“What is the best backup or CCW gun?” Ask a 100 people and you may get 100 answers. There are so many factors to consider when selecting a backup or CCW gun that needs to be addressed, in this blog we will look at some of the factors that should be considered.
Comfort:
RULE #1: IF THE GUN DOES NOT FEEL GOOD IN YOUR HANDS, DON’T BUY IT. A fancy name, high price tag, raving reviews in your favorite gun magazine, and your friend recommendation does not mean anything to you as an individual. What is good for one person may not be good for another, so make sure the gun in comfortable for you. One way this has been addressed is the use of replaceable back straps. Smith and Wesson, Glock 4th Generation handguns, and Springfield XDs are a few that supply their handgun with multiple inserts for the grip. This gives you the choice of a small, medium, or large grip. By doing this they can tap into a wide range of shooters no matter what their hand size is. When it comes to revolvers you can purchase after market grips to meet your needs. The better it feels in your hand, the better you will shoot. Many ranges have rentals and this is a great way to get your hands on several different guns and try them out before you invest your hard earned money into a firearm. The other, less expensive option is to gather your friends for a day of shooting at the range and try out their guns.
Proficiency:
What is your skill level? This is a question you need to consider beyond standing at a static (stationary) range and punching holes in a bulls eye target. Fine motor skills go down the drain when the you know what hits the fan and you as well as your target are moving, so the “keep it simple stupid” rule should be factored in when selecting your backup or CCW firearm. There are two factors to consider, the first is the fact that if you are going to your backup gun, things have taken a critical turn and your backup gun is your last option because your primary failed or you have lost control of it. The F.B.I. states that from 1994 to 2003 there were a total of 52 officer killed with their own firearms after being overpowered, this amounts to 8% based on the timeframe studied. This of course goes back to weapon retention skills which also needs to be on your list of “must have training”. My basic answer to the right gun is the use of a revolver, very simple mechanically (no cycling issues), enough rounds to eliminate the threat at close distances, and a great option factoring in the loss of fine motor skills. For the new CCW permit holder, this again is a great option for the same reasons listed above. For my L.E. friends, you may opt to have your backup or CCW gun functionality to be the same as your primary weapon, and this is hard to argue. For my CCW and L.E. friends (especially my L.E. friends) you should be able to operate any gun you carry without thinking about it. I have carried a Glock 22 for almost 15 years on duty, off duty I carry the Glock 23. I have trained extensively with my duty gun and there is no transition to off duty for me based on my CCW gun selection.
Size:
Size does matter…..the size of the handgun you wish to carry and the size of your body when you consider a CCW gun. Will a Desert Eagle .50 take care of the problem, I should hope so, but can you effectively carry that gun for several hours a day and conceal it in an effective manor? Probably not would be the answer to the question, but I am sure somebody will try. Small guns serve a purpose, for instance I prefer a Ruger LCP over my Glock 23 if I am going jogging or on a bike ride. It is much easier to conceal a “pocket pistol” when wearing light clothing such as shorts or if you are on a bicycle bending over and not having your medium to large frame gun sticking out for the whole world to see. There are pros and cons to small and large handguns, the best thing you can do when limitations are there is to select the best ammunition possible for a given situations. For more information on ammunition selection check out the “Proper Handgun Ammo Selection” write up I did, this can be found at http://gunsgearandmore.blogspot.com/2011/09/proper-handgun-ammo-selection.html
Ammunition Capacity:
My one point should help to clear things up here, the average shootout occurs with 3-5 rounds being fired, that is both parties involved, not each shooter. If I was going into a war zone or society took a major dump then maybe I would feel the need to have 17+ rounds of ammo. Reality is that the more ammo you carry, the heavier the gun will be, and the 5 shot revolver should do you just fine. If you select a gun with fewer round capacity, proper ammunition selection only becomes more critical. Basic rule of thumb, if you carry a pistol you should carry an extra magazine and if you carry a revolver you should carry additional ammunition in a speed loader.
Closing Points:
I have shot just about every handgun out there, most I like, some I didn’t. My choice may not work well for somebody else, so I leave the selection to you the reader. I am 6’5” at 300 lb. so I can conceal just about anything, but if you are 5’4” and weigh 125 you may have a problem concealing a full frame gun. Small hands, large hands, petite or full frame person, people come in various sizes and shapes and all this needs to be considered. This is why there are so many options that you must consider because what works for me may not work for you.
Suggestions:
The following are some of my personal favorites for backup or CCW, these may not work for you but they may be worth your time to check out.
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| Smith & Wesson Model 642 .38 Special +P.This is a great gun that is so light, you will almost forget you have it on. This is a great option for an ankle carry gun. Due to the ultra low weight, this will have more recoil, but the trade off is worth it. Link to S&W 642 |
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| The Ruger SP101 chambered in .357 Magnum, "solid" is the word the describes this revolver. Personally I am more accurate with this than the S&W 642 and it fits my hands better, which is why I prefer this one. | Link to Ruger SP101 |
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| Taurus Model 85 is a light weight, cost effective option chambered in .38 Special. Porting is available for this model which will reduce felt recoil. One benefit of the Taurus line is the transferable lifetime warranty. In this picture you will also see an example of the after market Crimson Trace Laser Grips. Link toTaurus Model 85 |
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| Sig Sauer 250 chambered in .40 S&W or 9 mm. A Sig for around $350 that brings you the quality that Sig is known for. The model 250 is a double action only pistol, it has a smooth pull, but I am not fond of the long trigger pull. Still a great gun, and this one feels great in my hand. You can purchase the lower frame in other sizes to fit almost any hand. Link to Sig Sauer 250 |
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| Glock 23 chambered in .40 S&W is my carry choice, the main reason for this is because I carry a Glock 22 every day and this is identical to what I am used to, so if needed I don't have to alter the way I do things. The new 4th Generation Glocks do give you the option to change the back strap for various hands. The only alteration I have done it installed True Glo TFO (Tritium/Fiber Optic) sights. Not the best looking gun, but I look at Glocks as the "AK" of handguns. Link to Glock 23 |
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| Smith & Wesson M&P Compact is available in 9 mm, .357 Sig., .45 A.C.P., and .40 S&W, so if you are looking for variety in a specific model you have found it. I found this pistol to be very accurate and reliable. I have carried this in compact and full size and can say that S&W did a great job on this weapon. Interchangeable back straps will fit almost any hand and with the extended mag plate pictured above, this feels really comfortable and manageable when shooting. I added Crimson Trace Laser Grips and Trijicon Night Sights to mine, what more could you need? Link to the Smith & Wesson M&P series of pistols |
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| For me the first time I picked up a Springfield XD subcompact I thought this was the "ugly stepchild". When I picked it up it fit the hand great, shot smooth, and was very accurate. This model comes in 9 mm and .40 S&W. I am still not a big fan of the XD series, but I can say I have shot all size XD's made, they all shoot good and performed flawlessly. I have several friend that own various models of the XD, it works well for them and when it comes to selecting a firearm for YOUR use, MY opinion does not matter. This comes down to personnel preference and nothing else. Link to Springfield Armory XD Sub-Compact |
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| The first time I picked up the Cold Defender, it fit like a glove. The lightweight .45 ACP has all the "bells and whistles" you would want in at 1911 and is a great carry gun. The 1911 series is not on the top of my list of carry guns, but it is hard to dispute the longevity of the 1911. This is just one of many 1911 manufacturers that produce a compact 1911, and all the "big names" make something similar to the Defender. Link to Cold Defender |
In Closing:
I hope I stressed enough to you that when it comes to selection of a backup or CCW weapon that it is more important for you to find what works for you. Sure, take advice from your friends or local gun shop, but make sure you are getting what will work for you and you are not being pushed into buying something that has been collecting dust at a gun shop that they want to get rid of. Take a drive down the road and count how many different automobiles you see.....different things that fit the needs of other individuals. The same holds true when buying a gun, you are the individual, your life will depend on it, and you need to feel comfortable with what you purchase. I hope this helps you think of what you need to look for in selecting a firearm.Stay safe, stay alert, practice, and survive.
Till next time,
Jack
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