Just joined, switch my EDC from J-Frame to Glock 19?

[EMT40SW]

I would suggest changing your carry style with a G-19. I have carried a G-23 OWB at 3-4 O’clock for 10 years but I’m a tall chunky dude, YMMV. I use leather because it moves & adjusts to me rather than kydex which is too rigid for CCW in my opinion. I like a #9 Basic from Fist Holsters, Brooklyn, NY

http://www.fist-holsters.com/novoerfide/owb-holsters.html

 

[mrblenderson]

I forgot to mention that one of the other reasons I'm leaning so hard to the G19 is the amount of professionals who choose it. It seems that almost every serious self-defense trainer carries a G19. Greg Ellifritz on CCW choice among pros: "You’d see nothing but “Glock 19 or S&W M&P 9mm carried in an IWB holster either appendix or behind the hip.” The guns the real pros use are remarkably similar.

 

[Winkman822]

Thanks for all the replies!

I'll definitely be keeping the 642 regardless of what I do, it's far too useful for different types of dress to ever get rid of. Plus it was my first carry gun so I'm quite attached to it. It's been 100% reliable as well. I can't see myself ever getting rid of it or my 4" 686+, those two are keepers.

The G19 is actually thinner than the P30SK, so that may help. Part of what was uncomfortable was the hammer digging into my belly, I have the DA/SA version.

I'm certainly aware of the necessity of discipline with AIWB and a striker gun. I would only carry this in a nice tight Kydex holster.

I've thought about some of the midsize options, but what I really like about the G19 idea is that I wouldn't have a carry gun and nightstand gun to practice with separately, just one to get very competent with.

With regard to the P30SK, I have one that's in my carry rotation, and in fact currently being carried since it's statically ambidexterous and I have to carry left handed since I broke my right hand and have it in a cast for the next few weeks. My P30SK is the V1 Light LEM flavor and it has a bobbed rather than spurred hammer. It may be worth keeping your P30SK and simply having the hammer swapped over to the bobbed variety. It's a very solid little gun.

With regard to having one gun to "master" I get the position there, but I still think that one would do well to become proficient with a variety of different weapons systems while also being the "master" of what you carry. Having said that, my carry pistol rotation consists of guns that all have a very similar manual of arms as far as running the gun is concerned...HK P30L V1 LEM, HK P30SK V1 LEM, Walther P99, and Walther PPS Classic. My newly acquired PPQ M1 will surely work its way into the carry rotation as well once I have an opportunity to shoot it and ensure that it works well, which I'm sure it will.

 

[FL-NC]

As someone who lives in the sunshine state, and a avid Glock user, I mostly rely on my shield 9 for every day concealed carry, for the reasons you mentioned (climate and dress). I do have a Glock 19 that lives in my truck, and several others that live in my house, but its the shield that is on my body, because of mostly t-shirt weather, and the thickness of the Glock 19 slide. I tried the Glock 43 and didn't like it- bad fit in my hand (and I don't have huge hands). But I would "power through" carrying a Glock 19 over any wheel gun.

 

[bassjam]

My first handgun was a Glock 23. I bought it with the intention on carrying it but never made it outside of the house with it. I know many carry these guns daily, but I found it uncomfortable and too thick. It did nightstand duty until I eventually sold it.

I keep trying different single stack 9mm’s for carry, but I keep going back to a j-frame. They’re comfortable and I shoot them well. And even though my carry gun goes in a pistol lock box when I get home, I like that the gun has a heavy DA pull since I have 2 (soon to be 3) kids under 4 in the house. I consider myself to be a safe gun owner, and that's just one more layer of safety for me.

I’m of the opinion that 5 shots is all a normal citizen is likely to need anyway, and if you think you’ll have to shoot 10 yards, you probably have the ability to retreat instead. And what's wrong with needing to practice with both a Glock 19 and a j-frame?

 

[paulsj]

What is "EDS"? I'm not familiar with that acronym.

I meant EDC, sorry.

 

[paulsj]

My first handgun was a Glock 23. I bought it with the intention on carrying it but never made it outside of the house with it. I know many carry these guns daily, but I found it uncomfortable and too thick. It did nightstand duty until I eventually sold it.

I keep trying different single stack 9mm’s for carry, but I keep going back to a j-frame. They’re comfortable and I shoot them well. And even though my carry gun goes in a pistol lock box when I get home, I like that the gun has a heavy DA pull since I have 2 (soon to be 3) kids under 4 in the house. I consider myself to be a safe gun owner, and that's just one more layer of safety for me.

I’m of the opinion that 5 shots is all a normal citizen is likely to need anyway, and if you think you’ll have to shoot 10 yards, you probably have the ability to retreat instead. And what's wrong with needing to practice with both a Glock 19 and a j-frame?

The range session with light weight J frame is an unpleasant experience. Poor sights, heavy trigger pull small short grip and noticeable recoil which really gets in a way of extended range session. I use to own Model 37 DAO which was made for some police department of country located in Asia. Don't remember which, but I do remember the only ammo I enjoyed shooting through it was that Cowboy Action stuff loaded to lower muzzle velocity. A Glock 19 is huge improvement over any J-frame.

 

[Tallball]

"The range session with light weight J frame is an unpleasant experience."


That certainly isn't true for everyone. I enjoy shooting snub 38's.

 

[bearcreek]

The range session with light weight J frame is an unpleasant experience. Poor sights, heavy trigger pull small short grip and noticeable recoil which really gets in a way of extended range session. I use to own Model 37 DAO which was made for some police department of country located in Asia. Don't remember which, but I do remember the only ammo I enjoyed shooting through it was that Cowboy Action stuff loaded to lower muzzle velocity. A Glock 19 is huge improvement over any J-frame.

I'm kind of surprised that someone who likes a short handled .45 ACP like the Glock 30 would have that much of a problem with a snubbie. Just goes to prove once again that everyone is unique.

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

I forgot to mention that one of the other reasons I'm leaning so hard to the G19 is the amount of professionals who choose it. It seems that almost every serious self-defense trainer carries a G19. Greg Ellifritz on CCW choice among pros: "You’d see nothing but “Glock 19 or S&W M&P 9mm carried in an IWB holster either appendix or behind the hip.” The guns the real pros use are remarkably similar.

The real pros... Are you someone put into those types of situations? I've been in life and death scenarios and at the time I had a long gun, a snub revolver is a perfectly good choice to carry as a primary gun, Bernie Goetz stopped 4 attackers with a smith model 38, that was a real world scenario and it ended with him still alive (idiotic trials notwithstanding). If you are proficient with the snubnose then keep carrying it, if you feel you are in a dangerous area like that than you need a long gun in the car with several mags or a shells galore.

 

[paulsj]

I'm kind of surprised that someone who likes a short handled .45 ACP like the Glock 30 would have that much of a problem with a snubbie. Just goes to prove once again that everyone is unique.

The Glock has better sights better trigger and due to thicker longer grip recoil fores are easier to cope with. People shooting .357 loads out of light weight J frames must have bionic limbs. I mean the guns are actually marked for certain bullet weight because force of recoil can make heavy slugs back out of the cartridge cases, just awful.

 

[bearcreek]

I forgot to mention that one of the other reasons I'm leaning so hard to the G19 is the amount of professionals who choose it. It seems that almost every serious self-defense trainer carries a G19. Greg Ellifritz on CCW choice among pros: "You’d see nothing but “Glock 19 or S&W M&P 9mm carried in an IWB holster either appendix or behind the hip.” The guns the real pros use are remarkably similar.

Thank you for this. There are far too many people who base their weapon choices on entirely on comfort or something they read on a forum rather than getting educated first and looking at the advice of those who have real world experience with the tool. Have you been to one of Greg's classes? He's an excellent trainer.

 

[farm23]

My son carries a G19 AIWB all the time but I opt for a 30S QWB @ 4:00. The 19 will outlast you and probably your young one.

 

[Winkman822]

The real pros... Are you someone put into those types of situations? I've been in life and death scenarios and at the time I had a long gun, a snub revolver is a perfectly good choice to carry as a primary gun, Bernie Goetz stopped 4 attackers with a smith model 38, that was a real world scenario and it ended with him still alive (idiotic trials notwithstanding). If you are proficient with the snubnose then keep carrying it, if you feel you are in a dangerous area like that than you need a long gun in the car with several mags or a shells galore.

Yet there are still plenty of real pros who carry the venerable 1911, i.e. Ken Hackathorn, Clint Smith, Larry Vickers, Travis Haley has been known to carry a 1911. These are all well respected trainers, and certainly guys who have "been there and done that".

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

Yet there are still plenty of real pros who carry the venerable 1911, i.e. Ken Hackathorn, Clint Smith, Larry Vickers, Travis Haley has been known to carry a 1911. These are all well respected trainers, and certainly guys who have "been there and done that".

Didn't say anything about the 1911, the 1911 to me is the only auto to give a damn about anyway. I'm just stating that "pros" are getting to be seen as near religious figures and people take anything one may say as true gospel... Until the next johnny come lately comes.

 

[Robert]

I carry a G22 everyday. It's my duty weapon and the only one I'm cleared to carry 24/7. Apparently the trigger on my 1911 is too light... The G19 would be a great carry gun, but have you looked at the G43 or 42, whichever the 9mm one is, I forget. Single stack 9mm in a small frame. You can easily pocket carry if you want or belt carries fine too. If and when I get the money I plan on picking one up for my EDC.

 

[mrblenderson]

I suppose this is kind of the ultimate problem everyone's trying to solve with CCW - it's highly likely that I will never need a firearm, but if I ever do I'll sure wish I had a full-size pistol with high capacity instead of a J-frame. I've been carrying daily for about 3 years and on 100% of those days I didn't need to be armed. The problem is we don't get to pick when something happens. That's how I ended up with the 642, I can carry it more or less effortlessly everywhere and it's a minimal amount of discomfort/planning on all the days I don't actually need it.

I used to keep a full-size high-capacity pistol in my car, but I have to valet at our office every day now and I got tired of moving it back and forth from it's ready position in my center console to the locked safe for handing the car over. I was also worried that I'd forget one day and hand my car over with it accessible.

The J-frame is great for all the days I don't need a gun. I just know that if I ever do need one I'll wish it wasn't the only one I had.

I might be swinging too far to the other side of the pendulum going to the 19, I'm seriously considering picking up one of the 2.0 Shields with night sights and just getting really proficient with that. I liked my old Shield quite a bit and actually shot it better than any of the full-size pistols.

 

[mrblenderson]

Update - I tried to carry the P30SK again in a variety of positions and I just can't make it work. Any position that's comfortable prints like crazy, and any position that doesn't print is excruciating.

I'm thinking that anything this size or bigger won't work. Maybe the Shield because it's thinner?

 

[farm23]

I think most folks think too much about 'printing'. I have carried for 50+ years. most of the time OWB with a 1911 and now often with a G30S. I have never had anyone ask if I was carrying or show concern because they saw my gun 'printing'. If one is confident and just a little discrete no one will ever know you are carrying. Carry what you are comfortable with.

 

[mrblenderson]

I think most folks think too much about 'printing'. I have carried for 50+ years. most of the time OWB with a 1911 and now often with a G30S. I have never had anyone ask if I was carrying or show concern because they saw my gun 'printing'. If one is confident and just a little discrete no one will ever know you are carrying. Carry what you are comfortable with.

I agree with you, but I'm not talking about "you can kind of see the butt when bending over," I'm talking "there is very clearly a gun right there."

In my business day-to-day I'm also in environments with clients and customers where I absolutely cannot be identified carrying.

 

[bearcreek]

Update - I tried to carry the P30SK again in a variety of positions and I just can't make it work. Any position that's comfortable prints like crazy, and any position that doesn't print is excruciating.

I'm thinking that anything this size or bigger won't work. Maybe the Shield because it's thinner?

What kind of holster are you using?

 

[mrblenderson]

What kind of holster are you using?

Sticky holster and I've tried it in just about every possible position.

 

[WrongHanded]

From what you've written so far, here's my take on the situation:

You want to carry at work and therefore the gun must conceal well and be comfortable all day, but must also be one you can shoot well if you should ever need to use it. Then you want a gun that can be used for home defense, and possibly CC in none-work situation where complete concealment is likely easier to achieve. And you don't have the option to practice as much as you'd like so you don't really want to have to stay proficient with multiple firearms. Correct?

If so, it seems to me the solution may well be two similar guns that are different in size, but have similar operation. Some example could be a Sig P238 (or P938) and a full-size 1911 (you choose the caliber); or a G42/43 for work and a G19/17 for the rest. Other brands offer the same options for a micro or sub-compact, and a full-sized. Take your pick of pairings and shoot the larger gun 2/3rds of range sessions, and the smaller one 1/3rd of sessions. Dry fire practice with both.

 

[CDW4ME]

I would much prefer a Glock 19,26, or Shield in my hand than a snub revolver if I had to defend myself.
Glock 26 easily conceal appendix IWB (about 12:30) with just about any loose untucked shirt.

 

[bearcreek]

Sticky holster and I've tried it in just about every possible position.

That's part of the problem. You need a quality hard sided holster that stays open when the gun isn't in it. You can't get a decent holster for less than about $60.