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What Makes A Good Carry Gun?
Getting into concealed carry is a lifestyle change. It comes with a ton of different new responsibilities that not only impact the way you think but also the way you move.
You’ve taken on the responsibility of being a protector in society.
And now you gotta figure out which pistol is right for you.
It’s one of the first steps every concealed carrier must take.
Often, you see new carriers buying too much or too little gun, which can negatively affect the comfort of their day-to-day life and how effective they are with their firearm.
So you and I will talk about what you, as a shooter, need to remember when selecting your concealed carry gun.
Let’s jump right in.
Finding The Right Carry Gun
I’m going to create some sub-categories here for the sake of being organized. Here is a checklist that I usually run through when referring a new gun to one of my friends whom I’ve forced into the way of the gun.
How Big Is Your Body?
Literally. How tall are you? Are you muscular or slim? How big are your hands?
This is one of the most crucial parts of finding the right carry gun, which is why it’s mentioned early on. What we’re trying to accomplish is how big the gun can or cannot be, whether you should pick a Glock 19 or a Sig Sauer P365.
Shooters with larger frames can afford to carry a bigger gun. This typically goes with being bigger since your clothes are larger and could conceal it better.
Five great carry guns (if you can conceal them correctly). Source.
If you’re on the smaller side, you have to choose a small pistol so you don’t give off too much of a print when you’re out and about.
Shoutout to my buddy Russell, who is 5’4, carrying a full-size Glock 17.
Concealability isn’t the only reason why you want a gun that fits the size of your body, but some guns work with different hand sizes. For example, I’m 6’0 (on Tinder) and 190 lbs. I have pretty large hands.
Now, imagine my experience when I shot the Sig Sauer P365 and Springfield Hellcat. If you can picture a dude in the woods with a look of disappointment, you’re on the right track.
And I’m not saying those guns are horrible, but neither fit in my hands the way I like. And it affected my performance.
It’s the same way my lady felt when she put her small 5’0 frame behind my Sig Sauer M18. She said it was “too big.”
That’s when I knew size mattered when it came to guns anyway.
Conceability and shootability are the reasons why the size of a gun matters. I’m not saying that you can’t work with a smaller or larger gun. I know big guys that carry Hellcats (against my advice) and chicks that carry Glock 19s.
All that truly matters is training when shootability is the question.
If you’re a smaller shooter and want to carry a bigger gun, the next category can work (or work against) you.
Where You Live (And The Clothes You Wear)
Frankly, people who live in colder climates can conceal a firearm better than someone who lives in a warmer area. This is due to the amount of clothing and patterns one wears in a colder zone.
Thick, oversized layers like a baggy hoodie with extra space near the stomach area are my favorite in winter. I’ve always lived in the North, so concealing isn’t tricky for eight months out of the year.
Compared to someone who lives in Florida, where you walk out your door and are already drenched in sweat, my climate makes it easier to conceal a gun.
My M18 in its former life.
Especially when it comes to wearing base layers that stop the gun from rubbing against my skin.
Consider the amount and material of clothing you wear daily. If you’re just going out in a t-shirt, make sure it isn’t too tight around the abdominal area so the world doesn’t know you have a gun.
Those who live in colder climates, throw on your Carhartt jacket and tuck your 1911. You’re fine.
Make Sure It Has Space For Attachments
One of the things I recommend to shooters who are just getting into carrying is making sure their carry gun has a cut for a red dot and a rail for a light.
I can’t say you absolutely need to run a red dot on your carry gun since I only have suppressor height sights on my carry gun, but then again, I’ve been shooting for a while. When I first started carrying, I had a red dot.
It’s totally up to you. But I would make sure you have at least a cut for a red dot so you have the option to choose.
The light, on the other hand, is not optional. If you don’t have a light on your carry gun, what are you doing? Bad things happen at night. How are you gonna see the threat?
My M18 in its past life.
Or make sure you’re aiming at a threat in the first place?
A red dot is optional. A light is not.
Conclusion
Finding the right carry gun isn’t the hardest thing to do; just ensure you get the gun in your hands first and foremost. That’s the ultimate way to determine if the gun is right for you or if you should look elsewhere.
Once you get your hands on it, then think of everything you read about in this article. Will it work with your clothes? Does it have space for a light and red dot? Does your hand fit comfortably?
If so, buy two boxes of ammo and test it out. Like a soulmate, you’ll know when you’ve found the one.
Be good and take care.
