First concealed carry, what to buy?

[All_About_Guns]

I have a few ideas of potential choices for a ccw, but I'm not completely sold on anything yet.
I want to hear your personal experience or suggestions.
I'm thinking g26/27, m&p shield 9/40, or sig938. Anything along these size/calibers is what im looking for.
Thanks for your assistance.[emoji1]

 

[Red Wind]

My son has both the 9mm G26 and .40 S&W G27. Both are fine guns and excellent for SD concealed carry. I have shot them both many times.

The recoil of the .40 is a bit snappier but certainly manageable. You would be making a good choice with either one.

 

[allaroundhunter]

I have shot all of the guns that you have mentioned, and my favorites in the list are the Sig and the Shield 9mm.

The Glocks were to big for me to pocket carry, and I can conceal my Glock 19 just as well when carrying IWB so I would rather have the capacity of the 19/23 when the slightly smaller size of the 26/27 has no benefit to me.

The Shield .40 was just a little more recoil than I wanted in a gun that size. I was faster and more accurate with the 9mm so if would get the nod from me between the two Shields.

The Sig is just a nice shooting gun. It is soft, the sights are good (best of the guns that you listed), and I like the trigger. Obviously, it is a different manual of arms than the others and that is a big factor to consider. I have always liked the 1911 operation and the Sig just felt like any other 1911 with the controls all a little more condensed.

 

[ImperatorGray]

No experience with the Sig.

The Glock 26 is a bit fat for concealment without an overgarment (though your mileage may vary - different stuff works for different bodies), and personally I find the short grip a distraction in my hand. A Glock 19 doesn't conceal much worse on me, so that is what I would do do had I gone the Glock route.

The Shield is a great little gun and more the size compromise I like - thin in the waistband, with enough room for all my fingers on the grip and no extra. I went with a Kahr CW9, which is basically the same size, for the longer barrel.

Of the three, the Glock trigger is my favorite. The one M&P I've fired had a mushy trigger, but it wasn't too bad. "Plasticky" is one way to describe it, as if two pieces of plastic are rubbing on each other. The Kahr's trigger is better for me, a long pull that's smooth all the way the through.

 

[george burns]

If you aren't used to carrying a gun, I don't think a glock is the best idea for a first gun. Either a J frame or a Shield. Just until you get used to holstering and unholstering, along with the everyday ritual for having a gun on your hip or in your waistband.I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who was new to carrying.

 

[BSA1]

O.P.,

What handguns, if any, are you familiar with?

 

[mugsie]

My vote is for the Ruger LC9s. I've carried S&W 642, LCP, Sig P250 in 9mm SC and 45 compact.. Nothing serves me aw well as my 9s.. I carry it IWB and it tucks away and hides perfectly. I'm short for my weight ( should be 8' 4") but am only 5'11" and have a muffin top! The 9s feels comfortable, is easy to get to, has some potent defensive ammo in it and to top it off, has a superb trigger. It's now my all time carry.

 

[PabloJ]

Something like G26, S&W M&P9C or SR9c or .40S&W are about perfect. If you don't mind .45 the G30s also warrants serious look. Single stack guns of similar dimension are complete waste of money. While I rely on single stack the R9 is tiny pistol and in that size single stack makes perfect sense.

 

[RustyShackelford]

First new CCW gun....

If you have formal training or know how to properly carry/store/use a defense pistol, Id suggest a Glock 23 .40S&W. It can be quickly converted to fire 9mm, .22LR(with a added kit) or the potent .357sig. After market barrels & magazines are out there, www.glockstore.com www.storm-lake.com .
You can do that with a Glock 27 gen 03/04 too but with a larger 23 pistol you can add a white-light or laser-aimer.
I own a LE trade-in Glock 21 gen 04 now but would get a Glock 23 gen 04 .40S&W for carry/vehicle defense later on. There are often police trade-in Glock 22s & 23s in great shape or factory service(by Glock) at decent prices.
I'm left handed so I like the gen 04 models but many Glockers prefer the older gen 03 format.

Rusty

 

[Warp]

One of the 9x19's, IMO

I started with a G26. It's still by far my favorite, 9 years later

I don't see any good reason to recommend against a Glock as a first pistol

Follow the 4 rules and get some training, no matter what gun you get. Absolutely positively do not think that having a double action trigger or a mechanical safety will safeguard you from not following the 4 rules

 

[wally]

I'm not a revolver guy and generally carry a S&W Shield, but I've been fighting some nasty lower back issues and have so much sensitivity around the pelvic girdle that just wearing a belt is uncomfortable.

Just starting to get out and about again, went for a walk with the wife tonight and dusted off my SC360 Scandium J-frame (<16 ounces fully loaded) and with an inside the waist band clip on holster and drawstring pants and t-shirt and I hardly knew it was there!

Carried the Shield with my regular pants, belt and holster yesterday and it was not comfortable at all.

So after this experience I'd definitely endorse a J-frame as a first concealed carry piece.

 

[RussellC]

Like a few others here, I have the same feeling concerning the 26-27. Rather have the 19 if I am packing a gun that thick. Shield is smaller and more concealable. If the 26 27 isnt too big, get the 30S.

I couldnt decide so i got both the Shield in 9mm, and the 30S, which is a 45. I have also decided to get a 19, will carry better than my 17. I have a ton of 17 rnd 17 mags which will fit in the 19. Ditto larger 21 mags for the 30S, as well as a flush mount 9 round mag for the 30S, which lends it to concealing a touch better.

Russellc

 

[Warp]

I have a 26 and a 19, and have had both for the past 5+ years.

The 26 carries and conceals better and more comfortably. You can use a larger mag or mag baseplate to "grow" the 26 on demand, but the opposite is not possible with a 19.

 

[jad0110]

What ever you decide to get, keep in mind that most people's first carry gun is often an experiment. There is a decent chance you'll end up selling or trading whatever you purchase, so buying used can definitely help.

Like a few others here, I have the same feeling concerning the 26-27. Rather have the 19 if I am packing a gun that thick

The barrel length is frequently a non issue for most people for belt carry, especially for inside the waistband carry (outside is more of a challenge), unless you are fairly short. The butt of the gun and its width are usually the most difficult part to conceal in that position.

One of the easiest guns for me to carry concealed is a 5" 1911. It requires a stiff gun belt, high end holster and a healthy lower back, but it is probably easier to hide than something like a chunky G26 or 27.

I'm not saying get a 1911, they aren't for everyone, but it is something to think about. All other things being equal, a slim gun is notably easier to carry and hide than a fat one.

 

[Dinosaur1]

Read the post on the NA Black Widow.

 

[remmy137]

I have shot the G27, a Khar, SR9C, a few light weight 38/357 revolvers and the M&P Shield .40.

I now carry the Shield .40. You can spend years trying to decide which is better to get between a 9mm or a .40. Some PDs carry one, some carry the other, some constantly go back and forth between the two. I picked a .40 because I have a full sized M&P that is a .40 and didn't want to have to buy multiple ammo sizes if I didn't have to. I picked the .40 because I hunt/ hike and needed a side arm. .45 was to to big and heavy and not Really needed and a 9mm makes bears angrier than .40s.

I picked the Shield because it is comfortable to shoot and carry iwb but is not too small to hold on to when drawing or shooting. I didn't like the G27, the Khar, or most of the revolvers because they hurt to shoot. I finished a single mag and didn't want to shoot it anymore. I can shoot my Shield all day long and not have a problem. I have yet to have anyone shoot my Shield and not be impressed/ excited about it. One downside is it only holds about 6 rounds so extra mags are a necessity imo.
My dad and brother carry the SR9C and love it but its bigger and harder to conceal.

Another one to consider is the Springfield XDS 9mm. I didn't like the grip.

 

[Tallball]

I would highly recommend a lightweight hammerless snub 38. Out of the dozen or so I can carry, my 38 is my favorite. It never malfunctions no matter what. Bad ammo, stuck in the coat pocket, whatever, it goes bang every time.

For 9mm I like my Ruger LC9 a lot.

For hot weather and not much clothing I usually end up with my Kel-Tec 380.

 

[TUBBY1]

I have the shield 40 and like it. 9m is cheaper to shoot but 40 is always available. I don't think there's a mistake there on either. Your choice.

 

[Flatbush Harry]

The choice of gun will vary with one's dress (different choice for jeans and t-shirt vs. sport coat and slacks and by season, for example), season, and body type. Thin individuals can more easily work with IWB holsters, chunky ones have difficulties with IWB. When I use IWB, my choice would be my XD45 Compact tactical (5"bbl, compact handle), for OWB, I prefer XD40 sc. For winter, I'm good with a 1911 in a shoulder holster (at 6'1, 210# in a coat, it's both easily concealed and more accessible and comfortable), for summer, I might well go with a S&W 642 in an IWB holster. If I'm on a road trip, I might go with the 642 in an ankle holster. It seems to me that, like any tool kit, a selection of tools for different tasks is appropriate. If the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

FH

 

[Beveaux]

I carried the Glock 26, but like others here I found it too thick for comfort.

For the last year or so I carry my Sig P938. Great little gun and a lot of fun to shoot. Excellent conceal and if I'm wearing jeans, I can slip it into my pocket.

Just got a Kimber Ultra Carry II. .45ACP. Extremely light gun. I haven't shot it yet, but hope it works so that I can invest in a good holster and start carrying it IWB with either the Sig 938 or 238 in the pocket.

 

[X-Rap]

I'm going to tell you to buy two guns. If you are looking to carry concealed I have found that having a very small "pocket" pistol is a must as well as a compact.
For me those are primarily a G19, G26, and a P3AT.
There is almost never a time when I can't at least have the 380 in my pocket.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Of the pistols you list I carry a G26 and came real close to buying a Sig 938. Both excellent choices *but* you'll need to train seriously with the Glock to adopt the correct mindset and skill set. The G27 was too much for me to handle - too snappy for rapid follow ups.

The Sig 938 is awesome i just shoot and control the G26 (and my fav Beretta Px4 SC) much better in rapid fire.

VooDoo

 

[gbran]

I've had a ccw permit here in CA for about 15 years and have had hanguns long before then, but I decided my ideal ccw carry gun would be light, small, simple and have reasonable capacity. No 5 shot J-Frames, though I do have a 6 shot Kahr PM9.

I went thru many different carry guns that weren't quite what I wanted. I finally compromised and ended up with a few that I have on my permit. The gun I carry most is my Glock G26, but I'm still looking far a low recoil, light weight, high capacity, 600 Nitro pocket gun.

 

[threefeathers]

I have all of these guns and there is not a bad one in the bunch. Get the one you can get some professional training with.
I just sent my Shield in to APEX for a new trigger job because I will be carrying it often as it is very easy to carry IWB.

 

[Bobson]

I'm sorta on the same page as xrap.

You could do a lot worse than a G26, but if considering the size of the 938, I'd just as soon prefer the 238, simply due to recoil being less (my assumption).

If possible, both would be ideal (and it's very rare that I suggest buying both), so you have a "deep concealment" option. If not, I'd go with the G26.