Looking To Replace My Current EDC Pistol

[jmr40]

For the money a Ruger SR9s is hard to beat. The EC9s is the same gun with minor changes that let them sell it for a little less, I could be happy with either gun. But if you can afford the Sig it offers some advantages. With 10 round magazines it is slightly smaller than the Ruger and carries well IWB. With 12 round magazines mine has all but replaced a G19 for holster carry OWB.

The triggers are great on both guns, both are equally accurate and I've never had a malfunction with either gun. I like the safety design on the Sig a little better and it does offer more ammo capacity. The Ruger comes with 1 magazine, the Sig 2. But you can buy 2 Rugers, and 2 spare mags for about what the Sig costs.

 

[sparkyv]

The SIG P365 checks all these boxes:

for something lighter, flatter and thinner-but for one that's just as reliable. Though a hammer is not essential, a manually operated safety is. Also, for capacity reasons, the pistol has to be chambered in 9mm Luger.

 

[JTQ]

I'm planning on replacing the pistol I carry concealed every day (a Smith Model 6906) for something lighter, flatter and thinner-but for one that's just as reliable. I like hammers and safeties on pistols I carry close to my body.

It won't be flatter or thinner, but a Beretta PX4 will be lighter and have the same safety/decocker and DA/SA trigger as your S&W

PX4 Full Size https://www.beretta.com/en-us/px4-storm-full/

PX4 Compact https://www.beretta.com/en-us/px4-storm-compact/

PX4 Sub-Compact https://www.beretta.com/en-us/px4-storm-subcompact/

If you like stainless, like your 6906 https://www.beretta.com/en-us/px4-storm-inox/

and if you need to have them customized https://www.langdontactical.com/custom-gun-work/px4-series/

Are they reliable?

 

[TarDevil]

Another happy SR9c owner here. It'll be with me until.

 

[tarosean]

Coal Dragger's suggestion to look at the HK P30 is an interesting, if pricey, option.

Its also substantial thicker than your current S&W

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

I everyday carry a rotation of pistols. The drawback of a Sig 938, 238 is that I have found the safety find its way to the off position when I am carrying one of those in a front pocket. I can't have that so I resort to an empty chamber if one of those types goes in a front pocket.
The Sig P365 took some getting used to but I like it as long as you have it in a pocket holster that covers the trigger. The one that I have doesn't have a manual trigger.
My Smith and Wesson 637 38 Special +P Airweight is my primary pocket gun.

 

[LiveLife]

I'm planning on replacing the pistol I carry concealed every day ... for ... one that's just as reliable.

I'm considering the SA Model XD-E, the Ruger Model SR 9c and the SIG Model 365 ... for capacity reasons, the pistol has to be chambered in 9mm Luger

I tell people who are looking to buy compact/subcompact pistols to consider accuracy as critical requirement as muzzle velocity will drop even further with shorter barrel. And with reduced terminal velocity, shot placement may play a much greater role in stopping your threat or slowing down to give you more defensive options.

So I highly recommend you test fire any pistol you are considering utilizing fast multiple shots on multiple targets at 7-15 yards under high stress shooting condition (Do enough jumping jacks and push ups to get your heart rate up and arms tired) particularly using point shooting to see which pistol produces best "natural point of aim" and smaller accurate shot groups faster on target.

When I share/teach defensive point shooting with people, I have them shoot different pistols in 380Auto/9mm/40S&W/45ACP from full size to subcompact/pocket pistol and results are surprising - - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/flinching-drills.864546/page-2#post-11416785

Recently, when a girlfriend of a neighbor who wanted a carry pistol due to robberies at workplace, she shot the Glock 23 the best and fastest. Surprised, when I and her boyfriend asked her about the recoil compared to 9mm, she said, "I like this" and continued to produce fast shots on multiple targets using full power factory ammunition - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/trigger-control.834737/page-2#post-11244660

To me, caliber/brand is irrelevant if you are not able to place your shots on POA under high stress shooting conditions. And for carry pistol that may be used under low light/no sight conditions with scary bad breath distances, one that can be shot most accurate fastest to include unsighted point shooting, should be the deciding factor.

 

[Speedo66]

Seems like the Sig 938 has everything you're looking for.

I rented one at the range and liked the accuracy and relative lack of recoil for a gun that size.

The only rub for me was the manual safety, never trained with one and prefer a gun without it.

 

[Tallball]

If the Sig P365 fits your hand well and you can shoot it decently, there's no reason to get anything bigger or heavier.

I really like my 3rd generation S&W, but it is a brick to carry compared to some of the newer pistols.

If I were looking for something a bit larger than the P365, the various incarnations of a polymer CZ75 compact are very nice. They have a hammer and a safety. The two I've owned have had nice triggers. This one was made in Turkey.

SAR B6C 9mm

• Tallball
• Jul 27, 2019

 

[SwampWolf]

(Do enough jumping jacks and push ups to get your heart rate up and arms tired)

At my age (77) and shape (creaky), it's hard enough to get out of my chair without a helping hand. No problem with getting the heart rate up though, just keeping up with the dog gets me panting harder than her.

But as I noted earlier, my thirty years in le have given me some insight as to what kind and type of pistol I want and why I might need it. But I'm learning a lot from the kind advice, helpful inputs and recommendations that have been submitted so far. Everybody has made some good points for me to consider and I appreciate it. There seems to be an overabundance of options to choose from and though price is certainly a factor, it's not necessarily a deal-breaker (within "reason") if everything else is what I want/need it to be.

 

[SwampWolf]

There aren't a lot of IWB holsters available with a thumb break. There are a few options, but I don't know if they cover the guns you're interested in.

A belated thanks to you, JTQ, for taking the time and making the effort to provide me with this information and for the Beretta PX4 50,000 rounds fired performance video. Very informative.

 

[SwampWolf]

I really like my 3rd generation S&W, but it is a brick to carry compared to some of the newer pistols.

Exactly why I'm on the prowl for a replacement.

 

[J-Bar]

For about 7 years I have carried the Model 60 .38 Special with Crimson Trace grips. I recently bought the CZ 2075 RAMI in 9 mm shown here, and the DeSantis OWB holster. The photo shows the CZ with the 10 round magazine. The 14 round magazine is by the Uncle Mike's pocket holster, which is what I used for the S&W, but fortunately also fits the CZ if I want to stick it in my pocket. Overall length is about the same, but the CZ is a bit flatter than the J-Frame revolver. Using our Weight Watchers digital scale, the loaded Model 60 weighs 1 lb. 8 oz., the CZ with 10+1 weighs 1 lb. 14 oz. I normally carry the CZ in "revolver" mode, one in the chamber, hammer down, safety off, since I am used to carrying the Model 60. So the first shot is double action, but all the rest are single action. I'm pleased with it. Good luck in your quest.

 

[Tallball]

If price is a concern, I got my excellent SAR (Turkish company) polymer CZ75 compact clones for winning bids of around $225 apiece, although that was pre-virus.

 

[jonb32248]

I will second the xde 9mm. I carry this gun most of the time. Easy to conceal, thin, hammer fired. As far as the trigger is concerned it's a double action so yes the first pull is typical da after that the single side is very smooth. I would disagree that the trigger is garbage. Or the SA 9 defender, the trigger is awesome, 13 rds, 9mm.

 

[SwampWolf]

I recently bought the CZ 2075 RAMI in 9 mm shown here,

J-Bar, thanks for the information. I'm kind of warming up to the CZ RAMI. Is yours the alloy version or the polymer version? I prefer metal to plastic for most applications but the RAMI P (polymer) is lighter in weight, has adjustable sights (I only have a 2007 CZ catalog to compare specs) and is substantially cheaper.
Finally, in terms of having a firearm for self-defense, reliability is everything imo. How reliable has your RAMI been? Thanks.

 

[bannockburn]

J-Bar

I normally carry the CZ in "revolver" mode, one in the chamber, hammer down, safety off, since I am used to carrying the Model 60. So the first shot is double action, but all the rest are single action. I'm pleased with it.

That's pretty much what I do with my S&W Model 649 or 638 and my Kahr CM9. Since the Kahr is DAO it's no big deal trigger-wise to switch between the three guns.

 

[J-Bar]

J-Bar, thanks for the information. I'm kind of warming up to the CZ RAMI. Is yours the alloy version or the polymer version? I prefer metal to plastic for most applications but the RAMI P (polymer) is lighter in weight, has adjustable sights (I only have a 2007 CZ catalog to compare specs) and is substantially cheaper.
Finally, in terms of having a firearm for self-defense, reliability is everything imo. How reliable has your RAMI been? Thanks.

Mine is metal. I like how a few more ounces help dampen recoil. I have run 2 boxes (100 rounds) of Armscor 115 grain FMJ, 15 rounds of Hornady Critical Defense 115 grain FTX hollow points, and five rounds of Federal Premium 124 grain hollow points through it with no malfunctions. I don’t (yet) reload 9 mm, and factory ammo has been tough to find, particularly the hollow points, so I have been conserving it. Much of my practice has been 2 and 3 shot drills, getting used to the difference in feel from the first shot (double action) to the subsequent shots in single action. The 115 grain slugs impact about 2” below POA at 10 yards, windage is just fine. Slide stays open after the last shot.

I also bought an Uplula magazine loader, which is a godsend. I wish I had invented that gizmo. A delight to use.

 

[Lt Shaffer]

My primary carry is a Sig P365 with manual safety. It's really pretty optimal in every respect and it shoots nicely. Since I got it, I haven't wanted to carry anything else. You owe it to yourself to try one.

 

[Old Dog]

My primary carry is a Sig P365 with manual safety. It's really pretty optimal in every respect and it shoots nicely. Since I got it, I haven't wanted to carry anything else. You owe it to yourself to try one.

Or the 365XL with a manual safety (since the OP specified that he favored such). But I'm starting to believe the 365XL is the perfect carry pistol. Size, weight, capacity. Light, easy to carry. 12 plus 1 with a spare 15-round mag, slim, tiny, almost weightless yet great sights, superb trigger, amazingly accurate.

 

[5-SHOTS]

Some other options:
a used Walther P99C AS;
Ruger Security 9 Compact or Compact Pro;
Taurus G3C.

 

[Spats McGee]

I'm planning on replacing the pistol I carry concealed every day (a Smith Model 6906) for something lighter, flatter and thinner-but for one that's just as reliable. I like hammers and safeties on pistols I carry close to my body. At this time, I'm considering the SA Model XD-E, the Ruger Model SR 9c and the SIG Model 365. Though a hammer is not essential, a manually operated safety is. Also, for capacity reasons, the pistol has to be chambered in 9mm Luger.

Finally, I want a quality IWB holster with a thumb-break to carry the pistol comfortably concealed in

Thanks for any comments, opinions and especially inputs from those that might have experience with the pistols in question. Recommendations for other candidates sharing the same features are also welcome.

Let me say that, on the holster, I got nothing. Someone may know of an IWB with a thumb break, but it ain't me. I do wish you luck on finding one, though.

All 3 of the pistols you listed are fine weapons, but of the 3, I like the Ruger SR9c. My caveat is that I haven't shot any of them. I have held examples of each of them many times, and the Ruger fits my hand much better than the others. (And I'm kind of a Ruger fan, to be honest.) I'd like to pick up an SR9c. 10 rounds of 9mm, with an SR9 17 round backup mag? You could do worse.

For the "other pistols" category, I like the S&W Shield. I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, but I'm awfully impressed with the Shield. I got my first one in 2017, and I'm probably closing in on 1K rounds through it (9mm 1.0 model). Realistically, it's more accurate than I'm capable of getting out of it. As far as reliability, it's been better than my Glock was at the same round count. It hasn't had a single hiccup yet. It just cruises right along, regardless of cheap ammo, different ammo weights, dirty gun .... none of it makes any difference. It goes bang, and a hole appears right where I was pointing it. And as a bonus after 3 years of EDC (usually in a leather OWB), the finish is almost perfect. Yes, they are available with a thumb safety.

 

[FFGColorado]

But I'm starting to believe the 365XL is the perfect carry pistol.

Be sure to factor in price tho..IMHO..

 

[the duck of death]

I carry a Taurus stainless G2C, 9mm--cheap, reliable, I like the re strike capability.

 

[Old Dog]

Be sure to factor in price tho..IMHO..

What does that mean? You can pick them up well under 500 bucks out the door, some packages include three magazines, and they come with stock with the superb SIGLite night sights and big dot XS front sight.

I don't think you can touch any sub-compact pistols with the reliability and superb triggers of the 365s at anywhere near their price point. Sure, you can score a little plastic craptastic pistol almost as small, with similar capacity but more MIM and cheap polymer molding, with inferior sights and a crappy trigger for $300. Why not get something that's also fun to shoot at the range? A buddy brought a little Taurus to the range recently, bragging on how inexpensive it was. The trigger was heinous. After he shot one of my 365s, he informed me that he'd seen the light.

Buy cheap, you get cheap. As most of us have discovered the hard way, this particularly applies to firearms.

Why go budget if you don't have to on something you (presumably) will be betting your life on?