Though I am not a Glock fan, I have several and was issued one for decades so am used to them. They don't fit my hand well, but they do tend to work well. If I am not carrying a S&W N-Frame or a 1911, I will throw a Glock 43X with the Shield Arms 15 round mags in a pocket holster or a belt holster and call it good. Though I do like my S&W 13-4 in .357 magnum just as much!
New concealed carry pistol recommendations
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Though I am not a Glock fan, I have several and was issued one for decades so am used to them. They don't fit my hand well, but they do tend to work well. If I am not carrying a S&W N-Frame or a 1911, I will throw a Glock 43X with the Shield Arms 15 round mags in a pocket holster or a belt holster and call it good. Though I do like my S&W 13-4 in .357 magnum just as much!
I have carried CCW for over 50 years. I migrated from 1911 government model 10 mms down to a Colt Defender 45. Old age and infirmities led me to look for something smaller and lighter.
When I picked up a Sig P65 with a manual safety I quit looking.
I put a Magguts magazine conversion kit in the 10 round magazine which gives me 13 rounds that I can pocket carry if necessary. The standard 12 round mag and another one is used if I carry OWB.
If the BG or me ain’t down after all of that ammo is expended, neither one of us was very dangerous.
When I picked up a Sig P65 with a manual safety I quit looking.
I put a Magguts magazine conversion kit in the 10 round magazine which gives me 13 rounds that I can pocket carry if necessary. The standard 12 round mag and another one is used if I carry OWB.
If the BG or me ain’t down after all of that ammo is expended, neither one of us was very dangerous.
westernrover
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Consider selling the airweight and the Kimber to raise your budget.
I'm not going to tell you what to buy, but I'll repeat some advice from Clint Smith in my own terms:
Don't think about what gun you want to carry. Think about how you are going to fight with what you have.
I never think about what is easy or comfortable to carry. I don't carry something to be a comfortable or stylish accessory. I carry it in the event that I'll need to fight.
It's not practical to ask ourselves what we'd like to fight with, because we'd all choose a rifle or an M1 tank. If we instead think about how we're going to fight with what we have, we should be confronted by the shortcomings of a lot of the most comfortable (or stylish) weapons systems. I think some of the most practical ways to come to terms with these things is to take intensive training or shoot a match with the gun.
I'm not going to tell you what to buy, but I'll repeat some advice from Clint Smith in my own terms:
Don't think about what gun you want to carry. Think about how you are going to fight with what you have.
I never think about what is easy or comfortable to carry. I don't carry something to be a comfortable or stylish accessory. I carry it in the event that I'll need to fight.
It's not practical to ask ourselves what we'd like to fight with, because we'd all choose a rifle or an M1 tank. If we instead think about how we're going to fight with what we have, we should be confronted by the shortcomings of a lot of the most comfortable (or stylish) weapons systems. I think some of the most practical ways to come to terms with these things is to take intensive training or shoot a match with the gun.
1st choice would be to get a good owb holster and carry one of the guns you have.
2nd choice would be a lightweight Commander size 1911. The Ruger is 29 oz and about $850 online.
If you are really just looking for a new gun you've been given a lot of good options. One not yet mentioned is the Ruger Max-9. 12 rounds 9mm. Tritium sights standard. Edges melted. A version has a safety.
Good luck!
2nd choice would be a lightweight Commander size 1911. The Ruger is 29 oz and about $850 online.
If you are really just looking for a new gun you've been given a lot of good options. One not yet mentioned is the Ruger Max-9. 12 rounds 9mm. Tritium sights standard. Edges melted. A version has a safety.
Good luck!
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JR24
Member
Try as I might, I can’t find a better option than my 365XL. Even in the winter when I typically carry a bigger gun, it’s just too easy to carry and shoot well. Highly recommend the Wilson frame, very worth the extra $65 IMO.
Styx
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Springfield Hellcat. They can be had for $430 NIB online without the optic cut or around $488 with the optic cut.
Hellcat OSP (optic ready) with ambi thumb safety and APEX trigger. I carry mine OWB in a leather pancake holster with nothing more than a medium t-shirt on this past summer. I can't get away with doing that with a M&P shield or any subcompact double stacks without printing or the muzzle end peekabooing.
Standard capacity is 11+1 or 13×1, and the 11 round mag can be carried with the supplied pinky extension or with the flat base plate. 15 round mags are also available.
The first three mags are the 15 rounders, the next three are the 13 rounders, the last is the 11 rounder with pinky extension installed.
Hellcat OSP (optic ready) with ambi thumb safety and APEX trigger. I carry mine OWB in a leather pancake holster with nothing more than a medium t-shirt on this past summer. I can't get away with doing that with a M&P shield or any subcompact double stacks without printing or the muzzle end peekabooing.
Standard capacity is 11+1 or 13×1, and the 11 round mag can be carried with the supplied pinky extension or with the flat base plate. 15 round mags are also available.
The first three mags are the 15 rounders, the next three are the 13 rounders, the last is the 11 rounder with pinky extension installed.
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FL-NC
Member
I am very fond of my S&W shield.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Go with your Kimber and a Simply Rugged pancake holster. Modify the holster by drilling two holes near the toe -- one on either side of the end of the slide. Cut two 7X1" strips of heavy Kydex. Round the corners and drill a hole in one end. Heat the other end and bend it at the tip. Then heat it further down and bend it again. Attach the strips (these are called "reverse J-hooks") to the holster with Chicago (post) screws.Hi everyone,
I have a S&W Airweight Revolver and a .45ACP Kimber custom carry II.
i am looking for a low profile midsized pistol that i can conceal under a loose button up shirt. OWB is preferable but i want something slim enough and with smooth edges for comfortable IWB when necessary. It needs to be 9mm or .45ACP. It needs a minimum capacity of 8+1 rounds of .45ACP or 12+1 rounds of 9mm. A manual thumb safety is required because i like to carry with a round in the chamber and it makes me feel better. Hammer fired is preferred but not required. I would like to keep it under $800 but $1000 is my firm Maximum.
To use, slide the holster between your pants and body. The hooked ends will be outside and will grab your belt. Put your gun on with your belt a little loose, and stuff your shirt into the gap between pants and holster, and tuck the rest in. Position your gun and tighten your belt. Then pull out a couple of inches of shirt all around and let it hang naturally.
Viola! Your gun has disappeared.
SniperStraz
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- Nov 13, 2006
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- 871
3 best current offerings in my opinion:
Springfield Hellcat
Glock 43x
Sig P365
Springfield Hellcat
Glock 43x
Sig P365
SandMtn
Member
New CCW member here (recently retired below the Mason-Dixon Line and loving it), and my P365XL in a Milt Sparks leather holster is beyond comfortable. I'll report back when my new Beretta PX4 Storm Carry arrives...
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Yep after years of carrying a commander size 1911 I tried one of the XLs and was pleasantly surprised. The wife carried an officer size 1911 and shot my 365XL one day. We both carry the 365XL with MS now days...
halfmoonclip
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- Feb 4, 2011
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Among the better things about the 365 platform is the independent FCG. Want to turn your standard 365 into an X? Just order a different, factory, gripframe for maybe $50. Or try the Wilson Combat version for not much more.
Want a manual safety, and your pistol doesn't have one? Order the OEM parts, and install them yourself...easy/peasy too. You don't have to be John Browning.
Barrels, slides (mit optic cut, if desired) are available as well.
If you suffer buyer's remorse, just change anything that doesn't suit.
A Glockfanboi buddy has finally yielded to the goodness, with the addition of the Wilson gripframe.
Moon
Want a manual safety, and your pistol doesn't have one? Order the OEM parts, and install them yourself...easy/peasy too. You don't have to be John Browning.
Barrels, slides (mit optic cut, if desired) are available as well.
If you suffer buyer's remorse, just change anything that doesn't suit.
A Glockfanboi buddy has finally yielded to the goodness, with the addition of the Wilson gripframe.
Moon
- Status
