The concealed handgun manual

As a law-abiding concealed carrier, you are generally allowed to walk through State and Federally maintained parks with your concealed carry firearm. What you will not be doing is drawing your pistol while we go through this section. The reason why we're taking a detour into the woods is for two reasons —. When you're out on your walk, look at how the earth naturally forms gullies and troughs.

These can be useful in taking immediate cover. They can also leave you exposed to attacks from other angles. Pick a direction and imagine that bullets coming from that direction. Walk over to a suitable place where you believe you could readily take cover. From this place, look around to see where the next, nearest point of cover is.

Your goal should always be to move away from the source of gunfire. Walk over to the next place where you believe cover may be obtained. Is this location as suitable as you thought it would be?

This is a real issue that affects those who've been in firefights. Often times, a place of cover or concealment may appear to be more appealing than it actually is. Also, because you're in nature, notice the sound your feet make as you walk to your next point of cover. Just the simple act of movement probably did a lot to give away your position. So, you'll see, movement comes at a price: it can potentially reveal your position to a shooter and it can cause a lot of commotion.

But, if you stay in your old spot for cover, your attacker may move in and try to take advantage of that. So, there is a sacrifice that must be made. Food for thought. In a firefight, you need to keep moving away from the action whenever possible.

There are two basic types of movement from cover:. You should never leave a place of cover unless you are moving to another point of cover. Staying out in the open and leaving yourself exposed is a very bad idea.

Sprinting from cover is fast but at the sacrifice of exposure to your enemy. Crawling is slower but minimizes yourself as a target. Ideally, you should have identified precisely where you intend to move. By the time you finish saying that sentence, you should be on the ground or where you intend to take cover. This is not a firm rule but a light guideline. For this last piece of the puzzle, we're going to dedicate a section to home defense. This is by far the most likely place you will encounter an actual self-defense scenario.

It only makes sense to both prepare a plan and practice that plan to ensure the safety of yourself and your family. Realistic expectations : At the conclusion of Part 5, you should have the basics you need to continue training to suitable proficiency in concealed carry firearms. Movement around your own home is imperative in a self-defense situation. If you have family members located in adjacent sections of your house, make a plan for them that covers two basic situations:.

Determining whether movement is necessary will be largely determined by whether the active threat is inside the house with you. In close quarters, it may not make sense to have your children or other occupants move to your location and take shelter. If the threat is not yet inside the house when it is detected, you have initiative. Thus, if it makes sense, move your family to a central location that is defensible. Develop call words and strategies to communicate quickly and efficiently — much like a quarterback calling a play.

The worst thing that can happen is for them to hear gunshots and you rush back in the room only to inadvertently get taken out. When practicing home defense drills, always visually and manually inspect your concealed carry handgun to ensure that it is unloaded.

Teach those around you to also do the same to ensure everyone's safety. As soon as a break-in is suspected, don't wait for visual confirmation. Immediately contact emergency services. The sooner the call goes in, the sooner the timer starts for police to arrive.

In the meantime You've got a plan. If you call a word and there is no answer from inside, you can't assume the person inside is a bad guy. On the same token, you cannot assume the room is safe, either. You should see that there's immediately a problem that presents itself — you can rarely achieve both alone and at the same time. That's why it's important to encourage sheltering in place and taking up defensive positions inside rooms until police can arrive.

This is the path of least resistance. If you have someone in your household that can cover you while you clear a room, that at least improves chances you can respond adequately to an active threat.

Clearing doorways and darkened areas is extremely tense. This is made all the more tense if you can't see what you're aiming at. Using a flashlight is important but it's also important to practice using it. If you're in the living room and someone breaks in through the back door, find the easiest way to achieve concealment and still cover their likely approach with your field of fire.

Ideally, it's an area 15 degrees or less to either side of you. If your positioning were like the face of a clock and 12 o'clock is directly in front of you, you want your field of fire to ideally be no greater than 11 to 1 o'clock respectively. To truly embody this, you need to figure out how you would break into your house.

Knowing the likely routes you would take will help you figure out how you can respond to them. In turn, armed home invasions can happen at any hour. So, practice different variations from places such as the kitchen, living room, study, or bedroom.

This will help you get a better understanding of your vulnerabilities in responding to a home invasion scenario — and hopefully turning them into advantages. In a home defense situation, you're going to want to move fast. But you don't want to be careless. If you're injured or killed, you can potentially jeopardize the rest of your household's ability to defend themselves.

Practice slow, deliberate movements no matter how rushed and fast you want to go. Your muscle memory will ultimately be the clincher in your ability to prevail in an actual home defense scenario. Practicing steady movements, adhering to safety, and having an understanding of the layout of your home and location of your family will all prove to be just as pivotal as your practice with your firearms.

In conclusion, if you've followed this guide all the way through, you likely have the basics you need to feel confident and competent in concealed carry practices.

Make sure to attend any firearms courses you feel will best help you learn more advanced skills such as scenario-driven events, vehicles, et cetera. It's impossible to be prepared for everything, but if you've trained and you're carrying your concealed handgun, you'll at least be able to respond to the emergency.

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The concealed handgun manual : how to choose, carry, and shoot a gun in self defense Item Preview. EMBED for wordpress. Want more?

Advanced embedding details, examples, and help! It includes many actual incidents of ordinary citizens using handguns to defend themselves against criminal threat or attack"--Publisher description Includes bibliographical references pages and index Virginia Tech: in search of answers -- Victims or survivors: fighting back against criminals and terrorists -- Why carry a gun?

The double-action trigger pull is usually around 8 lbs, and the single-action trigger is typically 4 to 6 lbs, as it varies from gun to gun. The steel frame soaks up recoil, making them fairly soft-shooting for a small. They make a good choice of deep concealment or backup gun and have done since television was even invented.

That said, they have those limitations to be aware of. It has the touches that modern Walther pistols are known for, including a superb trigger and excellent ergonomics in the segment. Walther makes some of the best factory pistols you can get. It has a crisp, smooth trigger the best, hands down, of the subcompact single-stack guns and a shockingly comfortable grip.

The overall dimensions 6. The latter two magazine sizes include magazine sleeves for better purchase on the grip. The PPS M2 also comes with front cocking serrations, which is rare for the segment. While the PPS has an advertised trigger pull weight of 6. Take-up is glass smooth and short, the trigger ever-so-briefly stacks and then breaks like a glass rod. The PPS M2 is a very easy gun to live with.

If you have larger hands, you can add the extended magazine for more grip purchase, and the trigger guard is just large enough for most people to get on the trigger without difficulty. It could stand a little more aggressive texturing for traction when shooting. Another potential downside is that the sights are a little on the small side. They are a little snappy, being a small, light gun chambered in 9mm, but — again — that comes with the territory.

Overall, the PPS M2 is probably the best in terms of overall quality among the single-stack subcompact striker-fired pistols. Frankly, it is. The VP9SK has superb attention to little details, with some ingenious features that add up to an excellent gun. The ergonomics are excellent, and the trigger is second to none. Glass smooth pull, a glass-like break, and an excellent reset. The slide has front cocking serrations, and two charging handles at the rear of the slide for easy manipulation.

The dust cover has a Picatinny rail for mounting a light or a laser if so desired. The grip is incredibly comfortable, and the gun comes with swappable backstraps to dial in the fit. The standard model comes with white dot sights, but you can also find them with night sights and an optics-ready model if so desired. If you demand serious performance from a concealed carry gun, the VP9 has it in spades. If there is one quirk, the gun is made with European-style paddles instead of a magazine release button.

First is that the standard VP9 is a little on the large side. You might be able to find them a little cheaper elsewhere but not by much. Most models come with two, but some VP9 options with night sights, etc. When Sig Sauer launched the P with its half-staggered magazine and greater carrying capacity than other single-stack compacts, it triggered an arms race of who can get the greatest number of cartridges into a tiny gun.

The Hellcat has a number of standard features that are actually great touches on a pint-size pistol. The texturing is aggressive, for good traction while shooting, which is often a complaint of subcompact and micro pistols. Serrations front and back are grippy, and the rear slide serrations are also on top of the frame, for easier hand-over manipulation.

Those are standard; there is no white-dot model. There is also a small section of accessory rail, for adding a micro light or laser. The flat blade trigger is comfortable, but Springfield also tune it for short, smooth take-up and a crisp break. The optional extras are also quite smart. You can order the Hellcat with frame-mounted thumb safeties if so desired, as well as the Hellcat OSP, an optics-ready model.

They also offer the pistol with a Shield SMSc optic. The Hellcat is snappy. Another thing to watch out for is the gap between the magazine base pad and the magazine well.

The gap is a little pronounced at the front strap of the grip housing, and depending on where your fingers sit on the gun…it may pinch. The Springfield Hellcat is an excellent choice of concealed carry pistol, full-stop. While there are a couple of minor complaints some people might have, the gun has no real downsides.

Even with the extended magazine, it positively disappears on the body and is not difficult to shoot well in the least, optics or no. The Sig P is a micro chambered in. The P is a micro , with a single-action firing system and a smooth single-action trigger with a clean, crisp break. It can absolutely disappear while wearing the gun, with impossibly small dimensions, but the P is ergonomically better than most other micro pistols.

Barrel length is 2. There are a couple of different finishes. Adding the extended magazine makes it even easier to get a good, firm grasp of the pistol. That said, there are some downsides that you need to be aware of. The Sig P is overall the best example of the type micro in. First, the thumb safety is tiny and there is no grip safety.

That means either manually lowering the hammer to carry it or carrying it cocked and locked. That is up to you. The manual safety being what it is means you need to pause for a second before committing to the P If you get one, you need to train to either thumb the hammer back on the draw or to disengage the safety. All other features — the 3-inch barrel, standard night sights, and so on — are the same.

Like other CZ 75 pistols and derivatives, the slide rides inside the frame rails for tight lockup. Shooters with large hands and long fingers will find the trigger guard a little claustrophobic.

The LC9s is a striker-fired subcompact pistol with a polymer frame and black oxide slide. Overall dimensions are in line with other pistols in the segment, at 6 inches long, about an inch wide, and 4.

The LC9s also adds dovetailed sights to be drift adjusted if needs to be — or upgraded with aftermarket irons. If there were any criticisms, it would be that the controls are a little undersized, which can give some people issues. The sights are usable but a bit on the tiny side. Pistols can be classified in a few different ways, including action type and size. Each of these size classes roughly corresponds to a range of barrel lengths.

The best action for CCW handguns is hotly debated. Each has pros and cons. With striker-fired concealed carry guns the firing pin is cocked by pulling the slide but held in place by the sear. Pulling the trigger pushes a bar the trigger bar to the rear, trips the sear, and lets the firing pin go forward, striking the cartridge and discharging the gun.

However, the downside is that they also require more care in their handling to avoid accidental discharge. Another downside is striker-fired pistols need to be constantly re-cocked for dry fire practice. However, the polymer-frame, striker-fired pistol is the dominant design on the market for good reason. Single-action concealed carry guns have to be cocked for every shot. Single-action revolvers must be manually cocked, but single-action semi-autos only need to be manually cocked for the first shot.

The slide does the work or recocking the hammer for every shot after that. On the other hand, single-action semi-autos remain in production and are a viable choice — if you can live with them.

The upside of single-action concealed carry guns is a short, light trigger pull, but the downside is that they have to be carried with a manual safety, so you have to put in a lot of practice to use them effectively.

Single-action semi-autos are almost exclusively s and derivatives. Other concealed carry gun designs are out there, but really for all practical purposes, it means s. Double-action pistols can cock and fire the gun with the firing mechanism wholly deactivated. The hammer if hammer-fired starts all the way forward, goes back, then drops on the firing pin, which hits the primer and detonates the cartridge.

However, double-action guns come in several sub-categories. The first trigger pull has more resistance, and the trigger has a longer overall travel, but the single-action pull is shorter and easier. Double-action-only pistols have only the double-action trigger pull.

Double-action revolvers with an exposed hammer can be fired by simply pulling the trigger or cocking the pistol and firing it in single-action mode. Still, the combat method for operating a revolver is only to fire it in double-action to keep things simple. The double-action trigger pull provides a certain level of safety in that the firing mechanism has no spring tension.

This makes the gun a little more drop safe and much harder to negligently discharge. Highly skilled shooters often find double-action guns also provide more tactile feedback in the first trigger press. Many double-action pistols are well-established pistol designs known for being rugged, reliable, and proven.

There are, however, downsides. First is the double-action trigger pull, which requires a good amount of practice time to master completely. Then you have the different control layouts. Sig Sauers only have a decocker, Berettas have a decocking safety though decocker only models are available , and CZs either have a manual safety defeating the purpose of double-action capability or a decocker.

In other words, a more complicated manual of arms, which you have to put in the time to master to run the gun well. The typical revolver has more moving parts than a pistol. Again, each has its positives and negatives. The capacity of the firearm matters a great deal. FBI data suggests that most self-defense shootings involve fewer than 6 shots fired. As such I tend to recommend and carry firearms that occupy the higher end of the capacity spectrum, and can be reloaded quickly.

A spare magazine or two is also a frequent part of a good concealed carry kit. The viable overall length of a CCW firearm can be dictated by a lot of things. If you live somewhere cold and wear jackets, for instance, it might be viable to concealed carry even a full-size handgun with ease.

Additionally, being able to get a good firing grip and shoot the firearm well is likely the most important consideration in selecting a firearm with which you might have to defend your life.

When in doubt, try a gun at the range before you buy it. For its size, the PPK holds little ammo, is heavy, and the iron sights that come with it look like they were designed in the s, because they were. This is the question that everyone who conceals carries has dealt with at some point. Aside from that, the biggest reason people concealed carry is that they recognize that the world is an unpredictable place, and that, sadly, sometimes violence happens and we might have to commit an act of violence ourselves to preserve our own lives.

Most folks who concealed carry are law-abiding citizens who hope that they never have to use a firearm in anger against a human being. We wholeheartedly embrace that kind of thinking but recognize that a firearm can be a tool that can help you get home if you absolutely need it. Given that, the question becomes: what are the best available tools to make sure I get home safe. Everyone has their own opinion on the best concealed carry pistol, but you have to pick the best gun for you.

Make sure to try before you buy, and start with a gun you can run. Exactly what you think, a full-size handgun made without concealment or a compact form factor a priority. Full-size guns are easier to shoot well but can be difficult to conceal, and some find them uncomfortable to carry.

Others have no issue at all. Compact pistols or revolvers are a middle ground, just big enough to be easy to shoot but just compact enough to be easier to conceal.

While far from the first or only example, the archetype of the compact pistol is the Glock Just small enough to be easily concealed, just big enough to be easy to shoot. Subcompacts are smaller again than compacts and make a great concealed carry pistol. These revolvers and pistols are small but just large enough to chamber the popular defensive calibers.

These days, some larger firearms like the P are nearly in this category. The idea is to make the smallest gun that can still chamber 9mm. Micro pistols are small enough to carry in a pocket, but, depending on the brand and makes, can about the same size as sub-compacts. The design philosophy is to create a gun that disappears when carrying it. On the extreme end, there are guns like Derringers or even the Kolibri. Many of these have a barrel of an inch or less, and often fire tiny projectiles that are unlikely to do much damage.

I do not recommend these as defensive weapons to the vast majority of people. With that said, they might be marginally better than resorting to a fistfight if you have to defend yourself.