9mm carry that can flex as a home defense

I use the gun I carry every day, a Glock 17. When I carried a SIG P226 or Colt Commander, it was one of them.

Why would you use something else, handgun-wise anyway, its the gun that's always on and with you, isnt it?

Been said before:
1) any gun can be a home defense gun. We just think we have to have a reason to buy more guns.
2) after the novelty wears off, the big handgun they were trying to use as EDC will be left in the bedside dresser drawer.

Been asked by others the same question, since I’m the “gun guy” around here. My response is to tell them to go get a 1#, 1.5#, and 2# dumbbell and carry them around and see what they are willing to live with. Almost all asked for something lighter than the 1#! And I understand. These are not Tier 1 operators, just non gun folk (or they wouldn’t be asking me) wanting to carry for the first time. And they are not going to buy a lot of gear, and certainly not top of the line “must have” gear. Best that most will do is put a box or two through their pistol when they buy it and maybe another box every month if so. My starting place is always a Taurus 856 in a 2” or 3” model. Buy some snap caps and “shoot” the bad guys on tv until you can pull the trigger and the front sight doesn’t move. About the most practice any of them will do, if they do that.

Still a heavy pistol for carry, compared to and Airweight or LCR, but the 856 is more manageable of recoil and can be carried still. Some that I have helped have gotten G42, cause they like mine since it’s lightweight and small enough for pocket of purse carry. Others have actually spent money and gotten a SW 637! LOL Had a couple of ladies choose a LCPII in 22lr, and they actually use quality ammo and practice alot. I don’t worry about them since I also trained their protection dogs they take everywhere with them as well. So they actually carry, so good for them.

My home defense arsenal is a four single shot 12ga Toppers and three G3Xs scattered around the farm. Sold all of my Glocks, except for my 42 and 43, when they were worth something and moved until the G3 series since they started making them without a safety. So my answer for the OP’s question is a Taurus G3 in some flavor if forced to go 9mm. The G3C is now a without a safety, and it’s a nice carry pistol, but still too big for me. If I feel the need to take a 9mm, I take the GX4.

Lefty

Tallball said:

The real question is what are you willing to carry every day.

Apparently I am not willing to carry a Glock 19 most days. Most people probably aren't.

1) Purchase a handgun you can shoot well for CC that is small/light enough that you will actually carry it every day.
2) Put it on your nightstand when you sleep. Even if it's not ideal for HD, it'd definitely a lot better than nothing.
3) At a later date purchase a full-sized pistol for HD and fun practice.

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Wise words. The first gun I ever bought was a tiny Ruger LCP, because I wanted to be able to carry every day with my new CC permit... and I did!
For the time that it was my only gun, it doubled as the home defense option as well.

Many years and new guns later... and it's still my main carry gun in the summer time.

Beretta PX4 Compact

Lennyjoe said:

Too many to mention. Tell them to go get training and find a range they can rent multiple offerings and find one that fits their need.

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Excellent point. Find a range that will allow you to experience different pistol makes and models. See if you like it before you buy it.

Tallball said:

The real question is what are you willing to carry every day.

Apparently I am not willing to carry a Glock 19 most days. Most people probably aren't.

1) Purchase a handgun you can shoot well for CC that is small/light enough that you will actually carry it every day.
2) Put it on your nightstand when you sleep. Even if it's not ideal for HD, it'd definitely a lot better than nothing.

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Right on the nose...
The CC Shield, with extra mag, goes from pocket to bedside everyday.

Remember that the gun is just a tool. A sharp stick would work also. Just use the all the available tools that you have. My gun happens to be my sharpest and longest stick.

Rugers sr9c fits that category perfectly.
Take out the 10rd compact mags and replace it with a 17rd extended mag with extended grip. Add a weapon light, and it's a good bedside gun. I've done it many times.


S/A Hellcat has taken the role of carry gun for me, but it also does double duty when I'm away from home.

For many years I owned several pistols for target, EDC, and HD. Now, looking at my 80th birthday next month, I sold off three pistols and kept one to serve for all self defense needs. I chose to keep the Ruger Security 9 Compact (Sec9C). Here’s why. I am on 3 Ruger Forums since I owned 4 Rugers. I prefer Rugers because of its excellent customer service and well made guns. Since the introduction of the Sec 9 models I have seen few reports of them being problematic. Before purchase I read and watched great reviews. I rented both the regular and compact version and preferred the compact for easier concealment. It’s barrel is ,6 inch shorter than the standard. That difference is not a real factor in a self defense gun. I also liked the fact that it could accept a 15 round magazine in addition to the two 10 rnd mags that come with the gun. I have 3 15 round mags always loaded and ready. I only use the 10 round mag for deep concealment, then I carry an extra 15 round mag. So I my EDC load is 30+1 or 25+1.

Some time ago I posted a chart here which compared my 2 prior EDC pistols I had then with my newly acquired Sec9C. I have put that in this post to show how little difference there is between the 3 guns. The minor difference plus the increase in capacity is why my all purpose self-defense pistol is the Sec9C. Add to that my belief that I prefer one SD pistol rather than a rotation because I think it is better to train and practice for SD use with a single gun.



This shows the three mag option size differences.

There are lots of options but the reality is you need to drive home the importance of a GOOD STIFF BELT. I would submit this is far more important to effective, comfortable carry then the holster or even the gun.

For some reason it seems that “carry pistol” must be some micro sized itty bitty hard to shoot thing. If you wouldn’t use it to protect hearth and home maybe you should reevaluate it for carry. Just my opinion.

As for guns anything in the Glock 19ish envelope is about perfect. Some fine choices but not limited to include…..
Glock 19/23
CZ P01/PCR
SIG P320 Compact
Smith 2.0 compact
Beretta PX4 compact
HK P2000
SIG P229
Walther PPQ/PDP

There literally are a ton of fine options but even the best carry gun is going to be uncomfortable and hard to conceal without a great belt and a good holster.

Too many to list but some you might want to check out...

New:
CZ P07
CZ P10 C
CZ P10 S
FN 509C
Glock G19
Glock G48
Ruger American Compact 9mm.
Ruger Security 9
SIG P365XL
SIG P320 Compact
SIG P2022
S&W M&P9 Shield Plus
S&W M&P9 M2.0 Compact

Used:
CZ 75 Compact
CZ 75 D PCR
CZ P01
HK VP9
Ruger SR9c
SIG P229R

I'm a big fan of the sr9c for many reasons. ×It's fully ambidextrous.
×Raised loaded chamber indicator.
×Just plain easy to shoot well.
×rail for weapon light

jmr40 said:

A Glock 19, or similar is a decent choice, but about as big as would be practical for carry if you want to conceal it.

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I and several other members here conceal a Glock 19 daily

Night Rider said:

I and several other members here conceal a Glock 19 daily

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Raises hand.

Night Rider said:

I and several other members here conceal a Glock 19 daily

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Yup.
I've lived in FL over a year, shorts and a untucked shirt are standard attire and I've not carried smaller than a Glock 19 ...

Full disclosure: 1% of the time, specifically push mowing the yard or jogging wearing gym shorts I'll have a PM9 in a Smartcarry.
The other 99% of the time with shorts and a belt, Glock 19 minimum.
This is (of course) despite living in a "good area" with low anticipated threat and having carried 30+ years and never "needed" it.

These threads always devolve into a discussion in which some members state that they just can't possibly carry pistols as large as Glock 19 (and offer forth a plethora of "reasons" why). I still don't get it...

I fully agree with cslinger, who makes the most salient points in the thread:

cslinger said:

There are lots of options but the reality is you need to drive home the importance of a GOOD STIFF BELT. I would submit this is far more important to effective, comfortable carry then the holster or even the gun.

For some reason it seems that “carry pistol” must be some micro sized itty bitty hard to shoot thing. If you wouldn’t use it to protect hearth and home maybe you should reevaluate it for carry. Just my opinion.

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CDW4ME said:

I've lived in FL over a year, shorts and a untucked shirt are standard attire and I've not carried smaller than a Glock 19 ...

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Me, too (and in AZ as well). It's just not that difficult to comfortably carry (and effectively conceal) a handgun the size of a Glock 19... even in summer and tropical attire.

The SIG P-320 (Compact or Carry models), S&W M&P (Compact), FN 509 (Compact), bunch o' the CZ family and a couple of the Walther models are all about G-19 sized pistols of comparable weight and capacity and retail for between 5 and 6 hundred bucks.

When I was 30 pounds heavier my G19 would not have been as easy to conceal as a single stack. Not an issue now even though I need to drop another 30. There are plenty of good choices these days that can fit a person and still be sufficient. I was happy with my G48 when a thinner pistol made the difference between printing and not printing. Prefer the 19 though.

LCP max

I live in a small house

4" Shield Plus. S&W is even offering a rebate on the SHield Plus right now.

The 4" version (without the optic) is a great gun

LeftyRed said:

any gun can be a home defense gun. …….We just think we have to have a reason to buy more guns

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I was thinking the same thing, “why the distinction, one pistol for both?”

Then the second part resonated with me and I thought, “of course you need two pistols, it’s science people!!”

I'm in plainclothes and carry a Glock 19 seven days a week. I'm not large but I'm also not a mighty mouse and have no problems with concealment. When I get home I place it on my nightstand where it lives until it's time to go back to work.

I’ll concur with Glock 19/23 but more often than not these days I’m carrying a G43X with a Shield Arms 15 round flush mag. A G48 is same same but longer.

But also agree a Sig P320 or 365 XL would work, as would many flavors of S&W M&P or Springfield XD or Hellcat or Rugers.

Many are available with external safeties as desired.

I disagree with a SA/DA gun, but that’s me.

the biggest one you can carry concealed, that you'll actually carry and not mind carrying, and will actually carry. If you have the money, I'd get two different firearms for each of these functions.

Nature Boy said:

I was thinking the same thing, “why the distinction, one pistol for both?”

Then the second part resonated with me and I thought, “of course you need two pistols, it’s science people!!”

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LOL, I’m not one to keep anyone from buying more firearms! And it does make sense to have one dedicated for each purpose. But for newbies, learn to run that one then start acquiring them.

Old Dog said:

These threads always devolve into a discussion in which some members state that they just can't possibly carry pistols as large as Glock 19 (and offer forth a plethora of "reasons" why). I still don't get it...

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While I get your point, if someone can conceal a G19, why not a G17, or why not a G34.

I'll assume there is a reason why some choose a G19 over a G17 or a G34, and I suspect it is the same reason why somebody else may choose something smaller than a G19.

Hey, pick whatever you like and works for you.

However, now it strikes me, the folks looking for a gun in the OP's post, are probably now looking for their first gun. I always recommend folks looking for a first gun should choose a duty size gun, like a G17 or G34, which will be easier to shoot and easier to learn with than a small sub-compact that folks often recommend for concealed carry. At this point, your first need is to learn to shoot and be comfortable with a handgun.

Once they have accomplished that, then they can choose the gun for their next need, perhaps concealed carry, or perhaps home defense. It's possible that that first gun, with the right holster can be used for concealed carry, and it will probably be perfect for home defense.