Please Vote How small is too small? .380ACP .32ACP 25 ACP 22LR 22 Short

[GuyFawkes2008]

We were all just talking about this tonight.

The fact of being in the mindset to hope you can do everything in your power NOT to have to pull that gun.. but if you do.. don;'t just shoot once.. ya better unload it on 'em.

Amen, especially about being responsible.

When I got my CC permit it was a REAL sobering moment. The first time I slid my .380 in my pocket I realized just how very much I don't want to have to kill someone, especially if it were because I was so stupid or careless as to get myself or my loved ones into a situation where it couldn't be avoided. I am a LOT more cautious now than when I didn't have the permit, even when I'm not with my family, because I believe it's even more my responsibility to avoid a confrontation now.

Spidey had it right:  "With great power comes great responsibiliy"

[tombogan03884]

It seems that concealed carry not only helps prevent crime but also enhances the the sense of personal responsibility, that has to be a good thing.

[CurrieS103]

It seems that concealed carry not only helps prevent crime but also enhances the the sense of personal responsibility, that has to be a good thing.

Roger that and +10

[Rich]

1st time responder, new memeber....

I choose my pistol like I choose my shoes…I don’t wear combat boots to church and I don’t wear dress shoes hunting.

I agree with the member that said, the best one is the one you can shoot and the one you commit to carrying.  I have a variety of weapons, including one I call my “West Plano” gun (West Plano is a shooshie suburb of Dallas).  It is a .25 magnum derringer that I jokingly say I could wear in a Speedo and no one could tell.  I practice with and shoot all of my weapons well and I have purchased and carry one of them every day in the hope that I will never have to use it for defense.

Bottom line is, you can always be outgunned and the unknown is the unknown.

I have a decked out AR-15, but it is not practical to carry that slung across my chest daily…

 

Good topic!

[CybScryb]

I carry a Glock 30 with two full magazines year round in Las Vegas.  I will confess to changing clothes twice a day during those delightful summer months, but the G30, under a camp shirt on a Wilderness Tactical belt in 1 3/4" gives me a ton of confidence.

I am seriously contemplating a pair of Ruger LCP's (one for the wife) for those get up and go moments.  But the entire process of putting the holster and mag carrier on is short and I've never gotten so lazy that I've gone without.

The wife carries a S & W J-Frame 66 in a Galco holster purse (one of a collection) and has been pleased.

But the minimum carry caliber is the one that you will never, ever leave home without.  I'd actually be fairly confident with my old Colt Challenger plus a spare mag.  Got my new springs from Numrich last week so am just about ready to re-spring the old Colt and have a wonderful $10 day on the range.  You can't beat a .22 LR for practice.

[Sponsor]

[lastdays1]

  I carry a Glock 27 all the time, Just the size of the hole in the barrel will get some BG's running, I find it conceals find for my life style, I do construction and A/C repair and in the summer I wear loose fitting shirts (button-up)that don't need to be tucked in ( vacation style) with different patterns on them that help in not printing but it does a little, I carry it in a Blackhawk sportster Serpa & Paddle,
No one has ever made the weapon & I am around people all day long, Even local police never have made it!
I carry it from the minute I put on my pants till I take them off,
I don't feel comfortable with anything less than a 9mm which I have a XD-9 Comp, I it stays home most of the time!

Just my carry

http://www.endtime.com
 

[TFox2112]

My daily carry gun is a Colt Defender with CT's loaded with 7 rounds of Hornady TAP plus one spare mag in the front left pants pocket. I also have a Colt govt. 380 that I carry when I am down to shorts and a T-shirt. For me the clip draw in the beltline is the only way to carry in the warm seasons. When it gets cooler I tend to carry in a Galco belt holster which fits nicely under an untucked shirt. I will say that the first gun I bought to carry was a Para-ordnance P-13, (thinking bigger and more bullets...) Mistake. I found myself leaving it in the truck more often than not as it was too heavy to comfortably carry. Now I think as so many others have stated that your daily piece needs to be the one you will actually carry to where it may be needed, rather than the one you will leave in the truck.

[ericire12]

I carry 9mm Hornady TAPS in my two primary carry guns.

I carry 147 gr Hornady TAPS in my Glock 26. It loves them!

I tend to think in terms of "personal threat levels." I have organized my life so that my general threat level is pretty low — I live in a small town in a rural area; I work out of the house; I don't drink to excess or frequent bars; I don't frequent prostitutes or purchase illegal drugs;

Is frequent the operative word there? 

[KW Gary M]

I was very glad to see that most agreed on a .380.  Living in Key West FL shorts, t-shirt and flip flops are considered business attire.  Size does matter with a cary gun.  I love the Ruger LCP but am worried that .380 won't be enough.  Looks like most readers here feel it is.  I'm going to rent one at my range and give it a try before I buy.  Any readers have one they can share experiences on?

[Hazcat]

KW,

Fisrt...Welcome aboard from another FL cat!

Second...look around a bit and you will find several threads on the LCP.  Try especially the Handgun forum.