New Carry Pistol

ligonierbill · June 10, 2013, 01:07 PM

If you were going to treat yourself to a new carry pistol of the compact/subcompact variety, what would it be? Here's where I am: I carry either a Glock 23 IWB or a P32 in my pocket. I like the Glock, but carrying at 4 o'clock, the butt prints when I reach or stoop. A little on the heavy side, but that's OK. It does home guard duty anyway. The P32, well, it's convenient. I was not planning to switch calibers, I like the .40, but I would look at 9 mm or .45 ACP if that's what my best pistol choice happened to come in. Not looking for a caliber debate. Carry will be IWB. I hate to say cost no object, but I don't often buy a new gun, no matter what my wife says. No preference on manual of arms.

TunnelRat · June 10, 2013, 01:12 PM

Quote:

I was not planning to switch calibers, I like the .40, but I would look at 9 mm or .45 ACP if that's what my best pistol choice happened to come in.

Quote:

I hate to say cost no object, but I don't often buy a new gun, no matter what my wife says. No preference on manual of arms.

That's incredibly open ended, not even sure where to begin.

allaroundhunter · June 10, 2013, 01:21 PM

Are you wanting smaller than the Glock? Thinner? Honestly, if you are comfortable with the .40 then most any gun that you can find in 9mm you can also find in .40. The biggest exception to that right now being the Springfield XDs.

Would you like a manual safety or is that a deal breaker?

ligonierbill · June 10, 2013, 01:41 PM

Open ended is intended - looking for opinions, not analysis. Manual safety is OK. Maybe I should specify, smaller than a Glock 23, larger than a KelTec P32.

hardhat harry · June 10, 2013, 02:01 PM

How about a Glock 27?

Skans · June 10, 2013, 02:07 PM

The next step up from my Ruger LC9 will be a Boberg XR9S.

Broker · June 10, 2013, 02:35 PM

Sounds like you need a Kahr, or S&W Shield, in either 9 or 40.

BarryLee · June 10, 2013, 03:14 PM

I would also recommend the GLOCK G26/27 or maybe the Walther PPS.

TailGator · June 10, 2013, 04:26 PM

My EDC is a Glock 26, and I am entirely satisfied with it. Reliable, quite decent accuracy, and small enough to go anywhere.

If I was looking for something even smaller, though, I would have to look at the Sig P938. My wife bought a P238 and it is a gem. The biggest drawback to me would be the shrinking capacity.

huskybiker · June 10, 2013, 08:53 PM

Pretty content with both my M&P9C and Shield 9. Not a whole lot of difference size-wise, but the Shield is definitely for all day carry.

WBlacklidge · June 10, 2013, 09:12 PM

I hear a lot of great things about the latest S&W Shields they are exactly what you are looking for as far as size goes. When they first came out there were some minor issues but now they are great out of the box. I can't give you direct experience so I suggest you head over to mp-pistol or smith-wessonforum.

I know it isn't the size you are looking for but I shoot the M&P 40c and with just a barrel swap you can have a .357 Sig and with a barrel and mag swap you have a reliable 9mm. For range use you can toss in the 9mm barrel and use the 357/40 mags but no way I would suggest that for carry or any situation you need it to work all the time every time.

ClydeFrog · June 10, 2013, 10:06 PM

If you are happy with the Glock format but want a compact/sub-compact with a shorter grip, Id look at a Glock 30SF or the new 30S .45acp, maybe the thin type 36 which is great for deep carry.
The Glock 33 .357sig or 27 .40 is smart because you can pack the shorter magazine then carry a spare full size duty magazine or two.
I prefer the powerful, great feeding .357sig but the .40 or .45acp can do fine.

I'd buy Trijicon HD(orange front) night sights too. They are bright & long lasting. Other good brands include the new SIG DAK/SAS format P224 or the Beretta PX4 sub compact.

CF

ScotchMan · June 10, 2013, 10:23 PM

In my opinion the greatest carry gun out there right now is the H&K P2000sk. If you want something thinner for IWB I like the Walther PPS. These are my two top carry guns at the moment, with the preference being the H&K with the correct holster.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=493741

scottycoyote · June 12, 2013, 12:16 PM

i pocket carry a p32 as well, and sometimes carry a g27.....ive been looking for something myself to fill the void between those 2...im thinking either a shield, nano, pf9, or airweight jframe.

ligonierbill · June 12, 2013, 02:04 PM

Thanks for the input, folks. I met with success yesterday, but not in the way I expected. Came home with a S&W M&P 9 mm. That's right, a pistol slightly bigger than my Glock. I thought my wife would grudgingly agree to a new pistol, but have no interest in it. Wrong. She has started to shoot with me, loves the .22, but refuses to shoot the Glock 23 based on watching me. So, we looked at the Beretta Nano, Walther PPS, Sigs, the M&P, and the Ruger SR9c. Didn't see any Shields available. The surprise was the Ruger; nice little pistol. And all of the above would serve well for carry. But they are not the best for a beginning shooter. Hence, the M&P. So instead of being replaced as my carry piece, Miss Big Butt Glock is replaced for home guard duty with a gun that my wife can and does shoot. We went to the range today, and she handled it fine. I'm proud of her, given that this was the first time she fired a center fire handgun.

Range notes: I can certainly feel the difference in recoil between the .40 and 9, but not so much that it would make me choose one over the other. I like the M&P grip better (who doesn't) but I actually like the Glock trigger (mine has the light pull connector). In the Glock vs. M&P debate, I'm switching to S&W. Oh, my 23 is fine, but the new subcompacts are going to be a challenge in .40. Haven't tried a 27, but I doubt I could shoot it as well.

Carry plan: With the Glock relieved of home duty, I'll focus more on placement, maybe even consider a different holster. Currently use a Sidearmor IWB. Just for fun, I might try a .357 Sig barrel, but I doubt I will switch from .40S&W.

Next handgun: Only have one revolver, so I think I "need" the new 4" SP-101 in .357 Mag.

B.O.F.H. · June 13, 2013, 07:22 PM

I would recommend an appendix carry holster for your g23. I carry a beretta 92 in this location and it disappears.

Shad4532 · June 13, 2013, 07:28 PM

CM9 for me...its no target pistola but concealability and the 9mm punch swayed me to get it...I really like it...

arizona98tj · June 14, 2013, 12:51 AM

Quote:

If you were going to treat yourself to a new carry pistol of the compact/subcompact variety, what would it be?

A couple of months ago, I decided to do just that....and my choice was the Springfield XDs45. It's been everything I expected and a bit more.

Edit: Not only is it a great shooter, it takes a mean photo too!

hAkron · June 14, 2013, 07:31 AM

I'm a big fan of alloy framed compact CZ's in 9mm such as the PCR and the P-01. Also around the same size/weight, but available in 40 & 357 sig would be the Sig P229 and the Sig 239. Used you can usually find a CZ for under $450. The Sigs used are closer to $550.

kcub · June 14, 2013, 08:34 AM

Single stack or double stack? Most double stacks are going to print like your G23.

If single stack you may as well go with a compact .45 like a Colt officers model.

LRChops · June 15, 2013, 02:18 AM

KAHR PM45! A fantastic concealable .45 auto!

Forrest68 · June 22, 2013, 10:33 PM

I have the XDs .45 ACp as well as the Ruger SR9c, I most often carry the SR9c, and if you want tostay with .40 S&W Ruger makes a SR40c. I have easy over 4000 rounds threw the SR9c with ZERO issues. Personally I like the extra safety features but some don't, those being a manual thumb safety,trigger safety,mag release safety. Just some options, good luck with your choice.

Tomac · June 23, 2013, 11:41 AM

S&W M&P9c is my preferred CCW but I recently acquired a Kahr CM9 w/a Covert Carrier combo grip/clip for those times I simply can't carry the Smith:

Tomac

camsdaddy · June 24, 2013, 07:39 AM

I would recommend a sub compact Glock as well. Also look into a holster that has a little more forward cant. This alone could solve your problem. Disregard this idea if you are wanting to make another gun purchase.

Moe Howard · June 25, 2013, 08:41 PM

I have carried a kel-tec pf9 for the past 3 years (along with its little brother kel-tec 380) last summer I bought my 2nd M&P compact and love it. This summer I wanted to replace my pf9 with another single stack 9mm and after shooting my wife's Beretta Nano I now own one myself. We picked up both @ gun shows for $375 that makes it tough to beat in this category.

June 10, 2013, 01:07 PM	#1
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,648	New Carry Pistol If you were going to treat yourself to a new carry pistol of the compact/subcompact variety, what would it be? Here's where I am: I carry either a Glock 23 IWB or a P32 in my pocket. I like the Glock, but carrying at 4 o'clock, the butt prints when I reach or stoop. A little on the heavy side, but that's OK. It does home guard duty anyway. The P32, well, it's convenient. I was not planning to switch calibers, I like the .40, but I would look at 9 mm or .45 ACP if that's what my best pistol choice happened to come in. Not looking for a caliber debate. Carry will be IWB. I hate to say cost no object, but I don't often buy a new gun, no matter what my wife says. No preference on manual of arms.

June 10, 2013, 01:21 PM	#3
allaroundhunter Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2012 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 1,670	Re: New Carry Pistol Are you wanting smaller than the Glock? Thinner? Honestly, if you are comfortable with the .40 then most any gun that you can find in 9mm you can also find in .40. The biggest exception to that right now being the Springfield XDs. Would you like a manual safety or is that a deal breaker?

June 10, 2013, 03:14 PM	#8
BarryLee Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2010 Location: The ATL (OTP) Posts: 3,965	I would also recommend the GLOCK G26/27 or maybe the Walther PPS. __________________ A major source of objection to a free economy is precisely that it ... gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman

June 10, 2013, 10:06 PM	#12
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	My input... If you are happy with the Glock format but want a compact/sub-compact with a shorter grip, Id look at a Glock 30SF or the new 30S .45acp, maybe the thin type 36 which is great for deep carry. The Glock 33 .357sig or 27 .40 is smart because you can pack the shorter magazine then carry a spare full size duty magazine or two. I prefer the powerful, great feeding .357sig but the .40 or .45acp can do fine. I'd buy Trijicon HD(orange front) night sights too. They are bright & long lasting. Other good brands include the new SIG DAK/SAS format P224 or the Beretta PX4 sub compact. CF

June 13, 2013, 07:28 PM	#17
Shad4532 Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 30	cm9 CM9 for me...its no target pistola but concealability and the 9mm punch swayed me to get it...I really like it... __________________ If you can read this- thank a teacher. If you can read this in english- thank a vet.

June 10, 2013, 01:41 PM	#4
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,648	Open ended is intended - looking for opinions, not analysis. Manual safety is OK. Maybe I should specify, smaller than a Glock 23, larger than a KelTec P32.

June 10, 2013, 02:01 PM	#5
hardhat harry Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2010 Location: I've moved... Posts: 233	How about a Glock 27?

June 10, 2013, 02:07 PM	#6
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,332	The next step up from my Ruger LC9 will be a Boberg XR9S.

June 10, 2013, 02:35 PM	#7
Broker Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 41	Sounds like you need a Kahr, or S&W Shield, in either 9 or 40.

June 10, 2013, 04:26 PM	#9
TailGator Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,809	My EDC is a Glock 26, and I am entirely satisfied with it. Reliable, quite decent accuracy, and small enough to go anywhere. If I was looking for something even smaller, though, I would have to look at the Sig P938. My wife bought a P238 and it is a gem. The biggest drawback to me would be the shrinking capacity.

June 10, 2013, 08:53 PM	#10
huskybiker Member Join Date: March 10, 2013 Posts: 97	Pretty content with both my M&P9C and Shield 9. Not a whole lot of difference size-wise, but the Shield is definitely for all day carry.

June 10, 2013, 09:12 PM	#11
WBlacklidge Junior Member Join Date: June 6, 2013 Posts: 3	I hear a lot of great things about the latest S&W Shields they are exactly what you are looking for as far as size goes. When they first came out there were some minor issues but now they are great out of the box. I can't give you direct experience so I suggest you head over to mp-pistol or smith-wessonforum. I know it isn't the size you are looking for but I shoot the M&P 40c and with just a barrel swap you can have a .357 Sig and with a barrel and mag swap you have a reliable 9mm. For range use you can toss in the 9mm barrel and use the 357/40 mags but no way I would suggest that for carry or any situation you need it to work all the time every time.

June 10, 2013, 10:23 PM	#13
ScotchMan Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2011 Posts: 1,368	In my opinion the greatest carry gun out there right now is the H&K P2000sk. If you want something thinner for IWB I like the Walther PPS. These are my two top carry guns at the moment, with the preference being the H&K with the correct holster. http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=493741

June 12, 2013, 12:16 PM	#14
scottycoyote Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2005 Location: southwestern va Posts: 830	i pocket carry a p32 as well, and sometimes carry a g27.....ive been looking for something myself to fill the void between those 2...im thinking either a shield, nano, pf9, or airweight jframe.

June 12, 2013, 02:04 PM	#15
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,648	Thanks for the input, folks. I met with success yesterday, but not in the way I expected. Came home with a S&W M&P 9 mm. That's right, a pistol slightly bigger than my Glock. I thought my wife would grudgingly agree to a new pistol, but have no interest in it. Wrong. She has started to shoot with me, loves the .22, but refuses to shoot the Glock 23 based on watching me. So, we looked at the Beretta Nano, Walther PPS, Sigs, the M&P, and the Ruger SR9c. Didn't see any Shields available. The surprise was the Ruger; nice little pistol. And all of the above would serve well for carry. But they are not the best for a beginning shooter. Hence, the M&P. So instead of being replaced as my carry piece, Miss Big Butt Glock is replaced for home guard duty with a gun that my wife can and does shoot. We went to the range today, and she handled it fine. I'm proud of her, given that this was the first time she fired a center fire handgun. Range notes: I can certainly feel the difference in recoil between the .40 and 9, but not so much that it would make me choose one over the other. I like the M&P grip better (who doesn't) but I actually like the Glock trigger (mine has the light pull connector). In the Glock vs. M&P debate, I'm switching to S&W. Oh, my 23 is fine, but the new subcompacts are going to be a challenge in .40. Haven't tried a 27, but I doubt I could shoot it as well. Carry plan: With the Glock relieved of home duty, I'll focus more on placement, maybe even consider a different holster. Currently use a Sidearmor IWB. Just for fun, I might try a .357 Sig barrel, but I doubt I will switch from .40S&W. Next handgun: Only have one revolver, so I think I "need" the new 4" SP-101 in .357 Mag.

June 13, 2013, 07:22 PM	#16
B.O.F.H. Junior member Join Date: March 11, 2013 Posts: 115	I would recommend an appendix carry holster for your g23. I carry a beretta 92 in this location and it disappears.

June 14, 2013, 07:31 AM	#19
hAkron Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2011 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 318	I'm a big fan of alloy framed compact CZ's in 9mm such as the PCR and the P-01. Also around the same size/weight, but available in 40 & 357 sig would be the Sig P229 and the Sig 239. Used you can usually find a CZ for under $450. The Sigs used are closer to $550.

June 14, 2013, 08:34 AM	#20
kcub Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 3,332	Single stack or double stack? Most double stacks are going to print like your G23. If single stack you may as well go with a compact .45 like a Colt officers model.

June 15, 2013, 02:18 AM	#21
LRChops Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2013 Location: Placer County Posts: 125	KAHR PM45! A fantastic concealable .45 auto!

June 22, 2013, 10:33 PM	#22
Forrest68 Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2013 Posts: 135	I have the XDs .45 ACp as well as the Ruger SR9c, I most often carry the SR9c, and if you want tostay with .40 S&W Ruger makes a SR40c. I have easy over 4000 rounds threw the SR9c with ZERO issues. Personally I like the extra safety features but some don't, those being a manual thumb safety,trigger safety,mag release safety. Just some options, good luck with your choice.

June 23, 2013, 11:41 AM	#23
Tomac Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2001 Location: Caldwell, Idaho Posts: 511	S&W M&P9c is my preferred CCW but I recently acquired a Kahr CM9 w/a Covert Carrier combo grip/clip for those times I simply can't carry the Smith: Tomac __________________ "His Universe, His rules." - Tomac

June 24, 2013, 07:39 AM	#24
camsdaddy Senior Member Join Date: October 5, 2007 Posts: 398	I would recommend a sub compact Glock as well. Also look into a holster that has a little more forward cant. This alone could solve your problem. Disregard this idea if you are wanting to make another gun purchase.

June 25, 2013, 08:41 PM	#25
Moe Howard Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2008 Location: North Texas Posts: 690	Re: New Carry Pistol I have carried a kel-tec pf9 for the past 3 years (along with its little brother kel-tec 380) last summer I bought my 2nd M&P compact and love it. This summer I wanted to replace my pf9 with another single stack 9mm and after shooting my wife's Beretta Nano I now own one myself. We picked up both @ gun shows for $375 that makes it tough to beat in this category.