Let's talk concealed carry, I need to lighten up. 

"XJDano" (xjdano) 11/09/2016 at 09:49 • Filed to: Guns

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This is something I bought years ago because I was a 007 fan and liked the gun. But it’s heavy and I don’t wear a tux everywhere I go with a shoulder holster. I get the day off because of where I was going to work is muddy after raining yesterday. So time to go look at guns for me and wife.

Krieger (@FSKrieger22) > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 09:51

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Budget and preferred carrying style?

Also, insert guaranteed plug for a Glock 19 or 26 here. Hey, it’s evidently good enough for MARSOC...

EL_ULY > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 09:53

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moar gold!

Tripper > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 09:55

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I’ve got a ppk as well. Cool to look at, not that cool to shoot. My wife and I have Glock 19's, and they have been great although she is a much better shot than I. I prefer sporting clays.

Jcarr > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 09:55

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Considered the P232? Weighs a little more than 4oz less than the PPK I believe.

crowmolly > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 09:55

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Any allegiance to .380? Do you have any other guns?

Moving to 9mm may standardize your ammo use if you have other stuff.

If you want to stick with .380 the LCP is pretty popular.

XJDano > Krieger (@FSKrieger22) 11/09/2016 at 09:56

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Well I’ll be likely buying two so not even sure. I’m not rich, but if I like something I’ll get it.

I’m not sure or preferred carry style either. I haven’t yet. I am a small guy so the PPK presses in against me while I’m sitting having it on my abdomen up front, and feel like it poking out any where else I put it.

DipodomysDeserti > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 09:56

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These should help you be able to carry it. Give em a couple weeks.

I don’t know what James Bond uses to work out with tho.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 09:56

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One of my brothers carries a S&W 360PD - he got it used. Guaranteed to be too rich for your blood and completely over the top, but it *is* sweet. He had to put a Hogue grip on it, as you can imagine, because even one round of .357 with the stock grip is screaming murder on the hands.

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Smith-Wesson-360PD-Handgun&i=733151

ETA: his is the hammerless.

Party-vi > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 09:56

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Obviously a Glock 30.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 09:56

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I forgot what the model was, but it was also a Walther, PPS or PPQ maybe? Anyway, I made a similar mistake, that was the gun I should have bought. It was light, thin, and still fit in my hands. I love my Glock 30, but being a double stacked .45 compact makes it a bit thick. Also, the Taurus Curve is apparently a good carry gun as well.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 09:57

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Sig Saur P250/P320, CZ’s subcompact offerings, and of course Glock are all excellent choices.

66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 09:59

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I thought the new-ish subcompact 9mm singke stack from glock (42/43?) Is pretty cool, but I’m not sure if it’s not as big and whatnot. I know M&P has a good rep with the shield lately.

jimz > Party-vi 11/09/2016 at 09:59

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I had one. grip was way too thick and bulky for me. a single stack 36 might be better. me, I have a 42 in .380. yes, it’s considered a “weak” caliber but honestly, if I’m in a situation which can’t be handled by 7 rounds of .380 I’m pretty much hosed anyway.

BorkBorkBjork > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 10:00

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I conceal carry a CZ82. While I love it, it is also pretty big even for my 6' 6" frame. My wife has a Smith and Wesson M&P Bodyguard in .38 Special and it is just about perfect. I would recommend the same to you.

Of course, you aren’t going to hit much beyond about 10 feet, but for concealed carry you should buy for the bang and not the bullet.

Rock Bottom > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 10:01

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Several of my friends carry Springfield XD and they all seem to like it. It’s affordable, too. I personally carry a Tokarev with extremely hard to find PD rounds, but that’s just because I’m “eccentric”...

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > BorkBorkBjork 11/09/2016 at 10:02

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Conceal carrying a CZ82? MAH MAN. I endorse the conceal-what-you-like philosophy.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Rock Bottom 11/09/2016 at 10:04

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“I can do anything I like. I’m eccentric!”

Flyboy is FAA certified insane > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 10:04

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Try a ruger lcP. Compact gun and weight, full size trigger feel.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > BorkBorkBjork 11/09/2016 at 10:04

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CZs don’t get the credit they deserve. Great firearms.

I used to conceal carry my Sig P226. You can conceal carry a full-size firearm with a good holster. KM Custom Kydex is who I bought mine from, and it was excellent. Made to order, great quality.

Viking03 > 66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash 11/09/2016 at 10:05

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I have both the M&P 9C and the Glock 43. I really like the M&P, but it is still a little bulky for conceal. My wife carries the Glock and it shoots great and is small enough to conceal easily. I think they are both excellent.

Flavien Vidal > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 10:05

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Sig Sauer P226.... Only gun I ever shot and it felt great :)

crowmolly > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 11/09/2016 at 10:05

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Probably the PPS. PPQ is a great pistol but is more duty oriented.

BorkBorkBjork > Rock Bottom 11/09/2016 at 10:09

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High 5 from another eccentric Russian caliber carrier (I carry a 9mm Makarov)!

jminer > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 10:10

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I actually use a FEG PA-63 which is a Communist clone of the PPK made as a Hungarian Police sidearm. It’s an interesting story for the gun, but it is nearly identical to that PPK but chambered in 9mm makarov.

If that’s too big for you I’d recommend something like a LCP or the Kel-Tec option, they’e cheap (~$300 new), light, reliable and you can put them anywhere. They’re not extremely pleasant to shoot, but you don’t need a carry gun to be a range gun. I have a good friend who is a pretty small guy as well (5' 5" and 140#) and he carries the LCP behind his belt buckle.

You may also want to consider a S&W M&P Shield 9mm. It’s a pretty small single stack 9mm and my wife uses it as a carry piece. They’re more expensive ~$500 but are very nice and easy to shoot.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > crowmolly 11/09/2016 at 10:11

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I think it was the PPS, reading the specs about confirms it. It’s quite narrow.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Party-vi 11/09/2016 at 10:12

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I have one, it’s a bit thick.

Benjamin Rolland > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 10:12

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You got $4,000 plus about $3 per round?

BorkBorkBjork > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 11/09/2016 at 10:12

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At my size, it makes sense. The -perfect- ergonomics sold me on it. My hand fit perfectly, even while wearing bulky winter gloves. And the accuracy is top notch, better than any pistol I own (with the exception of my .22 Ruger competition with a full bull barrel).

Tim > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 10:13

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I like the M&P shield. I was surprised by how nice the trigger pull is. It’s a bit big for a carry if you start throwing the 380's into the mix, but I am still leaning towards it...

Textured Soy Protein > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 10:15

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If you don’t carry a gun then you will have much less weight to carry.

BorkBorkBjork > Party-vi 11/09/2016 at 10:16

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I disagree, .45 is overkill for a carry gun. 9mm Luger is about as powerful as I would recommend.

BorkBorkBjork > Benjamin Rolland 11/09/2016 at 10:20

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I am going to post Bronson gifs every time you bring it up.

Benjamin Rolland > BorkBorkBjork 11/09/2016 at 10:22

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Good. Because it’s the fucking greatest gun ever

boredalways > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 10:23

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[Reads title]

[Reads post]

[Realizes that I misinterpreted “lighten up”]

LMFAO @ myself!

Don’t worry, I don’t own or want a gun but I support the 2nd amendment.

[...goes to dark corner, ball up in fetal position]

MUSASHI66 > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 10:23

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All I can say is good luck. I bought a 9mm S&W Shield, and it ended up being too big. Then I decided to go really small, and get a S&W Bodyguard .380 with a laser, and even that is too much. I’d have to change my wardrobe completely to carry it concealed enough with warm weather.

Here are my issues:

1. Appendix IWB carry - gun handle digs in my belly fat. If I make it go higher, handle shows through my t-shirt. If I make it go lower, holster digs in my legs.

2. Side/Hip IWB - handle shows too much for my taste

3. Small of my back - it prints any time I bend or do anything but walk. It also bothers me as I sit in the car or in the chair

4. Pocket carry - I don’t have any super tight pants, but it only doesn’t print in loose cargo pants - my jeans seem to be out of the question.

5. Belly band - this is the most comfortable. If I lift the belly band high enough, I can do cross-draw and keep the bodyguard under my left armpit almost. But, it is hot, it needs to go over an undershirt, so again, not a warm weather solution. It also seriously compromises my draw.

My best option is a slim OWB hip holster and a loose shirt/vest/jacket which is long enough not to show the holster when you sit or reach for goods, but this does not work when it is warm.

Most comfortable option, for pants and shorts - get this http://strykrusa.com/ . I don’t have a pair, and you are stuck with the same pair of pants to use unless you buy a few pairs, but the solution is awesome.

You might want to consider Sneaky Pete’s - they make a full enclosure leather holsters like the old cell-phone cases. You carry them on the belt, and they custom make them for any handgun. You can always carry one, very comfortably, but you’ll look like a dork.

I think it comes down to finding a good cargo pocket holster, and wear cargo shorts and cargo pants with a sturdy belt.

If you do find an awesome solution, post it here :)

As for the guns, I’d go with single stack, 9mm or smaller. Shield, Bodyguard, Glock 42, Sig Sauer P238, Sig P938, Ruger has a few options too.... You will have to practice - smaller gun, lot’s of recoil - smaller grips, you might have to change your grip as well, but at 5-8 yards, I can hit the 8" target with every round.

Good luck!

Rock Bottom > BorkBorkBjork 11/09/2016 at 10:25

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Nice! My favorite thing about the Mak is that you can open beer bottles with it!

Party-vi > BorkBorkBjork 11/09/2016 at 10:25

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I feel like overkill is exactly what I would need.

deprecated account > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 10:26

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My dad has an M&P Shield .40, and my mom has a Taurus .38 Spl., model 85-something. Both are great and pretty compact. I’ve shot both recreationally, and they’re fun little guns.

MUSASHI66 > Viking03 11/09/2016 at 10:29

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9C is not a small gun - try a shield 9mm instead. I have a full size 9mm and a Shield and a Bodyguard, and Shield is smaller than the Glock I think.

MUSASHI66 > Tim 11/09/2016 at 10:31

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I have a Shield as well, and as with my other S&W polymer pistols, I could not disagree more about the trigger.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 11/09/2016 at 10:34

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I only found out recently that CZ make a NATO mag 5.56/.223 in the 805 - with a similar action to the old Bren machine gun. So nifty.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Benjamin Rolland 11/09/2016 at 10:37

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WILDEY

McMike > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 10:37

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I used to carry a SP101 .357

Still have it, still have the permit - just have no need to carry it on a daily basis anymore.

Used to carry it inside the waistband like this. It was invisible with an untucked shirt.

BigBlock440 > Tim 11/09/2016 at 10:39

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I have the M&P 9mm Shield, I like it and would recommend it. I also like my wife’s Ruger LC9, both comfortable and I’m pretty accurate with both them.

Tim > MUSASHI66 11/09/2016 at 10:39

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Well, I am comparing it to my first gen M&P Fullsize. It’s all relative.

marvthegrate > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 10:41

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CZP07 Duty IMO. Great capacity, light frame, great ergonomics.

Monkey B > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 10:42

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no matter how sexy, no matter how comfortable...do not get a Kahr. Great feel, but that fucker hangs up consistently and every time I bring it up they say “fire more rounds through it, it’ll be fine.” 800+ rounds hasn’t done it.

BorkBorkBjork > Rock Bottom 11/09/2016 at 10:55

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This is true!

RutRut > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 11:10

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Carry a Sig P320 compact at 4:30, 5'10" and 230lbs. Conceals well, shoots nice, 15+1 if you are big on capacity, about $530 everywhere. Biggest problem I think for most people is finding the right holster, I am using an AG Cloak Tuck 3 which has it’s issues (ADD LOC TITE) but having two wide spread belt clips makes carrying comfortable. Hiked 6 miles in the rain with it issue free.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 11:41

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composite guns are light and great for carrying. 3.5in barrel is about the highest you want to go. also single stack holds less but is much skinnier.

I carry a 9mm Springfield XDs 3.3in barrel. Love it. Shoots well and carries well

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 11:41

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You might consider the Walter PPS. I carry it in 9mm. It is slightly smaller than a PPK, but most importantly, lighter and a lot more flat. If you carry with the 6 round magazine, it is also shorter, and as expected from the Germans, it is a very high quality firearm. There is not a tooling or machining mark to be found anywhere on mine. The trigger smooths out nicely after a few hundred rounds. The PPS is a more comfortable strong-side IWB carry for me than my PPK was. For me as a smaller guy, the critical dimension is width. For me to comfortable carry and conceal well, I’m limited to something single stack. The PPS fills a role of being small enough to conceal well, but (with the 7 rounds magazine) being big enough for a full grip and not unpleasant to shoot.

When I first starting concealing, I tried small of the back carry, but I was never comfortable with the printing when bending over and the fact the people standing behind me had better access to my weapon than I did. There are also no good weapon retention scenarios if someone decides they want to take it from you. Having carried a gun for a living in two different capacities, it turns out I have to have my pistol on my strong-side hip where it is supposed to be, although cross-draw from the weak side can be made to work okay if you spend a lot of time sitting in a vehicle.

http://www.waltherarms.com/handguns/pps/pps/

Funktheduck > Party-vi 11/09/2016 at 12:05

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One of the most uncomfortable guns I’ve ever held

Party-vi > Funktheduck 11/09/2016 at 12:16

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Really? I haven’t seemed to have an issue. That being said I don’t like how top-heavy it feels when I shoot.

Scary__goongala! > Funktheduck 11/09/2016 at 12:19

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Everyone either loves or hates how Glocks feel. I bought one and I was really surprised that I liked the feel of it.

Scary__goongala! > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 12:23

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I’m 5' 8" 168 lbs and carry a Glock 23(.40) when I can. Just to give you some perspective. I have no problem CCing it so long as I don’t wear a shirt that is small on me. I also think I got it for a good price at a show. Only time it bothers me is getting out of my car. But getting out of a lowered NA isn’t effortless in the first place.

Scary__goongala! > Party-vi 11/09/2016 at 12:24

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Bought a Glock 23 this summer. Very happy with the purchase.

Funktheduck > Party-vi 11/09/2016 at 12:38

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Yeah. The base of the grip digs in right between the meat of my hands and actually hurts when I put a firm grip on it. Only a problem with their subcompacts

Funktheduck > Scary__goongala! 11/09/2016 at 12:39

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It’s just the subcompacts I find uncomfortable. They’re downright painful when I put a solid grip on them.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 12:58

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I carry a .45 Springfield XDS in a Crossbreed IWB holster. It works for me, but YMMV.

wiffleballtony > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 13:06

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I prefer 1911 for the slim profile but they aren’t light.

wiffleballtony > BorkBorkBjork 11/09/2016 at 13:07

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Only if you want over penetration for days.

wiffleballtony > Funktheduck 11/09/2016 at 13:08

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I don’t like the grip angle.

SaigaShooter - He's got an Impreza > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 14:17

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I personally carry a Kahr CW9 so far it has served me well, I did have a couple hiccups with the trigger but Kahr paid for shipping to and from their facility and repaired it under warranty.

7 + 1 of 9mm, thinner than the Glocks, no safeties, nice and light as well.

CaptDale - is secretly British > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 14:17

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I wish I could find one of those here, but they are off the CA list and private transfers people want way too much money.

Nisman > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 14:35

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I share a PPK with my brother (roomate) and I love it. I don’t have a CCW but it’s so fun to shoot.

jmedarts > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 15:43

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Walther PPS M2. Slim, relatively light & thin, great ergonomics. Love mine.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 16:39

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If you want something crazy tiny that’s not awful to shoot, the new Ruger LCP II just came out and is supposed to be pretty great. I personally love the G43 with a +1 mag extension.

Tristan > XJDano 11/09/2016 at 17:00

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I’m looking at the Taurus 9mm Slim. It’s cheap, and I know a couple guys who carry them and like them. I have a Walther PPQ that I LOVE, but it’s a tad big. It’s nice and light, though.

Enginerrrrrrrrr > XJDano 11/10/2016 at 21:19

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Nice! I have a Walther PPK-S. You’re right, it’s a tad heavy and after a day at the range it makes my hand hurt...my 1911 has way less recoil.

I’ve heard Springfield’s XD is a good carry gun, also Smith and Wesson M&P. Otherwise there are a lot of articles out there to help you out.