Conceal carry handguns

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Joined
Apr 4, 2009
Messages
6,314
Location
China Spring TX
The three that I carry the most:

bBFD0BR.jpg


H&K VP9 at top. Walther PPQ 9mm lower right and Ruger SP101 in .357 on the left.
 

BuckRimfire

Bearcat
Joined
Nov 7, 2012
Messages
66
My usual CCW is a Bersa Thunder 380CC. I have at least a couple hundred rounds through it with total reliability. I think the very first round I chambered hung up when I rode the slide, and no problems since then.

Carried like this. Decocked, hammer in half-cock notch, safety off. One thing I like about DA/SA is that if you want to reholster IWB in this condition, you can keep thumb on the hammer and be ABSOLUTELY sure you're not snagging the trigger and about to ventilate your femoral artery.

BersaLeft.jpg

I usually carry IWB at 11 o'clock in a Desantis holster, but I also made a classy duct tape holster to position it in the side pocket of cargo pants, which rides pretty well.

BersaDuctTape.jpg

The sights are extremely rudimentary, but in a decently lighted range they don't work too badly. Photo shows the first two targets I ever shot with it. Results went south in a big way beyond ten yards, though!

bersasights2.jpg
BersaTargetsIMG_7877.jpg

More to the point, at what I consider likely self-defense distances, the sights are irrelevant. It point-shoots COM reliably, so trying to aim with the sights would be a big waste of time.

For hiking, I have a frunk pack that I sewed elastic and velcro into to carry my GP100 .357 4" half-lug. The draw from it probably wouldn't be great in a hurry...

IMG_4154.jpg frunk pack.jpg
 

MitchSC

Bearcat
Joined
Dec 30, 2016
Messages
16
Location
SC
These are the ones I carry. The Micro 9 has pretty much replaced the LC9S. If I know I will not be going in a Gun Free Zone I carry the Ultra Carry. If I want to just stick something in my pocket and not know it's there it's the Guardian.
CARRY.jpg
 

Mauser9

Blackhawk
Joined
May 20, 2022
Messages
594
Location
Ma.
My favorites. Glad I grabbed my S&W CS-9 back in 99. Seem to be more popular since they are not made anymore.
 

Dave Schwaab

Single-Sixer
Joined
Nov 2, 2014
Messages
128
I have been shooting for over 60 years, primarily handguns of one type or another. Now, in retirement, I have reduced my armory to just those guns I really enjoy shooting, like one of my Ruger Mark Iis, my SR22 long slide or a .45 Colt Single-Action.

Living in the People's Democratic Republic of New Jersey, carrying a gun has not (until recently) been an option for me, so, for home defense, I usually employ something like this Lipsey's Exclusive Blackhawk .45 convertible. It is rare for me to make modifications to my guns, other than grips or sights, but I did install a lighter Wolff hammer spring and SBH hammer on this one for easier one handed shooting.

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With the recent Supreme Court decision, our Beloved Governor has been forced to allow the common folk to be able to attain a CCW permit, although he has done what he can to still make things difficult, requiring us to meet the same requirements as Retired Police Officers, including the live fire qualifications. A CCW permit is good for ONLY the gun you qualified with, although you may get multiple permits for multiple guns, but each must be qualified for separately.

Since I have always been pretty good with my situational awareness and being able to avoid trouble, I had always figured I would use my SR22 as a carry gun, but New Jersey will not allow rimfire handguns, so I had to purchase a new gun specifically for CCW. I chose the Browning 1911-380.

As you can see, it is almost identical in size to my SR22. It is carried in Condition One, like an original 1911 (and my Mark Iis, or my LCP II Lite Rack), while the SR22 would have been carried in Condition Two. As you may have guessed from the grip sleeve and magazine butt plate on my SR22, I have smaller hands, and the 1911-380 fits me perfectly!

1662926396824.png
 
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Dave Schwaab

Single-Sixer
Joined
Nov 2, 2014
Messages
128
Wut??? Are they looking out for you in terms of first-strike reliability?

Did they have any rationale for this, or is it just more random "Guns er bad, m'kay?" word-salad lawmaking?
Since they are requiring you to meet all of the same requirements as Retired Police Officers, including stuff like low light shooting, at ranges from 1 (for retention techniques) to 25 yards, they want a suitable caliber of at least .380 ACP (they won't allow .25 or .32 Autos either). For old folks, young women or persons with disabilities, TUFF, they'll just have to wait for the cops to come and gather the evidence for the homicide investigation.

As I mentioned, I had reduced my armory to just .22 Rimfire and .45 Colt/.45 ACP. My single-actions, other than the one shown, are all long barreled guns, so I had figured I would carry the SR22 as I am pretty good with it. The Browning 1911-380 is almost identical in size, maybe even just a hair SMALLER, and with a few extra ounces and that 4.25" barrel, it is much better behaved than most .380s.

I chose the Browning over the cheaper RIA "Baby Rock" because it is scaled down from the full sized 1911 and not the Commander model. It also has a true tilting barrel locked breech, unlike almost all rimfires and even most .380s, which use a straight blow-back action. I've only been able to put a couple hundred rounds through it so far, but I'm every bit as accurate with it as the SR22, just a little slower because of the slightly heavier recoil.
 

BuckRimfire

Bearcat
Joined
Nov 7, 2012
Messages
66
Since they are requiring you to meet all of the same requirements as Retired Police Officers, including stuff like low light shooting, at ranges from 1 (for retention techniques) to 25 yards, they want a suitable caliber of at least .380 ACP (they won't allow .25 or .32 Autos either). For old folks, young women or persons with disabilities, TUFF, they'll just have to wait for the cops to come and gather the evidence for the homicide investigation.
OK, I *guess* I understand that reasoning.

There are certainly worse limitations. I've fondled an M&P380 Shield EZ and maybe I'm "able-ist," as the kids say, but it was pretty dang easy to rack. I suppose the recoil could be an issue for some.
 
Joined
Jan 11, 2009
Messages
277
Location
Indy
Sense Arthritis hit my hands I carry a Colt 1903 in .32 ACP loaded with BB level ammo. Have shot yotes with it and it stops them in their tracks. A pilvic bone hit will put a human on the ground. If that don't stop them they become big targets then.
 
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
9,933
Location
missouri
Oddly enough, most of the guns pictured don't show evidence of being carried much. Any gun I carry is going to look like something found in the bottom of a dumpster simply because of the activities and environment in which I live & work.
I've been carrying the SR22 for a month in an open top belt holster. I blew the filth off it yesterday and cycled the slide just to make sure it would still move. First time it had been out of the holster since I ran 10 shots through it last week. The gun's finish is holding up surprisingly well but the holster is taking a beating from tractor arm rests, pocket tool storage, and crawling around in the dirt to work on equipment.
 
Joined
Jan 26, 2008
Messages
782
Location
north carolina
Oddly enough, most of the guns pictured don't show evidence of being carried much. Any gun I carry is going to look like something found in the bottom of a dumpster simply because of the activities and environment in which I live & work.
I've been carrying the SR22 for a month in an open top belt holster. I blew the filth off it yesterday and cycled the slide just to make sure it would still move. First time it had been out of the holster since I ran 10 shots through it last week. The gun's finish is holding up surprisingly well but the holster is taking a beating from tractor arm rests, pocket tool storage, and crawling around in the dirt to work on equipment.
You are right Mobuck. I have carried a few of them a day or two. Here's the one I carry every time I leave the house like I did this morning when I took my walk on Greenway trail. I think I got this glock 43 in 2015 or 2016 as soon as they became available. Of course being a retired old man I'm never gone long and am not very hard on them. It could possibly be I'm just a gun nut.View attachment 8167View attachment 8166
 
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Joined
Nov 15, 2005
Messages
10,426
Location
Greenville, SC: USA
I like Mobuck's comment about the looks of a real carry gun because it makes me feel better about mine. I got in trouble on another forum (S) when I posted a picture of mine and explained that it had been refinished by a company that gets lots of business from comments on that site and some of the finish was wearing off. I got jumped on even though I was not meaning to criticize the company or their work in any way... the only way I know to keep a gun in pristine condition is to oil it really well and lock it away in a safe.... I'm often a little embarrassed with myself when I take my carry gun out of its holster and have to clean the lint and other bits of debris off it.

Look closely at the picture of my carry pistol in my post above and you will see spots where the finish is wearing off.....

One of the reason I stopped carry a LCP was it was rusting......... this was caused by OFWGS.....
(Old Fat White Guy Sweat)
 

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