Help me chose my EDC - final sense check

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I would not go with an active safety on a carry gun. If you like the glock, I'd stay with Glock. That being said, my PCR is my EDC and I love everything about it.
 
Well, thanks to all of you who helped.

I stopped by a LGS and tried the Shield vs G26.

Walked out with G26.

Reasons:

1) The safety on the Shield is extremely awkward and I just don't see how it can be activated without losing grip on the gun. If I am attacked and pull the gun out I can't just flip the safety off while holding the gun pointed at the attacker. A very strange design and very awkward to operate. And yes, with kids in the house, I absolutely must have safety on my guns, even if I make every effort to keep them locked up and teach my son how to shoot.

2) The Shield is actually larger (taller) than G26 - another surprise.

3) The Shield is indeed thinner, but not by a whole lot, when holding them side by side the difference wasn't really that much.

4) Glock just felt right in my hands, Shield felt nice but not familiar.

I didn't even ask to look at SR9c, it's a bigger gun and I already deciced on G26 in the store... this was the gun I initially selected anyway but I was sidetracked for a while.

Again, thanks everyone for your help and patience !
 
I have G17, too. However part of what I liked about G26 is the mag capacity (10 is like 2x revolvers ;)) while mag being still small and portable.

I won't have a chance to shoot it for a few days, unfortunately, but if it's anywhere close in accuracy to the one I rented, my only regret is that I didn't go with G26 from the start. With Pearce +0 extension, it's every bit as comfortable to hold as G17, and actually more comfortable than G19 (to me at least).
 
Well done and super congratulations on yer new gun! :) I *do* love my G26 and hope you have the same opinion as I do 2000 rounds down range.

VooDoo
 
Thanks !

I originally bought G17 - thought that G26 was too small / wouldn't be as accurate on the range (also wanted a plinking toy) and G19 wasn't really all that different from a G17 to justify the difference in grip and a pinched pinky.

Now that I know what I know, I would strongly advice anyone looking for a first Glock to consider G26. I haven't shot mine yet (will do Friday) but with the rental ones I was as accurate as with G17, up to 25 yards, and that's without a mag extension (pinky curled under the butt). With Pearce +0 extension (I got one just to try it) it is actually more comfortable to hold than G19, and just as comfy as G17, while printing a lot less. So, if anyone is reading this contemplating their first Glock, at least try G26 before buying anything else - chances are you won't need another gun (note that I said "need" not "want" ;) )
 
Don't own it any more, but I had a Gen 3 G26 years ago. It felt really awkward in my hand due to the short/fat grip. I was convinced that I woukdnt hit the broadside of a barn with it.....until I shot it. I was very pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to hold on target. I swore off Glocks last year and sold my holsters and magazine stash. Thinking of trying them again.
 
I gotta add: I shot a lot of Glock 9mm's looking for my favorite and feel that the G19 is not that much bigger than a G26 but is big enough to get a full grip. I have to curl my pinky under the G26 and when I first felt that I thought it'd be a deal breaker....but I actually shot the G26 better than a 19 or 17.

I have also seen this in other folks as well - the G19 is a little bigger and a little more comfy but in a down and dirty test they actually shoot the G26 better. Go figure.

VooDoo
 
S&W M&P9C.

The more I think about the Shield, the more I am glad that I did not pick one up. I have shot a rental Shield 9 twice and while it is a well built and highly accurate weapon it has some short comings. First it is too large and heavy for pocket carry and if you are going to carry IWB then you might as well get an M&P9C. Second the 8 round magazine is quite difficult to seat properly and may lead to unwanted failures during emergency mag changes. Also carrying with the 8 round in makes the grip longer and you could print. Finally with the Shield you only have a 7 or 8 round to choose from. No slapping in a 17 round back up, so you might as well get an M&P9C.
 
I gotta add: I shot a lot of Glock 9mm's looking for my favorite and feel that the G19 is not that much bigger than a G26 but is big enough to get a full grip. I have to curl my pinky under the G26 and when I first felt that I thought it'd be a deal breaker....but I actually shot the G26 better than a 19 or 17.

I have also seen this in other folks as well - the G19 is a little bigger and a little more comfy but in a down and dirty test they actually shoot the G26 better. Go figure.

VooDoo
The G26 with Pearce +0 extension still prints less than G19 yet provides the same hold as G17 (the last groove on G19 pinched my pinky).

However, even though I dislike the feel of G26 at the range without the extension, the truth is I shoot it just as well as a full size Glock. And it prints less than any of them.

So, I installed the mag extension on one mag, and left the other one factory. This way, I can pick whichever works the best for the clothes I am wearing that day. For a SD situation, I couldn't care less how comfortable I am holding the gun as long as I can be quick and accurate with it (and really, it's not uncomfortable, just different). For plinking, or when wearing looser / heavier outfits, I can get a full grip and still print less than G19 (and have less of the barrel pressing on my leg when sitting in the car). G19 is much closer to 17 than to 26. Honestly, I am surprised Glock didn't just drop 17 altogether - just redesign the grooves on 19. But also, I shoot 17 and 26 better than 19, for some reason.
 
Well, one year later... this was the right choice and I am happy with it.

Two lessons learned:

- the mag extensions make no difference. It may feel more comfortable but I had it on one of the two mags and once I started shooting and swapping mags I didn't even know which one I had unless I looked.

- the GAP mag floorplate, OTOH, makes a world of difference in drawing the gun. And provides somewhat better hold, although I hold it just fine with factory mags.
 
Go with G26, it will use the same mags as your G17. At this point, since you have more experience shooting Glocks and out of the handguns you listed, none of them are better than the G26.
 
From what you are saying, I would personally recommend the SR9c. It already has a thumb safety, the trigger is just like Glocks (better IMO, but similar) and it is nice and small if you leave the little pinky extension off.

Also, despite the specs, the Ruger is a THIN gun and conceals much easier than a Glock 26 or 19 (IMO).

My SR9c was fantastic, never choked in the thousands I had run through it and concealed really easy.

Myself, I ended up getting rid of my SR9c and SR40c for Glock 19 and 23, but that was a personal preference in that I prefer the 19/23 size to the smaller guns for CCW and shooting, YMMV.
 
The CZ 75 compact, just the regular steel one is really heavy for what it is. The alloy non-railed version - CZ 75D PCR is my favorite gun ever in the world.

I also have an M&P shield that I added a pinky extension to, and one of those rubber deals over the grip frame to make it a little thicker and that gun shoots very well for a sub-compact. I pocket carry it so,stiles, but mostly I open carry it on a Blackhawk retention holster when I run outside.

I have a Glock 26, but it's not better at anything than those other two, so it doesn't see much action.
 
whoever claims the Shield has a high bore axis is an idiot...don't listen to idiots.

Of those on your list the Shield and CZ are tops.
 
Looks like there's no buyer's remorse.
My only remorse is that I didn't even try G26 when I bought my first gun four years ago because it looked "uncomfortable".

As much as I like G17 I find myself shooting G26 more at the range. At typical pistol range distances (10 or 25 yards) I'm equally accurate (or equally inaccurate) with both yet somehow G26 seems more fun to shoot.. go figure. I'd trade my 17 for a second 26 without hesitation even though it's a fine gun.
 
I am not a Glock fan, nor a fan of any polymer pistols, however, several years ago a friend let me shoot his G26, and his G30. I was amazed at the accuracy I could get even at 25 yards. Either is tough to beat as an EDC. That being said, I carry a CZ PCR also.
 
Of the guns you mentioned, the CZ 2075 RAMI (not the RAMI BD, which has decocker only, instead of a safety that you wanted) is my recomendation. It has an alloy frame. It accepts 10 round flush fitting or 14 round extended-grip magazines. It even accepts the factory 25 round magazines for the big CZ's!

The RAMI series is smaller than the Compact series, but with the extended-grip magazine, has the same grip as the compacts, but a shorter barrel (and lighter weight).

I don't know if any of the compact-size CZ's are available with alloy frames and safeties. The CZ 75 Compact has a safety, but a steel frame.

Andy
 
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