What's the biggest and smallest guns you'd consider for CCW?

[eljay]

I think that the Glock 23 I now carry is the largest I would try. As for the smallest, right now it's my wife's Glock 27, but I'm still researching this. Concealed carry in the summertime where I live is tough, because of the heat. Looking for the right "summerwear" combination.
eljay

Originally Posted by OneInchGroup

No 9mm will ever outgun a .45

I don't have a 9mm (I do have a couple .45ACP pistols) but I think getting shot at with one would ruin my day at the very least a hit with a .22lr beats a miss with a .44 magnum

[eljay]

Originally Posted by Logansdad

I don't have a 9mm (I do have a couple .45ACP pistols) but I think getting shot at with one would ruin my day at the very least a hit with a .22lr beats a miss with a .44 magnum

Heck, I used to own a .44 Magnum (Model 29, and later a 629). The guy who could carry one of those things around all day long probably wouldn't even FEEL a .22lr. ;-)
eljay

[ron8903]

NAA .22 mag/S&W 29, 3"

[Choscura]

the largest i'd probably go would be a ruger mini GB with a folding stock and a shortened (but if possible heavier) barrel. I know many people don't like the mini because of it's relatively low accuracy and overheating problems, but if you get a heavier barrel thats one problem solved, and the accuracy on a concealed weapon (like the mini) is probably going to suck anyhow, even on an ar-15. that and the system is just so !!!! reliable. I've taken my mini through !!!! and high water (read as: total submersion, I've had it in mud, dust, sand, snow, everythin) and it never fails to fire, as long as the barrel is clear- always worth a check, and usually I'll put a condom over the end of the barrel and have the breech closed with an empty cartridge in it if I'm taking it swimming across a river with me, that way it keeps the barrel clear but the gun is still safe, even if the hammer falls.

the smallest I'd go would be to go with a shorty browning high-power or derivitive. another !!!! reliable gun.

[gumbo1]

smallest-PA-63 in9x18 largest would be my Tangfolio stainless .45 both with proper wollfe springs and triger work by Dee. Both carried in yaqui belt slides for comfort.
Both double action of course.


VNVMC FOREVER Gumbo

[eljay]

Originally Posted by BattleRifleG3

NO, NOT THE USUAL CALIBER DISPUTE!!! Just the size of the gun here.

Sure we have an ideal size, but apart from extreme states of low dress or heavy dress, what would you guys consider the upper and lower range for CCW pieces?

In my view, a full size 1911 offers an unusually slim width that makes up for its height and length. I thought Berettas and HK USPs were huge when I first saw them compared to a 1911. Beneath that, I'd consider a mid-size to be the largest, ie a Ruger KP345 (though I have yet to hold one and may find it too big for CCW.) To me grip length is more significant than barrel length, so squat pistols with long grips don't make much sense to me.

As for the smallest, I'd say the large end of what could be called compact. I'm thinking Taurus 145 (with no presumptions about its reliability) or Makarov. Even the Makarov's a little anemic for my large hands. I'm a guy who finds double stack 1911s more comfortable than single stacks to shoot. A DE is pushing it though.

Not sure if I'd consider a revolver for CCW, but as far as height goes, a cylinder above the grip only adds to the size required for it. I have a feeling any revolvers I'll get will be for target, hunting, and home defense, not CCW.

So what's the largest and smallest that you guys would carry.

Well, up until yesterday, my biggest was a Glock 23 and smallest was a Glock 27 (my wife's but she lets me use it sometimes). I had been looking for some time for a smaller one for the times I couldn't fit one of the Glocks in, but was determined not to go below 9mm. Bought the Kahr PM9 yesterday, and it can truly be used as a pocket pistol. Seven rounds of 9mm, and it's the smallest I'll even consider going.
eljay

[raveneap]

Biggest: Beretta mod 96 .40 S&W

Smallest: Taurus 605 - .357 mag.

Originally Posted by eljay

The guy who could carry one of those things around all day long probably wouldn't even FEEL a .22lr. ;-)
eljay

underestimating the humble .22 tends to kill quite a few people who were cleaning "unloaded" guns :jaw:

[Bountyhunter]

With several 9mm's, .357/.38's, .22's, and .45's to choose from, there is ONLY one that goes with me all the time.

And, that is, my STI Trojan that was blueprinted by Gene Williams of Princeton, TX. It is THIN. I use a Don Hume IWB holster. It has a modified Bomar rear with illuminated notch and trijicon front. I have Colt, S&W, Ruger, Beretta, and others to choose from but it makes no sense to me to carry bulk when it is less efficient. My STI is the best that I have, and the .45 is the best that I have, and I have that all in one package with this pistol.

Bill

[mark8252]

I like the Taurus Model 445 Revolver.
44 special makes it a serious man stopper..
5 shot makes it much smaller. So does the snub-nosed barrell.
Titanium makes it light.
Ported makes it recoil less. (like a 38)

http://www.taurususa.com/newsreviews/.44special_000.cfm

[denfoote]

The biggest I have concealed was my Smith M28-2: N-frame .357mag!!!! :insane:

The smallest was my KT P3AT.

[Copper]

The biggest that I carry concealed is a is a Sig 220 .45 auto. The smallest is a Beretta Tomcat in .32 auto. What I'd really like is a Seecamp .32, but (sigh) it'll never happen.

[Dallas]

Model 1911 and a PPK

I have a Sterling model 302 in .22lr but I'm not sure I'd entrust my life to a rimfire pocket pistol

[BIG"G"]

The smallest for me would be a walthers p22. and largest would be my springfield ultra compact .45. Its a 6 shot but unless your planning on getting into a gun fight (which then I suggest you take your AK) this will help you to get out of danger.

heres a pic:http://www.springfield-armory.com/pr...-1911-uc.shtml

[pball942]

Originally Posted by Bulletproof

I have a Sterling model 302 in .22lr but I'm not sure I'd entrust my life to a rimfire pocket pistol

But it's better then nothing.:gangster:

(sobbing) don't own a hand gun. So I would have to wear a trench coat and take a Remington 12 ga. Defender. But if I knew there was going to be a fight. I would set a sniper position with my Model 70 7mm win mag.

[pball942]

Originally Posted by pball942

I would have to wear a trench coat and take a Remington 12 ga. Defender.

Ummm. I mean Winchester
Well that explains why I was haveing such a hard time finding one. (yeah thats the ticket)

[eljay]

Originally Posted by pball942

But it's better then nothing.:gangster:
(sobbing) don't own a hand gun. So I would have to wear a trench coat and take a Remington 12 ga. Defender. But if I knew there was going to be a fight. I would set a sniper position with my Model 70 7mm win mag.

If you knew there was going to be a fight, common sense (and the law, where I live, with respect to concealed carry) would say you would not go there. I know I wouldn't.
Clearly, you are not involved in concealed carry, and perhaps that's for the best.

[pball942]

Originally Posted by eljay

If you knew there was going to be a fight, common sense (and the law, where I live, with respect to concealed carry) would say you would not go there. I know I wouldn't.
Clearly, you are not involved in concealed carry, and perhaps that's for the best.

My apologies eljay I did not realize that you would take my off handed comment so seriously. I put no thought into the context to which I made my statement with respect to your views. We do not have CCW, and in my context as a former military man any pending conflict would be met openly and with diligent force. Again I apologize and for future reference I will try to refrain from the smarta** posts.