Concealed Carry: 45ACP or 40S&W?
Looking for advice here as I finally have my concealed carry permit. I am wondering what the sages advise for caliber between .40 and .45. I have shot .45 for years, but am wondering if the smaller, faster .40 offers significant advantages, particularly with frame size and weight.
I only own one pistol: a large and heavy Sig220ST 45ACP - probably too large and heavy for routine concealed carry (Exact same weight as 1911). So I am looking at Sig 245 or Sig 240 (potentially HK USP if I go .40 instead of 45ACP). Anyone have real advice out there?
I only own one pistol: a large and heavy Sig220ST 45ACP - probably too large and heavy for routine concealed carry (Exact same weight as 1911). So I am looking at Sig 245 or Sig 240 (potentially HK USP if I go .40 instead of 45ACP). Anyone have real advice out there?
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In my opinion, having had lots of experience ccw, you wont feel any difference between a 40 or 45. They are all bulky and get caught in chair backs and banged up in doorways.
Since your not going to be aiming if someone is shooting at you, (because (A)with adrenelin you lose fine motor control and (B) your going to be spraying and praying in a gun battle). I would go small if i were you.
I carry a small 380 off duty.
REMEMBER THE WORLD TRADE CENTER, PENTAGON, AND A PENNSYLVANIA FIELD !0 -
Here's my two cents..I've carried a Colt CCO in 45acp for the last 6 years...but the Irishcop has a point... the 380 is easier to conceal,but the Commandewr size Colt I still preferr
Harley0 -
Sig P-239 in 40 S&W, Sig P-232 in .380
Firestorm Mini in 40S&W (10+1)
S&W SW99 in 40S&W.
Para C6.45 45ACP 6 +1
Para CCW 7.45 7+1 (I have this one. Great gun. Still kinda big for CC).
Kimber Ultra RCP II ($$$)0 -
They're both good, powerful, man-stopping cartridges. And, let's face it, no small concealable gun in those calibers is going to be controllable....and no small concealable gun in a lighter caliber is going to have the stopping power of those two cartridges.
It's all a matter of compromises. My compromise for the last thirty years has been a Colt Lightweight Commander in .45ACP. Light enough to be comfortable, yet heavy enough to be accurate and controllable at defensive distances. It's small enough for me to conceal with fall, winter, and spring clothing.
For summer clothing, I carry a Smith Bodyguard in .38 special.0 -
Today there are so many choices for good sized carry pieces.
Couple those pistol/revolver sizes with the choices in excellent defensive ammo and anything from 380 up is pretty darn potent, and the further "up" you go the more potent it gets, but you have to be able to control the gun and you do need to practice so you don't just go for the largest caliber "blaster", tuck it away on your person, and wait for "spray and pray" day ... or the "spray" may be the flowers around your coffin as the "prayers" are over your cold, dead body.
Get something that you can tolerate practice with, and practice! Hopefully at least once a month.
Myself ... I'm from another generation and my old Model 60 with 125gr JHP 357 mag. rounds is a long time friend that today somewhat amazes the younger generation when I demonstrate 10 rounds to center of mass in less than 15 seconds using a "relic of the past" speed loader. Do I have 1911's and other semi's ... yes I do and I have or still do compete with them ... I just don't carry 'em.
Get a 40 or a 45 in a small, narrow frame package if you can manage the piece in practice, go lighter cal. if not. Training is teaching your body to do what it needs to do w/o deliberate thought because in a real shooting situation you will not have the clarity of thought to remember what you need to do.
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
Another question that has no real answer, just opinions. Carry what you are comfortable with and can hit accurately with, the bad guy is not going to know if he was shot with a 40 or a 45!
Chris8161
Admit nothing, deny everything, demand proof!0 -
i would choose a 40 S&W for concealed carry, usually .40 caliber guns hold a few more bullets than a .45 and there are a lot of bullets choices available for the .40. I have shot several small .40 S&W pistols such as the glock 27 and i wouldnt consider any of them to be uncontrollable when shooting. 0 -
I love my Glock 27. I have found a way to carry it where no one knows I am armed. I went to a camping store and bought an Eagle Creek camera case. I use to go to the range and beat most guys with all sorts of concealment hoslters that they had to hike up a leg or a shirt to get to their weapon. This one has a single clasp that once released it is just like a holster. When I bought mine it was only 16.00, don't know what they are now.
Plus I have had no problem even after 200 rds being able to handle the 27.0 -
I have decided on rather than one gun for all situations I'm opting for two. I am going to get a Kel-tec .380 for my "never leave home without it" gun and a Glock 29 (10mm) for when I can conceal it and/or feel the need for the bigger gun. If you're not familar with the 10mm it is more powerful than either of those listed. In fact, the 10mm has more velocity and energy at 100 yards than the .45 has at the muzzle.
The 10mm - either you've got it, or you don't get it...0 -
Another thing to consider, with the more powerful rounds.... they go thru walls, down streets into houses, ect. If you have to defend yourself, you or bystanders dont always have the luxury of being in a safe firing position. Each bullet has your responsibility signed on it.
All the above opinions have their measure of truth to them. But I still think a 380 will incapacitate an aggressor well enough in the close tactical ranges, with max comfort in a concealed carry condition, and be safer for the nieghborhood when your less likely to be able to manuver into a good tactical position.
....but thats just me.0 -
The fact of the matter is, scrum, that no one wrench fits every nut. In MY best of all worlds it would always be possible to carry a full-size 1911 .45 ACP, but those hot summer days don't always permit it.
There is wisdom to be found in the preceding 10 posts, and you need to distill it down to something that will work for you. I have a small battery of concealed carry guns, and select them for use as the situation dictates, be it weather, clothing, or occasion. I have a .38 snubbie, .380 Auto, compact 9x19mm, and 1911. It's been my experience that if you can conceal a Commander-sized 1911 you can conceal a full-sized model; but I have a Commander also. I think a general statement can be made here that almost no one will disagree with, that you're best armed with the largest caliber you can comfortably conceal. So, look at the fun you are going to have as you add to your arsenal![:D]0
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