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I'm looking at getting a .357 sig caliber Sig Sauer to be my concealed carry gun. I'm pretty set on this gun but not really sure about the model yet. I've looked at a couple different models for this setup on the Sig Sauer website and handled a few in some stores but still not exactly sure which one I want. Anybody have one or can give me some tips, advice, comments, etc.?

cockandlock25 wrote:I'm looking at getting a .357 sig caliber Sig Sauer to be my concealed carry gun. I'm pretty set on this gun but not really sure about the model yet. I've looked at a couple different models for this setup on the Sig Sauer website and handled a few in some stores but still not exactly sure which one I want. Anybody have one or can give me some tips, advice, comments, etc.?

If you haven't ever concealed carry before, I will tell you this.. The thinner and lighter the gun the better.. And I believe all the Sigs in 357 are doublestack magazines which mean they are not thin. And Sigs tend to be heavier than other options. Also I am not a fan of 1911 style Single Action pistols as concealed carry guns. You have to either carry them cocked and locked with special holsters or carry them hammer down.. If you are like most CC people, you will end up having different carry modes for different seasons or styles of dress 1911 type single action holsters will limit how you can carry your gun.

I know the Sigs are popular Police and Millitary guns, but in that line of work you don't have to conceal the gun.. If I didn't have to conceal the gun, I would carry a double stack 45, but since I carry mine concealed I opt for the Springfield XDS. I carry it with the extended magazine and the standard magazine as a backup. It gives me the same firepower as a full sized 1911 with way less weight and bulk and without all the hassles of 1911 style single action, however it still has a grip safety and trigger safety and it is the biggest gun that I can comfortably carry every day. My other carry options in other calibers, are Ruger LCP 380, Kel tec PF9, Taurus 740 Slim. Those are the smallest and lightest carry guns in each caliber.

There are a lot of choices out there for carry guns, but I have seen way too many students come through our classes with guns that are not right for CC. Most of them only carry it a few times because they find it too big, to heavy,or to hard to conceal.

Check out the P239, its a single stack but I think it only comes in 9mm and 40cal. I have it in 40cal. Its smaller but feels good and balanced in your hand. For me the grip is just the right size to make it feel like a full size gun.

I also really like the 9mm M&P Shield I carry also.

The 239 is a good gun I have a couple in 9mm, they also come in the 357 and 40. I've got a 229 in 357 that's great and I carry it concealed, but mostly in winter when extra clothes hide it better. The little 290 hides well in any weather, it is only available in 9mm though. I'm a big fan of sigs, can't go wrong with one.

That being said... I don't know how many pistols you own, or how many rounds of ammo you like to keep on hand, but having a "standard" round like a 9 or 45 could make your life easier in this regard. They're way easier to come by, every local sports store and guns shop stocks them (when there's not a gun grabbing scare going on) but not everywhere has the 357 all the time. With the defensive ammo they're making nowadays I can't see a dimes difference in owning one of the lesser three over another. You want the "almighty" knock down power? Like wink said get a 45. The 357sig ammo has gotten a lot cheaper now that it hasn't faded out and is carried by some gubment folks, but it's just not readily available. Not that I'm trying to sell you on something else just giving my two cents.

Get a sig if that's what you want, you won't be disappointed with the quality. See which one feels best in your hand and go with that first. Caliber second.

Budget a distant third

[quote="cwink"]Also I am not a fan of 1911 style Single Action pistols as concealed carry guns. You have to either carry them cocked and locked with special holsters or carry them hammer down.. If you are like most CC people, you will end up having different carry modes for different seasons or styles of dress 1911 type single action holsters will limit how you can carry your gun.



I'm asking this question because I truly don't know the answer. What is the difference between carrying a 1911 cocked and locked and a striker type pistol such as the xd? Isn't the xd cocked and locked with a hidden vs. exposed hammer?

I recently sold a 238 because I really didn't like carrying cocked and locked. I am thinking about the Glock 42 but I am hearing they are having some problems. In the meantime I am carrying a Kahr PM9.

miket wrote:

cwink wrote:Also I am not a fan of 1911 style Single Action pistols as concealed carry guns. You have to either carry them cocked and locked with special holsters or carry them hammer down.. If you are like most CC people, you will end up having different carry modes for different seasons or styles of dress 1911 type single action holsters will limit how you can carry your gun.



I'm asking this question because I truly don't know the answer. What is the difference between carrying a 1911 cocked and locked and a striker type pistol such as the xd? Isn't the xd cocked and locked with a hidden vs. exposed hammer?

There are a few differences.. The 1911 is a single action pistol, meaning that the only thing the trigger does is release the hammer.. That allows 1911s to have really really good triggers on them. Most people don't practice enough to build the proper muscle memory to only put their finger in the trigger guard during the extend process and tend to put it in the trigger guard after pulling from the holster. That leaves you with a nervous scared person with a finger on a very light trigger when the gun is NOT pointed at the threat which means if you bump that trigger you don't know what you will hit.

Second.. Because of the light trigger you have to carry it in a special holster for additional safety straps. This just adds an extra layer of things to get in the way during a draw, again, which most people don't train for.

Watch this video on drawing and see how his finger goes into the trigger guard during the extension and then comes back out during the pull back. It is automatic muscle memory from lots of training

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks1lsUQAei8

The striker fired gun as a little stiffer trigger, plus the design is a whole lot simpler than a 1911. Simple means less things to go wrong.. I love the 1911s and have 2 of them. They are great guns and the design was way ahead of it's time.. But there are better/safer options for cc these days..

Hard to beat the 239. Get the 357 sig gun, then buy the 9mm conversion barrel and mags for "cheap" plinking.

Thanks cwink!

Thanks for the tips guys!

While I'm on the subject, what are yall's favorite holsters for the sigs and while concealed carrying?

cockandlock25 wrote:While I'm on the subject, what are yall's favorite holsters for the sigs and while concealed carrying?

I don't carry a Sig but I have a couple opinions (I carry a Glock 23). I like the Foxx Hybrid IWB. I used to be gung-ho on Comp-tac but honestly the Foxx IWB is just as good and 1/2 the price of the Comp-tac/Crossbreeds. I have abused the heck out of my Foxx Holsters and they keep on functioning. I upgrade to the Kydex clips (like a $6 charge). If you do happen to mess them up, they have a lifetime warranty on them. Another cheaper option than the Comp-tac and Crossbreeds are Alien Gear Holsters. Haven't personally used them but have several buddies who do and love them.

Lately I have been carrying OWB in a Raven Concealment System Phantom holster a buddy sent me or an OWB Alabama Holster Company Kydex holster when I carry with a light attached to the gun. The Phantom can be converted to IWB as well.

Pretty sure there are at least 8 holsters not pictured too...I like options!

I may be wrong but I believe those are double stack magazines. If you haven't CC before then let me warn you that a single stack gun is probably better. I have several hand guns of various sizes but the three that I ever CC are all single stack automatics. Springfield XDS, Ruger LC9, and Taurus slim 709. I have other subcompacts that I never CC because they are just to uncomfortable with the double stack magazines.

That is just my opinion.

Ster wrote:I may be wrong but I believe those are double stack magazines. If you haven't CC before then let me warn you that a single stack gun is probably better. I have several hand guns of various sizes but the three that I ever CC are all single stack automatics. Springfield XDS, Ruger LC9, and Taurus slim 709. I have other subcompacts that I never CC because they are just to uncomfortable with the double stack magazines.

That is just my opinion.

Not sure which one you are referring to but the 239 is a single stack available in 9mm, 40sw, or 357 sig.


I love the Glock 23, I shoot it and my Shield about equally but I am just way more confident with the 23. The Shield is nice in the summer though. I just carry a couple spare mags instead of the one I normally carry with the Glock.

I have a couple Raven concealment ACRs for the smaller sigs like the 229 and 239, and the phantom light compatible for the larger like the 226 and 220 that can be IWB or OWB. Harwell holsters for the 290, a little galco super tuck (I think) for sig 232 that nice for a dress up function where I have to tuck my shirt in.