little gun banged the heck out of me worse than a .44 magnum. Just not all that pleasant to practice with, and if you don't practice, you don't perform when you need to.
You are likely to shoot larger guns better due to grip and sight radius, which acts against concealability. The bottom line: anything you choose is likely to be a compromise. There is no one perfect gun. Try a bunch, pick one you like, and practice, practice, and then more practice. Just my $0.02.
I like the Keltec P3AT 380 for very light weight carry in warm weather. When it gets colder it is easier to conceal the larger caliber and of course bigger framed handguns. Ruger, Smith, Kahr and Taurus all make quality concealable handguns. 9mm and larger caliber handguns can have better accuracy and range than their smaller counterparts but are heavier and harder to conceal. The last thing you need is for a concerned liberal to call the cops because they notice your handgun. Buy American you can’t go wrong.
XD .40 only because my Kimbers are rather large, heavy and a bit unwieldy.
That said, I carry my Kimber in a briefcase and occasionally holster it in the small of my back.
I luv muh Kimber.
She’s such a babe.
For my vehicle I was thinking M1 Abrams, that way I can just have people bring me what I want without having to be out mingling with the bad guys.
When you're under extreme duress, unless you're willing to dedicate weekly shooting sessions, money for expensive ammo, etc, simpler is best.
Start with a basic revolver. Something quality made. Fixed sights. I'd go with a 357 mag. You can practice with cheaper, lighter recoil, 38 special ammo. Then load it with the bombs for self defense.
I'd look for a used Smith and Wesson or Ruger. Stay away from Taurus, etc, since they have a reputation for poor quality control.
Check out The Firing Line. They get this question about every fifteen minutes.
My first consideration for cc is for a weapon that I *will* carry a lot, because the best pistol in the world won’t work if you leave it at home all of the time. You have to be comfy with it.
Second consideration is whether the hammer spur will catch on clothing, or if you should get a hammerless or striker pistol. This depends a lot on what kind of holster you use.
Third is a personal view of mine, that if you are going to cc you should also carry a knife *complementary* to your pistol.
- does it have a safety (maybe not so much for you, if you're well-practiced, but someone else may pick it up sometime).
- is it single-action or double-action (affects accuracy and ease of trigger pull).
- caliber (I wouldn't even want to get in front of a .22 hollow point).
- how does it fit your hand (some smaller calibers have a pinky extension on the magazine)
For me, a Sig-Sauer P-238 (.380, semi-auto) is the right balance between concealability and stopping power.
M&P Bodyguard .380 with integrated laser site and Hydra-shock 90 grain rounds. Recently purchased it.
Have Mr. Glock 17 9mm with 140 grain Hydra-schock rounds for home protection.
Next purchase, Mossberg close-quarters 12 gauge.
Another one to look at is the Sig P238 Extreme. If you can find one in stock. They are pretty sought after.
I carry a Ruger LCP with a crimson point laser sight. The down side is that it's a .380, so it's fine up close, not so much for somebody 40 feet away. It's pretty much to the upside on everything else.
Target acquisition with the laser sight is almost instantaneous, much better than using iron sights. It's a dream to carry, even in summer clothes like shorts and a T-shirt. Put a belt clip on it and you don't even need a holster.
Just FYI.
All the accessories. LED studded mudflaps would be nice.