Square One for Concealed Carry

Posted on March 14, 2011 by in Equipment, Self Defense

Several of our readers have inquired as to what would be a good concealed carry weapon to purchase. Choosing a gun for yourself, as you may well know, can be pretty daunting. Especially if you are a new shooter.  There are so many options and factors – from fit to caliber to price – that you can’t blame a girl for getting a little overwhelmed.  It’s more challenging than choosing a nail polish color!

I wasn’t quite sure where to start on my quest for my first concealed carry handgun, so I headed down to the range and chatted with the guys there about some solid recommendations.

As we’ve mentioned before in our posts, it is critical to try out a gun before you buy it. No one can do it for you. This is a very personal experience and only you can know which one fits you best. If you take the time to do it right, your weapon will be the  firearms equivalent of your favorite pair of jeans: cute, comfy, and reliable. That said, here is my list of a few choices to get you headed in the right direction. If you don’t see your fave on the list, leave it in the comments section below.

Kahr PM 9mm

Kahr PM9

Suggested Retail: $786.00

Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 6+1, 7+1 (magazine with grip extension)
Operation: Trigger cocking DAO; lock breech; “Browning – type” recoil lug; passive striker block; no magazine disconnect
Barrel: 3.0″, polygonal rifling; 1 – 10 right-hand twist
Length O/A: 5.3″
Height: 4.0″
Slide Width: .90″
Weight: Pistol 14 ounces, Magazine 1.9 ounces
Grips: Textured polymer
Sights: Drift adjustable, white bar-dot combat sights
Finish: Black polymer frame, matte stainless steel slide
Magazines: 1 each: 6 rd flush floorplate & 7 rd extended grip

Glock 19 9mm

Glock 19 (Laser not included. I just thought it looked cool.)

Suggested Retail: $511.00

HK P2000 SK 9mm

HK P2000SK

Suggested Retail: $797

Dimensions V2 v3
Overall length 7.00 in. 7.00 in.
Overall height 5.04 in. 5.04 in.
Overall width 1.34 in. 1.34 in.
Barrel length 3.26 in. 3.26 in.
Sight radius 5.59 in. 5.59 in.
Weight
Without magazine 1.5 lb 1.5 lb
Other Specifications
Magazine capacity 9 or 12 Cartridges
.40S&W/.357 SIG

10 or 13 Cartridges
9 mm

 9 or 12 Cartridges
.40S&W/.357 SIG

10 or 13 Cartridges
9 mm
Single Action (SA) trigger pull 4.50 lbs 4.50 lbs
Double Action (DA) trigger pull 11.47 lbs 11.47 lbs
Sights 3-dot 3-dot

Seecamp .32 caliber

Seecamp .32

Suggested Retail: $446.25

More information available here: http://www.seecamp.com/

Sig Sauer P238  .380

Sig P238

Suggested Retail: $693

Item Number 238-380-TSS
Caliber .380 ACP (9mm short)
Action Type SAO
Trigger Pull DA N/A
Trigger Pull SA 7.5 – 8.5 lbs
Overall Length 5.5 in
Overall Height 3.9 in
Overall Width 1.1 in
Barrel Length 2.7 in
Sight Radius 3.8 in
Weight w/Mag 15.2 oz
Mag Capacity 6 Rounds
Sights SIGLITE Night Sights
Grips Fluted Polymer Grips
Frame Finish Black Hard Coat Anodized
Slide Finish Natural Stainless
Accessory Rail No
Features Beavertail style frame, fluted grips

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10 Responses to “Square One for Concealed Carry”

  1. Gunmart 15 March 2011 at 8:40 am #

    How bout the new Kahr CM9 for the same gun at a much lower price point.

    … a NAA .32 for the same reason

    … Cough! Glock 26 ;)

    … and maybe a revolver of some sort should make the list?

  2. Shelley Rae 15 March 2011 at 9:11 am #

    Here’s the problem: As women our differing wardrobe dictates different carry needs. It is nearly impossible for us to have one gun that will suit all situations, just like you wouldn’t own just one pair of shoes or one type of bra.

    • Steve 15 March 2011 at 2:04 pm #

      Shelley,

      Though not to the same extent guys often have the same issue. Sure I can pack that 3′ 629 great in the winter, but come summer when it’s shorts and a polo shirt?!

  3. Steve 15 March 2011 at 10:04 am #

    Besides whether or not the gun is comfortable to hold and shoot consideration to where and how it will be carried must also be considered. A Glock 19 just won’t work in an ankle holster. :-D

    Other guns I’d consider would be the Ruger LCP, Ruger LC9 (Provided it proves reliable), Smith and Wesson’s M&P and Springfield Armory’s XD series.

    On the wheel gun side I would consider a Ruger SP101 or S&W 632 in .327 Federal or stepping up a bit a Ruger GP100 with a 3″ Barrel. Of course the one that is near and dear to my heart that you can’t get any more new, is the S&W Model 65 LadySmith.

    In all honesty I’d lean more towards the semi-autos because they are a bit easier to work, and carry more rounds.

  4. Colin 15 March 2011 at 7:28 pm #

    I know in my line of work (PoPo) a lot of times I don’t have a choice and I have to get creative with clothing when I’m trying to conceal my M&P40. It’s a big gun, and I’m not that big of a guy (only in mind).

    So I agree with Steve that some firearms can be seasonal. I know I have my favorites in the winter as well as the summer. One of my personal favorites is my S&W 642. It’s a .38 Special snub nose revolver that is amazingly light. My negative is it is only 5 shots, but of course my whole focus is to get out of a sticky situation as quickly as possible and not hang around for things to get worse.

    I can’t stress enough that whatever you find you need to get comfortable with. Make sure you find something that fits both you and your carry needs. And when you find it, shoot it until your proficient and then shoot it some more.

    Great topic ladies…and good hunting! (no pun intended)

  5. Hannah 16 March 2011 at 2:28 pm #

    My favorite gun to carry is a S&W Walther PPS. It’s a cute little 9mm that has 6,7, or 8 round magazines and is relatively easy for a petite girl to conceal most of the year. I’ve given up on carrying a gun during July/August, but the rest of the time it’s a great little gun. My husband found it for my for around 550-600 about a year ago.
    I couldn’t agree more that before you buy a gun you should try it out. I love my little Walther, but I also know people who can’t stand it and prefer something like a Glock. A good place to find suggestions and get to try out a lot of different guns is the range. There are always people willing to let you try their toys, especially when you are looking to buy one.

  6. Maggie 17 March 2011 at 5:51 pm #

    I find the Glock 19 too big to carry comfortably – and difficult to conceal on a small frame. But I do love shooting it anyway.

  7. dave 14 April 2011 at 5:00 pm #

    I’m a small guy. My every day carry is a Kimber ultra II in .45 cal. It’s a handful to shoot because of the 3″ barrel, but I can wear it year around with an extra magazine comfortably. This is also the gun I gave to my daughter and some other young ladies as graduation presents. A good short barrel hammerless revolver in .38 is easy to find these days and easy to carry also. Many manufacturuers are making single stack small 9mm and .380 pistols about the size of a cassette tape. Like the article says, ask questions at your local gun range. I can’t imagine a range that won’t go out of their way to make anyone feel comfortable and let them try out guns. Lessons are more than likely available for cheap if not free. Exercise your right to protect yourself and practice, practice, practice.

  8. Lila 29 April 2011 at 11:26 am #

    I actually just got the HK P2000. I am in love! I have firbromyalgia so there are days when pulling a slide can be hard but the smoothness of this gun is amazing. I went shopping on a day when my hand strength was horrible and it was the only handgun I could not only pull the slide but also engage my slide release with. It was a little bigger than my husband had pushed for but the ease of use was worth it for me. I can’t help but rave about this gun!!!

  9. Barbara 20 May 2011 at 6:59 pm #

    I really like semi autos,and own several, however I prefer a revolver with external hammer for concealed carry.
    I can’t seem to get past the possibliliy of possible accidental discharge of a semi auto. I even saw a story online about a guy that got in his car and when he sat down, his glock 19 discharged through the seat and floor board.
    I carry a Charter Arms 2″ revolver (.38), I also like it very much and love to shoot it, I practice alot, different possible situations that might arise.
    So if some of you out there are concerned about the gun going off accidentally, you might consider a revolver, they can’t go off unless you cock the hammer.
    Just a thought, since I don’t see any other mention of revolvers on here.