Inquiring gheys want to know. What say you? My buddy just got an FN Five-seven and said he really likes it. Cant be too heavy (weak wrists obviously). Must have tasteful holster options too.

you might as well just google it, you'll get every imaginable answer here. I'll start:

Glock 27

Shield 9mm

I carry a 92FS, mostly because I like the discomfort and want people to think I'm sprouting a tail (I carry at the 5 o'clock).

Seriously though, I love my Beretta. But I'm upgrading that to my nightstand gun soon and getting a Sig P229.

1911

Glock 19
Glock 26
Glock 43
S&W Shield 9mm
Remington 870

If you aren't sure about recoil, get a 380.

A gay gun - Ruger LCP

A real gun - Colt Defenser, Sig Sauer 232, Springfield XD Subcompact

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If you aren't sure about recoil, get a 380.

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Disagree strongly.

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If you aren't sure about recoil, get a 380.

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Recoil is affected by a lot more than just caliber.

Height of bore (XD's are bad about this)
Overall mass (why .45 in a 1911 is different than .45 in a Glock)
Grip (subcompact pistols have less to "hold" than compacts or full size)

Don't handicap yourself when it's not necessary.

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If you aren't sure about recoil, get a 380.

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Recoil is affected by a lot more than just caliber.

Height of bore (XD's are bad about this)
Overall mass (why .45 in a 1911 is different than .45 in a Glock)
Grip (subcompact pistols have less to "hold" than compacts or full size)

Don't handicap yourself when it's not necessary.

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True but 380s tend to have lighter recoil while also being lighter platforms. Which makes it more ideal for carrying.

Obviously the platform matters. But 380 is less snappy than their larger caliber counterparts.

Glock 30s if you are willing to boot carry or wear a holster. For pocket carry and true convenience, an airweight 38. The tiny 380's generally dont work so dont bother. Ive tried keltec and ruger several times and they are just deathtrap garbage. Guaranteed to not go off when you need it.

My Shield is a lot less snappy than my bodyguard .380.

I prefer single stack for EDC. Glock 43 or Sig P938

Glock 26 isn't bad either, but it is a bit bulky for my little girly hands.

There's no "best." Just different setups.

Here's mine (starting soon with a recent purchase I still need to range test):

-- EDC/Pocket: Ruger LCP Custom (had the original LCP and sold it the day I range fired it due to the trigger. This one has a better feel). I think everyone should have something like this so even if you're wearing shorts, you can be reasonably armed.

-- Pants with belt: Soon to purchase H&K P(xx)SK, but a Glock 26/27 and a few other brands -- subcompact with a sufficient number of rounds. This is the minimum I would want if I were to actually engage someone in a gun fight.

-- Alternative to Pants with belt: my current H&K USP. I may ditch this for a P30 or similar at some point, but, short of having a rifle, I would feel well armed with this.

As far as round, the good 9+Ps are MORE than adequate. If you want another caliber, by all means get what you want. But if you must have something significantly stronger than a 9, you need a rifle. I'm happy with the Corbon 115g but there are many other fine 9 defense loads and plenty of fine .40, .357Sig, and .45 loads.

Regardless of what you get, you need to spend a significant time at the range after any purchase. You must be able to operate your weapon almost by instinct and you really need to practice a lot with your off hand. Your strong hand may take the first round. Learn to shoot correctly but also practice shooting with only one hand and no support.

Finally, if you can, PLEASE go through a shooting simulation video. Some communities have Citizens Police Academies that might offer this. I can assure you that you will learn more in 1 minute here than you will spending a year going to range twice a month. (Hint: cover is your best friend -- something I didn't think about).

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A gay gun - Ruger LCP

A real gun - Colt Defenser, Sig Sauer 232, Springfield XD Subcompact

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I carry an LCP and I'm NOT gay. Like VERY not gay (not that there's anything wrong with that).

I carry a LCP too, but maybe the dude posting before protests too much.

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A gay gun - Ruger LCP

A real gun - Colt Defenser, Sig Sauer 232, Springfield XD Subcompact

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I carry an LCP and I'm NOT gay. Like VERY not gay (not that there's anything wrong with that).

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sounds like you're gay and you just don't know it or want to admit it.

Little Seinfeld humor?

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A gay gun - Ruger LCP

A real gun - Colt Defenser, Sig Sauer 232, Springfield XD Subcompact

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I carry an LCP and I'm NOT gay. Like VERY not gay (not that there's anything wrong with that).

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Also carry an LCP here too. Love it. Never leave it at home...

Shield in single or double stack?

If I had to choose between 2 guns for concealed carry it would be

S&W shield 9mm no safety with the Crimson trace grips

Or

S&W 442 with the Crimson Trace grips

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If you aren't sure about recoil, get a 380.

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Recoil is affected by a lot more than just caliber.

Height of bore (XD's are bad about this)
Overall mass (why .45 in a 1911 is different than .45 in a Glock)
Grip (subcompact pistols have less to "hold" than compacts or full size)

Don't handicap yourself when it's not necessary.

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True but 380s tend to have lighter recoil while also being lighter platforms. Which makes it more ideal for carrying.

Obviously the platform matters. But 380 is less snappy than their larger caliber counterparts.

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To say that 380's tend to have lighter recoil depends mostly on the gun itself. If it's one of the heavier metal 380's then sure. If it's a KelTec P3AT or Ruger clone of the KelTec then it most definitely does not have lighter recoil. Those are some of the snappiest shooting guns I've ever shot. I used to have one and sold it just because it was so unpleasant to shoot.

Stick with 9mm and above. There's no reason to buy a 380. Plenty of 9mm and larger are available in easy to conceal sizes.

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If you aren't sure about recoil, get a 380.

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Recoil is affected by a lot more than just caliber.

Height of bore (XD's are bad about this)
Overall mass (why .45 in a 1911 is different than .45 in a Glock)
Grip (subcompact pistols have less to "hold" than compacts or full size)

Don't handicap yourself when it's not necessary.

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True but 380s tend to have lighter recoil while also being lighter platforms. Which makes it more ideal for carrying.

Obviously the platform matters. But 380 is less snappy than their larger caliber counterparts.

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To say that 380's tend to have lighter recoil depends mostly on the gun itself. If it's one of the heavier metal 380's then sure. If it's a KelTec P3AT or Ruger clone of the KelTec then it most definitely does not have lighter recoil. Those are some of the snappiest shooting guns I've ever shot. I used to have one and sold it just because it was so unpleasant to shoot.

Stick with 9mm and above. There's no reason to buy a 380. Plenty of 9mm and larger are available in easy to conceal sizes.

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This. My Ruger .380 has quite a bit of kick and isn't that much fun to shoot. That's why it only gets a few magazines through it before I say "yeah, it fires and I can hit the target with it."

As far a recoil goes......

If it comes down to you having to pull your gun and shoot somebody until the threat diminishes I don't suspect you ever feel the snap of the recoil.

True - I've never felt a hunting gun when it fired - but heavy recoil will discourage practice, though that may depend on the person. If my monthly round count gets too high, my elbows become sore.

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As far a recoil goes......

If it comes down to you having to pull your gun and shoot somebody until the threat diminishes I don't suspect you ever feel the snap of the recoil.

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Perhaps, but if you have s gun that's just not fun to shoot then you're not going to practice and train with it as much as you should. And if you're not practicing and training then you're chances of being successful in a self defense situation are diminished. Aside from that, recoil certainly has an affect on your ability to get quick follow up shots.

People on here are gonna think and do what they want, and I'm fine with that, but if I can use my experience and training to help someone that's new to the game then I like to do so. There are certainly exceptions to this, but most people tend to think smaller is better when they first start carrying. The people that train a lot with their guns and get professional instruction usually end up switching to something larger (think G19 size or even G17 size).

Anyway, I'm not gonna beat a dead horse. I just think small 380's are a poor choice for self defense. Better than nothing though.

Depending on my attire, I'll carry a commander 1911, Shield .40, or KelTec P3AT.

For me, both the Sield .40 and KelTec have very reasonable recoil. Everyone is different.

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Shield in single or double stack?

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Single.

The REAL answer to this is ONE YOU CAN CARRY AND BE COMFORTABLE!!! It does no good to have the finest,coolest, most powerful pistol ever IF YOU DON'T CARRY it.
The perfect carry weapon is the one that is like your American Express card......you DON'T leave home without it!!
It has to make YOU happy and comfortable. Some folks have more than one so depending on the season or type of dress they still can carry. One size does not fit all!!

Walther PPS. Single stack, concealable, very accurate shooter. Also has striker pin that is exposed on back that allows you to feel the striker with your thumb if it starts to cock when holstering.

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As far a recoil goes......

If it comes down to you having to pull your gun and shoot somebody until the threat diminishes I don't suspect you ever feel the snap of the recoil.

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Feel it? Maybe
Won't affect accuracy? Bull****

Try it yourself with a shot timer. I guarantee your accuracy will deminish or your time will increase versus a larger/more massive pistol.

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Glock 30s if you are willing to boot carry or wear a holster. For pocket carry and true convenience, an airweight 38. The tiny 380's generally dont work so dont bother. Ive tried keltec and ruger several times and they are just deathtrap garbage. Guaranteed to not go off when you need it.

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Glock 42 is a gem of .380