Concealed Carry choice?????

[Greg Meyer]

As you have heard, Illinois now has concealed carry (and so does DC, amazing). Fnally deciding on a carry pistol/revolver.

What a dizzying array of available ones. I would probably like a .45 or a .357 if I do a revolver. The Springfield XDS in 4" .45 acp is high ojn the list. But, so is the Para LDA single stack .45, Officer. Anyway, anybody here have an opinion?

 

[cq]

I will not obtain an conceal carry, I do not want every law enforcement office knowing that I may have a gun. There have been situations where the license of the vehicle was run, a red flag for conceal carry. They would not believe that there was no gun, spent almost an hour searching the vehicle, everybody and every nook and cranny.
My 2 cents.

cq

 

[Greg Meyer]

I will not obtain an conceal carry, I do not want every law enforcement office knowing that I may have a gun. There have been situations where the license of the vehicle was run, a red flag for conceal carry. They would not believe that there was no gun, spent almost an hour searching the vehicle, everybody and every nook and cranny.
My 2 cents.

cq

That would be an interesting scenario, now. The search, as well as a "detention" for more than a very short period of time to verify legal license, would be illegal. Several cases have been decided that now that concealed carry is legal, the legal carrying of a concealed firearm is no reason to conduct even a Terry type stop. And, even in states like Florida, where a brief stop is allowed to determine if the person has a permit, any detention beyond that necessary determination is illegal.

 

[AirForce]

Now as a retired officer, I certainly wouldn't have stopped somebody JUST because they have a CCP. I had thought of getting a CCP even though I wouldn't have to technically. But some places, some officers don't give a rat's a*s if you're retired and have police ID. I won't even bring it up if I'm stopped. Prefer to just let them do their thing for whatever they stopped me for. Course they know before they walk up to me that I'm a retired officer because I have the decal on my trucks saying it (plus all the K9 decals/narcotics) so they KNOWN I'm carrying and they also KNOW what they can and can't do BUT there are those that haven't learned yet or want to push their authority a little too hard

Another reason I won't do CCP, can't trust government agencies or the people that work in some departments that handle that stuff. I've worked for various government agencies for over 30 years, so call me a gov conspiracy worry wart, but it IS worst than its ever been now that we have a communist/socialist government in power along with the Nazi goose-steppers supposely protecting us. From what I've seen, they are protecting us from an UNDERPOPULATION of terrorists allowed in the country - just my 2 cents. So keep your powder dry.

 

[St Rich]

The law does vary by state. Here in CO, I am not required to inform a peace officer that I have a CCW and there is a law in place preventing a "red flag" when my plate is run. However, I would provide the officer with my DL and CCW should I be pulled over strictly out of courtesy. In regards to what I prefer to carry... I have a "winter gun" and a "summer gun". Summer time I carry a Ruger LC9 since it fits in my front right shorts or jeans pocket (holstered of course). During the winter when I can wear a coat or sweatshirt, I holster my Glock 22 .40 on my strong side. If you decide to carry, you will likely go through many holsters trying find a brand, style and location you like. Behind the back is nice, but hurts when driving. What if I have to run? Use a public restroom, etc....

 

[AirForce]

Myself, still looking for the right shoulder holster rigging. Wished I had NEVER sold all my stuff when I retired. To me, nothing beats leather. I hate that cordova holster stuff and the hard plastics not so comfortable either but so far its doable. Don't want to carry my bear gun (Taurus Raging Judge 454), its slow for reloading. I do get some looks though with the 32rd mags in my S&W 5946 9mm.

 

[fatrap]

It's been my experience selling guns that many of the people who obtain their CCW few actually carry on their person. Carrying concealed is more work than most of them thought it would be. I've sold many 1911's, Springfield's, Glock 27, 19's to guys that proclaimed "HERE's MY CARRY PIECE!! On subsequent visits back in the store I've asked them how they liked carrying such and such handgun. Most haven't. Excuses from "I have to change pants size" to I don't like it banging on my side. It pinches me. Not comfortable in the crack of my ass etc. The weight blah blah. Of course some guys walked right in with the thing right on their hip causing manager meltdown. Many of the guys I know that carry have small automatics in cargo jeans or shorts. You'd never know it was there. I can pretty much tell if someone is "printing" a handgun carried on their side or shoulder rig. The guys you can't make are usually ones with a lot of carry experience and the dedication to do it right. Surprisingly women carrying a small revolver in their handbag are not that uncommon. If a man wants to buy a purse for such reasons.....well I won't go there. But the whole issue is to be concealed and comfortable. It seems many of these carry pieces live their lives under the seat of the truck or in the console.
That being said. Someone I know very well carries a plain jane Sig Sauer P238 in a front pants pocket. It's mostly undetectable. Some say a .380 isn't much but it's better than a 45 ACP under the truck seat especially when some knot head pulls his car up in front of you while your walking up a friend's driveway jumps out and starts ranting about your driving and how he's going to seriously #uck you up.
So pick something that will be with you. Even .22 has it's merits. Don't think so. Stand out there and I'll shoot you with one. See what you think.

 

[cq]

When you are on country roads, nothing but woods, at the end of the month (there is no quota requirement, as they say), going 6 over and you get stopped. All I will say is; small town law.

cq

 

[AirForce]

ahh yes, VERY familiar with it

 

[St Rich]

"Stand out there and I'll shoot you with one. See what you think." - Fatrap

This made me laugh. I say the same thing.

While I always have my LC9 in the front pocket during short sleeve weather, the Glock 22 is in the center console. I have tried many carry techniques, but the one I feel safest and most comfortable is the front pocket holstered with a nice Galco leather holster. I have seen countless buffoons that think they are carrying concealed and as soon as they bend down to pick up their wallet in the check out line, etc. there pistol is completely exposed and frightening the surrounding Californians that recently migrated here to smoke weed. I have seen people drop their pistols because they forgot it was on when getting out of the car, etc. If you are going to do it. Do it right. Borrow a few different calibers/models and carry it for a week. My suggestion is get something that will fit in a pocket - LC9, KelTec, etc. and get a proper holster to prevent "Printing". It will work in a dire need but will not inconvenience you on a daily basis.

 

[cq]

Way back when, I was home on leave, my buddy sold me .38 snub-nosed special (Colt) for 5$. We fired it a number of times and all was well. The 38 serial number, as I found out years later, put it in WWII used by Generals and Counter Intelligence Officers. On the way home my mother wanted me to stop at the store and pick up a few groceries, I would learn at the checkout counter that it was still in my back pocket of my jeans. Thank goodness for long tail shirts and having the common sense not to pull it out in the store.

cq

 

[rbstern]

Greg, the wife and I both have 642 Airweights as carry pieces. Hers has Crimson Trace grips.

I experimented with a bunch of different pistols, holsters and carry methods. In the end, the 642 in a front pocket worked best for me. Her's is in a fanny pack, in a holster I customized and sewed into the pack for her, for left-handed draw.

The carry ammo is Remington 125 grain +P JSP. In a 38 with a short barrel, I'm not trusting hollow points. Give me penetration instead. If it deforms, so much the better.

Glad you folks are getting your Constitutional rights back. As if you could ever lose them.

 

[rbstern]

Did you see that crazy story about the Florida man driving through Maryland on vacation with his family, whose license plate was read by an automatic reader on the highway, cross-matched with Florida's carry permit data base (Maryland had harvested that database). Shortly thereafter, state trooper pulls him over for "speeding." Started harassing him with "where's the gun?" questions. He ends up in cuffs in the back of the cruiser, the cops tear the SUV apart, search the wife, kids, etc. Gun is at home in Florida, in the safe, just as the man told the cop.

The probable cause for the search? The wife said "I don't know where that gun is. I don't like it." Cop claimed her answer indicated it might be in the car.

Happened December, 2013, IIRC.

 

[Greg Meyer]

Did you see that crazy story about the Florida man driving through Maryland on vacation with his family, whose license plate was read by an automatic reader on the highway, cross-matched with Florida's carry permit data base (Maryland had harvested that database). Shortly thereafter, state trooper pulls him over for "speeding." Started harassing him with "where's the gun?" questions. He ends up in cuffs in the back of the cruiser, the cops tear the SUV apart, search the wife, kids, etc. Gun is at home in Florida, in the safe, just as the man told the cop.

The probable cause for the search? The wife said "I don't know where that gun is. I don't like it." Cop claimed her answer indicated it might be in the car.

Happened December, 2013, IIRC.

Maryland is "nuts"... I had read that story. There are several judicial decisions that the fact that someone has a carry permit is not probable cause for a search. They may have a small payday coming for false arrest.

 

[Greg Meyer]

Greg, the wife and I both have 642 Airweights as carry pieces. Hers has Crimson Trace grips.

I experimented with a bunch of different pistols, holsters and carry methods. In the end, the 642 in a front pocket worked best for me. Her's is in a fanny pack, in a holster I customized and sewed into the pack for her, for left-handed draw.

The carry ammo is Remington 125 grain +P JSP. In a 38 with a short barrel, I'm not trusting hollow points. Give me penetration instead. If it deforms, so much the better.

Glad you folks are getting your Constitutional rights back. As if you could ever lose them.

I like the Centenniel model and its children carried one as a backup for years. For carry, although, I am considering the 649 airweight... (shrouded hammer as opposed to hammerless). The ability to use it single action.

 

[Greg Meyer]

Finally decided on two S&W .40 Shield and a S&W 649 in .357

 

[rbstern]

Good choices.

I was sure you were gonna pick a 380.

 

[dougiemac]

I will not obtain an conceal carry, I do not want every law enforcement office knowing that I may have a gun. There have been situations where the license of the vehicle was run, a red flag for conceal carry. They would not believe that there was no gun, spent almost an hour searching the vehicle, everybody and every nook and cranny.
My 2 cents.

cq

If "they" and by "they" I mean "Big Brother" wants to know who has firearm, unless you do not use credit cards and don't carry a smartphone, they probably already know. In Georgia its a little different, you don't need a permit to carry in your vehicle. It's considered an extension of your home and thus you're legally able to carry without a permit inside your car, thus LEO's assume everyone in GA has a gun in their car.

 

[dougiemac]

I have to apologize, I'm a Glock guy. I lived 2 miles from their US HQ for a few years and their customer service is unmatched! They have been the most reliable, rugged and accurate guns I've ever owned and would bet my life and my family's life on it's reliability. I carry a G19 and love have 15+1 on my side with another 2 - 15 round mags in pockets. 46 rounds should take care of any mob attack, gang bang, zombie outbreak, etc.