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When choosing a 'self-defense' carry hand gun, what is the single most important aspect that you look for?

#1. 100% reliability
#2. adequacy of round of choice.
#3. Familiarity with the platform.

stork wrote: #1. 100% reliability
#2. adequacy of round of choice.
#3. Familiarity with the platform.

Plus one. That sounds right on to me, too.

All of the above +

4. Size & weight for conceal ability.

As for comfort. My CC instructor said they are comforting not comfortable in most cases. But with the right holster and a Good Gun Belt most any will carry well.

For me, a civilian, weight/size is what influences my choice, firstly, then I look for reliability, then caliber, then simplicity of operating.



Detroit Tigrs =

Comfort in carrying is definitely a factor, but I wouldn't place it in my top three. Definitely top 5 tho. I can't come up with a higher valued priority off the top of my head, so it would be either 4 or 5.

If it's too bulky/heavy to carry, you don't carry. That's just human nature, so the size/weight/bulkiness would definitely factor into one's decision to carry.

FWIW

stork wrote:#1. 100% reliability
#2. adequacy of round of choice.
#3. Familiarity with the platform.

What he said. I have and do carry various handguns. Both revolvers and pistols. Over time, I seem to carry my Springfield XD .40 mostly. So that size, weight and caliber seem to suit me best. Your milage may vary.

Reliability for me is #1.

R,
Bullseye

Bullseye wrote:Reliability for me is #1.

R,
Bullseye

You mean you don't want the excitement of not knowing if you will hear bang or click?

Reliability works for me

#1 Reliability and ergonomics tie for #1 (it has to fit my hand nd run with quality ammo, those are "go/no-go" considerations)

#3 Can I conceal it easily?
#4 Can I get a good holster for it
#5 How much will it cost me to shoot it a lot? (gun+ammo+mags+holster+modification)

I also don't like practicing my "tap, rack, bang" drill in a SD situation.

R,
Bullseye

Bullseye wrote:I also don't like practicing my "tap, rack, bang" drill in a SD situation.

R,
Bullseye

I've had about 3 of my 9mm reloads give me the chance to practice that at the range recently. Not sure if it is me or CCI.

The drill is much faster with a revolver. The downside is with an airweight is you have 5 rounds before you practice speed reload in and SD situation. Ammunition capacity might be a consideration. I'd like to have one more round than I need. The trick is guessing how many you need?

The answer to your question is a minimum capacity of three - two for the chest and one for the head.

R,
Bullseye

My main concern in SDC hg's is how easily, and comfortably, I can conceal it. My reasoning doesn't necessarily put reliability on the 'back burner', because there are many hg's out there that are comfortable to carry and reliable at the same time. If I am uncomfortable carrying a particular gun, I probably won't have the tendency to wear it. Then again, if I am venturing down into the bad parts of SE michigan, a 45acp 1911 on the front seat makes me feel a little better. Other then that, my Kahr PM-9 suffices.

I figure there are parts of Detroit where a glock 17 with a couple of 33 round mags would be a better choice than a 1911..... It is Detroit after all.

It sure didn't take you long to take the tigers logo down Haka...