Recommend a concealed carry pistol to a (relative) gun newbie

Ever since I got jumped by some dick with a Hi-Point while leaving my workshop for Road America last month, I've been thinking about concealed carry. Now my shopmate and an ex-military relative have offered to cover the costs for me, so it looks like I am set to start shopping for a weapon. (Let's not debate the merits of CC here, please.)

I'm a tall skinny guy (32" waist, 34" inseam if that gives you any idea), 6'3" and 175lbs, with basketball hands. Looking at something to carry IWB in the summer and probably shouldered for the colder months. I really have no idea where to start; I've shot numerous times but am just now entering the world of handguns and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.

So far I've been advised to go for a 9mm or .45, and to avoid .40 (something about being a real slow moving bullet). I intend to get out to the range and start trying stuff on for size next week but could use some recommendations on what to start shopping for. I like the balanced feel of polymer pistols (I do NOT have a Harry Callahan complex) but would consider the right all-metal piece.

The main struggle is that I like the feel of larger pistols because of my huge hands but worry about concealing since I'm such a skinny dude.

My ex-military relative asked me how much my life was worth and told me to spend accordingly, so I'm not afraid to spend some money...to a point, at least.

Suggestions thus far have been:

Sig Sauer P228 (on the expensive side) or maybe SP2022, FN Herstal FNS (too bulky?), Walther P99 (also worried about size), Glock 19 (the ubiquitous choice).

Or.....? What should I be looking at?

Is there a range near you that has rentals? We have one not too far away that has a very good rental section. I tried most of what was in the cabinet to see what I was comfortable with before making a purchase.

Have you looked at the Smith & Wesson M&P line?

Rob_Mopar wrote: Is there a range near you that has rentals? We have one not too far away that has a very good rental section. I tried most of what was in the cabinet to see what I was comfortable with before making a purchase. Have you looked at the Smith & Wesson M&P line?

There are a few with decent enough selection; I'd like to start with some guidance though so that I don't just go through every gun on the shelf.

Forgot about the M&P, my shop buddy carries one and rather likes it.

Glock 19 is my weapon of choice, 9mm is affordable so practice can be regular, they are very very reliable and have a good sized grip and are decently concealable.

Glock 19 IMHO.

Kimber Solo if you have the scratch. They fixed the feed issue with the second gen.

The SIG 226 is also a good choice in 9mm. Like the Kimber its pricey though.

I like the Glock 19 but if I'm going to carry something that big concealed its going to be a similar sized 1911. Same with the M&P.

It comes down to personal preference. Rent/borrow a couple and see whats comfortable to actually shoot. You don't want to carry something that hurts to shoot because you'll cringe or flinch expecting the recoil. Then put it on and see how it fits once you've established what's comfortable.

Glock 17 or 19, or Colt 1911.

Glock 19 for your basic Tupperware appliance gun. The SIG 2022 is a great choice accurate, inexpensive and SIG quality. Another thing you might look at is a SIG P6 a single stack 9mm surplus police import that can be had for under $400.

I would suggest finding a range where thy will let you rent different guns and try them all out. If you were closer I would just take you to the range with all my various handguns and let you try them out.

I would avoid full size handguns like the 17 and P226 for concealed carry. Unless you are a big dude like me it is hard to pull off even with a tuck holster. I prefer a mid range size like the 228 or 19 for concealed carry.

Mind you I am a die hard SIG fan however I currently have a 3rd gen Glock 19 on my hip as I write this. Of course my 2022 is in my pack behind my seat.

If the SHTF and I could choose only one I my sidearms it would be my SIG 220 in 45 acp. It has never failed, will eat any ammo I shove down the pipe and is deadly accurate. It is a far superior 45 than any 1911 I have fired including Colts and Kimbers. Even my custom built Springfield has taken a backseat to this gun. I literally have not shot the Springfield since I bought the 220 and it was my favored side arm for 15 years.

Beretta nano comes in 9mm and is easy to conceal.

If you are tall/skinny, you might really like a 1911, or other similar single-stack gun. Although fairly tall and long, it is not thick and bulky.

It will probably feel much more comfortable to operate with "basketball" hands.

I have a soft spot for baby glocks.........but I have just been alternating between a SIG p230 and 1903/8 Colt. Critical defense .380's should work well if you ever need them to. Best advice, find something you're comfortable with, train train train, and literally know it inside and out before you carry it. Your life could depend upon it someday. Caliber is just a pissing match.

How is a Walther P5? I always liked the clean looks of the P5. A 9mm or .40 will get the job done. S&W makes a nice 380. Bang for buck I'd like a .38 or .357 revolver. Hell if I know I never owned a gun.

I can't see any reason you would want anything smaller than a 9mm. Sigs are nice, but for everyday carry, reliability, light weight, etc, I think a Glock is the way to go. You could store a Glock at the bottom of a pond for a year or two and still know it would fire. I would suggest a 26 or 27 with a magazine extension. It will give you extra capacity, 2 rounds I think, and more to hold onto. The baby Glocks will accept magazines from the mid and full size equivalents. You can also get a collar that will slip over a mid size magazine and allow you to carry a 15 round mag with a longer grip.

I would also suggest getting a Crossbreed holster. They are extremely comfortable and will allow you to hide just about anything under just a T shirt. They are also rigid, so the gun will go back in the holster with it still in your waistband. A pancake type IWB holster allows you one draw and then you are stuck with a gun in your hand. The Crossbreed has Kydex to hold the gun. They aren't cheap and it'll take a while to get because it's hand made, but it's worth every nickle.

I finally landed on a M & P Shield (note: its a different gun/design than the basic M & P) with pretty much the same parameters in mind as you, with the exception that I wouldn't say I have especially large hands. Its available in either 9mm or .40. In 9mm, it has a short 7 round magazine and an extended 8 round magazine. The 8 round should allow you to get all four fingers comfortably around the grip. I believe the .40 is 1 round less for each mag. It has an external safety, which I like (some don't - a preference thing). In the summer, I carry it in a soft leather holster and can drop it into the pocket of a pair of cargo shorts without it being easily visible. (There's still a print there if you know what you're looking for, but the average person I'm passing on the street would never notice it.) Once we get to "jacket season", I'll probably get a hard case outside of the belt holster. I know some people swear by it, but I've never liked carrying inside the beltline. IF you can find a Shield, its worth looking at. Price is also decent, I ended up paying about $430.00 for mine.

FWIW - I've got a compact Springfield XD which is just a little big for concealed carry, but its has always been a favorite of mine. Springfield has recently release the XDS in .45 and 9mm - these are single stack concealed carry guns and have been well reviewed. They are about $150.00 more and haven't showed up (or stayed long enough for me to see them) in any local stores yet. If you find one of those, its probably worth a look too.

Don't get into the whole ballistics and capacity debate. Find something that is comfortable to shoot and reliable. Tons of practice time drawing and shooting a .32acp will pay more dividends than strapping a .460 to your leg and flinching every time you pull the trigger. Remember ballistics are only effective if you actuall hit something.

So if you like a .380 over a .45 and can afford to shoot it a lot and accurately, that's your gun.

The above is/was the same advice an old hunter gave me when I was looking for a rifle. A .300 win mag is nice, but I'd rather shoot a .270 all day long or 30/30.

.38 +P. Great round with some great options for guns, if you aren't stuck on an automatic.

For a new guy to shooting I'd look really close at a 4" S&W K or L frame 357 Mag. Conventional wisdom is that they're "lumpy" and too old school but you can change the grips to fit your hands more easily. If you're 6' 3" then you should be able to hide it with no problem.

Per above, go to a local range that rents guns and see what you shoot best with. You can take care of comfy/conceal later.

ruger alaskan 454 casull is always the answer

I don't understand the advice to avoid the .40 S&W. It IS a slow moving bullet that hits hard. Like a baby .45 ACP. It won't penetrate 20 phone books and kill unintended things behind them. THat is a bonus, not a detriment.

My current carry is a H&K USP Compact .40 S&W. It is a fantastic, light, well balanced shooter. It's tolerant of all kinds of E36 M3 ammo and it's got a nice safety for cocked & locked carry. I really can't say anything negative about it at all except that it is a little bulky (width wise) for your summer requirement. It's got to be in an SOB holster or under a bulky shirt to disappear - which is a PIA for any sort of sitting down. I have been eyeing the tiny ruger LCP and walther PPK but I'm not a fan of the .380 so... the search continues.

I have a S&W K frame and like to shoot it... add a different grip in place of the stock walnut grips and it gets much better.

that being said consider and look into the price of shooting it... my old .38 spcl is much more expensive to shoot than a 9mm

I carry a gun at work and on my own time as well so my advice comes from having to carry a gun everyday.

Lots of good advice here. Don't get caught up on caliber. Also try lots of guns! My partner prefers Glocks, but I have grown to dislike how they feel so I don't shoot them as well as my sig. All comes down to personal preference.

Get a good hard sided holster and a good firm belt made for carrying a gun. The belt should be made from several layers of stiff leather. You want a nice firm platform for drawing your gun. Lighter belts are fine for very light guns like airweights or for competition, but day in and day out you need a good heavy belt and a holster.

Shoulder holsters suck. In my opinion they are only appropriate on 70's tv cop shows. They are floppy and require you to sweep yourself with the muzzle to draw. Many departments ban them because of all the ADs in the past.

Yeah, .40 is a fantastic round. I don't know why you were told to stay away from it.

Being a skinny dude also, I like the single stack guns myself.

Seriously, I really like my FEG after a spring job and different grips. Either that or don't laugh my go to is my Walther p22. Only because I have put 5,000 + rounds down the pipe and am dam accurate with it. No it wont stop a guy all hopped up on PCP (Has anyone been since the 70's?), but he will have 10 holes in him by the time he gets to me. SO honey badger don't care.

xd wrote: No it wont stop a guy all hopped up on PCP (Has anyone been since the 70's?), but he will have 10 holes in him by the time he gets to me. SO honey badger don't care.

Nah today they are just hopped up on bath salts and try to eat your face. I honestly would not recommend a .22 lr as a viable defense round for anyone. At best in defense a .22 is last ditch. Smallest I recommend is the .380. However I would not recommend the LCP previously mentioned it is at best a belly gun. If you want a .380 go with something like the ppk or SIG 230/232.

If it's just for social work and not for sport, Glock of your choice in .40(don't feel the need for double stack, if there's a choice) or a short barrelled Smith .357mag. Both are fantastically reliable and will be easy to offload if you decide you hate them.

And it begins again....