Help me choose a new conceal carry pistol?
I'm looking for advice on the purchase of a new daily carry pistol. I currently own an HK P2000 in .40 with the LEM trigger, and a S&W Model 60 stainless with a 2" barrel in .357 mag. Both are outstanding pistols in their own right--fun to shoot, accurate, well-made and reliable. The issues I have is that the snubbie is too heavy to comfortably carry (feels like a lead brick in my pocket), and the P2000 is slightly on the bulky side and doesn't conceal as well as I would like for an every-day carry.
Which brings me to my question(s): What pistol would you conceal carry experts recommend for a new EDC? I am strongly considering a HK P2000sk in .40, and I am hoping that someone here who owns both the P2000 and the P2000sk can tell me just how different in size, weight and conceal-ability the two gun are.
I am also open to considering other manufacturers (Kahr? Walther? Sig?), but I would like to stick with .40 S&W for my caliber, as I already own a considerable stock, and am comfortable with it as a round.
The other consideration is that I'm not a big guy, and fairly trim (5'11" and 165 lbs.), so light weight and conceal-ability are big factors. Especially now that summer is coming up! A recommendation of holster would be appreciated as well.
Thanks in advance for whatever help you can offer.
US $48.89
July 1st, 2009 at 2:39 pm
I’d probably go for a .38 semi auto. It’ beats a pointy stick.
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:33 am
consider a revolver.
My summer carry is a Taurus 605 357 mag with 38 +p+ JHP with a IWB holster
My winter carry is a Springfield XD Subcompact in 9mm with a IWB holster
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:20 pm
i carry the bersa thunder 380 it is a very light, accurate pistol. mine is a 7+1 now they make a 13+ 1. i use mikes leather paddle belt holster. galco has a shoulder rig i’m going to check out. i’m 5’11 @155 lbs in PA. I’ve been looking for a model 60 snubbie.
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Many people say revolver feel nicer carried in a inside the belt soft leather holster or paddle.It depends if you want it on outside or inside of belt…..then again some like shoulder holsters…..its really about personal preference.
I know a big old fat block Glock does not feel good for most.
If you really want a .40 try a compact or subcompact and maybe single stack thinner gun would feel better and not as heavy if that is your preference. Ck out sig P239
July 6th, 2009 at 7:46 am
Get a short 45. A COP backup. You do need to worry about your backdrop. Who is going to be behind your target, you cannot anticipate, so the .40 is way too much gun as former Bart Police officer Meserle had to learn the hard way. The .45 is going to drop your subject and not the next people behind or pass-through and richochet and get you. Actually, if you’re an expert, you can do better with a .32 or even a little .25. The big iron doesn’t scare morons and idiots who need to be stopped without argument. Large-frame handguns are very tiring to carry.
July 8th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
I carry a Taurus PT-111 Pro every day. Its a 9mm short barrel semi that holds 12 rounds. a little heavy and bulky- about 29 oz loaded. Cost is about $360.
Keltec make a fair gun in about the same price range….less wt and size-very concealable
Sig makes an excellent carry pistol- the p-232 alloy frame in 380 that weighs about 20 oz loaded.
Khar is also good several options
The Walther is too heavy.
Most chopped off compacts-whether Sig, Glock, S&W, Springfield ect ,are too bulky and have too short of a grip-and most are heavy.
Look at this site- look at the compacs, and the 380 page.
July 12th, 2009 at 8:43 am
You’re tall (5′ 11″) and lean (165Lbs.) and looking for something that is going to fit in your medium to large hands nicely, be easy to carry and chamber the .40 S&W cartridge you already prefer.
The Taurus Millenium Pro series of semi-automatic pistols are worth considering. Affordable, compact, fully featured and offered in .40S&W chamberings.
Both Smith & Wesson and Taurus are producing lightweight titanium versions of their snub-nosed revolvers. That could be an alternative to supplement the Model 60 you’re using now.
For outside the waistband open carry, I like Blackhawk Serpa holsters.
For concealed carry, then the choice is more about your personal preferences. Companies like Galco, DeSantis and Mitch Rosen provide good options for your consideration.
Whatever you decide upon, it has to meet your criteria.
Good luck.
Edited to add: Kahr Arms pistols are worth looking at too.
July 12th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
I have the Glock 27 in .40, and it’s way too bulky, I wind up carrying my Kahr PM9 more often. I would have gone for the .40 caliber Kahr, but the standard magazine sticks out on it and looks and feels ridiculous.
The idea of carrying a .45 is great except for one thing: You’ll never find one that isn’t at least 10 ounces heavier than a similar .40 or .9mm when unloaded, and even heavier when it is loaded.
July 15th, 2009 at 11:13 am
ok, go to the gun store and actually hold the guns you like and then just pick the one that feel the best to you.
cuz there is no such thing as “the best gun” just one that you like and that fits your bugget.
July 16th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
revolver man
July 18th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Taurus has a bunch of new carry options out (SLIM 9mm). I like the sig 232, great accuracy and comfortable. Kel tek pf-9 is great, but seeing as though you chose the pricy P2000, maybe you should go for the Kahr. There are plenty of subcompacts out there, but they don’t give all that great performance (that new pistol from Magnum Research). I like the compact Baby Eagle in .40S&W from Magnum Research, good accuracy, capacity, size, power, great quality.
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