Best CZ for Concealed Carry

[M1A4ME]

What is reliable enough?

What is accurate enough?

What feels good/fits your hand?

Will the type of carry you intend to use really conceal that handgun?

I like IWB on my right side.  I believe (mirror and asking my wife to look me over) that the way I dress, the holster I use and where I carry conceals that P07 just fine.

I'm sure the FNS-C or the M&P Shield would conceal even better.  But, getting back to the questions above, they may not fit as well as the P07.

I'm not saying all P07's are accurate.  My 9MM will not shoot with my older .40.  Just won't.  Not with the ammo that shoots so well in my other 9MM CZs anyway.

Maybe hand fit/feel should be a part of "Can you shoot it well?"

Can't speak for anyone else, but for me two guns, same model, one 9MM and one .40, the 9MM will be easier to shoot.  Maybe not easier to shoot well, but recoil and muzzle blast.  Bigger the bullet, the more powder, the more recoil and muzzle blast for the same weight/size pistol.

Also, consider parts/repairs/aftermarket accessories/upgrades.  I really like my P07 .40.  I don't think they make magazines for them anymore.  CZ got out of the .40 market in everything but a couple competition pistols.  A lot of the small parts are the same.  A Rami might be a nice pistol, how long will you be able to get parts for them?  Hopefully CZ will be a better supporter of their products than SIG.  FN has pretty much walked away from supporting customers who bought FNS pistols (Midwest Gun Works has a lot of parts if anyone here has an FNS).

Pistols can be like a lot of other things.  What seemed perfect when you bought it wears thing on you after awhile and you find it doesn't quite fit as well as you thought.  After awhile many of us have moved (at least once, if not more) to different carry pistols, different holsters, different lights, different rifles, different kayaks, etc, etc., etc.

Good luck with which ever pistol you choose.

[dillonguy098]

The CZ P-07 gets my vote. That’s my current carry gun. I’ve tried several different models and I narrowed it down to my P-07.

[sevt_chevelle]

I have really just 2 carry pistols, PCR and S&W Shield.  For me the PCR is king, I'll sacrifice some weight for something that I can shoot.   Had a Sig p365, sold it real fast.  Great carry piece horrible shooter.  It's small size and small grip made it very hard to shoot, especially when you start running drills.

To me the PCR and P01 are the same thing, just do you want to run a light or not.  I use a JM custom kydex holster, and carry it right about at my front pants pockets.

[matto]

I love my PCR and P-01. They're my favorite pistols.

Please don't kick me out of the group for saying this,  it I do sometimes wonder why I'm not carrying a glock 48 instead. It's significantly lighter, thinner, and yet still has a longer barrel and sight radius.

It's only 10 rounds but I'm in a 10 round ban state anyway.

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

Please don't kick me out of the group for saying this,  it I do sometimes wonder why I'm not carrying a glock 48 instead. It's significantly lighter, thinner, and yet still has a longer barrel and sight radius.

HAHA! I've thought that before as well then I remember guns should be made from metal and trash bags from plastic.

[jurek]

Please don't kick me out of the group for saying this,  it I do sometimes wonder why I'm not carrying a glock 48 instead. It's significantly lighter, thinner, and yet still has a longer barrel and sight radius.

To make you feel better... I gave up my P-01 in favor of M&P9 

[M1A4ME]

You guys.  Gee whiz.  Where does smaller groups figure into this?

Maybe I'm different but group size is important to me (old thing from 30 plus years ago when some of us used to train to shoot only a part of a head behind an innocent person.)  I've just never been able to shake it.  After all, a pistol that allows you which eye to put a bullet in still allows you to shoot the torso.  Process really doesn't reverse as well though.

I keep buying other pistols, too.  In the last few years I've bought three M&Ps, and FNS with extra slides/barrels, an FNS-C, an XD and after lots of reloading work trying to develop loads those pistols would shoot better than factory ammo and upgraded triggers/barrels (in some) I've had no luck finding one that will shoot like by P07.  The little Shield 9MM might come close.  Certainly the best out of those non CZ pistols listed above.

For me 1 inch is better than 2, 1 inch is way better than 4 or 5 inches.  My P09 9MM outshoots my P07 but I'm not trying to conceal carry the P09 (tried it, hated it).

There will be times when the Shield is IWB on my right side.  Just not yet.  Still breaking it in.

[RSR]

If you can and will carry a compact like P01, P07, PCR, then I'd suggest it needs a compact weapon light (like TLR7 or xc1, etc -- former better of these two IMO) and a rail on which to mount it, which knocks out the PCR.  I agree w/ decocker, so you're looking at the Omega actions of these guns.  (You can use just your weapon light beam for minute of man sighting for most common civilian violent encounter distances.)

And if you're going subcompact, then I would suggest a locked breech barrel over blowback.  There are several very compact .380s as well as 9mms.  Nearly all 9mm are locked breech, but most .380s are blowback.  Two that aren't are the RM380 (believe it's currently out of production -- might be temporary or permanent) and the Beretta Pico, and imagine there are some others -- and both have fairly long and heavy DAO revolver-like triggers, which I like for safety.  I would also suggest at least a laser on these since sights are usually not so great on subcompacts.

Half of a day or more is dark, and criminals tend to like the cover of darkness for violent assault and robbery.  So you need the capability to accurately direct fire in darkness. 
And having any gun on your person is better than no gun or off-body carry of a larger gun (you can do that to and treat subcompact as a backup gun, but nevertheless need a gun on your person if possible). 

These are things that I think many forget.

[M1A4ME]

My issue with most lights, or lasers is a combination of using a finger to do something beside pull a trigger and having to take the time to operate the light or laser with that finger.

Ever seen the videos of a cop shooting someone with his service pistol only to say he thought he was pulling/shooting the taser?  Most of those guys have a lot more training than most of us.

If you're going to use your fingers for multiple actions other than pulling the trigger you really need to practice a whole bunch.

Do you really want that light on all the time?  Or will you use that trigger finger (or a finger on the support hand that might not even be on the pistol if you're opening a door or grabbing a spare mag) to turn the light on/off rather than having it ready to pull the trigger?

I have zero experience using a light/laser in a stressful shooting situation.  I do have concerns about having my trigger finger doing more than pulling the trigger.

Let me tell you why I've stopped taking my M1 and M1A to the range.  Ever shoot/operate an M1 Garand or M1A/M14?  Know where the safety is and how it operates?  I found out (maybe I'm the only guy that ever did this) that after shooting the two old timers a bit if I took my AR15 to the range I'd keep using that trigger finger to drop the magazine when I meant to be putting the safety on safe or one fire.  My finger was trained to do something besides pull the trigger.  So it was doing something, pushing the mag. release button right in front of the trigger where the safety is on the M1/M1A.  Hated to do it, but figured I was better off not confusing that darn trigger finger.  Again, maybe I'm the only person that ever did that.

[Para-bellum]

Tried the RAMI, don’t care for it IWB. The p10s is pretty special for me. I shoot small groups consistently with it and it never fails me. I’ve tried other smaller pistols like the p365 and hellcat. Own both and both are great but now that the shield plus is out I will def be carrying that in combination with the p10s for times when I need something smaller.

[RSR]

My issue with most lights, or lasers is a combination of using a finger to do something beside pull a trigger and having to take the time to operate the light or laser with that finger.

Ever seen the videos of a cop shooting someone with his service pistol only to say he thought he was pulling/shooting the taser?  Most of those guys have a lot more training than most of us.

If you're going to use your fingers for multiple actions other than pulling the trigger you really need to practice a whole bunch.

Do you really want that light on all the time?  Or will you use that trigger finger (or a finger on the support hand that might not even be on the pistol if you're opening a door or grabbing a spare mag) to turn the light on/off rather than having it ready to pull the trigger?

I have zero experience using a light/laser in a stressful shooting situation.  I do have concerns about having my trigger finger doing more than pulling the trigger.

Let me tell you why I've stopped taking my M1 and M1A to the range.  Ever shoot/operate an M1 Garand or M1A/M14?  Know where the safety is and how it operates?  I found out (maybe I'm the only guy that ever did this) that after shooting the two old timers a bit if I took my AR15 to the range I'd keep using that trigger finger to drop the magazine when I meant to be putting the safety on safe or one fire.  My finger was trained to do something besides pull the trigger.  So it was doing something, pushing the mag. release button right in front of the trigger where the safety is on the M1/M1A.  Hated to do it, but figured I was better off not confusing that darn trigger finger.  Again, maybe I'm the only person that ever did that.

There are definitely lasers (viridian) and also some lights that automatically activate once they clear the holster.

I use the crimson trace lasers activated via grip strength on a couple subcompact or smaller guns.  Standard grip activates.

The TLR7 and others can be activated with your support hand/thumb. 
On smaller guns where pinkie would be hanging off anyways, you can also train yourself to shoot with your middle finger and activate light with trigger finger, which is what the point shooting folks have long advocated for anyways...

I view light as to be used only when you have the time or need to ID your target.

Lasers are small guns are primarily for when 1) I don't have time/space to bring the sights to my eyes, or 2) when sights are difficult to see in low light. 

I challenge the notion that most cops have more firearms training/time shooting than most avid shooters...  More than your average gun owner?  Yeah.

[M1A4ME]

Both our Shields have lasers.  Lasermax I think.  Both are operated/turned on when they sense the finger under the trigger guard as the pistol is gripped.

The one on this pistol also has a light but I turned it off.

My idea goes back to consistency.  My regular carry guns (P07s) don't have lights on them for carry.  I've got one in my pocket and another in each car's door pocket. 

Most gun owners, most concealed gun carriers, don't practice like they should.

I'm not sure many avid gun owners/shooters practice the right stuff the right way.

Those little proximity operated lasers are not cheap, but way cheaper than a hospital stay or a funeral.

[RSR]

Both our Shields have lasers.  Lasermax I think.  Both are operated/turned on when they sense the finger under the trigger guard as the pistol is gripped.

The one on this pistol also has a light but I turned it off.

My idea goes back to consistency.  My regular carry guns (P07s) don't have lights on them for carry.  I've got one in my pocket and another in each car's door pocket. 

Most gun owners, most concealed gun carriers, don't practice like they should.

I'm not sure many avid gun owners/shooters practice the right stuff the right way.

Those little proximity operated lasers are not cheap, but way cheaper than a hospital stay or a funeral.

I agree that you should have both a weapon and hand held light (point a gun w/ a weapon light at a cop for instance even just to ID, you're likely going to jail if not getting shot), but most are going to shoot much more accurately w/ a 2 handed grip with a weapon light than a one handed grip holding a light in separate hand -- when it's time to pull the trigger, having a light on your gun is beneficial.

My point is that pistol-mounted lights are getting so compact, that if you're carrying a compact or larger pistol, then a light should be added as it doesn't add much add'l bulk or weight.  And the weight it does add helps prevent muzzle flip, for greater control -- especially important for those who practice less often. 

I think a light gives more capability than laser for the arms length self defense distances of most concealed carry violent force incidents.  The laser is about compactness and minimum capabilities, not optimal.

And I agree, consistency is key.  This appears to be a relatively new concealed carry person setting up HIS system(s), so wanted to mention where I'd start if I was new to the game, or recommending the same to a friend or family member.

So as always, YMMV.

[CCWLearner]

I am left-handed and prefer a de-cocker so the P-07 is my carry gun, with it having ambi decockers.  If I was going to carry a metal gun, I'd look at the P-01 Omega for the same reason.

I go back and forth on my opinion about the benefits and drawbacks of a pistol-mounted light.  I have two PL-Mini 2's and custom light-bearing IWB and OWB holsters for my P-07 with the light mounted.  I sometimes carry with a light mounted, and often keep a light mounted at home.  However, despite being one of the smallest lights on the market, it does add bulk which does make a difference to my comfort when carrying it, especially IWB.  So I find myself removing it when carrying the pistol during daylight hours.  It has a QD lever which makes it easy to remove and then re-mount later.

I think the concerns voiced above, about using your trigger finger for something besides working the trigger, are valid concerns.  When I practice with my light, with live fire at the range, or at home dry firing with a laser cartridge, I have a two-handed grip and use my offhand thumb to work the light.  With a one-handed grip then obviously you have to use your trigger finger, which I agree is not a great idea, especially if you are under the stress of something like being in a gunfight in the dark.

I always carry my Streamlight Protac 2L-X in my offhand pocket so I'm going to have a reliable light source pushing 500 lumens in any case.  It's also just long enough to use as a blunt force weapon if need be.

As a practical matter, I only keep pistols quickly accessible for a self-defense or home defense situation.  I don't have a rapid access safe for long guns.  However, if I'm actually expecting trouble, then the rifle I keep ready is my Mini-14, on which I have mounted a Streamlight Polytac on the right side where I can easily operate it with my support-hand thumb, in a very similar way to how I operate the light on my pistol.

[Europe]

The problem with carrying P07 is that it's simply to thick. The same refers to RAMI and P01. I carried all of them, and, yes, I had very good holsters. They were reliabale and accurate, but I sold them. P RAAMI, P07 and P01 have in my view to long reset for a defense pistol.I think that only P10 meets my requirements for a CCW. I have a nice, US made carbon fiber holster for this which feels great. If I had to carry concealed on a daily basis I would go with a single stack for sure.