Best Concealed Carry Weapon

Question
GCH,
In your opinion which firearm would be the best concealed carry type, the Walther PPK/S, Walther PPK, or the Glock 26.

Thank you for your input.

Tom Kennedy

Answer
Mr. Kennedy,

Given those choices, I would opt for the G26.  Although both the PPK and PPK/S are thinner, and therefore probably more concealable per se, the PPK's suffer from three things:  1) A bad trigger (that really can't be fixed due to the geometry and articulations of the parts), 2) Less than desirable ergonomics (most people who shoot them report that they hurt the hand, due not to catridge stength, but to bad ergonomics.  This will tend to discourage practice, which is absolutely necessary for one to master the bad trigger); 3) An anemic cartridge (.32 or .380).

Of the two, then, the G26 would be my recommendation, but you do have other options:

The Kahr P9 or CW9 will be about the same size as the PPK, but will be lighter, more comfortable, easier to use, and have a better cartridge (9mm).

If you want to carry a .32 or .380, you can look into the Kel-Tec P-32 or P-3AT.  These guns are very small and light, although their reliability is spotty (the ones that work, work all the time - you should have the feedramp polished and run a bunch of ammunition through it to make sure it is reliable before trusting your life to it.  IF YOU OPT FOR THE KEL-TEC, MAKE SURE YOU DISASSEMBLE IT AND CLEAN IT EVERY WEEK!  Unlike the Glock, pocket lint WILL ABSOLUTELY choke the Kel-Tec, so be sure to keep it clean).

Of these, however, my choice would still be the G26.  The ergonomics are good, and the gun is tough and is not fussy about not being cleaned (I've had Glocks to the range that, upon disassembly, looked like the contents of my dryer's lint tray had been emptied into the mechanism, and they worked fine).  The cartridge is adquately powerful, but if you opt for the Glock, and you're not overly sensitive to the recoil, I would consider the G27, as the .40 has proven a more reliable fight stopper than the 9mm.

I hope this is helpful.