9mm carry that can flex as a home defense

In the Peoples Republic of California, the only way you can get a p365 is to buy one from someone (usually a LEO) who is exempt from the California Approved Handgun Roster and the going rate is $1200-1500. Not a bad side-hustle for certain people, in other words....

 

I've never understood why someone would mount a light on their gun because to use it would mean quite possibly pointing a loaded firearm at someone who you surely would not want to shoot in the first place. What's the case for lights on guns?

 

For the last year, I have used a Taurus® G3C 9mm for both carry and home defense with Federal® 124gr. Punch® 12+1 mag for concealed carry & 17+1 mag for home defense.

 

Premise has a logical flaw in it from "our" perspective.

"We" generally understand that small service-caliber firearms are more "polite" for every-day carry. "We" will also likely have a "full size" sidearm, and probably a carbine of some sort for actual HD.

Which is probably not what will be best for "one gun only" households. A G19 or a G19, and M&P, a Dagger, any of that will likely suffice for such use. For that matter, so would a .38 or .357 revolver, or even an 1911 of some stripe.

For the neophytes and noobs, I usually bore the to tears on the topic of how your "carry" is a "last resort," something you fall back upon only after everything else has failed. That, in a "gunfight" it's likely the guy with the rifle that wins (and has the advantage of making bad people stay much further away, too). And, yes, that's all tough sledding at the best of times. Tough enough for "us" as well, like as not, too.

If a newbie insists n "What one gun should I buy?" I usually send them to the LGS and tell them to get a 16" S&W M&P carbine. Can they "carry" that--not in the general sense "we" mean, but likely "yes" in the way "they" mean. If between today and that putative darker time, they need an EDC, they can go and find what suits them best. Preferably after getting experience and trigger time.

Pistol skills atrophy fastest, and specialty pistol often faster than general pistol. Better to give the newbs an easier learning curve, and let them advance from there.

But, that's my 2¢, others' will differ.

 

I only read page 1, but suggest a hellcat.

It is very easy to carry with 11 rounds on tap, even fits in a pocket with a vedder holster.

The 15 round mags are incredibly engineered, excellent contouring etc. Slap in a fifteen rounder and you have 15+1 for home defense, standard night sights, rail for light/laser, a plate to add optics if you want etc.

It handles like a much larger gun and carries like a much smaller gun.

The Springfield hellcat.

 

Glock G26 for me.

 

Pre P365 my answer would have been Glock 19 or similar 15rd compact size but now with the stack and a half wonders I would say P365, Hellcat, Max9, etc. My Hellcat with 11, 13 and 15rd mags can easily be a do everything pistol.

 

Forgive me as I’m relatively new to handguns.
I have my own self/home defense firearm in a M&P Shield Plus 9mm.
But, and here is where I’m asking forgiveness, if I’m defending my self/loved ones in my house, what is the difference in 9mm from a Shield Plus or a 9 mm (say) from aGlock 17 (aside from carry capacity)?
I guess in my mind, inside my house, max distance is going to be 5 yards or so. Give or take….

 

Some may argue, but I'd say the choice of ammo would matter more inside the home. You'd need to decide on stopping power of let's say +P or +P+ versus the concern for over penetration and possible collateral damage/injury to others. The Shield could handle standard and +P, NOT +P+, I don't know about the Glock. Both guns you ask about are equally reliable and accurate. I have the Shield Plus for CC, but have had a Beretta APX Centurion for five years as my home defense choice. I see no reason to begin using the Shield at this point. I shoot both on a regular basis with defense loads, I have others for target practice/plinking.

 

What you choose for yourself is almost always the right decision for you, so don't let me or anybody else try to talk you out of what you have determined to be your best option.

However, the concept of the bigger gun for home defense is it is usually easier to shoot well. Since you don't need to conceal a home defense gun on your person, there is no advantage to choosing a small gun for that role. You can pick the gun that is easiest to shoot most accurately and fastest. That is usually a "duty" sized gun.

If a Shield sized gun was easiest to shoot fast and accurately (I'm not saying there aren't people who can shoot a small gun fast and accurately) they would be issued to law enforcement as duty weapons and they would be the choice of competition shooters. However, in most cases, LE is issued a G17/G45/M&P Full Size/etc. gun, and competition shooters choose full size guns for competitions that don't require small guns. They usually have longer barrels, with longer sight radius, and full size grips that give better bullet performance, better sight alignment, and better recoil control.

 

Aw, but then what fun would THR be?

 

MY EDC is a S&W Shield 9X19mm with a capacity 8+1. That's the weapon that's accessible 24/7 with out having to retrieve from secure storage. The spouse also has their weapon. I have no problem shooting it rapidly & accurately under stressful conditions within reason. Do I have other weapons yes with higher capacity. We have a Mossberg M590 12GA that's accessible as the previously mentioned loaded S&W Shield with double 0 and number one shot.

 

Glock 19 or Glock 26 with 12 round mags (makes for a “bobtailed” G19…. Sort of)

Then, buy a good belt, and holster. Of course, ammo and practice, too.

Stay safe

 

I have the perfect gun for OP's mission.

10 round mag for carry, 17 round mag on the nightstand. Accurate, dead nuts reliable and spectacular trigger. 22 ozs unloaded.

Sadly, no longer in production.

My SR9c will never leave my possession.

 

Good choice but only if OP wants the thumb safety. I found out I hated it on a striker and sold mine many moons ago

 

The SR9C is one of Ruger's finest hours, Simply outstanding firearm in every way. Mine has been flawless. I shoot my Canik TP9SC ELITE better because the sights are better for my 70 yr old eyes and I do prefer the Canik trigger. I haven't seen a used SR9C in my neck of the woods for over a year now. If you do find a used one Ruger will stand behind it warranty wise and Ruger's customer service is 2nd to none. I still say the Canik is a solid choice through. Compare the two spec wise here;

ps://www.handgunhero.com/compare/ruger-sr9c-vs-canik-tp9-elite-sc

 

What does OP want? Capacity? If that's the case, can't beat a doublestack subcompact that can use the full size mags, like the Glock 26 using G17 mags.

 

Yeah, opinions run strong here on thumb safeties.
I practice with it, so it is a non issue for me. Also, not sure if want that trigger without a safety (personal preference!).

 

One of the first pistols I carried for CCW was a Gen2 Glock 19, this was back in '98. I've carried a slew of handguns since then, mostly a K9 and CM9. I still carry my P365 on occasion, especially if by myself. However, I have come full-circle and now carry a G19 again, this time a 4th generation. I find myself carrying the G19 the vast majority of the time.

 

I guess I'll chime in and say what others have already said: Get something you can carry comfortable that will also take a bigger magazine for nightstand duty. Glock 26 with a couple of G17 mags, SIG P365 with a few of the 15-round mags, stuff like that.

 

The Walther P99C AS is good choice. It has a 1/2" shorter barrel than the full size P99 and a shorter grip (and mag) making it easier to conceal. At home you can use a sleeved full size mag giving you a full size grip and higher capacity. The decocker is handy too.

 

I have a Glock 43X for when I can have it in my car. If you want a gun that's more than 10 + 1 then add a Shield Arms metal mag button and as many 15 round Shield Arm mags as you like. Just don't confuse the G43 for the G43X!

I also have the G48, as I can share mags between these "sisters." I take the 48 when I'm coyote hunting in black bear country with fast, heavy ammo.