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

[Old Dog]

^ Yep.

Not a firearms training course that I've ever heard of that would allow any sort of collapsible holsters ... and many schools are now even banning appendix carry (FAS up here).

Here's a SIG P-938 (yeah, only 7+1 rounds of 9mm, but I use the same type of holster and carry location with the P-365 with 10+1 rounds and size size as a Shield, as well as a SIG P-228/229 with 15+1 rounds). In the Kramer OWB horsehide Belt Scabbard, it's held close, high and tight, disappears under a tee-shirt.

 

[huntsman]

Since I don’t believe every CC problem is solved by buying another gun I would advise you to look long and hard at a new and better holster.

Two of your rejects are what I carry (LCP, Shield9) and both have been soild for me(8 years with the LCP).

But when I had to qualify for my church safety team I chose my G 23 because of it’s size. I still carry it on occasion because of it’s shootability, but size and weight can be an issue with all day carry.

 

[mrblenderson]

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.

That's pretty spot on. This was my original plan with the 642 and 686+, but the 686 lives in my wife's nightstand safe now and I'm not so sold on the 642. This might be the direction I end up going with a semiauto.

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.

I think the G26 is roughly the same size as the P30SK? If so I don't know how I could carry it appendix comfortably, must be some combination of my body shape and style of dress.

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.

I definitely agree with you, but I'm not sure that's the problem as far as comfort when sitting down. With the P30SK appendix I can't find a single place to move it in the Sticky holster where I'm comfortable sitting down. I don't think a better holster would help with this? Any way I do it it digs into my stomach like crazy.

 

[WrongHanded]

I definitely agree with you, but I'm not sure that's the problem as far as comfort when sitting down. With the P30SK appendix I can't find a single place to move it in the Sticky holster where I'm comfortable sitting down. I don't think a better holster would help with this? Any way I do it it digs into my stomach like crazy.

I have two Sticky holsters. One for a G23, and one for a P224. The smaller size (read 'length') of the P224 makes for much more comfortable sitting. But I've found the Sticky holsters to work quite well and stay where they're put during general daily activity.

 

[bearcreek]

I definitely agree with you, but I'm not sure that's the problem as far as comfort when sitting down. With the P30SK appendix I can't find a single place to move it in the Sticky holster where I'm comfortable sitting down. I don't think a better holster would help with this? Any way I do it it digs into my stomach like crazy.

It may not be. Appendix carry isn't for everyone but the right holster does make a huge difference. That being said, there are certain positions where it's simply not going to be comfortable. It is what it is and sometimes you just have to learn to adapt if you want the benefits of a larger gun carried in that position. My stomach muscles on the right side are actually caved in slightly and the hair is worn off from appendix carry. My body has literally adapted itself to the gun.

 

[Old Guy]

The Glock 19 is most likely the most carried pistol, at least in the USA.

Carried mine for a few years, before it, a G17. But my Glock 19 4th Gen. with TruGlo night sights, extended slide lock, butt plug, 4.5 lb trigger, good to go. Carry Win 147g Ranger T. Spare mag. a g17 with NATO Hardball. Kydex holster, outside the belt, around 3-30.

This is my rules, same gun, same place, same ammunition, always. Used it for years in IDPA. Even carried it working in armed Security. Shoot 240 every retraining, including last year, not bad for an old guy.

Reference the old story, 3 rounds/3 yards? Is all you will need, till it isn't! When I worked for my own training Company in Canada. I read every piece of information I could lay my hands on, Police/Security and just shootings all over. Never saw anyone regret carrying 16 rounds, ready to go, ever.

The joke, you can only have too much ammunition, if you are drowning, or on fire! About sums it up.

 

[mrblenderson]

I would really like to stick with appendix carry because it's proven to be the most concealed location and is all-day comfortable for me. I've carried the J-frame in a Sticky holster daily for a few years and it's worked well.

I think part of this may have to do with how I wear my pants - I'm on the younger side and have always worn my pants more or less around my hips - not really sagging pants but certainly lower than I think most older people wear them. There's probably a solid 6" from my belt to my belly button. This dawned on me reading some comments about how appendix carry makes it so much easier to draw from a seated position that didn't make sense to me.

Those of you who carry appendix, when you're sitting down, is the gun more or less vertical with the barrel going into your thigh?
For me with the J-frame it's actually more or less horizontal.

I think that difference in where the belt hits on your body maybe makes all the difference in terms of seated comfort.

 

[bearcreek]

I think part of this may have to do with how I wear my pants - I'm on the younger side and have always worn my pants more or less around my hips - not really sagging pants but certainly lower than I think most older people wear them. There's probably a solid 6" from my belt to my belly button. This dawned on me reading some comments about how appendix carry makes it so much easier to draw from a seated position that didn't make sense to me.

Those of you who carry appendix, when you're sitting down, is the gun more or less vertical with the barrel going into your thigh?
For me with the J-frame it's actually more or less horizontal.

I think that difference in where the belt hits on your body maybe makes all the difference in terms of seated comfort.

Yes, when you're sitting down, the gun should be vertical. When I carry a Glock 19 the back of the slide is roughly at belly button level when I'm sitting down. Carrying a larger pistol AIWB pretty much requires wearing your pants higher than many of the younger generation are used to. This also makes it much easier to move, run, fight, etc. with the gun in the holster. As part of my range sessions I'll often do things like flip, throw and drag tires, climb walls, ropes and fences, jump over hurdles, carry logs, weights or another person and sprint 10-200 yards. If you're physically capable of doing those things you should also be able to do them while wearing your pistol.

 

[CDW4ME]

Glock 30SF in Fist kydex clip-on ..... before I moved 2nd option pistol to non-dominant hand:


If you are willing (and can, not limited by work attire) to dress for the gun, you can conceal just about any pistol you want.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

If you haven't shot the G26 before, you might want to try it. I'm more accurate with it than I expected to be. Also, for about $7 you can get a plastic sleeve to put over a G19 magazine that makes it fit into a G26 without leaving that awkward little gap. The G26 with the G19 mag and sleeve was my nightstand gun when I was on the road this summer.

I agree. I have a G26 that I use expressly for night biking in a kydex holster, OWB @ 3:30. (covered by safety vest) I find it easy to pull, even though secure, in case of falls, and easy to fire one-handed, so as to better control the bike. Two-handed at a range, it is quite accurate, with minimal recoil, and many say they shoot the 26 better than a 17 or 19. I also have a G17 magazine with the plastic filler-sleeve, which is an awesome extra mag.

 

[Kendal Black]

...many say they shoot the 26 better than a 17 or 19.

Yep. Here is an interesting rundown on that from Mas Ayoob.

https://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2012/11/baby-glock-26/

 

[wickedsprint]

I currently edc a 19 iwb or owb depending on attire. Shorts and t shirt most days.

I find the longer 19 carries more comfortably than the 26 for me. Both print about the same.

 

[Al-jim19]

I would never carry a J Frame unless I couldn’t carry something larger. I move in phases between a G19 and Shield 9, most often appendix. Right now I’m in the G19 phase and it’s a piece of cake to carry and conceal in a fitted Tshirt. I’m located in Massachusetts so concealment is important. Can’t scare the sheep.

 

[Browning]

For carry I pretty much stick to either a Walther PPS M1 pocket carry with a DeSantis Nemesis or a much loved Glock 26 3rd gen in a Galco Summer Comfort.

I also have two Glock 19's, a Glock 23 and a Glock 17 and while I occasionally carry a G19 (also in a Galco Summer Comfort) if I belt carry I almost always use my 26 with a total of three 12 rd mags. The butt doesn't stick out as much making it print much less.

Mostly I've noticed that the paranoia about printing is just that though, paranoia. By and large people don't pay attention to such things.

 

[NMPOPS]

I live in the southwest and it's shorts and tees 9 months a year so a 642 rides in my RF pocket most of the time. A Glock 26 in a JIT holster gets worn to the range once or twice a month. Training with just one gun is boring! Training with revolvers and autos is fun.

 

[joneb]

I'm happy with the J frame Smith, or a PM Makarov or a XDS in 9mm. These guns have been reliable for me.

 

[jar]

I'm happy with the J frame Smith, or a PM Makarov or a XDS in 9mm. These guns have been reliable for me.

Funny but today I will be carrying my 1962 East German Makarov but usually it is a newer 1980 Colt Detective Special. Others that get regular trips outside are a Sig 230, Browning BDM and a Colt Army Special from 1919. Any unreliable handguns need to become reliable handguns before they get consideration as carry tools. I do have quite a few revolvers though where the wheel does turn widdershins.

 

[Spats McGee]

Hello everyone, I just joined the forum. I've read a lot on here over the last few years. . . . .

Welcome to THR! Glad you finally joined us.

I currently carry a J-frame 642 AIWB, and it works well for me in terms of daily comfort and concealability. I'm in Miami so it's hot and humid for most of the year and I'm usually wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

The 642 was my first carry gun, I've also tried a Shield, LCP, and P30SK but I always come back to the 642.

I've been thinking about switching to a Glock 19 for two reasons:
1. I have a 1-year old and work a lot so I don't get to go to the range that much, so I'd rather spend time on just one gun that I use for carry, nightstand duty, and possibly shooting sports if I ever have the time.
2. The more that I think about potential scenarios I may find myself in the more I feel underprepared with just 5 rounds in a gun that I'm really only confident in shooting out to 10 yards. My home is in a very safe area but for business I'm often in less-than-desirable areas and I drive through some pretty rough places regularly. . . . .

If at all possible, I'd suggest that rather than "switching to" the G19, you add the G19 to the stable. I recognize that $$$ may be tight with a relatively new child in the budget. That said, the G19 is very popular, and not without good reason. I have one, and it was my EDC for about 3 years. I picked up a Shield about a year ago, and it has largely replaced the G19. Two quick caveats: (a) I have a lot more rounds through the G19; but (b) the Shield is much more comfortable to carry. Both have been dead-on reliable. With all of that said, your 642 still has a place in the lineup, just like my LCR. A snubnose revolver is great for stuffing into your pocket for that "Sunday-5-a.m.-doughnut-run" when you don't expect to get out of the car.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Yep. Here is an interesting rundown on that from Mas Ayoob.

https://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2012/11/baby-glock-26/

Very cool. I've always been a fan of Mas. I hadn't read that before, but it makes perfect sense to me. I've never owned or shot anything but baby Glocks, (26 and 29) so I can't compare them myself.

I'll say this about the 26 though-it's the only weapon I own, that I considered purchasing an exact duplicate of, for wearing on my other side.

 

[mrblenderson]

I appreciate all the responses.

This may sound stupid, but wearing my pants higher has been a game-changer. Apparently my wife was telling me this for years...

I've been able to comfortably carry the P30SK as it sits higher and ends up vertical when I sit. Before I sell it and buy a new pistol I'm going to order a Vedder Kydex AIWB holster and give it a shot for a few weeks.

10+1 is certainly better than 5 and I shoot it really well. Plus it can take P30 mags for nightstand duty.

I also feel better about AIWB with a DA/SA gun with exposed hammer. Part of that's just mental, but I also like the idea of a far heavier first trigger pull with the little guy running around.

I'll post updates as we see how this goes over the next few weeks! So far by wearing my pants higher and changing the position a bit it's working well.

 

[Kendal Black]

I appreciate all the responses.

This may sound stupid, but wearing my pants higher has been a game-changer. Apparently my wife was telling me this for years...

I've been able to comfortably carry the P30SK as it sits higher and ends up vertical when I sit. Before I sell it and buy a new pistol I'm going to order a Vedder Kydex AIWB holster and give it a shot for a few weeks.

10+1 is certainly better than 5 and I shoot it really well. Plus it can take P30 mags for nightstand duty.

I also feel better about AIWB with a DA/SA gun with exposed hammer. Part of that's just mental, but I also like the idea of a far heavier first trigger pull with the little guy running around.

I'll post updates as we see how this goes over the next few weeks! So far by wearing my pants higher and changing the position a bit it's working well.

Very good solution. I find it is often better if I try to adapt what I have already and am familiar with, rather than going shopping and having to learn a new gun.

 

[JTQ]

This may sound stupid, but wearing my pants higher has been a game-changer. Apparently my wife was telling me this for years...

I've been able to comfortably carry the P30SK as it sits higher and ends up vertical when I sit. Before I sell it and buy a new pistol I'm going to order a Vedder Kydex AIWB holster and give it a shot for a few weeks.

Now that you're wearing your pants higher, lots of AIWB users use the longer version holster and find it more comfortable and less likely for the shorter version to tip out, such as using a P30 holster for P30SK. Most comment this is more stable and more comfortable than using a holster specifically for the shorter gun. I'm sure there is a limit to where the barrel/slide gets too long and doesn't work, but the P30 is a relatively short barreled gun itself.

 

[mrblenderson]

First day back at work with the P30SK update.

It was awful.

I was wearing loose t-shirts all weekend and had very little problems concealing the gun in a way that was more or less comfortable.

Today back in my normal work dress it was either printing like crazy or jabbing me every which way. I was uncomfortable all day long.

I'm using a leather IWB holster, so it may be better with a purpose-built Kydex but I don't imagine it's going to be night and day different and I'm hesitant to spend $70 just to find out that it won't work anyway.

Also the G19 and M&P 2.0 Compact are barely bigger than the P30Sk, so I'm not sure it's worth this level of discomfort for 10+1 when I could have 15+1.

I'm leaning back towards the Shield 2.0 at this point. Will see how the rest of the week goes.

 

[huntsman]

View attachment 802408 $40.00 on Amazon, works great and I got the same for G23

 

[cougar1717]

I might be swinging too far to the other side of the pendulum going to the 19

Going from a 642 to a G19 is a big swing. The 642 is incredibly light and just like you said - sometimes you forget it's there. Like your P30sk, you will know a G19 is there. Both are doublestack sub or compact pistols.

Any position that's comfortable prints like crazy, and any position that doesn't print is excruciating.

Going from one of the lightest CCW's to one of the largest that someone would carry is a big difference.

That's part of the problem. You need a quality hard sided holster

A hard-sided holster can really help in securing the firearm and distributing weight to a belt.

Every body is different. Some people can carry in ways that others can't. That is why it is difficult to tell someone what or how they should carry. Some people can carry larger firearms than others, depending on the person's size, the firearm's size, where they carry, and what holster it is in. For instance, a 6'0"+ male who wears size XL gloves may think the G19 is perfect for CCW. A 5'6" male may find it hard to conceal a G19. A 5'4" female with S/M hands may find it uncomfortable compared with single stack options.

Part of this is finding compromise between what a person can conceal, what a person can draw, and what a person can shoot proficiently.