Type of handgun

Question
I wanted to ask your opinion on concealed carry of a handgun. Is it better to go for a smaller size, or deal with a bigger size for better accuracy? What is the best chambering for self defense? I was looking at a .40 Glock subcompact. Thanks alot!

Matt

Answer
Matt,

The trade-off between concealability and a nice long sight radius has stumped shooters forever. Yes, the longer the barrel and the further apart the front and rear sights are, the easier it is to shoot better. On the other hand, unless you're a 7'2" 400-lb mutant, concealing an 8-inch barreled wheelgun is pretty hard.

So, the key is to find a good compromise. In my humble estimation, the Glock subcompacts (Models 26, 27, and 30) represent the best compromise in terms of size, stopping power, ammo capacity, reliability and accuracy. That subcompact .40 S&W Glock (27) has found its way into scores of holsters among people I know with CCWs and even command officer cops who don't get out from behind a desk too much and want something that's easy to carry around the office all day but will do the job in the field should they ever need it. You can't go wrong with a Glock 27, particularly with the after-market extended magazine floorplate that gives you a place to rest your little finger.

As for best chamberings for self-defense, the ballistics gurus of the day point to the 155-grain jacketed hollow point in .40 S&W, the 125-grain JHP in .357 Magnum and the 180-grain JHP in .44 Magnum as being among the very best manstoppers out there at present.

So, I'd be more than comfortable in recommending the Glock 27 or it's slightly larger cousin, the 23 (compact .40 cal). They work, they've got nice big sights for easy aiming, a decent trigger pull once you get used to it, plenty enough functional accuracy, and in .40 cal (or even 9mm) plenty of stopping power.

If you do go with a .40 S&W, I'd stay with 155-grain loads. While 180-grainers are quite common, the 180-grain bullet is a direct descendant from the 10mm Auto, which is the exact same width, just longer and more powerful. The 10mm Auto was better able to push the heavy 180-grain bullet, but the stepped-down powder charge of the .40 S&W just doesn't get the same velocity with it. The 155-grainers, however, are screaming fast and pack a lot of energy. My favorite brands are the Federal Hydra-Shok, Speer Gold Dot and Remington Golden Sabre (which is a re-designed, more politically-correctly-named Winchester Black Talon).

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask.

Kyle