I MUST BE MISSING SOMETHING

[williamlayton]

Weight not being a real issue--IMO.
Why does a carry gun need to be small?
It certainly can't be concealability, either.
Blessings

[Casull]

I'm lost.  Why can't it be concealibility?  I bought my Ruger LC9 because I can carry in my pocket.

[Anduril]

a carry gun can be any size you want.
for concealed carry smaller is better.

..
 

[williamlayton]

I carry a Sig P220 and it conceals very well.
Size is not the problem--now if we were carrying 12-7 I could come to grips with weight--still size does not mean anything and weight less.
I also carry a Couple of Colt Commanders.
I even wear a duty belt and a S&W M28---conceals well and weight is very evenly distributed.
My B-I-L seems to agree with ya'll and carries his little gun in his hip pocket.
I --by experience--am not convinced.
Blessings

[spruce]

I agree, anything can be concealed, IF you have the option of choosing your clothing AND/OR are free to limit your activities - such as when you're retired.
 
Now, if you work in an office and are required to wear a suit and tie or work around machinery where an untucked shirt tail would be hazardous then your options become more limited, especially in regards to size of the weapon.
 
Regarding weight, if you put it on in the morning and take it off when you get home at night then weight is a factor to consider.  Believe me, by mid-afternoon you will be wishing for a lighter gun if the one you chose is too heavy!

[hoggunner]

I think size and weight are very important. Whens it 100 degress and 95 percent humidity, and you are wearing shorts and a t-shirt it gets hard to hide big heavy guns.

[Brett]

Can't agree with you on this Bill.  Size and weight play a major factor for me.  I carry the largest and most powerful weapon I can given the circumstances but size and comfort play major factors. 

[williamlayton]

Well it is, as it turns out, a lively discussion.
I admit to putting the gun in the golf bag when I am playing--my group insists this is a good thing---I might take to shooting the ball instead of throwing a club at it.
This is in jest of course--I can't hit the damn thing on a tee, while it is not moveing--I have absolutely no expectations of hitting one in the air.
But I do conceal very well wearing a "T" and shorts.
Blessings

[handi270]

Two guys came into the lumber yard this morning, I went to see if I could help one of them. Noticed he had a big smith of somekind showing out from under his jacket. I asked what it was, he took it out and showed me a 629 with crimson trace. He said "I have a permit to carry this." His buddy was openly carrying what appeared to be a 1911 style. I believe they said they were from the Dallas area, we are in southern Oklahoma. They hunt in this area. I don't know what local leo might have done. Highway patrol would have taken a dim view, I suspect.
We don't have open carry in OK. I guess some people have their own ideas about what cc means.
This time of year i can carry my XD sc. However it almost has to be in a kangroo holster, because I take hormone treatment for prostate cancer and am subject to hot flashes and have to shed any coat, jacket as soon as I get indoors. In the waist band just doesn't seem to work for me on a gun that thick.

[Empty Quiver]

I'm gonna guess that you are an outdoorsman. Likely your dress runs to canvas, denim, flannel and wool. Like me you could conceal a blacksmiths hammer most days.
 Most of the population however lives in the city and works in some sort of office situation, dressed in Dockers and a Polo shirt or even nicer. As comforting as that Broomhandle Mauser is it ruins the upholstery on the Bimmer, as Italian as it is a 92fs clashes with Armani.  Fashion is at least as important to most people in polite society.


 At least that is my take on it. However, I agree a classic P-220 goes with everything, the little black dress of the pistol world.

[Spirithawk]

I love it that my Kel Tecs are very easy to conceal and comfortable to carry both size and weight wise. Therefore I always have them with me as there's no reason not to.

[schuetzen]

To each his own on the size, weight and caliber of a CCW.  Coping with the plethora of options is difficult.  But it is better we should have the options available to us.

[mcwoodduck]

Because we come in different sizes.  So do the CCW guns.
I think it is more about preferance and what you want.
Don't you have a Walther PPK you carry some times?
That is a medium frame and can fit in your pocket, Small of the Back, or in a Jacket pocket.
I carried a Walther TPH (2/3 the size of your PPK) almost every day for a few years for Coyote protection.
It fit in my jacket pocket well and was there if I needed it.  On Hot days and nights the same little gun that made a huge noise fit in my shorts.  It is better to have a small gun with you and not need than have a full size gun in the safe.

[dougk]

they were from the Dallas area, we are in southern Oklahoma. They hunt in this area. I don't know what local leo might have done. Highway patrol would have taken a dim view, I suspect.
We don't have open carry in OK. I guess some people have their own ideas about what cc means.

Hey Handi,
Texas has a reciprocal agreement with Oklahoma.

Doug

[williamlayton]

I am not unfamiliar  with the needs of the working man--though, you are correct in some thought--I try my darndest to forget about work. I carried from the earliest 60's--wasn't legal but, it was.
Most of those years it was a PPK--in the pants. I did have a Hi-Power that was with me much of the time.
It is hot and humid in Houston. Yesterday it was 75 degrees and my wife and I went to breakfast at a Cracker Barrel and then to the Mall to look for her something to wear to a memorial service for one of her cousins who died in San Antonio--we are going up for a couple of days this week.
I had on Jeans and a T, the Sig in the waist.
Blessings

[tboy]

I bet I could tell ya had it on ya too.
There is a difference between really concealing and Joe Head Inbutt not noticing.
I have several Houston/Pasadena area cops that come in my shop quite often, THEY ALWAYS COMMENT WHEN I'M NOT PACKING.

Not being cantankerous here just realistic. If you have 30-40ozs. off steel hanging on your person in normal Houston weather clothing I'll spot it.
A friend and I were sitting outside Bay Area Mall one day last summer, waiting on the Wifeys. In about 30 minutes I spotted 10 or 11 guys sporting bulges in the wrong locations.

I was actually surprised by the number of people packing in Webster.

[williamlayton]

Do you know, by geographical location, where the majority of CCW are located? The Gulf coast of Houston.
I maintain that this is because the ol boys out in West Texas have no desire to get--never had too before and won't now.
If you can, you can. I don't think that, with the proliferation of gadgets folks ang on their belt that all of what you see is gun.
It matters not to me--no cop, in 40+ years has ever said anything.
Blessings

[cwlongshot]

Of coarse its  as we'll as weight.

But there is consealmemt and there is consealmemt.  States differ on this definition. Here in the liberal no east. If someone is offended, complains they THINK they see a bulge and authorities are called you COULD loose your CCW!!!!!!  YES REALLY!!!! Now every situation is different as every officer will handle the situation differently as every citizen will push the envelope differently.

Also larger guys who already have bulges  will conseal larger framed guns easier. Smaller guys cannot. Inside the pants stuff will do a very good job but good holsters providing all day comfort are costly. One I have found that conseals excellently and is not costly is the MIC holster for the glock. Many find carting the glock in the pants bothersome as there is no manual safety. But a glock is very safe as long as you do not pull the trigger the gun will not fire. The MIC completely covers the trigger and does not allow access until the muzzle is well clear of your body. BUT those with a belly will not find this holster comfortable as its best carried directly up front in the waist band.

CW

[SHOOTALL]

Weight not being a real issue--IMO.
Why does a carry gun need to be small?
It certainly can't be concealability, either.
Blessings

To me weight is a real concern. Size is also. I work in the heat and at times its jeans and tee shirt. The gun has to fit in a front pocket. It must present itself in a fashion that guides the hand around the gun in a way that gets the grip positioned right . The work I do is physical and a gun that prints when clothes are wet from sweat won't do. A light J frame works best for me. Other guns tried include Browning HP , Glocks 27, 23 and 19, Colt 1911 in officers, commander and full size, PPKs ,HSc, and several Sigs both large and small. The 357 mag in a 12 oz J frame seems the best choice so far. In winter larger guns are used in a shoulder holster under a coat.

[dougk]

Weight not being a real issue--IMO.
Why does a carry gun need to be small?
It certainly can't be concealability, either.
Blessings

Hey William

To me size and weight are considerations for deeper carry where more concealability is needed.    For example in the summer when I am wearing a tucked in polo style shirt and slacks.  Size does matter, and depending where and how I carry weight could be a concern as well.

Doug

[mcwoodduck]

Of coarse its  as we'll as weight.

But there is consealmemt and there is consealmemt.  States differ on this definition. Here in the liberal no east. If someone is offended, complains they THINK they see a bulge and authorities are called you COULD loose your CCW!!!!!!  YES REALLY!!!! Now every situation is different as every officer will handle the situation differently as every citizen will push the envelope differently.
Also larger guys who already have bulges  will conseal larger framed guns easier.
CW

In todays world most buldges are seen as cell phone or PDA holders. Most black nylon or black leather cases are not given a second glance.
And the larger I have become the harder it is to hide a gun and still be able to get to it.
When I went from 240 to 195 I could hide a cannon on me.  Pocket were very loose and so was the waste band.  At 240 there was little room to add a IWB holster and if I did it usually got pinned there as well as was uncomfortable.
The larger I was the smaller the gun needed to be to be hidden.  The smaller I am the larger the gun that will hide or be covered easily.
Most natural bulges are soft and round, guns are hard and angled. 

[3030guy]

I'd love to pack my 686, but the size and weight just don't work for me. The gun I tend to carry the most is a J-frame, 38; then a PPK/S. Neither are calibers I'm wild about for defense, but they will work adequately for the purpase I carry them- last resort defense. Even a Glock 23 doesn't feel comfortable to me- yet. I'm looking for a good holster for that. I can't tolerate rings, watches, chains, etc on me and maybe that has something to do with it. Maybe other people carrying the smaller guns also have a dislike for "stuff" hanging on their person. Good post Bill, interesting discussion.

[williamlayton]

I can't really say how one state works against Texas. The law in Texas is that it can't print.
Now I have carried in a lot of states without a nod.
I generally carry at 3 or 4 oclock with a cant to the front--handle sticking up. I admit that a semi with a knocked off corner would be nice.
I wonud up carrying my PPK in a cumberbun at a wedding once---not a bad way---just looks a little strange at McDonalds when drinking coffee.
You boys seem to do it well---thanks for putting up with us old folks.
Blessings

[demented]

 I've never liked having to dress around a firearm to be able to conceal it.  I'm more of the "drop it in my pocket" and head out type.  Since I can't seem to find pockets big enough for a 1911, I settle for a small 9mm or J-frame .38, hoping these will do the job if ever needed.

[SHOOTALL]

self protection is a life style dress is only one part.

[Spirithawk]

That's what I like about my PF-9 and P32, I don't have to dress any particular way to be able to carry them. As long as I have clothes on, no matter what, they are both very easy to conceal and I feel quite comfortably well armed.

[SHOOTALL]

It seems some confuse safety with looking stylish. When your defense is an after thought instead of a thought out system things don't always offer the safety they could have. But then if a plastic mini mouse gun in someone's speedo's makes them feel good all I can say is enjoy . 

[suba]

I can understand everyone's point of view here. Any gun no matter how small is better than no gun imo. I'm really big on situational awareness. I never forgot the lessons I learned in Vietnam.


I carry for a different reason than probably many of you. I live in an edgy part of town. My biggest concern is coming home and finding an unwanted guest. My winter carry is an FA 454 Casull. Sometimes I carry in a safe packer during the summer or something similar. No fanny pack (!)  My Mernickle holster keeps my gun pretty high and tight. It's amazing how well I can conceal it with just a loose t shirt. The grip material is tennis racket tape. It stays put and gives me tons of grip.


I've enjoyed reading this thread...

[williamlayton]

Suba
That aught to head em off at the pass.
I wear these two rigs on occassion with an M28 4inch .357--under a windbreaker they blend in with the undergrowth very well.
Blessings

[Spirithawk]

It seems some confuse safety with looking stylish. When your defense is an after thought instead of a thought out system things don't always offer the safety they could have. But then if a plastic mini mouse gun in someone's speedo's makes them feel good all I can say is enjoy . 

I realy don't concider my PF-9 a "Mouse Gun " regardless of it's size. It will do anything a much larger 9mm will do.....and do it better than many of them. My P-32 is definitely a " Mouse Gun " but loaded with the right ammo it's a mouse with very big teeth. Makes the perfect backup to the 9mm. I know I certainly wouldn't want to be shot with it. The gun may be plastic but the bullets are still made of lead. I put a lot of thought into what I carry. Shot ever model and brand of handgun I could get my hand on. Every one was lacking in one respect or another, and most in many. These two Kel Tecs fit my needs in every single respect. Other than stripping in the doctor's office, or the ER, I've yet to find a mode of dress or situation I couldn't easily conceal both the PF-9 and the P-32.  Not saying they are for everybody. But I don't think there's a gun made that is. I think a lot of folks ignore the fact that modern .32 ammo is a far cry from what it use to be. Some loads rival a 9mm.
 
As to wearing Speedos? Any of you'all ever see me in a Speedo I'll hand you my PF-9 and beg you to shoot me!    Of course that is if you're still able. Just the sight of me in a Speedo might be lethal all by itself!