Best CC pistols

[Bang Bang]

I live out in the boonies where Sheriff Joes' boys don't patrol and there's getting to be a lot of crap going on around here - breakins/burguries, stolen cars and even arson. I grew up with guns and only plink these days but I'm starting to see a serious need for CC and home/personal protection. My ex-cop bro says there's nothing like a short barreled shotgun for the home and I agree but I'm wondering about a CC gun. I've been getting training DVDs from the NRA on CC gun use and they are really interesting! When a person gets rushed by an assaulter from only 20' away, that person only has 1 1/2 seconds to draw and fire so it's imperative to have a fast firing CC weapon. My Keltec 380 is a no-safety DA only semi- auto but I doubt if it is much of a man-stopper and my 45 is a little big for CC. I know nothing about the striker fired pistols or ever handled one but it looks like they would be ideal for CC/quick firing. What are some of the brands besides Glock and what are their best attributes? Any other input is gladly welcomed! BTW, This forum is a great idea!
Thanks, Craig

[Soggybottomboy]

You may have a need for a good cc pistol but from your signature, it looks like you got the home defense covered! (.223 and shotgun)
Striker fired pistols are gaining in popularity these days. From my limited knowledge, they seem to be very reliable, however lack the 2nd strike capability that you get with a standard DA pistol. With the quality of premium self-defense / Law Enforcement ammo available today, it's rare to hear of the need for a second strike. The main players in the Striker fired pistol market today are Springfield XD and Smith and Wesson M&P. Glock kinda has it's own thing going with their "Glock Action" pistols. Truth be told, it's probably a type of striker firing mechanism. Either of these 3 would be an excellent choice. As you know it all comes down to preference. If I forgot about any others I'm sure someone else will chime in. Good luck and I hope this helps.

SBB

[Equalizer_2]

SBB probably covered the biggest three players in the "striker" action group. I just purchased a XD Tactical in .45 acp, this is a full sized pistol but they are also available in Compact and Sub-compact. The compacts are available in .45, .40, or 9 mm. The sub-compacts are available in .40 or 9 mm. The other manufacturers have comparable models. Whichever brand/model you choose make sure you try it out for fit. Make sure it fits your hand so that you can quickly become proficient with it. Having to work with a pistol that does not feel right to you makes it more difficult to do what needs done in a stressful situation.

[n2moto]

The more you shoot the easier it is to use a bottom feeder. If you aren't at the range 3 times a month then get a wheel gun. A Smith J frame or a 2.5 inch Smith model 66 or 19, or their fixed site cousins. Any of the K frame Smiths would be a great gun.

Loose the Kel Tec or keep it for a back up should your primary go down. Low quality gun and a weak caliber for SD. Brutal but true sorry.

I have recently shot the Smith & Wesson M&P and was quite impressed. Less muzzel flip than a Glock or XD. It has a low bore axis which the Glock doesn't and the XD sits up nice and proud. I haven't shot it and been around it enough to say I would buy the MP over the Glock but I'd look real hard at it before I'd turn it down. Don't confuse this pistol with the Sigma from Smith the Sigma is junk.

[wannadiesel]

I like a snubby revolver for concealed carry. Simple, compact, and powerful. If you don't mind the weight of an all steel gun, the Ruger SP101 is a tough, reliable gun and a great value. S&W makes stainless J-frames too, they are really nice but they are almost as expensive as their lighter offerings. For a good balance of weight and price, the S&W Airweight series is the way to go. The AirLite guns are about 4 oz. lighter for about 30% more money and they will shoot .357 Mag if you can stand it.

[Bang Bang]

Yeh, the Kel Tec is cute but I wouldn't want to be in a crisis with it! I love the Colt and Baby Eagle but they're heavy. I forgot to ask something about the striker fire pistols... which ones have polymer frames? I agree, my shotgun with the shorter slug barrel is good for home defense. I have a lot of fun with the slugs and I even do fine shooting clays with the slug barrel w/7 1/2 shot. Craig

[Billyram]

Kahr makes some of the most concealable pistols. They are slim and fit well inside the waste band. Their little MK-9 could fit the pocket too.

[XLR8R]

I've got a baby Keltec in 380, but you get what you pay for... reliable enough with good ammo, but it's a POS to shoot accurately (not that you need to for when you'd likely use it). I haven't used it for CC in almost 10 years.

[Mcmopar]

Colt Pony pocket lite, or the walther PPK. The PPK is heavy though

[Palerider]

Bang Bang, here's my two cents on the subject of what is a good concealed carry sidearm. Put brands and calibers all aside and focus on the main issue. The main reason that you're considering getting a sidearm for concealed carry purposes is self defense, right? Well, here's my advice.

Get the largest caliber sidearm, whether it be an autoloader or a wheel gun, that you can consistently hit what you're aiming at. When it boils right down to it if you can't hit the broad side of a barn with a .44 Magnum...then the **** gun is useless to you, right? However, if you can hit quarters at 7 to 15 yards with your .380 then you're meeting your goal.