Carry weapon suggestions for a noob

[ArchStanton]

I just purchased my first pistol a little while back, an M&P .40. I purchased it because I'm left handed/left eye dominant and liked the way it had ambi controls and how good it felt in my hand.

It's obviously a little big for a carry weapon, so I was wanting some suggestions.

My main requirement is it be slim. I'll sacrifice capacity for slimness in this case. I've found a lot of sub compacts, but not many that are advertised as "slim". most have high capacity mags and of course that generally makes it wider.

Suggestions?

 

[Shadow 7D]

Um, well
it entirely depends on you
what I value in a gun you may hate
what I find a fine tradeoff you may consider an unreasonable compromise

BUT the # requirement is RAPID fire accuracy, this is a skill you develop
I find that NOT super small/light 9mm to be a good all around gun
NOT .40, it just doesn't do well in the small package, snappy in a big gun is a specialist in a small gun, kinda like a airweight .357mag

I like to pocket carry, I think .32 is great, small but accurate and controllable gun.

 

[Lee D]

Walther PPS. imo its the best "slim pistol" on the market, and that is including the Kahrs

 

[ArchStanton]

I was actually looking at the Walthers.

And Shadow, thanks for the info. Being a rookie, I can use all I can get.

 

[Fishbed77]

Walther PPS. imo its the best "slim pistol" on the market, and that is including the Kahrs

Agreed - the Walther PPS is the best slim single-stack 9mm out there.

You should also consider the Kahr CM9 if you are looking for something a bit smaller and less expensive.

 

[skt239]

Check out Kahr, they are really slim. The PPS is another good suggestion along with the Ruger LC9.

 

[Lee D]

personally id steer clear of the LC9.
based on what ive seen on a Rugerforum, it seems Ruger has become more focused on producing 1,000,000 pistols and less focused on quality control.

 

[ArchStanton]

This is all excellent information. I'm already very happy I joined this forum. Thanks for not treating me like a cherry.

 

[Shadow 7D]

shoot them, it's worth the premium in this to pay extra at a range/gun store to be able to shoot the gun before you buy it, yeah buds may have it for less, but you don't get to try it. Secondly I'd be VERY leery of the counter jockeys (wow went to Sportsman's Warehouse, and I know they are sales men but...)

The holster actually does more in concealment than the gun, a glock or XD in a supertuck will be harder to detect than a slim gun in a crappy holster.

 

[Lee D]

"The holster actually does more in concealment than the gun, a glock or XD in a supertuck will be harder to detect than a slim gun in a crappy holster."


amen

 

[ArchStanton]

I guess my question here would be how much harder is it to get to a full size pistol in a supertuck than it is to get to a subcompact in your pocket?

In your opinion, is that worth the increased accuracy and stopping power?

 

[minutemen1776]

If being slim is a primary criterion, I suggest a Kahr, S&W 3913/908, or a Star BM. The latter two are no longer made, but they should be findable.

 

[19-3Ben]

"The holster actually does more in concealment than the gun, a glock or XD in a supertuck will be harder to detect than a slim gun in a crappy holster."

Absolutely 100%. And by the way, I have the full size M&P9, exactly the same dimensions as your M&P40. With a good holster and good belt, it's not hard to conceal. on my frame (5'11, 165lbs, 32" waist).

That being said, my Kahr is easier to conceal. Most of the precious posters have already listed some very good options you may want to consider.

 

[Skribs]

If you like the S&W, get an M&P 9 compact. I'm looking at maybe getting one of those for pocket carry (I have ginormous pockets).

 

[holdencm9]

I second (or third) the Kahr. Actually going to hopefully pick one up tomorrow. The CM9 is essentially the same as the PM9 except for some parts are plastic instead of metal and it has a regular rifled barrel instead of polygonal rifling (won't make much difference). The CW9 is a little bigger height and length-wise, but the same width I believe, and holds an extra round due to the larger grip size. Last I checked at Cabela's the CW9 was $400 and the CM9 was $450. Not bad considering the LC9 which gets generally mediocre reviews is in the $330-360 range.

I guess my question here would be how much harder is it to get to a full size pistol in a supertuck than it is to get to a subcompact in your pocket?

In your opinion, is that worth the increased accuracy and stopping power?

It all depends. Some people can pocket carry the LC9 just fine, and do a full size pistol IWB. Personally I am leery of the bulge in my pocket even with my little LCP. But it totally disappears IWB. Almost a little too easily, and too concealable for the winter months (hence my wanting to upgrade to a Kahr for those times when a jacket or hoodie is worn and I can pack more punch). But the LCP is perfect for summertime and hides under a t-shirt no problem. LCP is about 3/4" thick and the Kahrs are 0.9" more or less. A typical full size pistol or double stack will be in the 1.2-1.5" width department. It doesn't seem like 1/4" would make much difference but it does! (At least on my skinny frame hip, YMMV)

 

[ku4hx]

Gen4 19 Glock is slim for me. So are the various subcompact single stack 45 ACP pistols. Basically any single stack semi auto is going to be quite "slim", you just have to try them and see what fits you.

 

[JustinJ]

I just finished deciding no to get a Khar. The feed ramp is ridiculously steep. Gun shop informed about the high incidence of returns due to inability to feed hollow points reliablly even after the 200 round break in. Had a PF9 but it was finicky with ammo which makes me question its overall reliability. Currently have a LC9 but i cant hit a damn thing with the horrid trigger. Guess i'll take a look at the Walther next. HK, if you're listening i need a single stack 9mm for pocket carry.

 

[MikePaiN]

I have too admit, I was very tempted by the Walther PPS when I was trading in my Ruger LC9 the other night, but the Kahr CM9 won out because of its smaller size, lower price and my past experiences with Kahrs.

 

[Hunter125]

If you are headed for a subcompact (Glock, XD, M&P) I wouldn't expect to pocket carry it. I feel like a subcompact is a pretty good balance of size and power, but that's up to your personal preferences. They can feel pretty thick at times.
In a good holster they will disappear pretty quick. I have a cheapo IWB holster, if I can conceal it in that, I'm pretty sure a better holster will do wonders. I'm hoping to get a good holster and gun belt soon. Both come highly suggested to me by several people here on THR.

 

[Dnaltrop]

I'm in the "good holsters hide bigger guns" camp, but it's one of the few perks us big guys get. It makes up for all you folks who can shoot those guns I need tweezers to manipulate.

My Full size M&P .40 disappeared in a Ted Blocker #12 IWB and never came loose in the last few years of constant carry. I liked the single strap setup, there is a screw that lets you change the angle of the gun if you switch sides.

http://www.tedblockerholsters.com/product.cfm?pi=5CB82F6B-EC2D-4A11-0EE368C82AE30EAA

I have their Lifeline vertical shoulder rig on order for my Blackhawk, and Hawaiian shirts of various eye-peeling calibers keep peoples eyes off of you like a Gorgon's stare. ( or at least keep the gun obscured)

Otherwise, if you liked the M&P, get a compact one and the grip-extending magazines for range use.

Bersa makes an ultracompact .45/40/9mm as well, finish isn't the greatest, but they're fit very well internally. They don't advertise much either, keeps the prices low.

 

[needmorecowbell]

I think Kahr is what you are looking for. They are all. 90 to 1.0" slim so then it's just a question of how long and tall do you want it and what caliber.

 

[230therapy]

Why would you think the S&W M&P in 45 S&W is a "little big for a carry weapon"? It's just fine. You need an attitude adjustment and a change of clothing to better conceal the gun.

What you want is "convenience". Jim Cirillo put it best (paraphrased): "When the gunfight happens, you'll want the largest caliber with the most ammunition possible." A six round magazine goes very, very quickly.

I've owned three Kahr PM9's. One was bad, the second required factory work to make functional and the third was good. My K9 was also bad and didn't function after the factory returned it to me. Keep this 25% success rate in mind when shopping for the next gun.

 

[needmorecowbell]

One other thing. To me height and then width are what matters when concealing. Length is a distant third. The Kahr CM9 is great because only 4" Tall. Not much grip to stick out.

 

[Zerodefect]

HK P7, P9, PSP. The one with the heel mag release.

S&W M&P 340 revolver

Kahrs are nice. P9, K9, Mk9, Pm9. But no left hand mag releases last time I checked.

 

[dcarch]

The Kahr sounds like a good option for you.