concealed carry options

I love my CZ P-01 9mm paired with a IWB Crossbreed holster for CC. I shot it the better and it felt better in my hand than a glock, s&w, ruger, Springfield, sig, and beretta. Never had an issue with it after 1500 rounds, not a single jam with mixed clips.

So sure, others have more accessories, but no one is greater than the other because it's personal preference. I will suggest a 9mm though.

 

I by no means meant to put Glock down. They do have a proven track record. That record is flawless operation, in the worst possible conditions. That has taken a hit, with the G4, even if ever so slightly. They also changed the trigger set up, which makes it harder to do an accurate trigger job. Not impossible, just harder. My statement about the rail, was that there are 3 settings to the S&W. Only 1 setting to the Glock.


I was recently in the same position as the OP, looking for an awesome utility/carry pistol. I too shopped the Glock and the S&W. At first I was just completely sold on Glock, however the more research I did, I found that the S&W is just as good, equally priced and has plenty of aftermarket options. Disclaimer: I haven't purchased either one yet...however Bud's Guns is running a police trade in deal on S&W 9mm for $389 w/ free shipping. That's a pretty good deal. I personally like the thumb safety, and the ambi mag release. Glock will always shoot well, and feel good in a large percentage of peoples hands just from the design.


My post was to simply state that Glock isn't the only game in town anymore. For the last two decades, they have been. I personally feel that S&W M&P has the ability to compete if not overtake. May never happen, but they make a great pistol, for this specific use, that will compete.

 

I'm really into the Sig Sauer P250 Compact .40

Feels perfect in my hands, the longer trigger takes a little getting used to but you can buy a slightly shorter trigger.

 

Don't take this the wrong way but 'more difficult to do a trigger job' is something a M&P fanboi would say. I don't do trigger jobs on my Glocks because they don't need them. I did a polish job on a couple some years ago but really didn't feel too big of a difference to even do it on all of them. It's really nothing you won't get eventually from use anyway. All of my M&Ps needed aftermarket fire control groups to be even close to the Glock out of the box. Once that was done they were fantastic and probably even better than the Glock slightly in travel/take-up & break but the reset was still worse and to me this is more important when firing strings of shots. Travel & take-up is a one-time deal mostly whereas your reset is critical when speed is a concern. The Glock's reset is almost showing off with a positive CLICK as well as an audible CLICK.. it's Odin's reset if he were to have a perfect one. I guess we all have different standards that we hold in higher value than others.

What do you mean about the rail differences? 3 rail settings, 1 rail setting... so? One some of my Glocks I throw a TLR1 or X300 and I'm done. I've never felt any reason to 'adjust' anything and that goes for handguns that I own that do indeed have full rails. The light goes in the same position on all of them if it wears one. I don't hold really any value in having more positions than the one that I use because I will likely never use one. To me the previous things I mentioned are more important.

M&P handguns have been around for a while and aren't going to put Glock out of business anytime soon. They're not terrible but I know for myself and most that I know Glock is still top dog for many reasons.

 

Got the XDS in a .45...Love it!...and with the Crossbreed Holster it fits snug and is super comfortable I have no idea its even there. Although the holster takes months to come in.

 

Hey guys, I plan on getting a Concealed Handgun SOON.
As i deal with a lot of selling and buying from craigslist, like meeting strangers.

Hopefully you guys can give me some advice....

I got my eyes on the Springfield XDS or the XD .40

Really like how the XDS is designed, however when i have it in my hand. It does feel small, and without the extended mag, the handle is too short for me to get a full grasp on.
Thinner and a grippy handle desgin.

The XD .40 fits much better, like fuller in my hand.
However it is a bit thicker compare to the XDS.
Also cheaper.

PS: I am a newbie with guns, but there is this ONE and only time, i went shooting with a friend using his guns, he had like big boxes of ammo. And i tried going to academy to look for ammos, all i can find are the small boxes with like 20 bullets each box for $20+

Where do i buy those cheap training bulk boxes ammo?

 

Shoot the 9mm version if you get a chance. The trigger is actually much better than that in the .45acp version. I think they've updated to the 9mm trigger in the .45acp or at least were talking about it so depending on how old yours is maybe it has the same trigger. Dunno but worth checking out if you get a chance to shoot one.

 

I bought mine off a dude for $300.00 bucks... He bought it when they first came out and never shot it. The .45 is pretty controllable though and never had an issue. I haven't felt the 9mm trigger to compare yet.

 

Buy the ammo at Walmart or gander mountain.... As for the XDS....I would go with the 9mm if you want to carry. Much cheaper to shoot and practice with and very small....I have the XDS in a .45acp and also a Sub-Compact XD .45. The Sub-Compact is a nice range gun and accurate at longer distances but not suitable for carrying. Too Fat.

 

Don't buy a conceal carry gun for how well it fits your hand. That's only important for something you will put thousands of rounds through. Your carry, as I've said already, will be a compromise between comfort and conceal-ability with the emphasis being put on the latter. Doesn't matter how well your gun 'fits' your hand because if you need it it's better to have something your pinky hangs off of then have nothing at all because it's home in your safe because it was too big/bulky to carry that day. I think people get way too hung up on comfort in a firearm which should be near the bottom of the list of desires when it comes to a carry weapon since comfort normally translates into size & weight.

 

What website would it be lol?

 

Ostrich said it right....weapons are drawn when the person attacking you is inches from you or already has you... If you enjoy shooting go with a nice grip, one that's comfortable.


Cheaper than dirt.com has those ammo packs in bulk.


Natchez shooting supply does as well

 

I'm by no means a fanboy, of either pistol. The Glock fanboys are going to need to come to terms with the fact that other manufacturers are catching up finally. My statement on the trigger job difficulty is honestly a regurgitation from a local gunsmith who works on primarily Glocks.


Rail differences...Depending on the size of light, or laser you prefer, having different settings will be beneficial. Especially since different people have different size hands and also shoot with different mechanics.


Comfort is key. In carrying, concealing and shooting. It builds confidence.


I have stated before, I am no fanboy of either. I actually carry a Taurus PT-145.


And these debates are much like, "X tires are better than Y tires" or, "X lift is better than Y lift". I didn't mean to start a debate about it, just posting the information I came across in my research.

 

The ONLY determining factor between weather you should buy a glock or an M&P IMHO, is how it fits in your hand.

Before I bought my first M&P, I was a pre-sold Glock guy. Everyone one I knew owned and competed with Glocks. I had went with them to the range many times and fired one, and I shot awful with it. I figured it was just me, I needed practice with it. Then one day an astute marksman watched me aiming the Glock and stopped me. Made me close my eyes and aim again. He told me to put the Glock down and come with him.

He opens up his bag and brings out his 1911, and has me repeat the process. "Ok" he says, smiling and goes out to his truck. he comes back with another gun back and hands me his M&P 9 Pro Series 5". I knew even without even opening my eyes I loved that grip. He told me when I opened my eyes to look down the sights. As he surmised my natural point of aim was much better with the M&P grip angle.

So I'm an "M&P guy", but I have no hate or bias to Glock's. I have even learned over the years to shoot one almost as well as I can my M&P's, but I had to learn to compensate for the steeper grip angle, and it's not natural for me.

If you can help it, don't ever buy a gun before you put some rounds through one from a rental at the range, or a buddy or fellow range visitor. I've found waiving some money at a guy to fire a magazine or two through his gun works pretty well, especially if you have your own ammo with you.

At the least, handle one at the store as much as the clerk can stand it. Grip it from the counter or from your other hand, several times, aim at a fixed point up higher than head level, with your eyes closed several times, open your eyes and see if you are anywhere near what you thought you were aiming at. If they will allow it, dry fire it several times to make sure the guns trigger works with your hand. You can usually change trigger weight, but you can't always fix trigger travel and feel.

And if you do buy a gun you just don't like after you have put a few boxes of ammo through... it just feels unnatural, or even painful to fire... find a replacement and get rid of it. Does't mean it's a bad gun, it's just a bad gun for you.

 

I've carried several different guns from very compact pistols to full size 1911's. The most comfortable gun I've carried is a Kimber Solo, it's small and hardly noticeable while wearing. I'm currently a Walther PPS, this is bigger than the Solo but it's similar in thickness. I think thickness makes a big difference in how comfortable a gun is to carry. I would recommend any single stack compact gun that you like, as long as it's reliable, your life depends on it. The Walther PPS, S&W Shield, and Springfield XDS are all fine pistols.

 

I have a Sig Sauer P238 for my CCW due to size. Almost got a P938, but opted for small as possible. It just depends on what caliber/size you like.

 

I carry a S&W SD9VE with a Tommy Theis holster. Doesn't get any more comfortable.

 

I use to carry a Springfield XD-40sc and I absolutely loved it (still do). I just recently replaced it with a Springfield XDs-9. The XDs is so thin and so much more comfortable wearing inside the waistband. If I were to carry on my belt, I wouldn't hesitate to go back to my .40 cal. My setup is the XDs in a Comp-tac IWB holster with a Crossbreed belt.

 

Mine is the G23 gen 4 .40 cal. I use a crossbreed IWB holster with a S.O.E edc belt and absolutely LOVE it. For a mid frame pistol it is pretty comfy even while sitting in the taco with a seatbelt on. But in the end it is all about you and your preference and what you are comfortable with. My advice is go and shoot every one you can and take it from there.

 

I carry a glock 23 gen 2 in a white hat iwb holster and I love it so comfy and doesn't print