Five Great Carry Guns
Understanding the application of a carry pistol is grounded in defense; I have given some thought to what the top five greatest that are still available for purchase, and my thoughts on each one. In doing so, it is reflective of my carry methods and general self-defense style, so certainly they are not designed to be a challenge to your own preferences or pretenses.
All of these revolve around the notion of “discrete carry”, in that the pistol is intended to be concealed. Some compromise is understood with the carry method, concealed pistols must possess a quality of convenience, and some fighting qualities are reflective of this compromise; generally not ideal if a fight is actually anticipated.
This carries on with the theme that pistols come in five distinct sizes. Those that fit in the pocket, or “mouse guns”, are the first and smallest, and have little application for defense, as the bullets that accompany such pieces are grossly underpowered. The second are those that are too big for the pocket but will fit nicely in an ankle holster. The third size are those medium sized pistols that are too big for the ankle, but ride nicely in a belt/ appendix holster. Fourth are the full-sized carry guns, designed to be worn on a duty belt, and the last is those specialized guns of high energy and high caliber that are really too heavy to carry on any belt, and are truly short rifles.
Of those listed, I have chosen two pistols from size 2, and 3 pistols that are sized 3. In order from smallest/ lightest to the heaviest duty, my listing of the greatest carry pistols are as follows:
Smith and Wesson J frame 38 special snub. I know that this little piece has been looked at as old school, and not used these days nearly as much as its 9mm cousins, but it is still a very good piece. The strength of this little gun lies in its simplicity, in that for a neophyte, one class and one range session will make them qualified with it for literally the rest of their lives, so it is ideal for those that are admittedly non-gunny.
Although its light size and reasonable power make it a somewhat dubious choice for a first-time gun shooter, if the shooter wishes to get into the sport and shoot often, it is not a great selection. But if the shooter wants to know everything about a defensive pistol in one sitting, and never touch the gun again until under a close and intimate threat, then the little 38 stands on its own merits.
So, I think it is the best option for the one-time shooter, and a very good option for an accomplished pistol man, but literally all the ground between the two the J Frame does not do that well. Even for the pistol men, it is a gun that is carried often and shot very little. My oldest that is still in the battery is a model 38 that I bought in 1995 and have carried it so much it is known as the “American Express Card”, but honestly, I have not put more than 200 rounds through this gun since it’s been mine.
I wear a J frame on my ankle nearly all the time, and it is what I consider the most basic and least form of defensive armament that a man should allow himself to be found. I know that ankle carry is not viewed as plausible by my colleagues in the industry, but I think with a little thought and nuancing one’s approach it serves as a useful minimum.
Sig Sauer model P365
This little gun from Sig is just exactly a gem. It is just a tick larger than the J frame, carries at least twice as many rounds of greater potency, and that just suits me right down the ground. I have found and donned an ankle holster for mine and wear it when the possibility of a trip downtown is likely. The only issue with such a carry method is that it is truly a bit heavy, or at least heavier than a J frame- to wear it like this all day.
If I was to take on a jacket and tie assignment, I think that this gun with be with me every second of every day. It is so wispy on the belt that a fellow must remind himself that he is carrying one. I have found mine to be reliable as well, seemingly without the high maintenance personality failings that the other small (ankle carry/ sized two) autos are known.
The truly amazing thing about this gun is how well it shoots, so well in fact that defensive accuracy is guaranteed, and match accuracy attainable. It will shoot with the duty belt (size four) guns accuracy wise, and it is truly an ankle holster (size two) gun meant to be carried much and shot little. Mine, at least, is amazingly accurate.
Glock 19, and derivatives. I think that people that know me will be surprised to see the Glocks included here, as I have been critical of them before. This criticism still stands, as I do not consider them the alpha and omega of carry guns in this day and age, but when all of the hype is boiled away, what we have is a very credible service gun that I have, and do, carry often.
It and really all of its kin (19X, 43, 43x, 48, 23, 32,etc.) ride on the belt lightly and without any real fuss. They are common, and I have some to believe that they are the wise starting point for those new to defensive handguns but intend to spend some time at least yearly behind it in practice. Its blending of every other aspect of above averageness – give it a perfectly acceptable bell curve B+, and that grade is indeed strong for a defensive carry gun.
While I have never considered it of match quality, it is certainly accurate enough to put 50 out of 50 inside the lines of an FBI qualification. I think given how blissfully the gun rides OWB strong side, that sets a standard for all other guns in terms of defensive accuracy.
Another standard that the
Glock has set is for all other of its competitors that use that “hotdog in a bun” trigger, is that it sets a practical minimum and a standard to beat. A fellow can spend quite a few shekels on a CZ, Shadow, XD, Hk, IMI, Canik, whatever, and have purchased no more shootable or defensibly accurate pistol than the Glock 19.
Lately, I have found the Glock 32 in 357 Sig to be an excellent option for a light gun that shoots heavier than the 9mm para, which does not generate an uncomfortable recoil impulse. It does get plenty of use and was the vehicle of discovery for the excellent 357 Sig cartridge, which I had not really messed with before.
It’s a good gun, or at least a good enough gun, and I don’t have to be in love with it, or even like it, to recommend one. Never my choice to shoot a bullseye match with, but it sure will give its handler some good service.
Sig P320/ M18
Shortly before I retired, I replaced my issued Beretta M9 with an issued Sig M18 and found it astonishing that after 40 rounds through the M18 I was a great deal more satisfied with it as a carry piece than I was the M9. This makes little sense, as I had spent over 30 years behind a Beretta and fired over 100,000 rounds through several dozen. My goodness this Sig is a good gun.
Every single 320 that I have fired is capable of defensive accuracy, but is also match accurate, combining workable ergonomics with a stellar trigger. I prefer the safety equipped models, thus the M18 variant, which once applied takes any concern over accidental discharge upon holstering, and once flicked off while it is safely in the holster, and honest pull and go piece. I carry this gun all the time, and it is one my belt if Up Drills are on the menu, or I need to shoot to impress.
There are a few questions, that time will tell if and how they will be worked through. The first, is that my issued piece shot a shade low, and the commercial gun that I am running now a shade right, before a tick of drift was applied to front sight. I am unsure how durable they will be and have some concerns that modularity will loosen fit over time and hard service. There are enough variations of the construct here and there, that my commercial piece and military piece were not identical, which was made clear to me when I had a hard time getting the civilian version put back together after I cleaned it the first time. Some other issues here and there are just plain weird, do which I do not have an explanation.
Still all told, if the balloon goes up, and there is chaos in the streets, it will be the one that I take as an EDC. It is a good gun- and even though it can be weird, is something worth both owning and carrying.
Commander length, lightweight 1911 in 45 ACP.
This is my heavy option when a heavy option is appropriate. Regardless of how many times I am told that a 9mm and 45 ACP are equivalent in terms of wounding potential, I have never believed this, and have researched both gel tests and empirical data to generate this belief.
The trend in this day and age beyond the current and fashionable wounding potential narrative centers itself around capacity, and I understand this- the handle of a pistol is a dang convenient place to hold spare rounds. Without any nuance the argument stops right there; but my feeling is that a fellow who finds himself fighting in the open will not live long enough to shoot 15 rounds, and disposed behind cover properly, the 8 or 9 rounds in the big gun can be swapped out properly.
The second comment that I will make to those that believe high capacity is a must, is that your advantage in capacity only is an advantage if I miss you nine times in a row. I’m not going to miss you nine times in a row. Not with this gun.
I am not sure if the recoil impulse is enough to compensate for any differences in wounding potential, and a lightweight gun has plenty of that. The thing about recoil from a 1911 lt/wt 45 is that it is only noticeable on the bullseye range, and certainly not troublesome at all during Up Drills, the modern technique draw stroke, etc., so recoil oughtn’t be an issue in the center of a fight, either.
The drawbacks of this piece are that I find they can be particular in what they wish to feed properly, and this takes some time and effort to figure out one’s preferences. My explanation is that the ones that shoot very well are of very close tolerances, like a Mercedes requiring premium fuel, as does the Commander length- neither will run well at all on 87 Octane. One ought to know these things before one is carried.
I have carried one often, and do think that the balance in the hand is also replicated in the balance it shows in the holster, and it carries nearly as easily as a Glock 19, and I think easier than the M18 Sig. I think everyone that wishes to bash one ought to run it on a course and see if that opinion sticks. I doubt it will personally, that old gun constructed to modern day standards ought to be a staple on everyone’s gun repartee.
The guns will really shoot with loads that they like. I have shot against people wielding Uber nines, and they will tell me with a straight face that it is not a fair contest, as “Everyone can shoot a 1911 better than a (insert uber nine brand name here).” Indeed, they can.
Those are my top five, working handguns, and I am hopeful that I did not offend or discount your favorite. With any or all of these pieces, a fellow that can run one as he needs and within the nuances of the situation, finds himself at least adequately armed for defensive purposes.