What is the Best Handgun for Concealed Carry?

What is the best handgun for concealed carry?  This question is queried on the Web, asked in gun shops, posed on the range, and presented during concealed handgun classes. It seems to be a rather simple question but it produces responses that are as diverse as the needs, expertise, preferences, and financial resources of those who answer it.  This yields radically different recommendations that can include  diminutive, modestly priced, polymer framed pistols like the Kel Tec P-32 and Ruger LCP; small framed revolvers like the Smith & Wesson Chief's Special (Model 36) and Taurus Model 85 that have become concealed carry classics; pistols reflecting a police or military heritage like the Glock 19 and  various 1911s (some of which cost a king's ransom), and just about everything in between.  This leads one to wonder if there really is a "best" handgun for concealed carry and if so, what is it?

Single Action Revolvers: Practical Tools that Symbolize the Old West

The handgun in America has been likened to the sword in Europe as a symbol of earlier and simpler times, marked by the individual courage, chivalry, and independent spirit of heroes and rogues alike and there is no better representation of this than the indelible association between the single action revolver and the American west. The mere presence of a Colt Single Action Army revolver, or one of the many copies or clones that have been directly influenced by it, brings to mind legends of the Wild West such as Wild Bill Hickock, Buffalo Bill Cody, Wyatt Earp, Frank and Jesse James, and Billy the Kid: individuals who remain household names, having been immortalized first in Dime Novels and later in Western movies.

Of course, the Colt Single Action Army revolver was not universally carried in the American west and those who have been associated with it in literature and film actually carried other handguns. Wild Bill Hickock carried Colt Navy Models (.36 caliber percussion revolvers), Frank James preferred Remingtons, Jesse James was known to favor a Smith & Wesson No. 3, and Billy the Kid used a double action Colt Thunderer in .41 caliber. However, the Colt Single Action army was vastly popular, amongst civilians and the military alike and the resourceful Bat Masterson purchased many of them which were profitably sold as "Bat Masterson's gun" in the waning years of the Nineteenth Century.

Originally introduced in 1873, it served the U.S. Cavalry until 1892 and it entered the Twentieth Century with official credentials, having been reissued by the U.S. Army during the Philippine Insurrection due to the various failures of the .38 Colt cartridge against the Moros. Even during World War II, it was carried by the likes of general George S. Patton and General Jonathan "Skinny" Wainwright. During the 1950s, the popularity of the Western movies and television series ensured that the classic profile of the Single Action Army would remain synonymous with the American west and during the hiatus in production that occurred between 1940 and 1956, Sturm, Ruger and Company fueled the pent up public demand for single action revolvers by first producing the Single Six and then following with the Blackhawk, modern, nearly bullet proof renditions of the classic Colt utilizing strong investment castings and coil springs rather than the problematic flat springs.

Remaining in nearly constant use since 1873, the popular Single Action Army, which returned to production in 1957, is still produced in the Colt Custom Shop while revolvers which borrow from the design or are largely copies of one variation or another are prolific, produced, finished, or marketed by many companies including: Beretta, Cimarron, Taurus, and U.S. Firearms. The innovative Ruger Single Six, Blackhawk, and variations including the Super Blackhawk, Bisley, and Vaquero remain popular while the simple, sturdy design of the old peacemaker continues to provide the platform for "hand cannons" such as the impeccable Freedom Arms Model 83 in .454 Casull and incredibly powerful Linebaugh customs in mammoth chamberings such as .475 and .500 Linebaugh.

The rugged simplicity of the dependable Single Action Army design allowed it to hold on and remain viable as a defensive weapon, even as it was eclipsed by modern, double action revolvers and semi-automatic pistols. Legendary lawmen such as Frank Hamer and Tom Threepersons, as well as the enigmatic Pancho Villa, successfully relied upon their Single Action Army revolvers well into the age of the Colt 1911 semi-automatic and the Smith & Wesson Military & Police double action revolver. Even today, in capable hands, the Single Action Army and revolvers that reflect its legacy can provide adequate defense against dangerous predators, both two and four legged. Single action revolvers are more than archaic symbols of the past, they remain practical tools that can get the job done.

The .22 for Survival

Survival is a big word that has many connotations. Some view it as a short term proposition, requiring just a few days worth of provisions to weather the worst part of a disaster. Others view it as a long term ordeal, requiring extensive stockpiles and wilderness retreats to offset political chaos and economic collapse. Still others view it as a continuous, self sufficient lifestyle that allows them to simply drop out of society. All have differing views as to where firearms may fit into their plans. Some see no need for firearms at all while others build extensive arsenals to accommodate defense and foraging in a variety of circumstances.

Regardless of individual levels of preparedness, a rifle or handgun in .22 Long Rifle caliber can be quite useful, providing that one has or is willing to develop the skills to effectively use it. The .22 has long been a standard for small game, it easily dispatches vermin, and in a pinch, it can take medium, non-dangerous game and serve in a defensive capacity, provided it's potential for accuracy is fully utilized. Its mild report, which does not carry very far, is not disruptive in semi-rural environments and fifty to one hundred rounds of ammunition is easily carried in a pocket.

.22 rifles are light and handy, as are full sized .22 pistols and revolvers. A take down .22 such as the Browning 22 in Grade I can carry unobtrusively in a backpack as will the popular Ruger 10/22 with the addition of a folding stock. Although more difficult for many to master than a rifle, full sized .22 pistols and revolvers such as the Ruger 22/45, the Browning Buck Mark, and the Smith & Wesson 617 carry even more conveniently than rifles and are capable of exceptional accuracy in experienced hands. Five hundred rounds of .22 Long Rifle ammunition is quite inexpensive, will last a long time when prudently used, and takes up comparatively little space.

.22s of various designs, including combination guns offering a single shot .22 barrel over a single shot shotgun barrel, have long been considered viable additions to survival gear in aircraft because of their relatively light weight, comparatively compact size, and substantial utility. Likewise, .22 pistols and revolvers have long been popular trail guns for those who spend substantial time outdoors. These qualities make rifles or pistols chambered for the .22 Long Rifle cartridge suitable for emergency kits for vehicles and campers where space may be limited.

A .22 rifle or pistol could stand alone in an emergency, being used for such purposes as foraging, defense, and signaling. However, its modest ballistics make it less than ideal for medium and larger game and personal protection against aggressive humans and animals. The .22 really shines when it is a secondary firearm used in conjunction with a more powerful weapon carried for specific purposes (e.g. a .22 rifle paired with a carefully chosen defensive handgun or a .22 pistol or revolver paired with a centerfire rifle or shotgun). In this instance, the .22 can greatly extend one's capacity for weathering the most adverse situations while providing the added bonus of serving as an extra weapon if the primary firearm becomes lost or damaged. For these reasons, the versatile .22 is a worthy addition to any survival kit.

Defensive Firearms for Tight Budgets

Opinions vary in regard to the types of defensive firearms that are ideal for worst case scenarios but contemporary semi-automatic pistols and rifles designed for military and law enforcement purposes (e.g. pistols such as the many derivatives of the the Colt 1911-A1 in .45 ACP and the Beretta Model 92-F in 9mm Luger and rifles such as the AR-10 in 7.62x51 NATO or the AR-15 in 5.56x45 NATO as now produced by many manufacturers) are frequently recommended. This is sensible since these firearms were designed to function under adverse conditions and offer reasonable accuracy and stopping power at combat ranges. Sadly, the most basic arsenal, consisting of a pistol and a rifle from this category, can easily exceed $1,500.

What should you do if you have a limited budget and cannot afford such princely sums? I have seen more than one gun shop commando sneer at a gun of lower cost before condescending to state "I would not stake my life on that." Certainly it is prudent to buy the best defensive weapons that you can afford as they are tools that you may literally stake your life upon. However, there is no guarantee that the bad guys will wait to act until after you have sacrificed, scrimped, and saved for months to acquire your optimum defensive firearm. Hence, a working gun in the hand is far more effective than one perched on a gun shop rack, safely protected by its high price tag. Here are a few options:

Pump Shotguns: Providing impressive short range defensive capabilities, 12 gauge pump shotguns such as the Mossberg Model 500 are inexpensive (often under $300 new and less than $200 used). Originally used by the U.S. military during World War I and still in service today, 12 gauge pump shotguns have long been successfully employed by law enforcement. For defense, buckshot is typically effective to twenty-five yards; rifled slugs, shot from a smoothbore barrel with a bead site, can be reliable to around forty yards with practice. It is untrue that shotguns can simply be pointed in the general direction of an assailant to be effective. As with any firearm, a shotgun requires familiarity and practice if it is to be expected to serve you well.

Semi-automatic .22 Rifles: Semi-automatic rifles in .22 Long Rifle caliber are light, handy, and can provide impressive firepower while their mild report and lack of perceptible recoil lead to exceptional accuracy. Yet, the .22 Long Rifle cartridge is not typically recommended for defense, even though it has killed many people over the years. Effectively, it is not very powerful and it can provide a lethal wound that does not generate an immediate stop. On the plus side, their mild manner makes them easily mastered, even by children, and ammunition is cheap, providing the means for regular practice. Many good semi-automatic rifles in .22 Long Rifle caliber are available, new and used, for under $200 and finding a good one for less than $100 is not unheard of. One of my favorites is the Ruger 10/22 which can be found new for under $240.

.22 Caliber Pistols and Revolvers: Semi-automatic pistols and revolvers in .22 Long Rifle caliber provide many of the advantages and disadvantages of the.22 rifle in a more compact package that can be more easily transported (carried) unobtrusively. For many years, I carried some sort of a .22 caliber handgun in my vehicle to take advantage of opportunities for impromptu plinking sessions and to dispatch vermin when the opportunity arose. Though it is far from being an ideal defensive weapon, it can be pressed into service in the event of an emergency. The excellent Ruger .22/45, which has a ten round magazine capacity, was recently on sale at a major sporting goods chain for $239.

Former Military and Police Weapons: Former military and police weapons are sometimes available at bargain basement prices. Chinese SKS rifles (a semi-automatic in 7.62x39 caliber), the excellent Makarov pistol, and its kinsmen, the CZ 82 and Radom P-64 (all in 9mm Makarov) can be found for less than $300. Tokarev TT-33s and CZ 52s (in 7.62x25) are also available in the same price range but the Mickey Mouse safety on imported Tokarevs (and the lack of a safety beyond half cock on unmodified ones) and the firing pin design of the CZ-52 do not make them suitable for all users. Another excellent pistol, sometimes seen in the $300 price range and occasionally for less, is the Argentine FM Hi-Power, a licensed copy of the Browning Hi-Power.

Lever action carbines in pistol calibers have become rather pricey, probably due in part to the popularity of Cowboy Action Shooting and many possessing Winchester Model 94s came to believe that they were instantaneous collector items after production was initially stopped in 2006 (it has resumed but currently produced Winchester 94s are expensive imports made by Miroku of Japan). However, the venerable (and better, in my opinion) Marlin 336 and its variants are plentiful. Some sell new for around $350 and used ones frequently sell for under $300 in .30-30 Winchester and .35 Remington. Offering the same level of power as the Russian 7.62x39 military cartridge made famous by the AK-47, Marlin's old lever action provides capable defense in a politically correct package that looks just like what it is: an old deer rifle.

While some of these suggestions will provide for more effective defense than others, all will serve the purpose at hand far better than a $1000 firearm that is not in your possession. Furthermore, neither is an imprudent waste of money as all serve a viable purpose even after more expensive, cutting edge firearms can be purchased. Shotguns, in addition to providing effective close range defense, are quite versatile for a variety of game. Rifles and handguns chambered for the .22 Long Rifle cartridge provide such economical utility and practice, they are common on farms across the country. The SKS has proven itself to be a viable, three hundred yard combat rifle in field conditions, the Makarov is a popular concealed carry pistol, the CZ 52 is a powerful pistol with a cult following, and the Hi-Power is one of the most prolific military pistols of the Twentieth Century. The old Marlin .30-30 is as popular now as it ever was and it remains a favorite, handy to carry, easy to use deer rifle where ranges rarely exceed two hundred yards.