(FirearmsGuide.com) Article by Jeff Johnston - Whether you find yourself in the wild or in black tie, one of these will fit your needs. For most Americans, the term “carry gun” implies a handgun capable of being concealed on their person discreetly to protect themselves from bad guys.
For outdoorsmen, the term can imply any firearm that can be easily carried along with other essential gear, just in case you need to take on a predator or bring down a meal. Here are five carry guns that will work for nearly any situation.
Taurus Defender Polymer / $650
Taurus’ Judge is one of the most versatile revolvers ever made because it’ll fire .45 Colt cartridges and .410-bore shotshells. The only downside is its weight. So Taurus released a lighter version that features steel components where it counts but a polymer body to trim it to 23 ounces unloaded. It holds five 2.5-inch .410 shotshells or .45 Colts. Load No. 12 shotshells for snakes or full-power .45 Colts, buckshot, or slugs. Although not super accurate, it’s a lightweight hand cannon that rarely needs cleaning. Now that’s a lifesaver.
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield / $589
One of finest guns available for deep concealed-carry, the Shield has a low-profile frame and slide that sends recoil straight back into the hand, thereby mitigating muzzle-flip; supreme reliability; no-nonsense controls; and good accuracy. Yet at only 1 inch thick and 19 ounces, it’s made to conceal. Its integrated Crimson Trace Green Laserguard makes it easier to put the bullet where it needs to be under pressure and bad lighting. I shot golf-ball-size groups at 7 yards and never experienced a jam. Carried inside the waistband, it’s virtually undetectable.
Glock 40 Gen 4 MOS / $699
In Wyoming’s Thorofare region that borders Yellowstone, bold grizzlies have an annoying habit of eating people. I formerly trusted a revolver for forays into this backcountry, but then Glock released its Model 40 MOS in 10mm Auto.
A 175-grain, 10mm bullet going 1,290 fps delivers 650 ft.-lb. of energy at the muzzle—roughly 150 ft.-lb. more than a .357 Mag. With a good rest, it is accurate to 100 yards. The Glock’s 15-round capacity, the 10mm’s power, and the red-dot’s precision make this sidearm one of the world’s best.
Ruger LC 380 / $499
Certain scenarios—like your anti-gun friend’s wedding—require extra-deep concealment and call for a gun that fits in a front pocket. For these times, it’s best to go with the smallest handgun class available—the mini-sub-compact, aka a pocket pistol. Ruger’s LC 380 is a perfect example. You’re not going to win a turkey shoot with it, but that’s not its purpose. It can save your life. Why? Because you’ll be likely to have this 17-ounce polymer-framed, striker-fired .380 ACP-caliber firearm close at hand. It holds eight rounds and has a decent trigger.
Kimber Ultra Crimson Carry II / $1,200
Carrying a full-size 1911 is like hanging a boat anchor from your belt. So for 1911 people who want a carry option, there’s Kimber’s Ultra Crimson Carry II. While bullet velocities won’t measure much over 600 fps from its 3-inch pipe (I could actually see some of the bullets in flight when the lighting was right), it’s a mighty wide pipe. Eight rounds of .45 ACP make this 25-ounce Cadillac of carry pieces awesome indeed. I found that its Crimson Trace Lasergrips, great ergonomics, and terrific 5-pound trigger make this pistol easier to shoot than comparably sized guns.
Refine Your Grip
1. Keep the thumb on your strong (shooting) hand in a relaxed and neutral position. Any pressure it exerts on your support hand will degrade your grip under recoil.
2. Place the web of your hand as high as possible on the grip of the handgun to control muzzle-jump.
3. Envelop the grip so that there’s no gap between the meat of your thumbs, and use a push-pull action to secure the pistol.
4. Lock the wrist of your support hand by pointing your thumb directly at your target.
Photographs (from top): Alamy, Bill Buckley