Help me decide on a carry pistol!!!

[crash32]

I was set on the Springfield Armory EMP for a carry pistol, but am rethinking my choice. When I do carry I typically carry my Glock 23, but my use for this other carry pistol that I am going to buy next is not to actually carry. It would be for other circumstances such as carrying with me in my fanny pack when I go hunting and keeping it in the tiny glove box of my vehicle (my Glock 23 will hardly fit in there).

The reason I am rethinking about the EMP is because in person it looks much smaller than my Glock but when I looked up the specs it is the exact same size except it is .35 of a inch shorter. I was kind of hoping that I could get something a bit smaller without going way smaller such as the Kel Tec PF-9 which is just too small for me.

Do you guys have any good recommendations? The barrel of the EMP is 6.5" long and 5" tall which is pretty much the same as my Glock 23. Also, I am looking for a nicer gun (more than $500). I would like to stay with at least a 9mm and maybe a 40.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[wbwanzer]

Not sure of a good recomendation, but just a correction to your post: the EMP barrel is 3 inches. Overall length is 6.5.

I've got a Ruger SR9c that I like very much, but don't know all the figures off hand.

 

[C0untZer0]

Kimber Solo ?

SR9c is slightly larger than the EMP. 6.85" OAL versus 6.50 for the EMP.

 

[RussellC]

I am going to chance on the S & W Shield. I know, I know...

 

[Lantern]

I am going to chance on the S & W Shield. I know, I know...

It really does fit the want list perfectly except for the "nice" part. So it's almost like he needs a scandium frame shield......oooo....good idea.

 

[Hometeached1]

I would suggest a Walther p99 compact, or PPS, they can be had in either 9 or 40. I don't know much about them, but a Sig p224 might be worth looking at.

 

[ajoker31]

Tried most

I've tried most. I've settled with a Springfield XDM 3.8 compact for my large and medium size 9mm carry (depending on what mag I want to use).

My small 9mm carry is a Walther PPS with or without a pinky extension mag.

I've tried so many carry pieces and these are the two that just seem to cover all situations and clothing for me. I can carry the PPS either IWB or pocket but I prefer IWB. It's not too small (i.e. LCP or keltec) and very thin.

Joker

 

[el Godfather]

Why not Glock 27. You can use 23 magz on it.

 

[tarosean]

when I looked up the specs it is the exact same size except it is .35 of a inch shorter.

Thickness matters a ton in a CCW..

Glock 23 slide = 1.18"
EMP = .9

 

[JTQ]

crash32 wrote,
The reason I am rethinking about the EMP is because in person it looks much smaller than my Glock but when I looked up the specs it is the exact same size except it is .35 of a inch shorter. I was kind of hoping that I could get something a bit smaller without going way smaller such as the Kel Tec PF-9 which is just too small for me.

Do you guys have any good recommendations? The barrel of the EMP is 6.5" long and 5" tall which is pretty much the same as my Glock 23. Also, I am looking for a nicer gun (more than $500). I would like to stay with at least a 9mm and maybe a 40.

"Spec" numbers are often misleading. The Glock width is basically the same across the whole gun, slide, frame, grip. The width of the Springfield is probably measured at something like the thumb safety that won't go in your holster or that your hand won't have to wrap around (on top of, but not around). You really need to handle them side by side to really know the difference.

 

[tomrkba]

I was set on the Springfield Armory EMP for a carry pistol, but am rethinking my choice. When I do carry I typically carry my Glock 23

Look at the Glock 27. It is very compact and is compatible with your Glock 23 mags and gear. Buy a few extra Glock 23 mags and add an A&G Grip Adapter. Then you get a nice bobtail grip. Use the short mags when you need a more easily concealed gun. I typically carry the short mag in the gun and the long mag as a spare.

 

[tomrkba]

Glock 23 slide = 1.18"
EMP = .9

While technically true, this is misleading. The EMP grip is wider than the slide and must be concealed by the shirt rather than pants (in an IWB holster). The thumb safeties are very wide, but the grip is not quite as wide as that of the Glock. I have found the difference does not matter for belt carry in the appendix or strong side positions. The build of the holster is more critical. The thickness of materials and loops on the face of the holster print more than split loops on a pancake or Milt Sparks Versa Max 2 holster. Make your width measurements with the gun in the holster from the back of the holster to the front of the snaps or holster, whichever is wider.


Glock 26, EMP 9mm, Glock 19

 

[JTQ]

Thickness matters a ton in a CCW..

Glock 23 slide = 1.18"
EMP = .9

tomrkba wrote,
While technically true, this is misleading. The EMP grip is wider than the slide and must be concealed by the shirt rather than pants (in an IWB holster). The thumb safeties are very wide, but the grip is not quite as wide as the Glock. I have found the difference does not matter for belt carry.

By this statement are you indicating you'd think an EMP would be harder to conceal than a G23?

 

[Kahr33556]

Do you want a 40 ?
Do you want a all steel or polymer gun ?
I'm guessing if you want to carry it hunting you want 40 at the minimum.

G27
M&P 40c
Shield 40
XD sub compact

Of these I have the shield 40,not sure if I like there double trigger and heavy pull.
kinda wish I went G27 now just for the trigger.
i did buy this as a CC and side arm in the woods also.
If I would have went Glock I would probley be saying its too thick.
I have a KAHR CW9 but they make a CW40 about 400 bucks or less.I'm happy with my 9 100 reliable after 400 rounds but some are not.
There are many other real nice guns.
CZ,Sig ect. If your not in a big rush just look around a lot.

 

[chris in va]

Have a look at the Kahr K9. I'm highly impressed with mine. The Glock 30S also intrigues me although I can't stand the trigger on Glocks.

 

[tomrkba]

By this statement are you indicating you'd think an EMP would be harder to conceal than a G23?

Answer in previous post: "I have found the difference does not matter for belt carry."

Overall they're about the same. The EMP is slightly taller with the magazine inserted, but the grip is slightly more narrow; the opposite is true for the Glock. The shape of the Glock grip is more round than the pointy EMP grip. I found these differences inconsequential and nullified by a proper shirt. The primary factors are the design of the holster (cant, loop placement, material thickness), attitude and skill of the carrier, cut of clothing, belt strength (resists bending, holds up the gun so you don't adjust it), and printing of spare mags.

I think the Glock 27 is what he is looking for. The gear and mags from the 23 will work with/in the 27. The 27 size gun covers 95% of my carry needs with just about any clothing--from Smart Carry to belt carry under a sport coat.

 

[tarosean]

While technically true, this is misleading.

Yet your own picture speaks a thousand words.

 

[crash32]

After looking and looking it seems as if the Walther PPS fits the bill best. This is the first gun I have thought about purchasing that I am not totally in love with. Nice guns in this category are very limited. I really like the EMP and the idea behind it, but it's just too close to size as my Glock 23 is.
I was looking at the M&P also, but seems as if the Walther is a bit nicer. I am going to my local gun shop and see how it feels in my hand. This gun will not get much use at all as it will stay in my car and hunting bag 95% of the time. Things have gotten a bit shady at my hunting property.... People have been transpassing and stealing stuff. It just makes me feel better having a pistol on me that I can carry easily while I now hunt.

 

[crash32]

After looking and looking it seems as if the Walther PPS fits the bill best. This is the first gun I have thought about purchasing that I am not totally in love with. Nice guns in this category are very limited. I really like the EMP and the idea behind it, but it's just too close to size as my Glock 23 is.
I was looking at the M&P also, but seems as if the Walther is a bit nicer. I am going to my local gun shop and see how it feels in my hand. This gun will not get much use at all as it will stay in my car and hunting bag 95% of the time. Things have gotten a bit shady at my hunting property.... People have been transpassing and stealing stuff. It just makes me feel better having a pistol on me that I can carry easily while I bow hunt.

 

[Lucky Derby]

What about the Sig P938? Or perhaps the Kahr K9 or MK9?

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I carry an EMP9 occasionally. These are my three primary carry guns. I carry the EMP but have found it is kind of sharp in places and can bite a bit in my side and back. I really like my P7 but it is a bit heavy for shorts. This time of year it is fine though with jeans. The 238 is great for summer and just dropping in a pocket but I must remember to put my car keys in my other pocket.

I would have trouble carrying a glock as I think they are a bit fat for their caliber's relative to the other choices.

All in all my favorite is the P7. If it weren't all steel and made out of say titanium or unobtanium in the frame they would be perfect. The nice thing about them if you run them dry, they still make a whale of a club!

 

[decoy562]

I second the P938. My wife loves hers.

 

[Thompsoncustom]

The EMP by Springfield and the ECO by Dan wesson are both great guns and get my vote.