Recently got my Pa concealed carry permit, and want to buy a nice carry gun. I have always fancied the smith and Wesson SW99 so I think that's what I want. Now my question... They made this gun in 9mm,.40 and .45 What caliber should I get? Now keep in mind, im going to carry this gun most every day and I don't plan to do a LOT of target shooting for it, yeah once and awhile but im not too concerned with the price of ammo. Its going to be more like if I need to use it, its shoot to kill... if I have a reason to pull the trigger I want them in a body bag.

45

Posted by cdevon 45

Ill second this.

If your not shooting it all the time, the 9 is worthless, since its only advantage over the others is cost.

.40 is expensive as all hell to practice with.

Go with the .45 since you have already chosen a platform, you will not be disappointed.

Posted by sleeperspirit Recently got my Pa concealed carry permit, and want to buy a nice carry gun. I have always fancied the smith and Wesson SW99 so I think that's what I want. Now my question... They made this gun in 9mm,.40 and .45 What caliber should I get? Now keep in mind, im going to carry this gun most every day and I don't plan to do a LOT of target shooting for it, yeah once and awhile but im not too concerned with the price of ammo. Its going to be more like if I need to use it, its shoot to kill... if I have a reason to pull the trigger I want them in a body bag.

There's some inconsistencies in this that I thought I should point out.

Openly saying that you want to purchase a gun in a caliber that you may or may not be overly familiar with, that you plan on using for CC "all the time" but "don't plan on shooting at the range very much"

Coupled with your "shoot to kill" line...

You remind me of exactly the kind of people who SHOULD NOT be carrying concealed.

They *should* have drilled into your head during your CCW course that you are "shooting to stop the threat". If deadly force is warranted, then one shoots center mass to stop the threat. Running around openly saying that you intend to kill in lieu of stopping the threat against you or another is a great way to reinforce that concealed carry folks are really just looking to kill people, not to protect themselves and others.

As to the other issue...

shooting regularly is what keeps your skill level high. If you shoot only once in a great while or almost not at all WITH THE GUN THAT YOU CARRY, then when you are in a Fight or Flight situation, and your adrenaline is pumping, you are feeling perceptual narrowing and your heart is pounding, you are MORE OF A DANGER TO EVERYONE ELSE AROUND YOU than the person you're actually shooting at.

Shooting some *other* weapon than the one you are carrying is almost as bad unless it is exactly the same weapon in function and response.

As a CCW holder, you should be extremely skilled with the weapon you carry; which requires regular practice. If you are not willing to put forward that practice, you shouldn't be carrying, and you shouldn't be bragging about it on the internet either.

The thought that you're just going to carry some gun in some caliber that people on the internet said you should buy, and that you might plink a little with it here and there but not much, and that in a moment of true threat you are going to whip that smokepole out and blast the bad guy till he's dead and in a body-bag is a FUCKING FALLACY, and it's pretty fucking immature as well.


I like .40's. I find them to be a nice middle ground between 9mm and .45's.
A carry-all-the-time gun should be relatively lightweight, not usually a full-frame weapon, and not have any hard edges or protuberances which make carrying it uncomfortable or that would catch on clothing when it is being drawn.

Too many people go "yeah ima get a 45!" then when they get tired of carrying a gun that's bulky and heavy, and they can't afford to have regular range time with it, they just leave it at home most of the time. I don't dislike .45's, I've owned them. I just think they're pushed too far via "cult following" than by people who they actually are a good fit with.

I carried a 9mm for years. Say what you may about them, I haven't heard anyone say that they don't mind getting shot by one. And 9mm's have shown time and time again to be effective at "stopping threats".
If it comes down to it and a 9mm is more comfy for you to carry, and more affordable for you to shoot regularly, then get one instead.

I carry a .40 these days. I like it.

Your decision on this matter is VERY IMPORTANT. How you go about doing this is VERY IMPORTANT. You should be shooting friend's weapons and renting some at shooting range/gun shops to see what YOU shoot best, what YOU are comfy with, and what YOU can afford. That determines what caliber and what gun YOU carry.

Not what the "internet" thinks.

Posted by Therrin There's some inconsistencies in this that I thought I should point out. Openly saying that you want to purchase a gun in a caliber that you may or may not be overly familiar with, that you plan on using for CC "all the time" but "don't plan on shooting at the range very much" Coupled with your "shoot to kill" line... You remind me of exactly the kind of people who SHOULD NOT be carrying concealed. They *should* have drilled into your head during your CCW course that you are "shooting to stop the threat". If deadly force is warranted, then one shoots center mass to stop the threat. Running around openly saying that you intend to kill in lieu of stopping the threat against you or another is a great way to reinforce that concealed carry folks are really just looking to kill people, not to protect themselves and others. As to the other issue... shooting regularly is what keeps your skill level high. If you shoot only once in a great while or almost not at all WITH THE GUN THAT YOU CARRY, then when you are in a Fight or Flight situation, and your adrenaline is pumping, you are feeling perceptual narrowing and your heart is pounding, you are MORE OF A DANGER TO EVERYONE ELSE AROUND YOU than the person you're actually shooting at. Shooting some *other* weapon than the one you are carrying is almost as bad unless it is exactly the same weapon in function and response. As a CCW holder, you should be extremely skilled with the weapon you carry; which requires regular practice. If you are not willing to put forward that practice, you shouldn't be carrying, and you shouldn't be bragging about it on the internet either. The thought that you're just going to carry some gun in some caliber that people on the internet said you should buy, and that you might plink a little with it here and there but not much, and that in a moment of true threat you are going to whip that smokepole out and blast the bad guy till he's dead and in a body-bag is a FUCKING FALLACY, and it's pretty fucking immature as well. I like .40's. I find them to be a nice middle ground between 9mm and .45's. A carry-all-the-time gun should be relatively lightweight, not usually a full-frame weapon, and not have any hard edges or protuberances which make carrying it uncomfortable or that would catch on clothing when it is being drawn. Too many people go "yeah ima get a 45!" then when they get tired of carrying a gun that's bulky and heavy, and they can't afford to have regular range time with it, they just leave it at home most of the time. I don't dislike .45's, I've owned them. I just think they're pushed too far via "cult following" than by people who they actually are a good fit with. I carried a 9mm for years. Say what you may about them, I haven't heard anyone say that they don't mind getting shot by one. And 9mm's have shown time and time again to be effective at "stopping threats". If it comes down to it and a 9mm is more comfy for you to carry, and more affordable for you to shoot regularly, then get one instead. I carry a .40 these days. I like it. Your decision on this matter is VERY IMPORTANT. How you go about doing this is VERY IMPORTANT. You should be shooting friend's weapons and renting some at shooting range/gun shops to see what YOU shoot best, what YOU are comfy with, and what YOU can afford. That determines what caliber and what gun YOU carry. Not what the "internet" thinks.

well said.

I agree with everything that Therrin has said, including the caliber suggestion. Pistols chambered for .40 caliber are a good balance between stopping power and weight. I'd also like to add that you should also take the barrel length into consideration. What you choose is ultimately up to you, but make sure that it's comfortable for you to carry, both in your holster and in your hands.

I would really like to get involved here but....yeah. On the internet, everyone is an expert.

I will make one suggestion. I'm 6'1", 200 pounds, and concealing a large frame handgun is not always easy, nor comfortable. You can kill an attacker with a .25 Auto, so caliber is not the biggest issue. Get a carry weapon that you will actually carry. Won't do you a damn bit of good if its home on the nightstand when you need it.

Peace.

They actually make a compact version of the sw99, Im leaning more towards that.

Posted by Jonsered You can kill an attacker with a .25 Auto, so caliber is not the biggest issue.

You can kill someone with a .22, as well, but it's going to take more bullets.

This is what I was trying to avoid. Don't get hung up on cartridge. Shot placement folks. 454 Casull isn't big enough if your shot placement is poor. Done here. Good luck.

Posted by Jonsered This is what I was trying to avoid. Don't get hung up on cartridge. Shot placement folks. 454 Casull isn't big enough if your shot placement is poor. Done here. Good luck.

I'm not seeking an argument, but shot placement is likely not going to be the best even if you're an ace at a shooting range if you're not good at thinking on your feet and/or aren't trained to deal with stressful situations. It's easy to say how well you can handle a situation, but you won't really know until you're in it.

Posted by Shawn W. I'm not seeking an argument, but shot placement is likely not going to be the best even if you're an ace at a shooting range if you're not good at thinking on your feet and/or aren't trained to deal with stressful situations. It's easy to say how well you can handle a situation, but you won't really know until you're in it.

Yeah, but when the person says he doesn't plan on shooting with it at the range much; there's a certain amount of skill that's being completely left out.

Being absolutely proficient with your weapon allows you the best possible chance of being accurate with it in stressful situations.

Saying "fuck it" and not training regularly with the weapon you carry pretty much leaves it ALL up to chance.

And that's a shitty spot to leave it in a world that has OTHER people in it besides your attacker. It's not only careless, it's morally and ethically wrong. Anyone who carries a gun should consider these thing. People who think they're shit-hot on the trigger without regular practice are a danger to innocent people and their property.

You're only reinforcing Jonsered's point with what you said Shawn.

Posted by Therrin Yeah, but when the person says he doesn't plan on shooting with it at the range much; there's a certain amount of skill that's being completely left out. Being absolutely proficient with your weapon allows you the best possible chance of being accurate with it in stressful situations. Saying "fuck it" and not training regularly with the weapon you carry pretty much leaves it ALL up to chance. And that's a shitty spot to leave it in a world that has OTHER people in it besides your attacker. It's not only careless, it's morally and ethically wrong. Anyone who carries a gun should consider these thing. People who think they're shit-hot on the trigger without regular practice are a danger to innocent people and their property. You're only reinforcing Jonsered's point with what you said Shawn.

Because I don't plan to go to the range every free day I get im going to to forget how to use a gun responsibly? Listen I don't plan on playing cowboy, shooting at anything that pisses me off. I do plan to get proficient in the weapon but Im not concerned with the price of ammunition because it's not like I will be shooting 100 rounds through it every weekend.

Don't gotta be mad at me man, you set the tone for this thread in your first post.

Posted by Therrin Don't gotta be mad at me man, you set the tone for this thread in your first post.

Why? Cause if I'm in a situation and need to defend my fellow man /wife and kids and I have my gun to use as a weapon on an enemy posing a threat to me I plan to kill not wound? I hope I never have to kill somebody but if in put in that position that is what I need to do. What's wrong with that?

Not what I said either.

Never mind, I'm out. Have fun.

Posted by Therrin Not what I said either. Never mind, I'm out. Have fun.

You took everything I posted in my thread out of context, and quoted things I never sayed in your first post. ?

I carry a Smith & Wesson M&P 9C. Love it.

Just one of the things I think about every time when carrying is the old rule - "Know your target and what is behind it." Even if we stop the bad guy, we are liable for every round fired and can easily be sued by innocents hit. Practice practice practice, even if that means drawing and dry firing at home.

Congrats on the CCW. Stay safe.

I'm with jonsey on this the .22 you have with you is far better the the magnum you left at home.
police in europe have been killing unarmed suspects with .32 a.c.p. for years,seems to work pretty well..
i run a ruger l.c.p. in .380 or a berretta mod 70 in .32 a.c.p. been working well for years.

Posted by andrew I'm with jonsey on this the .22 you have with you is far better the the magnum you left at home. police in europe have been killing unarmed suspects with .32 a.c.p. for years,seems to work pretty well.. i run a ruger l.c.p. in .380 or a berretta mod 70 in .32 a.c.p. been working well for years.

um.... ok....