Help me chose my EDC - final sense check

[Wanderling]

So, before I pull the plug on my EDC purchase, I want to get a 2nd (umpteenth) opinion.

I currently have a G17 which I like a lot, it's not difficult to carry, but a bit large. I wouldn't want to carry it every day.

I want to stick with 9mm Para, mainly so that I didn't have to worry about different ammo calibers.

I also want a gun that's light, has some kind of external safety (I outfitted my G17 with a Siderlock and plan to do the same with G26), is highly reliable, accurate, and not too expensive.

So, here's are the guns I've considered, in the order of preference. Please don't suggest any more, I am confused enough as it is

#1 Glock 26. First on my list. I rented one and it was very accurate and rather fun to shoot. Plus, the same exact gun, for all intends and purposes, as my G17 so no learning new things, can share some accessories. Cons: more expensive than some other guns on my list, kind of chubby, a bit boring (as I would like something different even though it's not the major consideration)

#2 M&P Shield 9mm. Cheaper, slimmer, has glowing reviews, even smaller than G26, but AFAIK has no external safety , high axis bore, fewer rounds.

#2a Ruger SR9c. I was almost set on it - it's only slightly larger than G26, cheaper, has good reviews, Ruger's CS is supposed to be very good. But then I read about barrel peening issues.

#4 CZ75 Compact, probably one with an alloy frame. Slightly cheaper than G26, a classic gun I've always wanted to try (although I am absolutely not interested in their polymer framed offerings), accurate, but heavy for it's size, and very hard to find in stock; not sure about their CS.

So, out of these guns (don't suggest any more, please ! ) which one should I be getting ?

 

[basicblur]

The Shield can be had with or without a thumb safety - I have one of the older ones - back when I bought mine, there was no model without the thumb safety.

I wouldn't worry about the bore axis height (specs on a sheet don't tell all the story) - the Shield is a pretty soft shooter for it's size - much softer than my LC9.

 

[Wanderling]

So much for trusting the sales guy at LGS who said that M&P has the same doohickey as the Glock and no external safety.

Thanks, you just eliminated my #1 issue with M&P.

How accurate is it ?

 

[jimbo555]

Seems like the Glock 26 is the logical choice. Same manual of arms, can use the 17 mags etc.

 

[Big Shrek]

The M&P Shield is a really nice pistol. If I didn't already have my favorite antiques already,
there would be a pair in my safes, one 9mm (left), and one .45 (right).

However, I've noticed over the years that I don't just use ONE pistol for carry anymore.
Now I have a rotation of three that I use, dependent on what my day is going to be like.
Quite often I'll wear two or three at a time...in the colder 3 months when I can use a jacket.
And will probably add at least two more before its all over with
Not to mention setting up a vest like this...



My main EDC is a S&W CS45, which is even slightly shorter than the 1911 Micro.
But it is thicker, mostly due to the really comfy grips which soak up recoil...
S&W's 3rd Gen's were really the next step up from the 1911
Too bad Glock came out and subverted most people into plasticites...killed the 3rd Gen S&W's.
Now folks are looking for hicap metal pistols and have to buy older 3rd Gen S&W's,
or find even rarer Star (Firestar/Megastar/Ultrastar) pistols or a few other metal lovelies from days gone by...

 

[JTQ]

I'd go with the Shield or the SR9c.

Something just seems wrong about putting a safety on a Glock. I know you did it to your G17, but it just seems like bad idea to me.

As you mentioned in the OP, I think you would find the CZ heavy.

 

[Hometeached1]

I'd vote for the Shield if you didn't have the G17 already...so how about Shield and G26!

I agree with you Big Shrek on having a few different carry guns. (Also agree with you on S&W 3rd gens. )

 

[Wanderling]

I'd go with the Shield or the SR9c.

Something just seems wrong about putting a safety on a Glock. I know you did it to your G17, but it just seems like bad idea to me.

As you mentioned in the OP, I think you would find the CZ heavy.

Well, it is actually a simple and well working modification. I have kids and I prefer to have an extra layer of safety. Didn't really think this through before buying the otherwise fine G17, luckily there was a simple drop-in $50 fix that didn't require the use of Dremel.



Looks like the difference between M&P with a holster and G26 with a new Siderlock is $110 - not a whole lot, but still something to consider

I am not worried about having to learn the new manual of arms, the biggest choice to make will be between a slimmer gun vs larger capacity. If I go with Glock I will also outfit it with a Beavertail, luckily I already have an extra GFA adapter.

Does the thumb safety on M&P flip to fire up or down ?

 

[JTQ]

Does the thumb safety on M&P flip to fire up or down ?

Down to fire.

 

[Wanderling]

Great, thanks. I shot a gun that flipped up - forgot the make - and it felt unnatural.

 

[BSA1]

O.P.,

The gun you should get is the one you personally like the best, not what each of us like the best.

Or restated another way is there are no bad choices with the guns you are considering. Personally for me I don't like Glocks but I love the Ruger SR9c. Same basic design just packaged differently.

 

[jhb]

Shield. They have a safety version. Shoots nicely. Easy to carry. Hands down winner of those choices imho.

 

[AustinTX]

Out of these four, I would definitely go with the Shield.

 

[Pilot]

I don't know which CZ-75 Compact you are considering, but there are several.

75B Compact - steel frame, shorter slide, and grip than 75B
75D PCR, similar to compact except lightweight alloy frame, decocker, other minor differences.
P-01 - similar to PCR except with light rail, other minor differences
RAMI - based on the CZ-40, smallest carry gun CZ makes, alloy frame.

I carry the PCR, it is about the size of a G19, but bigger than a Shield, and the others. However it is more versatile carrying 15 rounds, and can also act as a HD, range, and carry gun.

 

[bannockburn]

Wanderling

The Glock 26 has never been a good fit for me ergonomically speaking so I wouldn't be choosing that mainly for that reason. Both the Shield and the Ruger SR9c (which I have), are great, highly serviceable EDC guns, which I give a slight edge to the Ruger in terms of mag capacity. Have not heard anything in regards to barrel peening on the SR9c nor experienced any on my own gun. The CZ 75 compact models are very well designed and made (I have a P-01), but are little bit heavier than a similar polymer framed gun so that's something you might want to consider as well.

In the final analysis it comes down to which gun feels the best to you and that you feel the most comfortable using as an EDC. Let us know what you ultimately decide to go with.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm going is a slightly different direction. Since you really like the G17 but feel it's just a little large how about the G19 instead? The G19 was developed to have that big full size feel yet it conceals better than the G17.

I don't like the very small Glocks like the G26 mostly because the grip frame is small but the gun is still very wide and hard to conceal for the size of the gun. If I were buying a very small 9mm it would be either an M&P Shield or a SIG P938.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

You have a G17 and it's a little large...a G26 is on yer list. I *love* my G26 as an alternative/compliment (when I get bored...) to my Beretta Px4 SC. Shot the M&P offerings and they are fine, fine pistols but I bought the G26 after testing many, many, pistols including the other pistols on yer list and choosing the Beretta Px4 platform.

The G26 was boring, plain old, common as a crow and a plain black box. A tool that functioned so flawlessly and so accurately that it was just *that* much less than a Px4. So I bought it as well. I tried desperately to talk myself out of the G26 but it was that good in my hands.

If I were you/since you are asking my advice? Get the G26. I tried to talk myself out of buying it in addition to my Px4 (I tired to make myself choose one or the other!) but could not block the G26 from my choice list. Hence I now own and carry both on occasion.

Get the G26. You know you want to....

VooDoo

 

[CNobbe]

I have a CZ RAMI D 9mm, love it. 10 rounds in flush mag, 14 in extended. It serves as a range/carry/HD weapon very well.

Its about the same size as the G26 and P99c

 

[Wanderling]

So, right now I am leaning towards the Shield:

- I don't think an 8 round mag is a big deal vs 10 round mag.

- it's much skinnier (per reviews, I will hold it myself at LGS next week), so should be easier to conceal / carry.

- It already has the safety installed

- it's $130 less than G26 Gen 3 with Siderlock (although I'd need to buy a holster for Shield)

- it's different ... as silly as it sounds, it's also a new toy, so I'd rather try a different toy.

Ruger is still very interesting, but it's bigger and has the stupid magazine safety disconnect (yes I know it can be removed). I will try it at the LGS as well. But I think the smaller gun = more likely to carry.

G19, I shot it several times, honestly it's not really that much smaller than the G17 and I find it less comfortable to hold. I'd go with G26 over G19.

 

[Baron_Null]

One thing to consider, if you're absolutely adamant about having the "Violate Rule 4 every time I want to make things 'more safe'" mechanism on the Glock, you might want to consider going with the Glock 26 because you can get the same "safety" setup, which would seem to me to be especially important if you're going with a "safety" system on at least one of your guns which is absolutely unique to that one platform and one modification.

Muscle memory would be incredibly important in a real SD situation, and it would seem to me that the last thing you would want to be doing is fumbling around for a trigger safety when the gun has a thumb safety, and vice-versa if you're carrying the Glock 17. Besides that, you'll be able to practice on similar platforms. It might be boring, but a gun to bet your life on isn't the ideal place to be looking for something new and exciting.

ETA: Alternately, it might be a good idea to go with the Shield and thumb-safety, since you won't be touching the trigger needlessly if you have to draw and re-holster it. I wouldn't trust my fine motor control to manipulate a device on the trigger to put the gun on safe after I just experienced a massive adrenaline dump. For that reason, it would make more sense to me to have an EDC with a thumb safety, as long as you practice often enough to make manipulation of the safety second nature

 

[ohbythebay]

If you shoot the 75 Compact or Rami

You will completely forget the others. I know I am biased, but for a good reason. I have shot all of the above except the Ruger. Not even close to the operation and feel of the CZ's. Yes, they are a tad heavier, but that is not a bad thing. it FEELs like a gun and it shoots like a dream. Solid, dependable. I don't even know what a FTF is with these.

Try them. If you bought one sight unseen though, you would never be disappointed.

 

[TarDevil]

If I bought the Shield, I would not get it with a thumb safety. it's small and a bit hard for me to thumb off when drawing. That's me. YMMV.

The SR9c safety is more tactile and easily becomes part of my draw routine during drills. The barrel peening is a non issue at this point. I also prefer the SR9c trigger to the Shield... by a significant margin. Others may feel different. Some like Chevys, some like Fords. The SR9c also comes with a 17 round mag with an extension that essentially turns the gun into a full size gun for night stand duty. Two guns for the price of one. Plus, it's only 3 ounces heavier than the Shield.

 

[TarDevil]

Ruger is still very interesting....and has the stupid magazine safety disconnect

And exactly what is it hurting?

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

Seems like the Glock 26 is the logical choice. Same manual of arms, can use the 17 mags etc.

This, if you are married to glock platform. You can only really develop your muscle memory for one manual of arms. Go with the glock 26 set up the same way. However, if you want to fool around go for it, you might be seduced by another platform. You just want to be in a committed relationship with your carry piece when you need to rely upon it, so you know how to turn it on with a stroke of the finger without thinking about it.

 

[JohnBiltz]

I would normally say get the G26 since it is what I have been carrying for years but there is no point in getting a Glock to put a safety on it. Yes the Shield has a safety option but it is a terrible safety. I would want something better than that tiny thing if I was planning on having to sweep it. I'd get the new Ruger LC9s. Its got the best trigger. It has a real safety that is easy to manipulate.