[djtibb]

OK. I'm about to get my CCW permit in FL and I'm really getting confused as to which weapon I will buy for carry.

I know that I want an automatic in 9mm.

I'm not totally sure what my method will be for concealed carry yet. I will need to carry while jogging and around town. I'm usually dressed pretty casually but there are times I'll need to tuck my shirt in.

So to get to the heart of it. Is a Kahr that much more concealable than a Glock or an XD or even a CZ just because its .1-.3 inches thinner? I've held a lot of small pistols that I think I could conceal but haven't really done it or lived with one yet so I just don't know. That small difference in thickness doesn't seem that huge to me but those of you who've done it can perhaps answer this better.

Weight is another matter, and Kahr definitely has an advantage here.

I'm also concerned about the Kahr's long trigger reset that I've heard so much about. Without firing one, which I will soon, I don't know how bad it would be for me.

What about corrosion. I'll be carrying this in a very hot, humid climate and it'll see a lot of sweat.

What do I do?
:?: :? :?: :|

 

[wfrazee]

Screw the brandname. Find something reliable that you are comfortable with, that you can hide, that you can shoot well, and something that you wont mind having with you all the time.

Function over form or brand, my friend.

Further, why the 9mm choice? Ammo cost?

 

[The Drew]

Depends on your body type and your dress...

I honestly don't think it is worth carrying something much smaller than an xd service or cz p01 (basically a 4" auto) because I don't shoot the smaller auto's well...

That being said.. get what you are comfortable with. get an IWB holster, as this will negate many drawbacks of larger guns concealment wise... And do note that you WILL most likely have to change the way you dress.

 

[ichy_trigger]

Ill try to give you the possibly useless insight that I have on this.
My brother bought a Kahr, I bought an XDsub9. When you go shoving something down your waistband, you will definately notice 1/8 of an inch diffence or more. His Kahr definately has an advantage on that. Its also a smaller gun overall, however, he has a .40 and can carry 7 rounds I think, I can carry 10 9mm. I conceal my XD farely easily under a loose T-shirt using a Fist #1A IWB holster. I did however buy a Kel-Tec P3AT to carry while jogging or like activities as they weigh next to nothing and can still carry 7 rounds. CCW guns fit deifferently on different people, what Joe Shmoe can easily conceal, I may not able to be and vice versa. Go rent all of the guns your considering and see what you like. I ended up with the XDsub as my main carry gun, my 2 Sigs I carry under a jacket in the winter and my Kel-Tec i carry when my wardrobe is light. All of the guns I mention function the same, all have doube action first shot capability and all have no manual safety, therefore, I will naturaly work all pistols with the same motions without confusion if the SHTF.
I could get by with JUST my XD but what fun with that be? :lol:

 

[The Drew]

I hate to be the one to nit pick... but the XD is single action...

 

[ichy_trigger]

I hate to be the one to nit pick... but the XD is single action...

Your right, im wrong (sticks tongue out) quit nit picking...lol
I was getting at the point that there is no safety to manipulate, I should have phrased it diferently.
Thanks

 

[The Drew]

Absolutely, That is why I bought my XD, no external safety to manipulate or think about... I also have a CZ p01 that has a decocker rather than external safety.

 

[paper tiger]

After carrying my service xd9 for a few days, I realize just what a brick it really is. That P-01 may work better even though it's heavier.

 

[The Drew]

The CZ's finish is leaps and bounds ahead of the XD on this.. It is some sort of moly or poly coat...

 

[djtibb]

Finish is one of my considerations. I'll be sweating a lot and although I'd like to say I'll wipe it down everyday, I know that there'll be times that I don't. Also, since this is my first carry gun, I really want something that I can always have with me. No matter how lightly I'm dressed.

It doesn't mean that I won't buy something bigger later on, which I'm sure I will. But I do think an XD is a little better combat firearm just based on design and original engineering intent. Plus, I've held one and they feel great in the hand.

wfrazee - yes ammo costs are a big driving factor in my choice of 9mm. Also, controllable recoil in a light firearm. But I really don't want to go any smaller caliber.

 

[wfrazee]

wfrazee - yes ammo costs are a big driving factor in my choice of 9mm. Also, controllable recoil in a light firearm. But I really don't want to go any smaller caliber.

Make sure you dont sell yourself short.

1) The XD (even the subcompacts) have very light recoil, comparatively. I personally have seen VERY few people who have had any trouble with it.

2) Ammo costs for "reasonable" personal defence ammo is only gonig to run you .20-.30 per round for 40S&W. For more info, I have tossed up a chart at http://www.waynefrazee.com/xd/40sw.html you might want to give it a look.

By all means, use what is best for you but at least give other options a try

 

[KevinFWB]

I know your looking for a 9mm auto but is a revolver a posibility? Last year I "bought my wife" a S&W 642 for her CCW/car carry. I happened to like it so much that I carry it when my XD wasn't a viable option. The 642 was small, light (aluminum) and is idiot proof. No jaming, no FTF , and no FTE. Plus it can shoot through clothing for more than 1 shot. I like it so much I just got me another one about 2 weeks ago so I wouldn't feel bad about taking hers all the time. I know exactly what your talking about with summertime weather here in FL. T-Shirts and shorts make it tricky to CCW in the summer. -Kevin

 

[djtibb]

I'm considering it more and more actually. But I really like semiautomatics better. I think the only way I'd like to carry a revolver would be in my pocket because of the bulkiness of the cylinder.

The new lightweights are really nice and some appear to really be shooters but they're not cheap.

Thank you for the spreadsheet Wayne. You've now complicated my life more by making me revisit my ammo choice. :roll:

I think the only way I'll be able to make a firearm decision is by putting together my own spreadsheet to use as a decision matrix. What I really need to do is go shoot my top viable choices and decide what I like.

Or win the lottery so I can just buy a bunch of them. :lol:

 

[Fly-Sig]

Yes, .3 inches can be a big deal, but it depends on how you carry. The dimension which seems to be most important for concealment is the length of the butt and the geometry of how it is carried.

A gun with a long grip will be much more difficult to conceal than a short fat gun. That is why the subcompacts are so popular for concealed carry.

The right holster for you is also a big determining factor. For me, the CTAC is perfect for IWB carry. It can be adjusted both for cant and depth below beltline. I find that a relatively small change in cant angle makes for a big difference in whether the butt of the gun prints against my shirt.

If you carry in a SmartCarry then the thickness of the gun is very, very important. Even .1 inch could make a difference in how it conceals.

But, any average person should be able to effectively conceal the XD subcompact or service model very well using normal clothing and methods. Being in a hot humid climate is a good reason to go with a plastic gun, although the biggest corrosion problems seem to be with the slide and other metal bits, not the metal frames.

Your choice of 9mm is fine. The premium 9mm defensive ammo performs just as well as any other caliber. Practice ammo is a lot cheaper, too. Personally, I like having more rounds in my gun rather than less. The only exception is when I'm in the woods and might have to deal with a 4 legged predator such as a mountain lion, and then I want a larger caliber just for the penetration, although I am reasonably comfortable with +p FMJ 9mm for cougars or ferile dogs. Last summer a woman in Alaska killed a charging adult grizzly with one round of 9mm!

The bottom line is that any top brand gun will have similar corrosion resistance. Pick one that you like to shoot and that you can shoot well. If the price of 9mm ammo is a factor then I would be perfectly comfortable with 9mm. Your choice of holster will be at least as important in concealability and comfort as the choice of gun, assuming you pick a normal gun. All else being equal, I'd pick the thinner gun, but it would be a lesser consideration than the overall weight and the geometry of the grip.

 

[Figgy1682]

pick the biggest gun that you can shoot accuratly or pick the gun you can conceal the best . im 5 foot 9 and i conceal a taurus pt140 very easily with a inside the pants holster also depending on what i wear i can conceal the same gun in a ross leather paddel as far as the xd the sub comp. hides well with a inside the pants holster im waiting for my small of the back holster to come for my xd 40 4inch untill then i cant tell you about the 4 inch

 

[PimpStick]

I carry a Taurus PT111 Millennium Pro as my CCW. I keep the SA XD 40 on the nightstand. Love both of them. The PT111 9mm is very small, light and easy to conceal. Both have been 100% reliable with many JHP rounds. :twisted:

 

[So Flo]

I'll tell you, nothing slides in the 'ol waist band like a 1911...They are slim and trim...
I used to own a Colt MK IV Series 80 in 9mm...I have been trying to buy that gun back from my brother for years and years...
I carry a Para Ordnance C 7-45 in a Tucker Cover Up, which is tuckable. The Para is fairly heavy, but it rides nice and I hardly notice it.
For mid summer carry, I have a Kel Tec P32 carried in an Uncle Mikes pocket holster...slide it in the front pocket and no one will even know what you got in there...or that you have anything in there at all...

 

[Paladin]

I agree with the most of the recommendations given here. Buy whatever you feel comfortable with and will work with your intended carry postion.

BTW, I just flew for 3 hours wedged in next to a "Man Mountain". If it weren't for the metal detectors at the security station, he could have concealed a couple of AR 15s, a bazooka and a M1A1 tank with no problem.

 

[JimLongley]

I'm with figgy, and at 6'2" and 250#, I can carry my fill size .45ACP 1911s without much trouble.