I have 4 small guns "size wise" small enough to pocket carry, or hide easy enough. My backup started as a seacamp in 32, to an lcp in 380 to an lc9 in 9mm, until I saw how poorlly the gun was made, this as I installed the calloway trigger, "short throw" trigger in mine. I literally could not believe what my life was hinging on.
The parts are "as most know" are all plastic inside. But the hammer spring and trigger bar setup is the poorest excuse for a firing system I ever saw, and the rear sight holds down the firing pin stop, so if this comes loose, "and it did", while shoting, you are out of business. the trigger spring is misaligned and not as thick as a thin paper clip.
All this rests with no secure part of any kind holding it against the bottom of the trigger bar.
It is an accident in the making. Even field stripping the gun, "which is simple, requires you to place a key"used to unlock the built in lock" in order to be pressed directlly against the trigger bar, Thus pulling it away fron the hammer spring. I "needles to say, traded mine back to the same dealer whom I purchased it from, and bought a shield in 40, this and my EMP, along with a Glock 30 and 26, now round out my 4 carry guns.
Being I always have 2, the shield will fit in nicelly, with the 26 riding in the number 2 position.
Unfortunatelly it takes time to get to know a gun, even renting one won't give you the same experience as having the use of it for a few months to really see how it fits your lifestyle.
As an old timer for many of the younger shooters, I would say stick with the well known better made guns. I have 4 decades of switching back and forth and have gone through more than my fair share of guns. The well established names are usually the ones you will keep.
I may be biased to Glock, but only because out of 6 that I have owned, I have never had a problem with one, the M&P, is a similar story. You don't want something that is just not made well when it comes to your life. No need to spend a thousand plus, "unless you choose to"But don't short change yourself, by saving a few bucks on something this important, So far every gadjet gun I bought fell short.
By that I mean too many do-dads, "more stuff to break". Lasers and lights are nice if you buy quality equiptment, but don't think you can get everything in 1 gun. And honestlly I have done a 180 on the 40 caliber, you get more bang for the buck, and now they are the same size in most models. If you have a choice, pick up the 40.
