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The Glock is probably the most common, largely because it works, but IMHO primarily because it is the cheapest. It has a polymer frame, and comes in a larger and a smaller version, all of which can use the larger mags. The SIG is also a common weapon favored by the Feds. It is more expensive than the Glock, and has an aluminum alloy frame. It has a larger version. I have recently acquired the HK and I really like it thus far. When it has night sights and 500 rounds through it, I may put it on my belt. It is more expensive than any of the other pistols here out of the box, and has a polymer frame. There is also a smaller version, and both of the P2000s take the HK USP Compact mags. The aluminum alloy framed Para is representative of the compact 1911s. This one has been my carry piece for about 12 years and it shows. It ran fine out of the box, I added a custom trigger, night sights, steel mag release button, S&A mainspring housing, custom grips, beavertail grip safety and extended thumb safety for cosmetic, comfort, and functional reasons. With the mods, it is the most expensive pistol here. It has about 5,000 rounds through it and I cannot remember the last malfunction it had. The majority of 1911 reliability issues are from bad gunsmithing (which includes most home gunsmithing), unnecessary modifications, and pursuit of accuracy at the expense of reliability. There are larger and smaller versions, all can use the larger mags. The revolver is an S&W 642. I consider it to be of very limited utility with only five rounds, but as long as you have five or less bad people to deal with and are perfect, or very lucky, it can get the job done. It is about in the middle of this group in terms of price. There are other models with the same caliber and the same or larger capacity, but unless you like humping around moon clips, you load it with individual rounds. Berettas are fairly common as duty guns, like the M-9, but are too large to conceal handily and have had some durability/reliability issues. If you want to carry one, that is your business. The S&Ws autos are small enough, but the company politics and reliability issues have soured me on them. If I left your favorite pistol off, send it to me with carry gear and 1000 rounds of ammo and I will consider adding it to the list.
These pistols pictured above all have virtually identical size in terms of height, width, and length.
The Glock 23 holds 12+1 rounds of .40 S&W. It weighs 21 ounces empty.
The SIG P229 holds 12+1 rounds of .40 S&W. It weighs 28 ounces empty.
The HK P2000 holds 12+1 rounds of .40 S&W. It weighs 22 ounces empty.
The Para P-12 holds 12+1 rounds of .45 ACP. It weighs about 26 ounces empty.
The S&W 642 holds 5 rounds of .38 Special. It weighs 15 ounces empty.
Carry pistols should be reliable, have decent combat accuracy, demonstrate decent ergonomics, and be readily concealable in good leather.
Anyone with additional recommendations of options to add, please post the same info as above (preferably along with pics) and explain why you think it is a good concealed carry option.
Hopefully, this information will be of value to you.
TR
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"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - President Theodore Roosevelt, 1910
De Oppresso Liber 01/20/2025
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