Five Concealed Carry Best Practices

Owning a firearm sets you apart from non-owners. Your responsibilities increase. When you decide to obtain your concealed carry permit, you assume a new set of duties that are beyond that of simply being a gun owner. Getting your permit is a decision that requires plenty of consideration. Some questions you might want to ask yourself before you start down that path are:

  • Will I continue to educate myself of best practices with my weapon and the laws of my state and country?
  • Do I plan to carry every day?
  • Am I dedicated enough to practice with my firearm and maintain a high level of aptitude with it?
  • Am I aware of the financial obligation to supply my firearm with everything it needs to function properly and safely?
  • Do I fully understand what it means to concealed carry, and am I willing to use extreme force in the face of imminent threat?

There are numerous factors to take into account before you make a decision to concealed carry. If you feel that you are ready for the responsibility, here are some best practices to adhere to once you acquire your permit.

Prepare Yourself Mentally

Every time you make the decision to carry your weapon, you must be 100% aware of the consequences of your actions. Your firearm is a tool capable of deadly force, but it is your mind and mental state that dictates how that tool is implemented. When you immerse yourself in an environment with other people, you need to exercise extreme, judicious discipline. Going out of your way to avoid confrontation is crucial to limiting any sort of conflicts that might arise while you concealed carry.

Your weapon should only be used in dire circumstances after all other avenues have been explored to de-escalate the situation. Many situations can be resolved without the use of your firearm. Remember that you carry it to protect yourself and your family. Keep calm and remain levelheaded. A good rule of thumb is you should only use your weapon if your assailant has the ability to physically harm you, has the opportunity to do so, and is putting your or someone else’s life in danger.

Be a Student of Gun Laws

So much of owning a weapon is having the proper mindset and knowledge to use it. The only way to attain this is through education. Each state has a set of laws that differs from the rest, and they can often take federal law a step further. Use of deadly force, where you can and cannot concealed carry, what to do after a shooting, and several other factors change depending on where you live in the U.S. Find a reputable source and educate yourself on national laws, state laws, and any local requirements that might be enforced in your area. Make sure that if you are traveling, you have done your research on where you are going.

Continued Training is Critical

As you continue to inform yourself of the laws surrounding firearms and as you keep practicing the correct mental state, you must continue honing your abilities with your weapon. Long before you decide to conceal carry – or even own a weapon – you should seek professional classes to begin your training with how to properly operate a firearm. It should cover the fundamentals of gun use, safety, and different techniques in weapons operation.

Once you have mastered the basics, you can move on to more advanced concealed carry techniques. Proper concealed carry holster use, an overview of concealed carry laws, and how to access and fire your weapon from its concealed location should all be outlined in the course. Additionally, it is wise and recommended to take refresher courses periodically. Not only will you stay sharp on your abilities, but you will also stay current on the latest trends of concealed carry and become aware of any new developments in the field.

Once outside of a professional classroom, you need to practice on a regular basis. This includes more than just going to the range and shooting your handgun. Being comfortable with the accessories you use, like a concealed carry belt, must also be regularly checked and practiced. As we put wear on our equipment, their functions can alter. Being aware of these changes is vital to successfully carrying concealed. Some of these points leads to the next practice.

Wear Appropriate Clothing

Concealed carry demands that you be aware of the environment and situation, but it also requires you to play close attention to your attire. From the shirt you wear to the holster and belt you use, all need to be carefully chosen to successfully conceal your firearm and its accessories. No one but you should be able to tell that you are carrying. If you are wearing the wrong clothing, you will be prone to adjust your handgun often, which will draw attention to your firearm. Avoid frequently checking and adjusting your weapon by wearing the right clothing.

Choose to Carry

Once you have made the decision to concealed carry handguns, it is an option that you should exercise all the time. If you choose to only concealed carry some of the time, you will find yourself becoming desensitized to the severity of the situation. Constant vigilance and dedication are a must when you decide to carry concealed. Finally, you will be ready for what the world brings your way. By carrying all the time, you can face the world around you with a mindset you would not have if you were not carrying concealed.

Concealed Carry Handguns at GrabAGun

Get the best concealed carry handguns for sale online from GrabAGun today! Shop handguns for sale, holsters, magazines, and ammo online.

Four of the Best Handguns for Women’s Self Defense


The number of female handgun users has boomed over the years and continues to rise. In fact, half of all new gun purchases in the United States since January 2019, were made by females according to a recent report. This makes women the fastest-growing gun owner demographic. The need for self-defense combined with an increased interest in hunting and competitive shooting are key reasons for the acceleration of female gun owners. Because of this, many manufacturers are creating weapons geared towards their female clientele.

What to Look For

So, if you are a female beginning to look at different firearms for sale, what are some of the characteristics you will want to look for when picking out a weapon? First, make sure you have a caliber powerful enough to stop an intruder. Additionally, find something that fits well in your hand and is not too heavy. Compact size does not mean that you have to give up the defensive abilities of a gun. It just means that it can be concealed in a purse or under clothing. Finally, your self-defense handgun must be easy to operate. With those in mind, here are four picks of the best handguns for women’s self-defense.

Glock 43 GEN3 (9mm)

The first firearm we are going to look at it is a Glock handgun. A recent addition to the family, the Glock 43 is one of the smallest handguns Glock has ever produced. It has a narrow frame that is just over an inch wide. While it has the smallest stock magazine on the list with only six rounds, six shots may be enough to keep you safe. The main reason we recommend this weapon for women is that it can conveniently fit inside a purse and it comes with the reliability and dependability of a Glock.

Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard (380)

The second firearm on the list is this sleek Smith & Wesson handgun. Just because it isn’t a 9mm, doesn’t mean it isn’t ideal for self-defense. It features a grip that is easy to hold and helps mitigate the recoil of this powerful handgun. Another aspect that is nice for your hands is the ambidextrous cylinder release, which makes this gun ideal for both left- and right-handed shooters. Additionally, it is the most lightweight weapon on the list, weighing in at just over 14 ounces. Finally, the last built-in addition to this revolver is its integrated laser sight. This will help with accuracy when you are unsure in stressful situations.

Kahr Arms CW( (9mm)

Another pistol that makes a great weapon for self-defense is this Kahr handgun. This weapon was one of the very first handguns designed for concealed carry. Though it has a simple build, this Kahr is anything but boring. It is still a welcome companion against any intruder you might find yourself up against. It has a seven-round single stack magazine that gives you ample opportunity to get the job done. Like many of the other weapons on this list, the smaller magazine makes it thinner and more compact.

Ruger LC9s (9mm)

Lastly is a Ruger handgun. . The Ruger uses a seven-round, single-stack magazine that helps keep it tight and trim. This slim design allows it to be worn concealed or easily carried in purses. Its compact design is great for people with smaller builds as well. The LC9 is a popular choice for many people because it also features a 9mm caliber that is powerful – but not so much that the recoil is unmanageable. That helps with its reputation for being an accurate and dependable weapon. Most believe that the Ruger LC9 has all of the qualities required for a good defensive handgun.

Gun Size For Self Defense

All four of these guns for sale are useful for self defense, but make sure you have a gun that fits your hand. What would feel comfortable in the hands of a man might feel large and bulky in that of a woman. That doesn’t mean they are incapable of firing it, but other weapons would feel more natural in their hands. Another factor that could attribute to this would be the recoil. Keep this in mind when looking for your weapon. And always remember that it’s key to practice proper firearm safety to protect yourself and to ensure that you know how to handle, store and properly use whichever gun you choose to purchase.

Self Defense Weapons at GrabAGun

As the rise in women’s handgun users continues to grow, so will the availability of guns built specifically for women. If you are looking for handguns for sale for women’s self-defense, there are plenty to choose from. Go to GrabAGun to find the perfect fit for your self defense concealed carry handgun.

The Infamy of The Derringer

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The History of Deringer

Henry Deringer was the son of a German gunsmith and, after an apprenticeship in his father’s shop, he established his own firearms manufacturing facility in Philadelphia in 1806. He manufactured flintlock pistols, muskets, and percussion rifles for the U. S. Army. In 1825, Deringer began the production of percussion dueling pistols. By 1840, he was manufacturing a smaller dueling pistol and by the 1850s the short barreled, single-action percussion pocket pistol which rapidly gained popularity among pistols for sale at the time. Go to GrabAGun and look through our more modern Derringer collection!

Interestingly, the Deringer lacked a standardized caliber and came with its own bullet mold specific to the caliber of the pair of pistols which varied from .33 to .51 inches. With Henry Deringer’s death in 1868, competitors began applying the breechloading system to their own versions of concealable pistols, and called them “Derringers” to avoid trademark infringements. From then on, guns made by Henry Deringer were the Deringer, while any small short barreled and non-automatic concealable firearm was called a derringer.

The Deringer’s Infamy

The Deringer went down into infamy as the gun that killed Abraham Lincoln. He was shot by actor John Wilkes Booth in April, 1865. Lincoln died the following morning. Forensic evaluation of the pistol in 1997 revealed a characteristic unique to the Booth Deringer, unlike the majority of Deringer pocket pistols, the Booth pistol bore rifling with a left twist. Today the infamous tiny pistol is on display in the Ford Theater Museum.

The end of the Civil War saw the decline in the percussion Deringer’s popularity. The new .41 Short rimfire cartridge was introduced in 1863 resulting in the availability of more modern pistols for sale using the more convenient rimfire cartridges.

The Derringer Today

Today’s Derringer is an exceedingly popular among pistols for sale. The typical modern derringer, or pocket pistol, has significantly improved Henry Deringer’s little gun. Modern Derringers provide greater quality, increased round capacity, and improved safety features and performance.

Derringers at GrabAGun

GrabAGun is an online gun dealer offering an extensive selection of guns for sale from a large selection of models. GrabAGun has the largest selection of guns on the internet and our inventory isn’t limited! If you seek a particular weapon, give us a call and we will locate the firearm.

Shop our site for rifles for sale, shotguns for sale, AR-15’s for sale and pistols for sale including a large selection of the diminutive derringer pistols for sale. Our selection of derringers includes derringers with interchangeable barrels for sale.

Self Defense Pistols For Sale

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Avoid Becoming a Victim

The stories of victims is news every night, and yet far too many people have an “it-won’t ever-happen-to-me” attitude. Despite knowing certain areas are riskier than others, they enter unarmed when they could so easily protect themselves with one of many self defense pistols for sale at GrabAGun.

The lessons on being safe can’t be said enough. The following tips are not new information. They are tips proven to help keep you safe. Print them and share them, but most of all practice them. If you recall nothing else, remember the 4 A’s of survival and start looking for a concealed carry among our pistols for sale.

Rule #1- Be AWARE

Awareness is the first A. Be aware of everything and everyone around you. Keep your head up and your eyes scanning left, front, and right as well as behind you. If someone seems suspicious, look them in the eye and hold it for a bit. Criminals look for weak or mild victims so don’t look like a victim! Walk tall and confident with strong attitude, which is the 3rd A. Carrying a gun will make you more confident.

Rule #2-Request an Escort or Buddy Up

Don’t walk to your car or the store around the corner alone at night. Whatever your reason is for being out, request an escort or ask a friend to accompany you. Don’t jog or walk late at night or early in the morning. Get a buddy or run in the day.

Most crimes happen at night, but daylight is no guarantee of safety. The buddy system is a form of insurance that can be used at any time, as is a firearm. If you are thinking of purchasing a concealed carry pistol, consider your habits such as jogging, and how you will conceal it. This will influence the type and size of pistol you will need when you are ready to shop.

If you think someone is following you, cross the street or change directions. If they continue to follow you; enter a store, restaurant, or other place with people. When you enter, request the police be called as you are being stalked. The stalker may have already claimed victims and a hot lead may help to capture the perpetrator of a previous crime.

Rule #3-Get an Alarm

A burglar alarm and a firearm is the best home defense you can have. Have security signs in the yard even if you don’t have a system. Install burglar deterring motion sensor lights. Put surveillance video cameras up at each door. You don’t have to buy $300 cameras. I put up 3 monitor/camera combos at $49 for each of the 3 systems. Even flashing “fake” cameras are a deterrent. Add window stickers that warn of video surveillance. Homes with a defensive firearm and security system are the least robbed.

If your car has an alarm that activates with a key chain, carry it in your hand ready to alarm if you are assaulted. Don’t forget the most noticeable alarm of all-your voice. Scream, cry fire, and be loud. Even if you have a gun out and on the assailant, be loud and threatening, chances are someone is going to call the police.

Rule #4-Learn Self Defense

You don’t have to pay monthly fees to learn martial arts. Sign up for free or low cost community classes in self-defense. Sign up for a firearms class and choose one of our any concealed carry carry options to make sure you feel safe and secure in any situation.

Rule #5-Carry a Back-up Weapon

An assailant who grabs you from behind may prevent you from extracting a concealed pistol. Carry a knife or anything that will fit into a pocket that can be used for a weapon. Heavy flashlights are good weapons if walking outside at night. Of course you can also carry a smaller pistol in an alternate location like a pocket. Pocket pistols are a good back-up weapon and there are numerous choices.

Rule #6-Don’t Advertise Valuables

Do not flash cash! Carry only what you need and don’t flash it around. Don’t walk around displaying expensive cell phones, I-pads, or anything of a similar nature. If you are walking and texting, you are breaking rule number 1 as well.

Rule #7-Park in Well Lighted Areas Close to the Door

Park in well-lit areas as close to the door of your destination as you can. Scan the areas around you and the path to the door before you leave your locked car. Have your keys ready before walking to your car. If it is night, request an escort. Be ready to use a firearm if you carry one. If you lack one, consider purchasing a gun. There are numerous choices on the market among our pistols for sale.

Always remember to check your back seat before entering your car, night or day. As you approach your car, glance under it as well as the cars next to it. Someone may be waiting there for a victim. If you see someone crouched by a car, go to the nearest business or a group of shoppers and call the police. Just because you have escaped danger doesn’t mean someone else will.

Rule #8-Carry a Concealed Weapon

Being armed with a concealed weapon is no guarantee that you will escape becoming a victim. However, it does increase the odds in your favor. Being armed is your best means of protection and is the single most important factor, besides awareness, that will keep you safe. Armed is the 2nd A. Practice on the range will increase accuracy and accuracy is the 4th A. Being aware, armed with attitude, and accurate are the 4 A’s of survival in the urban jungle.

GrabAGun offers pistols for sale including a large number of concealed carry pistols, gun holsters, and much more. Shop our site and give us a call if you need assistance.

Home Defense? What You Need To Know

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Choosing a Gun for Home Defense

My dad used to say, “if you don’t own a car, you walk and if you don’t have a gun, you run.” So just what is the best home defense weapon? Let’s compare the most common firearms used for home defense.

Home Defense Rifles

A semi-automatic rifle makes an excellent choice for a home defense weapon. They are more accurate, easier to aim than a handgun, and offer greater stopping power.

A .22 caliber rimfire is certainly capable of injuring, but it creates a small wound and a big risk. In some cases, it just angers a wounded intruder and makes him come after you with additional fury. There is also the disadvantage of any long barreled weapon being taken from you by an assailant and used on you. If you have to shoot an intruder, don’t wait until he is within range of grabbing your gun.

On the other hand, centerfire rifles have plenty of stopping power, but be careful not to overdo it. Large caliber centerfire rifles are extremely likely to over penetrate. Stick to rifles that shoot a smaller caliber and high velocity round. These smaller rounds are much less prone to overpenetration and shouldn’t cause unintended damage or injury.

Home Defense Shotguns

Hunting shotguns with extremely long barrels are great for longer range shooting, but can be unwieldy indoors. Short barreled shotguns, on the other hand, can be extremely effective if you understand a few things about using a shotgun at close range. The 12 gauge is the most popular, but not everyone can handle the recoil. The most important thing is to be sure to practice with your self-defense weapon so that you are familiar with how it handles and performs.

Many people discourage the use of a small bore .410 shotguns for home defense simply because of the small number of shot delivered. Though not my primary weapon, my old .410 is one of my “shelf guns” for home defense and I keep it loaded with buckshot. One thing you must know if you plan to use a shotgun for home defense is that it takes distance for spread to occur. You won’t get the spread that you do on the range, and you will have to aim. Avoid the use of slugs for home defense as they have the same risk as a rifle in overpenetration, placing your family members and bystanders at risk.

Buttstock Vs. Pistol Grip Shotguns

People often replace the buttstock of a shotgun with pistol grips to make it easier to use in tight spaces. This action is going to diminish aim, stability and control. I suggest you try a buttstock versus a pistol grip shotgun before you buy. You should also be aware that some pistol grips are created for a specific type of firearm and will work poorly on a shotgun.

There are gun owners who love their pistol grip shotgun, and appear to overall recommend a lot of practice to gain experience in overcoming the loss of control, aim and stability. If it works for them it may work for you but I prefer the greater control and accuracy of a buttstock. Pachmayr manufactures a specialty grip called the Vindicator that is created for shotguns.

Pump Action Shotgun

If you are considering the purchase of a shotgun for home defense the best option is to choose a pump action shotgun with a 20 inch barrel. Some people prefer the 18 inch, but the former will provide you with a greater variety to choose from. Shotguns are one of the best choices for a home defense weapon and they are available from brands like Remington and Mossberg.

Home Defense Handguns

Handguns from the 9mm caliber and up are effective in stopping assailants inside or outside the home. When loaded with the appropriate ammunition for inside home use, they are less likely to put your loved ones and others at risk. They are also less likely to cause damage to the home or to be taken from you in a struggle with an intruder.

A handgun is an fantastic weapon for home defense and major brands like Glock, Smith and Wesson and Sig Sauer are all quality firearms. But a handgun, or any gun, is useless if you can’t use it or, even worse, if you use it incorrectly. You don’t want to fire a weapon that you have no accuracy for in your home. Any bullet, even a .22 caliber, will go through today’s walls and potentially endanger your family. Make sure to practice with your handgun or any firearm until the correct and accurate skills become second nature.

Home Defense Weapons at GrabAGun

GrabAGun is your online source for guns for sale. We offer one of the internet’s largest varieties of firearms from pistols for sale to rifles and shotguns for sale, as well as the venerable AK-47 for sale and the versatile and popular AR-15 for sale. We also offer a large variety of gun parts & accessories for your upgrades and repairs. Check out our site and, if you don’t find what you’re looking for, give us a call. We will find any available firearm and provide the GrabAGun discount.