Choice for Concealed Carry in .40sw

[GojuBrian]

I've carried the xd40 sc for quite a while. I have a comfortable crossbreed like holsterade by Tommy Theis, a local holster maker.
I have found the xd ok, but really too wide and bulky for carry.
I recently settled on a sig 239 gen2 in .40 to start carrying.

 

[RugerNut9]

Glock 27 allllll the way haha

 

[DAdams]

Walther P99C in .40. AS or QA trigger. I prefer the AS.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/55/products_id/32918

I just orderd a M&P 40c though. Night sights and 3 magazines, shipped including insurance for $556.

You might also consider the Beretta Storm Compact.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_52/products_id/42633

 

[jon86]

The only experience I have with a 40 carry gun is a glock 27. It's easy to shoot, accurate, dependable, and reliable. The ONLY disadvantage IMO is it's thickness. However, I cannot recommend anything else as I don't have experience with anything else.

 

[toocool]

Lots of good suggestions here. During my last trip to AZ, I carried at various times...an XD40 compact, a S&W 457 .45, and an XDm 9mm. Currently I plan on taking my sig P239 .40 on my next trip. I don't think you can go wrong with an XD compact, M&P compact, P239, PPS. You have to pick what works for you (that's why I don't recommend Glocks; they may be a fine weapon, but I've had them and they don't work for me...my choices lean toward Sigs or Smith & Wessons...)

 

[dh2683]

Another vote for a M&P 40c.
Great Gun

 

[Olde School]

I carry a Glock 23 the majority of the time for CCW off duty. It will conceal just about anywhere other than the ankle, has a proven track record for reliability, is easy to take down and clean and is resonably priced. I use a High Noon Public Secret holster carried in the appendix posistion IWB and load either Gold Dot or Golden Saber 165 gr. for social work.

 

[dcmdon]

I like my G27 and my PM40.

The PM40 is in my pocket most all of the time now.

Dirty

Like Chip I've owned the Glock and Kahr. (Except the G26 and Kahr PM9, the 9mm versions, but exactly the same size)

If you are going to carry IWB give serious consideration to the thickness of the gun.

The 27 is a great gun, but its no narrower than a Glock 17. I found that the G26 got me nothing compared to my G23 as far as carryability. Its not the length that was the problem , it was the thickness. The Kahr pm9 is MUCH thinner. Depending on your build that may make a diference in an IWB.

One other less common consideration is the P9. Thats what I'd carry if I was not concerned about pocket carry. Its similar to the PM9 but with a slightly longer bbl and grip. It holds 7 rounds in the mag with standard mags and 8 with an extended mag.

I've owned one and was very very happy with it.

Don
p.s. I found it easier to carry a 1911 IWB than a Glock.

 

[Hypnogator]

Walther PPS -- Trigger-pull similar to Glock, but much thinner and more concealable, with no history of kabooms!

 

[Buckweet]

S&W M&P40C as well. Wonderfully smooth shooter, but loaded with 10 rounds, its just under 2 pounds. This has caused me to consider a S&W Bodyguard or Sig P238. Definitely 2 steps down in caliber, perhaps another option might be looking at 9mms such as Ruger's new LC9.

 

[dcmdon]

Kahr PM40 is smaller than the .380 caliber Bodyguard and lighter than the .380 238.

Its an amazing little gun.

One thing about any of these little 40s to keep in mind is that theyve got a pretty snappy recoil. I tried a G27 and bought a G26 (9mm) because I found that my followup shots were much faster and more accurate with the G26. At least with the small mag without a pinkie grip. And if you are going to put a pinkee grip on a G27, you might as well get the 23, or at least put a G23 mag in it with a slip cover.

I found the same to be true of the P40 vs the P9.

So its not that I couldn't shoot the .40, its that I could shoot the 9 MUCH better.

 

[pistolpacker]

I carry a M&Pc and absolutly love it. Great gun and probably the softest shooting sub-compact i've fired yet.

 

[GojuBrian]

Should be here in a day or two.

 

[Ben86]

Smith and Wesson M&P40 compact.

 

[theQman23]

Glock 27........... its the only choice for a subcompact .40 that must by definition of a "self defense weapon" and thereby, really meaning "always 100% reliable, and will NEVER jam, and ALWAYS work FLAWLESSLY" .
My glock 27 has THOUSANDS of training rounds through it, and the ONLY time it EVER fails to fire is when we intentionally use plastic dummy rounds in training, to practice failure to feeds and/or failure to fires.........
If you put any commercially available ammo in it that claims to be .40 s&w, it WILL fire, and it has enough stopping power to save your life.
the other guns are okay at the range, and / or for personal taste. But for life saving duty, old ugly gets the nod. A Glock 27 is the only subcompact .40 I would ever trust my life to.

 

[Ben86]

Glock 27........... its the only choice for a subcompact .40 that must by definition of a "self defense weapon" and thereby, really meaning "always 100% reliable, and will NEVER jam, and ALWAYS work FLAWLESSLY" .

The only one, wow I did not know that.

IMO you can't trust any mechanical device 100% (hence malfunction training), but you can trust some more than others.

 

[Viper]

Lots of good suggestions here. During my last trip to AZ, I carried at various times...an XD40 compact, a S&W 457 .45, and an XDm 9mm. Currently I plan on taking my sig P239 .40 on my next trip. I don't think you can go wrong with an XD compact, M&P compact, P239, PPS. You have to pick what works for you (that's why I don't recommend Glocks; they may be a fine weapon, but I've had them and they don't work for me...my choices lean toward Sigs or Smith & Wessons...)







What's your opinion of the 457? I just got a brand new one yesterday along with a new CS45, both in SS, but haven't been to the range yet. I also lean toward SIG's and 3d gen S&W's, but ordered a HK 40 today to replace a stolen one.

 

[dcmdon]

Glock 27........... its the only choice for a subcompact .40 that must by definition of a "self defense weapon" and thereby, really meaning "always 100% reliable, and will NEVER jam, and ALWAYS work FLAWLESSLY" .
My glock 27 has THOUSANDS of training rounds through it, and the ONLY time it EVER fails to fire is when we intentionally use plastic dummy rounds in training, to practice failure to feeds and/or failure to fires.........
If you put any commercially available ammo in it that claims to be .40 s&w, it WILL fire, and it has enough stopping power to save your life.
the other guns are okay at the range, and / or for personal taste. But for life saving duty, old ugly gets the nod. A Glock 27 is the only subcompact .40 I would ever trust my life to.

Wow, you're a real fan.

But there are others that are similarly reliable. The M&P and the XD immediately come to mind.

However all of them are fat little porkers. The best gun in the world does you no good if its left at home because its uncomfortable to carry.

Everyone is different. Some people haven't found a comfortable way to carry a large handgun.

For them, the Kahr, Walther, Keltec and others offer very slim, single stack .40 options.

Don

 

[Judo]

I work in a medical/hospital setting everyday of the work week. Concealability is paramount in this type of environment. My Kahr PM40 rides with me everyday in a Crossbreed MiniTuck. Most concealable handgun I own. The gun is only covered by an undershirt and polo style shirt, tucked in, everyday.

 

[dcmdon]

I own a PM9. I found the PM40 a bit difficult to shoot quickly and accurately. So I went with the smaller gun.

I don't know the OPs skill level, size or strength, but don't forget about the larger Kahr P40.

Its just as slim, but with a slightly longer grip and bbl. The P40 is about the same profile as a Glock 27, but much slimmer.

The extra size allows you to use your pinky on the grip. (The PM40 is so short it leaves your pinky dangling) This can be a big help in recoil control.

I wanted the ability to pocket carry so I went with the PM9. But when I carry it in an IWB holster I put an extended mag in it that lets me get my whole hand around it.

Don

 

[Judo]

Pierce grip extension will take care of the pinky problem. Just installed one on my PM40 and Glock 29. Makes shooting more manageable. My Dad just bought a Kahr PM9. If I had to do it all over again, I probably would have opted for the PM9 over the PM40 if I was able to shoot them before I bought the 40. The PM9 is more controllable in my opinion.

 

[mcschrader]

I carry a Smith and Wesson M&P .40c. I love this gun. LOVE this gun. I have put about 350 rounds through it and I have not had one problem at all.

 

[RedAlert]

I have two that I alternate depending on clothes. A Kahr PM40 and a Sig P229. I have enough body mass to carry the P229 without problems in an IWB holster. I carry it just forward of the hip, say 2:30 The Kahr is in a belt-slide holster. Both conceal under an untucked shirt. Truth be told, I prefer the Sig's DA./SA over the DAO of the Kahr. I'm just more comfortable with the Sig's action.

 

[mbott]

I regularly carry my CZ 75 Compact 40 but will soon change to the CZ P-06 as it is just a bit lighter in weight.

--
Mike

 

[dcmdon]

Pierce grip extension will take care of the pinky problem. Just installed one on my PM40 and Glock 29. Makes shooting more manageable. My Dad just bought a Kahr PM9. If I had to do it all over again, I probably would have opted for the PM9 over the PM40 if I was able to shoot them before I bought the 40. The PM9 is more controllable in my opinion.

I never saw the purpose of those things.

If you are going to extend the length of the grip, why not carry an extended mag and get more capacity for the extra length.

Kahr sells a mag specifically for the PM40 that bumps the mag capacity and gives you more to hold onto.

http://www.kahr.com/Magazines/Kahr-6-Round-40-SandW-Magazine-W-Grip-Extension.asp


As for the glock, just use a 23 mag with a sleeve.

Don

p.s. If you actually have trouble managing the recoil, one could also make the point that you would be better served by either a larger framed gun (Kahr P40, Glock 23) or by dropping down to 9mm (Kahr PM9, Glock 26).
Thats what I did and I don't regret it a bit. The PM9 is actually a fun, satisfying gun to shoot. Its amazing how that little gun soaks up recoil. Its doubly impressive on hot stuff. I burned through some old Corbon +P defensive loads this week and was reminded of how well this little gun shoots the heavy stuff.