The GMW Concealed Carry Gun Pack. Now available now on Amazon.com. BUY NOW
The GMW IWB magazine holster with built-in neodymium magnets. Now available now on Amazon.com. BUY NOW
Choosing the right firearm for your self-defense can be a little tricky. There are many to choose from but which is the right one for you? Finding the right pistol or revolver for a concealed carry goes far beyond picking a gun that looks cool or finding one for cheap. It’s a very personal choice and just because your friend uses a certain type of firearm doesn’t mean it’s the one you should be carrying. For a moment, forget about the look and the price of the firearm. The key to being successful with how to choose the perfect concealed carry weapon is going with a gun that fits your hand, your body, and your style, among other factors.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the basics of choosing a concealed carry weapon. Make sure to do your research before purchasing any firearm. Not only should it fit you but you must be able to easily handle, shoot, and control it. Let’s get started.
SAFETY FIRST
If you are buying a concealed carry weapon for the first time, you’ll need to be aware of the following:
Basic Gun Safety:
Never point a gun that you do not intend to shoot
Always keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot
Keep your gun unloaded until ready to use
Rules for Using and Storing a Gun
Wear eye and ear protection when appropriate
Never use a firearm while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Fully understand the gun you are attempting to operate
Clean the gun after you are finished shooting
Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons
Cleaning Safety
Regular cleaning is important for your gun to operate correctly and safely. Taking proper care of your weapon will also help maintain its value and extend its life. Make sure that your gun is clean before shooting.
A gun brought out of prolonged storage should be cleaned and inspected before shooting. Accumulated moisture and dirt, as well as solidified grease and oil can prevent the gun from operating properly.
Before cleaning your gun, check that it is unloaded. The gun’s action should be open during the cleaning process. Also, be sure that no ammunition is present in the cleaning area.
RULES FOR CHOOSING A CONCEALED CARRY WEAPON
Choosing a concealed carry firearm can be confusing, especially if you don’t know where to start. Having a cool-looking gun sounds fun, however, no one will be able to see your concealed carry. That’s the whole point. The only person who might see it is your attacker, who you’re not really trying to impress. Here are some important things to consider when searching for a concealed carry firearm:
The Perfect Fit
To be successful with how to choose the perfect concealed carry weapon, you should find the perfect fit. Make sure that the revolver or pistol fits perfectly in your hand. Not everyone has the same size hands. Some people have thick thumbs, for example, and this means they shouldn’t be carrying anything with recessed magazine release buttons. Certain pistol grips will only be effective for people with certain size hands.
The key to choosing a concealed carry weapon with the perfect fit is so that you can operate it perfectly every time. Here is a checklist of questions you should ask yourself when evaluating your handgun’s fit::
Can you hold the pistol in a single hand without losing control?
Can your fingers reach the magazine easily?
Can you pull back the upper receiver and lock it to the rear effortlessly?
Can the magazine be easily ejected while you are holding it?
Are you able to lift the pistol comfortably with one hand, straight in front of you, as if you are aiming directly in front of you?
Does your supporting, non-dominant hand interfere with the gun’s operation or your aiming?
If your answer to any of these questions is “no” that means that the firearm is not right for your hand shape or you do not have the proper upper body strength to handle that particular firearm. Scale up or down until you find a pistol that you can safely operate. You are not intended to operate a firearm or change magazines with one hand but if something goes wrong while you’re performing these basic drills, it’s a good indication that you do not yet have the right gun. Also, you never know what could happen. Having a gun you can possibly operate with one hand could be beneficial.
What If Your Handgun Is Too Big for You?
When the gun is too big for you, you will see the “V” of your hand rotating toward the trigger in order to press it. This rotation will negatively affect your shooting and this should be avoided at all costs.
When you are shooting with a gun that is slightly too big, you will still be able to reach the trigger but your finger will be flat against the frame. Here are two tests to help assess whether your gun is too heavy for you:
Weight – If you cannot hold your gun comfortably with two hands in a firing position for at least 30 seconds, the gun may be too heavy for you.
Trigger – Perform a dry fire trigger test to determine if the trigger is too heavy or light. Make sure that the gun is unloaded when performing this test. The trigger should be able to be pressed smoothly with your trigger finger without losing sight of your target.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR HANDICAPS
Any handicap, like poor vision in one eye, should be taken into account.
Do you have the same vision in both eyes?
Are you cross dominant?
Do you have issues with depth of field?
Do you have a problem with lining up your sights to the target?
If so, make sure you have the proper prescription glasses or contacts before shooting. Guns are deadly, so be as safe as possible when firing. Make sure to make time to practice at the range.
You can also consider optical sights on your pistol. This can reduce the time it takes to remove the pistol from the holster and get it lined up on target. Springfields and Glocks come with built-in slight optics.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN CONCEALED CARRYING
If you are wondering how to choose the perfect concealed carry weapon, bear in mind that it is about finding what is comfortable and best for you. We’ve talked about fit now let’s talk about the more technical aspects of concealed firearms.
Choose the Right Caliber of Handgun
Caliber refers to the approximate diameter of the inside of the gun barrel or the diameter of the type of ammo it shoots. There are a lot of different calibers for handguns on the market. The most common for concealed carrying is a .380 ACP or 9mm. The .380 ACP is a shorter version of the 9mm. When choosing a caliber for your gun, make sure that you are able to put several rounds on target quickly and accurately. Your ability to effectively handle your gun, not its caliber, should be your first priority. If you can repeatedly put rounds in the bull’s eye, quickly, efficiently, and without worries, you’ve found the right caliber for you.
Magazine Size
Handguns for concealed carry must find a balance between size and magazine capacity. When choosing magazine capacity, you should always consider the possibility that you may be stuck in a situation where you need to sustain your defense against one or more opponents who are trying to kill you. The size of your magazine will be important in such a scenario. To compensate for lower magazine capacity, consider carrying spare magazines.
How Do You Plan to Carry Your Handgun?
As a concealed carrier, you’ll without a doubt want to be carrying in all legal areas to make sure that you are prepared for any threats. How you intend to carry your firearm is an important consideration when choosing a concealed carry weapon. Here are some questions you need to ask yourself:
Can this gun be taken away from me without my explicit permission?
Would a child be able to reach in and take my gun without me knowing?
Could a thief easily make off with my gun because of where I keep it?
If your answer to any of these questions is “yes,” it is best to rethink your carry. Consider carrying your weapon on your body. This is generally safer than carrying your weapon in a purse or bag.
Trigger Control
When it comes to trigger control, you’ll want to find a trigger that isn’t too heavy and isn’t too light. Can you operate it without getting finger cramps? Can you feel it when you press it? Too light of a trigger can cause an accidental discharge. Too heavy of a trigger can lead to inaccuracy or to you not being able to get shots off. To test your trigger, try to repeatedly dry fire your gun. Are you making figure eights with your front sight? If so, that might not be the trigger setup you are looking for.
Seek Reasonable Accuracy
In the thick of battle, you will want a gun that is extremely accurate when shooting at 10 yards or less. Attackers often will not go down after just one shot so you will want a handgun that offers the opportunity for a good second shot. Your gun should always be capable of delivering more than one shot to your attacker.
Power or Perfect Fit?
When learning how to choose the perfect concealed carry weapon, you should keep in mind that the purpose of concealed carry guns is not to maim or kill but to serve as a deterrent against any potential threats. There is a common notion that the higher the caliber, the better the weapon is. This is not always the case, especially when concealed carrying. When concealed carrying, many variables will come into play such as ease of concealment, ease of drawing, and comfort for daily carrying, among other factors. When looking for a self-defense weapon, you should consider the size and power of your firearm. If your gun is too big and your handling suffers as a result, a smaller more maneuverable weapon would be much more useful. The best firearm isn’t the most powerful but the best for your situation. Note that the highest caliber might not be what you need.
Ease of Operation
When choosing a concealed carry weapon, you will want a gun that’s easy to operate. For auto-loading pistols, make sure that you are comfortable using the slide. Is your hand strong enough to pull the slide all the way back to cycle a round into the chamber or clear the gun? Can you easily operate the slide stop/release lever to lock the slide back? Can your thumb reach and operate the magazine catch to drop the magazine? If you have a revolver, is your thumb able to reach and operate the cylinder release latch? When it comes to concealed carrying, simple is good.
Familiarity and Skill Level
Carrying a weapon without the necessary skills is a recipe for disaster. When facing an experienced attacker, your inexperience can prove fatal. When carrying a handgun, you should practice and work to improve your skill level. You should try to understand how to best operate your firearm. This will not only help keep you safe, but the public as well. A missed shot could spell disaster.
BUYING A CONCEALED CARRY WEAPON
Now that you may have started to form an idea about the type and caliber of handgun you’re looking to carry, the next thing on your mind is probably how to buy one. Below is some quick advice on how to choose the perfect concealed carry weapon for your self-defense.
Find a Knowledgeable Gun Shop
When buying a concealed carry weapon for the first time, you might be feeling nervous at the gun store. Try to find a knowledgeable gun shop owner who can make choosing a concealed carry weapon less daunting. The job of a good salesman is to make you understand the different kinds of guns and how they work. No one should be pushing you to buy a particular product. If you feel like you are being pressured instead of educated, just head to a different shop. A caring gun shop owner won’t try to trick you.
Try Before You Buy
One of the best tips for how to choose the perfect concealed carry weapon is to try it out first. Look for a range that will let you rent different handguns for you to test out. This way you will be able to determine which gun best suits your shooting needs.
Learning how to choose the perfect concealed carry weapon is a matter of trial and error. Chances are you won’t get it right on the first try. Just keep on practicing and learning until you find the gun that’s perfect for you.
What kind of firearm do you concealed carry? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section!
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How to Choose the Perfect Concealed Carry Weapon
The GMW Concealed Carry Gun Pack. Now available now on Amazon.com.
BUY NOW
BUY NOW
Choosing the right firearm for your self-defense can be a little tricky. There are many to choose from but which is the right one for you? Finding the right pistol or revolver for a concealed carry goes far beyond picking a gun that looks cool or finding one for cheap. It’s a very personal choice and just because your friend uses a certain type of firearm doesn’t mean it’s the one you should be carrying. For a moment, forget about the look and the price of the firearm. The key to being successful with how to choose the perfect concealed carry weapon is going with a gun that fits your hand, your body, and your style, among other factors.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the basics of choosing a concealed carry weapon. Make sure to do your research before purchasing any firearm. Not only should it fit you but you must be able to easily handle, shoot, and control it. Let’s get started.
SAFETY FIRST
If you are buying a concealed carry weapon for the first time, you’ll need to be aware of the following:
Basic Gun Safety:
Rules for Using and Storing a Gun
Cleaning Safety
RULES FOR CHOOSING A CONCEALED CARRY WEAPON
Choosing a concealed carry firearm can be confusing, especially if you don’t know where to start. Having a cool-looking gun sounds fun, however, no one will be able to see your concealed carry. That’s the whole point. The only person who might see it is your attacker, who you’re not really trying to impress. Here are some important things to consider when searching for a concealed carry firearm:
The Perfect Fit
To be successful with how to choose the perfect concealed carry weapon, you should find the perfect fit. Make sure that the revolver or pistol fits perfectly in your hand. Not everyone has the same size hands. Some people have thick thumbs, for example, and this means they shouldn’t be carrying anything with recessed magazine release buttons. Certain pistol grips will only be effective for people with certain size hands.
The key to choosing a concealed carry weapon with the perfect fit is so that you can operate it perfectly every time. Here is a checklist of questions you should ask yourself when evaluating your handgun’s fit::
If your answer to any of these questions is “no” that means that the firearm is not right for your hand shape or you do not have the proper upper body strength to handle that particular firearm. Scale up or down until you find a pistol that you can safely operate. You are not intended to operate a firearm or change magazines with one hand but if something goes wrong while you’re performing these basic drills, it’s a good indication that you do not yet have the right gun. Also, you never know what could happen. Having a gun you can possibly operate with one hand could be beneficial.
What If Your Handgun Is Too Big for You?
When the gun is too big for you, you will see the “V” of your hand rotating toward the trigger in order to press it. This rotation will negatively affect your shooting and this should be avoided at all costs.
When you are shooting with a gun that is slightly too big, you will still be able to reach the trigger but your finger will be flat against the frame. Here are two tests to help assess whether your gun is too heavy for you:
Weight – If you cannot hold your gun comfortably with two hands in a firing position for at least 30 seconds, the gun may be too heavy for you.
Trigger – Perform a dry fire trigger test to determine if the trigger is too heavy or light. Make sure that the gun is unloaded when performing this test. The trigger should be able to be pressed smoothly with your trigger finger without losing sight of your target.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR HANDICAPS
Any handicap, like poor vision in one eye, should be taken into account.
If so, make sure you have the proper prescription glasses or contacts before shooting. Guns are deadly, so be as safe as possible when firing. Make sure to make time to practice at the range.
You can also consider optical sights on your pistol. This can reduce the time it takes to remove the pistol from the holster and get it lined up on target. Springfields and Glocks come with built-in slight optics.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN CONCEALED CARRYING
If you are wondering how to choose the perfect concealed carry weapon, bear in mind that it is about finding what is comfortable and best for you. We’ve talked about fit now let’s talk about the more technical aspects of concealed firearms.
Choose the Right Caliber of Handgun
Caliber refers to the approximate diameter of the inside of the gun barrel or the diameter of the type of ammo it shoots. There are a lot of different calibers for handguns on the market. The most common for concealed carrying is a .380 ACP or 9mm. The .380 ACP is a shorter version of the 9mm. When choosing a caliber for your gun, make sure that you are able to put several rounds on target quickly and accurately. Your ability to effectively handle your gun, not its caliber, should be your first priority. If you can repeatedly put rounds in the bull’s eye, quickly, efficiently, and without worries, you’ve found the right caliber for you.
Magazine Size
Handguns for concealed carry must find a balance between size and magazine capacity. When choosing magazine capacity, you should always consider the possibility that you may be stuck in a situation where you need to sustain your defense against one or more opponents who are trying to kill you. The size of your magazine will be important in such a scenario. To compensate for lower magazine capacity, consider carrying spare magazines.
How Do You Plan to Carry Your Handgun?
As a concealed carrier, you’ll without a doubt want to be carrying in all legal areas to make sure that you are prepared for any threats. How you intend to carry your firearm is an important consideration when choosing a concealed carry weapon. Here are some questions you need to ask yourself:
If your answer to any of these questions is “yes,” it is best to rethink your carry. Consider carrying your weapon on your body. This is generally safer than carrying your weapon in a purse or bag.
Trigger Control
When it comes to trigger control, you’ll want to find a trigger that isn’t too heavy and isn’t too light. Can you operate it without getting finger cramps? Can you feel it when you press it? Too light of a trigger can cause an accidental discharge. Too heavy of a trigger can lead to inaccuracy or to you not being able to get shots off. To test your trigger, try to repeatedly dry fire your gun. Are you making figure eights with your front sight? If so, that might not be the trigger setup you are looking for.
Seek Reasonable Accuracy
In the thick of battle, you will want a gun that is extremely accurate when shooting at 10 yards or less. Attackers often will not go down after just one shot so you will want a handgun that offers the opportunity for a good second shot. Your gun should always be capable of delivering more than one shot to your attacker.
Power or Perfect Fit?
When learning how to choose the perfect concealed carry weapon, you should keep in mind that the purpose of concealed carry guns is not to maim or kill but to serve as a deterrent against any potential threats. There is a common notion that the higher the caliber, the better the weapon is. This is not always the case, especially when concealed carrying. When concealed carrying, many variables will come into play such as ease of concealment, ease of drawing, and comfort for daily carrying, among other factors. When looking for a self-defense weapon, you should consider the size and power of your firearm. If your gun is too big and your handling suffers as a result, a smaller more maneuverable weapon would be much more useful. The best firearm isn’t the most powerful but the best for your situation. Note that the highest caliber might not be what you need.
Ease of Operation
When choosing a concealed carry weapon, you will want a gun that’s easy to operate. For auto-loading pistols, make sure that you are comfortable using the slide. Is your hand strong enough to pull the slide all the way back to cycle a round into the chamber or clear the gun? Can you easily operate the slide stop/release lever to lock the slide back? Can your thumb reach and operate the magazine catch to drop the magazine? If you have a revolver, is your thumb able to reach and operate the cylinder release latch? When it comes to concealed carrying, simple is good.
Familiarity and Skill Level
Carrying a weapon without the necessary skills is a recipe for disaster. When facing an experienced attacker, your inexperience can prove fatal. When carrying a handgun, you should practice and work to improve your skill level. You should try to understand how to best operate your firearm. This will not only help keep you safe, but the public as well. A missed shot could spell disaster.
BUYING A CONCEALED CARRY WEAPON
Now that you may have started to form an idea about the type and caliber of handgun you’re looking to carry, the next thing on your mind is probably how to buy one. Below is some quick advice on how to choose the perfect concealed carry weapon for your self-defense.
Find a Knowledgeable Gun Shop
When buying a concealed carry weapon for the first time, you might be feeling nervous at the gun store. Try to find a knowledgeable gun shop owner who can make choosing a concealed carry weapon less daunting. The job of a good salesman is to make you understand the different kinds of guns and how they work. No one should be pushing you to buy a particular product. If you feel like you are being pressured instead of educated, just head to a different shop. A caring gun shop owner won’t try to trick you.
Try Before You Buy
One of the best tips for how to choose the perfect concealed carry weapon is to try it out first. Look for a range that will let you rent different handguns for you to test out. This way you will be able to determine which gun best suits your shooting needs.
Learning how to choose the perfect concealed carry weapon is a matter of trial and error. Chances are you won’t get it right on the first try. Just keep on practicing and learning until you find the gun that’s perfect for you.
What kind of firearm do you concealed carry? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section!