Options for Your First Everyday Carry (“EDC”) Handgun

So you decided to get your License to Carry (“LTC”), so what’s next? What options do I have for my first everyday carry (“edc”) handgun? You’ll be glad to know several options exist for your edc. Many questions arise such as:

What caliber gun should I use for my edc?
How many rounds should my edc hold?
Should I carry full-size, compact, or sub-compact?
What manufacturer should I use for my edc?

Those are just a few of the questions that arise regarding the firearm you choose for your edc and that’s before we get to holster or ammo selection. So as you see, this can be a fairly complicated subject and it really does not have to be. In this blog, we will only discuss the firearm only and save the holster and ammo for another discussion.

Ultimately, the choice of your edc is a personal decision based on what you feel comfortable carrying. Regardless of your edc decision, the key is to make sure you practice at the range on a regular basis so you are familiar with how your weapon handles and functions.

Below are a few options and brief descriptions you when choosing your edc.

SIG SAUER P365

Chambered in 9mm, this is one of the most popular concealed carry handguns on the market, and for good reason. It’s small, lightweight, and easy to conceal, but it still packs a punch with a 10-round magazine (12+1 with the extended mag). The P365 is considered America’s best-selling handgun. It is the priciest on our list, coming in at around $599 MSRP, depending on your market.

GLOCK 43

Lots of people love the Glock brand due to its pop culture popularity. Also chambered in 9mm, the Glock 43 is another great option for concealed carry. It is similar in size and capacity to the P365, but it is slightly less expensive, coming in at around $510.

SMITH & WESSON M&P SHIELD

The M&P Shield (chambered in 9mm), is a reliable and affordable concealed carry handgun. It is slightly larger than the P365 and Glock 43, but it still easy to conceal. It holds less rounds, usually around 7 or 8, so this can be something that factors into your decision also. The M&P shield is priced around $500.

OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER

Here are some additional factors to consider when choosing a concealed carry handgun:

Caliber: The most common caliber for concealed carry is 9mm. It’s a powerful round that’s still relatively easy to control. Other popular calibers include .380 ACP and .45 ACP.
Capacity: The number of rounds a gun can hold is important, especially if you plan on using it for self-defense. Most concealed carry handguns hold between 6 and 12 rounds.
Size and weight: Concealed carry handguns should be small enough to be easily concealed, but they should still be large enough to be comfortable to shoot.
Price: Concealed carry handguns can range in price from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars. Choose a gun that fits your budget.

Once you’ve considered all of these factors, you’ll be able to choose the best concealed carry handgun for your needs.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Above we just mentioned 3 firearms all of which are chambered in 9mm (which is the most popular caliber in America). As stated above, regardless of the caliber, manufacturer, or size, you need to decide on an edc that is most comfortable for you and within your budget. After that, the most important thing to do besides maintenance is to practice loading, unloading and shooting your firearm. You must be comfortable with holding and firing your firearm and know what to do in case your firearm has a malfunction. In order to do these things, you must practice shooting regularly so you can become proficient with it. You are purchasing this firearm to potentially protect your life and the lives of your loved ones so you must familiarize yourself with it. And always, always, always practice gun safety.

GUN SAFETY RULES

Below are the gun safety rules any firearm owner and/or carrier must follow:

ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
Know your target and what’s behind/around it.

Note: That if you are carrying a weapon whether openly or concealed, that means you are ready to use it.

WHO IS F.A.F.O. TACTICAL?

F.A.F.O. Tactical is a company that specializes in firearm safety, education and training. We firmly believe that the Second Amendment (“2A”) applies to ALL law abiding citizens in ALL communities. We further believe that with our 2A rights, come the responsibility of being properly educated and trained on the safe and proper use of firearms.

CONCLUSION

As previously mentioned many factors should be taken into consideration when purchasing a firearm for carrying. The bottom line is you have to choose the best option that you are comfortable with, regardless of the opinion of others. If you would like to take the Texas online LTC course, would like to receive basic pistol training, or have questions, please click the link below, or contact us at F.A.F.O. Tactical.