Another thing that Should be covered is, Is your Wife part of the game plan?

Should Hawaii ever get CCW, my Wife will have hers.  In any scenario, She is My Backup and I can count on her to CMA(cover my a--).  She's not into shooting more than 25 yards. 

We do discuss certain kinds of shootings.  Malls, parking lots and similar places.  What would we do IF we were there?  One odd one is Tantalus, I've dragged her out there on cold, wet, rainy nights to photograph the Night Blooming Cereus blossoms.
Since the shooting there, I'm out of luck taking night photos.

Wife has told me No Way we're going there again at night.

I know I can count on her in an Emergency situation.  She has proved herself in several instances when I have had medical emergencies.  Didn't let me down in situations requiring 2 emergency ambulance rides and one on the way in flight to Seattle.

Another thing that should be considered is, is the caliber you're shooting Big enough?  If you're in a mall, IF you get a clear shot at the BG who is in plain sight but behind glass, can you count on your bullet to get thru?  Remember , most mall stores have glass at least 1/2 inch thick.  Known to deflect 308 bullets.
That has to be taken into account, a triple tap may be required.  Again, a liability.
If the scene is in a parking lot, can your bullet penetrate at least one car door reliably?

Just some other things you should consider.

Another thing that Should be covered is, Is your Wife part of the game plan?

Should Hawaii ever get CCW, my Wife will have hers.  In any scenario, She is My Backup and I can count on her to CMA(cover my a--).  She's not into shooting more than 25 yards. 

We do discuss certain kinds of shootings.  Malls, parking lots and similar places.  What would we do IF we were there?  One odd one is Tantalus, I've dragged her out there on cold, wet, rainy nights to photograph the Night Blooming Cereus blossoms.
Since the shooting there, I'm out of luck taking night photos.

Wife has told me No Way we're going there again at night.

I know I can count on her in an Emergency situation.  She has proved herself in several instances when I have had medical emergencies.  Didn't let me down in situations requiring 2 emergency ambulance rides and one on the way in flight to Seattle.

Another thing that should be considered is, is the caliber you're shooting Big enough?  If you're in a mall, IF you get a clear shot at the BG who is in plain sight but behind glass, can you count on your bullet to get thru?  Remember , most mall stores have glass at least 1/2 inch thick.  Known to deflect 308 bullets.
That has to be taken into account, a triple tap may be required.  Again, a liability.
If the scene is in a parking lot, can your bullet penetrate at least one car door reliably?

Just some other things you should consider.

Some very valid points here. My Wife has her CCW as well and I count on her to watch surroundings and my back (on mainland..  ).  A codeword for danger/threat that is known to you both is a good idea without alerting a threat what your intentions are.

Caliber choice is important. There is some pretty good .380 ammo out there. I have yet to shoot a .380 that I liked, therefore do not own one. I am sure up close and personnal, its got plenty of juice. I hear the new Sigs are very sweet.

When it comes to the gun I carry, I am often torn between number of rounds vs caliber. I carry either  Glock22 in .40SW or Colt Ghost Commander in .45ACP.  Do I want a lot of rounds, or raw power?

I dont have huge hands, so my 1911 is a single stack loaded with Speer GD in 230 grn. I like the idea that I shoot this pistol quickly and accurately. Sights (NOVAK) are designed for both eyes open shooting. The only drawback is lower capacity (8+1). I know it will punch through glass, through a car door, and through a heavy leather jacket. It is also lightweight and easy to carry, but has a hammer and ambi safties that can snag on when drawn. 

I like the Glock22 because its a no brainer. I have also put thousands of rounds through it and I KNOW its going to function and I shoot it well. I feel very comfortable it.

I can get 15+1 in my G22 and .40SW is a respectable caliber in my book. Ole girl carries a SIG P226 in 9MM with 15+1.  So thats 32 available rounds not counting a backup mag each (62 if counting those). I am thinking that should do the trick till help arrives or we bug out.

What are some of everones preffered carry weapon/calibers/ammo?

Personally, I like revolvers.  But, having said that, we own 5 380s soon to be 6.  I think of a 380 as a BUG when the Smith runs dry. 

Having lots of extra ammo is nice, heavy and bulky.  When carrying a semi auto at least One reload would mandatory minimum(my opinion).  Even a revolver should have a minimum of 2 speedloaders. 

Given my wonderful masculine physique, I'd most likely have my shorts around my ankles were I to carry any kind of firearm.  Even a fanny pack would have my shorts  on the ground.

So I need a different kind of concealed carry.

Given the various shots fired events here in Hawaii, it would seem that a revolver is more than adequate.
Never having been in a gun fight, but  having been in compay of those who do carry when we visit the mainland, I think a 6 shot 38/357 Smith M-10, 13, 64 or 65 3" HB should be more than sufficient.  I've been with guys who carry a 5 shot Smith J frame and guys who conceal a full size N frame 357 M-27/28.

If we need Bigger, we have a brace of M-58s (41 mag) on hand.  My favorite is the M-25 45 Colt Mountain Gun(3" skinny tapered barrel N Frame).   We believe the Bigger is Better theory.

But, in reality, given the laws here in Hawaii, IF we did have CCW and IF I(we) were involved in a shooting, I/we would most likely be carrying a M-10, 13, 64 or 65 38/357 Smith.

The reason is following the shooting, we will loose the firearm(s) for a long time.  When cleared, we don't know what kind of shape the firearms will be in when returned.  So, since I have several of them, I/we don't mind the PD taking them and mistreating them while in Evidence. 

Not to mention, a semi-auto will throw empty cases all over and drive the forensics guys Nuts trying to figure out where you were standing from the shell casing landing patterns.

That's why for Hawaii, I do Not recommend Nice guns or semi-autos for CCW.

Sorry but Im going to Necro this post as it sounds interesting,

Its kind of interesting as lately the better half and I have been watching "Top Shot" and shes  been getting all excited and we have been practicing with the Airsofts in the house and Im going to take her to the pistol range soon, she enjoyed the rifle range but didnt have time to go next door LOL, anyways

Defensive Handgun Practice is a relative statement and situation dictated. One of things that I was surprised was the fact that no one really mention "Natural Point of Aim" This is one of the heaviest techniques that I personally train on and the students that I have taught I try to encourage a lot.  Now my statement is purely on my personal belief so try not to flame me to much =)  and if someone did mention it sorry I tried to read as much as I could.....

As a stated "Natural Point of Aim" of course is your body alignment with your weapon down range without initially looking down the sights..  I stress this technique and really try to improve this because under a "Defensive" situation you will "react" and not necessarily have to time nor the opportunity to sit back and aim, but if your body reacts immediately and puts you down range properly you can shoot faster and more accurately. Thus applying your fundamentals with less wasted effort.

As stated above most dangerous situations happen within 10 meters thats 30ft.  The norm that Ive been trained and seen is a person with a knife can clear a 25-30ft space in less time than a person can draw their weapon.  Thus forcing the individual to fire from the hip or even fire blindly without aiming down the sight.

As crazy as it sounds the 2 typical tools outside of the range are a bore sight laser to see where you are aiming from the hip and or arms extended. The other tool is Airsofts again in a norm training environment (Home, Garage......not the range)  Ive been showing my better half that your natural punch out is quick and can be extremely effective if you know where shots are going, you do not have to look down the sights but look over the slide and search for impacts @ 15m or less.  50m I hope your aiming =) Your natural point of aim can actually be just as accurate and immensely quicker!  Again this applies to the danger zone of 15m or less and for Defensive situations that dictate, but NPA can apply to many situations and even improve your accuracy by far under non stressful situations too!

Again just my $0.02

-Exactice-