How To Choose A Concealed Carry Gun™
When you decide to purchase a gun designed for concealed carry for your protection, there are a lot of things you must consider first. Obviously, you need to investigate the legal situation in your particular area and what classes may be necessary to legally be able to carry a concealed gun. Most important, though, is deciding just what type of gun you want to carry on a daily basis. This decision can honestly make or break your ability to comfortably carry a gun every day. Given the multitude of available models, it can get quite confusing. Here are some tips to help you through the process.
Revolver vs. Semi-Auto Pistol
This is the age-old argument over which is better: a semi-automatic pistol or a revolver? Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Let’s start with revolvers. A revolver has the ability to fire multiple rounds while inside a pocket or a bag. In a defensive situation, this can be a very big deal if your preferred method of carry is in a bag or purse because you can fire at your attacker while your revolver is still concealed. With a semi-auto pistol, you might get one shot off, but the slide is going to bind up and jam on everything inside the bag. Another advantage of a revolver is no jams. If you have a misfire caused by a bad primer or something else, you just squeeze the trigger again and you are still in the fight. Revolvers can be very small, lightweight, and easy to conceal as well.
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The main advantage to having a semi-automatic pistol as your carry gun is capacity. The fact that you Walther Q4 Semi-Automatic Pistol can have loaded magazines on you and just slap one in the frame will keep you in the fight for much longer. You also get a much better selection of calibers in semi-auto pistols. You pretty much get 22LR, 38 Special, and 357 Magnum when it comes to your revolver, but with a pistol, you can choose from 380, 9mm, 40 S&W, 45 ACP, 10mm, and just about anything in between. The choice really comes down to your specific carry needs and personal preference.
Size Matters
They say size doesn’t matter, but that isn’t true when it comes to guns. Concealing my Springfield Hellcat is a whole lot easier than trying to conceal my 50 cal Desert Eagle. Smaller guns are always going to be much easier and more comfortable to carry for most people. However, that doesn’t mean the smallest gun is always the best one for you. You might really love the look and size of that little Ruger LCP, but let me tell you, that thing has more felt recoil than my 1911 chambered in 45 ACP. That doesn’t mean it is a bad gun by any means, but it may not be the right gun for a new shooter who isn’t very comfortable with a lot of recoil just yet.
Magazine capacity plays a huge role in selecting a pistol as well. Let’s face it, 20 rounds of 9mm in a semi-auto is way better than only 6 rounds of the same caliber in the chamber of a revolver. That’s just basic facts. With more capacity comes larger pistols, though, so it is important to find the perfect balance that works for you and your needs. Notice the key words in that last sentence—“you and your needs.” Just because your friend loves his Glock 19 doesn’t mean it is the perfect pistol for you. A pistol is like a pair of shoes: They either fit or they don’t, and if you pick a pair that doesn’t fit properly, they will not be very comfortable, and you won’t want to wear them. The same goes for your gun. Don’t purchase a gun because a friend or a forum says it is the best one out Guns For Sale there. What may work for that person will not necessarily be right for you, and if it isn’t right for you, you will not enjoy training with it. There is a whole heap of info out there on pretty much any gun you might be considering. Take it all into consideration and list all possible candidates before even heading to your local gun store.
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Hands-On
Now that you have established a good list of possible firearms that may work for you, it is time to get hands-on with as many of them as possible. Find a good local gun shop. Pick up revolvers and semi-autos to really get the feel of each. Work the slides on the pistols, dry-fire them, manipulate the magazine release, and ask the store clerk to show you the teardown process. Take your time. You want to really get a feel for each gun. Make sure you can operate it properly and with ease. I guarantee that one or more of those guns will eventually speak to you and feel right.
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After handling all those guns, you should have it narrowed down to a couple of models. This doesn’t mean you need to start doing the required paperwork right away. I highly suggest trying those guns out first. Many ranges have rental guns. See if you can find those models on a rental wall and give them a test run. (Most people don’t buy a new car without test driving it first.) Usually, you will find rental guns to be dirty and abused. This is a good thing because it shows you how that firearm will function when dirty and not in perfect condition. Trust me, your carry gun is going to get gross if you carry it daily. Pocket-lint, dirt, and debris will all stick to the gun as it gets sweated on, shifted around in the holster, and abused on your hip daily.
Develop Trust
After the purchase, it’s important to establish a trust with the firearm. A gun that malfunctions at the range is probably not a great choice for carry. Don’t just run 25 rounds through a new gun and start carrying it. Put a couple of hundred rounds downrange using different types of ammo. Really test the gun’s capabilities. Run drills, shoot offhand, and shoot one-handed. Make sure you fire rounds out of every magazine you have to ensure they all function as well. This will really aid you in gaining confidence in your new gun purchase. If you do not have confidence in your gun, you will never be mentally comfortable carrying it. I always suggest finding the ammo you want to carry and purchasing a few boxes of it. Put at least one box through each magazine to evaluate how your carry gun performs to determine if it is the exact ammo you can trust your life to. I have had carry guns that I absolutely loved and carried daily jam when I changed ammo. Some guns just do not like certain ammo.
Conclusion
Remember, one gun will not always be sufficient when it comes to carrying daily. Unique occasions may call for different guns and carry options. The most important thing to remember is that your choice to carry a gun is a choice that puts your safety in your own hands and helps mold a safer you. The only person that you can count on to help you in a defensive situation is you. Finally, no matter which firearm you choose, always obey the gun safety rules. Hornady Match Ammunition 50 BMG 750 Grain A-MAX Boat Tail Box of 10
FAQs
This is a very common question. I can’t answer that for you—only you can answer it. The best answer is to purchase a gun that works for you and your needs. I have seen $4,000 pistols fail in classes and a $200 pistol run every drill. Rather than look for a particular brand, look at the features, design, and functionality, and then decide what is best for you.
What’s the best caliber for concealed carry?
I recommend choosing a caliber that you can safely and efficiently handle. A well-placed 22LR is better than 10 rounds of 45 ACP that miss. Personally, I carry mostly 9mm and 380. I like the added capacity those rounds provide; they both have plenty of stopping power. Yes, a larger caliber produces more energy to stop the threat, but you often sacrifice capacity and end up with a much heavier package, making it harder to carry.
How do I legally purchase a gun?
Purchasing a gun in the U.S. 99 percent of the time requires a federal background check done through a licensed gun shop. Every state has different requirements, but on the federal side of things, it is the same. You must pick out the gun you would like to purchase first. Then you will fill out a 4473 ATF form, which you will be given at your gun shop. The gun shop then calls the background check into the NICS Background Check System, which is run by the FBI. You will receive one of three responses to your check: proceed, delayed, or denied. If you get a proceed, in most states, you will finish with your local paperwork, pay for your purchase, and walk out with your gun. Delayed means they will have an answer within a few days. Denied means you did not pass your background check. Keep in mind each state is different, so know and understand the exact laws and processes in your state by visiting your state’s website or a local gun shop.