What do you carry and why?

[Paladin]

I personally favor using a 'pack' in a vehicle, cause it's comfortable and you can draw easily while seated with a seatbelt on.

It's also really nice when you have to go somewhere that you can't take the gun in. You disarm/rearm while maintaining concealment.

[Woody]

Still waiting on my CHL (47 days and counting).

I have a G27 with a +1 pinky extension. I have purchased a Tucker "Answer" IWB and a Tucker HF1 OWB with matching belt and mag case.

[sgtbrod]

springfield xd 3 inch compact with 15 rd extenda-mag and 2 backup 10 rounders. im carrying it because it shot nice got good reviews and it feels natural in my small hands.

[aerod1]

I usually carry a Taurus Model 605CHSS, 357 mag., in an Uncle Mikes size 15 Sidekick or a fanny pack. My wife carries a Colt Government Model .380, in her purse or IWB. My daughter carries a Taurus Model 85CHSS in her purse.
Sometimes I carry a .32 cal. Beretta Tomcat or a 9mm KelTec P11, depending on the weather and the type of attire I am wearing.

......and yes I carry in church EVERY Sunday. My priest (Anglican) has never seen me unarmed.

Jim

[gigag04]

Idunno if I've update mine. I was carrying a USP Compact .45.

Now I've switched to a 3" XD in 9mm in a OWB Galco silhoutte holster.

[stevie_d_64]

Why would we laugh? Sounds normal to me.

I agree...But thats still a biggggg butt pack though...

[age_ranger]

Lately, I've carried my Kahr CW9 most of the time in a Milt Sparks VMII or Galco UDC. That's my primary summer carry weapon

During winter months and the occasional cooler day, I'll carry my Beretta PX4 in a Rafter S Gunleather IWB or Uncle Mikes #15 IWB. I also have plans for a decent belt holster for it, but nothing definite yet.

I've got a Beretta Model 70 New Puma in .32acp but with the crossbolt safety, I won't carry that much. I've got a Galco IWB for it, but I'm not comfortable enough with the crossbolt safety to carry it with any regularity.

Also had a nice NAA Guardian that disappeared in a Galco UDC. Nice little BUG. Hopefully, I can pick up a G19 soon or a nice S&W 642.

[charlie]

I used to carry a 1991 Colt officer sized 1911 in a pager pal. Later I got a Colt Defender. I carried hardball in both. I found a shirt tucker in the Blue Press that sold for $12-15.00 that I still use a lot.

Later I carried a Glock 23 in 40 and a Sig 239 in 357.

The Glock seemed the best choice because of weight and capacity. However, I could never shoot it as well as a 1911. I could never get used to the double action trigger, even with the lighter trigger.

This year I bought a HK P2000 in .40 and never looked back. I quickly bought a P2000SK as well. I carry one or the other mostly now, depending on what size is best for the clothing. The HKs seem to be close in size and barrel/grip angle ratio to a 1911. They are double/single action and are slimmer than the glock. I can shoot them better than the Glock. The compact uses a 12 round clip and the sub compact (SK) uses a 10 rd clip. You can use the larger clip in the sub compact just like the Glock.

I use 180 hp in the HKs.

I still use the inexpensive shirt tucker from Blue Press for both guns.

If need be, I carry a Colt Pony in 380 or my wife's 9mm Tarus p111, which is a very handy and reliable little gun. I don't like the double action in the little Colt, but the P111 ain't so bad.

If need be, I have an old Charter Arms Bulldog .44 Special that is small and has a big bark.

[Braden]

GLOCK 22

1) Reliable
2) Accurate
3) Affordable
4) Concealable
5) High Capacity
6) Simple to Operate
7) Easy to Clean & Maintain
8) Holsters & Accessories Readily Available
9) Parts Readily Available and Easy to Replace (if needed)

[propellerhead]

As of yesterday, I can now post in this thread. Woohoo!

For now, Taurus 745. That's 7 rounds of .45ACP in under 6 inches overall length. Size was the main thing. I was set on a Bersa 380 which would give me 8 rounds of .380ACP. The Taurus 745 was a hair smaller in size for 7 rounds of .45ACP.

[Chris]

over the last 9 years, my on duty weapon has primarily been a 1911. at times, i've carried a beretta 96FS and a glock 32. my latest duty gun is a beretta 92FS. i shoot better with it than any other. my off duty gun during all that time has been a smith 640-1 in .357 magnum.

[KBCraig]

For now, Taurus 745. That's 7 rounds of .45ACP in under 6 inches overall length. Size was the main thing. I was set on a Bersa 380 which would give me 8 rounds of .380ACP. The Taurus 745 was a hair smaller in size for 7 rounds of .45ACP.

I went to the Taurus website and compared the 745 to the 145. I'm a little confused about this "compact" version of an already compact pistol.

The 145 (Millenium Pro) specs:
Capacity: 10+1
Barrel Length: 3-1/4"
Weight: 22.2 oz
Length: 6-1/8"
Width: 1.25"
Height: 5.125"

Versus the 745 (Millenium Pro Compact):
Capacity: 6+1
Barrel Length: 3.25"
Weight: 20.8 oz.
Length: 6"
Width: 1.125"
Height: 5.2"


The 745 is an eighth of an inch shorter and an eight of an inch narrower, but is slightly taller. It's 1.4 ounces lighter.

But for this really small difference in size, capacity drops from 10+1 to 6+1.

I think I'd go with the 145. It's already a pretty compact, concealable gun.

Speaking of Taurus, I wonder how their 1911s are. Anyone tried one?

Kevin

[Venus Pax]

I have concealment issues, so I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's gear at the CHL day at PSC.
I currently carry a Bersa .380.
I bought it because it is rated as a good, reliable gun. It was also one of the smaller ones and was well within my price range.

[propellerhead]

I went to the Taurus website and compared the 745 to the 145. I'm a little confused about this "compact" version of an already compact pistol...

The grip is narrower by a little due to the single stack magazine. It's lighter by 2 oz but more than that when both are fully loaded. Loaded weight is a big factor to me. I plan on using this for pocket carry too when I'm wearing cargo pants/shorts or winter jackets. Like you, I went back and forth on both for a long time but since I have "muffin top" (spare tire around the mid-section just above my belt line), I favored the more narrow pistol. A wider grip would also mean the end of the grip would stick out more. I don't care much to wear a second shirt or a vest so I wanted something that would lay flat against my fat roll. I was set on a Bersa .380 until I saw that this was narrower than the Bersa. It is one round less than the Bersa but I went from .380 to .45. I figured it was still a step up overall. I plan to carry an extra magazine in my car. If I go to a place where I might need extra ammo, then the extra magazine will be in my other pocket. Otherwise, I'm happy with seven rounds. In that respect, I felt it was more flexible. I can carry 6+1 plus another 6. Or just the basic 6+1. I could go light or I could go loaded. With the PT-145, I would carry 10+1 all the time without much flexibility.

[Houston1944]

My weekday carry has size limitations so I usually carry a Sig 9mm 239. When I am carrying on the hip it will be a 4" 9mm 1911 or 5" 45acp 1911 or a 45acp Sig 220. I am comfortable with all of them, but if I could only have one it would be a full size 1911.