Which is the best CCW gun in 2016?

Which is the Best Concealed Carry Handgun for YOU in 2016? We Break It Down

Is it One of These or Something Else?

What is the Best Handgun for Concealed Carry in 2016?

“The best handgun for concealed carry is the one you have with you when you need it.”

OK, that statement is not quite right.  A handgun that you have with you may meet rule number one of a gunfight (bring a gun) but the handgun you have with you may be sub-optimal for the occasion.  Before we get to optimal, the adequate handgun is one with which you are well-trained and is powerful enough to destroy your target.  Broadly speaking, bigger calibers are more powerful than smaller calibers.  Please do realize that compared to most rifle calibers, handgun calibers are quite weak.

Here is the scenario:  You have decided to take the plunge.  You have finally decided to get your handgun carry permit.  Since “the best handgun for concealed carry for me” may well be different from “the best handgun for concealed carry for you,” you will have to do your own research.  Just to get a feel for how a handgun fits you, you can visit gun shows (as long as they are still legal), pawn shops and your local gun store.  Most sellers will happily let you handle the merchandise, particularly at a gun show.

How a handgun feels in your hand is only one aspect of choosing your “everyday carry” (EDC).  Many ranges will let you rent handguns, and that should give you an even better feel for the weapon.  However, many really nice range guns may be larger and more difficult to conceal than smaller handguns.  One trade off is that more concealable handguns may be easier to carry but quite a bit more “snappy” to shoot.  Some very concealable, but more powerful handguns may even make your hand hurt after just a few rounds.  They can really get the job done, but are not a lot of fun to shoot.  And, if it is not fun to shoot, you may not train with it as often.

If you are planning to open carry where legal to do so, your planning choices will likely differ.  One thing to consider, though, is that you may find yourself in a situation in which it would be more prudent to legally conceal your handgun rather than carry it openly.  You may want to choose a handgun that is relatively easy to conceal for your EDC even though you plan to open carry.  That way, you have only one handgun with which to become trained.  In the business of our everyday lives, time seems to be the most strictly regulated commodity.

Since no one can really tell you which handgun best suits you, you will have to decide which handgun best meets your needs.  I cannot list every possible option, so will just provide some of the more popular choices as your “jumping off point.”  One of your initial requirements may be affordability.

One of the best sources of affordable firearms are the auctions on Gunbroker.com.  The website has recently published their Top 5 sales lists for December 2015.

Last Friday, by the way, Gunbroker.com issued a statement from Steve Urvan, the CEO and Founder of Gunbroker.com.  In the statement, he said the following:

As many of you are aware, the President made a big production of “taking action” on gun control this week. What is not as obvious, and has been missed by much of the mainstream media, is that the President’s actions are smoke and mirrors with no legally binding changes….The President’s guidance documents are largely just a restatement of existing laws and a wish list of actions that would need to be passed by Congress (and likely will not be). The definition of who is “enaged in the business” of firearms has not changed and is firmly established by both law and case law. Unlicensed persons are still allowed to sell firearms from their personal collection provided all Federal, state, and local laws are obeyed….As we clearly state on our website, all transactions on GunBroker.com are made in full compliance with all federal state, and local laws, using licensed federal firearms dealers as transfer agents. Federal law requires those dealers to run a background check on the buyer. There is a strict compliance system in place and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms audits dealers for compliance.

Here are Gunbroker.com’s top 5 sales of new semi-automatic pistols and new revolvers for November and December 2015.  These choices are worth investigating:

Gunbroker.com’s Top 5 Sales of New Semi-Automatic Pistols and New Revolvers

As a reader of NewsFoxes.com you probably already know that under existing law, one cannot purchase firearms online without a Federal Firearms License (FFL) or a Curio and Relic (C&R) license (for certain specified firearms).  A C&R license holder is a collector license, not a business license.  Someone in the business of buying and selling firearms may not do so under the less expensive C&R license.  To engage in the business of buying and selling firearms without the FFL (whether in person, on the internet, or at gun shows) is illegal.

Some of the most popular carry pistols are also very affordable and small enough to be carried in your front or back pocket.

There are a number of choices in the “pocket pistol” category.  Some of the most popular pocket sized carry pistols (and this category may depend on the size of your pocket) are the Ruger LCP, the Kel Tec P3AT & P32, the SIG P239 & P938, the Glock G42, and the venerable Russian, East German or Bulgarian Makarov.  If your favorite pocket pistol was not mentioned, please let us know in the comments.

Following his return from the Youtube ban, Hickok45 reviewed a new offering from Remington, the RM380.  I would be remiss if I did not mention that Hickok45’s sponsor (if that is the right word) are the folks at Bud’s Gunshop.  I’ve purchased from them and I know they are a fantastic source for affordable firearms and have great customer service:

For some, “racking the slide” on a semi-automatic handgun may be too difficult.  (Give the SIG P238 a try before you give up on a semi-automatic — it is *really* easy to “rack the slide”).  However, if a semi-automatic just is not for you, there are a number of concealable, light-weight, revolvers from which to choose.  The Smith and Wesson 686 and Ruger LCR lead the sales of that category on Gunbroker.com.

While I cannot mention all of your possible options, I would be negligent if I did not mention that some folks really love their M1911 old school .45ACPs.  It is a solid choice with a great reputation.  Did I mention “old school”?  (I admit that I have carried my single action cowboy pistol in .45 Long Colt, taking “old school” to another level).

After you’ve made your choice, Kevin Michalowski of the US Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) and editor of Concealed Carry Magazine, has some great tips.  Here he is speaking of how to make a change from one carry rig to another, but many of the principles would be the same whether you are changing up a pistol/holster combination or making a pistol/holster combination choice for the first time.  In the interest of full disclosure, I am a USCCA member and recommend that you consider joining this organization if you carry a handgun.

No matter which concealed carry choice you make, please, please, please carry with a holster that effectively covers your trigger and keeps your firearm in place even when you are active.

What’s my choice?  I like my Kahr Arms CM45 (in .45ACP).  It is thin, concealable and packs a powerful punch.  I have friends who prefer their Glock 23 in .40 S&W and still others who really like their Smith and Wesson M&P Shield in .40 S&W or in 9mm Luger.   So, no…..I cannot really tell you which is the best concealed carry firearm for YOU for 2016.  What YOU can do, however, is share your thoughts on what makes YOUR optimal concealed carry handgun for 2016.

http://www.newsfoxes.com/2016/01/concealed-carry-gun-2016/