What made you pick your carry pistol/caliber?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What made you pick your carry pistol/caliber?

Posted: 7/3/2008 12:46:02 PM EDT

I carry a glock 19 and am about to get a Ruger LCP for pocket carry.

I chose the glock 19 because it fit my hand, had a good amount of ammo, was light, and was really good for the money compared to other pistols.

I am thinking about the Ruger LCP becuase the .380 is more powerful than the 32 and will fit nicely in my pocket.

How about your carry handgun?

Posted: 7/3/2008 1:06:40 PM EDT

[#1]

Beretta M9

What I used in the MIL

Very comfortable and confident in my ability with it.

Posted: 7/3/2008 2:05:16 PM EDT

[#2]

I chose 9mm, because it is capable, higher capacity and easier to control.

And I chose the HK USP Compact because....

1. Compact, so I could carry it. Not to say it's more compact than others, just over the Full Size.

2. Because I shot it as well as I did the Glocks, Sigs, etc. that I tried.

3. Because I was pretty sure I wanted a safety, but liked the option of changing it if I changed my mind. I could make it DAO, Cocked and Locked, DA/SA, or a lighter consistent pull like a Glock (among other options).

4. Stainless Steel so I wouldn't have finish wear from the holster.

Posted: 7/3/2008 2:08:57 PM EDT

[#3]

S&W 442 .38 Spl

Because it was closest to me when I was getting dressed this morning.

Posted: 7/3/2008 2:16:25 PM EDT

[#4]

Sig 229R (40S&W). Loved it the first time I shot it. The size for me is just right - not too big, not too small. It's easy for me to conceal. I went with the 40 cal. because I like punch and controllability.

Posted: 7/3/2008 2:31:14 PM EDT

[#5]

It was so long ago I forgot.

Now I remember. I started out with a POS Ruger. Junk of the highest order.

Then a Rossi M677 snubby. I'm a lefty, so speed loaders didn't work well for me. Didn't like the blast and noise. Didn't work well for IWB carry. Decent reliable gun. Not a good fit for me.

Then I found this;

LW Franken-Colt Commander. Been carrying it since 1998. I have other guns I use in limited situations, but the Commander is the best all-around carry gun IMHO.

This is my opinion. Your opinion may vary.

ZM

Posted: 7/3/2008 3:39:54 PM EDT

[#6]

I carry a Dan Wesson Commander, and a S&W 642 as my bug. I picked the 1911 because it fits my hand so well, and I just shoot better with them then anything else. The 642 is well a 642, it's hard to beat for a bug/pocket rocket.

Posted: 7/3/2008 4:00:40 PM EDT

[#7]

Got a 1911 first because of it's historical value, most of my male relitives carried one in 'nam. I've tried a lot of different guns over the years. Right now I mostly carry a Glock (because of the reliability, wich I verified by firing 3,000 rounds through my G26 straight from the box over 2 days without cleaning and zero malfs) my backup is a S&W 642 for times when I can't carry anything bigger. I chose it based on S&W quality, the size, weight and caliber and reliability of a wheel gun.

I just bought a G17 for winter carry mostly because of the fact that I can put a light on it for night hunting and be able to get holsters for the combo.

ETA: just re-read title, you asked about caliber: 9mm and .38spec both because ammo is cheap and sold ANYWHERE. I own three 45s but they are to expensive to shoot and I didn't want to get a Glock in 40 because I already owned a taurus 9mm, so this way I have 3 9mms that can share the same stockpile of ammo.

Posted: 7/3/2008 4:47:52 PM EDT

[#8]

I chose to carry a .45acp because no matter what, it leaves a half inch hole in and atleast a half inch hole out. When the SHTF, I want every advantage I can get. I may only get 1 chance to save my life. I want it to count BIG!

I practice controlled pairs and muzzle control all the time, it works (I hope) for me.

Posted: 7/3/2008 7:13:31 PM EDT

[#9]

1911's fit me best. I like them, and they in turn like me - I am by far a better shot with my 1911s than anything else I've shot.

I recently picked up a Smith J-Frame to serve as a secondary or BUG carry. Liking it a lot thus far. Picked it up due to size (including feel) and relibility, which were the two paramount features I was looking at in a secondary piece.

Caliber was barely considered; as long as it suffices as a defensive round (i.e., .380 at a bare minium, preferable above), and I can readily get defensive HP loadings, it's fine by me. My carry calibers (.45ACP and .38+P) were decided by my platforms of choice.

Capacity was a non-issue for me.

Posted: 7/3/2008 8:27:29 PM EDT

[#10]

Glock 19.

- Small size but not too small to be uncomfortable.
- Lightweight.
- Ultra-Reliable.
- 9mm is easy to control with quick shots.
- 9mm is effective with good JHP Rounds.
- Decent priced ammo for practice.
- I already have one 9mm and had a few hundred rounds for it. Saves me having to stock up on another caliber of ammo.

Posted: 7/3/2008 9:27:26 PM EDT

[#11]

G36 in .45ACP is my largest CCW that I carry regulary. I like it b/c it's the same size as the 19, but with a much more powerful round, allbeit few shot capacity.

My 2nd in line is my S&W 340 SS in .357 magnum. Smaller than the G36/19, and even yet more powerful, but once again fewer shot capacity (5 rounds without a spare)

Lastly is my KelTec P3AT, AKA the Ruger LCP. Same gun. It's my 'better than carrying nothing' gun when my clothes makes the others seem a little to much. I'm talking real light and thin for those occassional times when that's all I want to carry.

Posted: 7/4/2008 3:02:47 PM EDT

[#12]

Glock 19

-Reliability
-Small enough to carry, big enough to shoot all day and train with comfortably
-Ammo cost = train more
-Capacity