I just recently got my concealed carry license and now I have to joy of picking out my firearm and holster. I'm leaning right now towards a XDs in .45. I want an inside the waistband holster I think as I don't want anyone knowing I have it on me and I don't want to keep it in my pocket. What is your setup? I have a Glock 32 currently but I think it may be a little big to carry everyday.
OT: What handgun do you CCW and what holster do you use?
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Depends on the season and circumstances. My favorite carry gum is a compact 1911 in 45acp but it's kinda hard to carry that in shorts, t shirt, and flip flops. My next step down is a SIG 938 9mm, then a Kahr 380, and the smallest is a North American Arms 5 shot revolver with a folding grip with a pocket clip. An IWB holster is not comfortable with jeans so I tend to go with a small of the back holster if wearing a cover or an ankle holster if not. The single stack XD's are good carry guns, any double stack gun is just too thick for my taste and it's too big and heavy for a pocket gun. The only drawback of a 45 is weight , the guns are generally heavier and a full clip is heavier than a 9mm. Get the biggest gun you will carry but just don't buy one too big and heavy that you will refrain from carrying it. A 22 in your pocket is better than a 45 at home in the nightstand.
Glock G19 in a crossbreed holster. Do yourself a favor and
stay away from an XD. That was my first handgun and it malfunctioned pretty often and if you are carrying it, you plan to shoot someone and if that is the case, you don't want the gun to jam. Aside from the FTF's, the XD has a lot of parts that can break or jam. If you want a 9mm go with glock. If you want anything else, go with M&P.
stay away from an XD. That was my first handgun and it malfunctioned pretty often and if you are carrying it, you plan to shoot someone and if that is the case, you don't want the gun to jam. Aside from the FTF's, the XD has a lot of parts that can break or jam. If you want a 9mm go with glock. If you want anything else, go with M&P.
M&P 9 Shield, Galco isp holster and I tuck it in the back. The Glock 42 is the best single stack small frame gun that's out to me but I won't carry a 380. When they eventually make something larger on that frame I'll get it. I've shot the xds and I didn't care for it. I keep a M&P 9 in my truck and a Springfield 1911 on my nightstand. I got my eyes on the Sig p227 but I'm waiting for more models to come out.
I just don't understand the love for the glock 42. It's larger than most all the other 380 s on the market and comparable in size to multiple 9mm on the market. The only reason to carry a 380 over a 9mm is the compactness of the gun and the 42 fails in this respect miserably. If I'm carrying something as large as the 42, it will be chambered in something larger than a 380. Don't buy a Diamond Back DB9, trust me!
I've got a sig p238. You carry in the cocked and lock position, which would...
would freak some folks out. I would not recommend unless you are already familiar w/ the 1911 platform. Mine came w/ a holster and extended mag. Its not flawless at this point, but i've only put about 250 rounds through it. Honestly, i would recommend a smith 442 for cc. It won't jam and its 38 hollow points at +p will be effective.
would freak some folks out. I would not recommend unless you are already familiar w/ the 1911 platform. Mine came w/ a holster and extended mag. Its not flawless at this point, but i've only put about 250 rounds through it. Honestly, i would recommend a smith 442 for cc. It won't jam and its 38 hollow points at +p will be effective.
Nothing wrong with your 32, I carry a 33 or SigP229 mostly. If you want IWB check out the Crossbread supertuck or the CompTac line. Raven Concealment is a good choice also.
Belgium Browning HP (P-35) 9MM with hollow points, 13 in the mag and one in the tube. Cocked and with safety on. Who needs double action! Just more complication. Got a Kahr P-9, stainless steel, 9MM I would like to sell or trade for something similar. Send IM.
Belgium high power is on my gun bucket list. I don't think there's a better handgun out there. It would sit in a safe though, I'd never carry it.
If I'm in a suit, I carry a 780 TCP in a pocket holster.
I work in a suit everyday and need something very discreet. The gun is 10.2 ounces. Otherwise, I will just carry a Ruger SR9 concealed on the inside of hip. Every concealed carry gun needs to be carried with a bullet in the chamber, ready to fire. Because I have a kid and carry in order to defend myself from the people I work with on a daily basis, I'm only comfortable carrying that way with a gun that has an easy thumb safety (SR9) or a very long trigger (780 TCP).
I work in a suit everyday and need something very discreet. The gun is 10.2 ounces. Otherwise, I will just carry a Ruger SR9 concealed on the inside of hip. Every concealed carry gun needs to be carried with a bullet in the chamber, ready to fire. Because I have a kid and carry in order to defend myself from the people I work with on a daily basis, I'm only comfortable carrying that way with a gun that has an easy thumb safety (SR9) or a very long trigger (780 TCP).
What works for me is a Glock 30S (45 ACP with 10-round clip) and Crossbreed Super-Tuck Deluxe IWB holster. It's comfortable to wear all day, easy and effective to conceal, even with a tucked-in shirt.
Don't forget; even with a Concealed-Carry Permit in Mississippi, you still cannot carry in many places (including on any college campus) unless you have the Enhanced Carry Endorsement on your CC permit. To obtain an Enhanced Carry Endorsement requires you attend a class and qualify on a range. Then you get a certificate from the instructor that you have to take back to the Highway Patrol station to get your endorsement. If you have this, then it is legal to carry on the MSU or any other campus, I believe.
Once you have the Enhanced Carry Endorsement there are only 3 places you cannot legally carry: 1. Highway Patrol or other police stations, 2. any courtroom while court is in session, and 3. a "place of disturbance". The last one is pretty vague (probably intentionally) but I believe that it might mean, for example (but not limited to), that you cannot carry a weapon if you go over to visit your wife that your are separated from if you have not had a friendly relationship recently.
This still does stop a business owner from putting a sign in the window that prohibits carrying on their private property. Anyone who owns private property has the right to decide who can, and cannot, enter their property. If you do carry in such a place, my understanding is that you are, at most, guilty of trespassing but not guilty of a firearms violation. Just keep in mind that if no one knows that you are carrying (concealed carry) then you probably will never have any problems. Just think ahead to decide if there is any reason, other than to use your weapon to defend yourself or others, that you might have to reveal your weapon. Examples that come to mind could be a tailor or doctor's office where you might have to disrobe and possibly expose your weapon.
Also, you need to keep in mind that federal property is not necessarily subject to Mississippi gun laws. For example, it is my understanding that if a U.S. Military installation says you cannot carry there, then Mississippi gun laws do not override that.
Lastly, there are still places you still cannot carry such as when traveling as passenger on commercial airlines and other places like that. I'm pretty sure that the TSA nazis will not let you carry a gun through their inspection process but I don't do much commercial air travel so I don't know for sure.
I know that Mississippi and several other states have concealed carry reciprocity agreements but I"m not sure how that applies to the enhanced carry permit if your permit is not from Mississippi.
A few useful links on this issue:
Mississippi Concealed Carry Permit Information
List of Enhance Carry Firearm Permit Instructors in Mississippi
Good summary page of Mississippi handgun laws including links to handguns laws for all states
Concealed Carry Reciprocity Maps
Disclaimer:
I am not an attorney nor am I a certified firearms instructor so read this knowing that I am not offering "official" information. This is just information I've gathered in the process of obtaining my own Concealed-Carry Permit and Enhanced-Carry Permit. I'm just trying to be helpful.
Edit:
Just one final thought. If you don't already have a Concealed Carry Permit, don't decide to get one just because you think it would be cool to have one. You need to do some deep thinking and soul-searching. You need to decide first whether you have the will to kill another human being if the situation warrants. You need to give some deep and serious thought and research ahead of time as to what situations justify the taking of another person's life. Once you have drawn your weapon, you should have already decided beforehand (and I mean days, months, or years beforehand) not only what gives you legal justification before you shoot another person, but also the moral justification of shooting someone. In nearly every case, you should avoid, if possible, situations and/or places where scenarios like these are likely. Your first response should be, if possible, to avoid shooting someone by leaving the area or convincing the dangerous person to stop the attack through intimidation, deception or other less deadly means. Mississippi does have "stand your ground" laws but if you can avoid a dangerous situation where you might have to draw your weapon, you should do so unless you are entering to protect some other innocent person who cannot protect themselves. You should never draw your weapon unless you are ready to shoot without hesitation (that's why you did all the deep and serious thought beforehand) to protect yourself or others. Do not wait until that moment to start thinking whether you are willing to go through with it. If you draw a weapon but are unwilling to use it to defend yourself, your attacker could possibly take the weapon from you and use it on you or your family.
Don't forget; even with a Concealed-Carry Permit in Mississippi, you still cannot carry in many places (including on any college campus) unless you have the Enhanced Carry Endorsement on your CC permit. To obtain an Enhanced Carry Endorsement requires you attend a class and qualify on a range. Then you get a certificate from the instructor that you have to take back to the Highway Patrol station to get your endorsement. If you have this, then it is legal to carry on the MSU or any other campus, I believe.
Once you have the Enhanced Carry Endorsement there are only 3 places you cannot legally carry: 1. Highway Patrol or other police stations, 2. any courtroom while court is in session, and 3. a "place of disturbance". The last one is pretty vague (probably intentionally) but I believe that it might mean, for example (but not limited to), that you cannot carry a weapon if you go over to visit your wife that your are separated from if you have not had a friendly relationship recently.
This still does stop a business owner from putting a sign in the window that prohibits carrying on their private property. Anyone who owns private property has the right to decide who can, and cannot, enter their property. If you do carry in such a place, my understanding is that you are, at most, guilty of trespassing but not guilty of a firearms violation. Just keep in mind that if no one knows that you are carrying (concealed carry) then you probably will never have any problems. Just think ahead to decide if there is any reason, other than to use your weapon to defend yourself or others, that you might have to reveal your weapon. Examples that come to mind could be a tailor or doctor's office where you might have to disrobe and possibly expose your weapon.
Also, you need to keep in mind that federal property is not necessarily subject to Mississippi gun laws. For example, it is my understanding that if a U.S. Military installation says you cannot carry there, then Mississippi gun laws do not override that.
Lastly, there are still places you still cannot carry such as when traveling as passenger on commercial airlines and other places like that. I'm pretty sure that the TSA nazis will not let you carry a gun through their inspection process but I don't do much commercial air travel so I don't know for sure.
I know that Mississippi and several other states have concealed carry reciprocity agreements but I"m not sure how that applies to the enhanced carry permit if your permit is not from Mississippi.
A few useful links on this issue:
Mississippi Concealed Carry Permit Information
List of Enhance Carry Firearm Permit Instructors in Mississippi
Good summary page of Mississippi handgun laws including links to handguns laws for all states
Concealed Carry Reciprocity Maps
Disclaimer:
I am not an attorney nor am I a certified firearms instructor so read this knowing that I am not offering "official" information. This is just information I've gathered in the process of obtaining my own Concealed-Carry Permit and Enhanced-Carry Permit. I'm just trying to be helpful.
Edit:
Just one final thought. If you don't already have a Concealed Carry Permit, don't decide to get one just because you think it would be cool to have one. You need to do some deep thinking and soul-searching. You need to decide first whether you have the will to kill another human being if the situation warrants. You need to give some deep and serious thought and research ahead of time as to what situations justify the taking of another person's life. Once you have drawn your weapon, you should have already decided beforehand (and I mean days, months, or years beforehand) not only what gives you legal justification before you shoot another person, but also the moral justification of shooting someone. In nearly every case, you should avoid, if possible, situations and/or places where scenarios like these are likely. Your first response should be, if possible, to avoid shooting someone by leaving the area or convincing the dangerous person to stop the attack through intimidation, deception or other less deadly means. Mississippi does have "stand your ground" laws but if you can avoid a dangerous situation where you might have to draw your weapon, you should do so unless you are entering to protect some other innocent person who cannot protect themselves. You should never draw your weapon unless you are ready to shoot without hesitation (that's why you did all the deep and serious thought beforehand) to protect yourself or others. Do not wait until that moment to start thinking whether you are willing to go through with it. If you draw a weapon but are unwilling to use it to defend yourself, your attacker could possibly take the weapon from you and use it on you or your family.
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Uncle Ruckus has it. Currently carrying a S&W 9mm Shield in a PJ kydex IWB holster canted at 30 degrees. The PJ holster is very nice and I highly recommend him. Package is light and just disappears even in light clothing. Friend of mine had a Springfield XDS in .45 and it is a nice gun. An absolute cannon in a small package. Not a lot of fun to shoot after about 20 practice rounds, but for concealed carry it is the ultimate man stopper. I would buy the G42 tomorrow if it was a 9mm. Do love my Shield though.
What Phred said! When I took my enhanced class, something that really stood out was that the average gun related civil case cost the defendant $80,000 even if no criminal charges were placed. That really helped in my thoughts of if and when I would draw a weapon. Would you use your gun to stop a robbery, a purse snatcher, or a mugging? At what point is the threat to you or your family greater than the possibility of a civil lawsuit by some OM ambulance chaser so he can put a new chandelier in his Grove tent. See, I just made this thread sports related!
Best advise given to me ...
was 'find the most comfortable gun that meets your needs' and then ... practice, practice, and then practice some more.
If you choose to carry, your level of personal responsibility just increased dramatically.
When I carry, I use the same gun I am most comfortable with and the one I shoot the most. For me it's a Walther PPS; 9mm, Hornady +P, .9" wide and 1.3 pounds empty; pocket holster; usually Hornady +P.
+ Small, + Concealable, +Comfortable, + Reliable, + light weight but lethal
was 'find the most comfortable gun that meets your needs' and then ... practice, practice, and then practice some more.
If you choose to carry, your level of personal responsibility just increased dramatically.
When I carry, I use the same gun I am most comfortable with and the one I shoot the most. For me it's a Walther PPS; 9mm, Hornady +P, .9" wide and 1.3 pounds empty; pocket holster; usually Hornady +P.
+ Small, + Concealable, +Comfortable, + Reliable, + light weight but lethal
LCP .380 is the way to go. Buy a Blackhawk 50090 holster (pocket holster with that small toe on it that makes it stand upright in your pocket.) Mine is so broken in that I can draw out of it while it just stays in my pocket. Still gives protection against UDs and dirt. This rig is perfect for travel.
Sig Sauer 226
Gloc 357sig
I borrow a smith and Wesson 500 50 cal revolver when hiking in Bear Country.
Always wear one of the three on my chest strap for easy access to a grizzly or charging moose.
Otherwise the 226 stays in my truck holster.
Even the homeless are packing heat in Alaska...
Gloc 357sig
I borrow a smith and Wesson 500 50 cal revolver when hiking in Bear Country.
Always wear one of the three on my chest strap for easy access to a grizzly or charging moose.
Otherwise the 226 stays in my truck holster.
Even the homeless are packing heat in Alaska...
I have a Glock 20 10mm. A little bulky for summer carry, so I'm thinking about going to the Karh CW380 or Taurus 738 for the summer. As others have said, find something that is comfortable to you. Go to the shop, or even a show, and slip them into your waistband or pocket and see how it feels. Just make sure that the guy at the counter knows that's what you're doing.
^^^This^^^
Just got one of these a month or so ago, because my Glock 30 was just too bulky to carry in my pocket. The LCP is around the same size as an iPhone. I have the critical defense hollow points in it. I Went with the stainless top slide option, for just a little more money, as I have a the Ruger P95 with stainless slide and prefer this look in a semi-auto.
Just got one of these a month or so ago, because my Glock 30 was just too bulky to carry in my pocket. The LCP is around the same size as an iPhone. I have the critical defense hollow points in it. I Went with the stainless top slide option, for just a little more money, as I have a the Ruger P95 with stainless slide and prefer this look in a semi-auto.
Glock 19 in a Crossbreed Supertuck and a Bodyguard 380 in a pocket holster. Occasionally, I'll break from the norm and carry one of my Kimbers in a Biachi IWB or a Galco Combat Master, but I hate doing that because I don't train much with the Kimbers.