Labguy47
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- May 13, 2018
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- 863
LC9 with mag extensions is gonna be right up your alley. I was an M9 shooter for years.
Quest for the "ideal for you" carry gun
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LC9 with mag extensions is gonna be right up your alley. I was an M9 shooter for years.
The research goes on...
Coal Dragger
member
I’ve been carrying an HK VP9 for about 3 years now. Not many complaints, sometimes it’s a bit large. However a good holster and a good belt solve most of those issues.
I’ll be doing a test run starting next week of carrying this pistol appendix all in waistband. With a Surefire X300U mounted on it no less. We’ll call it an experiment in seeing just how much pistol can be comfortably and effectively concealed using a specialized holster in conjunction with a gun belt made to support a full sized duty gun and other gear.
I’ll be doing a test run starting next week of carrying this pistol appendix all in waistband. With a Surefire X300U mounted on it no less. We’ll call it an experiment in seeing just how much pistol can be comfortably and effectively concealed using a specialized holster in conjunction with a gun belt made to support a full sized duty gun and other gear.
test drive
Member
XDS .45 3.3 inch
Coal Dragger
member
Got my PHLster Floodlight holster today, and tried it out with the VP9 with the Surefire X300U mounted up (“A” variant for those who are curious). Carried the gun around for about an hour running errands in and out of the vehicle, set up how it came out of the box. Only adjustment I made was to retention on the light and the slide. I am wearing this all inside the waist at the appendix position.
After wearing it for awhile I then made adjustments to the ride height of the holster, moving it higher in relation to the belt line. This allows me to get a better grip on the pistol, and improves comfort when seated. I also changed out the piece that tucks the butt of the grip in to the body, the large was installed and I put on the smaller one again to improve my ability to get a positive shooting grip.
Conceals the pistol far far better than the Comp-Tac strong side hip holster I’ve been using. Also conceals the pistol better than the Alien Gear IWB I also have, and is more comfortable. The hardware on the PHLster is very good, much much better than the Alien Gear. The fact I can AIWB a full size pistol with an idiotically bright weapon light attached comfortably is pretty cool. I also got a VP9 long slide kit and it fits just fine, makes no difference in how the holster fits or wears.
Also slapped the X300U on my brother’s Gen 5 G19 MOS with an RMR installed. The holster retained it just fine, so the retention being based on the weapon light is slick as snot. Pretty much a universal holster if the pistol can mount an X300U.
So I plan to thoroughly test the long slide match barrel kit on my VP9, and assuming it shoots as good as I hope and runs I will carry it. Probably get it milled for the new Aimpoint ACRO P1 slide mounted optic.
Now to decide if I want to get the PHLster Flex System to integrate a flexible breathable membrane to the holster to carry a spare magazine IWB or just carry it OWB. I have never had an issue carrying a spare magazine OWB so may stick with that.
The new holster is super easy to put on too, the pull the dot snaps on loops are brilliant.
After wearing it for awhile I then made adjustments to the ride height of the holster, moving it higher in relation to the belt line. This allows me to get a better grip on the pistol, and improves comfort when seated. I also changed out the piece that tucks the butt of the grip in to the body, the large was installed and I put on the smaller one again to improve my ability to get a positive shooting grip.
Conceals the pistol far far better than the Comp-Tac strong side hip holster I’ve been using. Also conceals the pistol better than the Alien Gear IWB I also have, and is more comfortable. The hardware on the PHLster is very good, much much better than the Alien Gear. The fact I can AIWB a full size pistol with an idiotically bright weapon light attached comfortably is pretty cool. I also got a VP9 long slide kit and it fits just fine, makes no difference in how the holster fits or wears.
Also slapped the X300U on my brother’s Gen 5 G19 MOS with an RMR installed. The holster retained it just fine, so the retention being based on the weapon light is slick as snot. Pretty much a universal holster if the pistol can mount an X300U.
So I plan to thoroughly test the long slide match barrel kit on my VP9, and assuming it shoots as good as I hope and runs I will carry it. Probably get it milled for the new Aimpoint ACRO P1 slide mounted optic.
Now to decide if I want to get the PHLster Flex System to integrate a flexible breathable membrane to the holster to carry a spare magazine IWB or just carry it OWB. I have never had an issue carrying a spare magazine OWB so may stick with that.
The new holster is super easy to put on too, the pull the dot snaps on loops are brilliant.
Coal Dragger
member
Wore the PHLster Floodlight all day in the car and around town yesterday, definitely took some experimentation to determine the tightness needed on the belt. Too tight and the AIWB holster really digs in to the pelvis when seated, and is frankly not particularly comfortable walking around either.
Once I figured out that this carry position doesn’t require a tight belt like strong side hip carry to get the pistol tucked in to conceal, my results were better. The belt just needs to be snug enough to keep the holster and pistol from shifting around. Now it’s plenty comfortable walking around or seated in the vehicle, I can move naturally. Under a t-shirt or button up shirt the VP9, weapon light and all, pretty much disappers. So long as you’re not trying to wear extra medium shirts and skinny jeans this combo will probably work for a lot of people.
Got out today to shoot with my brother and my dad, first time in years we’ve all shot together. I live over 900 miles away from my parents, and my brother split that difference in mileage.
I played around some more with his Gen 5 G19 with RMR out of his T-Rex Arms AIWB holster. I have a preference for the PHLster that I bought. The T-Rex has an integrated magazine carrier that makes for a wide rigid package up front, and being sized for the G19 is not particularly deep. Strangely this makes the holster less comfortable seated because the angle the muzzle area rests against the pelvis at digs the edge of the holster in more on the shorter holster. The longer light bearing holster alleviates this to a large degree. I’ve seen foam wedges and other solutions to put on the bottom of the holster to distribute pressure, cushion those points, and help tuck the pistol butt in, I may try some since they’re cheap.
I was also able to zero the long slide assembly for my VP9. Accuracy is very good, an improvement over the stock slide and barrel which is no slouch with good ammo. Function was 100% for the 300 rounds I put through it today. Recoil is about the same, maybe tracks a smidge flatter with the long slide, maybe just a touch more gentle. It’s a 9X19 though in a service sized pistol so recoil has never really been an issue.
I will say the HK runs more gently than the G19 but not so much that either one is going to get you killed in the streets. The stock VP9 barrel and slide narrowly out shot the Gen 5 G19 with RMR in my hands, my brother is not quite as accomplished a handgun shooter and the dot helped him run his G19 better than my iron sighted stock VP9 in his hands. He was disgusted to learn that the long slide VP9 assembly shot better for both of us. HK appears to have done a nice job fitting that barrel and slide. If it’s not match grade it’s dang close, even with cheap ball ammo.
The long slide fits the Floodlight holster no problem, and given the adjustable sights and flatter sight tracking I now have that as my carry set up.
So I’m rocking a 5” bbl double stack 9X19 polymer frame pistol with a weapon light as my carry gun. LOL. Why not?
Next up get the long slide milled to take a red dot sight. I really see no downside to the dot after running the G19 with one. While the G19 doesn’t quite have as good a trigger as the HK and may not be as mechanically accurate the red dot sight on the pistol is a game changer in practical accuracy. Tossing out a low contrast polymer self healing target and bouncing it down range with both pistols was easier with the dot equipped pistol.
Once I figured out that this carry position doesn’t require a tight belt like strong side hip carry to get the pistol tucked in to conceal, my results were better. The belt just needs to be snug enough to keep the holster and pistol from shifting around. Now it’s plenty comfortable walking around or seated in the vehicle, I can move naturally. Under a t-shirt or button up shirt the VP9, weapon light and all, pretty much disappers. So long as you’re not trying to wear extra medium shirts and skinny jeans this combo will probably work for a lot of people.
Got out today to shoot with my brother and my dad, first time in years we’ve all shot together. I live over 900 miles away from my parents, and my brother split that difference in mileage.
I played around some more with his Gen 5 G19 with RMR out of his T-Rex Arms AIWB holster. I have a preference for the PHLster that I bought. The T-Rex has an integrated magazine carrier that makes for a wide rigid package up front, and being sized for the G19 is not particularly deep. Strangely this makes the holster less comfortable seated because the angle the muzzle area rests against the pelvis at digs the edge of the holster in more on the shorter holster. The longer light bearing holster alleviates this to a large degree. I’ve seen foam wedges and other solutions to put on the bottom of the holster to distribute pressure, cushion those points, and help tuck the pistol butt in, I may try some since they’re cheap.
I was also able to zero the long slide assembly for my VP9. Accuracy is very good, an improvement over the stock slide and barrel which is no slouch with good ammo. Function was 100% for the 300 rounds I put through it today. Recoil is about the same, maybe tracks a smidge flatter with the long slide, maybe just a touch more gentle. It’s a 9X19 though in a service sized pistol so recoil has never really been an issue.
I will say the HK runs more gently than the G19 but not so much that either one is going to get you killed in the streets. The stock VP9 barrel and slide narrowly out shot the Gen 5 G19 with RMR in my hands, my brother is not quite as accomplished a handgun shooter and the dot helped him run his G19 better than my iron sighted stock VP9 in his hands. He was disgusted to learn that the long slide VP9 assembly shot better for both of us. HK appears to have done a nice job fitting that barrel and slide. If it’s not match grade it’s dang close, even with cheap ball ammo.
The long slide fits the Floodlight holster no problem, and given the adjustable sights and flatter sight tracking I now have that as my carry set up.
So I’m rocking a 5” bbl double stack 9X19 polymer frame pistol with a weapon light as my carry gun. LOL. Why not?
Next up get the long slide milled to take a red dot sight. I really see no downside to the dot after running the G19 with one. While the G19 doesn’t quite have as good a trigger as the HK and may not be as mechanically accurate the red dot sight on the pistol is a game changer in practical accuracy. Tossing out a low contrast polymer self healing target and bouncing it down range with both pistols was easier with the dot equipped pistol.
Rifleman173
Member
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2019
- Messages
- 42
I vary my carry options. About 90% of the time, when I am away from home, I carry a Glock 19 with a spare Glock 17 magazine for those "emergency social occasions." At other times, when I need a flatter, thinner carry option, I carry a S&W Shield either in 9 mm or .45 caliber, a XDS in 9 mm or a Ruger 9 mm in the form of a LC9. When I am at home, the LC9 is pretty much my carry piece. Most of the time I also carry at least one spare mag for whatever I carry at that time I carry the pistol.
I also like to carry some sort of pocket knife on me too when I go outside of the house. My favorite knife is a Seber lock blade or some other kind of lock blade.
I also like to carry some sort of pocket knife on me too when I go outside of the house. My favorite knife is a Seber lock blade or some other kind of lock blade.
OP
OP
FL-NC
Member
I'm not a huge person. Thickness of a handgun handicaps me more than the length. Add to that the fact that I live in Fl and the normal attire here, and there are more challenges to carrying concealed- which makes my favorite general purpose handgun (Glock 19) not ideal. Also, my handgun choices are almost exclusively Glocks and 1911's. My normal CCW pistol is a S&W shield 9 since I don't care for the Glock 43. I recently acquired (for cheap) a used Kimber pro carry, a lightweight 1911 similar in size to a commander. The light weight, thin-ness, and compact size are making me consider it as a possible CCW gun. The fact that it is a 1911 isn't an issue, and it goes bang the same amount of times as my shield, except in .45. So, after I have trained with it a little, it MAY be a candidate for some CCW duties.
JR24
Member
Perhaps the CZ P07 or RAMI might be up your alley small and DA/SA. Or the Walther P99c, no hammer but still has a decocker ans decent trigger.
I think I've finally reached the point where I'm willing to make a concession to comfort and ease. I've always favored bigger guns and I can conceal them easily enough and I shoot them better, but I have been carrying a new to me CCO style 1911 with an aluminum frame in 9mm.
Smaller, lighter, and still 9+1 of 9mm. Let's me get away with slimmer fitting tshirts (mostly due to the slimmer spare mag, always the hardest part for me to conceal) and the lighter weight does seem to make it easier to carry all day, if marginally.
All things said though, I think an aluminum bobtail commander 1911 (like a Guardian or Eseries) in 9mm might be the "right" one. This one will certainly do, however.
ancientnoob
Member
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2017
- Messages
- 282
I found that this works the best for me.
There is no protruding hammer to impress upon my festive physique.
No large clunky controls safeties, decockers, slide releases, locks or magazines.
A narrow handle that is easily concealable.
It can be fired without ever coming out of your jacket.
It never fails to feed or fails to eject,
The single action trigger is a thought away from boom.
The double action trigger is smooth, consistent and deliberate.
If there is a running gun battle it is small enough to carry while running away.
The stainless steel weapon heavy mass of the weapon allows for low weight fluted non expanding projectiles (poly case) ammunition to be fired with great effect with minimal recoil, flash and loss of sight picture. The .77gr 38 special polycase ammo is designed for fluid targets and reduces the likelihood of over penetration through barriers.
The stainless steel can be hand polished to a mirror shine so that when the weapon comes out everyone knows it.
The sleek and ergonomic design allows for unparalleled accuracy at lawful self defense distances and has a functionally infinite range.
When the weapons ammunition is exhausted this same ergonomic design allows the user to throw defestating cave man screaming right hooks and over hand rock smashing techniques. The heavy mass and balance of this small weapons allows it to be thrown like baseball at the antagonist.
80's vintage Pre Lock SW 649 1 7/8" Tapered barrel .38 spl. Custom American elk tacky grips. Mat (un polished) cylinder flutes and top strap. Hand polished to about 80% mirror.
There is no protruding hammer to impress upon my festive physique.
No large clunky controls safeties, decockers, slide releases, locks or magazines.
A narrow handle that is easily concealable.
It can be fired without ever coming out of your jacket.
It never fails to feed or fails to eject,
The single action trigger is a thought away from boom.
The double action trigger is smooth, consistent and deliberate.
If there is a running gun battle it is small enough to carry while running away.
The stainless steel weapon heavy mass of the weapon allows for low weight fluted non expanding projectiles (poly case) ammunition to be fired with great effect with minimal recoil, flash and loss of sight picture. The .77gr 38 special polycase ammo is designed for fluid targets and reduces the likelihood of over penetration through barriers.
The stainless steel can be hand polished to a mirror shine so that when the weapon comes out everyone knows it.
The sleek and ergonomic design allows for unparalleled accuracy at lawful self defense distances and has a functionally infinite range.
When the weapons ammunition is exhausted this same ergonomic design allows the user to throw defestating cave man screaming right hooks and over hand rock smashing techniques. The heavy mass and balance of this small weapons allows it to be thrown like baseball at the antagonist.
80's vintage Pre Lock SW 649 1 7/8" Tapered barrel .38 spl. Custom American elk tacky grips. Mat (un polished) cylinder flutes and top strap. Hand polished to about 80% mirror.
Started out with 1911's. First a government model and then the commander and then it went to a Beretta 92 FS.
I was willing to carry large pistols for awhile because initially it was somewhat of a novelty.
Then it went to a Sig 226.
Then a CZ-75 full size.
Then I tried a really small Browning BDA in .380 for a millisecond.
Then an H&K P7. Grip safety was too weird.
Then a S&W 66 .357 Mag. Too big and not enough rds.
Then a Browning High Power. Stuck with that for a long time. Pretty much the longest. Then the one I had started getting holster wear and I got a second one. Then a third.
Then I tried a second gen Glock 19. Stuck with that the second longest.
Then tried a Glock 30 .45 ACP.
Went back to the G19.
Then a CZ-75 Compact
Then went to a Glock 26 3rd gen.
Then a Walther PPS 1st gen.
Tried a Glock 42.
Back to the Walther PPS 1st gen. Third longest.
Then a Walther PPS M2.
Then a Glock 23 .40
Now I'm basically doing a threeway split between the Walther PPS M1, a G26 and a G23 depending on weather, occasion and mood.
I don't care if they get holster wear. They're all light and they all operate the same way, draw, aim, fire with no external safety.
Basically no one pistol can do it all for me. Criteria basically means I need two pistols. One a mid-size double stack with good sights and a single stack that will fit into a cargo shorts pocket.
I was willing to carry large pistols for awhile because initially it was somewhat of a novelty.
Then it went to a Sig 226.
Then a CZ-75 full size.
Then I tried a really small Browning BDA in .380 for a millisecond.
Then an H&K P7. Grip safety was too weird.
Then a S&W 66 .357 Mag. Too big and not enough rds.
Then a Browning High Power. Stuck with that for a long time. Pretty much the longest. Then the one I had started getting holster wear and I got a second one. Then a third.
Then I tried a second gen Glock 19. Stuck with that the second longest.
Then tried a Glock 30 .45 ACP.
Went back to the G19.
Then a CZ-75 Compact
Then went to a Glock 26 3rd gen.
Then a Walther PPS 1st gen.
Tried a Glock 42.
Back to the Walther PPS 1st gen. Third longest.
Then a Walther PPS M2.
Then a Glock 23 .40
Now I'm basically doing a threeway split between the Walther PPS M1, a G26 and a G23 depending on weather, occasion and mood.
I don't care if they get holster wear. They're all light and they all operate the same way, draw, aim, fire with no external safety.
Basically no one pistol can do it all for me. Criteria basically means I need two pistols. One a mid-size double stack with good sights and a single stack that will fit into a cargo shorts pocket.
Obturation
Member
Pretty basic for me.
Used to be all about revolver carry, but havent done it in years.
I settled on a platform that i could choose multiple different guns with an identicle manual of arms and just bought them larger and smaller depending on situation. Glock fits the bill for me, 42 when im dressed lightly, 30 for regular use and regular clothes, 20 for when im dressed heavily or think im more likely to need a gun. Been satisfied with this system for years and really stopped looking at other carry guns.
Big bore revolvers are a different story, i wont get into that...
Used to be all about revolver carry, but havent done it in years.
I settled on a platform that i could choose multiple different guns with an identicle manual of arms and just bought them larger and smaller depending on situation. Glock fits the bill for me, 42 when im dressed lightly, 30 for regular use and regular clothes, 20 for when im dressed heavily or think im more likely to need a gun. Been satisfied with this system for years and really stopped looking at other carry guns.
Big bore revolvers are a different story, i wont get into that...
i certainly did. Almost every change resulted from something that I learned in defensive pistol training or other study, or from new product developments.
That has also convinced my to carry the same reran all the time, or two that are essentially the same.
My criteria? 9mm, total capacity of 9 or more (preferably 10 or more), a grip that works, a relatively light slide rack, a good trigger, very high reliability, no requirement to disengage a safety by any means other than gripping the firearm.
I do sometimes have to switch to IWB carry.
Flatbush Harry
Member
My preferred cxarry is a Springfield XD40 sc whose sights I have replaced w/ HD Trijicon sights. I use a flush magazine with the bottom plate replaced by a Pearce Grips extension to allow me a pinky grip. Fortunately, I have never had to draw it and sincerely hope I never will.
Am fighting back issues.
Doesn't take much to make things worse these days.
No IWB carry for me.
My list would be from smallest to biggest
Ruger LCP (when clothing and injury mandate the lightest)
Glock 43 (all arounder)
Colt Commander (fall/winter)
Smith 629 4" (trail rig)
Doesn't take much to make things worse these days.
No IWB carry for me.
My list would be from smallest to biggest
Ruger LCP (when clothing and injury mandate the lightest)
Glock 43 (all arounder)
Colt Commander (fall/winter)
Smith 629 4" (trail rig)
SCMikeyP
Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2019
- Messages
- 84
I'm not necessarily looking for THE ideal CCW.
I look for a few options that fulfill different situational niches but all have the same manual of arms. Then I can choose day by day what I will carry based on weather, clothing, depth of concealment, where I'm going etc.
I look for a few options that fulfill different situational niches but all have the same manual of arms. Then I can choose day by day what I will carry based on weather, clothing, depth of concealment, where I'm going etc.
Trunk Monkey
member
SCMikeyP
Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2019
- Messages
- 84
Good looking family you have there!
commygun
Member
I figured out early on that the ideal carry gun was going to have to be a pocket one. I could just never get physically comfortable for long with any kind of concealed waistband carry. Too constricting. So the search was on for the ideal pocket gun. That was a DAO AMT in .380 for a long time. The LCP came closer, but the rise of the micro-9's made me wonder if I couldn't carry more power in the same space. I like the LC9 and carried it in my jeans for quite a while bit it's just a tad big. The CM9 comes incrementally closer but is still an awkward pocket draw.
ancientnoob
Member
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2017
- Messages
- 282
Ever consider the micro desert eagle in .380. It’s an all steel gun with a great finish awesome construction. It’s DAO with a 5000 lbs trigger.
Zaydok Allen
Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2011
- Messages
- 13,274
These two seem to be pretty ideal for me, with the nod going to the Sig for being higher capacity and a little smaller.
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View media item 2364
JR24
Member
For what it's worth, I thought the same (though I am a 1911 fan) until I finally held a EDC X9 and found it wanting in both feel and trigger.
Especially since I held it next to a SIG Legion SAO 229, which IMO is a better gun in all aspects.
I was, frankly, shocked at how "not Wilson" the EDC X9 trigger I tried was. I have a RIA with a better trigger. Plus the grip was almost as fat as a regular double stack 1911 and the texture felt cheap (IMO).
jackinil
Member
Currently settled on a Ruger EC9S and a CZ PCR.
Jeb Stuart
member
Need to add New Kahr CM9 to my CCW guns shown belove (love it already). Nano was my main carry with Pico, but heck, this well made little gun is whopping 4oz. lighter and so mild to shoot. If you notice, all my Carry guns pictured are DAO. except the Ruger LC9s, a fine gun but A very light striker fired pistol, which I no longer carry.
Done with light striker fired triggers.
*The Kahr CW380 is pictured below in the current line up..
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