Monday Morning Mail...

Reader Mike has a question:

Hi Jay,

I am sure you are swamped with requests for gun recommendations and yes this is another one! I am an experienced shooter of 40 years and I am frantically working on getting my CCW before BHO takes office and tries to make all CCWs illegal and I am trying to figure out what to carry.

I am 6 foot 240 LBs guy so I have some body mass to hide something on so the question is what to hide?? Something small with stopping power (is this an oxymoron?)Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Mike

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To which I responded:

Good morning Mike!

I've had a few requests, but I'm always happy to make time to help out a fellow gunnie. My standard disclaimer applies - with your permission, I'd like to use your question and my response as a blog post (Obviously I'll omit your last name and even your first if you request).

You're an experienced shooter, which helps in the selection process a bit - I'm going to operate on the assumption that you're familiar with the general operation of both revolvers and semi-automatic pistols, both double-action and single action variants. You don't state your location, so I'm not certain if you're in a restrictive state like MA or CA (which limits the options for carry), but I'll assume you're located in Free America where your options are open.

I'm operating from somewhat of a hole as a MA resident - there are many fine firearms out there that are not available to us MAholes due the Approved Firearms Roster {spit}, but I've got a fair amount of experience with these things, plus I've got some damn smart commenters who I'm certain can help fill in the areas where I'm
lacking (hence why I'd like to post this).

The first question I have is whether you have a preference for revolvers or semi-autos. I'll offer a couple recommendations for each as a general rule, relying heavily on the guns I'm most familiar with.

For revolvers, there's really no choice other than a Smith & Wesson j-frame IMHO. You can get a 15 ounce aluminum-framed gun that can shoot .38 Special +P ammo for around $400 new, slightly less used. You can choose between an exposed hammer variant like the 637 (also called "Chief's Special); a shrouded hammer like the 638 (called the "Bodyguard"), or a hammerless like the 642 ("Centennial"). Which version you get depends on your preferred method of carry - if you're going to carry IWB or ankle holster, the exposed hammer is a good fit as it allows for retention strap; if you're going to pocket carry, the shrouded or hammerless version is a better bet.

I see no reason to look at any other revolver for CCW. Taurus or Charter Arms make less expensive variants, but you're talking on the order of $100 - $150 savings for a lesser firearm (Taurus isn't too bad, Charter Arms, well, you get what you pay for...) Ruger makes a wonderful little gun in the SP101; however pick one up and compare it to the S&W. The Ruger is built like a tank, yes; however it weighs a lot more, and that's a definite consideration for something you're going to toss in a pocket.

Another choice if you're a recoil whore like me is the .357 Magnum Airweight, the 360 (exposed hammer) or 340 (hammerless). These hurt like a SONOFABITCH, but it does give you the option of the mighty .357 Magnum in a 12 ounce gun (sprechen zie ouchie?). I've got the 360. It's a handful to shoot, and you really need to shoot it a lot with .357 Magnum loads to get used to the recoil, but nothing says get the hell outta my personal space like a 3' flame out of a 12 ounce snubbie... ;)

For semi-automatics, the choices are nearly endless. It basically boils down to which action you prefer (double-action only, single action only, DA/SA) and how you plan to carry. If you're thinking of pocket carry, the Ruger LCP or Kel-Tec P3AT are fine choices, with the edge going to the Ruger for finish and accuracy. Kahr Arms is
introducing a pocket-380 (K380) which is another fine choice. I'd avoid anything less than .380ACP for personal protection. Both Kel-Tec and Kahr Arms make very small 9mm that might be possible to pocket carry as well, the Kel-Tec PF9 or the Kahr PM9 are worth looking into if you're more comfortable with a 9mm.

For IWB carry, there are literally dozens of guns available. I'll make a couple of suggestions, but in this venue you're really best off trying each out and finding which you like best.

**Brief interlude on caliber choice: In this group, really, there's no wrong caliber. A 9mm pistol will be able to carry anywhere from 10-15 rounds and handle +P+ loads. It's cheaper to shoot, meaning you'll practice more, and if you can't neutralize the threat with 15 rounds of JHP 9mm+P+, you'd best have on your running shoes. .40 S&W is cheaper than .45 ACP, will fit a few more rounds, and generally entails a thinner firearm for CCW. Many folks will tell you that you should carry .45 ACP, which really is never bad advice; however it is the most expensive to shoot and will afford the fewest rounds. With all that in mind, go with whatever you're most comfortable with...

With all that said, there's three main flavors of semi-autos to consider:

Single action - really, we're talking about Commander or Officer's sized 1911s here. Pretty much anything from Kimber is good; S&W makes a scandium-framed Commander 1911 that would work; Springfield Armory has a number of pistols; even Colt if you can find one. ParaOrdnance makes a double-stacked compact (WartHog) that looks great on paper; however I've known at least three people who have owned them and had bad experiences with them.

Double action only - these are the Glocks, Springfield XD, S&W M&P, etc. Really there's no bad choice in this group either. I would argue that Glock has the edge in that they've been out the longest, so there's more of an aftermarket for mags/holsters/etc. If another Assault Weapons Ban comes down the road, you stand
the best chance of finding full capacity magazines for a Glock than a S&W M&P. This group boils down to whatever you shoot best/whatever fits your hand best. I carry a Glock G30 (subcompact .45 ACP double-stack) with 9+1 in the gun and a spare G21 full capacity magazine for back-up (13 rounds + 2 round extension).

DA/SA - Beretta 92 compact, Sig 229/239, CZ-75 compact. I'm a HUUUGE fan of SigArms, so my recommendation would be either the Sig 229 or 239. Nothing wrong with the Beretta or CZ (or about 20 other guns I'm forgetting because I'm a MAhole), just personal bias towards the Sig. Ruger makes some fine, sturdy guns, but they're a little on the heavy and chunky side for concealed carry; Smith & Wesson has an under-appreciated line of compact pistols that will do in a pinch and won't break the bank; Armalite has a CZ-based line that's not too expensive either (although might as well just get the CZ...).

Well, there's my suggestions in a nutshell. The best suggestion is to find a range that rents the gun you're interested in and try it out first - nothing worse than finding out that the gun you just bought is too painful/bulky/etc. to shoot...

Hope this helps!

Best regards,

Jay G.
MArooned

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So, what did I forget?

I make no bones about my preference for S&W wheelguns. Taurus isn't bad, but for a gun I'm staking my life on, it's the boys from Springfield every time. Ruger makes a fine revolver, one that can take a lifetime of the worst abuse possible, but their guns are heavy - if I'm going to carry my CCW primarily IWB, then I want a large-capacity semi-auto with 10+ rounds, not a 5 shot .357 Mag...

I didn't give a clear recommendation for the three classes of semi-auto; if pressed I'd offer the S&W scandium commander 1911 for single action, the G30 for DAO, and the Sig 239 in .40 S&W for a SA/DA pistol. Once again, I'll be the first to plead MAhole here - with our restrictive gun laws, there are many fine pistols with which I'm just not familiar enough to recommend.

So, here's where I turn to my readers to help fill in the gaps. What other fine semi-autos (or wheelguns) have I missed in my recommendation? What gun do you stake your life on, and why? Mike wrote back to let me know he lives in free America, so he has no restrictions on what he can carry.

What say you?

That is all.