Help deciding on a concealed carry gun.

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kevmg said:
I'm looking for a reliable and accurate gun for concealed carry. I shot the Springfield XDS.45 a couple of weeks ago and really liked it but I've also read tons of positive reviews of the Smith & Wesson Shield 9mm and the Walther PPS. Just wondering what your thoughts were between these three guns and what your experience with each has been. I'm also open to other options, thanks in advance!
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I have owned the XDS9 & Shot several Shields, but found the PPS M2 was best for me.
 
All I can comment on is the PPS:

  • For its size, it's heavy (compared to similarly-sized 9mm single-stacks), but not enough to matter to me. Its profile makes it highly concealable. In an IWB, it disappears under a T-shirt. Personally I like the slightly-added heft. To be clear it's not heavy in the least - just heavier than some similar models.
  • Mag choices give you 8+1 rounds max (7+1 with what you get in the box), but mags are very expensive, and factory is pretty much the only game in town. Expect to pay $40+ per mag.
  • The pistol itself is highly accurate from a mechanical perspective. But the very heavy, gritty trigger makes practical accuracy more difficult. Still a good shooter, but you need to put some time in to get used to the trigger, and if you have weak hands/fingers, I would stay away from it for this reason alone. This trigger is NOT the awesome trigger of the PPQ. You can definitely eek out impressive accuracy from this handgun, but you have to put in the work. Unfortunately, there are no trigger upgrade options as with Glock - not nearly as much aftermarket support - and as long as the PPS has been out, I would be surprised if that changed in the near future.
  • I love the ergos of the PPS M2, but wish it was offered in an M1 configuration regarding the trigger release (I LOVE the trigger-guard release). But many (most?) American shooters would disagree here, so the PPS M2 is likely pure win for most folks.
  • 100% reliability at ~1500 rounds from ours so far - mostly fmj target but at least a few hundred mixed defensive rounds in the mix as well. Not a single malfunction
It may or may not be the one for you, but I'd definitely keep in on the short list of guns to try before you buy.
 
I still heartily recommend the LCP as a first carry gun. Practice with it and it is more than up to the task at hitting at a reasonable distance.
Later on, if you want to upgrade to a larger gun, then by all means do so, you will get no argument from me. Hell I have an LCP, XDs 45, and a Sig P320C in my carry rotation.

On the clothing choices as mentioned by shootshellz, over time you can adjust your wardrobe to accommodate your CCW of choice, however as a new CCWer not everybody will have their pants sized up 2" to fit their IWB holster or be able to wear a cover garment or untucked shirt. It also takes time and planning to build up a CCW friendly wardrobe.

Go with what works all of the time right now.
 
My only comment on the LCP is I do not care for the trigger. Otherwise it is a small, lightweight, concealable carry gun.
 
Spot on - it isn't the PPQ trigger by any stretch of the imagination. I own 2 PPQs. The PPS is solid but could definitely use improvement in the trigger area. As a sidebar the Creed is also crude but functional. I don't care for that model at all.

azrocks said:
All I can comment on is the PPS:

  • For its size, it's heavy (compared to similarly-sized 9mm single-stacks), but not enough to matter to me. Its profile makes it highly concealable. In an IWB, it disappears under a T-shirt. Personally I like the slightly-added heft. To be clear it's not heavy in the least - just heavier than some similar models.
  • Mag choices give you 8+1 rounds max (7+1 with what you get in the box), but mags are very expensive, and factory is pretty much the only game in town. Expect to pay $40+ per mag.
  • The pistol itself is highly accurate from a mechanical perspective. But the very heavy, gritty trigger makes practical accuracy more difficult. Still a good shooter, but you need to put some time in to get used to the trigger, and if you have weak hands/fingers, I would stay away from it for this reason alone. This trigger is NOT the awesome trigger of the PPQ. You can definitely eek out impressive accuracy from this handgun, but you have to put in the work. Unfortunately, there are no trigger upgrade options as with Glock - not nearly as much aftermarket support - and as long as the PPS has been out, I would be surprised if that changed in the near future.
  • I love the ergos of the PPS M2, but wish it was offered in an M1 configuration regarding the trigger release (I LOVE the trigger-guard release). But many (most?) American shooters would disagree here, so the PPS M2 is likely pure win for most folks.
  • 100% reliability at ~1500 rounds from ours so far - mostly fmj target but at least a few hundred mixed defensive rounds in the mix as well. Not a single malfunction
It may or may not be the one for you, but I'd definitely keep in on the short list of guns to try before you buy.
Click to expand...
 
I have a xds 9x19 and I like it, but I'm not fan of the trigger on any striker fired pistols I have tried. When I dry fired a S&W shield I noticed a considerable jump of the sight picture?
 
Don't overlook the Makarov PM:

20161127_124215.jpg


You would be hard pressed to find a more reliable carry gun. These are simple and extremely reliable pistols, accurate and powerful enough, and are easy to conceal and carry. They are also budget friendly. Let me know if you'd like some more information.
 
Shootshellz said:
First rule of gunfighting: have a gun. Second rule: carry one you can hit with. A mousegun does you no good if you can't hit the broad side of a barn with same. By the way, your wardrobe choice is secondary to carrying concealed (first things first). My choice: S&W Shield (sans safety) in 9mm Luger caliber.
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That's why I put a Lazerlyte sight on my LCP point and shoot and practice, practice, practice.
 
the Shield is my wife's EDC and I think it is the best bang for the money you can lay hands on, this is 10 yards the CM shots are very fast, the head shots were running about 1-1.5 seconds per shot , I really like it:)

my EDC is the G23 and IMO is the most firepower you can hold in your fist for it's size


 
I'm a CZ guy, but recommend an LC9s for carry. Much more concealable than a double-stack, and recoil isn't bad for how small it is. The trigger is MUCH improved from the LC9.
 
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Just don't make the mistake I did when I first wanted to carry. I purchased Glock 19 and carried it IWB. Long story short I felt it was too heavy (always tugging at my shorts/pants) or printing. All things aside I loved shooting the gun was accurate had good ammo capacity ect. I carried it for probably a month on and off before I just stopped carrying it all together. Fast forward a year or so and here I am looking to give concealed carry another go. This time around I handled a couple smaller guns, LCP II & Glock 43. I loved the conceal-ability and knew I could carry the LCP in basically anything I wore (basketball shorts to dress pants). However, the glock 43 just fit my hand much better while still being relatively small so I went with the glock 43 (don't have it yet going to be getting it this week sometime). I still might end up getting an LCP II down the road. As far as holsters this time around I am going to try a galco classic lite under the shirt if IWB is still uncomfortable for me. Best of luck. There's a ton of good options out there, just take your time and handle as many as you can that's my advice.
 
I love my LCR in .38 Special +P as I can stick it in my pants pocket and just about forget it's there. I also have an SR9c that I'm planning to carry in certain circumstances however it's a little more bulkier than the LCR but I love it just as well and it has a bit more firepower than the LCR.
 
Surprisingly, the Walther CCP has been quietly catching on locally, and folks around here know a thing or two about guns. The CCP kind of bombed when first introduced. But if can be made serviceable, it just may be the best single stack nine out there. It has lately gotten some very favorable reviews online, albeit those reviews are subject to bias.
 
Cooldill said:
Don't overlook the Makarov PM:

20161127_124215.jpg


You would be hard pressed to find a more reliable carry gun. These are simple and extremely reliable pistols, accurate and powerful enough, and are easy to conceal and carry. They are also budget friendly. Let me know if you'd like some more information.
Click to expand...

Since a PPKS has become pricey, this looks like a good alternative.
 
Milt1 said:
I love my LCR in .38 Special +P as I can stick it in my pants pocket and just about forget it's there. I also have an SR9c that I'm planning to carry in certain circumstances however it's a little more bulkier than the LCR but I love it just as well and it has a bit more firepower than the LCR.
Click to expand...

That is about how I see the value of a concealed carry weapon in a low threat environment. It has to be small enough and light enough to always be there, yet have some reasonable expectation of being effective. There are so many choices with greater firepower. Yet for me, they were often left at home.
 
gun_with_a_view said:
Surprisingly, the Walther CCP has been quietly catching on locally, and folks around here know a thing or two about guns. The CCP kind of bombed when first introduced. But if can be made serviceable, it just may be the best single stack nine out there. It has lately gotten some very favorable reviews online, albeit those reviews are subject to bias.
Click to expand...

What does this even mean? It's like saying "If the CCP were another pistol other than the CCP, it would be the best 9mm single-stack out there".

The Walther forums have a 100+ page thread running on the CCP and all its myriad problems. Not surprising as the CCP apparently comes from the same Umarex plant as the infamous P22. Even if it worked, it's too large for a single-stack 9mm. Walther's 'other' single-stack 9mm - the PPS - already fills that role quite well. Why the CCP even exists is beyond me, unless Umarex is actively trying to destroy the brand.

Here's the folks on the Walther forums lovin' the CCP:

http://www.waltherforums.com/forum/ccp/40094-ccp-problems-issues-running-thread.html
 
IMG_0763.JPG I carried a Glock 21 AIWB. I carried 4" Revolvers the same way. A verity of Semi-Autos and Snubs on my belt. After all of that I decided I like J-Frames best. One can be carried in my pocket at all times. A second one is usually AIWB.
 
My three year ccw evolution has been towards smaller and lighter.
I am active with work so my ccw must not interfere.

I think smaller is better for every day ccw.
Remember rule #1
 
I have a LCP in my pocket today and everyday. Easiest to conceal and carry. Without a coat, still the easiest . Have others but much harder to "pocket".
 
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