Searching for a new carry gun

[Sergei Mosin]

I have carried a variety of handguns since I first started carrying several years ago. Most of them have been large service-type pistols - most notably the 1911 and P229. Lately I have found myself foregoing the big guns in favor of a Ruger LCR. But I want to get back to carrying something more capable.

I initially chose the 1911 because it's easy for me to conceal - it carries IWB quite nicely and if an all-steel 5-inch model is a little long and heavy, well, I could always get an alloy-framed Commander - and I liked the idea of a bigger cartridge. At the time I wasn't too concerned about capacity. I also liked the idea of a manual safety.

However, as time went on I began to favor a gun with higher capacity and without a safety. This was in part because of an incident in which I drew my 1911 and thought I would have to shoot two highly aggressive dogs. Fortunately they were driven away by other actions and I didn't have to shoot. Afterwards I realized that I had not swiped off the safety - whether I had forgotten or not yet made the conscious decision to shoot, I've never been sure. I realize that this is a training issue, but I've forgotten to take the dang thing off on a square range when I did want to shoot. While I've never had any doubt in my ability to shoot the 1911 rapidly and accurately, it shook my confidence in the utility of a safety. And faced with multiple opponents, even canines, the statistics are not in favor of the 1911. I'm reasonably certain I could have neutralized one of the dogs. I'm not sure about the second.

So that drove me toward a different weapon, one holding more rounds and without a manual safety. I still wanted a larger cartridge, so I eventually settled on a P229R DAK in .40 S&W. It's a fine gun; I like the trigger system and even if I'm still not a huge fan of the .40 cartridge - I can get more hits faster with 9mm or even a doublestack .45 - my performance is acceptable. However, the thing is hard to carry. It's too fat. If I can't get comfortable carrying it in a Milt Sparks VM2, I don't know if I'll ever be comfortable carrying it IWB. (I'm open to other IWB suggestions.) And it's too long to carry OWB around here in summer (which is T-shirt weather.)

Meanwhile, I've been carrying my LCR on and off. Lightweight, disappears in a pocket, excellent for deep concealment, great trigger, I shoot it well...but only five shots. It's all well and good to bring a gun, but it's important to bring enough gun, too.

All that being said, I'm looking for a new carry gun. I'm OK with 9mm, but nothing smaller. I want at least 10 rounds, preferably more. I don't want a manual safety. I want to carry it OWB under a T-shirt, although I could be convinced to try IWB again if the slide is thin enough. What do you recommend?

 

[righteoushoot]

Glock 19 in a CompTac minautor holster with a good forward cant. I often carry the bigger G31 in same manner. 19 might be easier with just the T though.

 

[mdauben]

Glock 19 in a CompTac minautor holster with a good forward cant.

Hard to go wrong with this advice. If you don't mind trading capacity for caliber, the Glock 36 has virtually the same width slide but is a single-stack .45ACP. If the 19 is still a bit large for you, the Glock 26 is a great gun, too. Should be no problem carrying IWB under a t-shirt. My personal preference is the Milt Sparks Summer Special holster, although a number of other holster companies make similar products (Galco Summer Comfort, etc.)

 

[IBEWBULL]

Glock 27

The 27 is a decent option for an auto.

Or...... your LCR and another snub. you 10 rounds and a back up.

Pocket carry and an IWB or shoulder holster works well. Just another option.
I like my 36 and 642 paired up.

 

[Mainsail]

I suggest the XDs in .45 with the extended magazine. Not ten rounds but close.

 

[tomrkba]

There is no point in switching to 40 S&W or 357 SIG if you shoot 9mm and 45 ACP better. Attending a two to four day defensive handgun course is always preferable to purchasing new guns.

It sounds like you need a battery of guns that covers the entire spectrum of dress that you use. This means:

1) A small pocket gun such as the Ruger LCP, SIG P238, SIG P938, Kahr PM9 and similar.
2) Your Ruger LCR for a very small and concealable belt gun. The Glock 26/27/33, S&W M&P 9 Compact, Kahr K9 and similar fill this niche.
3) SIG P229 for a near full size belt gun.

If you dislike the P229 and the 1911, then sell them. There is no reason to keep them around unless you think you may buy them again. In that case, stick them in the safe and take them to the range periodically.

There are so many good options today that it can be difficult to decide. I recommend buying a bunch of ammo and borrowing guns from friends. Try everything out.

If you still have no idea what to get, then buy a Kahr PM9, Glock 26 (or equivalent) and Glock 19, or the equivalent guns from competing manufacturers. These three guns will do everything you need them to do (for defense against humans) except pass a cavity search. If you need to pass a cavity search, then take a look at the little NAA revolvers.

 

[burk]

You might check the Glock 30S, it's the same width as the 36, but holds 10 +1 of 45 Acp. I carry the 30SF which is closer to a 19 in width and find it comfortable in an Alien gear IWB holster. As far as multiple shots for Cannine threats, I've had to use a pistol once (glock 23) in SD on three very aggressive ferral dogs. I can assure you that one shot does the trick. A gun is loud, dogs run.

 

[98Redline]

My biggest beef with glocks has always been the width of the slide. It is simply too wide for me to carry comfortably.

I will give a 2nd nod to the XDs in .45. With the flush mag, it literally disappears under a t-shirt and at right at 1" wide, does not require a too much space in your pants when worn IWB.
Add the extended mag and you have 7+1.

Accuracy wise, mine has been stellar, with accuracy exceeding that of my Springfield Loaded Champion 1911.

 

[zeke4351]

Check out the Sig P239 either in .40 or .357 Sig. A standard Sig 9mm barrel will fit the gun and drop right in. It can't be changed from original 9mm back to one of the other calibers because the slide on the .40 and .357 is larger. The P229 SAS Gen ll in 9mm is smaller than my older Sig P229 .357 Sig. because of the grips and no rail. The P239 .357 Sig is my favorite carry gun.

 

[righteoushoot]

I think the only sig I would consider now is the 239 in .357 sig

 

[B.O.F.H.]

Sig 224.

 

[1prcntr]

Sig P6 would work.

 

[BSA1]

10 rounds means a double stack magazine and wider grip frame.

The SIG P239 9mm is a slim single stack 8 round magazine plus one in the chamber gives you nine shots and much easier to conceal.

 

[zerobarrier]

If capacity is your problem why not carry spare mages or speedloaders. I carry two extra 7rd mags with my 1911 giving me 21rds, two extra 10rd mags with my px4 storm for a total of 30rds, and four extra 5rd moon clips for my 45acp revolver for a total of 25rds. It doesn't take long to reload 5sec or less, with practice 3sec. So I would find a pistol I am comfortable with, that is comfortable to carry, and carry some spare mags

 

[krupparms]

The S&W, SD9VE or SD40VE. These are about the same size as the mid size glocks. They cost less, hold more rounds & work great! Or the Kel-Tec, P-11 . These are priced less &are both good guns! Just a thought!

 

[CoalTrain49]

You need a Glock. I'm not a Glock fan as I prefer revolvers for the simplicity of the action but you have just gone through what most people do in a stressful situation, a breakdown of a conditioned reflex. Maybe it was never there to begin with. Safeties are a problem in a stressful situation. Eliminate that right now. Remember that most encounters where there is an exchange of fire end in 3 rounds fired. You don't need high capacity to end the threat.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

Thanks for all the responses. Some thoughts on what's been suggested so far...

-I see a lot of suggestions for large-ish guns and IWB carry. I'm trying to get away from IWB, and not to put too fine a point on it, I'm not going to shove a Glock down my pants. They're too wide in the slide. So how big a gun can be carried OWB with a T-shirt for cover? I don't know the answer to this one.

-I'm not willing to trade capacity for caliber. I'm moving in the opposite direction - I'm trying to gain capacity and I'm willing to sacrifice caliber for that.

-reloads are all well and good and I've always carried one, but they're no substitute for rounds already in the gun.

-a lot of nice low-capacity guns have been suggested, but they don't suit my purposes. I've got a P6 and it's a great gun but I'm after more rounds.

-tomrkba is on the right track when he says I need a battery of guns, but I think I really only need two for carry - a pocket gun (the LCR) and a concealable belt gun. That's the one I'm trying to find.

-the P224 is intriguing, but it doesn't seem like SIG has solved the reliability problems yet.

-for the first time since I started shooting, I'm giving serious thought to a Glock. I've never cared for them, for a variety of reasons, but the Gen4 pistols correct some of the problems I have with them.

-maybe I ought to just buy a good OWB holster for my P229 and see if I can conceal the gun that way or if I really do need a smaller gun.

 

[priler]

Browning BDM.(thin all the way around,the grip is ingenious and the slide maintains JMB preference for thin design).

Ruger SR9.(relatively contoured slide compared to G19 with very thin grip).


Walther P99.(even more contoured slide than SR9,a complete melt job from factory comes standard and the grip is thinner on the sides than PPQ).

however,given that you've already dismissed the G19,which is the standard in small but full size duty pistol,i don't think there is any hope for you until you fully resolve your carry dilemma. you really need to look into what a true and proper Gun Belt with the correct holster can actually accomplish with IWB.

you may also want to look at the STI Tactical 3.0,Tactical 4.0 and VIP. i'd also suggest that you look at other polymer gripped 1911 designs out there as the polymer makes thinness with hi-cap possible and 1911 slides are usually thin.


be careful with simply reading factory specs(dimensions etc.) as more than likely you will very easily be fooled. example: a Walther p99 is not actually 1.3" wide,not really.

 

[HorseSoldier]

-I see a lot of suggestions for large-ish guns and IWB carry. I'm trying to get away from IWB, and not to put too fine a point on it, I'm not going to shove a Glock down my pants. They're too wide in the slide. So how big a gun can be carried OWB with a T-shirt for cover? I don't know the answer to this one.

I used to carry double stack pistols IWB a lot and even with various holsters I never got a really good set up with polymer framed or alloy framed pistols -- I think it's something about the relative weight of the loaded magazine compared to the weight of the pistol itself. I did not have the same issue with carrying a High Power -- I think the smaller magazine capacity (I've always used 13 rounders) and steel frame worked better.

The solution for me was going to OWB carry. Of course, I live somewhere where even in the summer most days you'd want to wear a light jacket, so OWB works for me in a way it might not have worked when I lived in the SE USA.

 

[Thompsoncustom]

Not sure if this fits your requirements or not.

CZ 75b or other 75 variations

It's a DA/SA pistol so you carry hammer down with safety off or cocked and locked but since you said no safety you have to go hammer down. Comes with a 16rd flush fitting mag but if you want more u can get a + 2 mec gar and mod the follower so it holds 20rds and you only gain a 1in off the bottom.

There are also different versions like the PCR which is smaller and has a alloy frame so it's better suited for those who like lighter weapons to carry. Also have railed version, docker versions, no firing pin block version, ect.

I've carried one for years and just as thin as my 1911.

 

[Goju]

Here's something that may check all the boxes for you...H&K USP Compact in 9mm. 13 rd capacity, thinnish grip width for a double stack. The V1 model can be carried in condition one if you want to forego the DA/SA second shot transition.

 

[righteoushoot]

just curious if you ever actually tried on a CompTac minautor holster? I think it does a very good job at minimizing any additional thickness and snugs in tight but comfortably.

Right now I have on a G33 in this set up, with a +2 base pad. That's 12 rounds of .357 sig with a 15 rd. G31 backup mag. It really is very comfy. if you know anyone with this holster, see if you can try it on.

 

[tomrkba]

Here are several Glock 26 equivalents from S&W, HK, SIG, etc. Take a look at the S&W M&P 9C. It is not quite a full size gun and not quite a small gun. It may be the compromise you are looking for (after adding APEX parts).

Add a Kahr PM9 and Ruger LCP and all clothing situations are covered.

 

[snooperman]

I do not know what your weight tolerances are for a CCW but I like the SIG P225 that I carry as well as S&W 3913LS. I just bought a new Sphinx Compact SDP 9mm and at 29 oz I plan on carrying it soon. Good luck on your search and have fun.

 

[zerobarrier]

Could always go FN 5.7 with 30rd mags or even Kaltec PMR30 which holds 30rds 22mag