[fyrffytr1]

My wonderful wife wants to buy me a pistol for Christmas. It will be for personal protection with a concealed carry permit.
I am looking at a S&W M&P Shield in 9mm. What do You all carry?

[RocktimusPryme]

I personally dont like striker fire. I am a 1911 guy. I carry a officers model. Because its a single stack magazine its going to be thinner than most other models. But it weirds some people out to carry a gun around on them with the hammer back.

As mentioned I dont like anything that doesnt have a hammer, but that doesnt limit me to 1911s. I am a big Sig fan. Their 229 line with DA/SA action is a fine performer. And because the first trigger pull is DA you dont have to walk around hammer back. I carried a 229 for a while, but prefer the slimmer lines of the 1911. HK has several comparable models. Some have both a DA/SA trigger and a safety which the sig doesnt.

[72LuxuryLeMansLa.]

Originally Posted by RocktimusPryme

I personally dont like striker fire. I am a 1911 guy. I carry a officers model. Because its a single stack magazine its going to be thinner than most other models. But it weirds some people out to carry a gun around on them with the hammer back.

As mentioned I dont like anything that doesnt have a hammer, but that doesnt limit me to 1911s. I am a big Sig fan. Their 229 line with DA/SA action is a fine performer. And because the first trigger pull is DA you dont have to walk around hammer back. I carried a 229 for a while, but prefer the slimmer lines of the 1911. HK has several comparable models. Some have both a DA/SA trigger and a safety which the sig doesnt.

I'm a 1911 man myself. I have a Springfield Loaded Model and love it. I even had the trigger polished so it breaks at about 3.5lbs. Personally the hammer back doesn't bother me. You still have to disengage the thumb safety and engage the grip safety then squeeze the trigger to get it to fire. The drop tests done from 50ft onto a concrete slab never caused them to fire so I figure I'm good.

[RocktimusPryme]

Originally Posted by 72LuxuryLeMansLa.

I'm a 1911 man myself. I have a Springfield Loaded Model and love it. I even had the trigger polished so it breaks at about 3.5lbs. Personally the hammer back doesn't bother me. You still have to disengage the thumb safety and engage the grip safety then squeeze the trigger to get it to fire. The drop tests done from 50ft onto a concrete slab never caused them to fire so I figure I'm good.

Right, I feel I am more likely to make a safe accurate shot flipping a thumb safety and pulling a 3.5 lb trigger than I am pulling a long squishy Glock action or similar under duress.

The manual safety is the lesser of two evils for me. But really it all comes down to what you are comfortable with. There is a ton written on what caliber minimum you should carry. Lots of guys say it should start with a "4". But you know what, if the gun you are comfortable both concealing and firing accurately is a .22 wmr then carry that. And this from me who carries a .45. I assure you most people (myself included) will call timeout as soon as you point a gun at them. Let alone actually shoot them. And I personally believe if you come upon one of those madmen who arent put down easily the .45 probably wont make as big a difference as some people think. Especially if you arent comfortable firing it accurately.

The human body is pretty easy to kill, but when determined its hard to stop quickly.

[mechanickeith]

Kel-Tec 9mm w/12 round clip. No safety, No hammer to pull back. You have to squeeze the trigger to fire. Wont fire if dropped, kicked, etc. Very compact & lite. Lots of LO's use this model as a second carry. I have put maybe 150 boxes of ammo through this thing & never a single misfire. It does take a bit to get used to due to its small size. Really stings when you cook off a round. I carry it all the time & have never had anyone know I had it on me.

[Elarson]

My wife carries an M&P Shield 9 mm and I carry an M&P Compact 9 mm. Both are excellent choices IMHO.

Definitely carry with hollow points. Full metal jacket 9mm can zip right thru your attacker with minimal stopping power, exit your target and continue on to innocent bystanders behind them.

Your wife sounds awesome.

Eric

[69goatboy]

The Shield is a good choice. I would go down to your local gun shop and put many different models in your hands. Some of the CC firearms can feel small if you have big hands. With many models, there isn't enough room for your pinky. Too uncomfortable for some.

It's important to choose something that you're comfortable with.

[R68GTO]

I use an M&P shield 9mm. I keep it loaded with the extended clip so it fits my hand better (catches the pinky finger). I think it shoots like a larger gun.

[rsavage]

Ruger LCP 380 in a pocket shot DeSantis holster. Imprints like a wallet in front or back pocket and you don't have to pull it from the holster to shoot the weapon.

[thebuick]

tec 9mm =30 round clips. only problem is not easy to hide. LOL Seriously tho You cant go wrong trying out several Hand guns at one of the Gun shops that has indoor/outdoor ranges each gun fits/feels different. Large Variety.Good luck

[SRR]

Originally Posted by rsavage

Ruger LCP 380 in a pocket shot DeSantis holster. Imprints like a wallet in front or back pocket and you don't have to pull it from the holster to shoot the weapon.

Ditto.

[Bob Rutledge]

Originally Posted by rsavage

Ruger LCP 380 in a pocket shot DeSantis holster. Imprints like a wallet in front or back pocket and you don't have to pull it from the holster to shoot the weapon.

Exactly what I carry. Do you carry with one in the chamber? I hate being down to 6 shots, I just can't make myself carry with one in the chute, afraid of blowing away a chunk of my ass or destroying my achilles.

[zephyrracer]

S&W 44 mag, 9 in barrel

Gregg

[6x400gmc]

I carry either a commander length 1911 in .45, or a Browning Hi-Power in 9mm. Both are similar in design and function and are dead nuts reliable.

Britt

[67drake]

Here's 2 pages on it. I asked this question about a year ago because my wife and I have our WI and UT CCW permits. She wanted a pistol of her own.
Tell her to go in to the local range and fire all types of guns for herself. Sales are final where I buy,so what you like might not be what she or the next guy likes.
The guy at my store refused to sell me a gun for my wife. He said he's been doing it long enough to know better. I kind of agree now.

Old thread-
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...ghlight=pistol

[eric65]

All S&W's are good
Don't limit yourself to one gun or type.
Different clothing and cover can dictate the carry option you may use.
I am a average size person However I have a holster back area carry for S&M MP9 18 shots. Also a back carry holster for Glock 17 another 18 rounds
They aren't the easiest to get to however.
I like my Kahr CW9 for front carry. Its slimmer than all S&W's Glocks etc only a inch across the slide. and its high quality It hold 8 rounds. one chamber and 7 mag.
I also have S&W 642 air weights which are alloy construction so very light, but 5 rounds hammerless
Search Hickock45 on Y-Tube for conceal carry info the best dude on the net for info
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cijFTIfDfwU

Has a series of conceal carry videos

[spartazoo]

My wife's carry pistol is a S&W Bodyguard .380 and I am considering getting one too. I currently have the XDS 9mm, but even at 6'4 I find it cumbersome to carry. I want something smaller.

I will be watching this thread to see what new firearms are out there.

[John62]

Originally Posted by spartazoo

My wife's carry pistol is a S&W Bodyguard .380 and I am considering getting one too. I currently have the XDS 9mm, but even at 6'4 I find it cumbersome to carry. I want something smaller.

I will be watching this thread to see what new firearms are out there.

I to have the S&W 380 bodyguard. Mine has the laser pointer, real nice, a button on both sides, works for me being left handed and no need to aim. My then when I got it 17 year old daughter shoots it so it will work for anyone. Choice of extended clips to, longer for at home and normal for carry.

[Lloyd-TX]

Ruger LC9S Pro. 'nuff said!

[Radman]

Kahr CW380 with a Crimson Trace laser. It will drop in the front pocket, or hip pocket and just disappear. It is turning into my primary carry gun. When going into any of the gun free zones (church, hospital, or government building), it is easy to stash in the door pocket of the truck.
Other carry gun is a Glock 30, also with a Crimson Trace laser. I carry that in a Smart Carry holster. The Glock is to big to carry in a pocket. And I do not want to bring attention to myself in the parking lot or garage putting it back in the holster.
For your wife, check out the Flash, Bang holster.