With so many types, sizes, makes and models of firearms available, it is sometimes difficult to select a handgun. In very brief terms, the things to consider include: 1) The intended purpose of the firearm; 2) The type of firearm (revolver or semi-automatic); 3) The caliber; 4) Operability, including dependability and fit; and 5) A “test drive.”

Deciding to carry a concealed firearm is a major decision made up of several smaller decisions. In addition to the those mentioned above, for concealed carry, there are the additional considerations of size and weight.
People have argued for years about the ideal physical size and caliber of firearms. I don’t want to rehash that in this article. It’s a given that if you need a gun, any gun is better than none. But, if you are going to have a handgun for concealed carry, it only makes sense to pick one that is efficient and effective for you in the life you lead. I want to provide some ideas about a basic starting point for selection of a concealed firearm. I decided to write this article because so many people come to class with either a brand-new firearm of a size that just doesn’t work for them, or a semi-automatic with such a stiff slide that they can’t operate the pistol. Occasionally, someone will come in with a monster cannon that is extremely difficult to conceal. But, more often the gun is so small that it is difficult to impossible for the owner to operate. So, yes, size does matter. Let’s talk about how to make a good decision about the size of a firearm for concealed carry.
I think everyone who’s considered getting into concealed carry has wondered about the best size. It’s a good question and not just for people new to concealed carry. The long timers should give it some thought as well. The best answer is very individualized and can change over time. The solution varies from person to person depending upon a multitude of individual issues including their lifestyle, potential threats they are likely to face, their physical health and condition.

As a general rule, the smaller the firearm the easier it will be to conceal. But if small size alone was the primary determining factor I wouldn’t be writing this note. People frequently come to class with brand new guns that are so small that the shooter has significant difficulty operating it. If it’s a semi-auto, they find the slide is too small to grasp to operate the pistol. For both revolvers and semi-autos they find the barrel is so short that they can’t hit a nearby target or that the it is so snappy it is quite difficult, sometimes even painful, to manage the recoil. Larger firearms are easier to shoot. The longer barrel and sight radius makes them more accurate. (Sight radius is the distance from the front sight to the rear sight.) The longer the sight radius the more accurate you will be. The heavier weight, as a result of the larger size, makes it easier to manage the recoil. A larger firearm is generally easier to operate. It is far easier than most people realize to conceal a full-size pistol. So, why not go with a huge, long barreled heavy weight canon? Because the size and weight of such firearms makes them inconvenient to carry. They are often more difficult to extract from concealment. A firearm that’s too large and heavy is likely to be left at home as too troublesome to carry. Having a gun that you can’t get to is like having no gun at all. Like so many things in life, the strengths and limitations must be balanced to find your own best solution. It’s always a compromise. As a starting point, I recommend considering compact models. They are large enough for most people to operate, shoot well and their size keeps the recoil manageable. They are also small enough to conceal with reasonable ease. Most days, I carry a compact pistol.

Both revolvers and semi-automatics can be very effective for concealed carry. They each have advantages and disadvantages. Revolvers are easier to operate and slightly more dependable than semi-autos. But their shape makes them slightly more difficult to conceal and they generally hold fewer rounds than semi-automatics. Semi-autos are flatter / slimer making them easier to conceal, they generally hold more ammunition and are faster to reload. Frequently they will have a longer sight radius than most revolvers chosen for concealed carry. Often the choice between these two types of firearms really comes down to personal preference. There isn’t a wrong decision in this area. Just make sure you get adequate training and maintain sufficient practice to maintain competence.

Along with the size of the pistol, one must also consider the caliber. At one end of the spectrum are small rounds such as the .22 LR. At the other are the big powerhouses like the .45 ACP and the .44 Mag. The more powerful the rounds the more difficult it is to manage the recoil and the slower it is to have accurate follow-on shots. The ‘one-shot stop’ is mostly a Hollywood phenomenon. You cannot expect to stop a threat with only one round. Thus, accurate and rapid follow-on shots are important. The recoil of small rounds is much easier to manage making it easier to shoot faster and more accurately. But the small calibers lack power. At one time, I wasn’t willing to carry a concealed firearm in a caliber that didn’t start with a 4. That was a long time ago. Manufactures have made tremendous strides in the development of defensive rounds in the last 25 or so years. Today, I carry a 9mm. The bigger calibers are fine. But, for me, in the balance of speed and power, a sensible compromise is the 9mm. That is generally the consensus in the industry and in most of the world’s military services. As a result, 9mm ammunition is usually readily available in a wide variety of types of defensive rounds. As a starting point for caliber of a concealed carry firearm, I recommend against any round smaller than a .380 and larger than a .45 for a semi-automatic. For a revolver, I think a .38 Spl is a good place to start.
For a firearm to be useful, you must be able to operate it easily. It’s important to be able to reach all the controls (trigger, safety, magazine release, etc.) easily without having to make a major change in your grip. It’s also critical to be able to load, unload and shoot it. Some firearms have such a stiff trigger that some people struggle to press it, or totally lack the strength to do so. That’s especially common with double action revolvers. Racking the slide on a semi-auto can be equally challenging. If a slide is difficult to operate it may just need to be cleaned and lubricated. There may be interference from metal burrs, or the slide may be too tight. Perhaps the spring needs to be broken in. Often it is a matter of learning to use a more effective technique to operate the slide. Alternatively, there are devices that can be either held in your hand or attached to the pistol to assist. But the bottom line is that if you cannot easily operate the slide on a semi-automatic pistol, it is not the pistol for you. Find another.

Lastly, one of the most important things to do when deciding what pistol to buy or use is to take it for a “test drive.” Don’t buy sight unseen from the internet unless you are familiar with that particular make and model. Go to a gun store. Keeping the firearms safety rules in mind, hold the candidate firearm in your hand. See if you can easily reach the controls. How it feels in your hand is somewhat subjective but a valid consideration. If it feels clunky and awkward, keep looking. If it feels good, keeping it pointed in a safe direction, operate all of its functions. You must be able to operate everything including the trigger, safety and magazine or cylinder release. Then cock it, dry fire it (in a safe direction) and operate the slide several times if it is a semi-auto. Then, if possible, rent all of your candidates at a commercial range and actually shoot them. Many commercial ranges will have popular firearms available for rent. Shooting a firearm is the single best way to determine if it is the right one for you.

Stay safe.