Conceal Carry: Glock or J-frame

[Dnaltrop]

Nothing wrong with the Glock, but make sure it's comfortable to you before you set your mind in stone with the brand. Some folks just don't like the Ergos, Some folks like me have meaty, long-jointed hands that line up the bone of the thumb with the corner of the slide no matter how hard we try to hold them properly.

If I knew of a Factory Beavertail model, I might have a Glock instead of the M&P. I just hate sticking aftermarket "thingies" on a clean pistol.

J Frame can fit in a large pocket, coat pocket, easier to fire from within as well. I personally tend towards large frame pistols as I'm a tall guy, with more options.

I've used a 3" Chief's Special here and there rarely, but bigger guys get bigger pockets I'm perfectly willing to shoot through my clothes if it comes down to it, so the hammer snagging on the draw is a non issue.

 

[Guillermo]

The smaller and lighter the gun the bigger the compromise.

Of course this is true as compared to a battle rifle.

Which is a compromise as compared to a main battle tank

Which is a compromise when compared to artillery

Which is a....

You get the idea.


But as a civilian who lives a modest life in a safe neighborhood my chances of being attacked are not high.

And if I am going for a run, there is only so much gun that is legal (concealable) for me to carry.

Since we have to live our lives, and most of us have to conceal, the most gun THAT WE CAN SHOOT FAST AND ACCURATELY and conceal is what we should carry.

Today I am in jeans and a t-shirt. Have a D Frame Colt on my hip.
Other times I am in a sport jacket, a P7 is the best I can do
At the pool, hiding a PM9 is as good as it gets
At the beach I am lucky to hide a LCP

 

[PcolaDawg]

Carrying my 642 J Frame right now. Never owned a Glock, though, so I can't comment on it. Do love my 642, though.

 

[Waywatcher]

An apples to apples size comparison would be a Glock 19/23 to a J-frame. The Glock 26/27 is smaller than either.

Personally, I found myself confronted with this very same dilemma. I ended up getting an LCR, and then a Glock 23, then traded the LCR and got an SP101. It is very important to me to have all of my fingers on my gun, which is why I went away from the LCR and into the SP101 (with Hogue grips.) It is also important to me for ease of maintenance to have guns that are easily taken apart for cleaning. J-frames and LCRs are not easy to take apart. (LCRs and most J-frames have internal locks which I am also not fond of.) My SP101 and my Glock 23 are extremely similar in overall dimensions and weight when loaded. Practice is cheaper with the revolver because I reload for it.

Realistically, pick which one you want First. You will end up with the other one also.

 

[gbran]

Here's a size comparison. Kahr PM9, J-Frame and G26

[/IMG]

 

[Bojangles7]

I've carried a 442 and G27 (same size as G26) and I've had failures with both at the range. The Glock was a one FTF with no failures since. The 442 was a failure which didn't allow the cylinder to rotate (can't remember the name of the spring) and had to be sent to S&W for repair. Both were bought brand new and the 442 failed with under 200 rds through it.

I've since traded in the glock and now carry the 442 full time until I get a G30 next month. FWIW, I was very pleased with the CS of S&W, and just didn't really care for the .40 in a compact frame.

 

[gp911]

I say shoot both before you pick. On paper the Glock wins on capacity but you might dislike the grip angle, grip thickness, etc. J-frames are great, safer in a pocket than the Glock IMO. The SP101 is a great gun, I had one, but it's a tank so it really needs a holster or clipdraw. You can't go wrong with any of them unless you pick based on theory and then find it was a bad choice once you shoot it. That being said, half the fun of shooting is trying new stuff. You might also step up to a G19 or G23 with a good holster, I like their balance better than the baby Glocks.

 

[Bobson]

does anything have fewer moving parts than a Glock?

I've seen canes with more moving parts than a Glock.

My selection would be the G19 IWB. I wouldn't ever pocket carry a Glock, even the G26. I had a borderline infatuation with the 442 a few months back, but the more I read up on them, the more I learned that a 2" barrel doesn't allow adequate time for a bullet to reach sufficient momentum. If I had a 4" barrel, I'd feel better about 38SPC, but I don't think I'll ever get a J-Frame now.

 

[fishjar]

Firearm and holster choice is an " acquired taste" over the course of one's lifetime.

"Acquiring" ($$$$$) being the key word :banghead:

Best of Luck

 

[SlowFuse]

A G26 is my usual carry. However, during summer months when less clothing is common, I find a J Frame a lot easier to tuck. The G26 can be a little thick, but its still a good choice if that's what you are comfortable with.

 

[PabloJ]

So I turn 21 within the next few months and I plan on geting my CCW.

I'm planning on going gun shopping and range test handguns before deciding what to buy; I will be carrying during all occasions, both pocket and belt carry (depending on my attire). As of right now I'm considering either a J-frame Lightweight or G26 (or something similar like PM9 and etc).

Can someone explain which (if you could only have one ) Is the better choice for a good all around first CCW firearm.

I would not carry Glock in pocket. It would be great shame to ruin finely tailored Italian suit.

 

[doc2rn]

I am going to make a few recommendations:
Try an LCR from Ruger over the Airweight J Frame. Big difference in recoil, for me. Also look at the PM9 and other medium frames for auto carry. Light weight guns for carry are sometimes not the best to shoot. I prefer a solid piece of steel like a S&W mod 10 snubbie or 1911/ BHP of some flavor in the inverse. Get good leather and you can carry anything! I like to recommend Milt Sparks and Galco holsters.

 

[guyfromohio]

I carry a Glock 19, Sig p239, or Smith 642. Each has pros and cons. Slow fire, I shoot similar groups with each. However, shooting quickly from low-ready, I find the Glock easiest to acquire target and get lead downrange.

I have had both a 26 and 19. I highly recommend the 19 over the 26. I actually feel that the 19 conceals better and feels better in the hand.

When it comes to absolute discretion with carry, I pull out the 642. Five in the chamber beats 15 in the safe.

The Sig is the more comfortable to carry and is highly capable as well. I actually carry and shoot it more than any other, but you didn't ask about Sigs.

 

[Lawdawg45]

I have both of the guns you mentioned, and while they're both great guns, they're worlds apart in function/ability. In my opinion the G26 is too large for pocket carry, but the 11 shot capacity is nice, and the J- Frame is the optimal pocket carry gun, but the 5 shot limitation can sour some on it. What is the general sense of your threat scenario's, and what is your personal capacity comfort level? If you carry the J-Frame, become proficient at tactical reloads and carry a minimum of two on your person, also find a quality defensive ammo. I would also recommend you look at the Ruger LC9, it's the best of both worlds.

LD

 

[gpjoe]

If pocket carry is absolutely critical get the J-frame.

 

[SorenityNow]

My first hand gun was a 642 and i soon relized that it was a gun that required LOTS of practice. And lets face.it its not a comfortable range gun. But with that said it still serves a great purpose and i would not part with my 642. I also own some glocks and the g26 is a great primary ccw carry hands down that nothin comes close. 642 great back up gun but also not limited to just that. Also ill add that with the 642 and other internal hammer style weapons , the weapon can be fired from inside your coat pocket.. And my opionion the j frame is the only and best way to pocket carry. Thanks

 

[Seven For Sure]

The Glock 26 makes a great IWB pistol (27 even better) but unless you're freakishly large, you can forget about pocket carry. The PM9 would make a great small carry pistol (PM40 even better). A flat base 6 rd. mag, 6 rd. mag with pinky extension and 7 rd. mag would broaden it's practical uses along with a pocket and IWB holster.

J-frames are good pocket guns but really no fun to shoot at the range IMO. A Glock 23 or 27 AND a pocket 380 or J frame would have you set for carry very nicely. Good luck!

 

[NG VI]

but you might dislike the grip angle,

If he's asking us for our advice on which platform to carry, he clearly doesn't have enough shooting experience to get wrapped up in the grip angle of a particular platform. Most of the people who really don't get along with the grip angle of Glocks are the people who have spent their whole shooting lives with 1911. You don't hear about any police cadets having trouble with the grip angle, because it's an 'issue' that results from a career of shooting a very specific gun, not from the Glock itself.

 

[FMF Doc]

A couple points to ponder:
-Find out which you shoot better...then get that one
-If they are a draw because you are not a seasoned shooter, go with the J-frame. If you can learn to shoot that well, then you can shoot anything well. It will force you to focus on the basics, trigger control, grip, sight.
-The G26 is not anything the size of a PM9, it is quite thick, and I find it harder to conceal than most med-large frame revolvers. I dropped the G26 like a hot date for my daily carry and replaced it with a Ruger SP101 with 3" barrel.
-Don't just look at S&W Jframes, ruger makes EXCELLENT revolvers for carry as well. I would suggest the SP101 with 3" barrel personally, but the shorter 2 1/4" with/without explsed hammer are also a good choice, as is the LCR. I would definantly take an LCR over any airwight smith.
HAving carried everything from a Beretta 92fs to a different Glocks to Sigs to reolvers...I like revolvers.

And as Lawdawg mentioned, the Ruger LC9 is a great all around carry...and actually what I have today!

 

[XxBulletBendeRXx]

FMF Doc said -"The G26 is not anything the size of a PM9, it is quite thick, and I find it harder to conceal than most med-large frame revolvers. I dropped the G26 like a hot date for my daily carry and replaced it with a Ruger SP101 with 3" barrel.

Here is the Thickness comparison between PM9 and G26 :

Glock 26: Slide Width 1.002" in.

Kahr PM9: Slide Width .94" in.

Why would anyone drop a hot Date?



The .94 in. thickness of the PM9 and 1.002 in., for the G26 is .062 of an inch, Not very Much difference when really looking at the Facts.

ANYWAY: TO the OP.. Go with the G26 out of the two options provided. More rounds than a wheel gun, and Glock is a proven reliable pistol. I dont want to repeat what I already said in my previous post, but my reasoning is in that post.
Glock just has a lot of hate towards them, and well on the other other hand they do have a lot of love. Dont let anyone but yourself decide. A lot of good advice here. Like a lotta folks already said, try them out, and let the gun pick you. Meaning when you find the right fit for you, it will be an obvious choice. Have fun and enjoy the ride....

 

[skt239]

You really need to get some trigger time with the J-frame before you seriously begin to consider one. They have very short barrels, hardly have sights and very long, heavy trigger pulls. Not to mention the Airweights can give quite a slap to the palm.

The Glock 26 on the other hand has a very easy to manage trigger pull, decent sight radius and a good weight to caliber ratio. All that being said, here is my EDC...



I love the Airweight J-Frames and shoot them pretty well. They are about perfect when it comes to a civilian carry weapon, IMO. However, for most people they take some time to master and frequent practice is usually necessary to remain proficient. I would highly recommend you give them a look.

 

[Frozen North]

I am a long time G26 guy. It is an absolutely fantastic balance of controllable, concealable, reliability, and capacity. I can shoot it as well as a bigger gun, and I have not found anything that can beat it on all fronts. It is a belt carry pistol though, it it too bulky and square to be comfortable in a pocket.

I have been through the pocket pistols a few times now. I am not a fan of snubbies, micro 380s are too underpowered for my tastes, kahrs have the same block effect as the Glock to a much lesser degree, and I am far from being a Kel-Tec fan. I seem to have found my answer though.

I bought a Ruger LC9 about two weeks ago, and it may be a winner. There are no square corners on the gun at all, it is super thin, shoots 9mm, and fits in my pocket pretty well. It is not itty bitty like an LCP, but it works for me very well.

Add the LC9 to your list. 8rds of 9mm beats 5rds of .38 in my book, and it is as close to an all around pistol as I have found so far.

 

[theicemanmpls]

The 9mm is cheaper to practice with. SD loads in a J frame can be painful.
If you are new to shooting, I would get the 9mm. It is harder to conceal then the J frame. IMO.

OR,

Get yourself a .22 revolver, in addition to a carry piece. practice practice practice.
Learn the laws, this is more important then target practice. As the old saying goes, every SD round you fire has a lawyer attached to it.

Find a friend to load you up some 110g WC .38 rounds, or contact a place like mastercast in PA who will reload your brass.

It doesn't matter to me if my S&W has that silly keylock. IMO, it has no effect on anything. It just one of those things to keep the trial lawyers away from the gun manufactures.

The secret I found as others have with the J frames, is to choke up on the trigger. Yes its five rounds. If you can't get it done with two rounds, you won't get it done with ten. Carry a reload just in case.

IMO, the J-frame is safer then a glock. A little bit easier to clean. The glock is fairly simple to take down.

I carry a mouse gun, or a S&W 442. For "special" occasions, I have duty style pistols.

If you have some $$, buy four guns. A 22 for practice. A J-frame, A G-26 or small auto. Have you looked at the Walther PPK? In 380, or 32. Then you will need a full size 38/357 or 9mm to send rounds down range.

 

[JoNate]

I have a S&W J frame (model 36). The first time I shot it, I couldn't hit much with it. I bought snap caps and practiced firing at imaginary targets around my house for the following week. After that, I went back to the range and suddenly I could hit damn near anything. I practiced more and after the next week I felt completely confident with it.

Even though I am very accurate with it, I still practice.

"If people knew how hard i worked at my mastery, they wouldn't think i were so great after all."
-Michelangelo.

 

[Hunter125]

he clearly doesn't have enough shooting experience to get wrapped up in the grip angle of a particular platform.

That's not necessarily true. I have a decent amount of shooting experience, and before I bought my own first pistol all my semi-auto experience was with a G17, which I didn't like. When I bought my own I went with an XDm because the Glock just didn't point naturally for me. I think the Glock grip angle is what you learn to compensate for over a long period of training, not the other way around.