What is a good realiable weapon for concealed carry?

Question

I carry a glock 19 when I'm on duty, but I've found that trying to carry it concealed off duty is just completely ridiculous (i'm a 5'2" female) and you can totally tell that I'm strapped. I like the glock...and I'm leaning towards a glock 26, but are there any other subcompact firearms that might be a better choice?

Answer 1

By on duty, I assume you are a fine officer of the law, so am I.

My agency recently went to Smith and Wesson M&P .40.

I would like to suggest a gun in a single stack configuration, and here is why.

As I said before, we carry Smith, but prior to 2 months ago, we carried Sig Sauer P229 in 40 cal. It is called a "compact" gun by Sig, but has a 12 round double stack mag.

I was given, 12 years ago, as a graduation from the academy gift, a Sig Sauer P239 in .40 cal as an off duty carry gun. This gun is identical in design and function to the 229, but is considered the "personal size", by Sig. I carried the P239 for 2 years before I purchased a Glock 26 in 9mm.

What I found, is that although I am 6 foot 3, 250 lbs, the Glock still shows. If you pack outside the pants, as I do, it is the thickness of the grip that shows. The P239 has a bigger but thinner grip than the 26. The 239 also has a longer slide and barrel, but thinner profile than the 26.

Shooting the 26 is strictly limited to close range. I typically shoot perfect or near perfect scores on the range, but was unable to hit the CM5 target at 25 yards with consistency using the 26. I have never missed the kill zone with the 239.

I currently own 5 Sigs and think they are superior in quality and ergonomics than the Glocks.

All this said will add that I can conceal a Kimber1911 .45 with a 4 inch barrel better than a 26 due to the single stack mag.

Obviously there is a size difference between us, but the point I wish to convey is that you will have the same problem with any gun that has a thick grip. Try a Smith and Wesson Scandion .357mag snubbie, and or a small .380 like a kel tec or the new Ruger in .380. You often have to give up the extra rounds to get a more practical gun.

And to the sheep that said to carry a fountain pen I would like to tell him, its ok, sheep dogs like us were placed on this earth to protect your sorry saggy arce from wolves when your fountain pen runs out of ink. Wolves don't hurt us, niether do your comments.

Hope this helps. Stay safe sister

PS. WWW.PoliceCombat.com.

For how you train so shall you fight.

Answer 2

forget about looking for a new gun platform, what you need to do is find a couple large gun dealers and ask about holsters and other options to carry while off duty. if you are carrying a glock on duty the smartest thing you can do is carry a glock off duty. your training should be the same. you do not want to have to think about which gun do i have on today. when the need for a weapon arises, you should be running on muscle memory. if you trade on format for another, back and forth, you will not be as good with either one.

Answer 3

This is a great question.

I"m in the same boat.

I currently carry a S&W 4014 (shorty 40) and even it is hard to conceal in the summer.

I'm leaning towards a smaller Kimber, a .380 colt or possibly one of the hammerless S&W compact revolvers

Greg Jackson

Tigard, OR

http://www.JaxonsGottaGun.com

Answer 4

I've heard some great things about the Glock 26...

this review is insightful.

http://www.officer.com/web/online/On-the...

Answer 5

If you are looking for "small" for concealed carry, I would go with a S&W "J" frame revolver. It's about as small as you can go and still have some effectiveness.  As for ammo, use .38+P or .357, as most S&W newer J frame firearms are rated for +P or even .357 magnum. For off-duty, you can carry a couple speed loaders and your good-to-go!  Most, like the .38.357 (Chief's Special), have a short 2" barrel and some of the new ones are lightweight.  Also, they have hammerless versions if that's an issue. I like the reliability of revolvers, however capacity is an obvious drawback compared to today's high cap autoloaders. If you must go with an autoloader, I would go with the S&W .45 1911 PD 4".  It's single stack, so it is a thinner profile frame and slide, and the mag is obviously thinner too.  As for the stopping power....it's .45!....nuff said, lol!  good luck

Answer 6

When Im off duty I carry a Taurus pt145 Pro sub compact .45ACP.  Whats nice about it is that the .45 is a 10 shot beast that is more than enough firepower for anything I would encounter off duty.  They make them in all calibers though, from .380 up to .45.

Answer 7

I respect your need for firepower.  I am not allowed to CC (thanks IL) but due to my job, I carry a Sig P220 in the small of my back inside of my beltline...rather be judged by 6....

maybe you should consider that hammerless .38....the truth of the matter is, if you cant get it done in 6 shots, you aint gonna get it done....the .38 would probably fit right in the small of your back, or just inside your beltline inside of your hip without a problem.

Answer 8

Why not just carry a fountain pen around? And then aim for the femural artery in the inner thigh. The best reliable weapon to carry anywhere though is plain old-fashioned "common sense".

Answer 9

Look at a hammerless 38, S&W or Laser.  I'm a big .40 cal fan and both my on-duty and off are .40cal.  But a 5 shot hammerless can be very light, extremely reliable and really point and fire.  Great ankle or purse gun.  Fits the small of the back well also.

Answer 10

I have a Glock 29 in my pocket now and it's practically invisible, but I'm a 200 pound man.  I've never shot one, but Ruger just came out with a small 380 that looks great. You can see it on their website. While I'm a huge Glock fan and have 3 Glocks, I am considering the Ruger myself for something to carry when the Glock is too big.

Answer 11

its best (most the time) that people do know your "strapped"

because if you knew someone had a gun, would you pick a fight with them? and that might save you from haveing to use it.

Answer 12

In my experience, pocket revolvers are more reliable than pocket pistols, and are often chambered for more powerful rounds.  Pocket revolvers also generally produce better accuracy and have better sights and triggers than comparable quality pocket pistols.

In over 30 years of packing a handgun on a daily basis, I've come to the decision that Smith & Wesson's Bodyguard and Centennial series revolvers are the best possible pocket revolvers.  Both the Boduguard (Modelst 49, 638 and 649) and the Centennials (Models 40, 442, 638 and 640) are available in both .38 SPL and .357 Magnum.  The Bodyguard revolvers have a shrouded hammer and single-action capability.  The Centennial revolvers are true hammerless double-action-only revolvers.  Both offer a smooth snag free draw from pocket or purse, and both may be safely fired from inside a pocket or purse if trouble comes on you too close to draw your weapon.

For the last twelve years, my Always Gun has been an S&W M-640 Centennial in .357 Magnum, and for about three years before that, I carried a M-49 Bodyguard in .38 SPL.  The only reason I now carry the Centennial is that the M-649 had not been released at the time I bought the M-640.

Good Luck and Good Shooting,

Doc

Answer 13

For your size a Walther PPK .380 would fit you nicely

And by the way Big Daddy, the correct saying is

" I would rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6 "

Answer 14

Hi Sweetie!  Congrats on being one of our finest.  I'm one month retired from a large Texas police department.

My daughter has a Glock 26 that she loves, but concealment and staying in fashion seems to conflict!  I'm going to recommend to her the new Ruger Elsie P (LCP) which can be concealed in a pocket holster made specifically for that .380 acp super compact pistol.  If you decide to downsize to the .380, ask your department's 'expert' what defensive load he recommends for the .380.  I favor the Federal Personal Defense 90 grain Hydra Shok round myself, but he may have a better idea.  The .380 Winchester Silvertip is also good.

Good luck.

H

Answer 15

I personally carry the glock 26 its a great gun. But as for another choice, for revolvers maybe try a colt python, or a Smith and Wesson 9mm m&p semi auto pistol. hope I helped!

Answer 16

I would lean towards having backup that is fairly consealable on your size person.

My Mother-in-law carries the Kel-Tec, inside the pant waist holster. She is fairly tiny, and you can't tell she is carrying.

Answer 17

A lot of great answers. The Glock 26 is a nice carry piece. I Had the same problem with my Beretta so I went and picked up a Smith and Wesson Model 637 Airweight snub nose revolver in .357 it weighs only 14 oz(unloaded).

  My ex-wife is a cop and she carries a Kahr K9. Beretta makes a model 84 Chettah in .380 that is very concealable. Para makes some nice ones as well. There are so many it is almost impossible to list. I myself prefer a revolver over a auto-loader just for the simple failure factor. Autos always have this way of jamming when it is most inconvenient for you. A maintained revolver is almost fail proof.

Answer 18

id suggest a SIG or a Springfield XD