9mm for Concealed Carry

Holstering is key, going down this rabbit hole now. I’m trying to find a local gun shop with a lot of holster in stock, right.

 

Glock 43X!

 

If you like the comfort of leather but want passive retention, check out the urban carry leather lock. I absolutely love mine.

 

I've got a Glock 43 with a grip extension so its very similar to the G43X. Good handgun. Only holds 6 rounds with one chambered. No safety other than the Glock trigger safety. It's being used with an IWB holster and is easily concealable. As far as cost, buy out of state if you can. I'm in NC and I think they can be had for less than $600.

**EDIT**
Just checked and Bass Pro Shops has them for $450!

 

Canik TP9 elite SC

 

True statement here for many of us I'm sure. This is my .02 cents as a daily carry. I came from a k frame, 1911, and now a micro. Two things stand out to me as a daily carry person other than what many have said here (holster!!).

The first is the capacity and weight - I loved the smoothness and accuracy of the k frame wagon wheel, but hated that all I had was 6 rounds. I will tell you that from my experience in the Corps (and I'm sure others can say the same, 6 rounds is no where near enough in a real life situation because after 6 shots you get panicked and feel naked instantly! Also, as a civilian and concealed carry....weight is a big deal for me. I want to carry in the pocket during the summer with a pocket holster and not have the damn thing pull my shorts down to my ankles like the 1911!! lol (there is a funny story in here). I also don't want it to stick out like a sore thumb visually.

Second, I want a gun that I can draw as smooth and fast as possible for reactions to threats (this is possibly the most important aspect of even carrying a gun for self defense.....faster draw and accurate shooting wins and mostly done within 12 feet of each other!). So the last thing on my mind is a hammer I have to cock or get caught on clothing, sights that aren't already on constantly, and as many have stated a holster that requires double safeties just to get out (of course not having a round chambered defeats the purpose of having a carry as others have stated).

I carry a hellcat rdp for this reason, but to each their own. All depends on your sausage fingers, comfort, and personal choice. Anything you don't like (I wanted a crisper trigger and short reset) you can change out with aftermarket suppliers just like our trucks. Sorry for the long read, I enjoyed everyone's responses and suggestions (like the sigs/glocks!! great choices) but I understand where you're coming from and as someone stated....it's like buying shoes....heavy and clunky maybe your style or you just may want a pair of sandals. lol

 

Excellent points! The main reason I was looking at autos was for more capacity! But my comfort and confidence in revolvers wins over autos for me. Many people don’t remember but many years ago back in the day LEO duty weapons were all revolvers. That’s what we used and were quite proficient. There is a tendency to stick with what you know and are comfortable with. I know current conventional wisdom and thinking says go with autos but being old school I’m just going to stay with my revolvers. Want to say again , thanks to all for the great and thoughtful responses.
And virginiamarine thank you for your service

 

Hard to beat a Canik for the bang for the buck ratio, great pistols.

 

During warm weather, I carry a 9mm Sig 228 for CC. The Sig P320 Pro carry with Romeo Optic sights is on my wish list to buy.

 

If you're OK with handling a glock, the G19 is kind of the Accord/Camry of the pistol world; not likely to impress anyone, but functions when you need it. Lots of options for IWB/OWB kydex holsters around for that model (unless you put a laser on the rail). Also with the Glock, you have the option to carry a G26 as a "backup" and have the reload mag be compatible to both frames.

If you do go with a Glock, I'd recommend the Vickers/Tango Down controls (slide and mag release), and some kind of after-market sights though. For a company that used the word "perfection" as a slogan, their products do tend to need some tweaking right out of the box. My typical "kit" that I buy with any new (or new to me) Glock includes those TD/Vickers controls, Talon grip tape, usually Truglo or Ameriglo sights, and a stainless or tungsten guide rod (often with a 5-10% heavier recoil spring)

I'm in L.A. County, so no CCW for me, but I do have a couple of smaller Glock "just in case" pistols around for when/if the "Mad Max" scenario that always feels like it's 6 weeks away here actually gets kicked off and the danger of being empty handed gets to be worse than the risk of getting searched randomly.

 

G19

Kydex IWB

 

The important thing is that you carry and are proficient with it.

 

Don’t get anything with a laser….that’s pleb status. I’d say Glock 19. I’ve had most of todays popular carry guns and I always go back to the 19.

 

I wouldn't say a laser is pleb status, they can still be useful on some guns; I know several people who like them on J frame Smiths for example, and they are handy for learning instinctive shooting- something everyone should have at least a basic grasp of since you may not be able to get into a perfect firing position, you may have to use the gun weak handed, you may have something like blood running in your face, you may have lost your glasses or a contact lens in a scuffle or crash, etc. A lot of folks like them on those Shockwaves as well. They do seem to have fallen out of whatever favor they had with the exception of shooting with NVGs, but that's another can of expensive/very expensive worms.

 

Yeah, I like my lasers, when you’re not in a good position to aim, just put the dot on it and shoot. Under the car at the legs and feet, etc etc etc, I see lots of uses for my laser.

 

My smith and wesson shield has been fine as a cc subcompact in that price range

i think it’s worth a look at the sig p365 too

 

I love my P365 too. I am with you about the fancy red dots. In close quarter or most self defense
scenario's you just point and aim. Pew Pew

 

I know this is an older post...but... best I can tell, LA County is now issuing. Be prepared for it to take over a year to go thru the process but seems they no longer require "good cause" and just require that you meet all the other requirements (i.e. no sketchy criminal record). Apply with your local PD if you have one or with LA County Sherriff if your city doesn't have it's own PD.