Take a hard look at the Glock 19 or 26 in 9mm, or the 23/27 in .40.

I carry a Glock 19, it works well for me.

 

I think the m&p is one of the best feeling guns out there. Personally I hate the way a glock feels. Xd's are good guns. The xdm may be one to consider. If you have the ability, try to go to a gun store and compare ones you like side by side. It all comes down to personal preference and what is comfortable for you because they are all good guns.

 

If you give 9mm a consideration, take a look at mine.

http://carolinashootersforum.com/showthread.php?t=100776

 

M&P 9/9c/.40, Ruger LC9/SR9c/SR9, Glock 26/27/19/22, Kahr PM9/CM9,P9,CW9 are to me all very good choices.

I carry a 9 because it is cheaper to practice with and consider the reduced recoil for marginally reduced power to be a bonus.

I have a 9mm Kimber that I thought would be my carry gun because John Browning is a god, Glocks are ugly and made of Tupperware, Kahr Arms is owned by the Moonies, Glocks and Kahrs are dangerous because they don't have a safety, Glocks have unsupported chambers....

I carry a G19 most of the time, in fact I am buying a second for my wife's HD gun and the PM9 the rest of the time.

 

Go to a gun store, handle as many pistols as possible without worrying about what it shoots, who made it, etc. and decide which feels best to YOU. Also try and shoot as many different pistols as possible. This is a decision that you need to make. That being said any pistol from a quality manufacturer will work, just pick one that is affordable to you and that you like and you will be happy with your purchase. After you have narrowed your choices down post on here asking about the pistols in question and maybe do a little research(google) to see what people who own the weapons think of it. Good Luck.

Peter3

 

A good concealed handgun is a very personal item. It should be like a good pair of shoes and be comfortable and a good fit. Go as others have said and just look at handguns at a large firearms store that has a large selection, pick them up and see how it feels and go from there. Everyone has an opinion and I love my Glock 26, but there are so many to choose from. After you have narrowed the choices down, research each one thoroughly and then if possible try it out. Ask others for their opinion, but lastly make sure its YOUR choice.

 

I started off thinking I wanted a 40 S&W as well to carry. My choice was mostly based on ballistics.

Guess what I carry most of the year.... either a Kel-Tec PF9 (9mm) or Walther PPK-S (380). I like them because they are VERY easy to conceal, and will get the job done for MOST scenarios. I've run MANY scenarios through my head, and very few would require more than an 380. Sure, some folks invision shootouts with thugs wearing bullet proof vest and taking 50 yards shots.....not likely in my book. At "conversation distance" a 380 will put somebody down almost as quickly as a 45.

When the weather gets colder, I might move up to a 40 or 45 for 2 reasons. 1) My clothes are thicker so it's easer to conceal and 2) "THEIR" clothes are thicker and a 380 just won't cut it. Most times though, I still pack my PF9.

You'll get opinions that nothing short of a 460 S&W will have "adequate penetration". Do a little research and you'll find the truth.

And yes, CHOOSE THE GUN NOT THE CALIBER! I would guess that even the blast of a 22lr is enough to stop MOST attackers in their tracks. (Home defense is a whole other issue....I don't play around there. :36: )

 

I have a Sig P229R which I like really well. It can also be made into a sig.357 and a 9mm with just a few changes. Fir instance to go from 40 S&W to .357 sig is just a barrel chane. However to go to 9 or at least if it were me I would chande the springs the slide and magazines.

 

Another vote for the G26. Great little gun and very accurate. I wear Hawaiian shirts almost exclusively now that the weather has warmed up. I can hide my G26 in a Glock Sport/Combat OWB holster easily in a Hawaiian shirt and shorts though I still carry IWB most of the time.

 

Ive found pistols to be extremely discouraging. One seems very different from the other, more so than the rifles i fool around with. I have a little nest of pistols, of different shapes and sizes, from 32 to 44, wheel and auto, blahblah. I know we're talking more about concealability here, but my advice is to try some out before you buy! This place is littered with peeps whod be more than willing. If youd like to come out and shoot some here youre welcome to it!

 

Glocks and Kahrs are dangerous because they don't have a safety,
.

No, they arent. If the person holding the Glock or Kahr has half a brain and knows not to pull the trigger until you are ready to fire, they are perfectly safe.

 

No, they arent. If the person holding the Glock or Kahr has half a brain and knows not to pull the trigger until you are ready to fire, they are perfectly safe.

Um... I was being facetious. Did you agree with anything in that paragraph?

 

I am also a KT pf-9 carrier. It is my normal goto pistol. I also own a kahr cw9 and a glock 27 with a 9mm conversion barrel for practice time. I will carry the KT in a pocket. The kahr is a bit heavy for that and I am try'n to get use to a holster for it. The holster is for a glock but to me it is just to thick to carry in the warmer months.

As others said picking a carry firearm is a very personal choice . Just pick up every pistol you can, think about how you will dress as that does play into how you will carry. After you get down to a couple models try to rent or maybe meet a member to try theres. Even picking a holster can change how you carry or what you carry.

 

+1 for the XD line . I carry a XD40SC in a galco King tuk and its pretty easy to conceal. And they are pretty reasonable in price.