Well...I am now approved as an Illinois Concealed Carry License instructor....we have an approved curricula for the two day class...so a course offering is days away. The next decision is what to carry....I am considering options among some of the pistols that I own, and started out by eliminating a revolver as a choice. They will be good for some folks...not my thing....not enough capacity with six rounds...so semi-automatic is the choice. I am not comfortable with pocket pistols...and for defensive purposes won't carry anything smaller than a 9MM. My own experience has me comfortable with 9MM and .45ACP....with a preference for .45ACP....as they say "9MM or .40 cal may expand but .45ACP will never shrink".
The three specific pistols that I am seeking to choose between are:
1. Colt Defender - 3" barrel 7+1 1911 [Officer Size] in 45 ACP. SAO, hammer fired, manual safety
2. Sig Sauer P229 - Platinum Elite mid-sized 15+1 9MM, DAO/SAO hammer fired with decocker
3. Glock G19 mid-sized 15+1 DAO, striker fired with glock trigger safety.
Having gone through the thought process...I am going to carry the Colt Defender....the only limitation being is that with two spare magazines...I will only be able to carry 22 rounds, as opposed to 46 with either of the other pistols.
Once again...I am sharing my own experience...anyone that is contemplating concealed carry of a firearm should go through the analysis themselves to decide on which particular firearm they are willing to entrust their life to. One of my next posts will discuss holsters and concealment optoins.
