Concealed Carry Road Map - Choosing A Gun
Left to right: Ruger LCR, Ruger LCP, Smith & Wesson M&P Shield, SIG P365
The most important thing is to make an educated decision and start training with the gun you choose.
Firearms I’ve Carried:
For the most part, I’ve used four different guns throughout all my years of carrying a concealed firearm. (Pictured above)
I put little thought into choosing my first gun and selected a Ruger LCR revolver on the advice of my concealed carry instructor. His reasoning was that …
A revolver doesn’t require that you pull a heavy slide to load the gun. Once you place bullets in the cylinder, it’s ready to shoot.
Since the trigger pull on a revolver is relatively heavy it doesn’t need an external safety. This makes the process of drawing and shooting very simple. Just draw, aim, and pull the trigger. Many slide operated guns have a manual safety, and it’s easy, under pressure, to forget to release the safety when drawing to shoot.
This revolver has an internal hammer which makes it easier to draw without it getting caught on the holster, clothing, or purse. It is also practical to fire a revolver from concealment inside a purse without jamming the hammer or slide. This is beneficial if you carry it in a purse and don’t have time to take the gun out of the bag to fire. With a slide gun, the movement of the slide inside the purse could jam the gun or get caught in the material, thus preventing a second shot.
This all sounded great, but through experience I discovered the pros did not outweigh the cons for me. Shooting this gun hurt my hands enough that it discouraged me from practicing. I also learned that I prefer a gun with a manual safety. (For more on this click, Should I use A Gun Safety?)
After doing my own research, I was thrilled to choose the M&P Shield!
Eventually, I decided to trade the LCR in for another pistol but this time, I did my own research. After several weeks of careful consideration and trying several models, I purchased a 9mm Smith & Wesson M&P Shield. I loved shooting this gun and for several years, considered it my favorite carry gun.
However…
I also had a Ruger LCP, which is a very small gun that shoots .380 ammunition. I love how easy it is to conceal, but I found it more difficult to shoot accurately and painful for my hands. Even though I preferred shooting the Shield, I kept reaching for the LCP each morning when getting dressed because the LCP is so much easier to conceal than the Shield.
I was able to resolve this conflict of concealability vs comfort and accuracy when SIG introduced the P365 9mm. I finally found a 9mm gun that is comfortable to shoot, has a manual safety, and a size that works with my wardrobe. I was excited to find a gun that I can carry consistently and I’m still using it today.
Regardless of the gun you choose, OVER TIME your preferences may change and that’s ok.
Long term experience with each gun helped me get closer to a gun that fit my needs. However, you can reduce the number of changes by trying several different models before making a purchase. To help you make an informed decision, I’ve listed some things you should consider before choosing your next firearm.
Things to consider
How easily can you operate the gun? - The ability to operate your firearm every time without delay or failure is important, sometimes critically important. At the sales counter with an unloaded gun, practice:
Gripping the gun – is it comfortable?
Pull back the slide and release.
Pull the slide back and lock it in place.
Insert the magazine.
External safety (if applicable)- practice switching it on and off with one hand.
Performing these actions may help you narrow down which firearms you’d like to test at the shooting range.
If the store allows it, you may also want to practice taking the gun apart, a skill you’ll need in order to clean the gun. A quick Google search can tell you how to break down a particular model or you can always ask the salesperson or range safety officer.
Comfort/ ergonomics – take note of how the gun feels when you shoot. Can you maintain a strong grip? Can you pull the trigger back easily? Does shooting cause any pain or excessive in your hands or wrists? Does any part of the gun rub your hand when firing a shot? Make sure to fire enough to see how your hands feel after prolonged shooting sessions.
Recoil – Recoil is the amount of energy transmitted back to the shooter’s hands when firing. If excessive, the force can make it difficult to overcome the tendency to flinch in anticipation of the shot, which can affect your ability to shoot accurately. People have different tolerances for recoil so when comparing guns, find what feels manageable for you. My recommendation is that you’re able to maintain a solid grip on the gun, keep a solid stance without losing balance or stepping backward and that it doesn’t cause pain in your hands. (Click here to see my recoil comparisons of several popular pistols).
Caliber – This is the diameter of a bullet and is associated with “stopping power,” or stopping a threat from advancing toward you. The most widely used caliber for a self-protection handgun is 9mm, which tends to be larger and heavier than .380 guns. Even though it’s less powerful, .380 auto is also used, but I wouldn’t recommend anything smaller as it may reduce your chances of stopping a threat.
Number of rounds – There’s no way to anticipate the amount of ammunition needed for a self-defense situation, but I’d rather have too much than not enough. When comparing guns take into consideration how many bullets each magazine holds, but keep in mind you can always increase your ammunition by carrying an extra magazine.
Size – In general, larger guns are more comfortable to shoot, more accurate, and can carry more ammunition. (This is more of a guideline than rule). However, they’re also generally more difficult to conceal. Each person must find a gun in that sweet spot of being large enough to shoot well and small enough to conceal.
Price – Depending on the make and model of the gun, you can typically find a handgun between $400.00- $600.00.
When setting your budget, you might also consider the following purchases:
Spare magazine (unless the gun comes with one)
Target Ammunition – Set a goal for how often you’d like to practice each month and how much ammunition you plan to use in each session.
Self-defense Ammunition – more expensive ammunition designed for self-protection. It’s typically a one-time purchase. That is, unless it is used.
Eye protection / safety glasses
Ear protection
Cleaning kit
Safe storage (more information in future post)
Holster (more information in a future post)
I’m excited for you as I write this! My hope is that you enjoy the gun selection process; it truly can be fun and empowering! Sure, there’s a lot to think about but don’t let the details overwhelm you. The important thing is to make an educated decision then start training with the gun choose.
“Chime-In!”
Do you have additional questions? Ask in the comments below!
Leave a comment to let me know which gun you choose!
