Recommend a concealed carry gun...

azranger · Dec 13, 2015

I carry a Glock 23 in an level2 Blackhawk serpa , and my duty holster is a level 3 serpa. What ever holster you end up with practice drawing and returning to holster without taking your eyes of target. Muscle memory will take over once you learn to do it.

RSKY · Dec 14, 2015

drssg said:
FWIW, I'm not a fan of holsters that don't cover and protect the trigger. I'm not trying to change your opinion, but I think it's a consideration for someone new to concealed carry.

With a more typical holster (pocket or otherwise), the gun is considered "safe" when in the holster. I appreciate the extra safeguard against a negligent discharge.

I understand what you are talking about and I also had that fear. This weapon/holster combination is only carried in a back hip pocket with nothing else in that pocket. The little LCP has a very long trigger pull and I would not want to use anything other than a double action only automatic in that kind of setup. My main concern is to get my middle finger in the hole intended for it and pull the holster out by that. The spacing literally prevents drawing it otherwise. Of course as they say, Mr. Murphy can be anywhere at anytime.

I have tried to snap the unloaded Ruger while in my back pocket and it is very hard to do. You have to exert effort to do so. I will take the risk to have the near invisibility of the combination.

RSKY · Dec 14, 2015

EricTheOracle said:
As a lefty, I have all the lefty issues with weapons made for right-handed people limiting my choices. Even so, I prefer full size frames with ambidextrous safeties and slide catches I can operate with my pointer finger or left thumb. I also like the pistol grip angle of .45 ACP but do not own a .45 ACP. For those reasons, I settled on M&Ps. I hate the M&P trigger however and either have done my own trigger jobs or popped in aftermarket Apex triggers to get rid of the M&P trigger creep, an issue that for me, due to soft tissue damage, really effects my accuracy.

I have no personal knowledge of this but have been told by two different CCL trainers, who did not know each other, to never modify my carry gun in any way, especially the trigger. The guy whom we took our concealed carry test from was very insistent about that and especially a trigger job. Both said that even in a justified shooting the person with a modified weapon would PROBABLY loose in the lawsuits to follow. The lady had been in court as a witness and said it was "nasty" what a lawyer would do to win their case. Personally, in a panic situation where you are in fear of your life I don't think you will notice a sloppy trigger or a long trigger pull.

Not any of my business what you do but I would hate to see somebody have the trauma of shooting someone in a threatening situation and then loose everything they have in a lawsuit afterwards.

As I said above I have no personal knowledge of this. Just passing on what I have been told.

RSKY

Bigfoot62 · Dec 14, 2015

Mac,
You've already received a lot of great advice. And, I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel here.
I just want to share MY experiences.

MacLawn said:
As I type I'm watching old hickok45. Y'all know him. I'm watching the one about pocket carry guns. I really like the idea of just putting it in one of my front pockets. I just can't get to liking holsters for concealed carry.

99% of the time, I carry a pair Ruger LCP's in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holsters. (both front pockets) Yes, I read that you want to stay with 9mm, and I'm not trying to change your mind. I have a Kel-Tec PF9 that I can carry, but it's slightly larger. That makes it a bit harder to get in or out of my pocket and the extra recoil of the 9mm really makes it uncomfortable to shoot. I probably have about a dozen "carry" guns with various concealment holsters. Everything from the .380 LCP, to Kel-Tec P40 (.40S&W), and .38 to .44 caliber revolvers; pocket holsters and IWB, to jackass (armpit) rigs. But, what I carry everyday is the LCP.

MacLawn said:
Boys - NOOOOOOOO!! Oh me, I should've never started this!! Now, I'm wanting more than one!! :laughing: . . .

Yep, it's contagious.

Kinda' like the potato chip commercial, "No one can eat just one."

freewookie · Dec 14, 2015

RSKY said:
I have no personal knowledge of this but have been told by two different CCL trainers, who did not know each other, to never modify my carry gun in any way, especially the trigger. The guy whom we took our concealed carry test from was very insistent about that and especially a trigger job. Both said that even in a justified shooting the person with a modified weapon would PROBABLY loose in the lawsuits to follow. The lady had been in court as a witness and said it was "nasty" what a lawyer would do to win their case. Personally, in a panic situation where you are in fear of your life I don't think you will notice a sloppy trigger or a long trigger pull. Not any of my business what you do but I would hate to see somebody have the trauma of shooting someone in a threatening situation and then loose everything they have in a lawsuit afterwards. As I said above I have no personal knowledge of this. Just passing on what I have been told. RSKY

Interesting article on the subject.

https://www.armedcitizensnetwork.org/gun-modifications

Deerherd · Dec 14, 2015

I've carried this Colt Pocketlite .380 for over 25 years. I have Duracoated it a couple of times and a couple of years ago added a laser sight. It fits easily into a jacket/pants pocket in a holster with an extra magazine.

I carried a 1911 in the Service which made this a logical choice for familiarity reasons.

Make sure you clean your carry gun on a regular basis, you would be surprised how much lint/dirt can find its way into your firearm, even in a holster!

Be careful and mindful of your backstop!

k0ua · Dec 14, 2015

freewookie said:
Interesting article on the subject.

https://www.armedcitizensnetwork.org/gun-modifications

Excellent article. Covers all the bases, and answers all the questions.

Bottom line: if they are any questions, don't do it.

freewookie · Dec 14, 2015

k0ua said:
Excellent article. Covers all the bases, and answers all the questions. Bottom line: if they are any questions, don't do it.

Yeah that pretty much sums it up for me too.

MacLawn · Dec 15, 2015

I don't even modify my trucks, sure not going to modify a gun. I've never seen a reason to modify for my use. I'd like to buy a box of 50 hollow points, practice shoot a few, then never shoot one again! I only want to be prepared for worse case senario.

I've been watching a heap of various videos on concealed carry guns, hickok45, iraqveteran8888, sootch (is it?), Massad Ayoob (that old boy is a real pro), and have decided very strongly for Glock 43, 9mm. So far, that is. I want to go to a local shooting club today where you can rent and shoot there. That way, I can handle and shoot a few different brands. I'll report back...

MacLawn · Dec 15, 2015

I don't even modify my trucks, sure not going to modify a gun. I've never seen a reason to modify for my use. I'd like to buy a box of 50 hollow points, practice shoot a few, then never shoot one again! I only want to be prepared for worse case senario.

I've been watching a heap of various videos on concealed carry guns, hickok45, iraqveteran8888, sootch (is it?), Massad Ayoob (that old boy is a real pro), and have decided very strongly for Glock 43, 9mm. So far, that is. I want to go to a local shooting club today where you can rent and shoot there. That way, I can handle and shoot a few different brands. I'll report back...